Thursday 31 December 2009

The dinner

The right answer is: M1, M2, J1, J2, R2, L and me – 7 people. Two hours before the dinner J2 said he wouldn’t be coming. It was a nice surprise when he showed up. I’ve made this for dinner, although it didn’t look quite as nice. My house smells like pancakes. And I am totally confused... Oh, not again!!!

So who is going to Riga with me? Maybe I should invite one of my guests. ;)

Tuesday 29 December 2009

Wednesday dinner

Tomorrow it’s Wednesday again - time for our traditional Wednesday dinner. It’s my turn to cook. It’s also the last Wednesday of the year – good reason to organise something special. My idea was – let’s invite more friends to join. Afterwards we’ll all go dancing together. That sounds like fun. And that’s when it started!!!

I assumed we'd start with the three of us, usual suspects: C, M1 and myself. I called C to ask him whether he doesn’t mind a little extension. He didn’t answer my call, but he sure wouldn’t mind. Invite R1: “I’ll think about it, I’ll let you know.” Then invite R2. Then invite A. Then invite J1. M1 came up with the idea to invite P. R2 and A confirmed. Try to call C again, no answer. J1 declined: “I have to work the next day” – lame excuse, who doesn’t! I called R1 to check: “I think I’ll skip this time. I want to start dancing in January.” M1 called to tell me P isn’t coming either. I started negotiations with J1: “Come for the dinner, dancing is optional.” After three hours of negotiations J1 agreed to come. In the meanwhile I texted L: “Going dancing Wednesday? Wanna join us for dinner?” Yes to all – good. When I came home I discovered a message from A – she thinks her day will be too busy and she prefers to spend the evening at home. I’ll call her tomorrow and try to convince her to come to the dinner, dancing optional. Text C to inform him about the extended version of the Wednesday dinner. The answer: “You’ll have enough fun without me. I’ll stay at home a sleep before dancing. I’ll probably see you later at the dancing place.” What?!!! M1 is going to call him tomorrow. Tonight M1 has invited J2 while we had dinner together. He’ll be there, 99% sure. I’ve just texted M2, let’s hope she comes.

Now you may guess (or calculate) which people will be sitting around my table tomorrow. If you guess right I’ll take you with me on my trip to Riga! Submit your answers in comments. Good luck!

Love pain

For the past seven days I’ve been acting as a psychological support hotline for a friend suffering from love pain. It’s a serious and time consuming task. I love him, I have the time, I’ll make the time. He was very helpful when I needed support earlier this year. But while I’m fulfilling this honourable task I can’t help but observe our interaction. Very interesting!

What happens when someone in love pain seeks your support? You listen and try to say something comforting. What do you come up with:

“The pain will go with time.” – does it help the person you’re trying to comfort? Not a bit! How much time?!

“What you feel and think is perfectly normal.” – So what?! How is that supposed to help?

“You have to go through this, it’s a part of the game.” – What kind of crap is that?!!!!

“Look for some distraction. Try to be among people as much as possible.” – People?! You mean all those happy assholes with partners and families?

I remember getting all this some months ago. I even remember getting angry at a friend because he said all these things that didn’t help at all. Why do I say all this to my friend now? I know it doesn’t help. Who knows? Maybe because there’s nothing better I can think of. Maybe because I know all of this is true. And maybe because I know that hearing a voice of a person (no matter what that voice is saying) is always better than listening to the silence of the great emptiness of your house...

Another friend called tonight. “I feel fine, but deep inside I miss something...” - she said. “You miss a man, don’t you?” “Yes... I miss J, G, N, P, even V and all the men I haven’t even met yet!” I didn’t know what to say to that.

Monday 28 December 2009

I just haven’t met you yet

I had a brunch with a friend today. She said: “I asked a CD of Michael BublĂ© for Christmas.” The name didn’t say me anything. I asked her to post a link to one of his songs on my wall. When she did, I though: “Hey, I know this guy!” He is in charts with his song ‘I Just Haven’t Met You Yet’. I think this song is very appropriate for my situation at the moment.

