I'm squeezing this blog entry in before committing to 48 hours of revelry here in Amsterdam. Tonight is Queen's Night and tomorrow is Queen's Day. Think Canada Day in Toronto multiplied by a factor of ten to account for the drinking culture here in Europe and the 'lax' social policies here in the Netherlands. Every day this week the city has been abuzz with plans for the next two days, orange garland has been strung around buildings, and eight or so outdoor music venues have been set up around the city. Clearly, it's a big deal.
In preparation for the festivities, the past three days have been spent madly trying to complete all my work so the only thing I have to worry about coming this evening is how much orange clothing I have to join the roves of hooligans from all over the country who have migrated to the capital. These days spent at the library were in promise of completely giving myself over to the Dutch way of life for their favourite holiday. Thankfully, I was able to complete all the assignments and readings necessary. I finally sent off my thesis proposal this morning after meticulously working over it for the past six weeks. To say it's great to have it off my desk and in the hands of the powers that be is an understatement.
Today was technically my last day of classes for the course proper here in Amsterdam and actually for the whole of MAIPR. We have portfolio presentations in next week's time, but the major instruction is officially over. Save for the major assignments to compliment the course work, and a week of summer school in Finland, the in-class portion of the work is done. And I couldn't be happier. The focus now shifts (after a break in June and July) to climbing the thesis mountain until mid-December.
Tonight we plan to rove around the city taking in the Queen's Night celebrations. We're leaving ourselves open to see some of the more happening spots, but will stop by two Dutch parties we've been invited to. Once would think that this evening entertainment would demand a good sleep in tomorrow, but it's not possible on Queen's Day! I've invited 15 or so friends here in Amsterdam over to my place for a 10am breakfast to get the day started right. We'll be having breakfast and mimosa to gear up for a full day of Netherlands fun. It's not quite a Pancake Kegger of the old Queen's (University) days, but it's as close as I can get.
Of course, a full description of the day's activities and photos will follow in due course.
Doc's Prescription of the Day: To live vicariously through my experience, google image Queen's Day Amsterdam - it's a mad house. Wear some orange today!
Wednesday, April 29, 2009
Sunday, April 26, 2009
A Different Kind of Marketing.doc
European Markets are the absolute greatest. I know I’ve gone on about this before, but why hasn’t their popularity made it across the pond? Yes, we have a market here or there but there are at least eight of them in Amsterdam (which is a tiny city compared to larger centres).
I went to the market both Friday and Saturday to score some deals and mingle with the plebs. The Albert Cupymarket is the best in the city. Case in point: carrots, onions, sprouts, TWO small heads of broccoli, and peas for 3.50 Euros. I’ve been a fool for buying produce at the AH – it’s just way too convenient. I picked up a pair of sunglasses to replace the ones I lost for 5E, bought 10 oranges for 2E, and picked up a screaming orange Holland jersey for Queen’s Day for 5E. I also walked by a stall selling summer footwear for 17 Euros (some sleek slip-ons). Worth a trip back for those. Deals, deals, deals. Apparently, one who now knows how to budget and spend frugally in these “tough economic times” is called a Recessionista – if that’s the case then I’ve be one since as long as I can remember. Recesionisters of the world unite.
I also took some time to visit two of the city’s other parks to get a bit more pleasure reading done. The book has proved to be enjoyable thus far. In addition to all this dandying around, I hit the ground running on my assignments. I locked myself up in the library on Thursday from 9:30am – 7:00pm trying to bang out the draft of my essay. If I’ve learned two things in six years of school about my work habits, it’s thus: I must head to a library to be able to concentrate completely on writing an essay, and the thoughts must be vomited out on the screen for the first draft no matter how badly formed they may be. So I “literarily” vomited all of Thursday and was able to muster a good 2200 words. The rest will be called up before the end of next week.
To reward ourselves for a hard fought week, aside from the Bob Rae day, Bec and I went for some drinks last evening. We chose a pub we hadn’t been to before just up the street from school. Like most of the pubs here, it has a smattering of tables outside. We were lucky enough to snag a table right beside the canal. As we nursed a few beers we saw boats of all shapes and sizes float by. I couldn’t imagine a more relaxing way to spend a Friday evening…unless I was on a boat of course.
Last evening, I joined Adam and a few of his flat mates at a club in the Rembrantplein (the really touristy place) for a night out. It was a typical Saturday adventure – lots of people out, lots of great songs, and a late night. One of Adam’s flatmates is an extremely intelligent philosopher. They debated Foucault, Kant, Freud, and all things to do with post-structuralism. I tried my best to keep up, but in the end was then happy to talk about more ‘wordly things.’ Besides, I like to separate my week from my weekend as much as possible.
Today, I had a FOUR hour meeting which started at noon to plan the conference I’ll be helping with in July. Thankfully it’s a rainy day so I can focus on finishing work. The rest of the day will be devoted to refining my thesis proposal which will hopefully land in the inbox of the Director on Wednesday so that Thursday can be spent basking in the revelry that is the Netherland’s Queen’s Day.
Bon voyage to my little brother Todd who will be leaving for a week in Miami followed by a week in Trinidad. I’m completely jealous of the temperatures he’ll be basking in.
Doc’s Prescription of the Day: Markets, pubs, and a thesis proposal, oh my! The prescrip is for the former two, not the latter. I wouldn’t wish it on anyone.
I went to the market both Friday and Saturday to score some deals and mingle with the plebs. The Albert Cupymarket is the best in the city. Case in point: carrots, onions, sprouts, TWO small heads of broccoli, and peas for 3.50 Euros. I’ve been a fool for buying produce at the AH – it’s just way too convenient. I picked up a pair of sunglasses to replace the ones I lost for 5E, bought 10 oranges for 2E, and picked up a screaming orange Holland jersey for Queen’s Day for 5E. I also walked by a stall selling summer footwear for 17 Euros (some sleek slip-ons). Worth a trip back for those. Deals, deals, deals. Apparently, one who now knows how to budget and spend frugally in these “tough economic times” is called a Recessionista – if that’s the case then I’ve be one since as long as I can remember. Recesionisters of the world unite.
I also took some time to visit two of the city’s other parks to get a bit more pleasure reading done. The book has proved to be enjoyable thus far. In addition to all this dandying around, I hit the ground running on my assignments. I locked myself up in the library on Thursday from 9:30am – 7:00pm trying to bang out the draft of my essay. If I’ve learned two things in six years of school about my work habits, it’s thus: I must head to a library to be able to concentrate completely on writing an essay, and the thoughts must be vomited out on the screen for the first draft no matter how badly formed they may be. So I “literarily” vomited all of Thursday and was able to muster a good 2200 words. The rest will be called up before the end of next week.
To reward ourselves for a hard fought week, aside from the Bob Rae day, Bec and I went for some drinks last evening. We chose a pub we hadn’t been to before just up the street from school. Like most of the pubs here, it has a smattering of tables outside. We were lucky enough to snag a table right beside the canal. As we nursed a few beers we saw boats of all shapes and sizes float by. I couldn’t imagine a more relaxing way to spend a Friday evening…unless I was on a boat of course.
