The New 'Doctor Who'

The Doctor's at it again... After the long wait, we've finally gotten a new doctor. But then, what do we really think of it? Now, when I say we've got a nre Doctor, I not only mean that there is a new actor, but there are also new executive producers, ie. head director and head writer.
It's still early, so this is just a preliminary overview.

The Doctor: Matt Smith, the youngest doctor ever, has taken up the reigns to become the new doctor. Most will say, that it's a difficult task, some even, impossible. However, he seems to have a natural playfullnes and charm that is endearing. Plus, I think that the one thing that we see in this doctor that is quite new, is a vulnerability that previous doctors have been scared to show. I think that there's a lot of potential. I think the acting from the first two episodes is top notch.

Amelia Pond: A red-headed scot. Ie. pretty and stubborn. I like her. She's got the insecurity of the little girl that we saw in the first episode, as a little girl, and she's got the grit of Donna Noble.

The directing is interesting. In the first episode they did an entire section in one shots. It gives an interesting view- slightly broken.

It's the writing I'm slightly worried about. At the moment it seems too easily solvable. However, like I said, it's still early. This is just a beginning to the series, and after each episode I'll update.

Greetings from Cardiff

Hey all,

I'm on the road again. This time back to the UK. Yesterday was exhausting! After waking up at 7 and getting to the airport by 9 to pick up my cousin's girlfriend that was coming into Amsterdam, I discovered that my flight had been pushed back 2 hours. Not only that, but I missed my cousin's girlfriend! At least that's what I think happened, because I couldn't find her. After an hour and a half of waiting I gave up. Deciding to go pin some money to get a much needed cup of coffee, I discovered that I was completely broke! Apparently I still hadn't been paid. Go figure. THIS meant that I would not only be stuck with out coffee, but I wouldn't be able to even get myself from the airport in Bristol to Sandras place!

Luckily for me. Nien and Gilles came to the rescue. Armed with $150 Euros they drove to the airport on their way to Eppe and not only semi-relieved me of my now forming ulcer, but got me out of a tricky situation. So, hereby, thank you Nien and Gilles. You're a Godsend.

I finally checked in at 12 and then spent the next 2 hours waiting to board my flight. It's funny, how when you want something so badly, time seems to slow down to almost a creeping rate and though this summer seems to be flying at an alarming one, let me tell you, those two hours seemed more like an eternity. I could have died, reincarnated and been placed back in those 2 hours and no one but me would have been the wiser.

On a happier note, I sat next to what must have been one of the hottest Welsh men I've seen in a while, who asked me for drinks when I get to Cardiff... If I ever manage to get him on the phone.
I finally arrived at Bristol airport, only to discover that the regular buses to Temple Meade weren't running that day. Just my luck, they had an alternative shuttle service... that ran once in the hour. So by the time I got to Temple Meade, took the train to Bristol Parkway, and then finally a cab to Sandra's place, I was ridiculously late. And more than that, enormously tired. Absolutely knackered if you must know. However, that night was Sandra's bachlorette party, or hen do as it's called here, and so I had all of 10 minutes to change into my psychodelic outfit, fix my hair and makeup and be out the door. Which is why, I landed up asleep in the bus on the way to the city center hugging a plastic bag with 3 wine bottles in it.

Dinner was in an italian restaurant, where I picked penne with chicken and blue cheese. Probably a bad idea. No, really, a very bad idea. The pasta was great. My stomach unfortunately wasn't. My food that day had consisted of a bit of salad for breakfast, a granola bar for lunch and 1 coke somewhere in between. Not very healthy. All this in resulting in the fact that dinner was actually too heavy for me and I had a stomach ache for the rest of the evening.

Afterwards it was bar-hopping. Now, for those of you who've never been out in the UK, let me tell you that it's an experience. Slutty and drunk is the dress-code. The most beautiful girls can look like tramps sometimes. At one point this gorgeous girl walked in. She had a lace dress on that covered only the absolutely necessaries, high heels and perfectly curved hair. All in all- she could have been a model. One hour later... She'd been hit by the ugly-tree... Wobbling on her heels, tripping over herself, dress slipping in all directions, the drunk-sweaty look... the guys around her were hitting on her, but were also too drunk to know the difference between their two heads.

It was great to see Sandra though, and meet some of her other friends.

Hopefully the rest of the trip will go better.

The New Season

The new season of television for the fall of 2009 has been slated. The beginning of May is when programs once again find themselves on the cuttingroom floor and newly pitched ideas are thrown into the cespool of what is 'hot on television'. Each year we've found, to a growing degree, that the networks have changed their minds on what they consider to be good marketing, but this year seems like any other in this respect as more 'intelligent entertainment' is taken off the air to make room for more cop-shows and reality programs. Which is making 2009 an extension of an old idea.

This year's fall seems to include spin-offs and new ideas for old stories: With NCIS, Stargate and Boston Legal's spinoffs starting fresh (Boston Legal though has been cancelled by ABC after only 5 seasons). Lots of cops, but with a twist, and an occasional sci-fi show- They're bringing back "V".

