Geneva,

I am back from Geneva, and I refused to check my e-mail when I was 'on vacation,' so here go begins some sort of makeshift 'round-up' of the festivities in a gorgeous, yet wildly expensive city. I'll stop putting 'quotation marks' on everything and get to it.

I landed on THR at 4PM, knowing full well my friends would have to go to work the next day. My friend Meghan lives in a flat with three of her coworkers in Plain Palais, a nice student neighbourhood that has a propensity for circuses, so her flat is aptly titled 'the circus.' It's a nice pun, as the organization she works for that put her up, Franciscans International, has owned the flat for years so the moniker has apparently been earned. There was a circus across the street the entire time I stayed also, even though we never made it there, except to buy a baguette of all things from a carney because that was the only way to get one on Sunday.

Geneva is lovely. All swiss cities are lovely. Geneva is small and loops around Lake Geneva, which provides a beautiful waterfront that is fun to walk around and plenty of boutique shops. Plus, everyone is rich, so much of the city is structured in a wealthy, French way. Big, ornate buildings, gorgeous balconies and plenty of flowers. This time around, it was Christmas trees that took precedent, but regardless, the flora was all over.

THR was spent getting to know her roomates and drinking at a neighbourhood bar. The beer they have there on tap is really good, called Feldschlossen. I remember drinking it in Basel... it may have contributed to the German Smooching Story, but that's another blog entry. Anywho, we had dinner at a Thai Place, relaxed and chilled as they were to go to work the next day.

After walking and walking and walking around both the gorgeous and not-so-gorgeous parts of Geneva the next day, one of the roomate's boyfriends and I decided to head up towards their work, where most of the UN's NGO's live and surprise them. Two of them could leave with us (Meaghan and Caroline) and we went grocery shopping and made dinner. After dinner, more inebriates took hold of our languid bodies (me from walking, them from working) and we pretty much just went to sleep, unless I am forgetting something. I remember drinking enough before leaving the flat to lubricate me from the impending cold.

Saturday Meaghan took me around Geneva, and I explored the Old Town, sampled some fantastic Olive Oil, walked and walked and walked, ate Quiche and ended up in Globus, which is a Pusateri's for even richer people with FREE SAMPLES. We spent over an hour sampling brandy, apple ice cider, champagne, chocolate (oh the chocolate) and others before we ran into my friend Nat and headed back. After Globus, my other friend Eamon invited us for dinner, and the rest of the night is much of a blur. He cooked mexican food and had tons of Vodka, as well some new friends of his from Geneva. After dinner, we went to a Geneva Squat Bar, a weird place open after 2AM with 3 franc beers and odd people. Let's just say it was an experience.. of some kind. Eamon's balcony has a lovely view of the lake and the waterjet (a big shooting jet of water in the lake that is a sort of tourist trap), provided the perfect backdrop for a dinner party. It was all I could ask for. Thanks dude.

On Sunday we woke up late and I made brunch for everyone. It consisted of a veggie and brie quiche with potato topping and grilled sausages for the meat eaters... Plus plenty of bread and hummos. After brunch with Meaghan, her roomates Caroline and Melissa and Melissa's boyfriend Gavin, we went to the Carouge Christmas Market, which is a sort of German-themed craft market with mulled wine, Grogg (hot wine and vodka) and crafts. It was packed, as it was the only thing open, but I met up with Nat again which was nice. She and I did multimedia together so we have that kinship only us crazy mmedia folks can have... After crafts and tea (coffee for me), we went back to the flat and waited for Eamon to show up before heading out for a pint... After the pint, we came home to find Nat and Farhad's lovely girlfriend Nikki cooking us dinner, which was fantastic.. More beers followed and now I am back in Amsterdam, pooped and sad because I've returned to real life.

Quick Notes:
1. Switzerland is EXPENSIVE. Beware when you go. The girls stopped caring, as they knew it was a rich country.
2. I bought a shitload of chocolate.. Non-denominational holiday gifts for all.
3. Swiss Vodka is better than any other Vodka. You can drink it straight.


I am going back to North America on WED. How crazy. Where did the time go. wow.

Moving Day...

I did something today I thought I would never do. I moved house on a bike. Just me, and a bike.. one large duffel bag, one big box, a printer, knick-knacks, three knapsacks and 3 drums, on a bike. It wasn't an ordinary bike, however, it was a Bakfiets, a common bike in Amsterdam, but something that is so uniquely Amsterdam, uniquely Dutch, I feel like I have assimilated just that much more. Ook mijn nederlands sprecken nog ga ercht beter so I can really dive into this culture. I know my friend Renee will read this and point out the grammatical errors in the above, but I tried. Anywho, I biked a total of 15km today, as I had to make two trips (3km each) for a total of 12, plus hustle down to class and back home. It totals about 15km. My calves feel like steel and to be honest, I've never been in better shape in my life. I'm actually feeling somewhat self-confident about myself, as no more does running 40 metres wind me out. Now I can run at least a kilometre or two before I need a break. A picture of my moving vehicle is below. I'm going to Switzerland tomorrow to see my friend's Meghan, Farhad, Eamon, Nikki and Nat. Back on Monday and I'll update this along the way. Love ya.

Two Updates in One Day...


I just hope people read this and realize that Iraq and the Middle East are not the be all and end all of the problems in the world... Really, they are nothing compared to this:

NY Times Article

I feel horrible and helpless.

Paradoxes,

Life is one big paradox... All we try to do throughout life is try to even out these polarities as best we can, to achieve some sort of equilibrium. Some days these paradoxes unveil themselves beautifully, but others they are more transparent. Today has been one of those days... Thinking, thinking, thinking.. Switzerland in two days.

Here's an article I just published on Two Gallants. It's about race.

Two Gallants and Cold War Kids - 11.18 - JamBase

Case of the Mondays...

It's quite gloomy today. I woke up and it was raining, and it is still raining. The only difference is, it's 4:00PM now and quite dark outside. I am going out for dinner tonite so I will have to brave the rain once more on my bike; something I am excited about, lemme tell you.

I leave for Switzerland on THR, move a week today and then leave for 6 weeks to the Caribbean and Canada a week tomorrow, on DEC 20. Things are winding down in a way, and winding up in others. I sense an interested 2007 ahead, one that I pray is better than 2006. This was a rough year.

Definitely a day laced with pathetic fallacies. The weather is king.. Besides, I get all the news I need from it.

Writing...

I jut started work with a new magazine, Pop Matters. They are quite well respected in North America, and I'm looking forward to adding more global coverage to the site. Here is the second piece I wrote for them. Hope you enjoy.

Kelly Joe Phelps and Sarah Harmer - 11.23 - Amsterdam, NL

Howdy,

I'm tired. Absolutely knackered. shattered. all the above. I haven't seen the sun in over a week, and I've been told it doesn't grace Amsterdam until May. How fantastic. This is no medium to rant in, so I won't rant. I'm just pooped.

Living three separate lives is exhausting, but I guess at 23, its sorta the time to do it. I want to focus on one, but I don't know which one yet, so soldiering on I go. I get a break in a little over a week, with a jaunt down to Switzerland to see some friends. That will be nice.

So over the weekend, I met a crazy dude with my friend Farhad. I'm going to try and explain him, but it's one of those 'you had to see this man in person' people. He just sat next to us at Bagels and Beans on the Kinkerstraat in Amsterdam, and proceeded to wield off wikipedia-esque bullshit like it was a white house press conference. Here's a short list of what this mastermind told me.

1. John Lennon is from Hamburg and still alive.
2. His sister is from Dusseldorf
3. You can make the following from pine cones; tobacco, pot, hash, beer, cigars and peanut butter.
4. He built sets for Budweiser at the Montreal Jazz Fest.
5. He worked for 20 years in Paris as a glass blower.
6. My friend Halliday should change her name for fears of getting kidnapped by people looking for a holiday.
7. The owner of the Hilton chain has black hair and isn't named Hilton
8. Fats Domino played in a forest called Brabant in Holland and he had sex with his wife while it was happening.
9. I look like a pianist.
10. He once saw a movie in Ohio at a theatre modeled after one in Amsterdam. He took the 'flybus' to get there. (my friend Nikki from Cincinnati sparked this one)
11. He knew John Lennon 40 years ago in Germany (this one could be true)
12. There is some sort of correlation between the way a pine cone grows and the way a pineapple grows. (he had two pine cones in his pocket. God know where he got them in Amsterdam, a city bereft of Pine trees)
13. He does not drink, but he smokes and enjoys a fine smoke-gar.

