Nieuws

"Nieuws" is Dutch for news, so about news:

First of all, after a week of holding our breath worldwide the Birma police finally struck down the thousands of protesters killing at least one -possibly five of the protesters of which mostly Buddhist monks. The United Nations is going to send some guy to the Birmese government, to the dictators, to have a little chat. America is threatening with economical punishment. Not that they'd have to be afraid of any economic peril, as they have China, the fastest growing economic superpower on earth; whatever America is going to stop trading, they can get it through China. I'd say we should assassinate all those military dictators in one night and get the UN to temporarily govern Birma until they have a new Birmese government up and running. That'd be a lot more valuable to humanity than saving some Muslim barbarians in some fucked up desert country from something you can't kill. At least the Birmese are civilized, hard to say that from the Islamists: I've seen cows that are more civilized, okay; their dinner table etiquette is not the best, but at least they don't hang the gay bulls.

Talking about America, it turns out your president, the one that is hated by all the world; actually made economic threats to countries that were initially not interested in helping him with his silly war. Spain in this case, was threatened, and if we have to believe the Spanish head of state, he said "...and I'm going to Iraq whether the UN gives me permission or not." Oh, what a naughty boy.

In other news, Nightwish (the Goth band) has finally dumped her bitch. You know, the Nightwish bitch.

They dumped her because she was a terrible diva bitch, arrogant, cocky, bitchy. She also never helped writing songs, and never joined a jam session. Bitch. Glad they dumped her, I don't know about their fans, but I say good riddance.

Besides all that, for some dark reason I'm getting more female attention these days... wonder where that comes from. Not that I'm bothered by it, it's rather flattering actually; maybe it's because women are also troubled by the non-existent difference in gay and straight appearance -same as gay men are troubled by it. Straight men stole our culture! Again! Can't they think of their own dress codes?!

...it's so hard to spot the boys these days, though a trained eye... ; )

Scouting

Last Saturday I've gone to scouting, even though was struck by a terrible cold which has kept me in bed today. I guess the chance is I won't be working tomorrow, though I want to be better by Tuesday, because we're putting down the asphalt that night; which is worth being present.

Anyway, last weekend the cubs "flew" to the scouts, a promotion ceremony. Yesterday was the first normal gathering and we had some games to have them get used to the patrols they were placed into. (Patrols are subgroups, teams; each named after an animal species, bears, cobras, foxes, etc.) The best game, I thought, was that A-frame run. A track needs to be completed by the teams, carrying one of their members (the lightest) on an A-frame which they constructed before commencing the game. The parcours (that's French for track) was initially planned on dry land, but I thought it'd be a challenge to add crossing a trench twice. After all, we use an A-frame as a way to cross water in tracks as well, so why not? The results were laughable, though one team got the hang of it pretty soon, and managed to get to the finish without dropping their team member -something the other patrols didn't quite succeed in.As you can see, the weather was very good, a miracle really, because the entire week we've had nothing but rain and thunder. This is the first patrol; the Foxes; to reach the first crossing, the boy looking into the camera happens to be my youngest brother (not the hardcore freak), which yes, I am a leader to; however uncommon that is, it is working so far.The same team already across the side of the trench, at the second corssing. The kid was still on, but not very dry...The other two patrols, the Pumas and the Cobras, arriving at the same time after each going back twice for dropping their team mate. Anyway, it was fun even though I had that damned cold, and worth a post :)

The Commodores

I'm on night shift this week, had one last night (Monday->Tuesday) and am up for the night after this one, Wednesday to Thursday. Friday will be a regular day shift, to get back on track for the weekend.

Night shifts have something pleasant about them, and I think it is mainly that it is a so incredibly relaxed and friendly atmosphere on the workplace. A kind of brotherhood of men that were tricked into doing the night shift. The darkness makes most work impossible, so it's usually quiet apart from the work that is scheduled that night.

For the record: I'm working as a construction supervisor for the Province of Groningen, it's the 'labor orientation period' for school. My job is to make sure the rules are followed and the work that is being delivered happens safe and sound. The quality is most important, a lot of measuring, testing and calculating is part of the job; all results go to the construction company doing the work for us, and we usually have a lot of corrections for them. On one hand that makes us like policemen, but on the other hand, it would be bothersome if we wouldn't have any correction suggestions for the construction company.