Last evening, I joined Adam and a few of his flat mates at a club in the Rembrantplein (the really touristy place) for a night out. It was a typical Saturday adventure – lots of people out, lots of great songs, and a late night. One of Adam’s flatmates is an extremely intelligent philosopher. They debated Foucault, Kant, Freud, and all things to do with post-structuralism. I tried my best to keep up, but in the end was then happy to talk about more ‘wordly things.’ Besides, I like to separate my week from my weekend as much as possible.
Today, I had a FOUR hour meeting which started at noon to plan the conference I’ll be helping with in July. Thankfully it’s a rainy day so I can focus on finishing work. The rest of the day will be devoted to refining my thesis proposal which will hopefully land in the inbox of the Director on Wednesday so that Thursday can be spent basking in the revelry that is the Netherland’s Queen’s Day.
Bon voyage to my little brother Todd who will be leaving for a week in Miami followed by a week in Trinidad. I’m completely jealous of the temperatures he’ll be basking in.
Doc’s Prescription of the Day: Markets, pubs, and a thesis proposal, oh my! The prescrip is for the former two, not the latter. I wouldn’t wish it on anyone.
Wednesday, April 22, 2009
A Bob Rae Mental Health Day.doc
Anyone remember "Bob Rae Days" back in the good old NDP spend-a-thon Ontario? You'd be hard pressed now to find that kind of government spending happening, but I will remind you that the mandatory days off were unpaid for all civil service workers. Today I took a "Rae Day", or a Mental Health day as some friends like to call it. April has been a busy month. What with two courses and a paper I'm writing (pales in comparison to what I went through at UofT), sometimes a boy just needs a break.
The day began with the free lunch time concert at the Concertgebouw that I have enjoyed going to in the past. Since we haven't had time to go in over a month, Courtney and I planned to enjoy some really beautiful piano playing. It's a pretty funny scene some Wednesdays. The lobby is packed with Amsterdam residents and tourists alike who have flocked to the historic building for an hour of free music. The door to the concert hall is locked and those wishing to enter must queue and hope for a spot. I always arrive about half an hour before the concert begins and never fail to be surprised to find at least a hundred others in line ahead of me. Once the gates open there is a mad, yet organized, rush to get inside. You'd be surprised how competitive people get when sometime is free...yet with limited space.
The concert was wonderful as usual. The pianist played some Schubert and Chopin. I just like to listen and let my thoughts wander. There was a group of young teenagers there on a school outing. I had a moment where I realized I wasn't one of them anymore. Attending lunch time concerts is now a choice and not a mandatory obligation. It makes me wonder if it's the type of thing I'll invest in when I'm making an actual salary. One can dream.
From there we camped out in the beautiful park behind the Riksmuseum (it's the one with the I AMSTERDAM sign). I started a new book called The Brief Wonderous Life of Oscar Wao by Junot Diaz. It won the Pulitzer so it should be a good read. I discovered that lying your bicycle sideways on the ground and using the seat for support is a great way to enjoy the park. We faced the sun, snacked on stroopwafels (not quite a 'micmic lunch' but one of your five a day), and enjoyed spring bliss. It's days like this when the work piled up back home seems to float from consciousness. It always gets done, so there is no use stressing over its completion. Besides, I'm chipping away on an essay that isn't fully due until mid-June. Those of you who know me well will not be surprised.
The day got better and better. After soaking up the sun we met Adam and went to FOAM which is a famous photography museum in the city. We had heard about a fantastic exhibit of the work of Richard Avedon. It was a name I had heard before but I really didn't remember why. Turns out I had heard his name because he's one of the most well-known photographers of the 20th century and he passed away not too long ago in 2004. The collection was awe-inspiring. It included 200 of his best shots. He's most well known for the type of portraits he took against a white backdrop where he looked to capture a moment between photographer and subject rather than a posed image. His snapshot of Marilyn Monroe might be his most famous, but I was also really struck by his photos of Andy Warhol and the Factory gang, Bob Dylan, Janis Joplin, Igor Stravinsky, and Samuel Beckett. It was nice to see writers, artists, and politicians displayed alongside the more "popular" film stars. I think I want to find more photography exhibits - his work is really captivating.
After such wonderful pursuits, one gets a little thirsty. To catch the little bit of the day's remaining sunlight, we loafed down on a patio and sipped on a couple of beers. We received a little reprimand from our waitress for pulling our table into the sunlight after it peeked behind the top of a building. Apparently it's dangerous to pull your table into the street. A concert, a park, a photography exhibit, and a patio all in one day. I think I made the most of my Bob Rae Day...my mental health couldn't be better!
Tomorrow will be spent back at the grind, as will the weekend. I'll be sure to pepper in a few social activities to keep things lively. A week tomorrow is Queen's Day - unfortunately not a gathering of QU alumni, but the biggest holiday of the year in Amsterdam. I, of course, have volunteered to host the start of the day's events...but that's for another post.
Doc's Prescription of the Day: Can you afford to take a Bob Rae Mental Health Day? Or afternoon even? I think you can.
The day began with the free lunch time concert at the Concertgebouw that I have enjoyed going to in the past. Since we haven't had time to go in over a month, Courtney and I planned to enjoy some really beautiful piano playing. It's a pretty funny scene some Wednesdays. The lobby is packed with Amsterdam residents and tourists alike who have flocked to the historic building for an hour of free music. The door to the concert hall is locked and those wishing to enter must queue and hope for a spot. I always arrive about half an hour before the concert begins and never fail to be surprised to find at least a hundred others in line ahead of me. Once the gates open there is a mad, yet organized, rush to get inside. You'd be surprised how competitive people get when sometime is free...yet with limited space.
The concert was wonderful as usual. The pianist played some Schubert and Chopin. I just like to listen and let my thoughts wander. There was a group of young teenagers there on a school outing. I had a moment where I realized I wasn't one of them anymore. Attending lunch time concerts is now a choice and not a mandatory obligation. It makes me wonder if it's the type of thing I'll invest in when I'm making an actual salary. One can dream.
From there we camped out in the beautiful park behind the Riksmuseum (it's the one with the I AMSTERDAM sign). I started a new book called The Brief Wonderous Life of Oscar Wao by Junot Diaz. It won the Pulitzer so it should be a good read. I discovered that lying your bicycle sideways on the ground and using the seat for support is a great way to enjoy the park. We faced the sun, snacked on stroopwafels (not quite a 'micmic lunch' but one of your five a day), and enjoyed spring bliss. It's days like this when the work piled up back home seems to float from consciousness. It always gets done, so there is no use stressing over its completion. Besides, I'm chipping away on an essay that isn't fully due until mid-June. Those of you who know me well will not be surprised.
The day got better and better. After soaking up the sun we met Adam and went to FOAM which is a famous photography museum in the city. We had heard about a fantastic exhibit of the work of Richard Avedon. It was a name I had heard before but I really didn't remember why. Turns out I had heard his name because he's one of the most well-known photographers of the 20th century and he passed away not too long ago in 2004. The collection was awe-inspiring. It included 200 of his best shots. He's most well known for the type of portraits he took against a white backdrop where he looked to capture a moment between photographer and subject rather than a posed image. His snapshot of Marilyn Monroe might be his most famous, but I was also really struck by his photos of Andy Warhol and the Factory gang, Bob Dylan, Janis Joplin, Igor Stravinsky, and Samuel Beckett. It was nice to see writers, artists, and politicians displayed alongside the more "popular" film stars. I think I want to find more photography exhibits - his work is really captivating.
