Do I Think I'm Paris Hilton?

I'm going to Brussels this weekend, followed by skiing the next weekend in Chamonix, France. Then it's back to Amsterdam for a week, then return to San Francisco for the holidays, then go to ... London for three months! Since when did my life become a fairy tale? I have returned to that sensation I had during my days in Santa Barbara of leading a very charmed life. How lucky am I? I have some of the best friends in the entire world, a wonderful family, and get to go to some of the best places.

Madrid es La Puta Madre

Within seconds of the tram doors closing in front of my house in Amsterdam, I realised that I'd forgotten my camera battery. So this post shall have to be pictureless, kind of like those first posts I wrote in Madrid ... although a lot less scandalous. Here's the weekend, succintly: I arrived in Madrid in the early evening and headed straight to Shavon's, where I was swiftly put in charge of mashing potatoes and fixing sweet potatoes for Thanksgiving. The dinner was delicious and it was great to spend another Thanksgiving in one of my favourite cities. On Friday, I met Sarah at a café across the street from one of my old English academies in Salamanca, and then we headed a few blocks over to meet a friend of hers for a menu del día. We were seated next to a table comprised of about fifteen loud, old Spanish men -- which made me appreciate how wonderfully loud and boisterous Spanish culture is. Not that I don't like the Dutch, but -- while friendly -- they are a little aloof and cold. After lunch, we went for a café con leche nearby and then to Sarah's friend's apartment for a bit to check email. I went back to Shavon's for dinner, then headed out later that evening to meet Adrian and Sarah for beers at Moore's in Tribunal, followed by beers at one of my favourite bars in Madrid, Palma Tres in Malasaña. When we left, it was snowing! OK, the more appropriate term might be sleeting but for a few seconds it was quite beautiful, until we realised how cold and wet it actually was. Saturday I had a nice Irish breakfast (the first I've had since leaving Spain over a year ago) and enjoyed more Thanksgiving leftovers and then headed out with Shavon and her friends to Alonso Martinez, first to Stromboli (another of my favourite bars in Madrid) and then to Pacha. Sunday was a pretty lazy day (I got out of bed around 4 pm) but I did have a fun dinner with Shavon and Sarah at TGI Friday's. Which isn't the most Spanish of restaurants, granted, but I love in Madrid nonetheless. After dinner, I went with Shavon and her friend to a bar across town where they go salsa dancing every Sunday. And then I returned Monday, caught up with Yogi, whose been in town for a film festival, and concentrated like mad on work. I'm off to Brussels on Friday evening for a short visit with Catrina and then basically done with school next week, meaning I can enjoy Amsterdam (finally make it to the Van Gogh Museum and Anne Frankhuis) in a relaxed manner. And we find out this week where we're going next quarter ... I doubt it will be London, considering that everyone at school applied to go there, but hopefully I'll get the internship I want in Chicago. Vamos a ver ...

Amsterdam Type

Last Friday afternoon, I finally had some time to relax and headed out with two of my cameras (the Nikon and the Olympus digital point-and-shoot) to take some photos. After finishing the roll of black & white in the Nikon, I started on my ongoing project, which is like a study of the various forms of type I see around the city. For those of you who know me from school, you know that I'm sort of a sucker for interesting typography, despite my pursuit of writing as the career goal.

Here's the first part of my type survey. The majority of these photos were taken in the Jordaan neighbourhood, which is certainly one of Amsterdam's prettiest. While these photos were originally taken to capture the type used in Dutch signage, I now appreciate that you can also get a glimpse of a cool, blue Dutch sky.







































































And here's a pretty picture of scenic Jordaan for you.



And this caught my eye today, courtesy of Boing Boing. Watch out -- most of the content pertains to type variations on "wtf" and "lol" but someone has posted a disgusting picture of a girl in a tub, so avert your eyes when necessary. The rest of the site is quite interesting, though.

Off for Madrid in an hour or so!

More weekend

Kris has a great recap of our weekend in Amsterdam. I'm going to Madrid tomorrow ... too bad I'm getting sick.