I'm sure there was more. It was great. Puts a smile on my face thinking about it. I'm still pooped. Back to the essay. HAPPY SINTERKLAAS.

Oh, yesterday my friend Jared said at his canteen at the Conservatory van Amsterdam, the lunchlady's were serving them in Blackface to celebrate Sinterklaas. What a magical holiday.

Here's pics of Sinterklaas and Zwarte Piete, cause the sun is out for four minutes and I'm in the holiday spirit.

KAE SUN NEWS!

Tourdates

THR, Jan 11 - The Red Dog, Peterborough, ON
w/ The Jimmy Swift Band

FRI, Jan 12 - The Main Hall, Montreal, QC
w/ Fredyv and Black Soil and What The Thunder Said

WED, Jan 17 - Third Floor Reilly's, Toronto, ON
w/ Shad K and What The Thunder Said

THR, Jan 18 - The Pepper Jack Cafe, Hamilton, ON
w/ The Jimmy Swift Band

FRI, Jan 19 - Vinyl, Guelph, ON
w/ The Jimmy Swift Band

SAT, Jan 20 - TBA, Windsor, ON
w/ What The Thunder Said

BIO:

Fresh off winning the Hamilton Music Award for Hip-Hop Recording of the Year, Kae Sun will be hitting the road with his band in January before returning to the studio to record a follow-up to 2006s award-winning Soliloquy.

Kae Sun is hip hop's true believer; a diverse musician with an uplifting repertoire. Whether singing or rapping, Kae Sun communicates honesty and realism through a raw, inspired and soulful vocal style coupled with progressive and politically charged lyricism. As stated in Echo Weekly, Kae Sun "abandons bling for brains, as his words both embrace and transcend the human condition." Over the past few years, in collaboration with several musicians and bands, Kae Sun has initiated a sound deeply rooted within but not restricted to the traditions of reggae, soul, funk, gospel and hip-hop music.

Soliloquy released in January 2006 under Toronto based Life Records Entertainment debuted to a sold out audience of over 300 in Hamilton. Subsequently, Soliloquy garnered heavy underground and local recognition leading to favourable press coverage, a tour of southern Ontario and heavy rotation on college radio including charting with McMaster's CFMU. Furthermore, the album garnered attention as far as Memphis, Tennessee and Amsterdam, including a request to have "Kidnapped" and "Stay Up" featured in an independent movie in Austria. "Stay Up" has also been featured on Pulse Radio in London, UK. Kae Sun has also been featured as the cover story with both Hamilton's VIEW Magazine and Kitchener/Waterloo's ECHO Weekly, and he received acclaimed press in the Hamilton Spectator, McMaster Silhouette, London Free Press, MonkeyBiz and Music in Ghana. Kae Sun has shared the stage with Jackie Richardson, DK Ibomeka, Shad K, K-os, Bob Egan of Blue Rodeo, Vanderpark and many other Canadian bands and musicians from across the genre map.

Live, Kae Sun is a force. Each stage performance, whether performing alone, with an acoustic act or full band, is a spiritual journey encompassing the best of the secular and sacred paradigms at once. Kae Sun's music is heartfelt, thoughtful, incisive and critical without being exhaustively didactic. Whether rhyming or singing, Kae Sun reminds you that while there is eternal beauty among us, there is always work to be done to make things better for everyone. A true testament of the engagingly personal culture of Western Africa, Kae Sun is the perfect blend of old and new, foreign and familiar, groove and soul. Political, spiritual, prolific, melodic and soulful, Kae Sun proves that hip-hop is flourishing without the shackles of demeaning lyricism, gangsta-intonation and negativity. Come see for yourself. Kae Sun will be supporting Below Me Music Artists The Jimmy Swift Band in Hamilton and Guelph, Shad K in Toronto and Fredyv and Black Soil in Montreal. Guelph's What The Thunder Said will be accompanying Kae Sun throughout the tour as his support band, as well as playing sets of their own.

Download Soliloquy for FREE at www.shainhouse.com/kaesun.zip
Website: www.kaesunmusic.com
Myspace: www.myspace.com/kaesun
Sonicbids: www.sonicbids.com/kaesun
TagWorld: www.tagworld.com/kaesunmusic
Blog: www.kaesunmusic.blogspot.com
PureVolume: www.purevolume.com/kaesun

Press Quotes:

..While combining traditional African rhythms, the characteristic boom bap sound of hip hop, and spirit cleansing soul, Kae comments on social issues and provides a much needed dose of spiritual emancipation. He abandons bling for brains, and his words both embrace and transcend the human condition... -Denise de la Frenier .. Echo Weekly

..Soulful, socially conscious Canadian hip-hop has a new name to champion. And since K-os and K..Naan have proven the success of the letter K, it won..t be too difficult to embrace Kae Sun .. especially since he sounds so good... .. Lori Mastronardi, London Free Press.

..His new album, Soliloquy, also lives in two worlds, so to speak, combining the rhythms of hip-hop with live instrumentation. The songs combine the western and the African, the gospel and the secular, the social and the spiritual... .. James Tennant, Hamilton Spectator

..Lyrically and musically, Kae Sun's expression is for the most part competent and cosmopolitan, melodic and mature, and even at times as inspiring as it is inspired, casting aside the boasting that permeates pop hip hop and delving into his own musical roots from the classics... - Ric Taylor, View Magazine, Hamilton

Procrastination,

By writing this blog entry, I am procrastinating. I have been doing so all day, despite the betterment of the situation. If I did my work, then I could party; but I party, instead of doing my work. And the circle, goes round and round. I've yet to paint a pony either.

It's getting colder, which is good because the colder it gets, the less I feel like the world is going to hell. Warmth, especially on December 1st, is not a good sign. Yet, the way we seem to be continuing along in our way of life, hope is facetious. It has just been that kind of day, it seems.

This weekend is reserved for work, and I truly believe I can feel accomplished - a rarity in my life - by Sunday night. I promised to reward myself with drinks on Sunday, but I'm sipping some Belgian ale as we speak, so I'm a bit of a cheater. Aren't we all?

more later.

What a day,

It didn't start out eventful, but I really had an interesting finish to the work day. After some meetings and class, I went back to my friends' for lunch and some studying. Following that., my friend Renee and I were biking home, and we kept getting cut off by a Volvo on a canal road. Canal Roads, like Prinscengracht, Keizersgracht etc. that ring around Amsterdam are narrow, and if a car is meandering through them, bikes can't get past. We were baffled why this car kept stopping and starting - it almost even stopped on a tee and I was two feet from smacking into the back of this car (don't worry mom, I'm fine). So we went around the car finally on the sidewalk, and we found out why this car was driving so erratically.

In the car was SINTERKLAAS and ZWARTE PIETE. For the uneducated, Sinterklaas is a religious, Dutch version of Santa Claus who represents a different holiday altogether, Sinterklaas on Dec 5. There is only one Sinterklass; the same man plays him every year, and there he was, waving to us in the car, staff in hand and sidekick, Zwarte Piete (Black Pete) beside him. It's a rarity to ever see Sinterklaas live, and Renee and I almost got run over my him. I'm still laughing. Even Zwarte Piete was all decked out in blackface (google it if you are curious) and big hoop earrings. It was surreal. We couldn't stop laughing in amazement as we biked past the Volvo. So there you have it Dutch kids, Sinterklaas doesn't ride a white horse, he drives a Volvo.

After criss-crossing through rush hour and taking the usual route home, I biked over a broken bottle and a piece of glass, about 1cm thick got lodged in my front tire, flattening it. I ended up walking home - about 2 miles - and dropped the bike off at the shop. It needed oil anyways.

There you have it. Happy Sinterklaas,

Tot Ziens!

Meneer Shain Shapiro

Sweet Adeline...

I love Phish. I hadn't listened to them in a while and after 15 minutes into "David Bowie," I am hooked again. They remain the best band ever. hands down. The Beatles are up there too.

Okay, I realized something yesterday after my program. Throughout our four year journey into undergraduate academic trancendence, we are just climbing up a mountain - and at the top of the mountain is a great wall. Once you graduate, you have reached the wall, but have yet to scale it. This Cultural Analysis program is pretty much just us flinging ourselves at the wall consistently, bruising our shoulders and frustrating our minds. We seem to keep trying to find a way to scale it, theorize the right way to get over the wall, but every time we try, it fortifies itself and becomes that much more impenetrable. Then, once we graduate and move onto PhD work, we don't climb over the wall, we just become the wall.