After such wonderful pursuits, one gets a little thirsty. To catch the little bit of the day's remaining sunlight, we loafed down on a patio and sipped on a couple of beers. We received a little reprimand from our waitress for pulling our table into the sunlight after it peeked behind the top of a building. Apparently it's dangerous to pull your table into the street. A concert, a park, a photography exhibit, and a patio all in one day. I think I made the most of my Bob Rae Day...my mental health couldn't be better!
Tomorrow will be spent back at the grind, as will the weekend. I'll be sure to pepper in a few social activities to keep things lively. A week tomorrow is Queen's Day - unfortunately not a gathering of QU alumni, but the biggest holiday of the year in Amsterdam. I, of course, have volunteered to host the start of the day's events...but that's for another post.
Doc's Prescription of the Day: Can you afford to take a Bob Rae Mental Health Day? Or afternoon even? I think you can.
Sunday, April 19, 2009
A Student Jam in Rotterdam.doc
Back in the UK, I was able to visit a whole bunch of wonderful cities in England. Because I was living in a glorified wheat field at Warwick, these trips proved to be a welcome change from campus life. Here in Amsterdam, there hasn't been such a need for fulfillment outside the bustling city. But I was excited for the day's journey we had planned (Stu, Adam, Courtney, and I) to the second largest city in the country, Rotterdam.
Unlike its flashy and promiscuous counterpart, Rotterdam is more of a modest port city, but continues to evolve after extensive bombing during the war. In Amsterdam, you'll see only a grouping of skyscrapers in the south end of the city, but in Rotterdam they've sprung up all over the landscape. It feels more modern, more business, and definitely more like cities back home. On the train there we passed kilometres of sprawling tulip fields - definitely worth a return with May visitors.
The trip was organized by a PhD student in the department named Hein. He was our extremely informative tour guide for the day. The first stop was the Boijmans Museum. There we saw a fantastic exhibit by video artist Pipilotti Rist entitled Elixir. It was almost as good as the legendary Kingston hangout...almost. The largest space in the museum was split into eight installations that are a collection of the artist's most famous pieces (which have been featured at the Pompidou in Paris and the Church of San Stae in Venice). My three favourite pieces were projected on ceiling mounted movie screens - in each of these spaces, spectators were encouraged to lie on the ground, lie in a bed, or sit on a cushion and watch the dream like video sequences. The videos were mesmerizing; they reminded me of those old-school Fruitopia commercials with the fruit manipulation and Moby-like tunes. It was also nice to wander into a museum and sprawl out on the floor. I don't think they approve of that in the Louvre.
Also at the museum was an impressive collection of art billed as "the history of art from the Middle Ages to the 21st Century." I have to admit that the Dutch Romanticism paintings of men in funny hats and kitchen scenes weren't that appealing. What was memorable were the paintings from Warhol, Kandinsky, Monet, Magritte, and Dali. The Warhol pieces were of Mick Jagger and I was particularly excited to see some of Magritte's work as he's one of my favourites. All in a day's work.
After the museum we grabbed some dinner at one of Rotterdam's most well known music venues. We had to hover for ten minutes to procure a spot on the patio, but since the sun was shining we didn't want to be stuck inside. The five of us enjoyed the first patio meal of the young season. I had fish and chips with a really big salad. It was one of three things that I could identify on the Dutch menu. We also had some beers - it's best to keep hydrated in the sun of course. Hein told us a bit about the history of the city and about Belgium which is where he's from. Before the show we were going to see that evening (oh yes, a full day of European culture) Hein took us on a further tour of the city. There are boats everywhere and even apartments built in diagonally positioned cubes that stick out of a larger residential building. He assured us the occupants didn't live on slanted floors.
The performance we went to see that evening was called The Deer House by Jan Lauwer's internationally renowned Needcompany. They are an intercultural group based out of Belgium that has toured the world. The show is about a group of performers coming together to explore the story of a journalist murdered by a family in Kosvo that had been devastated by the atrocities of war. Its post-dramatic exploration of cultural memory and the intersection of art and trauma was at times incredibly moving, and at others light and meditative. But enough of the academic jargon...it typifies the type of theatre that I'm privileged to see - that of an extremely high calibre.
After the performance we had a post-show debrief (as MA students tend to do) on the same patio we had lunch. Admittedly, after the sun went down it wasn't as warm, but patio opportunities must be embraced. The Rotterdam visit was a full day of Euro Culture - museum, dinner, and a show - that proved to be the perfect way to spend an April Saturday.
Today was spent getting ahead on the work week and catching up with friends and family back home. I was extremely happy to have received a postcard from NYC this past week (much thanks from the friend I haven't seen in such a long time) and was able to solidify flights to Helsinki and Lisbon. The Blue Jays also hit double digit wins far and beyond any other team in the AL East. It figures that the year they get off to a hot start I'm out of the country.
Doc's Prescription of the Day: Because I'm not able to, buy some Jays tickets and head out to the park! The team needs all the support it can to continue this pace.
Unlike its flashy and promiscuous counterpart, Rotterdam is more of a modest port city, but continues to evolve after extensive bombing during the war. In Amsterdam, you'll see only a grouping of skyscrapers in the south end of the city, but in Rotterdam they've sprung up all over the landscape. It feels more modern, more business, and definitely more like cities back home. On the train there we passed kilometres of sprawling tulip fields - definitely worth a return with May visitors.
The trip was organized by a PhD student in the department named Hein. He was our extremely informative tour guide for the day. The first stop was the Boijmans Museum. There we saw a fantastic exhibit by video artist Pipilotti Rist entitled Elixir. It was almost as good as the legendary Kingston hangout...almost. The largest space in the museum was split into eight installations that are a collection of the artist's most famous pieces (which have been featured at the Pompidou in Paris and the Church of San Stae in Venice). My three favourite pieces were projected on ceiling mounted movie screens - in each of these spaces, spectators were encouraged to lie on the ground, lie in a bed, or sit on a cushion and watch the dream like video sequences. The videos were mesmerizing; they reminded me of those old-school Fruitopia commercials with the fruit manipulation and Moby-like tunes. It was also nice to wander into a museum and sprawl out on the floor. I don't think they approve of that in the Louvre.
Also at the museum was an impressive collection of art billed as "the history of art from the Middle Ages to the 21st Century." I have to admit that the Dutch Romanticism paintings of men in funny hats and kitchen scenes weren't that appealing. What was memorable were the paintings from Warhol, Kandinsky, Monet, Magritte, and Dali. The Warhol pieces were of Mick Jagger and I was particularly excited to see some of Magritte's work as he's one of my favourites. All in a day's work.
After the museum we grabbed some dinner at one of Rotterdam's most well known music venues. We had to hover for ten minutes to procure a spot on the patio, but since the sun was shining we didn't want to be stuck inside. The five of us enjoyed the first patio meal of the young season. I had fish and chips with a really big salad. It was one of three things that I could identify on the Dutch menu. We also had some beers - it's best to keep hydrated in the sun of course. Hein told us a bit about the history of the city and about Belgium which is where he's from. Before the show we were going to see that evening (oh yes, a full day of European culture) Hein took us on a further tour of the city. There are boats everywhere and even apartments built in diagonally positioned cubes that stick out of a larger residential building. He assured us the occupants didn't live on slanted floors.
