My sister and I are four years apart (well... almost). We went to different colleges and chose different studies to major in. She's in medicine, I'm a BA.
My sister missed the cut for medicine the first two years after high school, so she did another study on the side. She has since made up for it.
I had some extra-curriculars in the law faculty. I ended up graduating in a duration slightly over the four years BA comprises.
You'd think the odds of she and I getting our doctorates in exactly the same amount of time are pretty slim and remote.
I graduated four years ago today, on 28 February 2002.
My sister graduated today, 28 February 2006.
Tuesday, February 28, 2006
Sunday, February 26, 2006
Asia Boy Not Fit In Asian Party
Thanks to some strange karma I wound up at an Asian Party a couple of weeks ago. That was a strange sight. Outside of Hong Kong, Indonesia or a truly proper Oriental Restaurant I had never ever before seen so many Asian people in the same space. And I know of no other venue where I look and feel so out of place. That was really, truly uncomfortable.
I've been to other parties before (e.g. trance, rock, salsa) where one colour (e.g. white, black, latin/hispanic) is more predominantly present than the others. But none of them had the label 'Hispanic', 'Slavic', or in this case 'Asian'.
The very fact that there were hundreds of people in that party baffles me. It is a success that I personally don't think is logical. It obviously answers to some kind of deep-felt need by Asians to go out with other Asians. But why would you call it 'Asian'? Considering the music that is run there, you could just as well go to any Urban party for the same effect. Just a bunch of wannabe niggaz, moving to the latest tracks of 50 Cent and P. Diddy.
I've been to other parties before (e.g. trance, rock, salsa) where one colour (e.g. white, black, latin/hispanic) is more predominantly present than the others. But none of them had the label 'Hispanic', 'Slavic', or in this case 'Asian'.
The very fact that there were hundreds of people in that party baffles me. It is a success that I personally don't think is logical. It obviously answers to some kind of deep-felt need by Asians to go out with other Asians. But why would you call it 'Asian'? Considering the music that is run there, you could just as well go to any Urban party for the same effect. Just a bunch of wannabe niggaz, moving to the latest tracks of 50 Cent and P. Diddy.
Friday, February 24, 2006
Stupid Brats
After watching the Rich Kids: Cattle Drive show one statement keeps popping up in my mind: the richer you are born, the stupider and more naive you get?
I understand the show's sole interesting point is to take children from rich and/or famous American families out of their natural habitat; and I also understand that the show wouldn't be half as interesting if everyone just got along with the program (as any normal person with any form of sanity would do), but come on... even these kids had to have known that city life does not apply anywhere and everywhere. I can't even begin to count the number of times during the run of the series I thought about reaching through the television set and grabbing one of these spoiled brats by the neck and slap some bloody sense into them.
Parents, sometimes a hearty slap and a kind word will convince a child more than a kind word alone.
I understand the show's sole interesting point is to take children from rich and/or famous American families out of their natural habitat; and I also understand that the show wouldn't be half as interesting if everyone just got along with the program (as any normal person with any form of sanity would do), but come on... even these kids had to have known that city life does not apply anywhere and everywhere. I can't even begin to count the number of times during the run of the series I thought about reaching through the television set and grabbing one of these spoiled brats by the neck and slap some bloody sense into them.
Parents, sometimes a hearty slap and a kind word will convince a child more than a kind word alone.
Wednesday, February 22, 2006
What to do if you are a new hire
I couldn't possibly keep this advice to myself... So all you guys and girls who just started their careers, pay attention.
Some gems mentioned here:
Some gems mentioned here:
- Preparing a Powerpoint presentation will give you the sweet, sweet illusion of productivity.
- It is better to be an “expert” than it is to do actual work.
- Teamwork is what you call it when you trick other people into ignoring their priorities in favor of yours.
Monday, February 20, 2006
Winning with grace
Following sports lately has pointed me some talented young people rising to the top of their professions. These are some of the young guns that have made headlines in the past few months:
Klaassen and Wust could hardly believe they won. Their sudden and unexpected success just overwhelmed them, and it was extremely hard for journalists to interview them. At that moment both Klaassen and Wust had a vocabulary size of maybe, at most ten words. They were extremely annoying to hear and listen to. Like watching Kids Say The Darndest Things, but without the inherent fluffyness of toddlers.
However, seeing them winning was very good television. Jumping around, hugging their coaches, their families and loved ones, that was pure and real.