So here I am, drowning in essays, trying to become a small brick on a wall that no one has ever climbed over. It makes me feel like I may be that missing piece that meets the Big O, or that the big O is doomed to never finding that missing piece, because it never existed in the first place.

I'm off to read. love you.

Saturday,

What a lazy day. All I've done is written a paper, poorly I might add, and now Im exhausted. I'm thinking I'm going to go out for dinner for once, as I never, almost never do that. Yesterday, in a a rare with being a normal person, I went to Wagamama with my friend Gail and her sister and it was lovely. People actually eat out; who da thunk it?

Turns out I am moving. Not right now, but in January. I love my flat (and those who have been here can attest); it was amazing. It's just a bit too expensive for me right now, and I need to downsize. Turns out the first place I look at is perfect. Big, sunny, a great neighbourhood despite being a little further south - meaning out of town - then where I am, and my roomate/landlord seems to be lovely as well. I'm going to accept the deal next week and pack before I head off to Switzerland.

Now I have to find someone to rent this room by Jan 1. Drew up an ad today and will have it posted next week, so hopefully we'll get someone relatively normal, as Alex deserves someone as fantastic as me! Just kidding. Better than me I hope. No new news other than that. Tour promotion starts next week. fun fun fun.

my 100th post!

It'll be short. Here's a review of a Cat Power show in Amsterdam on 11.3

Hope You Enjoy It - Click Here.

-Love Ya

More immigration woes...

Looks like I'm back to square one mississauga with my immigration paperwork, as my residence permit was rejected because of an oversight and a typo. My Uni is helping me with another application, which will be accepted because it going directly through them. 5 months now and I'm still in limbo. I hate limbo-ing; don't have the knees for it.

Other than that, it's rain rain rain and work work work. Have lofty aspirations for tonight, and this is the last thing I'm doing that isn't academic before I buckle down and giv'r. Went to the market today and saw two litres of mustard for 1 euro. I was curious. Very curious. I didn't buy it.

Listening to Sufjan Stevens and John Coltrane tonite. Should be relaxing. Oh, and I'm playing a show tomorrow at Bitterzoet in Amsterdam with my friends, The Show, from Toronto. They are here because of the Cannabis Cup, and I'm sitting in on percussion. At least methinks that is what is happening. Come one, come all. No cover.

Lazy Sunday;

Lots and lots and lots to do... little motivation to do it.. or a lot of motivation and just plain lazy. I have gotten some work done, but need to do more. It never ends. Gonna try and watch The Grey Cup tonite because I'm Canadian.

J.S. leaves tomorrow.. ce la vie.. It's been great having him around. Also, I have decided that the Netherlands needs to enact no smoking legislation, simply because I am doing way too much fucking laundry. Anytime I go anywhere, I smell like an ashtray. Ashtrays ain't sexy.

Listening to the Burt Neilson Band, feeling slightly nostalgic. I'm also just sitting on MSN, ignoring my work as per usual and waiting for the start of the week... I did get a lot done today, but not enough. fun fun fun.

Dave Matthews,

Well, I got to the ticket shop at 10AM and counted eight people ahead of me. After six of them, the show was Uitverkocht, or SOLD OUT. Gail is going to kill me.

Also, on another note, J.S. and I saw some riot police in full gear in Amsterdam a few ays ago. Fun!

Africa,

Howdy. Quick Post.

Here's a piece that I worked on for ages and have finally been published. It's about African Hip-Hop. Best-

African Hip-Hop Piece

Also, Musical Recommendation. The Slip's new album, Eisenhower is quite possibly the best album I've heard this fall. Every song is gorgeous... Ah, just for the hell of it, here is a top 12 - in no particular order - of fantastic albums released in 2006. Hit up iTunes and get these!

1. The Slip - Eisenhower
2. Guster - Ganging up on the Sun
   
3. Jenny Lewis and the Watson Twins - Rabbit Fur Coat
4. Pilate - Sell Control for Life's Speed
5. Patrick Watson - Weight of the World
6. Islands - Return to the Sea
7. K'Naan - The Dusty Foot Philsopher
8. Sigur Ros - TAKK
9. Magic Numbers - Those The Brokes
10. Two Gallants - What The Toll Tells
11. My Brightest Diamond - Bring me the Workhorse
12. (bonus) - Hidden Cameras - Awoo

Howdy;

For some reason, I can't get the Full House theme song out of my head. But I digress...

Things are well, the same really. I am currently booking a January tour for my band, Kae Sun, which is slowly but surely coming together. Here are the cities we're playing, but nothing is 100% confirmed so I cannot divulge anything else; Ottawa, Kingston, Montreal, Toronto, Hamilton, Guelph and London. Toronto will be extremely special as Shad K will be joining us, while other special guests are almost confirmed for other dates. I'll be promoting heavily, as I always do, so keep an ear out for that and I'll see you at the shows.

School is chugging along as well; I am beginning my final semester essays and formulating my senior thesis project, which begins in the Spring. I'm also writing the odd article when I have time, controversial and not. I just interviewed Bruce Hornsby, a legend in his own right, so check that out HERE.

I've also changed the colour of my blog, just for shits and giggles. I like to keep things relatively fresh and interesting, and new colour is a great way to change without actually changing anything. Oh no, I've let you in on my secret. Expect some more 'changes' soon, hehe.

Finally, I'm quite busy with reviews, as I have Two Gallants (11.18), Sarah Harmer (11.23 - Jordan's Birthday) and Minus The Bear (11.30) coming up this month. I'm also seeing The Roots with my lovely friend Gail on 11.22, which is a week yesterday, or next Wednesday.

So life swims and flutters along... My friend J.S. is staying with me till Monday and turning my new MAC into a super-duper-ultra-mega-techno-star machine, as he is a Mac wiz. The things you can do with it are hyperbolic; amazing, awesome! He also fixed a problem with my Ipod and may have recovered all my music from my external HD. He is the wind beneath my wings.

That's all... Love ya in green.

Howdy,

I just wrote an article about Panic! at the Disco for JamBase, a website that focuses on music that almost paradoxically, by mainstream standards, differentiates from the band in question. Pushing buttons is good though, and good music is good music, so we went ahead with it. Check out the article and comments here, as I feel like the Danish newspaper after they published cartoons of Muhammed. Alright, not that bad. Here's the piece.

Other than that, I learned how to moderate comments today and saw that I had a bunch. Wow, I can be an idiot sometimes. I'll respond to them now.

"When you do things right, people won't be sure you've done anything at all" - Futurama

How True. I realize this more and more...

Rememberance Day...

RIP Alli, Stan, Scott, Florence, Oscar, Sam, Celia and everyone else I've lost in the last few years. Love you all.

Bedouin Soundclash and Airports...

I am sick of Airports. I have been in so many I can't even count, and I have experienced the whole gamut of services, annoyances, time-delays and such. I've decided that airports enrage me so much that I'm going to devote my thesis to exploring how airports and the culture they engender affect us, the travellers. Think about it, in airports you can get drunk at 6AM, are encouraged to buy smokes, booze and perfume, pay ghastly amounts of money for basics and have to be poked and prodded just to be given the privilege to be in them. They are unique places, places of another world, and I'm interested. My brain is ticking.

I went to Tilburg on Tuesday (southwestern NL for the geographically challenged) to see friends of mine, The Bedouin Soundclash. It was their first ever continental European show as part of the Vans Antidote tour with Gogol Bordello, Disco Ensemble and Danko Jones, and even though they are huge in the UK, no one knows them in Europe. Ended up hanging out with them all day, had a blast and then endured a three stopover, 3 hour train-ride at 1AM back from Tilburg to Amsterdam. They only have 'local' trains that late, and Amsterdam Centraal was 14 stops from Rotterdam, which was 8 stops from Den Bosch, which was 4 stops from Tilburg. Tilburg is quite pretty though; like a tiny Amsterdam without all the problems.

So now I am sitting in the computer lab at school waiting for a friend to get off of work. I've gone out every night this week, despite my lack of funds and un-lack of work, and tonight is the same. I've yet to see Borat, so tomorrow I may give him a watch at home and relax. I have a massive presentation on Susan Sontag due Monday, so that's my weekend. Yee-haw.

I'm quite proud of the Iceland piece, and I have a few more in the works for the next few weeks. I just interviewed Bruce Hornsby today and wrote an article, and have pieces on Panic at the Disco, Mala Jube and Cat Power in the pipelines. I'm also looking for more higher profile work, so if anyone knows anyone.. hehe.