The performance we went to see that evening was called The Deer House by Jan Lauwer's internationally renowned Needcompany. They are an intercultural group based out of Belgium that has toured the world. The show is about a group of performers coming together to explore the story of a journalist murdered by a family in Kosvo that had been devastated by the atrocities of war. Its post-dramatic exploration of cultural memory and the intersection of art and trauma was at times incredibly moving, and at others light and meditative. But enough of the academic jargon...it typifies the type of theatre that I'm privileged to see - that of an extremely high calibre.
After the performance we had a post-show debrief (as MA students tend to do) on the same patio we had lunch. Admittedly, after the sun went down it wasn't as warm, but patio opportunities must be embraced. The Rotterdam visit was a full day of Euro Culture - museum, dinner, and a show - that proved to be the perfect way to spend an April Saturday.
Today was spent getting ahead on the work week and catching up with friends and family back home. I was extremely happy to have received a postcard from NYC this past week (much thanks from the friend I haven't seen in such a long time) and was able to solidify flights to Helsinki and Lisbon. The Blue Jays also hit double digit wins far and beyond any other team in the AL East. It figures that the year they get off to a hot start I'm out of the country.
Doc's Prescription of the Day: Because I'm not able to, buy some Jays tickets and head out to the park! The team needs all the support it can to continue this pace.
Thursday, April 16, 2009
Canal Days and the Sun's Rays.doc
In Canada, Canal Days is an annual marine hertiage festival held in Port Colborne. In Amsterdam, canal day is every day.
April, as I've said, is a bit of a wolf in sheep's clothing: it appears beautiful and full of joy, but once you peel back the spring artifice there is a mountain of school work to keep one chained to the desk. I'm currently camped out in the Theaterwetenschap library (theatre science, but of course). We heat actors in test-tubes over bunsen burners to determine their emotional recall abilities and dissect characters with scalpels and protractors to determine their 'super-objectives'. It's all very messy stuff - all in a day's work when you're a scientist though. This section of the library has the AC cranked up unbearably high. If there is one thing I can't stand it's when, during the warm months, indoor temperatures are reconstructed to feel like the cold weather we left behind. I'm thinking of registering a formal complaint, but I don't want to mess with the Head Theatre Scientist here. Maybe the temperature is low to keep the theatre cadavers frozen.
We had long days of class on both Tuesday and Wednesday. I continue to enjoy my Key Theories in International Performance Class. Unlike the first year PhD class in Theatre Theory I took at UofT, which was rewarding but extremely challenging, I actually feel comfortable expressing my ideas and contributing to class discussion. We have only two more classes of it in the next two weeks and then we present our portfolio presentations in mid-May. Once this course ends, it will be the last formal class of my university education. Mucho looking forward to that.
After our classes on both days, a few of us rewarded our efforts with some after-school drinks. Each of the two days we migrated to a patio close to the school (there are a few to choose from) to blow off a bit of April steam. On Tuesday, we camped out on a patio which is situated across from another patio and separated by a bike path. Prime people watching territory. It was a bit funny - all the chairs on each of the patios were faced outward to catch the sun. I'm sure it made an intimidating route for bikers cruising down between the packed groups. Yesterday, we choose a patio further down the closest canal. In addition to tables and chairs outside, people sat with beers on either side of the canal. This type of chilling is too difficult to pass up. We enjoyed a few drinks, discussed our respective thesis proposals, and watched the boats float by in the afternoon sun. If I had to choose the most beautiful feature of the city, it would be the canals. Not only do they provide an easy way to navigate the city, but being surrounded by water is a pretty special way to spent your time. Their brilliance takes on new meaning when the bridges are all alit in the evenings.
Other important thoughts today:
1) In preparation for next month's 'May'hem (read: May visitors) I'm trying to get ahead with my final essay for the term. The abstract is due in a month and the final is due in June. I've started the paper and decided on a topic: Attempts at Intercultural Theatre as Expressions of an Imagined Global Citizenship. Wish me luck. The topic is a bit out of left field, but I hope it pays off.
2) April is half over. This makes me extremely happy. If you're a dedicated reader you know why. If you're not, what's stopping you?! Bookmarking makes returning very easy.
3) I'm headed to Rotterdam on Saturday - it's the second largest city in the Netherlands. We're going to visit a museum, have some dinner, and see a show from the international Needcompany.
The novelty of biking through the city during spring days hasn't worn off. I don't think it will while I'm here. I wonder if it wears off for permanent residents. Probably not.
Doc's Prescription of the Day: Sunshine, pure and simple. Even if you can't enjoy it hanging off the side of a canal, open those blinds and curtains and let it stream through.
April, as I've said, is a bit of a wolf in sheep's clothing: it appears beautiful and full of joy, but once you peel back the spring artifice there is a mountain of school work to keep one chained to the desk. I'm currently camped out in the Theaterwetenschap library (theatre science, but of course). We heat actors in test-tubes over bunsen burners to determine their emotional recall abilities and dissect characters with scalpels and protractors to determine their 'super-objectives'. It's all very messy stuff - all in a day's work when you're a scientist though. This section of the library has the AC cranked up unbearably high. If there is one thing I can't stand it's when, during the warm months, indoor temperatures are reconstructed to feel like the cold weather we left behind. I'm thinking of registering a formal complaint, but I don't want to mess with the Head Theatre Scientist here. Maybe the temperature is low to keep the theatre cadavers frozen.
We had long days of class on both Tuesday and Wednesday. I continue to enjoy my Key Theories in International Performance Class. Unlike the first year PhD class in Theatre Theory I took at UofT, which was rewarding but extremely challenging, I actually feel comfortable expressing my ideas and contributing to class discussion. We have only two more classes of it in the next two weeks and then we present our portfolio presentations in mid-May. Once this course ends, it will be the last formal class of my university education. Mucho looking forward to that.
After our classes on both days, a few of us rewarded our efforts with some after-school drinks. Each of the two days we migrated to a patio close to the school (there are a few to choose from) to blow off a bit of April steam. On Tuesday, we camped out on a patio which is situated across from another patio and separated by a bike path. Prime people watching territory. It was a bit funny - all the chairs on each of the patios were faced outward to catch the sun. I'm sure it made an intimidating route for bikers cruising down between the packed groups. Yesterday, we choose a patio further down the closest canal. In addition to tables and chairs outside, people sat with beers on either side of the canal. This type of chilling is too difficult to pass up. We enjoyed a few drinks, discussed our respective thesis proposals, and watched the boats float by in the afternoon sun. If I had to choose the most beautiful feature of the city, it would be the canals. Not only do they provide an easy way to navigate the city, but being surrounded by water is a pretty special way to spent your time. Their brilliance takes on new meaning when the bridges are all alit in the evenings.
Other important thoughts today:
1) In preparation for next month's 'May'hem (read: May visitors) I'm trying to get ahead with my final essay for the term. The abstract is due in a month and the final is due in June. I've started the paper and decided on a topic: Attempts at Intercultural Theatre as Expressions of an Imagined Global Citizenship. Wish me luck. The topic is a bit out of left field, but I hope it pays off.