Saturday 26 December 2009

Planning

Dutch plan. They plan all their business and free time weeks in advance. Sometimes you’ll have to wait weeks before you can spend an afternoon with a couple of friends. This way of life is quite annoying, because your diary is constantly filled with all kinds of obligations and you never have free time. Free time vanishes if it’s planned week in advance. I feel imprisoned if my diary is filled with appointments like this.

Ukrainians don’t plan. They plan neither business nor free time. Get up in the morning, decide what’s important and do it. That makes it impossible to make long term strategies, or to rely on anything. Time becomes fluid. I can’t be in such environment – I’m not a good swimmer.


Is there a way in between? I’m trying. These Christmas days are the result. Thursday evening: dinner with four instead of two. Friday: an unexpected West Side Story treat. Saturday: unexpected plan to visit the Winterparade in Amsterdam and an unexpected decision not to go to Amsterdam after all. Tomorrow: I’ll be meeting a friend for a coffee at 11:00 and for the rest – we shall see.

America


It was a fabulous Christmas with presents, brunch, lazy afternoon, visit to my friend’s family, more presents and the biggest present: an unplanned visit to the West Side Story at the Circustheater – fantastic!
Santa brought these -->


Friday 25 December 2009

Flexible

Our plan for the Christmas eve was simple: just the two of us, cook, eat, make a necklace or watch a DVD. My friend got a text: “P asks whether we are going to dance tonight.” We’ve been through this some five times in the past week. “Tell him we are not going. I’ll finish with the Christmas tree and then we’ll start cooking.” I had J1 on the phone and my friend suggested he could join us. “Is J2 also coming?” – J1 asked. I called J2: “Are you coming for dinner?” So there we were, the four of us. Dinner (the meat of wild boar tastes delicious!), milkshakes and ice-cream and lots of fun with Jenga. I wonder how our plans for tomorrow will work out.

Thanks for voting again! My Richard lives in Amsterdam. Amsterdam is good, not too far. Brussels was leading for some time and I almost regretted putting it on the list. Distance in a relationship scares the hell out of me. Traumas from the past. I hope to be able to introduce a more or less complete Richard somewhere in the course of next week.

Merry Christmas everyone, enjoy whatever activities you’ve planned for these days. Have fun! (Can’t wait till I may open the presents!)

Thursday 24 December 2009

Answer to Life, Universe and Everything

The snow in The Hague is melting, but Utrecht is still covered by a thick layer of real snow. In the morning the fields along the railway from The Hague to Utrecht are very often covered with mist. Mist in combination with snow changes the landscape so much, you might believe you are in a different time or at least in a different country. Snow has this ability to change things, to cover details be it dirt or insane order. That leaves you with the essence and lets you see what’s important. The farms along the railway looked very familiar this morning. It’s not because I’ve seen them out of the train window so many times. But they remind me of my childhood, a train journey from Kiev to Moscow or from Moscow to Saratov, even though the sterile order of Dutch farms has nothing to do with the reckless chaos of Russian rural landscapes. The snow makes them equal somehow. I’ve been complaining about the snow in the past few days, but I must admit I miss real snow a lot.

Thanks to all the voters (slightly less than yesterday) for helping me define the age of Richard. I was a little worried this afternoon because all ages had an even amount of votes. Fortunately someone has showed up tonight and made the decisive vote – Richard is 41. The answer to Life, Universe and Everything. Ok, not. But very close. Let’s hope his midlife crisis is (almost) over. I think voting on every detail about my imaginary boyfriend will become annoying very soon. Besides, it’s my man after all so I will decide for myself. But there is one more thing I would like you to vote on: the city Richard lives in. After you’ve done that I will complete the portrait. Thank you for your help! I mean it.




I received a Christmas present at work today – a €50 Douglas gift card. I’m going to buy myself a new perfume. Suggestions?

Wednesday 23 December 2009

How old is Richard?

Can anyone explain this phenomenon to me?