Other than that, things are relatively hunky dory. I feel directed and directionless at the same time... ambitious and lazy... paradoxical. I want to do everything, but I know it's impossible. Still, things are chugging along; Kae Sun has some shows in January and I'm going to rejoin the band on stage for a few of them, and we're going to start making the new album in January. Also, logo design and company stuff is in the works, and I'm reworking all our promotional material. I'm also slowly redesigning my website, with the help of my friend Kevin, and writing the odd paper now and then.

So there you have it. comprehensive and fresh.. toodle-oo.

ICELAND AIRWAVES FESTIAL REVIEW... ON JAMBASE

That is all.

Sunday,

My camera is giving me fits with my new computer and I cannot seem to get the pictures from Prague off it right now. The new MAC is fantastic, but I do have three growing pains that need sorting out, so off to the Mac store I will go this week to see if they can't use their expertise to assuage my idiocy.

Well, Prague Prague Prague... Forgive me blog and the 4 readers who check it out for not updating while I was there, but Internet was limited and I was not there to check my e-mail. I will try below to give some sort of a synopsis of my traversing in Prague. It wasn't all that entertaining, so it shouldn't take too long.

I arrived in Prague at the airport on Monday afternoon, after a wretched experience at Schipol, which is Amsterdam's airport. Everywhere, and I mean EVERYWHERE was there a line, and I think I waited for atleast 3 hours just going through the motions. Fun. I met my mom at the hotel in Central Prague after meandering through their public transport system from the airport. It was lovely to see my mom after all these months, and we ended up having a lovely time.

For the most part, Prague was spent walking around. Minus a bit of sightseeing, some shopping, lots of eating, some drinking and a few other surprises, we walked, walked and walked. My mom surprised me by the amount she could walk. She's a tough cookie, lemme tell you.

Prague is gorgeous, like most medieval European cities. A main square in the old town, a great Bridge called 'Charles' Bridge' that snakes across the river, a massive castle at the top of a hill, lots of exploratory alleyways and plenty of breathtaking facades. It was overly touristic, like almost to the point where it is a caricature of itself in some ways, but beautiful regardless. We walked around the Jewish Quarter and explored the city's Jewish heritage, including venturing inside one of the oldest synagogues. We counteracted that by hitting up an amazing church that was as otentatious as Versailles. It was amazing. The effort people go into to please God. If God was an interior designer, he'd (or she'd) ask people to probably tone it down a bit, as these houses of worship were as colourful as the remnants of a Saturday night on a Leeds' sidewalk. I couldn't live in those churches/synagogues. God needs sunglasses 24/7. Beautiful regardless.

The Prague Castle is immense and built on top of a huge hill that I walked up at 9PM. There were guards outside standing still and when I went, it was quiet. My mom didn't come with me as she was usually tuckered out after dinner. Another gospelized, middle century triumph, lemme tell you.

Eating in Prague was lovely too. We tried to maximize the Czech food, and found some fantastic restaurants along the way. 'pravda' was one I distinctly remember, and I had one meal where the wine list was encyclopaedic. Also, there was a bar around the corner from our hotel that served traditional czech beer (and food) including Pilzen, Kozel and Budvar for 30 krowns (about $1.25 CDN)! I studied there everyday, lemme tell you. The beer was so cheap, after 3 or pints, studying became facetious.

One night got crazy. I went to an Irish Pub to study (stupid move) and met these two Glaswegians who were watching football. After the game and some drinks, we went to this nightclub that was four stories high, and inside was a Contiki Tour. Needless to say, the reasonably priced White Russians make the rest of the story short. It was fun. I stumbled home in the freezing cold at 5AM.

I was fucking freezing, by the way. Noticeably freezing. Oh, we also did a horse and buggie ride and walked along the river for a while. It was lovely. So there you have it. Prague. Done by Shain.

Back home to real life now. More later.

Recap...

This is not going to be nearly as long as it should be, because my last week has been quite insane, but here goes. I did write a 3000+ word review of the festival which will be up on JamBase next week, so I'll post it when it does. I'll also post links to my picture page and my friend Dominique's, so one can get a 'feel' of some sorts as to the beauty of Iceland.

Firstly, I will be back next year, if all is well. One cannot predict tomorrow, let alone next year. I met some life-long friends, had a blast and see no reason not to return. Iceland is just such a breathtakingly unique place; one that will be visited countless times in the future, if all is well.

While most of the weekend was spent seeing music and floating around Reykjavik, I did get outside the city twice; once to the famous Blue Lagoon hot spring/spa and the other to the Golden Circle, a triage of tourist spots that famously dot Reykjavik's surrounding areas. The three include the site of the world's first parliament, a geyser and a crazy-ass waterfall. Everything was larger than life.

I saw the Northern Lights as well, as I had proclaimed last week. There were so many moment I truly felt refreshed, invigorated, exceptionally creative and at the top of the world. It was cathartic. I believe somewhere in the glaciers of the country, Alli is having the time of her afterlife. She would have loved it.

Band wise, the festival was top-notch, both locally and internationally. We saw music from 5PM - 3AM straight each day, really only stopping for dinner. I was sick the entire week, and I couldn't care less. I partied till the sun came up, because that is what you do in Reykjavik on weekend. Their was still a queue at 7AM when I left a bar once. It was surreal. truly surreal.

Now I am in London, and London has been lovely. I spent a day fiddling about with my friend Shirin, saw some shows (Panic at the Disco and Shady Bard), spent some time with my brother and friends Eamon, Brady and Jerry and got a lot of work done... Meetings, Meetings, Meetings...

Now I am leading three simultaneous lives (music, writing and school - importance in reverse order with the latter two equal), busy as a beaver and generally happy. The worst summer of my life has at least pushed some karma towards a brighter fall. The weather isnt horrible either.

Dominique's Pics
My Pics

Back in London,

I need to write up a lengthy report on Iceland, but I have a lengthy report on Iceland due for JamBase ASAP, and I am no where near complete. It is extremely difficult summing up six days of debauchery in 4000 words, especially when you can't recount every single moment. One thing I do know is I met some wonderful people, had a blast and throughout this week, hope to slowly but surely update my blog in order to really provide the best recap, in as informal a manner as possible, as to what happened in Iceland. Right now it is pouring here in London, I am sitting in my brother's attic pondering the best method to write this article. I guess it's time for an intellectual purge, or whatever comes from it.

More pictures at www.shainhouse.myphotoalbum.com as well...

love ya

I love Iceland...

I saw the NORTHERN LIGHTS yesterday; it was one of the most mesmerizing moments of my life. That is all for now. God I am in love with this country and its people.

MORE PICTURES HERE!

Hangover Morning,

I didn't drink a sip last night and I feel hungover. My lips are chapped because of the cold (walked home in about -20 windchill last night), too.

Yesterday was something else. I started the day walking around Reykjavik, taking pictures. I got a bunch of lovely ones, and they are stored HERE. That link is to my photo album. Then I went to see some music, starting at the 12 Tonar Music Store for Hot Club de Paris. Then after meeting some folks and hitting up an industry show, went for a not-horribly expensive dinner and then saw a bunch of music, including Mates of State, Tilly and the Wall, Hot Club de Paris, The Klaxons and a fantastic set from Metric. Ended the night checking out Germans' The Whitest Boy Alive and back to the press-only bar for some drinks. My cold finally caught up to me at 2:30AM and home I went. Thankfully this town is so small you can walk from one end to another in 20 minutes... It sure was windy, and unfortunately there were no Northern Lights, but I have a few more tries for that.

Today is up in the air and tomorrow I'm going to the Blue Lagoon. I'm seeing Islands, Wolf Parade and som Icelandic bands tonite.

Hi,

Being sick caught up with me last night and I gave up; after dinner I went straight to bed, and now that I've slept 12 hours, I feel much better, and with medication, I'm set to attack Reykjavik today. I've decided to try and se as much of this place today as I can, and then try and meet someone who wants to rent a car with me, so I can see the countryside a bit tomorrow.

There is something about this place I love... I havent put my finger on it yet though. The sun coming up at 10AM is nice; the shower smelling like a hot spring, the country growing most of their crops organically in greenhouses, the lovely people, the fact that it is NOT that cold (it's 1 degree right now)... Apparantely the population is made up of about 2% foreigners, or 10,000 people... I could live here. I think. If I'm making kronas, then its not as expensive. Plus utilities here are super cheap. My friends pay a quarter of the electricity most european countries pay. The windows are open right now.