2) April is half over. This makes me extremely happy. If you're a dedicated reader you know why. If you're not, what's stopping you?! Bookmarking makes returning very easy.
3) I'm headed to Rotterdam on Saturday - it's the second largest city in the Netherlands. We're going to visit a museum, have some dinner, and see a show from the international Needcompany.
The novelty of biking through the city during spring days hasn't worn off. I don't think it will while I'm here. I wonder if it wears off for permanent residents. Probably not.
Doc's Prescription of the Day: Sunshine, pure and simple. Even if you can't enjoy it hanging off the side of a canal, open those blinds and curtains and let it stream through.
Monday, April 13, 2009
North, West, South, Easter.doc
The title of this weekend's entry is in reference to the incredible amount of biking I did this Easter weekend. I went harder, faster, stronger in each direction that I ever have before. I think I swallowed three bugs in total.
Friday was the beginning of my bike travels. It was such a gorgeous day (the first that had broken 20 degrees) so I decided to throw some water and lunch into my backpack (alongside my book), flip my ipod on shuffle, and hit the open road. I had intended to just whip around the city charting a spontaneous route. After ten minutes of biking east, I followed a sign that indicated a path to the North Amsterdam. I had heard a lot about this part of the city - it's quiet, serene, and beautiful. It is, however, quite a trek to get up into the North so I decided to bite the bullet and commit to a really long ride.
Most people take the free ferry to the North (since it's separated from Amsterdam main land). After consulting the map after the fact, I realized I had wandered upon the only other way to get north from the city. The route stretches over a large man-made bridge. The downside is that there is a lot of uphill peddling, but the upside is the downward cruising as a reward for all the hard work. Once I reached the opposit side I first went west and wandered through an incredibly quaint town. The houses were incredibly close together and everyone was out enjoying beverages in the sun. I doubled back and headed even further North. After twenty minutes of peddling, I found myself staring out at seemingly infinite stretches of flat land on either side with not a fellow traveller in sight. Lazy water ways beautifully scarred the flat fields - they're narrow strips of water that ensure the country won't sink (they also provide irrigation).
It was a beautiful sight - one of those, holy crap, I'm in Europe moments. I've seen a lot of beautiful architecture, eaten a lot of superior pastries, and seen some wonderful art, but this was the first time I felt surrounded by a serene and idyllic beauty. No wonder artists camp out in the fields and paint landscapes. I kept biking from small town to small town when I realized that if I didn't turn home, I probably wouldn't have enough energy to get back. On the way back, I stopped in yet another beautiful city park, called Flora, and indulged with two more chapters of my book. The one way ride was about 12kms, so I think I did about 24kms total. It's definitely not the type of afternoon I would have chosen, or been able to find in Toronto, but that's why I'm in Europe. I think I'll remember that moment in the fields for a long time to come.
That evening we went to a bizarre performance event/party hosted by an innovative media company in Amsterdam. The exhibit was about death and memory and had a variety of different interactive party events (karaoke, craft building, an outdoor walking tour, digital recording devices, and a cool photography exhibit). It was typical Amsterdam to me: quirky, off-the-wall, alternative, affordable, and artsy. I can usually tell when the event we've chosen to attend will be decent based on the collection of people that are also there. It may seem superficial but if there are a plethora of skinny jeans, suspenders, fedoras, and ray-bans, the party is generally quite good.
Saturday was spent working on the Dissertation Proposal which will be sent tomorrow for first draft feedback. The final proposal will be sent May 1 and then I can put it away for a month or two. In addition, I was able to touch base with a lot of friends and family celebrating the holidays. I reminisced with my family about hiding easter eggs in super high places so the dog wouldn't ruin the holiday, and was happy to hear that friends back home had some much deserved time off work. That evening I went for a two hour bike ride to the south and back around to the east with a friend from the conference I am working on. Afterwards, we stopped in for a few beers at a really neat patio underneath a giant windmill! Add another 15 clicks to the count.
The next day was spent like most Sundays: morning coffee, online article catch up, and a bit of work. I completed a book review (my second of the term) and then decided to 'shirk the work' (my new mantra when the weather is nice) for a trip to Vondelpark. I sat among an incredible diversity of the city's inhabitants (and of course tourists) and logged another few chapters of the Sedaris book. I never want to read too much because the book will be over - the hallmark of a great read. I found the only grocery store in town that was open on the Holiday Sunday and picked up a bottle of wine for the evening (another 6km). Friends and I, those from UVA but outside MAIPR, went to our favourite Sunday night hangout. Unfortunately, because Monday was a holiday so did everyone else. We waited in line for an excruciating hour, but the 1.50 cover is always worth it.
The holiday was busy, the weather was great, I biked over 40kms, and the Laura Secord chocolate sent from home made the weekend sweet. I hope yours was just as memorable.
Doc's Prescription of the Day: When biking in Amsterdam, you may accidently swallow a bug or two in your travels. The only prescription for that, after a long day of riding around, is an ice-cold pint.
Friday was the beginning of my bike travels. It was such a gorgeous day (the first that had broken 20 degrees) so I decided to throw some water and lunch into my backpack (alongside my book), flip my ipod on shuffle, and hit the open road. I had intended to just whip around the city charting a spontaneous route. After ten minutes of biking east, I followed a sign that indicated a path to the North Amsterdam. I had heard a lot about this part of the city - it's quiet, serene, and beautiful. It is, however, quite a trek to get up into the North so I decided to bite the bullet and commit to a really long ride.
Most people take the free ferry to the North (since it's separated from Amsterdam main land). After consulting the map after the fact, I realized I had wandered upon the only other way to get north from the city. The route stretches over a large man-made bridge. The downside is that there is a lot of uphill peddling, but the upside is the downward cruising as a reward for all the hard work. Once I reached the opposit side I first went west and wandered through an incredibly quaint town. The houses were incredibly close together and everyone was out enjoying beverages in the sun. I doubled back and headed even further North. After twenty minutes of peddling, I found myself staring out at seemingly infinite stretches of flat land on either side with not a fellow traveller in sight. Lazy water ways beautifully scarred the flat fields - they're narrow strips of water that ensure the country won't sink (they also provide irrigation).
It was a beautiful sight - one of those, holy crap, I'm in Europe moments. I've seen a lot of beautiful architecture, eaten a lot of superior pastries, and seen some wonderful art, but this was the first time I felt surrounded by a serene and idyllic beauty. No wonder artists camp out in the fields and paint landscapes. I kept biking from small town to small town when I realized that if I didn't turn home, I probably wouldn't have enough energy to get back. On the way back, I stopped in yet another beautiful city park, called Flora, and indulged with two more chapters of my book. The one way ride was about 12kms, so I think I did about 24kms total. It's definitely not the type of afternoon I would have chosen, or been able to find in Toronto, but that's why I'm in Europe. I think I'll remember that moment in the fields for a long time to come.
That evening we went to a bizarre performance event/party hosted by an innovative media company in Amsterdam. The exhibit was about death and memory and had a variety of different interactive party events (karaoke, craft building, an outdoor walking tour, digital recording devices, and a cool photography exhibit). It was typical Amsterdam to me: quirky, off-the-wall, alternative, affordable, and artsy. I can usually tell when the event we've chosen to attend will be decent based on the collection of people that are also there. It may seem superficial but if there are a plethora of skinny jeans, suspenders, fedoras, and ray-bans, the party is generally quite good.