On the other hand, the LeBrons and the Sidneys of this world have been groomed for life in the spotlights. When they are interviewed you don't hear a nineteen-year old boy. You're listening to a grown man who has seen it all, heard it all and experienced it all before. They are cool, collected and provide strong interviews, thanks to extensive media training.
However when they win, the audience, the crowd, the media doesn't see the real them. They have publicists, personal secretaries, bodyguards who protect the superstars from everyone else. The message they send out must be controlled, and that often makes people find them arrogant, aloof.
Of course given the bigger salaries and the larger audiences involved (than darts and speed skating in this case) people do tend to like these athletes for other reasons than their prowess on the field, court or rink. Protection seems to be more of a necessity here.
Still, I would like to see the Klaassens and Wusts be a little more eloquent during interviews, and the LeBrons and Ovechkins show a little more real emotion. I mean, few people care if you lose; but even fewer people care if you win without connecting with the crowd.
Read full article
- This NHL season marks the debuts of hockey players Alexander Ovechkin (20) and Sidney Crosby (18)
- Dutchman Jelle Klaassen debuted at last month's Lakeside tournament, and became Darts World Champion; he is 21.
- 2006 NBA All Star Game MVP LeBron James is 21, the youngest in NBA history.
- Ireen Wust (19) from the Netherlands won an Olympic gold medal in the 3000 m speed skating event.
Klaassen and Wust could hardly believe they won. Their sudden and unexpected success just overwhelmed them, and it was extremely hard for journalists to interview them. At that moment both Klaassen and Wust had a vocabulary size of maybe, at most ten words. They were extremely annoying to hear and listen to. Like watching Kids Say The Darndest Things, but without the inherent fluffyness of toddlers.
However, seeing them winning was very good television. Jumping around, hugging their coaches, their families and loved ones, that was pure and real.
On the other hand, the LeBrons and the Sidneys of this world have been groomed for life in the spotlights. When they are interviewed you don't hear a nineteen-year old boy. You're listening to a grown man who has seen it all, heard it all and experienced it all before. They are cool, collected and provide strong interviews, thanks to extensive media training.
However when they win, the audience, the crowd, the media doesn't see the real them. They have publicists, personal secretaries, bodyguards who protect the superstars from everyone else. The message they send out must be controlled, and that often makes people find them arrogant, aloof.
Of course given the bigger salaries and the larger audiences involved (than darts and speed skating in this case) people do tend to like these athletes for other reasons than their prowess on the field, court or rink. Protection seems to be more of a necessity here.
Still, I would like to see the Klaassens and Wusts be a little more eloquent during interviews, and the LeBrons and Ovechkins show a little more real emotion. I mean, few people care if you lose; but even fewer people care if you win without connecting with the crowd.
Read full article
Saturday, February 18, 2006
Swedish Takeover
I'm mightily scared that I may turn out to be an Ikea junkie. The drugs have taken effect. Those damn Swedes have taken me in with their open-seven-days-a-week attitude, reasonably affordable prices, okay quality furniture.
I am not alone in this. Every time I go to one of those megastores thousands and thousands of people are already there. And they never seem to leave. Sitting down on a couch; feeling the texture of a cupboard; pulling the drapes of the ceiling.
It doesn't matter which store you go to. An Ikea in the U.S. is exactly the same as one in the Netherlands. They're always crowded, they've always got Swedish meatballs, there's always some kid who wants to be taken out of the childrens' playpen.
Fact of the matter is, it works. Considering it all, I was and am a prime candidate to get hooked on this hobby of stapling-together-Swedish-furniture. If that isn't integration into Dutch society, I don't know what is.
Next time you visit my place, you don't have to ask where that authentic looking dinner table comes from.
Page 113 in the 2006 catologue, Table Ronulum, colour Wood.
I am not alone in this. Every time I go to one of those megastores thousands and thousands of people are already there. And they never seem to leave. Sitting down on a couch; feeling the texture of a cupboard; pulling the drapes of the ceiling.
It doesn't matter which store you go to. An Ikea in the U.S. is exactly the same as one in the Netherlands. They're always crowded, they've always got Swedish meatballs, there's always some kid who wants to be taken out of the childrens' playpen.
Fact of the matter is, it works. Considering it all, I was and am a prime candidate to get hooked on this hobby of stapling-together-Swedish-furniture. If that isn't integration into Dutch society, I don't know what is.
Next time you visit my place, you don't have to ask where that authentic looking dinner table comes from.