Ok, thanks to everyone for voting and helping me to choose a name for my imaginary boyfriend. The name is Richard (6 votes, as opposed to 4 for Jeroen, 2 for Vincent and 2 for Alex). I like it! The next step is defining his age. Another day of voting if you wish. I actually think it’s fun to make up a man by letting you vote. I hope you enjoy it too. :) Vote on the right. Thanks!

Tuesday 22 December 2009

Self-defence

And we are back to luxury problems (as some consider them). My friend couldn’t get to work because public transportation didn’t work and even the taxis refused to come. Snow is not something this country is meant for. So instead of working we had a serious conversation. We had to discuss our plan for the next year.

Hell, we need a plan! We need to prevent men who dance with us from hitting on us. There isn’t a day I dance that I don’t get ‘hit’. It varies from “You have very beautiful eyes. Did you know I’m a salsa teacher?” to too much physical contact. There are several exceptions but for the rest the men around us divide into two camps: mine and hers. Last Friday was most unpleasant because we were brought home by a man whom we dared to trust and who appeared to be hitting on both of us! She felt very insecure in his car when I stepped out. We have to defend ourselves. We are not looking for a relationship (or occasional sex) in this small dance scene. We just like to dance!

So here’s the plan: in 2010 we’ll make up imaginary boyfriends for ourselves, and tell everyone we are not available. I’ve even thought of using my wedding ring again, but that might be a little overdone for the moment. Anyway, it’s time to brush up what I’d learned in my acting classes. To make your acting credible you need to have as much information about your character as possible. I remember writing several pages with character description for a five-minute dialogue where each of us had to say only four sentences.

Now I have to think up a man and our relationship in as much detail as possible: what’s his name, how he looks like, how old he is, what he does, what he likes and dislikes and more details. I think of using a man I know as a basis to build on. It’s much easier to believe in a relationship with a man who actually exists. I might share the description here if it doesn’t make the “basis man” clearly recognisable.

Of course I’d greatly appreciate your help in this matter. Let’s start with the name. You have one day to vote for the name in the poll on the right side of this blog. Thanks!!!! :)

This song has nothing to do with the subject. I just like it. :)

Monday 21 December 2009

Snow

It’s been snowing the whole day long. For the first time in twelve years I see a lot of snow in the Netherlands. Real snow. Just like “at home”. I had to fight my way into the shed where I have my washing machine. And I was attacked by my little neighbours when I opened the front door. :)

When I woke up this morning and saw the snow falling I thought of a poem by Boris Pasternak. Unfortunately I didn’t manage to find an English translation online. Here’s a song version of this poem (music and performance by Sergey Nikitin):

Sunday 20 December 2009

The Ball


Friday 18 December 2009

Christmas cards

I love the internet. We met in 1995 and we’ve been together ever since. It was love at first sight. I love what we have together: support, trust, challenge. It’s a very demanding relationship too. Sometimes I have to be strong and resist. It’s not always easy. And I am giving in bit by bit. I love music on CDs but I download it nowadays. I love using dictionaries in print, but I end up with Google translate more and more often. There are some things I still keep for myself, though. Christmas cards is one of those things. Whatever happens – my Christmas cards reach their recipients by snail mail in a paper envelope.

I just wanted to say that I’m traditional in this respect (just like in dating), but I’m not sure about it. I started sending Christmas cards to family and friends twelve years ago, when I came to the Netherlands. I just go along with this Christmas greetings fever every year. Address lists, post stamps, envelopes. What I just don’t remember doing, is going to a shop and buying a box (or several boxes) of postcards to send to all the people on my list. No matter how beautiful, shiny or cheap the cards in the shops are, I’m never tempted to buy any of them.

Instead of going an easy way, buying postcards, signing them, putting stamps and address stickers, and sending the bunch away (which would take a couple of hours already), I tend to make a project out of it. I tend to enjoy the whole happening only if I can make my own Christmas cards. It always involves cutting, gluing or stencilling. Maybe do something with a photo. It takes me days to think up a design, buy the necessary materials and make the cards. It brings stress too. Like today. When I couldn’t buy what I needed.