Metric and others tonite. I'll drug myself up and make sure I'm there.

Iceland,

I am sitting here at my friend Bjarni's apartment in Reykjavik, Iceland. I have had a hell of a long day. It started at 5AM in Amsterdam and it is still continuing, as We Are Scientists are playing tonite down the street.

I like Reykjavik. It's small. Very small. Reminds me a little bit of the arctic, maybe of what Whitehoue may look like if it was invaded by the Danish. Their flat is opposite a fjord which ends at a glacier. It's gorgeous. Here are some pictures to start...

Iceland...


Well, priorities aside, I leave for Iceland tomorrow with a bit of a sore throat and plenty of excitement. I'll update with pics and info each day hopefully, so please visit if interested :)

Also, I'll be going to see Panic! At the Disco in London on 10.24 when I return... It's gonna be an eventful week... one full of life. I wish Alli was here to enjoy it with me, but in a way, I still think she is.

Technology...

I'm listening to Belle and Sebastian right now... It's amazing how soothing and comforting they can be.

Anyway, technology has certainly been kicking me in the ass lately. Here is a quick summary of my boring life...

1. My computer broke.. so I bought a brand new MacBook. It's an investment and I love it to death.
2. My external harddrive crashed and I lost about half of my music collection. I'm heartbroken, but it's just music and I can get it back. I have to send the drive back to Maxtor in Austria or something, so that's ongoing.
3. My camera broke, so I bought another one. I had my mom send me one from Canada, but it got stolen in the post. Thank god for insurance.
4. My blender, electric razor and two adaptors also crashed and have gone the way of old yeller.
5. My ipod speakers broke. Thank god my ipod is still working. I'd be screwed without it. If I lost all that music, I'd be really hurt.

So there... technology sucks. Other than that, things are hunky dory.. Researching a bit, writing a bit, applying to some new jobs as well, or trying to... I'm leaving for Iceland on Wednesday, so I have a lot to do to prepare.

peace-

The Magic...


The Magic Numbers were amazing. Easily the best club show I've seen in some time, or at least one I can remember. I went alone, didn't drink and had a blast. It was that fantastic. First show I've paid for in a while; I'm glad it was worth the 20 euros. Go see em if you can... I'm so glad I don't have to review it, I can just relish in enjoying it for the fun of it. Magical.

Today was also a fairly good day. Felt Alli was trolling along with me for much of it. Class went by fairly quickly, had a great introductory meeting with my thesis advisor and enjoyed the sun, especially when I sat and ate lunch at the edge of a canal. I love this city sometimes... It has that 'affect.'

More trouble with immigration, however, so that is bringing me down. It should be sorted on Thursday, but who the fuck knows with this country. The more horror stories I have, the more I realize they are commonplace.

8 days till Iceland...

Hello,

I have a fairly eventful few days coming up... All music related.

Last night I saw Matt Costa at the Melkweg. I really enjoyed it and wrote a review that will end up in Relix at some point. Tonight I'm going back to the same venue for The Black Keys and Blood Meridian. The company I work for, Belmont Bookings, handles the latter, so we're going for support. Tomorrow is a day-off, even though there is a festival in Assen with Ryan Adams and others. Sunday is a big day, as The Hidden Cameras, a favourite from home play with I Love You But I've Chosen Darkness and Kelley Stoltz at the Paradiso, two other artists Belmont handles. It's a night featuring Indie music. Great line-up. While the money is tight, a last-minute show was announced from The Magic Numbers on Monday night, so I may just bite the cash bullet and go after Dutch class, as I really love the band. I may be too exhausted though, we'll see. The crazy time is closed off with Xavier Rudd and Keller Williams, back at the Melkweg on Tuesday. Mogwai is also playing on Sunday, but I can't do everything.

It's been raining a lot lately. Since I returned from Leeds on Sunday, it hasn't stopped raining. It's pouring as I type. It ain't stopping my plans, however.

more later.

Comments...

Why does no one ever leave comments? I really don't think anyone reads this anyways. Regardless, I am doing this for myself.. I'll look back one day and have a diary.

So I am sitting in the University of Leeds computer clusters, feeling a bit odd and slightly nostalgic realizing that I haven't updated my blog in a while. Without a computer, it's quite hard to get around to doing it; hopefully, I'll have a computer this week. I think I'm buying a Mac, which excites me.

Leeds is, well... Leeds. My friends are good, nothing has changed and the town is still as gritty and rough around the edges as ever. I still like it here though. I'm really enjoying rekindling with my friends, drinking heavily and going back to the old haunts. I don't see myself coming back here much; too much history and my friends will all be gone next year. I'll probably return for another weekend in the Spring, as a final farewell of this place, peresay.

It is emotional here. I no doubt have been a wreck as of late, but I'm not going into that. Maybe wreck isn't the right word; just emotional, I guess. I have some of the best times of my life in the city, but everything has to come to an end at some point. A big house party tonite seems like the corker, then.

I have quite a busy week coming up, but what week isn't busy, ya know? After a massive presentation on Monday, I have to catch up on all my readings, go buy a computer, get it all spiffied up and just try and get back on track. Things are a bit of a mess... an organized mess, but a mess regardless.

I'm going to Prague to see my mom in November. That'll be nice.

peace-

Computer Hell...

I still don't have my computer back. 18 days and counting. I feel like a rich, spoiled Westerner when I complain about lacking my computer, but under these circumstances, having it would be extremely beneficial to my well being. Like tonite, for example; I missed a deadline on an article due today because of a late interview. It must, absolutely must, be submitted tonite. So instead of returning home after 12 straight hours at school, I have to go to my friend Jared's and use his, or go to an internet cafe. Ah, the lack of personality. If it wasn't for my Ipod, I'd be in a catharsis.

This is not a good week. Prepping to go to Leeds; I'm swamped... Huge presentation next Monday as well. Plus that day is Yom Kippur. Ah well...

Hey...

My computer is still broken. I feel swamped without it. More later.

Hi,

Another sunny day in Amsterdam. I'm starting to feel inundated, well actually drowning for that matter, in work. School is the most arduous, as the reading continues to mount within any hope of reprieval. In addition, I have a major presentation (3hrs+!) next week, papers due and more and more reading. It's not that I'm not enjoying the reading, because for the most part, I am... There is just so much. I don't know if a PhD is really the road I want to travel down; a research MA is hard enough.

Right now I'm beefing up on the theories abound in collective memory, given from the father figure of the discipline, Maurice Halwachs. He basically states that our memory is formed and directed in a collective manner - meaning, it's the people and groups around you and how you communicate them that shape memory. It's very marxist, but it makes sense. I have to write a response paper on it. Fun! Also, I'm reading up on the historiography surrounding the epic, and if epics are worthwhile in contemporary society. Think about that one...

I'm still figuring out how to link this to my indie rock theorem, and I have decided that I want to focus on two important websites that breed pretension in the industry; pitchfork and suicide girls. They are intrinsically different, but propose similar idealogies concerning style, fashion and music. I haven't figured out which theorists I'm going to connect this too, but I have many ideas brewing in my head.

I get my computer back tomorrow, hopefully fixed along with my external HD, also hopefully fixed. Tomorrow is a big day; I have a job interview, an appt for my tax number (my last immigration issue) and a dinner for Rosh Hashannah with some newly found Jewish friends. I also have to find time to read and research throughout, in addition to keeping up with job-work.

Things otherwise are unchanged. Life is good, all things considering, even though I have my 'alli' moments, as I call em, which come and go. I still feel like this is home though, and that is extremely important. Now if I could stop procrastinating and become as smart as everyone else - cause I'm the resident idiot - then all will be sorted.

peace-

Hi,

Well, lots of good news and bad news lately. I'll start with the bad news.

My computer crashed again. I think the back light died, as I can plug it into another monitor and it works fine. I took it to another place for fixing, and if all is well, I should have my external HD and computer up and running by Friday. I put myself on the waiting list for a new MAC, but I'm going to wait till I can afford a PowerBook Pro before I buy a new computer.

Good news, I finalized my trip to ICELAND! I received a press ticket to the festival and am in the process of booking all my travel plans. This means I'll be in London also for the a period of time in October, in addition to Reykjavik. The festival website is located HERE, so check it out.

Life has been busy. I wish I had time to see some of the wonderful friends I've made, but I've been swamped. The readings are piling up, the dutch homework takes tons of time (but it's helping) and the assignments are beginning. School is still absolutely enthralling, so I'm not complaining. I just had a class on Michel Serres, a philosopher new to me but whom I now admire. I recommend him to anyone interested in growing as an intellect page by page. He has been de-legitimized in academia apprantely, but I don't care... I loved it.