Page 113 in the 2006 catologue, Table Ronulum, colour Wood.
Thursday, February 16, 2006
The Matrix Has You
I will go on record stating The Matrix is one of the best movies ever made… and that Reloaded and Revolution are not so good. As action movies they’re quite alright, but the great philosophical content that the original offered, was merely unimpressive in the follow-ups. Reloaded and Revolution presumed to explain too much, turned on the symbolism to thick and were far too smart for their own good. The original by itself was a nice contained story that left enough to be desired.
Sometimes keeping some bits covered, makes the entire package look more appealing… like lingerie.
The links to these essays provide interesting insights into the deeper symbolisms in Reloaded and Revolutions. Gotta hand it to the guy Brian Takle, there’s a lot of hidden trap doors in there that I missed.
The essays are pretty strongly worded, and not for the close-of-mind. Also it helps if you actually saw the movies.
Sometimes keeping some bits covered, makes the entire package look more appealing… like lingerie.
The links to these essays provide interesting insights into the deeper symbolisms in Reloaded and Revolutions. Gotta hand it to the guy Brian Takle, there’s a lot of hidden trap doors in there that I missed.
The essays are pretty strongly worded, and not for the close-of-mind. Also it helps if you actually saw the movies.
Tuesday, February 14, 2006
Velvet Words, Sticky Thoughts
Three things that come to mind this Valentine's Day:
- The line between having a crush and being horny is razor thin. And both require but one person to be.
- People in love have gained the peace of direction, where previously there was only the freedom of choice.
- Nothing attracts more like character and poise. It is inexplicable... yet highly manipulable and completely necessary.
Sunday, February 12, 2006
Represent Your Talents
Often the highest honour for an athlete is thought to be to compete for his or her country. The biggest and most important sports tournaments are where nations are in competition, such as the Olympics in Torino. Strangely enough athletes don’t seem to care anymore which country they represent, as long as they can represent. Ivory Coast-born Salomon Kalou wants to play for the Netherlands. Dutch-born skater Bart Veldkamp is a Belgian. Czech Martina Navratilova became an American years ago.
Other, singular athletes cannot appear for their country for all kinds of personal or professional reasons. Some fight their national team coaches and don’t get selected: Eric Cantona rarely played for the France national soccer team. Others are the only good player to come out of that country, and thus the nation as a whole cannot field their own team: Hakeem Olajuwon never represented Nigerian basketball, but was in Team USA. Still others don’t make the cut, because there are so many other strong athletes in a country, such as the Dutch skaters.
To me it is quite unfair to leave athletes behind, who want the chance to compete at the highest level. In sports context, why should national pretenses be more important than the athletes’ skills? We lose out on a lot of talented people on the grandest stage.
Of course, national flags and symbols make it easier for a casual viewer to identify a side. Nothing polarizes a nation’s emotions like a success in sports. It calls on something very primal in people to support your nation, your tribe. That’s why so many people follow these nation-based tournaments. That’s why these events garner so much attention. That’s why they are so important.
The importance of these events are not justified. Sports just constitute a societal outlet, a channel which can be used and abused as people see fit. A tournament based on athletes competing on behalf of a nation thus overshoots its targets. I can support anyone I feel like, even if they are not Dutch. I can use a clash between nations as an excuse to project my aggression, which is definitely not sportsman-like.
In this sense, the setup for the major North American sports conforms more to pure athleticism and sports. Although strictly based in major cities, every team is a (franchised) sports team, with the specific purpose of competing in that particular sport. Of course, money becomes the major driving factor in these settings, and then the rant would not be about the unfairness of nation-based sports, but rather of business-minded sports.
Read full article
Other, singular athletes cannot appear for their country for all kinds of personal or professional reasons. Some fight their national team coaches and don’t get selected: Eric Cantona rarely played for the France national soccer team. Others are the only good player to come out of that country, and thus the nation as a whole cannot field their own team: Hakeem Olajuwon never represented Nigerian basketball, but was in Team USA. Still others don’t make the cut, because there are so many other strong athletes in a country, such as the Dutch skaters.
To me it is quite unfair to leave athletes behind, who want the chance to compete at the highest level. In sports context, why should national pretenses be more important than the athletes’ skills? We lose out on a lot of talented people on the grandest stage.
Of course, national flags and symbols make it easier for a casual viewer to identify a side. Nothing polarizes a nation’s emotions like a success in sports. It calls on something very primal in people to support your nation, your tribe. That’s why so many people follow these nation-based tournaments. That’s why these events garner so much attention. That’s why they are so important.