Saturday was spent working on the Dissertation Proposal which will be sent tomorrow for first draft feedback. The final proposal will be sent May 1 and then I can put it away for a month or two. In addition, I was able to touch base with a lot of friends and family celebrating the holidays. I reminisced with my family about hiding easter eggs in super high places so the dog wouldn't ruin the holiday, and was happy to hear that friends back home had some much deserved time off work. That evening I went for a two hour bike ride to the south and back around to the east with a friend from the conference I am working on. Afterwards, we stopped in for a few beers at a really neat patio underneath a giant windmill! Add another 15 clicks to the count.
The next day was spent like most Sundays: morning coffee, online article catch up, and a bit of work. I completed a book review (my second of the term) and then decided to 'shirk the work' (my new mantra when the weather is nice) for a trip to Vondelpark. I sat among an incredible diversity of the city's inhabitants (and of course tourists) and logged another few chapters of the Sedaris book. I never want to read too much because the book will be over - the hallmark of a great read. I found the only grocery store in town that was open on the Holiday Sunday and picked up a bottle of wine for the evening (another 6km). Friends and I, those from UVA but outside MAIPR, went to our favourite Sunday night hangout. Unfortunately, because Monday was a holiday so did everyone else. We waited in line for an excruciating hour, but the 1.50 cover is always worth it.
The holiday was busy, the weather was great, I biked over 40kms, and the Laura Secord chocolate sent from home made the weekend sweet. I hope yours was just as memorable.
Doc's Prescription of the Day: When biking in Amsterdam, you may accidently swallow a bug or two in your travels. The only prescription for that, after a long day of riding around, is an ice-cold pint.
Thursday, April 09, 2009
Grad Student Life Isn't Always Glamorous.doc
I received a wonderful package in the mail today from my friend Kathleen. Inside was a card from Kingston with a picture of Theological Hall on the front - it brought back a flood of nostalgia. She also included a bundle of Canadian pins which I did not bring over with me. I've been searching the apartment for items that can be enhanced with a little Canadian pride.
The past few days, as I mentioned in the last post, Courtney and I have been playing student guides to a guest lecturer from Warwick. In fact, he's the head of the theatre department back in the UK (I seem to find myself among the 'heads’ of things more and more). It has been a really rewarding project, since it's always good to network in academic circles, but also really tiring. We attended nine hours of instruction on theatre historiography, a public lecture he gave in the department, and have ushered him from class room to class room to ensure the technological devices are all in working order. We even hand delivered a sandwich and a coffee (oh the glamorous lives of graduate students).
Thankfully, I was surprised by how much useful information I learned in the seminars about the construction of theatre historiography, methodologies, and the history of the popular. I now have serious questions about why the dreadful Brockett is still being used for theatre history courses. The extra seminars have meant I've been on campus from 8:30am until 6:30/7pm most nights which makes for long (but fulfilling) days. At one point, I wondered what it might take for UVA students to go on strike and set up a blockade just for one day off - a ban on bikes, cheese, or stroopwafels?? I feel that if any one of these bans were to take place, the diplomatic Dutch would be able to strike a solid compromise in mere hours. Just my luck.
The long school days have meant that there has been little time off, and, yes admittedly, no new updates on my end. The time I did have off in the evenings was spent reading for the next morning's seminar. Again, the glamorous life of grad students. I was able to further my travel plans which is important in booking transport connections in advance. I am going to meet Michael and Paul (Queen's friends) in Brussels for two days in May. We're thinking of a small day trip to Bruges or Leuven while there. Then, Michael will return to Amsterdam with me for a week - I'm really looking forward to showing him the sights and sounds. I'm also getting closer and closer to finalizing a week in Portugal with Jessica and Emily in a city called Sesimbra close to Lisbon. Portugal in the July sun = paradise. Add to this a week in Finland in June fully organized by the MA program and I'm lucky enough to be seeing a new country in each of the next three months.
With the end of the extra seminars, yet another week has come to a close. I say this because we have Friday off for the holiday. I have a four day weekend. I had grand plans that crept their way into my head of a quick jump to Paris to spend at least two days among friends (how wonderful is it that I can even entertain the idea of a 'quick jump' to Paris?), but the thought drifted away as quickly as it came. A draft of my thesis proposal is due on Tuesday and I also have readings, and an essay to start. Since I'll be spending six months on thesis writing, I figure this is something I should spend the time going over with a fine tooth comb...or any comb for that matter...a brush even.
The eagerness to shirk responsibility and gallivant in Paris is, I think, a reaction against my self-imposed approach to April as a work-driven month that will pay off with a more relaxed May and June. I've always balanced school and socializing fairly equally - if socializing was a course at UofT, Hincks and I would have received an A+ in addition to distinction and publishing. So I think I'm trying to break my own rules, even though the approach to the month is probably a wise one. It just goes against the fabric of my being to have a four day weekend and not utilize it to see close friends, throw a party, or travel to a new city. Instead, I'll be in thesis proposal land. If you try and imagine it like Candy Land it makes the work all the more palpable.
This is not to say that the whole weekend be spent hunkering down behind textbooks. We're talking about having an Easter potluck on the weekend, going out on Saturday night, and maybe even planning a bike trip/picnic if the weather is good on Sunday. All events TBD which is just the way I like it. Not to worry, even though Paris is out of reach, I'll be spending Easter weekend among MAIPR friends.
Doc's Prescription of the Day: It's a prescription for the weekend really. Have too much chocolate, enjoy the company of friends and family, and maybe pet a rabbit or two. Happy Easter and Happy Passover!
The past few days, as I mentioned in the last post, Courtney and I have been playing student guides to a guest lecturer from Warwick. In fact, he's the head of the theatre department back in the UK (I seem to find myself among the 'heads’ of things more and more). It has been a really rewarding project, since it's always good to network in academic circles, but also really tiring. We attended nine hours of instruction on theatre historiography, a public lecture he gave in the department, and have ushered him from class room to class room to ensure the technological devices are all in working order. We even hand delivered a sandwich and a coffee (oh the glamorous lives of graduate students).
Thankfully, I was surprised by how much useful information I learned in the seminars about the construction of theatre historiography, methodologies, and the history of the popular. I now have serious questions about why the dreadful Brockett is still being used for theatre history courses. The extra seminars have meant I've been on campus from 8:30am until 6:30/7pm most nights which makes for long (but fulfilling) days. At one point, I wondered what it might take for UVA students to go on strike and set up a blockade just for one day off - a ban on bikes, cheese, or stroopwafels?? I feel that if any one of these bans were to take place, the diplomatic Dutch would be able to strike a solid compromise in mere hours. Just my luck.
The long school days have meant that there has been little time off, and, yes admittedly, no new updates on my end. The time I did have off in the evenings was spent reading for the next morning's seminar. Again, the glamorous life of grad students. I was able to further my travel plans which is important in booking transport connections in advance. I am going to meet Michael and Paul (Queen's friends) in Brussels for two days in May. We're thinking of a small day trip to Bruges or Leuven while there. Then, Michael will return to Amsterdam with me for a week - I'm really looking forward to showing him the sights and sounds. I'm also getting closer and closer to finalizing a week in Portugal with Jessica and Emily in a city called Sesimbra close to Lisbon. Portugal in the July sun = paradise. Add to this a week in Finland in June fully organized by the MA program and I'm lucky enough to be seeing a new country in each of the next three months.