This is the first time I’ll be sending Christmas cards signed by only one person – me. It feels a little weird. It’s a new experience. I thought I’ve built my life here already, but it in many aspects it seems I’m only starting...

I have a very nice idea for my cards this year. I hope everyone likes them!

Disaster

It was 20:00 when I came home from work. I’ve worked six hours today. And I’ve spent another six hours travelling from The Hague to Houten and back.

“Attention! Due to the weather conditions* there are less trains** available in all directions.”
* Snow in the middle of December.
** About 90% less trains.

I’ve spent about forty minutes waiting for the bus. That’s instead of the usual two minutes.

People at work were comparing how much time they’d spent getting to work this morning. It looked like a competition. I won. Not only I spent almost three hours getting to work. I also fell off my bike three (!) times because the road was covered with melted snow. It was very stupid to go by bike anyway, but what upsets me most is that I was the only one falling. Other people didn’t seem to have this problem. You can clearly see I ‘m not Dutch. I have come a long way when it comes to mastering a bike, but there are things I’ll never be able to do. Biking over melted snow is definitely one of them.


Snowy landscape outside the train window

Thursday 17 December 2009

Value meal

My dinner consisted of a Burger King “value meal” which I ate on the train. I don’t come to Burger King often, but every time I do I get a confirmation that Burger King has very strict selection criteria for their personnel. The most important quality of a BK staff member is the ability to be slow. Very slow. I mean – really slow. Without that quality – don’t bother to apply. Additional criteria are: not being able to count (or let the cash register count for you), not being able to remember anything that’s not on the receipt (things like extra tissues or a take-away bag), ability to forget things that are on the receipt and absolute inability think straight. The personnel department of the BK must be working overtime to enable such a thorough selection process.

I am stitch free now! Yay!!! I haven’t seen my scar yet – too exhausted after a busy day and four hours of dancing.

My hair looks fine. The only one who noticed that my hair changed, was Remie. (Yes. And no.)

Tuesday 15 December 2009

Accent

Here we go: the poll on whether or not I should get rid of my accent is closed now. Remarcably enough more people voted in my hair poll than in my accent poll. Apparently hair is more fun to vote on. But unlike in the case of my hair this time I’m actually going to follow your advice. So if you haven’t voted you missed the chance to directly influence my life! That’ll teach you!

Great thank you to the 18 voters! 14 of them said I should keep my accent. I think nearly half of them are Russian speaking friends who have the same accent. ;) But that’s ok. Following advice of the people with similar experience is not such a crazy idea. 4 people think I should get rid of my accent. And I am very curious of their reasons. Do they agree with me or do they have different reasons. Please, if you have voted “Yes” leave an (anonimous) explanatory comment under this post. Please!? If I see some good reasons in the comments I might reconsider, but for now I decided to keep my accent.

Tomorrow will be a busy and exciting day. I will have the stitches removed off my back. I will go to the hairdresser. I will have another speed dating event. And I will have a dance lesson and some more dancing in the evening. I’ll keep you posted.

Monday 14 December 2009

Circle

At the end of the day it appears that all you have to do to be happy is be happy. The circle is round. Or not?

Anastasia - The Circle Is Not Round (Before the Rain)

Conversation

“Will you take care of the tickets next week?”
“I did already. I reserved two tickets for us.”
“Is your smoking ready?”
“Yes, the trousers are taken in and I have bought a new shirt and a new tie. I just didn’t feel like buying a new pair of lacquered shoes, is that ok?”
“Yes, I can live with that. As long as your shoes are black.”
“Of course!!! I will bring my photo camera along so we can make a photo to show to your mother.”
“Good idea! I have arranged for a pair of long gloves, a necklace, a pair of earrings and a new clutch. I will wear stockings.”
“Oh, please, leave the dress at home!”

Christmas ball is not about dancing. It’s about dressing up and shining!

Sunday 13 December 2009

The dream

I keep on listening to this poem by Andrey Makarevich. That’s my mood today. I'm so tired of hurting and pain, I want it to be over. How long is it still that I have to wait?