The importance of these events are not justified. Sports just constitute a societal outlet, a channel which can be used and abused as people see fit. A tournament based on athletes competing on behalf of a nation thus overshoots its targets. I can support anyone I feel like, even if they are not Dutch. I can use a clash between nations as an excuse to project my aggression, which is definitely not sportsman-like.
In this sense, the setup for the major North American sports conforms more to pure athleticism and sports. Although strictly based in major cities, every team is a (franchised) sports team, with the specific purpose of competing in that particular sport. Of course, money becomes the major driving factor in these settings, and then the rant would not be about the unfairness of nation-based sports, but rather of business-minded sports.
Friday, February 10, 2006
Personal music tastes
Tastes in music are indeed personal, highly individual and bound to a specific situation or context, a specific time period even. We are completely free in loving or hating music to whatever degree we like. Nobody else does that for us. The music you love is that which tickles your feelings, fulfils your needs, emphasizes exactly what is you. The music you hate burns your eardrums, associates you with negative memories, fills you with loathing (or worse, indifference).
But we change our music tastes: Sometimes songs are overplayed, or don’t fit the occasion. Even the best songs we can hate for this. In other instances the songs we hate become better with time, we get used to it. Some music we like only for a short while, and then forget about them. Other music we keep close to our hearts (and ears) for years on end.
We have gained the ability and technology to develop our individual music tastes even further. We have personal music players, which we can take anywhere and everywhere. There’s context-sensitive internet radio, which adapts the songs played to our previous choices.
Despite all this institutionalized individualism, how come we need to list music by popularity in music charts? Why is it we are opinionated about who is number one and who isn’t? Why do we need to join together in the thousands at grand open-air concerts and music fairs? Why do we care about what others think of our tastes? Do we have a strong need to share our music tastes with others? Are we so proud that others need to agree with our music tastes unequivocally? Are we really that insecure?
It is extremely rare to find people who feel about music exactly the same way all the time. I don’t buy people who tell me they share my taste in music. It’s a bit pretentious to think that you can generate a complete relationship out of thin air just by listing the genres you like in resumes or personal profiles. There may be overlap, there may even be recognition, but there will always be differences.Music is a powerful instrument to understand ourselves, to understand our emotions, our moods and our feelings. It can energize or relax; motivate and intimidate. Music develops character. Nobody can tell you how to do so. Don’t let others tell you. Form your own taste.
Read full article
Wednesday, February 08, 2006
Diplomacy for non-diplomats
Everybody is so easily agitated nowadays. You draw up something or you say something, and somebody else is bound to get insulted. It's almost like you have to be a political diplomat to get around without getting stabbed.
Indeed paying kudos to everyone you meet even on a cursory basis is very important now. Nothing you say or do can be about placing yourself higher than the other, because that might be insulting. At the very least you are equals, but if possible you have to place the other on a higher plateau.
I’m not advocating you put yourself down. That doesn’t build respect; it might build pity, but that’s a very unstable platform to stand on. I’m also not advocating you sell yourself short. People won’t find anything interesting about you, and that doesn't get you anywhere.
Finally all this doesn’t mean you have to like everyone. I’m a firm believer in surrounding yourself only with people who are worth your time, but cutting ties is done clean. No worries, no regrets. Naturally.
Indeed paying kudos to everyone you meet even on a cursory basis is very important now. Nothing you say or do can be about placing yourself higher than the other, because that might be insulting. At the very least you are equals, but if possible you have to place the other on a higher plateau.
I’m not advocating you put yourself down. That doesn’t build respect; it might build pity, but that’s a very unstable platform to stand on. I’m also not advocating you sell yourself short. People won’t find anything interesting about you, and that doesn't get you anywhere.
Finally all this doesn’t mean you have to like everyone. I’m a firm believer in surrounding yourself only with people who are worth your time, but cutting ties is done clean. No worries, no regrets. Naturally.
Monday, February 06, 2006
Superbowl results: or How to dig a hole for yourselves
I hate it when I'm right...
So as predicted the Pittsburgh Steelers win Superbowl XL. That's fine by itself, because the Steelers are not an unsympathetic team. They did well on defense, gambled when they needed to, and effectively used trick plays to confuse the Seahawks. However, three things hurt:
So as predicted the Pittsburgh Steelers win Superbowl XL. That's fine by itself, because the Steelers are not an unsympathetic team. They did well on defense, gambled when they needed to, and effectively used trick plays to confuse the Seahawks. However, three things hurt:
- The Seahawks had several controversial calls made against them in the first half... So many officials, so many camera's, still so many bad calls. More eyes don't necessarily mean better officiating, me thinks.