My bike is back up and running, and I also booked a trip to Geneva in December to see Eamon, Farhad and Meghan. On top of that, my dad is taking me on a Cruise December 22-29, so I will be HOME for NYE. Make plans.

No more real news... thinking... thinking... I still have yet to get a Sofi nummer, the social insurance or security number here, but that should happen within the next few weeks... I'm genuinely happy though, and I think Alli's spirit has a lot to do with that...

Best-

Hello.

I haven't posted all week. I really haven't had that much to post about. I'm just busy at work... really really busy... and I don't really think that's an entertaining blog post.

I will have Iceland finalized by Monday, which I'm really excited about. This weekend will be uneventful because of my workload. I hope to go to Almere and see Dele Sosimi, Fela Kuti's keyboardist in Afrika 80. I have to buckle down and giv'r work style to get to go though. I've had a productive day thusfar, which is good.

I think the Jewish holidays are soon. I should check up on that. More later.

It was too hot today for pictures... next time.

Research focus... research focus... I have been pondering what I want to write about for my final papers this semester and ultimately, my thesis. Everybody at school has some sort of pedagogical research focus and I'm drawing a blank with myself. I want to write about indie rock, theorize the pretension and the scene that we are currently enjoying or not enjoying. There is a level of pretension in indie, it's nothing new, and I'd like to like it to prescribed literacy and folklore, in some way...

well, more thinking awaits.

Howdy...

I have to take some more pictures of this city. Next post will be a picture only post. It has been gorgeous lately, so I hope it keeps up. It was amazing out today as well...

Okay, I had a lot of work to do this weekend, but I did most of it. Vice, JamBase, Relix, Pop Matters, School etc... fun fun fun. I have a few outstanding CD Reviews but those are easy anywho.

Today was, once again, a lovely day minus a few annoyances. I met my friend Gail at the Tropen Museum (Tropic Museum) for the last day of the Hindu Gods museum. It was free and colourful. I love the images in Hindu and Buddhism; they are so ostentatious and full of life. I also love elephants. After that we went to Oosterpark (East Place Park) to sit in the sun and read. She was reading up on Weber while I was mostly dicking around, reading non-academic stuff. Then like usual, I got hungry so we found some food and drink.

After returning to our bikes to say goodbye, I found that my back tire had a big puncture in it and was completely flat. If I rode it, then the tire would come off the wheel frame and I'd go flying, and it was unpatchable, so I had no choice but to walk. To preface my frustration, I just patched my front tire, which busted last week. Now, poetic justice came and bit me in the ass. Anywho, Oosterpark is about an hour's walk from my flat, and it was hot and sunny. Better yet, I wore my sandles and developed blisters whilst walking. I got home, frustrated and pissed off about my tire. I'll fix it tomorrow.

Back to the grind tomorrow. While I am backing out of a cultural studies of sexuality course because it does not fit my schedule this semester, the class is going on a tour of the Red Light District tomorrow and then drinks, so I'm going to join them. Why the hell not, ya know?

till next time...

Weekends...

Well, this is my 70th post. That's quite a few for me. I hope people are reading :). This is the easiest way to find out how life is in Amsterdam! Or you can call me :)

Anyway, my last post was fairly negative, and all that has reversed itself and worked itself out. Surprisingly or not, the past few days have been lovely. Absolutely lovely. I sorted out some extremely important immigration paperwork yesterday, went to an amazing dinner party hosted by my University where I met loads of people and have genuinely been happy. It's been sunny the past few days - including today - and despite an insane workload, I'm content. Really content.

There is not much to report on. I had a lovely conversation with the head of my program, who used to teach a Canadian Literature Class at Vrije Universteit, the other Uni in Amsterdam. We harked on about Atwood and Highway, which was lovely. This place is so intellectually stimulating. I feel free, wonderful, challenged, pressured and most importantly, happy. I think Alli has something to do with this.

Another Lovely Day...

I'm being sarcastic. Today has been tough. I accidentally pissed off some good friends of mine today - although I didn't mean to - and I hope they forgive me. Time does heal all wounds, and I'm hoping all works out. Other than that, things are status-quo. I always remember the saying that if you do things right, people won't be sure you've done anything at all. I'm learning how true that is, because when I make one mistake after doing things relatively right for years, it really dents how I feel. I feel like crap, and I deserve to. I'm sorry guys.

-Shain

Today is Alli's 27th Birthday. Happy Birthday Alli.

Here We Go Again...

Well, I had this grandiose post that, when written, felt like one of my best posts ever on Monday, but somehow my embryonic knowledge of dutch keyboards deleted it before I posted it. Therefore, I'm going to try and recreate it as best as I can.

First I am going to talk about school. School is enthralling. Absolutely enthralling. This is the most challenging thing I'll have ever put myself through as of yet, but I am ready for the challenge. The courses are exactly as impressive as I thought, and my reading list is montrous, but it's all good. My professors are intimidating. For example, one of my courses, a classic text course in media studies is tought by three adjoint professors. One is the national archivist for the Netherlands and the other two are best selling authors. In Cultural Analysis, my core course is tought by the head of the faculty who just came from Northwestern University. Plus, both courses are small (15-20) and contain people from all over the world. Atleast ten nationalities are represented in each. It's amazing. I feel extremely un-exotic when surrounded by people from Korea, Ghana, Puerto Rico, the US, Russia, Netherlands, Belgium, Indonesia etc... Plus, half of my course already have their MA and are going for a second because this is the best course in Europe in Cultural Analysis. I am one lucky, extremely frightened duck.

As for how I'm doing integrating, their are ups and downs. Today I suffered a major setback, when I realized that the girl who helped me with my initial residence permit fucked up, accidentally checking the 'not allowed to work' box instead of the right 'allowed to work' box. I am legally allowed to work, but without proper documentation, I can't apply for a tax number and therefore can't get paid. Therefore, I'm working here, somewhat illegally for the time being and not getting paid, while all my work is being bankrolled until I sort this out. It could take weeks, maybe a month to sort this out.

The red tape in the Netherlands is to the likes of which I have seen. It is amazing how much protocol you have to go through to integrate. It borders insanity. I believe this is because despite the veil of Holland being a liberal, welcoming society, they are actually extremely inclusive and xenophobic. They don't want people here, and make your life hell as a result. It's hard accepting the fact that you are a foreigner, first and foremost. Not a person in the system, but a foreigner. I know it will all work out, but patience is a virtue. My bank account is still not entirely sorted, as my Internet Banking requires a seperate application that the bank initiates and I've yet to receive the documentation. Fun.

Okie... more...

My computer crashed on Thursday and I just got it back today. Unfortunately I have some issue with my Internet settings and cannot access MSN Messenger yet, but everything else is sorted. My external HD crashed as well, which made my heart sink, but it's being fixed for a pretty penny. 100GB of music is on there, and losing it would be heartwrenching. Thankfully I backed up 3/5ths of it on my Ipod. I should have that back by the end of the week. I apologize to any and all who I've neglected throughout this process. Being without a computer was a bitch, but somewhat liberating.

Oh, and I discovered I have cable. 4 English channels taboot. Law and Order last nite was a blast.

Now onto how I've been getting by with the locals here. There seems to be a bunch of lovely folk at school, and I have get togethers both Thursday and Friday to get to know them more. I've had my lovely friend Deja Gordon here since Friday, and she's staying another week, so it's been nice having a Canadian pal here to gripe with. We spent the weekend together, doing nothing much but walking around the city. We did see Malian singer Mory Kante at the Seven Seasons Outdoor Fest here in Amsterdam on Saturday and it was fantastic. It was on a barge set up on Reguliersgracht Canal. He had a nine piece traditional band. Fantastic. Tonite I'm off to see Cursive.

Other than that, it's been status quo. Some days are emphatically lovely and other wreched, but I'm getting by. Some days homesick, others travel-sick. I found a super cheap plane ticker to Leeds on Jet2 and will be there Sep 28 - Oct 1 for the weekend, and plans are still in the works to go to Iceland for the Airwaves Festival. I am excited for both. I am also trying to find a way to get on Birthright, but that will have to wait till next week when the European selection process begins. More on that later.