It's also a year for famous people coming to tv (or back to tv). The new spin-off for NCIS for example, may include LL Cool J and Chris O'Donnell in it's cast. Though, this is still a rumor at this time.

CBS has gotten itself a new list of the same old, though with shows like 'House Rules', "Miami Taruma' and 'Back', it seems as if they're trying to experiment just a little. But only Just.

Fox though, has probably the most interesting line-up for new shows, with a drama about a man who wakes up in a woman's body, a treausre hunt drama and a Sci-fi program about 2 different worlds: outer space and vertual reality.

But some shows are staying: Chuck for example, though there are drastic changes being made to it, House, Numb3rs, Bones, Fringe, etc. However look at them: They're Doctor, FBI, FBI, FBI... do you see the pattern here? Vampire shows are out, such as 'Moonlight', and so are rich socialites as in 'Dirty Sexy Money'.

But even he cops don't last if they're not wanted: Life, Eleventh Hour, The Unit (though it's military not cop), Without a Trace. And the old calssics, like King of the Hill, and the remake of Knight Rider, has been booted.

Surprisingly enough, a couple of shows that have been cancelled are also to be picked up at other places. For example, Medium, which was cancelled by NBC is expected to be picked up by CBSm and also from NBC 'My Name is Earl' is being shpped for by both Fox and ABC.

It comes down to the fact, that when it comes to money, networks would rather put out the cash for what is considered a safe bet, rather than being experimental. Who cares what anyone who isn't part of the masses thinks. Time is Money, and they determine what's in each time slot. So we just have to put up and shut up.

So they think...

The lost art

As I sit here to Midnight Serenade by Glenn Miller, I think about how things have changed. How with the years artforms come and go. And how romance isn't what it used to be.
In the middle ages it was common practice for those who wanted to show her love to play music for their love (either themselves or hire someone to do it for them). Now, I'm not saying that I want some guy to stand outside my door in tights with a mandoline singing off key, but where did it go?

Glenn Miller's score is an ode to this time, this art. It's a travel through time, inviting the listener to fall in love for a few minues.

A beautiful illustration of this is in an episode of Torchwood. Captain Jack gets sent back with one of his team to the second world war, where he encounters the real Captain Jack, an in what seems to be a deep love and regret they dance. The dance is not only one of sadness, but a beautiful eternal love and respect. By taking his name, he is showing an eternal devotion to the soldier that will die the following day. They don't play the serenade at this point, but the sentiment is the same.

It's beautiful. Depressing. Heartwarming.
It's what this ode is about, what this art is about.

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=1262521949851398710#

Wiiiiiiiiiiii

So, I now own a wii... which, is in fact one of the coolest things on the market at the moment, in my opinion, when in comes to gaming. Not because it has the coolest games, because, well, those are limited. Niether are the gaphics the most awsome you've ever seen, nor the options available for one to do something with. However, it's one of the first full body experiences. At the end of a good long wii session you're exausted, and relatively sure you're going to have musclepain the next day.

Plus, there's the wii board. Wii fit, though catered towards people that are not regular exersizers, has something for everyone, whether it's learning to balance, becoming more flexible, trying to get fit, or even just having a good time. The games are fun, and require a certain level of concentration, and the exercises are harder to do than one would expect (Espiecially if you're as unbalanced as I am).

As for the games available at the moment, they're somewhat limited. Especially, when you consider that the average gamer does do things on his own or with one other person. The Wii offers a range of party games, but they're 'the more the merrier' type of game.

And of course because the wii is still such a hot item, games are pretty expensive still. 50E is probably the average price for most of the games on the market.

The Many Faces of Men: Male Icons in 1950s America

The 1950s brought in a change of how men were viewed. This was especially the case with the role of fathers during this time. Until the 1950s and melodramas, the men who dominated film were the ‘manly men’, those that were slightly crazy, or the single bachelors with multiple women. However, by the time the melodrama came to the screen, men were taking on a new role in The United States. They were becoming true fathers with a ‘softer side’. They were known to help around the house, aid in raising children and even bring home an income. At the same time, due to the opening of sexuality the image of sex symbols arose encompassing anyone of large fame at the time. They are what are now seen as normal traits, but in the fifties this was a new phenomenon; one that lasted and that created the image of ‘boy next door’ and ‘super dad’ as well as creating a new kind of sex symbol from these two images.

The ‘boy next door’ image was one that was brought on by Rock Hudson in the 50s. Average, stable, and kind were just some of the traits that gained importance. They were qualities that seemed to be exactly what the people of the time were looking for in a screen hero and when comparing an actor such as Rock Hudson to other great names of the time such as James Dean and Marlon Brando, one can see where the appeal for this particular image derived from. Dean and Brando were known for being on the wild side, they lived the life of fast cars, women, and an abundance of alcohol with the occasional fight. They were what men wanted to be- tough- but would never. Hudson on the other hand was quiet, tried to live his life as far away from the media, drank moderately, and dated, eventually marrying. He was what most women at the time were looking for, and what men could possibly be. This was the image that changed men. They could be softer and more grown up. Such is the case in the Douglas Sirk films Magnificent Obsession and All That Heaven Allows. The role of Rock Hudson usually followed these lines and portrayed precisely these types of men. In the first of the two films he makes the transition from ‘bad boy’ to ‘Boy Next Door’ by adopting a new method of living and thinking, and in the second he plays a man who has no need of fanciful pursuits and no time for people who are other but themselves. He lives a simple life and is happy with what he has and whom he knows.

