Those who believe in telekinetics, raise my hand.
-Kurt Vonnegut
28 April 2011
21 April 2011
Gem Guide to Amsterdam
A new feature is to be added to Gem: a guide to the gems hidden in Amsterdam. We still need to figure out the best way to work the Gem Guide feature into the blog's interface. Until then, you will be able to find the posts logged under this feature by searching this blog for 'Gem Guide to Amsterdam'.
By way of announcement: we begin with...
RUTGER HAUER!
The photos above were taken amidst a lazy stroll through Cultuurpark Westergasfabriek in Amsterdam (in September of 2009). It wasn't me personally who took the pictures: I was standing next to the photographer. When these pictures were taken I was roughly in the state of a wooden sculpture. Blade Runner has always been larger than life for me, and Rutger Hauer an icon that simply could not be imagined roaming among us. At first, he got distracted by the sounds of our camera, and then he rested his gaze on me.
(Oh bloody wow)
Not a muscle moved in response.
Hence that smile.
Later that evening, we went for dinner at Rainarai - a restaurant at the edge of the Westergasfabriek area dedicated to the 'nomadic kitchen from Algeria'.
"Just imagine..." teased the man who dared to photograph Rutger Hauer. "Imagine that... this... Floris guy... what's his name again... imagine that he comes here... If he would, I'd ask him to sing for you."
Rutger Hauer as Floris van Rosemondt
The dialogue went on, but this is the last bit I remember. Because only a little while later I indeed spotted Rutger Hauer smoking in the front yard of the restaurant.
The front yard, as photographed earlier that same day
My date did not believe it until Rutger Hauer walked through the door. If until this moment the Dutch people spoke of anything unusual, they stopped and started speaking of everyday things instead. This probably serves as a Dutch courtesy and a sign of respect.
How could anyone blend in with THAT?
Not only did he eat in Rainarai, he also sat at the neighbouring table, AND behind me. Twice, he went out for a smoke, and each time he apologized to me for walking accross my table.
Yes, you read that right.
Rutger Hauer stood on top of my table.
18 April 2011
Blend in
Yet again, she found herself completely, utterly and irrepairably embarassed... "Why don't I just blend in with this dreary wall paper behind me?" she murmured to herself.
The unfortunate dialogue took place during a business meeting at a renowned law firm. While making notes, she felt they lacked colour.
I should ask them nicely to fetch those magic markers, she thought to herself.
"Would it be possible to get one of those magic mushrooms?" she said.
After several moments of silence, the most senior partner of the three politely replied: "Would you care for it right now, or after the meeting?"
The venue was Amsterdam. The woman was me.
The photographs featured above are taken from the 'Hiding in the City' series by Liu Bolin, an artist from China.
Restless, lately
Moving house and venturing into an indie start-up. In the past weeks, too little was left of me by the end of the day to spin themes on gem. This unfortunate state of affairs may continue for a short while more, but I shall return, and then with a vengeance.
13 April 2011
Cashback NSFW
NSFW
'Cashback' is an awarded short film directed by Sean Ellis (2004). Ellis later developed it into a feature film of the same title (2006).
Ben Willis (Sean Biggerstaff) works three nights a week at the local Sainsbury's to be able to pay for his art classes. While his fellow employees perfect their individual ways of killing time, Ben finds the fundamentals of still life in every corner of the supermarket. Boredom, too, is a state of mind.
09 April 2011
Storm
'Storm' is a 9-minute beat poem by Tim Minchin, an award-winning Australian musician, actor, comedian and writer. It is Minchin himself who performs it here. The animation (released a week or so ago) is by DC Turner. Highly amusing.
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