In closing, everyday is an adventure and a challenge. Walking around knowing nothing of the language is tough, and often I feel either ignorant or an idiot. Meeting the dutch is tough too, but slowly but surely I'm meeting some amazing people. I feel like I'm growing shy, or at least more shy, because I'm so intimidated socially and intellectually right now. I'm trying to be more forward, but it is a challenge. I have identified this, and I believe I've gotten through the first step of being more social and open... I just sometimes don't know what I can contribute to conversations, when culturally or ideologically, they are beyond my scope. Things are improving though.

Lastly, tomorrow was supposed to be Alli's 27th Birthday. I miss her more than I've missed anyone before, and I love her everyday. Happy Birthday Alli. I miss you and I love you.

Till Next Time...

Well,

I just wrote a story of a post that was once of my best in weeks and the computer crashed. Now I have class and my post disappeared. I'll re-do it as best I can tomorrow, or later tonite maybe.

Entertaining day...

Firstly, I came home to find my external HD, with 100 gigs of music on it not responding or showing anything on it. I took it a PC Dr. place and they showed me that the HD is okay, but for some reason it won't respond to ever-becoming-crap computer. Tomorrow I'm heading there with my comp to see if they can fix it. I'm praying this fixes itself.

Also, today was my grad school orientation. It was kind of anti-climactic, but I met some lovely people and got my UvA e-mail addy. I have my first class Monday at 10AM. Whoopee!

You know when you forget to meet someone and they call you 15 minutes after the scheduled meeting time wondering where you are? That happened to me today, and I think I set a record biking to Dam Sqaure in 4 minutes to meet someone. I still feel like an ass.

Thankfully the people I spoke of in my last blog did not have a heart attack. It was much more minor than that. Wonderful!

Shain

Good Vibes...

I just found out that in Toronto, someone I love has been rushed to the hospital with an apparant heart attack. I don't know what is exactly wrong, so I am not jumping to conclusions, but in the meantime I am being as positive as possible despite the fact that I'm freak out once again. It's been a tough month when it comes to health and more tragedy will be like kicking me when I'm already down. Good Vibes Needed and I'm Thinking About You Every Minute.

I was planning on this grandiose, expansive blog post because I've been bitching and complaining alot lately. Now I realize that all my problems, mostly dealing with systemic beaurocracy, are just problems and will be worked out with time. It always takes disaster to make you realize where you are at fault.

Today was a productive day, however. I sorted out the bank once and foreall and wrote an article that was due. My orientation with school in on Frijdag, so I am trying to get as much done beforehand. I also found an 80 euro textbook used for 25 and am picking it up tomorrow. That provided a small sense of accomplishment.

Tonite I am supposed to go for dinner, but right now I'm hanging by the phone to wait for more news. I love life sometimes. RIP Alli and Scott. I'm thinking about you all the time.

Heya...

Well, today was less frustrating than yesterday, but yesterday was one of those days where everything goes sour. My buddy Peter was visiting and I decided to go with him to Antwerp today for shits and giggles. After getting to Centraal Station at 9AM, I discovered I couldn't afford the ticket right now and said goodbye to him as he continued his travels.

Instead I went to wait in line at Uni (for 45 minutes) to get some cash to pay rent, and then went to the bank to get the cash to find out that while they close at 5, the money counter closes at 4. Fuck beans! These are the little intricacies that baffle me all the time. Why close at 4 if you're really closing at 5? It makes no sense.

I'm staying in tonite. Gonna try and get something done.

Before I start bitching I want to tell you about a wonderful encounter I had this afternoon with a crazy guy. All the time people come upto me in Amsterdam, either asking for money, offering drugs or asking for directions. I've learned to say NO very forcefully, or give directions.. This guy was different. In a think Germanic accent, this guy came up to me and said;

Guy: Would you like funny joke that make you laugh funny? If you really like, I tell you even funnier joke.
Me: Sure
Guy: Okay.

and then he just walked away. Without a joke. Quite funny.

Anyway, I've been thinking in my mind about compiling a list of qualifications one must attain in order to live as an expat in a country that speaks a different language. Here's the start.

1. You must feel like an ignorant, confused ass 80% of the time, especially when speaking with anyone else or trying to get anything done at the bank.

2. Don't ever expect anything from the government or service industry. It will come when it's ready. Expectations fall on deaf ears.

3. Never go out expecting you are going to have this wonderful day and accomplish something. Usually some cultural force with stop those sails and you will end up running around like a chicken with your head cut off, accomplishing nothing in the process.

I had a lovely day :)

Frijdag...


It's raining and I have tons of stuff to do. First thing on the menu, purchase new umbrella.

Another picture only post from walking around town yesterday.

Iceland...


I've decided I'm going to do everything in my power to go to the Iceland Airwaves Music Festival in Reykjavik. I've also wanted to go to Iceland - been a bit of a goal of mine - and I'm going to do it. My heart is pounding just thinking about it.

It's raining again today. Yesterday was a lovely day. I hung out with my friends Melissa and Jared from Canada. We went to the Albert Cuyp Market, had some lunch, made dinner at home and went to see ZOX, a fantastic band from Baltimore at the Melkweg. The show was superb. Great day.

I've got a ton of work to do, so I'm holing myself up at home and bearing down...

more later.

Grrr...

Sometimes I get so frustrated here I want to kill a baby. Getting a phone contract in the Netherlands is proving to be beyond difficult. Each place I go requires something different, and although I have everything they need, there is always some byzantine reason, or some abstract form I haven't heard of that I'm missing... Gah!

Plus, in order to register for my elective, yup that's right, elective courses, I have to go through this god-awful complicated system which involves going to differen departments within the University and getting approvals and signatures and this and that...

I guess if it was easy I'd be complaining to.

Fack!

I'm addicted to this stuff. It's delicious.

Travel Travel Travel...

Here's a quick map of the Netherlands for reference...

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I start school next week, so I'm taking advantage of my 40% off all train travel (Voordeelurenabonnement) card and heading to Delft this week and Nimejen next week to see the cities. It's valid in all Benelux countries, so might as well.

It's raining again.

Here's a picture-only post of Amsterdam on a lovely day. Things are status-quo here. Had a lovely weekend with some Couch Surfers

peace-

Howdy...

I've been updating this everyday. I sure hope people are reading it. Regardless, it's fun to recant my normalcy. Today was my sister's wedding anniversary, which again brings about another tough emotional day. It doesn't get any easier. But I move on, every moment, minute, hour and day in search of something better, whatever that may be.

Today was uneventful. Going through my going's on is not all that entertaining, so I'll spare it. The integration simply continues. In order to sign up for dutch lessons, one must embark on this 'kill the death star' byzantine journey in which papers must be signed, accredited and return in haste, so therein lies a task for next week. I'm also considering going to Edinburgh, but the flight prices may halt such excursions. A friend is putting on a play at the Fringe Festival there.

Hosting more friends this weekend, including a few Canadians and a Scot, and may head to Rotterdam for a friend's party on Saturday. Nothing special. I just want to wish my amazing friend Jenn Bui a safe move to Calgary to start her new job, as well as my buddy Jared a safe move to Amsterdam, where he'll join us in the 'suck.' Just kidding, it was a gorgeous day today, one that warranted a canal stroll-along.

Anywho, here's a link to the play, Rob Roy, in Edinburgh and a shout-out to 365 Magazine, who hired me today for more writing stuff. Love you all, especially Alli....

Obstacle Course...


Everytime I ride my bike, I feel like a mouse in a maze trying to overcome some of byzantine obstacle course in order to get to my destination. Take today for example; I went into the centre, about a 10 minute bike ride to take care of some things. I had to deal with cars, trams, people, ignorant tourists, other bikes, people going the wrong way, obstructions in the bike lane, construction etc... Plus my back tire was flat. Thankfully I got it fixed and the bike rides better, and I have yet to kill myself. I have to go back into town in a few hours. Pray for me.

The new Pilate CD is quite good. I'm not shitting you. Go download it or heaven-forfend, purchase it!

Promotion Time...


My exceptionally talented bandmate, Kae Sun will be teaming up with Guelph's wonderful What The Thunder Said for a night of original music in Hamilton. Please go if you can. The details are below.

Kae Sun
featuring What The Thunder Said
Saturday, August 18th
The Pepper Jack Cafe, Hamilton, ON
(38 King William @ Hughson)
9PM, 19+, $6/door.

I wish I could go.

Blogsterdam!

I am really getting the hang of this city geographically. Once you get over the fact that there is no such thing as a straight line, the city becomes quite easy to navigate. I haven't been lost in a few days. That's nice.