I have translated the poem into English, so non-Russian reading visitors have an idea of what the poem is about:

I see the same dream again:
The sea is breathing rhythmically in front of my house,
And the house is shaking from the blows of the waves,
There are spatters of sea water on my window,
And the wall of water merges with the sky,
And the water is cold and there is no bottom,
And the ship has already arrived, and I hear the command,
And they put the gangplank to my window.
And again I shout: “Wait! Wait!
I’m not ready yet, give my one day to get ready!
Give me just one day without phone calls,
Without the rain outside, without yesterday's truths.
Give me just one day!” But they don’t hear me...
They put away the gangplank and take off,
The steering wheel is squeaking, and I hear the command.
(Spatters of sea water are left on my window.)
And for a moment the sky is hidden behind the sails,
And the water is boiling, and the ship departs...
I stand by the window and swallow my tears,
Because there will be no ship anymore...
I am left with the slush of the Moscow streets,
Fragments of lanterns as if at the river bottom,
And faces of the passing by strangers,
And a cold tea. And an autumn evening

I have removed the bondage off my back today and saw the stitches. It’s very weird to see thread sticking out of my back like this.

And by the way, my accent is more important than my hair! Today is the last day to vote - so do it!

Saturday 12 December 2009

Life experience

Tonight I went to a restaurant with a group of former colleagues. One of the men went to the toilet and when he came back he confessed to my neighbour: “It’s a very strange toilet they have here.” Later I asked my neighbour whether he’d checked out the toilet and what was special about it. “Just a regular toilet, nothing strange or special. The man probably doesn’t go out very often. But I’ve just realised how many different toilets I’ve seen in my life!” I think our life experience can be measured by the amount of different toilets we’ve visited.

Friday 11 December 2009

The Manipulated Man

Did you know there’s an article on ‘first date’ in Wikipedia? Wikipedia is a great resource of information, but that’s not what this post is about.

My friend called an hour before the time to wish me luck. “I’ll call you as soon as I get home”, - I promised her. I wasn’t nervous. Not a bit. I didn’t spend hours in front of the mirror. In fact I was ready in twenty minutes. My hair didn’t look anything near to what I would like it to look like, but that didn’t bother me. Nothing was awkward from the moment he rang the doorbell till the moment I stepped out of the car in front of my house some hours later.

He embraced me and gave me a kiss on my cheek: “I hope you are hungry.” Yes, I am. ‘What food do you like?” I wondered what he planned. “Do you like Japanese?” Oooh, determined to impress! Yes, I love Japanese! I am very predictable, I know. “Let’s go to my favourite place, it’s very cosy and the food is very good.” I thought I’d seen all Japanese restaurants in The Hague but this place was new to me. It’s small and cosy and the food is good.

According to researchers of the universities of Missouri and Pittsburgh a first date, or any date that follows, the man is typically and traditionally portrayed as initiating the date, planning the date activities, picking the girl up, driving, paying for the date, performing courteous acts for the date- such as opening doors for her and possibly making any affectionate moves and then returning the date home. On the other hand, the woman’s role tends to be more of a passive one. That’s exactly what happened. I’m not very emancipated in this respect.

Esther Vilar writes in The Manipulated Man (1971) that women try and condition men to conform to a set of rules that caters exclusively to their needs, and reward men with praise (i.e. "you're such a gentleman", "it's so nice to meet a man who knows how to treat a woman", "you're so well-mannered") when men comply with these set of rules, while scolding and vilifying them if they don't. Well, I have to tell you, the women before me did their job really well! I didn’t have to do any scolding.

We’ve had a “date” before. I took the initiative, it was late, most places were closed. We ended up at a cafĂ© with a disco, loud music, talking was difficult and the conversation wasn’t very exciting. When he dropped me off at my place I told him I’d appreciate him taking more initiative (yes, I am very direct, deal with it!). I haven’t heard from him for nearly two weeks. I wasn’t all too worried about it. If it’s not meant to be, it’s not meant to be. And I was very surprised to see his name when my phone rang this afternoon. My heart didn’t jump in joy, but the frustrations from yesterday and this morning went away and I ended up feeling nice and peaceful for the rest of the day.