The second image that the 1950s created was that of the father. As mentioned, previously father roles was that of money-maker, however, in the 50s there was a shift in this respect as fathers started taking on a more active role within the house by helping with the children and household work. There was an increase for example, in how many men knew how to change diapers, or knew of pregnancy stages. These men were the grown up versions of the ‘Boy Next Door.’ They were trustworthy, good husbands and fathers who were to be found in the home, not only in bars or at work. They went to their son’s football game, and managed to work at the same time in order to keep food on the table and electricity in the house. Rock Hudson was the icon of this type of man as well. Hudson dated in the beginning of his carrier, but unlike Dean or Brando kept his dating habits quiet, and eventually settled down with Phyllis Gates in 1955.[1] For the three years he was married, Hudson was seen as the perfect husband. This was most likely brought on by his pre-marital image, and his movie roles. Funny enough, though, in both Magnificent Obsession and All that Heaven Allows the father figure is missing. In both cases we get the impression that the father possessed all the qualities that were being searched for in men, however, through death did not appear in the story. Also, though, not a melodrama, his role in Lover Come Back (1961) contains a perfect example of the father role. After a drunken night where Jerry Webster (Rock Hudson) and Carol Templeton (Dorris Day) accidentally get married and consummate their marriage, they manage to get an annulment and Webster moves across the United States in order to give Templeton space. Templeton meanwhile, is pregnant but does not enlighten Webster and when she goes into labour Webster is told. The impression the audience receives when Webster arrives at the hospital to witness the birth and confront his ex-wife is that he is a man who feels as thought he has missed something crucial in the previous months. It is as if he has been hoping or rather dreaming of starting a family and was forced to miss out on it. The desire of having a family drew many men at the time and resulted in America’s post- World War II baby boom.[2]

The ‘boy next door’ and ‘super dad’ became a new type of sex symbol towards the end of the 50s. Rock Hudson’s movies allowed for previously not noticed men to feel like heroes. They could star in movies; be cowboys, gardeners, stupid multimillionaires, run corporate companies; and win over the beautiful woman with which to start a family. The viewer sees a woman like Joyce Philips, who married an outstanding doctor well loved in the community and yet she finds it in her heart to forgive and fall in love with Bob Merrick. All of a sudden there is a realisation that if she can forgive a man for his faults and fall in love with him for his new found strengths he must really be a good guy. Just like in the early 90s the person with glasses was the geek, before the 50s dangerous men were attractive. This was the image that launched both Marlon Brando’s and James Dean’s carriers. With Rock Hudson’s carrier though, it was the industries way of showing that being normal and stable was the appropriate and attractive thing to do. Slowly the dangerous look began to fade and more ‘boy next door’ figures began making an appearance and Rock Hudson was inducted one of the first men to match the description for this particular sex symbol.

Rock Hudson was beyond a doubt one of the strongest icons of men in the fifties. He brought to the movies a wholesomeness that was previously missed and gave men a new idol to strive to be- could be. It became cool to be good and appealing to be kind and just. This was just the beginning of the chain reaction, though, paving the way for the coming out of homosexuals almost thirty years later. Once again Rock Hudson was a strong member in this movement, not only coming out and telling people that he was a homosexual, but also began the awareness movement connected to AIDS. In a time where social and medial change was inevitable, Rock Hudson and his peers helped shape men in society into beings that can be considered small personal heroes: Fathers and Husbands. Also, with the Post World War II baby boom underway, and a steady increase in the amount of children born in the subsequent years the ‘super-dad’ role continued to thrive and more men committed to family life. The trend still seems to be changing as the notion of stay-at-home-dad can from time to time be seen in some current families. This trend is obviously partially a result of what was sent in motion in the 1950s and will continue to change over the course of time.


[1] Internet Movie Database www.imdb.com
[2]http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Baby_boom, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Post-WW2_baby_boom

50 questions

1. Should boxing be banned?
No. Why?

2. Should the driving age be raised to 18?
Yes. At 16 You're not even an adult, and considered responsible, so why should you be
able to endanger the lives of others?

3. Should semi-automatic weapons be banned?
Yes, to the public.

4. Should teens who murder be executed?
No one should be executed.

5. Should hunting be outlawed?
It should be regulated in each individual area.

6. Should recycling be mandatory?
Manditory? No. Requested? Yes.

7. Should schools require student uniforms?
Absolutely. It's easier for the students and better for the administration. Students can
be intellectually different, they don't need to have different clothes to show how they
differ.

8. Should college athletes be paid?
No. It's EXTRA-curricular. They don't have to do it. Education comes first.

9. Should condoms be available in high school?
Yes. For the safety of their students. They're going to do it anyway, so promote saftey!

