Laat je elke dag verrassen
Het kroop bij hem naar binnen
en nestelde zich in het warme bad
van zorgen, want zorgen zouden
nog wel even blijven, dacht het.
Het had gelijk. En hoe meer het
liet weten dat het er zat, hoe
comfortabeler het werd omarmd.
Het voelde zich steeds meer thuis
en besloot te blijven waar het zat.
Wat hem nog restte om het kwijt
te raken, was stoppen zich zorgen
te maken, opdat het warme bad
van zorgen zou oplossen en het
zijn plek zou verliezen
en enkel nog kon verdwijnen.
I used to think of the Leidseplein-area as the Sodom & Gomorra of Amsterdam. Only De Balie could gain my attention for lunch and working online outdoors (it is a pity they removed all wall sockets) and the Americain hotel for the Irish coffee. But recently this part of Amsterdam developed some beautiful pearls. MoMo at the Hobbemakade breathes a London atmosphere. Lovely to drink a glass of wine here (though a bit expensive). Stanislavski is the newest gain. Located in the Stadsschouwburg and decorated in nostalgic style this place captured my heart. Perfect to spend working hours here (they do have WiFi and wall sockets!) The food is delicious as well. The restaurant is named after theatre director Konstantin Stanislavski who developed method acting. This kind of theatre involves acting while the actors enter into a personage completely. See you around.
While it is not the meaning to talk about politics on this blog, my mind is busy figuring out how the economic environment will develop: more control mechanisms or a focus on self-determination and how to achieve that. My view is clear, now that of others…
The last part of the Paris diaries comprises luxury experiences. Starting with a delightful hot chocolate at Paul. Drinking hot chocolate is serious business. When it comes to this liquid I am very picky and the cup I had here was the best one ever. A beautiful day lies in front of me. I wandered around the streets of St. Germain, now experiencing this part of the city by daylight. When looking through all the shop windows of galleries and ateliers, it feels like walking in a museum. So much creativity. The streets breathe the cosmopolite personality of the city. Although France is considered a nationalistic country, in Paris you feel the Arab influences and spirit of great European philosophers. Going ahead, a visit to Paris isn’t complete if you haven’t experienced the luxury shops. Rue St. Honore is filled with the most delicate brands and exquisite goods. Paul Smith is my all time favourite. I vistited ArtClub Gallery at Rue de Rohan and fell in love with a sculpture of Yves Pires that will now drive me to save money for my first serious art buy. The day full of walking, seeing and experiencing ended of course in a parade at the Champs-Elysees.
The credit crunch is necessary to show us we are alienated from ourselves, nature and people around us. In my opinion we need to realize the following:
“Alienation can be overcome by restoring the truly human relationship to the labour process, by people working in order to meet people’s needs, working as an expression of their own human nature, not just to earn a living.”
Source: www.marxists.org
The second day in Paris was one of obtaining the target. Fashion director GJ advised me to go to Montmartre. It is the place to go to, to buy fabrics. I walked towards the Sacre Coeur and found out he was right! Lots of streets full of shops selling the most beautiful wool and silk. Target fulfilled, including fabrics to make a party dress for a wedding I will attend in Sweden in May this year. After finising the dress I will go back to Paris to find myself a suitable hat at Mira Belle. Lunch was taken at La Sancerre at Rue d’Abbesses. They served the wonderfull dish of grilled tuna with preserved ginger and a pesto vinaigrette. The side plate was lovely French fries with French mayonaise. This dish I am about to make this weekend. Walking back to the hotel at Rue de Tiquetonne I passed the streets where Thierry told me the bobo’s live. These are the bohemian-bourgeiosie gens. Being liberated and living the bohemian live while at the same time enjoying wealth and chic apartments. At night I had a walk through the city enjoying all the lights.
Already the first turnaround after leaving the metro station Etienne Marcel gave a lovely surprise. I looked into the shop window of Declercq Passementiers. Over 80 percent of their offerings is handmade and every first Tuesday of the month they have a workshop on how the beautiful pieces of art are made.
The day continued with wandering around the streets of Le Marais and I decided – based on the news paper reviews next to the door – to have a lunch at Le Coude Fou. The interior was typical 
French, or at least what I believe is typical French, and the food was very nice. Right across the street there is Le Studio des Parfums, where you can compose your own signature sent. Many shops to discover in this area.
Heading back to the hotel I passed Jazz club Duc Des Lombards and noticed a concert of Oumar Thiam at eight that night. I decided to take a short rest and to come back to listen music. It was Thierry, the French guy I met at the Jazz club, we both arrived alone, who showed me the streets of St. Germain afterwards.
Under the full he took me to Rue des Arts, the two most famous restaurants of Paris Des Margots and Cafe de Flore, Basilique Ste Clotilde, St. Sulpice, the National Library and many other places about which he told stories. He was reading Camus a L’Indie. There was of course no other possibility than to talk literature on the Left Bank of Paris.
The target was buying fabrics, the goal to have a good time. Read the story the coming few days.
Lately I developed a thorough interest in the concept of making choices as underlying mechanism of happiness, and our unability to make the right choices. With the assistant-professor I went to see Revolutionary Road. A must see for anyone who struggels with taking good decisions. And who is not doing so? Afterwards we ended up in a discussion on genetics, mental disorders, cultural influences and more.
Earlier this weekend I had a lunch with the Mexican antropologist with whom I talked about the concept of need. In my opinion this is closely related to the choicemaking process. It may be having its influence on a deeper level. It is surely something that asks for further consideration. >>to be continued.
Na een lange dag werken is uitgebreid in de keuken staan lang niet altijd datgene waarop je zit te wachten.
Toen D. en ik na een dag vol drukte, veel door elkaar lopende projecten en de nodige overleggen met boodschappentas in de Albert Heijn stonden, moest het toch vooral iets eenvoudigs worden.
(voor 2 personen)
Snijd een broccoli in roosjes en kook 3 minuten.
Snijd een ui, teentje knoflook en paprika en bak in wat olie.
Snijd 300 gram kabeljauw in blokjes en besprenkel met citroen.
Neem een bekertje creme fraiche en schep er twee theelepels viskruiden doorheen.
Meng alles door elkaar, schep in een ovenschaal en bestrooi met geraspte kaas.
25 minuten in een voorverwarmde oven op 180 graden en klaar!