Last night we removed the top layers of the tarmac on the provincial highway (the N360), which was open to traffic today. My main task that night was to supervise the smoothness of the chisel lines, if edges stand up from the tarmac, motorcyclists are at danger of falling. And the reason we're there is to prevent accidents, now and in the future. Also a remarkable happening was the intense rainstorm that struck us around 4:30 (AM) which took out two light-masts, which we placed according to working law for night work, probably caused by short-circuiting. A second rainstorm took out the construction company barrack (the place where construction workers have lunch etc. and where we do our work, close to the actual work-site), they had left the door open and the rain dropped in short-circuiting it.

The shifts last 12 hours, from 6PM to 6AM, I filled my time drinking coffee, walking around the construction site noticing and notifying as supervisors do, and chat with the lads enjoying the pleasant working atmosphere; even though it rained cats and dogs. At 5:30AM we reopened the road, after approval of me and the supervisor for the construction company and I cached the first bus passing that road that was headed for the train station. Through the rainstorms at the construction site I managed to remain dry and warm, but of course, on my way home, on my bike, another rainstorm dropped by and absolutely soaked me. Thankfully it's only 15 minutes from the train station to my home, so I leaped towards the shower as soon as I stepped off of my bicycle.

As you could have guessed from the title of this post and the story beneath it, here are the Commodores: "On The Night Shift." Which is kindah gay.

Dutch Politics

I want to change things, that must be clear from the previous two posts, and well, practically most posts on this blog. Politics are a good way, however dangerous as well to change things. In politics, we have one, major problem over here. There is only a meager amount of democracy. Yes, we choose the party's and the people in the party's that get to be in the 2nd Chamber (comparable to the Roman Senate). But the problem is, the very aspects of the party's that we voted for, their ideals which they speak out so we will vote for them, vanish as soon as the elections are over. How? Because of the so called "formation." The 2nd Chamber isn't really what governs the country, the formation is the primary element of control, and therefore must be unified in their acting; or so they say.

The big bad Christian party of capitalists, the largest in the Netherlands
(Christian Democrats) Also known as Harry Potter

That's why the Socialist Party never got into that formation, even though, what, 23% voted on them. They're in the 2nd Chamber, yes, but they are not governing the country. And I bet there are millions of people very happy with that, but it's not democratic. What's wrong with a formation that doesn't agree on everything? I mean, they still spend 80% of their working hours discussing and blabbing about our nation, so where is the problem? Where is the democracy?

The Madman from the fascist Party, I hate his hair-do.
(Fittingly named the Party for Freedom)

That is why I hate politics: you can be such a great party, with such great ideas, but if you're too different nothing will happen. And like three quarters of the Netherlands, I have no idea, what to vote on next elections. The Socialists are not nationalistic enough, though their party leader was, the guy that founded them; but speaking out against radical Muslims turned out a bad idea and now he's been spit out by his party. The Labor Party (actually named PvdA, but it's the same as any Labor Party) is too weak, they've been in the government for many decades and their ideals faded with each formation where they have to give them up to be compatible with the other party's in the formation. All other party's are too Christian or too capitalistic for me.

The guy from the small Christian Capitalists. (Christian Union)

Except for the one or two fascist party's of course, but their ideals are based on stupid arguments and they'll do anything to get media attention, they especially seem to like negative attention. Recently the debate was aroused by the head man of one of those fascist party's, saying we should ban the Koran. I am of the opinion that books should never be banned, it is information in script, and I deem that sacred. Besides, the Internet, being the mother of all information sources, has probably a thousand sites where the Koran is free for download. Making it illegal will only further radicalize the Muslims and the Dutch fascists.

The used-to-be-socialist, nowadays the rather hated minister for finance that steals from the poor. (Labor Party)

As a rather nasty trick, a minister then tore the law making Adolf Hitler's "Mein Kampf" illegal for sale, apart. The book was in circulation anyway (it is inevitable in a free country), and let's face it, pretending Hitler never existed won't help anyone. The man from the fascist party called it a stupidity to make it available for public again, and seemingly failed to see the irony. Besides, the written word is Holy, it is man's most genius invention since controlling fire; as it evades the corruption of the tongue (the devil in all of us). I like to throw some religion in my posts, makes it a bit spicier.