What Rapture Serene

What a fabulous birthday. Here's two fabulous songs, La Camisa Negra ("The Black Shirt," for those who don't know Spanish) and Begin the Beguine.


La Camisa Negra

Tengo la camisa negra
hoy mi amor esta de luto

Hoy tengo en el alma una pena
y es por culpa de tu embrujo

Hoy sé que tú ya no me quieres
y eso es lo que más me hiere
que tengo la camisa negra
y una pena que me duele
mal parece que solo me quedé
y fue pura todita tu mentira
que maldita mala suerte la mía
que aquel día te encontré
por beber del veneno malevo de tu amor
yo quedé moribundo y lleno de dolor
respiré de ese humo amargo de tu adiós
y desde que tú te fuiste yo solo tengo…

Tengo la camisa negra
porque negra tengo el alma
yo por ti perdí la calma
y casi pierdo hasta mi cama

cama cama caman baby
te digo con disimulo

Que tengo la camisa negra
y debajo tengo el difunto
tengo la camisa negra
ya tu amor no me interesa
lo que ayer me supo a gloria
hoy me sabe a pura
miércoles por la tarde y t ú que no llegas
ni siquiera muestras señas
y yo con la camisa negra
y tus maletas en la puerta

Begin the Beguine
When they begin the beguine
It brings back the sound of music so tender,
It brings back a night of tropical splendor,
It brings back a memory ever green.
I'm with you once more under the stars,
And down by the shore an orchestra's playing
And even the palms seem to be swaying
When they begin the beguine.
To live it again is past all endeavor,
Except when that tune clutches my heart,
And there we are, swearing to love forever,
And promising never, never to part.
What moments divine, what rapture serene,
Till clouds came along to disperse the joys we had tasted,
And now when I hear people curse the chance that was wasted,
I know but too well what they mean;
So don't let them begin the beguine
Let the love that was once a fire remain an ember;
Let it sleep like the dead desire I only remember
When they begin the beguine.
Oh yes, let them begin the beguine, make them play
Till the stars that were there before return above you,
Till you whisper to me once more,
Darling, I love you!
And we suddenly know What heaven we're in,
When they begin the beguine

Give Me Moor!

Had a lovely weekend with Kris. I met her at the train station Friday evening and took her back to my house for some dinner I'd prepared. After, we went out to a few bars, actually met Dutch people for the first time since I've been living here (I think going out in a group of 12 German/American students can be a bit of an impediment to making new friends), and had a great evening.


Kris on the tram.


Kris and I at a bar.

The next day we went out to wander around, in the spirit of shopping, although little shopping actually took place. Instead, we marvelled at the posters for Sunday's Sint Niklaas Parade. Apparently, Sint Niklaas (or Sint Nicklaas, not sure entirely how to spell it) actually travels from city to city to visit the children. He also travels with a band of Renaissance-attired Moors. And they're not real Moors, either, they're a bunch of white people in blackface.



If blackface Dutch people isn't enough for you, perhaps you would like to dress your child as a Moor.



Perhaps you would prefer your blackface on wrapping paper.



Or on a cake.



Anyway, neither Kris nor I were sure what to make of this phenomenon. It strikes both of us American gals as racist, but then again, the United States has a much different history of blackface. Then again, the Dutch have hardly been innocent in the game of colonialisation and oppression (the slave trade and South Africa both come to mind).

As we pondered Dutch racism, we headed over to De Kroon, where I paid a whopping 4 euros for a cup of tea. When I inquired about the difference between what was on the bill versus what was on the menu, I was informed that I had received more water than usual. Though I like De Kroon for its bizarre decorations, this is the second time there's been a large mistake on the bill (this time they wouldn't change the bill, either), I will scratch it off my list of places to patron.

Kris and I headed out for dinner and found a great Mexican restaurant, Rosa's Cantina. It was by far the best Mexican food I've ever had in Europe, and better than many stateside Mexican places. Plus, we liked the back of this guy's shirt.



On Sunday we headed out to the Heinken Experience. On our way there, our tram was diverted because of -- Sint Nicklaas! Excitedly, we got to our stop at the Heineken Experience then raced over to catch a glimpse of Santa Claus and his blackfaced "Moor" companions.

