10. Should the death penalty be abolished?
Yes.

11. Should handguns be banned?
To civilians.

12. Should assisted suicide be permitted?
Yes, but under the strictest guidelines.

13. Should legal immigration be stopped?
You could try...

14. Should dying people be kept on life support?
It should be decided by the family and doctors.

15. Should tobacco products be banned?
You could try that too... All I'm saying is Contraband.

16. Should the logging industry be allowed to harvest public forests?
Absolutely not. They should grow their own.

17. Should state lotteries be banned?
No. Why?

18. Should alcoholic beverages be banned?
Can you say the C-word

19. Should alcoholic beverages be legalized for all ages?
For all ages no, but there should be a difference in age when it comes to hard and soft liquer

20. Should the Internet be censored?
not unless there isn't freedom of speech.

21. Should school prayer be allowed?
Yes, but students shouldn't be forced to participate.

22. Should music lyrics be censored?
Freedom of speech.

23. Should extremist groups (i.e. KKK, skinheads)be banned?
Freedom of speech, but they should be monitered closely.

24. Should parents of teen vandals be held responsible for their child's damage?
It depends on the age of the teens and the damage.

25. Should research on cloning be discontinued?
No, but there should be strict oversight.

26. Should convicted sex offenders' names be made public?
Absolutely not. They have a right to live in peace like anyone else. Unless they do something else illigal

27. Should affirmative action laws which give special privileges to minorities be eliminated?
Yes. I think that to be united, people must get through it together and with the same leverage. Segregation helps no one.

28. Should a rookie salary cap be enforced in pro sports?
All sports players should have capped salaries.

29. Should the U.S. provide foreign aid?
It's the responsibility of all nations to can help to help.

30. Should females in the military be excluded from combat and other "hazardous" duties?
Why? Are women worth more than men? They're still sons and daughters, sisters and brothers, wives and husbands.

31. Should high schools be segregated by the sex of the student?
To what end?

32. Should parents of students who are excessively absent from school be prosecuted under the law?
Isnt' failing enough of a punishment?

33. Should "home schooling" be permitted?
Why not. If parents think they can do better let them. However, parents should be advised against it. They miss out on the eperiences and I can't imagine it being anything but lonely.

34. Should Native Americans be allowed to have gambling casinos on their reservations?
yes. Should they fall into the trap laid against them and get stuck in the ruck? No.

35. Should students failing their classes in high school have their driver's license revoked?
No, a lot of students would have no way to get to school then. How would that help?

36. Should pros be allowed to draft college athletes before they graduate?
No. It doesn't force them to finish their education, which they should.

37. Should wolves be reintroduced to public lands?
Is that safe?

38. Should free, disposable needles be given to drug addicts?
yes. Rather that than HIV.

39. Should marijuana be legalized?
No. People mistake it for being legalized in The Netherlands. It isn't legal. There are just no laws saying that it can't be used.

40. Should adopted children be given the choice of contacting their biological parents?
absolutely. Roots are important. They mold people. Also it's important to know any medical problems that could occur.

41. Should mothers who give their children up for adoption be allowed to keep their identity secret?
If they so desire.

42. Should welfare be limited by time?
No. But people should be actively searching. If they aren't

43. Should all pregnant women be required to take an AIDS test?
Not unless the doctor think's it's neccessary

44. Should off-shore drilling be banned?
It's bad for the environment, but there's supply and demand, and considering that we're running low on everything. Until we find alternate things to use, I suppose we're going to have to keep drilling.

45. Should school funding come from local property taxes?
Property taxes? Well, not at the moment, with this economy.

46. Should casino gambling be legalized in Ohio?
I'm not sure why it was banned in the first place.

47. Should the U.S. phase out the Electoral College (regarding presidential elections)?
Yes, though I'm not sure that's possible anymore.

48. Should abortion be legal?
Yes.

49. Should universities limit the number of years a student has to finish his/her study?
No. One should be able to learn as long as you want.

50. Should families of victims be allowed to decide the punishment of those who commit crimes?
Absolutely not. How could they be clearheaded enough to make an informed decision.

Because I'm in the Mood...

A fantastic spoof! A great little piece with David Tennant and Catherine Tate!

List: Children's Picture Books

A Top 10 of picture books!

1. Where the Wild Things Are by Maurice Sendak
2. Doctor De Soto byWilliam Steig
3. Jeremiah in the Dark Woods by Janet & Allen Ahlberg
4.The House at Pooh Corner: A Pop-up Book
5. Dinosaurs and All that Rubbish by Michael Foreman
6. Bright Red Kisses by Teresa Toten
7. There's an Awful lot of Weirdos in Our Neighbourhood by Colin McNaughton
8.The Foot Book by Dr. Seuss
9. Curious George by H.A. Ray
10. The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle

Thanksgiving

In memory of a genius who gave us years of pleasure. Thank you Charles M. Schulz

List: Romance

Here's another list... My favorite Romance Writers & Novels

Authors:
1. Julie Garwood
2. Karen Hawkins
3. Julia London
4. Betina Kahn
5. Lyndsay Sands
6. Victoria Alexander
7. Stephanie Laurens
8. Christina Dood
9. Lisa Kleypas
10. Amanda Quick

Novels:
1. Ransom by Julie Garwood
2. Shadow Dance by Julie Garwood
3. The Taming of the Duke by Eloisa James
4.To marry a Duke by Julianne MacLean
5. The Last Bachelor by Betina Kahn
6. One Knight Stands by Jocelyn Kelley
7. The Seduction of Sara by Karen Hawkins
8. The Marriage Bed by Laura Lee Guhrke
9. The Duke by Galen Foley
10. The Rake by Susanne Enoch


Note: I'd like to also note the works of Gorgette Heyer... All of them! However, I'm still in ups on weather I'm going to consider that romance or literature.... in my opinion we'd have to put it in the same light as Jane Austen.