With the end of the extra seminars, yet another week has come to a close. I say this because we have Friday off for the holiday. I have a four day weekend. I had grand plans that crept their way into my head of a quick jump to Paris to spend at least two days among friends (how wonderful is it that I can even entertain the idea of a 'quick jump' to Paris?), but the thought drifted away as quickly as it came. A draft of my thesis proposal is due on Tuesday and I also have readings, and an essay to start. Since I'll be spending six months on thesis writing, I figure this is something I should spend the time going over with a fine tooth comb...or any comb for that matter...a brush even.
The eagerness to shirk responsibility and gallivant in Paris is, I think, a reaction against my self-imposed approach to April as a work-driven month that will pay off with a more relaxed May and June. I've always balanced school and socializing fairly equally - if socializing was a course at UofT, Hincks and I would have received an A+ in addition to distinction and publishing. So I think I'm trying to break my own rules, even though the approach to the month is probably a wise one. It just goes against the fabric of my being to have a four day weekend and not utilize it to see close friends, throw a party, or travel to a new city. Instead, I'll be in thesis proposal land. If you try and imagine it like Candy Land it makes the work all the more palpable.
This is not to say that the whole weekend be spent hunkering down behind textbooks. We're talking about having an Easter potluck on the weekend, going out on Saturday night, and maybe even planning a bike trip/picnic if the weather is good on Sunday. All events TBD which is just the way I like it. Not to worry, even though Paris is out of reach, I'll be spending Easter weekend among MAIPR friends.
Doc's Prescription of the Day: It's a prescription for the weekend really. Have too much chocolate, enjoy the company of friends and family, and maybe pet a rabbit or two. Happy Easter and Happy Passover!
Monday, April 06, 2009
Procrastination has Only Cons.doc
I had a busy weekend, and found myself really good at procrastinating and avoiding school work. Anyone who read the previous blog post would not find this to be a surprise. I was practically brimming with happiness on Friday after a wonderful afternoon with Mr. Sun in Vondelpark. I avoided the park this weekend, not because it wasn't nice, but because I knew I would spend the whole weekend with pleasure reading rather than school work.
Friday night was spent catching up with Facebook inbox and wall posts and email messages. I was also saving myself for a big night on Saturday (part of my one night a week of social activity in April to be more productive). I've begun to feel like I've fallen into a dangerous and aggravating cycle with messages. I'll be so busy that I neglect responding for three days, I'll set aside two precious hours to get the job done, and then almost instantly, I'll have responses of responses that need attention, and the whole pattern seems to loop in a vicious two day cycle. This is nothing new. We've all been dealing with becoming digitally wired in the past decade, but it just seems like I can never get ahead on correspondence and that annoys me. Hopefully, this too, shall pass. After this weekend, I've decided to try and wean myself off facebook time (who hasn't said that before) and commit to three logs-ins a day. My first initiative is to not check any messages before noon. I've been told this is a great way to become more productive in the morning. I'll let you know how it goes.
Saturday afternoon I definitely landed on the ‘great job’ side of the productive wheel, but it was errand productive as opposed to school work: I prepared two letters for the mail, had a much needed spring hair cut, did some all-important window shopping (with no transactions taking place), and spent a leisurely time in the grocery store picking out weekend food items. I think the jubilation of Friday afternoon translated into a laissez-faire approach to work for the weekend. The trouble with this approach is when you tell yourself you always have tomorrow to get things done - this isn't exactly true when you run out of tomorrows.
That evening, work was left firmly back in the apartment. We had a get-together at Hetta's place where I was introduced to three Finnish girls who are doing an Erasmus year in France. I've heard from a few people that they believe the Fins to be endearingly crazy sons a guns, but I've become really aware this year of the misconceptions that come with generalizing the people of a nation. However, if you had to paint a picture of the Finnish people based on the four gals we had at the party on Saturday, you'd be hard pressed to say that those from the country are reserved, quiet, or stable. To say these girls were out-going is an understatement, and, as Hetta said herself, they are a bit crazy. They talked a mile a minute, unfairly bashed the French in every way possible, and tried their best to become close friends with the MAIPRS almost instantly. They were an absolute riot. It proved to be a great way to shake up our usual gatherings - the girls sang Finnish songs, forced the crew to shoot some imported Finnish Liquorice Vodka, and were more than enthusiastic at the bar.
We went out in the Rembrandt Plein where there was a special once-a-month party at a bar called Studio 80. The doors opened at 11pm and there were still people waiting in line for entry at 4:00am. The official party is said to end at 6am but we obviously didn't stay that late. It was yet another great time out in Amsterdam. In addition to meeting a really cool Aussie guy that stuck around with us for the night (Bec and him struck up a convo - Aussies stick together), we met up with some of the Dutch students in our course, and partied along to some really well-mixed beats. If Saturdays are my one night of freedom from the desk in April, then I can look forward to more of the nights like the one we had on Saturday.
Sunday was a bit of a write off. I slept in after getting home late from the bar, and made a leisurely brunch while enjoying a beautiful spring day. Before getting to school work, I tried to get organized for two NEW projects to add to the pile (one short term and one long term). I was asked by the course coordinator here in Amsterdam to be a liaison for the Guest Lecturer coming from the UK for three seminars this week. Courtney and I are supposed to be his guide to the city, and provide support for his seminars. It's not too taxing a request, but did require a bit of initial planning. The larger new initiative is that I am one of three students developing the student program for the Summer School in Finland. I volunteered my help and was chosen as the Warwick home representative for the committee that will oversee developing a year book, social schedule, and student workshops during the week. I guess I just can't get away from committees and student volunteering (story of my life). Thankfully, involvement should be fun and my friend Tory is one of the other two committee members. Canada represent. I then spent an hour researching job opportunities after the program - UNESCO currently tops the list but I think that's a long shot for an entry level position.
Once I did get to actual school work on Sunday, it was 4pm and I had to crawl through two readings related to Theatre Historiography. Not the most interesting topic - some might even say coma-inducing. So while I was productive on the errand and correspondence front, I used it as a way to procrastinate from school work - procrastination has only cons. I'm remedying my poor performance by hitting the ground running. I was on campus this morning at 8:45am and have a full schedule laid out for the day (blog from 11:15 - 12:00pm). Not to worry, you all have been scheduled into my day.
Doc's Prescription of the Day: We all procrastinate, and we all talk about doing it. It has almost become its own religion, or mantra. I think the key to avoidance is all about forming new patterns and breaking routines. Try breaking something - destruction can be a good thing.
Friday night was spent catching up with Facebook inbox and wall posts and email messages. I was also saving myself for a big night on Saturday (part of my one night a week of social activity in April to be more productive). I've begun to feel like I've fallen into a dangerous and aggravating cycle with messages. I'll be so busy that I neglect responding for three days, I'll set aside two precious hours to get the job done, and then almost instantly, I'll have responses of responses that need attention, and the whole pattern seems to loop in a vicious two day cycle. This is nothing new. We've all been dealing with becoming digitally wired in the past decade, but it just seems like I can never get ahead on correspondence and that annoys me. Hopefully, this too, shall pass. After this weekend, I've decided to try and wean myself off facebook time (who hasn't said that before) and commit to three logs-ins a day. My first initiative is to not check any messages before noon. I've been told this is a great way to become more productive in the morning. I'll let you know how it goes.