After catching a glimpse, we headed to the Heineken Experience, which Kris documented far more thoroughly, so hopefully those photos will make it on her site.

Anyway, today is my birthday and I have a ton to do before Catherine arrives tonight from Paris. The big 27 ... sounds so, so ... old ... tear ...

Words

If I didn't have enough options for procrastination, I've discovered the Online Etymology Dictionary, where I will now assuredly pass copious amounts of time.

Mesmerized

I've been a long time Faith Evans fan. In boarding school, I woke up neary every day of winter during my senior year to her self-titled album. Even now, that album takes me back to my warm little dorm room, looking out at fresh snow.

Imagine my joy that Faith Evans has released not only a great soul song, Mesmerized, off her upcoming album, but an even better remix of the track by the Freemasons. Smart move on her part -- her voice is strong enough to stand out from the thud of neo-disco but beautiful to give the song emotion and authenticity. The result is deep, funky, fun, classy, soulful house music at it supreme.

To hear the remix, go to Faith's site and hear fantastic remixes from not only the aforementioned Freemasons but Ben Watt (of Buzzin' Fly fame) and Dave Hernandez.

Paris Photos, Finally

Back in October, I ventured by train to Paris to visit Gina and her boyfriend, David. I finally picked up 3 of the 4 rolls of film that I shot today at the lab (after a near disaster when they couldn't actually find the film). Here are some photos -- yes, some are classic tourist shots, but c'est la vie.

Barcelona!

I had a great weekend in Barcelona, thanks of course to the lovely Viktorya. As I arrived at the airport it dawned on me that I did not have Viktorya's address or phone number with me! I had been to her apartment twice before so I knew the way (more or less) but did wind up dragging my suitcase for quite a few blocks up Gracia. After I arrived, Viktorya and I went to a restauurant nearby for pizza and salad and then back to her house for a beer before heading out to a friend's apartment and then to a nightclub for a beer. After, her friend Raul came to meet up -- I met him the last time I was in Barcelona. The three of us headed to Razzmatazz, the very same nightclub where I'd ended my last trip to Spain.


This bizarre metal-Smurf sculpture was hanging on the wall of Viktorya's friend's apartment.


Viktorya with wine.


Viktorya's friend Sylvie with a beer.


The crowd at Razzmatazz.


I took this picture and thought it was very eerie, what with the hands and all.


Me, Raul and Viktorya.




Walking back to the car post-Razzmatazz.


Lights of Gracia on the way home.

The next day, Viktorya and I walked down Gracia. Because I went a little crazy taking photos of Barcelona the last time I was in town, I had a great deal more restraint this time and took this photo to capture the beauty of this particular building's architecture.



Detail.

We were walking along and I saw this window display for a paper store. Each of the 'dresses' is entirely made from paper. Really, really beautiful papers, too, many of them handmade or handpainted. The bodice of each dress was painted on a papier-mache bust.








Saturday night, Viktorya and I went for dinner with her friend Judy in the Barrio Gotica, right around the corner from the old building we lived in when we took our TEFL certificate course together back in the winter of 2003. After, we headed through El Raval to a cervercia where we had a beer before heading to the disco, Plataforma.


There, Viktorya found a friend.


Such an outpouring of love for a dog I have never before seen.


Judy, Vik and Lolita.







Plataforma is one of those great Spanish nightclubs that plays an array of Spanish, European and American pop, all from the '80s to modern day. Not that I dislike the Dutch in any way, but it was nice to be around people who get a little bit more physical with each other while dancing. I don't mean all the excessive bumping and grinding that American girls do to win the favour of frat boys, but just a little more intimacy is nice to observe. Plus, everywhere we looked people actually seemed to be having fun, such as these Catalan boys who spontaneously jumped on stage with a choreographed dance routine.










Anyway, back in Amsterdam now, excited for Kris to arrive on Friday, followed by Catherine on Monday! Yay!

Vamos a Barcelona ...