Riddle me this, Riddle me that...

Here's a poem by sylvia platt...

Metaphors

I'm a riddle in nine syllables,
An elephant, a ponderous house,
A melon strolling on two tendrils.
O red fruit, ivory, fine timbers!
This loaf's big with its yeasty rising.
Money's new-minted in this fat purse.
I'm a means, a stage, a cow in calf.
I've eaten a bag of green apples,
Boarded the train there's no getting off.

Hey Mr. Producer! I'm talking to you....

Originally I was going to do this post about the woman who'd had 8 kids in the united states, but after watching TV this evening, I've decided that the television industry is going to get the brunt of my anger.

Even though we, here in Holland, are a couple weeks behind in television, I'm not the kind of person to read ahead to see what's going on. So imagine my surprise when one of my favorite characters from Ghost Whisperer died. In the television world now, there are few shows that show marriage in a good light. There's lying, hurt, divorce, and much more. Ghost Whisperer is one of the few shows where that isn't the case. There's a loving relationship where the relationship isn't the issue, rather the science fiction is. That the foundation is steady in the relationship allows one to just enjoy it and he storyline. Now that they've killed off the rock of the marriage, it's turning back only the ongoing soap wheel that's today's television.

In the same way a lot of other shows were cancelled and good characters were cut. Look at for example Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip. A fantastic show, and cancelled before the 1st season could even end properly. Or, how about Firefly, Angel, Amsterdam, or Dirty Sexy Money. All shows that were cancelled before their time.

Or how about Birkoff from La Femme Nikita, Doyle from Angel, Kate in NCIS, Janet Fraiser in Stargate SG-1, Mrs. Landingham from the West Wing, Admiral Fitzwallace from the West Wing... I'm sure everyone has a couple characters they can think of.

I understand the need to go in a different direction, and for most of the above named shows a death is a great way to introduce new characters and keep the storylines fresh, but the above named characters are for the most part replaceable. In the case of Ghost Whisperer I'm not sure if that's possible. They built the character up too well to just replace him in my opinion. And after going back on my origional promise not to look ahead, there was no way after tonight's episode that I wasn't going to do that. Lukily because it's a sci-fi show they're able to bring the character back for a couple episodes. But how will the show survive into the next season? Especially after a lot of the viewers are contemplating never watching the show again.

So here's what I say to producers and the people sitting behind the desks at the television corperations: Give us real television. We're smart enough to understand well written television, and we're looking for variation. Don't fill all the tv spots with the same junk. If I really wanted to watch a soap opera I would. Instead what are you offering us? Half a dousan of the same types of shows. FBI Shows? atleast 4 I can think of at the top of my head, and all of them are in some way bringing science/math into the foreground.

Whatever happened to originality?

We have the choice nowerdays between the same types of shows and reality tv. Which I wont get into. That would need an entire rant in itself.

Bring back good television.

Please.

He said it didn't happen... was he living in a hole?

In the 1960s there was a group of 4 members of the Catholic church that rebelled against the church's modernization and consecrated men in an unsanctioned ceremony. In 1988 they were excommunicated.

Last week the excommunication was lifted by Pope Benedict XVI. What people are most confused about isn't that they were allowed back into the church, but rather, that the Pope embraced them just days after the Sweedish news released an interview with Bishop Williamson, who stated: "I believe that the historical evidence is strongly against -- is hugely against -- 6 million Jews having been deliberately gassed in gas chambers as a deliberate policy of Adolf Hitler." He then went on to say that he didn't believe in gas chambers. The Bishop did not deny the death of "200,000 to 300,000 Jews perished in Nazi concentration camps, but none of them [died] by gas chambers." Aparently he thought that the death of 6 million Jews wasn't possible.

As you can imagine, this sent red flags all over the place.

The head of the society Williamson belongs took distance from him, stating that his colleague made his own statements, and the Pope tried to mend ties with the Jewish community by not denying that he believed that the gas chambers had existed. However, he did not openly take action against the bishop.

Was this wrong?

I'm as open as they come on a lot of issues. I uderstand that there are always two different sides to an argument. But was this guy living under a rock? Williamson is 68, which means that he was born in the second world war, and although this happened in the UK, the fact that he doesn't believe it happened begs the question of how did he come to believe this? Doesn't the fact that some countries consider such comments punishable under hate-crimes, ring something for him?

He did send a letter in appology, but the appolgy was to the Pope and his head of PR, Cardinal Castrillon Hoyos. In it he didn't deny what he said, nor did he say he had made a mistake, but rather he was sorry for the rukus he had caused the Holy Father.