Tomorrow night... weekend... dancing... movie... modern dance... jazz... theatre... music... I said I’d like to try Argentine tango. “Don’t do this, baby. You already have such a busy schedule.” Baby! Baby...

Another kiss on my cheek and I am at my doorstep. “What?! Are you home ALREADY?!” – I had to convince her I really enjoyed the evening.

I feel like good music: Radio Citizen - The Hop (Feat. Bajka)

Thursday 10 December 2009

Up and running again

I mean my bicycle. It’s got completely new breaks, two new handles, two electric lights (front AND back) and a new support leg! It almost looks like new, it was difficult to resist the temptation to clean it and make it shine with some oil. I didn’t clean it, because I don’t want to make it look new – it will increase the chance of theft.

I went to the doctor today to remove a birthmark on my back. If you look good, you can see the birthmark on my back. The doctor asked me when I have to dance again. “Tonight!” – I said. “Oh, I wouldn’t advise that. You move your back more than you think. If you dance the scar won’t look neat.” I called a friend in panic. “Calm down”, - she said. “You can take your lesson and afterwards you will just dance bachata and easy merengue or zouk and no salsa.” I thought it was a good idea, but standing still when salsa music is on is absolutely unbearable. I left early. Frustrated.

Some new good music - Bonobo - Nightlite (Featuring Bajka):

Wednesday 9 December 2009

Embassy

Tonight there was a nice party at the Ukrainian Embassy in The Hague. It was a surprise farewell party for the Cultural AttachĂ©. Everybody brought presents, food and drinks, there was live Ukrainian music and people were singing – really nice! The ambassador himself wasn’t there, he had to attend some official event. His wife was there for a while, then she left too. The embassy was entrusted into hands of the “friends of the house”. I didn’t expect such a relaxed attitude from our Embassy and was very pleased to experience that!



A brief salsa lesson              A splash of Ukrainian patriotism    


                                 










Farewell photo

Tuesday 8 December 2009

Speed dating and airBaltic

According to Wikipedia, speed dating is a formalized matchmaking process or dating system whose purpose is to encourage people to meet a large number of new people. Today I have attended an event (organised by NCH and COETC) with exactly the same purpose – encourage people to meet a large amount of new people. They call it networking event. For me it had some very unexpected results.

It’s a room full of people, today – 70% male, with a stack of business cards in their hand (or their pocket). The aim is to exchange as many of your own business cards for the business cards of other people. Exchange rate – one to one. You tell your own story as many times as many people you talk to. Approaching complete strangers feels a little awkward at first, but you get used to it very quickly.

Networking at such events is a little like hunting, see it as a sport. The group consisted of people (interested in) doing business in Russia, Baltic states, Ukraine and Kazakhstan. My challenge was to identify people dealing with Ukraine. “How am I going to do it?” – I thought after scanning the list of more than hundred participants. “Hi, I am from the Chamber of Commerce BeNeLux-Ukraine...” - I talked to two people and just started a conversation with a third person when we all were requested to pay attention to an announcement. AirBaltic was collecting business cards to draw a prize – two roundtrip tickets Amsterdam-Riga-Amsterdam. “Please, if you haven’t put in your business card yet, do it now, it’s your last chance!” I took out my business card and put it in a box. “It’s very Dutch.” – said the man I was talking to. Well, I don’t look Dutch and I talk with an accent, but at least I act Dutch!

Two minutes later our conversation was interrupted again – the winner was about to be announced. The woman from airBaltic put her hand in the box and took a card out. I couldn’t believe it, but she was reading my name!!! I am the lucky owner of two tickets to Riga!!! Applause, photo, receiving the certificate and discussing sponsoring possibilities with airBaltic. After that networking was really easy. Relevant people have approached me: “Shall we go together?” “Are you married?” “Yes, I am.” “No, you are not going with me.” “And if I weren’t married?” “Then you would have had a good chance.” “Oh, but that’s very flattering!” More serious conversations followed as well.