The capitalist that is a frightening resemblance of my dentist. (VVD)

Anyway, the only possible way for me to get satisfied with the Netherlands, is to go change some things with my own political party. I guess it'll be a lot like the current Socialist Party, but then more conservative and nationalistic. As I've said before, we need some identity to get back on track; we need a conservative party. It's either making my own party, or waiting for a party to come up that does match my ideology. Which I'm afraid won't happen any time soon. I think it's name should be CSP, after the current Socialist Party, only adding Conservative. That should make the leap easier for conservative socialist like myself that are unsatisfied with the current road the Socialists are on.

The socialist that is about to be kicked out of his own party for being a bit too nationalistic. (Socialist Party)

Jesus had it easy

Jesus had it easy, he managed to get his name in the history books, and boy did he move mountains. But he was just a bright person in an ocean of idiots. It's not hard to be a messiah among lepers. (Metallica - Leper Messiah)

Nowadays, we have millions of souls trying to be of some importance. And yes, I feel it is important for me to be remembered, to have meant something. And I know we all contribute to humanity, in one way or another, and that we are all part of this gigantic herd, but that is insignificant. I want more, I want to move civilizations. Not like Harry Potter, though the woman writing those books might be remembered for a thousand years, she'll be forgotten eventually. But Hitler, Jesus, Lenin, Mao, Napoleon, Julius Caesar, Kennedy, Bin Laden, Mahatma Ghandi, Cleopatra, Mother Theresa and Archimedes will never be forgotten.

"There is enough for everyone's need, not enough for everyone's greed."

I want to move the world like they did, mean something bigger than just a link in the chain of humanity. Why? Humanity isn't worth living for, not now. And I want that to change, like the people in the list above and all those others I didn't mention. I want it to be worth living for, what use is being a link in a rusted chain that is bound to break?

I want to be the blacksmith, restoring the old chain, and polishing the iron.

"We cannot all do great things, but we can do small things with great love."

Neil Young

--> WARNING! THE FOLLOWING MAY BE DEEPLY DEPRESSING! <--

He plays the acoustic six-string, he has lyrics that actually mean something, is a total Indie-rocker, and most of all; he comes from the only new world that is worth dying for: Canada. If only the Europeans landed there, and were less greedy; we might still have some of that ancient Mayan/Aztec culture, maybe they'd still have a nation. Imagine what great technologies we could have learned if we didn't go slaughter them all... but I guess socialists came in too late for that. Sigh- I wish I lived in my dream world, now I have to live in this crappy one.

And it's so depressing, so awfully sad that everything I do is really futile. I'm thinking of writing something again, called "Don't You F*cking Die!", a deep philosophic story of why it is so important to believe that humanity will never die out. Because, if it does, all we do is for nothing. Really, every effort you put into society, is short term, and will hardly be remembered for long after your death. The movie "dead poets' society" made me think about the subject more, carpe diem, and place your name in the history books. After all, if we are not remembered, or do not contribute to something eternal, why do we live? For the fun of living?
Come on, life sucks big time, the few joys we come across hardly make up for the intense misery we are confronted with every day. The highest goal in a man's life isn't happiness, as I've said earlier, it is being remembered. "Write a book!" I hear you think, but all those souls that tried to be remembered for eternity by writing books are long forgotten, and hardly known in the first place. Millions of books are rotting away in large silos, waiting for a reader that will never come, insignificant in the masses of souls, all crying out to be heard while they slowly die away. No, writing a book isn't enough, not by a long shot, one must move mountains, or at least civilizations to be remembered for all eternity -or until humanity finally ceases to be.

I think the above is the only reason I can think of to believe in a God, or at least an afterlife. It breaks my heart that I don't believe in such things, for that matter, I wish I was a simple-minded Catholic monk. Life is so easy for the idiots that walk it; the great minds are the ones in real pain. The fortresses among the masses, philosophizing and contemplating, are the ones that reach this level of awareness, but what a painful truth it is.