The Jewish community is supposed to get an appology any day now. But is that enough? Should the pope appologise for reinstating the priest? Can he be excommunicated agian? Should we be happy he's old and in ill health and that he'll probably die at some point?

I personally think that the answer is no. Perhaps I'm looking at this through my partial catholic upbriging, but I just do not see how any of this will help. It won't fix years of work and talk between the church and the Jewish Community. Nor will it retract the statement that has been put out.

Perhaps the solution is to reeducate those that speak out that way. A fieldtrip to Auswitz perhaps. Maybe they need to be sat in a room and hit on the head with the overabundent information from the time.

But I think that it is important to remember. This is all the doing of one man and not the institution. And though he may be misled in thinking that he should be dipping into a political arena, when his job is to help his congregation to enrich their christian lives.

The damage is done. Let us hope that it can be cleaned to a point that both parties can move on in their relationship to bring the Catholic Church and the Jewish Community closer.

Funny people

For those who have been following my blog, you might be interested in looking at the blog of PJMulroy. She's a close friend, and someone I regularly knock mu ideas around with. Her last blog was about how we were looking at a bunch of different comedians, that when she placed one on her blog I thought: "Who else is out there?"

I personally like comedy that's intelligent. It doesn't need to have an abunance of bad language. If you're going to use it, use it for a reason. So, I've been you tubing to see what's out there:

I suppose I should start with Russell Peters. He's probably what can be considered the new brilliance of Canada. He pushes boundries, what's PC, race, and habits of different cultures. All without binking an eye. He's the first Indian comedian.

Then there's Rhod Gilbert, the Welsh funny man. He was a finalist in the Channel 4 'So You Think You're Funny' Competition 2002 and the winner of the Gift Of The Gag 2003 and BBC Comedy Awards 2003 competitions. He talks about games, religion, sex shops and travel among others, a definate must see.

Oh and Stephan K. Amos. He was raised in London after his family moved there from Africa in the 60s. He does a great Nigerian accent and can talk about and imitate almost every time of londoner.

Michael McIntyre has a fantastic sketch about a 'man drawer'. His life experiences are included as he talks about his wife and children and he quickly adapts to his audiences.

D L Hughley isn't really the type of comedian that I would usually watch because of his obscene use of language. But his observational humor about whites, blacks, and mexicans are spot on. He borders and flirts with racism but then again makes it aware that that sort of racism really exists in ways that we in Europe don't really see or understand.

Ed Byrne is an irish well of comedic knowledge. His chatty nature draws audiences in quickly.

Steve Byrne is Korean-Irish American and has gotten the nickname of the karate kid of comedy because of his martial arts material.

And though he might look dsigusitingly like a former member of kiss, Russel Brand is hilarious. He pokes fun at gender stereotypes and makes plain the devide between manly men and the 'softer side of sears'.

Nina Conti is one of the few great ventrilaquist acts left. She's so cute becausew she giggles and turns red as she works.

Chris Rock's stand up is in a class of his own. Though people may not understand all the references because they are so North American, it's easy to see why he is so good. Not only does he talk about politics, race, and family values, but he does it in a way that anyone would be able to see the joke. Bigger and Blacker is in my opinion a piece of beauty.

Lastly I would like to mention Australia's Dave Hughes. Hughsie as he is often referred to is one of Australias leading comics. He talks fast and he's got beady eyes, but he's fantastic, covering gender, family, and society among other topics.

These are the people who are heading the stage today, but there have been others before worth mentioning: Rowan Atkinson, Billy Connelly, Bob Hope, George Burns, Eddie Izzard, Joan Rivers, Candance Burgen and of coarse the eternal Abbot and Costello, with their famous sketch "Who's on First." It's an icon in American comedy and a must see for everyone.

Quaint

I'm in the UK at the moment staying with friends in Aylesbury. They recently moved from The Netherlands here and now live in what has to be the cutest little house that I've ever seen! It's a real cottage, and if you're thinking, aren't cottages small? you're not far off. It really is. The entire house is about 70 meters squared. But I'm in love with it!

When you walk in the front door there's a small living room with a period fireplace that's the focal point of the room. There's white painted wooden cupboards on both sides. The door on the other side leads to the kitchen, which is the biggest room of the house. The cupboards are also white wood, which is exactly what you would expect. The door to the right leads to a small hallway which in turn leads to the bathroom of good size. It's cold in there in the morning, but it's big enough for myself and two friends to do our evening toilette in.

The other door in the kitchen leads to the garden, which is questionable bigger than the house itself. It'll make a great place for the summer with a raised platform.

In the kitchen there's also a staircase leading up to the second floor. Upstairs there are two bedrooms, no hallway, pretty much the stairs lead right to the doors. Both rooms are spacious and the hard wood floors there, complete with paint splatters add a great character to the house. It's small, but anyone walking in would automatically feel like they're home.

I do.

Today's plans are to go to oxford. It's about an hours drive from here and is one of the oldest and prestegious of England, with it's famous university.

Have a good day and see you all soon!