Today was a bit of a shitty day, but I have no one to blame but myself. I stayed up way too late last night, and am paying for it today. I slept much of it, ran a few errands and went to work, das it all. Tomorrow my lovely friend Kate from Leeds is coming to visit, which will be a treat. Then I'm hosting some couch surfers this weekend. It should be a hottenanny, if it doesn't rain.

One of the greatest dutch inventions of our modern age is Blokker. Blokker is a discount Canadian Tire, but even cheaper and with more crap. It's a housewares dream for a student, and I am going back there tomorrow. Also going to see Xavier Rudd on Tuesday, which should be lovely.

Now I'll leave you with some photos I took. My bike is one of these.

I've been reading the e-mails all my classmates have been sending remembering our good friend Scott. Here's a quote that has struck me. I've been having a wretched, horrible day thusfar; everything has gone sour today, but now, it doesn't matter. More later.


"I believe we have all of the resources necessary right now to create a utopia." - Scott Lauriston


.... RIP.

Sunny Day!

Today there was SUN! SUN! SUN!! It was a gorgeous day. Absolutely gorgeous. So gorgeous a useless adverb like 'Absolutely' is more than warranted. After a week straight of rain, including some horrible moments where I've been completely drenched, head-to-toe on my bike, a sunny day was a blessing. A few friends stayed with me last night, friends who I met through Couch Surfing, a great site meant of building new contacts and experiencing other cultures. Matt and Sofie are Parisian, and I hope to send them a visit later this fall.

Yesterday was not so nice. It rained harder, and longer than it has yet, and I got so wet my jeans stuck to my skin. I biked from my place downtown, about 20 minutes, and got absolutely drenched. I met Grant and Amanda for some jazz in Nieuwmarkt before heading back with Matt and Sofie for dinner. We ate too much surinamese food and went to sleep.

Today I did very little. I enjoyed the sun. I went to Vondelpark to read, but it was too busy so I settled on my balcony. I intended to see Calexico tonite, but it was sold out. I betcha it's gonna rain tomorrow.

Lastly, it's certainly been tough integrating. Sure everyone speaks english, but EVERYTHING is in dutch, including cell phone manuals and bank statements. The best thing is, the Dutch pride themselves in inconvienencing you by doing this. They sneer at it. I'm going to enroll in a Dutch language course in September, as I get a huge discount with the University. Off to bed. More social commentary tomorrow.... Oh yeah, read David Foster Wallace's Infinite Jest. I'm 60 pages in and it is brilliant.

Rain Rain Go Away...

I haven't left the flat this morning. I plan on going to the English bookstore and then to head down to the Nieuwmarkt to see some jazz with a friend, but it's been pouring all day. I remember once I was in Scottsdale, AZ and we participated in a Monsoon. It rained so hard it hurt.. like pellets. It feels like that today. Still thinking about Alli and Scott. RIP.

Horrible, Sad News...

I just found that my classmate and good friend Scott Lauriston died suddenly in Toronto on Tuesday night. He was 28. I feel sick... utterly sick. RIP Scott. You will be missed my friend... I'll never forget ya you sarcastic bastard.

I wanted to share a story about Scott, even if no one reads this blog anyways. I remember sitting with my thesis partner, Shaun Tucker in the lab at 3A or some ungodly time, struggling over some bitchy code that we couldn't figure out. I remember Scott walking in and just hanging out with us for a bit, joking about this and that before he went to the back of the lab to work. We then decided to get pizza and we asked Scott if he wanted, but in his true Italian sense, he said 'what the fuck, no meat on pizza? What are you, lesbians?' I had a good chuckle. Scott had a bit of a raunchy sense of humour, but he was always there for ya when you needed it, whether it was to insult his leather motorcycle jacket or just shoot the shit. I remember him saying he was planning on going to law school... I guess life is one big delay of the inevitable, but his delay was way too short.



Scott Lauriston's Obituary

It's been exactly one month since Alli passed away. I got up at 6AM this morning to go to synagogue in Amsterdam. The only one I found with a morning service was the famous one, entitled Esnoga, a portuguese synagogue erected 400 years ago. It was pouring rain, so I hopped the tram and it let me off right outside the synagogue. It was a gorgeous building... majestic even. Yet, I sat and ran the bell for forty-five minutes, getting beyond soaked and no one answered. I walked around and rang on the side doors; nothing. I found an open tourist cafe and checked the internet again telling me a service existed; it did. The time passed. I rang again, and again and again. Nothing. I gave up. In a final symbolic gesture, I dropped my bag in the rain, faced the west and did the Kaddish, by myself in Mr. Visselplein square at 8:30AM in Amsterdam, thinking that Alli was up there having a chuckle at my misfortune. I was soaked to the bone. I tried. I hopped the tram back and went home and right to bed. I love you Alli.

Quick One,

Everytime I try to speak dutch, they don't understand me and then speak back to me in English. It's gonna be tough learning this language.

Shain

Howdy,

Another crazy eventful day in Amsterdam. I slept in a little bit today, which was nice considering the lack of sleep I've been getting. I went straight to school, where they told me to go to another building in school, who promptly gave me a letter to take to the bank. Forty-five minutes later, I had a bank account. Then I got a cell phone. The rest of the day has been spent grocery shopping anf wandering amidst the rain and wind... lovely amsterdam weather. That's about it.

One thing I've noticed here, is that everything is more difficult for the non-dutch, regardless. Systems are set up to benefit the dutch, and annoy foreigners. Yet, I believe the dutch have a right to do this. They have made a living, since the beginning of their country, doing business by learning our language and coming to us. Now that I live here, the more I realize that in order for them to do that, it comes with a catch, either by charging more money or acting differently. Yet, they have a right to do this, and I accept it. It's my job to integrate, not theirs to be welcoming. Dutch is a tough language phonetically at first though, so I'm having difficulties, but I'll pull through. The adventure awaits.

Here are some pics from my flat I took two minutes ago.





Love Ya... (especially Alli)

Shain

Godenmorgen,

This is my first post from Amsterdam, and my first since Alli died. I wanted to memorialize her by keeping her at the top of the page throughout August, and now that I'm in Amsterdam slowly intgrating into culture, I know she'd want to hear about it.

Things have been really difficult the past month or so, and the past few days were no different. My flight from Toronto was surprisingly good though, as I was bumped up to first class and enjoyed getting liberally doused in beer throughout the flight. Once I arrived in London, I took the train back to Lisa's, had a nap, went for breakfast at a lovely diner and took the train back to the airport. I fumbled with my bags for a while, but ended up getting everything on the flight to Amsterdam for free (even though it was all overweight) and got through customs.

The flight was delayed two hours. Thankfully I met a lovely American named Shanna on the flight who was moving to Amsterdam just because, and she got me a ride to Dam Square with a friend after we arrived. I then cabbed it from here and here I am.

Today was eventful. Very eventful. I went to a small town outside Amsterdam called Hilversum to take care of my immigration. An hour later and many forms out of the way, I got my residence sticker - a big deal by the way - and came back home. Then I proceeded to get CRAZY lost biking home, ending up in a neighbourhood I've never seen. Then my bike broke, so I had to walk it home. I found a repair shop, fixed the bike and stumbled on home, exhausted and two hours late.

Then began my introduction to dutch grocery shopping. I went to the cheaper retailer, Dirk Van der Broek and spent a lovely hour grabbing everything from Zucchini to dutch jam. After ringing everything through, I brought out my VISA and they told me that they don't take credit cards. NOBODY TAKES CREDIT CARDS. Since I don't have a debit card yet, it's cash cash cash, and I had to start eliminating food to get down to the amount of cash I had in my pocket. I held up the line for 15 minutes, as everything had to be scanned individually. People were generally understanding, but I stood out like a black girl at an Aryan dance. Fun.

I've fully unpacked and hooked up my phone. Call me at 905.667.4389 if you like but remember, I'm six hours ahead. I have to go to school tomorrow, and then head to the bank to setup an account. I never thought they would just give me the residence permit, so I'm gonna make a headstart in getting a bank account set up, if my credit cards are useless.

More later with pictures.

RIP - Sarah Allison Shapiro 1979-2006

I will post pics soon. I love you Alli.

Addison Groove Project are fun... I love internet radio. I really do. I'm sitting here listening to AGP whilst writing overdue articles on my girlfriend's computer whilst she is at work. It's also Saturday Night. What a life I lead. In this blog entry, I would like to recommend Hiruki Murakami, as I have been entrenched in his prose as of late. Here's a pic of the book I've been reading below. READ IT.