More inconvenient than the truth -which isn't that true after all- which Al Gore told us, it is a sad realization. My life is going to end, and I'm afraid so will all of humanity. Think about it: this planet will eventually be uninhabitable or be destroyed by the last breath of our so worshiped supernova. Where would we go if we saw it coming? The moon is still too close, or we should find a way to propel it, with big nuclear thrusters or whatever. But then, where would we get new resources if this planet is depleted? Would humanity be organized enough, globally, to even discuss such things by the time it is necessary? I don't believe humanity is eternal.
So all we can do, is try to be happy, be meaningful and support next generations. Is that satisfying? I think not, I fear the end of humanity more than my own death, because that would ultimately make my existence, and that of every being ever lived futile, and meaningless. I want to put my stamp on humanity, contribute to her; but what use is writing a book when no one will read it after a thousand years, what use is being a blood donor when the person you save will eventually die anyway, what use is living, if you can't live for ever? It is useless, life isn't a circle, sir Elton John, it is a spiral, one that ends.

I honestly wish there was more significant proof of a Deity, or at least an afterlife, but there isn't, and hoping for the impossible is childish.

But that is the only bit of light that I see in this dark world, children. Their life's, so simple, yet so full of fantasy, meaning, and learning. The growth, spontaneousness and imagination of children is worth living for. Enabling their happy childhood is number one on my list of things to live for, more important than being meaningful or happy.

Neil Young, my favorite singer, "Helpless"

People that need a hug

It bothers me deeply, when I see someone cry. It sends a feeling of compassion through my entire body, weakening my knees and giving me the shivers. Besides conquering my mind by just some falling liquid, it depresses me, to know that that person is not the only one crying in this world.

One never cries alone.

I will not go into personal detail, but when people cry, it is usually for being powerless and being in great pain. Not physically; mentally. I usually prefer not to cry, it's useless and men aren't supposed to show their emotions so easily. However I do know that feeling of being powerless, at seeing others cry; I'm not someone that will go comfort a person, I do reason with people when they've stopped crying. Most of all, I think people that are crying need a hug. And I like hugging.

My parents probably don't hug a lot... ...not enough anyway. You can observe that they both miss something, but every day they don't make a step that gap becomes greater and the step towards a big hug is becoming harder and harder. Unless of course they both break down and let emotions take over; but my dad is a lot like me, he won't show his emotions so easily. My mom is the absolute opposite: she does cry.

Anyway, I feel this is the most important reason not to believe in God. How can there be a God with so much misery? There can't be; why would He make light, but forget to make love? I don't think God exists, actually, I think people that do believe there is some deity, are fooling themselves for various emotional reasons. It's the painful truth; there is no such thing as God. I bet Religious people never got hugged -never really got hugged; you know, the hugs that really make you feel warm inside- while it's such a natural way of showing compassion; all higher animals do it too.

I wish I was a lion... ...time and space to spare, playing with the other cubs, killing some zebra for dinner, not worrying about healthy diets, always a furry partner to cuddle with, and plenty of time to philosophize and sleep in the sun (which goes together remarkably well, trust me). Yes, if only I were born a lion... no need to worry about blogging and getting my philosophic stuff on paper, because I can't read or write anyway; and no need to shave, because no other lion does. Ah well, enough daydreaming, let's end this with a nice philosophic line and call it a day.

I wouldn't mind life without light, but God, just "let there be Love".

If you're going to San Francisco

How come this icon of gay pride is letting me down so badly? ...oh yes, it's part of the USA. Today I read that the USA wants all foreigners that come in from abroad to fill in a form, requiring them to share rather personal information. For instance, they want to know your sexual orientation, political ideals, ethnicity by birth, religious beliefs, etc. Thank god our Dutch government still has some brainpower to understand that this is most preposterous, and unacceptable. The Hague should never has signed that agreement concerning our privacy; talking about privacy, what privacy do we have left? If I were the monarch of this nation, I would cut all ties with the USA and boycott all trade for this absurd insult. And I would ask my Allies to do the same; this is just too insane for words! America is the most fascistic nation on this planet.

Gay guys aren't terrorists; we wouldn't harm a fly, unless it bit us.
Image by Adam&Andy.com

In other news, Luciano Pavarotti is dead... ...poor guy, he sang so beautifully. Rest in peace.

European Union (?)

"83% of Dutch citizens between the ages 16 and 26 are against a grand European Union and participation in the EU as a whole. They believe the E.U. influences the identity of the Netherlands in a very negative way and the youth is holding on to what little culture is left. Especially the fading Dutch language and the further contamination of the culture seems to be a thorn in they eye of the younger generation."