The different faces of Facebook

Facebook, a global website created as a means for people to get in touch with friends and meet new people has been used in a new way. As a way to pass legal documents. In Australia the courts allowed a lawyer in Canberra to serve a couple who had not paid their loan installments over facebook. It was used as a last resort because the couple were not to be reached over the phone, by email, or at home. This was the first time that something like this has happened and the Australian courts said that they'll continue using facebook as a tool as long as it is used appropriately and through a message, not on people's walls so that others might read.



I think this is pretty rediculous. And I'm not sure it's all that legal. What about if you've given your password to someone else. I myself use a set number of passwords, all of which my brother and a couple other people know. As much as I love my brother, I wouldn't want him to know of financial or legal problems until I was ready to tell him.

I'm not for it. Who's to say we wont start doing this kind of stuff by text messege. Where will we draw the line?

Bush Gets Shoe-ed

I think I saw one of the funniest videos today. During his visit to Iraq, Someone in the press room took off his shoes and threw them at President Bush. The lame duck president managed to duck in time. But I'm wondering: Where was the secret service? Aren't they supposed to step infront of the president. I know it wasn't a bullet, but still, what if there had been a brick in the shoe, or if it had been lined with lead? Instead of them, know who put themselves between the American President and the shoe? The Iraqi Prime Minister! And after that had happened what did Bush say? "That was a size 10 shoe he threw at me, you may want to know." If that isn't one of the best Bush-isms, I don't know what is.

For a good laugh... http://edition.cnn.com/2008/WORLD/meast/12/14/bush.iraq/index.html

House

My dad found the deed to the house. Sorry it's in ducth for those that can't read it.

KOOPCONTRACT ********** #, AMSTERDAM, 15 augustus 1814

Op Heden den Vijftienden Augustus des Jaars agttien honderd veertien, des namiddags ten vijf Uuren, ten verzoeke van de Heer Joannes Bernardus Westerwoudt, makelaar, wonende te Amsterdam op de Singel No. 294 als gemagtigde van Hermanus Joannes Uytenbroek blijkens procuratie op den eersten Augustus agttien honderd veertien, ten overstaan van den ondergeteekenden Notaris Hanssen en zijn Ambtgenoot en brevet gepasseerd, welke procuratie, behoorlijk geregistreerd, is geannexeerd aan de Minute van de hier natemeldene Acte der Conditien van Verkoop – zal door Agidius Hanssen en zijn Ambtgenoot , openbare Notarissen resideerdende te Amsterdam in het Locaal voor publieke Verkopingen van ouds genaamd het Oude Zijds Heeren Logement te Amsterdam ingevolge de deswegene gedane annonces worden geprocedeerd tot de publieke vrijwillige Verkoop aan de meestbiedende of hoogst mijnende van
Een distelateurs Winkelhuis en Erve, staande en gelegen te Amsterdam in de ********** het derde Huis van de Heerengracht, wijk 36 No. 459.
Waartoe voormelde Hermanus Johannes Uytenbroek den eigendom heeft bekomen, bij transport op den zeventienden October, des Jaars agttien honderd ses, voor toenmalige Heeren Schepenen in Amsterdam gepasseerd.
Tot de Verkoop van welk perceel hij Requirant bij Acte op den tienden dezer maand Augustus, ten overstaan van den ondergeteekende Notaris Hanssen onder wien de Minute daarvan is berustende, die behoorlijk is geregistreerd, en zijnen Amtgenoot gepasseerd; heeft doen opmaken de vereischte Conditien, welke ten kantore van gemelde Notaris hebben ter Visie gelegen, en die hij requirant, verzogt aan de gegadigdens als nu voortelezen en vervolgens tot de voorschreevene Veiling te willen overgaan. – En heeft na gedane voorlezen alhier getekend, was geteekend J.B. Westerwoudt.
Ter voldoening aan welk requisitoir den ondergeteekende Notaris Hanssen in tegenwoordigheid van deszelfs ambtgenoot de voorschreeve Conditien hebbende doen voorlezen, dadelijk is overgegaan tot de Veyling van het voorgedachte perceel in maniere navolgende.
Eerstelijk tot het Ontvangen der biedingen van de gegadigdens, waarna den Heere Johannes van Bleyenburg, makelaar, wonende te Amsterdam, in de Lindenstraat no. 46 tot eene Somma van twee duisend drie honderd vijf en twintig Guldens den hoogsten bieder is gebleven, ten gevolge waarvan het voorgenoemde perceel voor de gebodene Som aan hem provisioneerd is toegewezen, welke toewijzing dezelve verklaarde te accepteeren en voorts domicilium te kiesen ter zijnen voormelde woonplaats. En heeft na gedane voorlezing alhier geteekend /:was geteekend:/ J. van Blijenburgh. Boven de voorschreeve gebodene som van twee duisend drie hondervijfentwintig Guldens, is vervolgens gevraagd geworden eene Somma van twee duisend Guldens, welke bij den afslag successievelijk verminderd zijnde tot eene soma van ses honderd Guldens, zo heeft den Heere Arnoldus Schouten, Makelaar, wonende te Amsterdam aan het oude Kerkspleyn No. 39 bij mijning verklaard zich voor de gedachte Som van ses honderd Guldens met bijvoeging van het hoogste bod, ter voormelder Somma van twee duisend drie honderd vijf en twintig Guldens, als koper te stellen van het meergenoemd perceel, ende zulks voor en ten behoeve van den Heere Jan Simons H., Mr. Loodgieter, wonende te Amsterdam in de Beerenstraat No. 9 dewelke hier tegenwoordig, verklaarde deszelve koop also te accepteeren. En na het kiesen van domicilium ter hunne voorschreve woonplaatzen, zoo hebben dezelve na gedane voorlezing alhier geteekend /:was geteekend:/ A. Schouten = J.S. H..
Ten gevolge van welk laatstgemelde, de hiervoren aan den Heere Joannes van Blyenburg als hoogsten bieder gedane provisioneele toewijzing vervallen zijnde; zoo heeft den Heere Joannes Bernoardus Westerwoudt, als verkoper verklaard, het opgenoemde perceel voor de gedachte Som van twee duisend negen honderd vijf en twintig Guldens, definitivelijk te verkopen en toetewijzen, aan gemelden Heere Jan Simons H. die zulks accepteerd, zonder echter van de aan hem gedefereerde keuze bij Conditien vermeld, gebruik te zullen maaken omme daarvan genot te hebben en daarmede naar inhoude van de gemelde Conditien te handelen naar welgevallen. Aannemende en belovende meergenoemden Heere Jan Simons H., omme de voormelde kooppenningen ter Somma van twee duisend negen honderd vijf en twintig Guldens in Conformiteit der gedachte Conditien aan den Verkoper te betalen voor of op den eersten September aanstaande in goed grof ongestempeld Zilvergeld ten kantore van den ondergeteekende Notaris Hanssen, met verder belofte omme allen de overige Conditien en voorwaarden stiptelijk te zullen agtervolgen en nakomen.
Blijvende het voorschreeve perceel aan den Verkoper speciaal gehypothequeerd en verbonden tot dat de koopschat en de door den koper te dragene kosten zullen zijn voldaan. Onder reserve van dit privilegie steld en subrogeerd den Verkoper den Koper en allen de rechten van Eigendom, welke deszelfs principalen op het voorscheeve Perceel zelve mag hebbende; zich daarvan ten behoeve van gemelden kooper ontdoende bij deeze, met Authorisatie omme deeze te doen overschrijven, ter plaatse daar het behooren zal.
Tot nakoming dezer, kiezen parthijen domicilium ter hunner voormelde woonplaatsen.
Waarvan Acte – Gedaan en gepasseerd in Amsterdam ter plaatse, mitsgaders ten dage, maand en Jaare voormeld. En hebbende Comparanten benevens ons Notarissen na gedane voorlezing de Minute dezer onderteeken, welke gebleven is in de bewaring en het bezit van den ondergeteekenden Notaris Hanssen /:was geteekend:/ J.B. Westerwoudt = J.S. H. = Agidius Hanssen, Notaris = H. Happe, Notaris . Geregistreerd te Amsterdam den zestienden Augustus 1814 D5 fol. 149 & C4al. Ontvangen met de verhogingenhonderd zeven en veertig Guldens, zeven Stuivers en vier Penningen /:was geteekend:/ Abbema Voorafschrift H. Happe, Notaris, Agidius Hanssen, Notaris.