At the end of the event I was talking to a colleague and someone with whom we work already. My colleague: “Shall we make another prize draw? Let people submit their cards for a chance to join you on your trip to Riga? That will be excellent promotion for our Chamber!”
Our contact: “Oh, I’m sure she has a man up her sleeve already!”
Me: “???”
Our contact: “Oh, come on! I read your blog every once in a while!”
Oh my God, I have a name! Maybe I should be less openhearted on this blog...

Anyway, I am still thinking of an original way to fill that chair next to me on my way to Riga. Suggestions are welcome!

Monday 7 December 2009

Sinterklaas


Yesterday I finally had a chance to talk to the real Sinterklaas! He was very sweet. We were brought to him by a real Zwarte Piet!






The poem I published yesterday accompanied the first aid kit for a broken heart that contains elastic gauze bandage, dressing strip, tape, glue, hearing protection (against all those seducing words that finally lead to a broken heart), loads of Kleenex and a bag of tea lights. No love control pills. :-|

Sunday 6 December 2009

Sinterklaas

Lieve Sasja

Je bent een succesvolle jonge vrouw in een grote stad.
Je bent jong en wild aantrekkelijk, een echte schat.

Je danst als een godin en met een energie die niemand ontgaat.
De mannen rennen achter je aan en zie wat een onrust er ontstaat.

De Boterwaag als jij er bent, staat hij in vuur en vlam.
Dansen, dansen, dansen, iets drinken het komt er niet van.

En komt er even niemand met je dansen.
Dan ga je zelf wel op pad om te sjansen.

Al die mannen, het wordt je nooit te veel.
Je lacht als zij je sms'en, of schrijven per mail.

“Weet je wat hij zij: Als ik zo ben zoals ik dans
dan ben ik de meest geweldige vrouw en wil hij een kans”

En dan hijgt hij lieve Franse woordjes in jouw oor.
En jij Sasja verliest jouw hart daarvoor.

Je valt voor zijn charme en de gouden bergen die hij belooft.
Zijn ogen, zijn lichaam, de lust, je hersenen raken verdoofd.

Je wilt hem en besluit hem je onvoorwaardelijke liefde te geven.
Maar dan blijkt, hij is al bezet, kortom er is een andere vrouw in zijn leven.

Je gooit nog wat extra charme in de strijd.
Maar zijn oude liefde wil hij niet kwijt.

Daar sta je dan met je gebroken hart.
En heus Sinterklaas weet alles van smart.

Want 1700 jaar geleden (ik ben 1736) jaar geworden dit jaar
Trouwens we schelen maar 1700 jaar dus een prima paar.

Maar toen zo heel erg lang terug
Werd ik ook wel eens verliefd en dat was ook heel errug.

Slapen kon ik er niet van vele dagen.
En toen moesten de pieten mijn hangende hoofd dragen.

Heus mijn lieve kind ik weet er alles van, maar kan nu chillen.
Nu slik ik in plaats van viagra 'love controle' pillen.

Dit werkt echt heel fantastisch.
Doe ik nooit meer verliefd of spastisch.

Daarmee blijf ik behoed voor het grote leed.
De ondraaglijke pijn die liefdesverdriet heet.

Want Sasja een gebroken hart is voor jou nauwelijks te dragen.
En wie moet je nu weer om troost gaan vragen.

Je vrienden zeggen alweer:
Dat gebeurd jou nu elke keer.

Verdriet went echter nooit.
En telkens voel jij je berooid.

Om jou hierbij te helpen maakt de sint hier een dubbele surprise van.
Hij spreekt hier in beeldtaal en hoopt dat je er wat mee kan.

Hetzelfde geldt voor de cadeaus zij zijn er om je te koesteren en te verzorgen.
Totdat de prins op het witte paard komt wie weet al morgen.

Ik hoop dat je vindt de man die je verdient mijn kind.
En dat hij je de rest van je leven hartstochtelijk bemint.

Dan hoef ik jou niet meer te troosten,
Maar kom ik op je huwelijk proosten.