--source "Sp!ts", free public newspaper--

I'm glad the new generation is ready to speak out against further globalization; it's also sad the current politicians aren't interested in this matter. We're in an identity crisis, and there's nothing we can do. If we had a more present identity, there would certainly be less problems with radical/violent subcultures; made up of people who desire a bit of identity, and can't find it outside the subcultures.

Americanism

I find myself using the phrase; "That's so American;" -or something else that includes the American Stereotype more and more these days. And it knows three main subjects to which it applies.

First of all, movies.; and this doesn't involve the gay part of America; don't you just hate those movies? You know the ones, the ones in which... well actually I think it's practically all movies... Anyway, the ones in which the main character is always hooking up with some woman. THOSE movies. Really, great movies have one flaw, they somehow had to put in the heterosexual propaganda in it. Films like van Hellsing, Gladiator, Dracula (whichever), James Bond, etc. etc. Blade, a great theme, three great stories, and always some fucking woman getting involved to take away a main role a guy could have taken, making the movie much better. Is that sexist? No, that is masculinism; men have rights too you know! After feminism, I think it's time for masculinism: get men back in the positions the women stole from us. Back in the army, back under the car getting oil all over them, and back in movies. Even the spell check is feminist, it doesn't recognize masculinism... maybe I should stop making up words. Stupid heterosexual propaganda... Second; Extremism. Not just Christian extremism; everything. Extreme control, in government, banking, etc. Everything needs to be double checked by eight different organizations today before it even gets to be produced. It's all a result of the globalization which started in America, it brought individualism, and that eventually resulted in the radicalization we struggle with nowadays. No one can be trusted, and unless you are part of a big organization your life is worthless. Even politics are affected by it. We have several political party's speaking out on things a political party has no right to speak against in any way; last time it was the banning of the Koran, today it's a politician that thinks adding 3 cents to a bottle of beer will reduce beer consumption among the younger generations. American bullshit. Half measures, and no results; take Iraq for example, what actually happened? They just changed leadership from one Islamic nut case to the other; I even heard that homosexuals are even in more danger now than they were before the invasion. The army seems really hot to me, but I think I'll take the time in jail for not responding to the army's call instead of throwing my life away for a lost cause in some desert.Third; modern stuff. The huge, 20 m2 (square meter) billboards, the excessive commercials on television, the laughable music, and most of all, modern talk. I hate people that talk like that. I'm not bothered by words that might suggest something, like fabulous or whatever, as long as it's Dutch (English in your case). Words that come from those people that wear their underwear outside their pants (not in the sexy way), wear caps no matter where they are (even on funerals), have MP3 players that are way too loud, with stupid hip-hop-crappy-fuck-music, that goes "boom-ching-boom-boom-ching-boom-ching-boom-boom-ching." It is considered the high fashion crowd... ...I was never so interested in fashion; now I know why. I hate, this extravagant lifestyle, which is devoid of ethics, and filled with fitting dumb music and lyrics to satisfy the even more stupid masses that'll do anything to be "in."So; Americanism, is everything excessively capitalistic, obsessed with the heterosexual ideal, control in laughable though scary proportions, and the horrible subcultures caused by the globalization. And of course there are the stone-age, long outdated Christian ethics to which they cling so tight... What the fuck!? I don't think Baden Powell would have agreed to this; even though he was a Christian: he still was a European, and Europeans did manage to evolve from the stone age and get rid of God's influence. Maybe the rejecting of simple evolution stops America from getting out of the stone age... ...I feel sorry for you, honestly I do.

The Slow Dancer

The Slow Dancer

Deliberate Gentle Love Dreamer (DGLD)

Steady, reliable, and cradling him tenderly. Take a deep breath, and let it out real easy...you are The Slow Dancer

Your focus is love, not sex, and for your age, you have average experience. But you're a great, thoughtful guy, and your love life improves every year. There's also a powerful elimination process working in your favor: most Playboy types get stuck raising unwanted kids before you even begin settling down. The men left over will be hot and yours. Your ideal man is someone intimate, intelligent, and very supportive.

While you're not exactly the life of the party, you do thrive in small groups of smart people. Your circle of friends is extra tight and it's HIGHLY likely they're just like you. You appreciate symmetry in relationships.

Always avoid: The False Messiah (DBLM)

Consider: The Gentleman (DGLM), The Slow Dancer (DGLD)

Image by Joe Phillips.

Take the test here, at OkCupid.com.