Overgeschreeven den sestiende Augustus 1816 aan het kantoor van bewaring der Hypotheeken te Amsterdam fol 36A. Een ter zelder dage genoomen ambtshalve inschrijving. Geregistreerd 8 ok 15 Art.27.
1e Regt van overschrijving f 43-17-0
Ontvangen het hierneven staande 2e Zegel van de registers f 3- 6-0
Bedrag van vijfenzestig Guldens f 47- 4-0
zestien stuivers tien penningen 3e 10 en 16 add f 12- 5-6
10 en 16 add daaronder begrepen f 59- 9-6
4e Depot recif salaris 5-17-10
5e Salaris des ambtshalve insp 9-10
f 65-16-10
De Hypotheekbewaarders
(onleesbaar)

Bookstores

Anyone that knows me can attest to the fact that I love books. Books, movies/tv, and writing are probably my biggest loves. My biggest hobby after that... buying books. On CNN.com today you'll find this great list of what they consider the best bookstores in the world to be. Not necessarily regarding content but location, architecture and beauty. You'll find them at: http://edition.cnn.com/2008/BUSINESS/12/11/iconic.bookshops/index.html

If that isn't enough, here's another list: http://www.bookstoreguide.org/

And if you want some pics... http://www.miragebookmark.ch/most-interesting-bookstores.htm

Oh, and don't forget libraries:http://www.miragebookmark.ch/most-interesting-libraries.htm

Architecturally also the Chicago Public library on state street is amazing from the outside, with gargoyles looking down on you. Also the National Library of Kwala Lumpur is a sight to see. The experience inside is even better. I've never seen such a complicated library before!
And not to forget the Unversity of Cardiff's library. Also a beauty.

So, I'm up for a trip to Maastricht. I really have to see that bookstore. I'll go from there.