- Indeed Seattle did themselves in as well with some sincerely stupid plays they had no business of making. Instead of getting good field position, scoring position or ample time to make plays, they often had to start from scratch and made it unnecessarily hard for themselves to score.
- Why for chrissakes do you use Bittersweet Symphony as an entrance theme?? Did Seattle think it could lull the Steelers to sleep?? What a bad choice... Seahawks, please pay attention to professional wrestling to see how you should handle an entrance. This - whatever that crap was - was not it.
Sunday, February 05, 2006
Gimme an Extra Large
Superbowl XL is up today, pitting the Pittsburgh Steelers up against the Seattle Seahawks. It's The Bus Jerome Bettis against this season's MVP Shaun Alexander. Second-youngest-quarterback-in-Superbowl-history Ben Roethlisberger versus the crafty Matt Hasselbeck. It is the city of steel against the city of coffee...
Who's going to win? The heart says Seahawks, because for some undefined reason I inherently like teams from Seattle (Sonics, Mariners). And they're the underdogs, they've never been here before.
The head says Steelers, because they have the momentum; they have beaten more formidable foes en route to the game, and they look absolutely dominating at times, especially against the Broncos two weeks ago.
So we have to go with the gut, and it goes with the Steelers... by two scores.
Who's going to win? The heart says Seahawks, because for some undefined reason I inherently like teams from Seattle (Sonics, Mariners). And they're the underdogs, they've never been here before.
The head says Steelers, because they have the momentum; they have beaten more formidable foes en route to the game, and they look absolutely dominating at times, especially against the Broncos two weeks ago.
So we have to go with the gut, and it goes with the Steelers... by two scores.
Friday, February 03, 2006
Failure of democracy
The Dutch government will send soldiers to Afghanistan. There are some right reasons for going there, but also some wrong ones. I'm all for fighting the battles that need to be fought, not necessarily just the ones that you can win; it being dangerous is not exactly a good argument for not going. But we need to gain something by going there, and that I'm not convinced of.
It's just like the changes to our health insurance system, taxes, speed limits... I didn't request my government to take care of that and yet they did. I tried to vote in another party to government because they could do the stuff that I find important (and more important they don't do stuff that's not good for me). I choose to be in a country where Balkenende is NOT my PM, and yet here he is, messing up my good mood.
It would be so much better if people actually got what they voted for. Maybe if the Netherlands weren't a mature nation, where everybody has needs and wants to be taken care of, the government's time and energy wouldn't have been split across too many meaningless things and it could concentrate on the important stuff...
Sending soldiers to the Middle East... c'mon guys... if you gotta be somewhere, don't be a pussy. Don't be someone else's watchdog.
It's just like the changes to our health insurance system, taxes, speed limits... I didn't request my government to take care of that and yet they did. I tried to vote in another party to government because they could do the stuff that I find important (and more important they don't do stuff that's not good for me). I choose to be in a country where Balkenende is NOT my PM, and yet here he is, messing up my good mood.
It would be so much better if people actually got what they voted for. Maybe if the Netherlands weren't a mature nation, where everybody has needs and wants to be taken care of, the government's time and energy wouldn't have been split across too many meaningless things and it could concentrate on the important stuff...
Sending soldiers to the Middle East... c'mon guys... if you gotta be somewhere, don't be a pussy. Don't be someone else's watchdog.
Wednesday, February 01, 2006
Shuffling around
I've already stated once I don't get how money works. Now I've received my salary statement I'm even more baffled than before. Basically some taxes and premiums are higher, others are lower, still others are completely gone now, and some things are completely new... the result:
Zero.
Nada.
Absolutely nothing *
The only impact all the changes in insurances, leasing and taxes have had, is piss me off. This begs the question... why spend all that energy in changing your appearance if in the end you're still the same ugly bastard?
* - well... on a monthly basis there's less coming in... thank god for vacation money.
Zero.
Nada.
Absolutely nothing *
The only impact all the changes in insurances, leasing and taxes have had, is piss me off. This begs the question... why spend all that energy in changing your appearance if in the end you're still the same ugly bastard?
* - well... on a monthly basis there's less coming in... thank god for vacation money.
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