Een vraag heb ik nog aan jou:
Waarom koos je voor Holland en de kou?

Waarom kom je niet lekker bij mij in Spanje wonen?
Altijd mooi weer en je vrienden kunnen ook langskomen.

Ik hoor het wel als je dat wilt mijn liefste.
Weet de sint is oud, maar nog altijd de fiefste.

Trouwens er is hier in Spanje een enorme vraag naar fotokralen vooral dure.
Kun je er misschien aan mij om te beginnen 100.000 sturen.

Geld speelt geen rol die Spaanse vrouwen worden helemaal gek,
Als zij kunnen showen met mijn foto op kralen rond hun nek.

Stinkend rijk zul je worden van die dingen.
Niet aan te slepen die kralen en misschien ook wel ringen.

Big business ik hoor de kassa al rinkelen.
Kun je fijn iedere dag met M gaan winkelen

Afijn mijn schimmel staat al voor ik moet nu gaan.
Maar volgend jaar kom ik er weer aan.

Sasja het gaat je goed.
En hierbij een hele vriendelijk groet.


Sint en Piet

Saturday 5 December 2009

Sinterklaas


Sinterklaas took over the country! I went downtown today and all people there were buying Sinterklaas presents and chocolate letters and discussing their poems. I had to get a present too. Tomorrow, a couple of hours before the absolute deadline I will have to make a surprise and write a poem or two. Wish me luck!

While I was searching for the right present I popped in a shoe shop and bought a pair of boots. I wore them tonight for dancing. One of my friends didn’t come dancing because he was playing Sinterklaas tonight. The shoes are good. My feet died two hours ago.

Some Boomerang Sinterklaas fun:

Friday 4 December 2009

Passion

Today I received a very openhearted e-mail from a friend of mine. He is the man from whom I’d least expect such an e-mail. He was talking about the game of seduction and passion. He loves playing with feelings and the greatest challenge for him is not to yield to his desire. I guess his ability to resist his desires (and desires of his partner) makes him very attractive.

I told him feelings were a dangerous toy, especially feelings of another person. He has to watch out. I guess he’s old and wise enough to know this. But his words made me think of my own approach to this love game. And I guess I do yield to my desires too soon. There is this thin border between passion and lust and I might have crossed it a couple of times too often. I need to challenge myself, need to learn to resist.

I think I can learn a lot from him.

Talking about passion and seduction:

Thursday 3 December 2009

Double shift

My dance partner called today.
He: “I’m not going dancing tonight.”
Me: “Again? What kind of lame excuse do you have this time?”
He: “I have a double shift today.”
Me: “How come? Scheduling mistake?”
He: “No, this morning I had to be at work because of the management meeting. And tonight I’m going to my girlfriend.”

I have to say, that’s a very original definition of a double shift.

Sinterklaas came by today and left a chocolate letter for me next to my friend’s chimney. :)

I’ve been listening to Gotan Project a lot lately.

Wednesday 2 December 2009

Jammer

‘Welkom bij de cursus “Doormodderen voor gevorderden”.’

‘Guur is een duidelijk woord, maar onguur is er gek genoeg niet het omgekeerde van.’

‘Universiteit is niet tegenovergestelde van diversiteit. Waarom is dat?’

‘Nee, het werd niks. Het was zo’n jongen die cola light drinkt. Dus.’

‘Mensen die niet dogmatisch zijn over eten, zijn nu eenmaal veel leuker. Ik heb een vriendin die alles lekker vindt. Ze roept vrolijk over zichzelf: ‘Ik ben een vuilnisbak! Je kunt alles in mij gooien!’ En inderdaad, wat je ook in haar gooit, ze eet het allemaal gretig op, en zegt dan ook nog: ‘Jezus! Wat lekker!’ Dat is nou een vrouw naar mijn hart.’

Wat een fantastisch boek is dat. Lezen! Jammer dat ik het al uit heb. En waarom heb ik Paulien Cornelisse niet ontmoet toen ik Nederlands aan het leren was?!

Search This Blog