Saturday afternoon I definitely landed on the ‘great job’ side of the productive wheel, but it was errand productive as opposed to school work: I prepared two letters for the mail, had a much needed spring hair cut, did some all-important window shopping (with no transactions taking place), and spent a leisurely time in the grocery store picking out weekend food items. I think the jubilation of Friday afternoon translated into a laissez-faire approach to work for the weekend. The trouble with this approach is when you tell yourself you always have tomorrow to get things done - this isn't exactly true when you run out of tomorrows.
That evening, work was left firmly back in the apartment. We had a get-together at Hetta's place where I was introduced to three Finnish girls who are doing an Erasmus year in France. I've heard from a few people that they believe the Fins to be endearingly crazy sons a guns, but I've become really aware this year of the misconceptions that come with generalizing the people of a nation. However, if you had to paint a picture of the Finnish people based on the four gals we had at the party on Saturday, you'd be hard pressed to say that those from the country are reserved, quiet, or stable. To say these girls were out-going is an understatement, and, as Hetta said herself, they are a bit crazy. They talked a mile a minute, unfairly bashed the French in every way possible, and tried their best to become close friends with the MAIPRS almost instantly. They were an absolute riot. It proved to be a great way to shake up our usual gatherings - the girls sang Finnish songs, forced the crew to shoot some imported Finnish Liquorice Vodka, and were more than enthusiastic at the bar.
We went out in the Rembrandt Plein where there was a special once-a-month party at a bar called Studio 80. The doors opened at 11pm and there were still people waiting in line for entry at 4:00am. The official party is said to end at 6am but we obviously didn't stay that late. It was yet another great time out in Amsterdam. In addition to meeting a really cool Aussie guy that stuck around with us for the night (Bec and him struck up a convo - Aussies stick together), we met up with some of the Dutch students in our course, and partied along to some really well-mixed beats. If Saturdays are my one night of freedom from the desk in April, then I can look forward to more of the nights like the one we had on Saturday.
Sunday was a bit of a write off. I slept in after getting home late from the bar, and made a leisurely brunch while enjoying a beautiful spring day. Before getting to school work, I tried to get organized for two NEW projects to add to the pile (one short term and one long term). I was asked by the course coordinator here in Amsterdam to be a liaison for the Guest Lecturer coming from the UK for three seminars this week. Courtney and I are supposed to be his guide to the city, and provide support for his seminars. It's not too taxing a request, but did require a bit of initial planning. The larger new initiative is that I am one of three students developing the student program for the Summer School in Finland. I volunteered my help and was chosen as the Warwick home representative for the committee that will oversee developing a year book, social schedule, and student workshops during the week. I guess I just can't get away from committees and student volunteering (story of my life). Thankfully, involvement should be fun and my friend Tory is one of the other two committee members. Canada represent. I then spent an hour researching job opportunities after the program - UNESCO currently tops the list but I think that's a long shot for an entry level position.
Once I did get to actual school work on Sunday, it was 4pm and I had to crawl through two readings related to Theatre Historiography. Not the most interesting topic - some might even say coma-inducing. So while I was productive on the errand and correspondence front, I used it as a way to procrastinate from school work - procrastination has only cons. I'm remedying my poor performance by hitting the ground running. I was on campus this morning at 8:45am and have a full schedule laid out for the day (blog from 11:15 - 12:00pm). Not to worry, you all have been scheduled into my day.
Doc's Prescription of the Day: We all procrastinate, and we all talk about doing it. It has almost become its own religion, or mantra. I think the key to avoidance is all about forming new patterns and breaking routines. Try breaking something - destruction can be a good thing.
Friday, April 03, 2009
Sunshine, Lollipops, and....doc
Amsterdam has exploded. Have you read about it in international news? Probably not. The explosion has been of the spring variety. Patios have extended beyond the bounds of the inside, dogs are frolicking around like they own the city, and work has been shirked for more adventurous outdoor pursuits. I've enjoyed the city for the past three months, but I'm beginning to fall in love with Amsterdam in warmer temperatures.
The start of school work after the long reading week break was difficult, but the beautiful weather has made it all the more palpable. We started a new course in Japanese Theatre this week - the prof is really great and it's challenging to learn about theatrical conventions so different from those we know in the West. I had a presentation this week in my Theories of International Performance class that went really well. The presentation was on the work of Joost Smiers who is a cultural theorist writing about the intersection of arts and economics. He proposes an abolishment of copyright that would give more agency to artists (really interesting stuff).
On Tuesday I decided to take an extended bike ride through the city. I've described before about how much becoming an "Amsterdam biker" has changed my perspective on the city, but it has been so altering it's hard to blog about. I now feel like I've made the (all important) transition from tourist to city citizen. My bike ride was a two hour journey through the important spots in the city which included Vondelpark (the Amsterdam version of Central Park). It's a long winding path through beautiful parkland filled with bikes, picnics, spots to read, and, of course, loads of bohemian gatherings. It's quickly becoming one of my favourite spots in the city and the newest landmark to introduce to visitors.
Today, after our three hour class, Bec and I biked down to the park to welcome the warmest day of the year yet. We bought a six pack from the local grocery (for 5.50 Euros) and set off for the bohemian paradise. I wish you could have seen the place; picnics and chilling as far as the eye could see. We set our bikes again a big old tree to people watch for a solid two hours. The first matter of business was to discuss our upcoming move to the UK (scheduled for July 1) and the second was to enjoy the sights and sounds of Amsterdam spring. We saw bikers of all ages, the token fitness enthusiasts jog here and there, all variety of dogs, and the occasional roving gang of teenagers just let out from school. It was one of the best afternoons I've had in Europe. We scheduled an MAIPR picnic in Vondelpark for the coming weeks.
I would be remiss in mentioning the experience I had at Wok to Walk yesterday with Courtney. After a long day of library diligence, we treated ourselves to dinner at one of Europe's best fast food outlets. Walk to Wok is the Subway of Chinese food. First, you choose a base (three different kinds of rice and four different types of noodles), you add to that a protein or a type of vegetable, and finally, you choose a sauce that pulls the whole meal together. We joined the lineup that stretched outside the door and, after fifteen minutes, enjoyed a wonderful feast. The portions are beyond generous.
I thought April would be a month spent staring up at the grindstone, and in some respects it will be, but at the same time I'm enjoying the benefits of spring in a metropolis. In addition to enjoying the sunshine (no lollipops yet) I've also started a fantastic book Emily lent me called Me Talk Pretty One Day by David Sedaris that was also recommended by our friend Michael. It's proving to be the perfect spring read. Life is good in the city.
Doc's Prescription for the Day: I wish I could transport the joys of Vondelpark and Walk to Wok to you all but it's not possible. Those of you who visit in May (six guests and counting) will be able to reap the benefits. Instead, enjoy this video by Goldfrapp entitled Happiness which reflects my mood at present. Enjoy the sunshine.
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