I'm leaving in a few hours for Barcelona to see Viktorya, who I last saw at Coney Island. How lucky am I to make two trips to Barcelona in 2005? Meanwhile, two fellow ad school gals, Jenn and Stef, are coming to Amsterdam for the weekend -- so hopefully I'll get to see them for a half hour before dashing off to the airport.

In other news, I have to make my Quarter Away selection for the upcoming quarter. The selections are due today and I still am not entirely sure what to choose. For the longest time I was considering doing an internship in New York, but somehow now Chicago is appealing to me ... vamos a ver.

Vanitas Vanitatum

As I come to the last 150 pages of Thackeray's Vanity Fair, which I've been plodding through at a nice pace of a chapter or two at a time for the past month, I bring you two reflections on -- what else -- vanity.

Vanitas Vanitatum

All the flowers of the spring
Meet to perfume our burying;
These have but their growing prime,
And man does flourish but his time:
Survey our progress from our birth--
We are set, we grow, we turn to earth.
Courts adieu, and all delights,
All bewitching appetites!
Sweetest breath and clearest eye
Like perfumes go out and die;
And consequently this is done
As shadows wait upon the sun.
Vain the ambition of kings
Who seek by trophies and dead things
To leave a living name behind,
And weave but nets to catch the wind.

John Webster


Vanitas Vanitatum, Omnia Vanitas

In all we do, and hear, and see,
Is restless Toil and Vanity.
While yet the rolling earth abides,
Men come and go like ocean tides;

And ere one generation dies,
Another in its place shall rise;
THAT, sinking soon into the grave,
Others succeed, like wave on wave;

And as they rise, they pass away.
The sun arises every day,
And hastening onward to the West,
He nightly sinks, but not to rest:

Returning to the eastern skies,
Again to light us, he must rise.
And still the restless wind comes forth,
Now blowing keenly from the North;

Now from the South, the East, the West,
For ever changing, ne'er at rest.
The fountains, gushing from the hills,
Supply the ever-running rills;

The thirsty rivers drink their store,
And bear it rolling to the shore,
But still the ocean craves for more.
'Tis endless labour everywhere!
Sound cannot satisfy the ear,

Light cannot fill the craving eye,
Nor riches half our wants supply,
Pleasure but doubles future pain,
And joy brings sorrow in her train;

Laughter is mad, and reckless mirth--
What does she in this weary earth?
Should Wealth, or Fame, our Life employ,
Death comes, our labour to destroy;

To snatch the untasted cup away,
For which we toiled so many a day.
What, then, remains for wretched man?
To use life's comforts while he can,

Enjoy the blessings Heaven bestows,
Assist his friends, forgive his foes;
Trust God, and keep His statutes still,
Upright and firm, through good and ill;

Thankful for all that God has given,
Fixing his firmest hopes on Heaven;
Knowing that earthly joys decay,
But hoping through the darkest day.

Anne Brontë

Getting To Know ... Me

I have never taken one of these quizzes before. Seriously! Here are my results.

TELL ME ABOUT YOURSELF - The Survey
Name:	Jenne
Birthday:	nov 21 1978
Birthplace:	san francisco
Current Location:	amsterdam
Eye Color:	blue
Hair Color:	blonde
Height:	5'9 (almost)
Right Handed or Left Handed:	left!
Your Heritage:	european (english, german, norweigan, &c)
The Shoes You Wore Today:	black boots
Your Weakness:	chocolate, beer, house music
Your Fears:	getting mugged again
Your Perfect Pizza:	cheese ... or the blue cheese one from pizza rustica in miami
Goal You Would Like To Achieve This Year:	read every charles dickens book ever
Your Most Overused Phrase On an instant messenger:	btw
Thoughts First Waking Up:	what should i do today
Your Best Physical Feature:	eyes
Your Bedtime:	midnight
Your Most Missed Memory:	reading poetry
Pepsi or Coke:	neither
MacDonalds or Burger King:	neither
Single or Group Dates:	neither
Lipton Ice Tea or Nestea:	neither
Chocolate or Vanilla:	chocolate
Cappuccino or Coffee:	coffee
Do you Smoke:	ugh
Do you Swear:	i try not to
Do you Sing:	when the world is beautiful
Do you Shower Daily:	yes
Have you Been in Love:	i think so
Do you want to go to College:	graduated 2001
Do you want to get Married:	if love comes along
Do you belive in yourself:	yes
Do you get Motion Sickness:	no
Do you think you are Attractive:	yes
Are you a Health Freak:	i exercise regularly and eat good food
Do you get along with your Parents:	i love them
Do you like Thunderstorms:	yes
Do you play an Instrument:	i sit at the piano and wish i played better
In the past month have you Drank Alcohol:	yes
In the past month have you Smoked:	ugh, yes
In the past month have you been on Drugs:	no
In the past month have you gone on a Date:	no
In the past month have you gone to a Mall:	no
In the past month have you eaten a box of Oreos:	no
In the past month have you eaten Sushi:	no, but i wish i had
In the past month have you been on Stage:	no
In the past month have you been Dumped:	no
In the past month have you gone Skinny Dipping:	no
In the past month have you Stolen Anything:	no
Ever been Drunk:	yes
Ever been called a Tease:	no
Ever been Beaten up:	no
Ever Shoplifted:	no
How do you want to Die:	peacefully, i hope
What do you want to be when you Grow Up:	retired
What country would you most like to Visit:	uzbekistan
In a Boy/Girl..
Favourite Eye Color:	black
Favourite Hair Color:	black
Short or Long Hair:	shaggy
Height:	over 6'0
Weight:	not obese
Best Clothing Style:	stylish, yet a little scruffy isok
Number of Drugs I have taken:	enough
Number of CDs I own:	hundreds
Number of Piercings:	none
Number of Tattoos:	none
Number of things in my Past I Regret:	not that much, actually
CREATE YOUR OWN! - or - GET PAID TO TAKE SURVEYS!

Stars on Ice

Yesterday, a group of us ad school students met our teachers from Lemon Scented Tea for ... ice skating! Yes, despite grumbling about the long trip on tram and bus that it took to get there, we actually managed to have some fun. While some of our group hails from exotic, cold locales like Cincinnati, kinda near Chicago, and D.C., they took to their skates like seasoned pros and were off doing laps around the rink in no time. I, on the other hand, despite my prodigious beginnings as a potential Olympic figure skater, haven't been on skates since I was on a rink in Yosemite at the tender age of 11, Olympic dreams of grandeur already long departed. This particular rink is designed with the speed skater in mind, and only offers hockey or speed skates. After a short spell maintaining my balance on hockey skates, I traded in for a set of speed skates and joined my Eastern comrades on the rink. Much to my joy, after a few shaky laps on speed skates, I managed to get the hang of it, only falling while trying to get off the ice. (And falling into a large puddle of cold water, no less, right in front of everyone, and receiving a lot of laughs. Good times.) There are probably some better photos from the day, but not taken with my camera. So that'll have to wait.






I spotted this young Dutch student arrive with a bunch of his schoolmates and waited for a while to get a picture of his mulletastic 'do.










These little blond Dutch children learning how to ice skate captured my attention for a while. So cute!!


A fries statue outside a restaurant near the ice skating rink.


Our little group (Matt, from Cincinnati; Karl, from Beirut; Carlo, from Miami/Peru; Annie, from D.C.; Kristin, from kinda near Chicago).

Travels!

I just spontaneously booked a trip to visit Madrid for Thanksgiving weekend to meet up with the lovely Sarah who will be there at the same time. I was going to venture to Brussels that weekend but can't pass up having someone to see in one of my favourite cities; I still really do want to make a trip to Brussels to visit my old roommate (from Madrid) and maybe have a drink with one of my oldest blogger friends. Plus, I'm going to Barcelona next weekend to see Viktorya ... then Kris comes from London ... then Catherine comes from NYC ... SO excited!!

Going Dutch

Interesting article from the International Herald Tribune on the current dilemma in the Netherlands on how to deal with the influx of (often radical) Islamic immigrants.