Prom

That's not the way we call it in the Netherlands, but I just love to call it like this anyway! It was a lovely night, and I hope I can wear my dress many more times.

Hey Jimi

Jimi Hendrix, live at Woodstock 1969

Will we ever experience something like this in our lives? I don't think so...

Dear Mr. President

I find this photo really marvellous. It shows us the vulnerability of Barack and Michelle Obama, who look in my opinion always so powerful and strong. It's real and you can't say that of many political things in America ;) Nor in the Netherlands, but let's not talk about that right now.. Only thing I'd like to say is I'll probably vote for the first time in my life this summer. That's really great. But for now, let's cherish this picture once more.

Amen

On the Road

I was planning to read the book that was lying on my desk for quite a long time, during my road trip this summer, but since the movie is coming out this May (and my dad obliges me to come with him, since it's one of his favourite books), I decided to read 'On the Road' by Jack Kerouac now already.

Great decision, if I may say so myself. What a book. Somehow I knew beforehand I would like it, since I'm really into travelling, freedom (one of the most important themes of the book), America and jazz. The book was very influential and played a very important part in the Beat Generation, the heralds of the revolutionary sixties generation.

On the Road is about several trips Jack Kerouac (it's an autobiographical book) made through America and Mexico. The main character is Sal Paradise (Jack Kerouacs alter ego) and his energetic and quite mad friend Dean Moriarty. They drive from New York to Denver, Chicago, New Orleans, L.A., San Francisco and many more places. How I wished I lived in San Francisco (or Frisco, they call it in On the Road) back then. They met the craziest people (we can't even imagine how they must've been like) on their way, worked on farms and listened to jazz the way jazz was intented to be in the 1950s.

But Sal Paradiso is also lonely when he's on the road. Travelling can be romantic but also quite tough. Reminds me a bit of the line from Janis Joplin's 'Me and Bobby McGee': Freedom is just another word for nothing left to lose. Sal only has an aunt, he doesn't speak about his parents and he has no wife, just some girlfriends on the road. Besides, his relationship with Dean isn't all that either. Dean is unreliable, has many wives (one in NY, one in San Francisco) and comes and goes.

But in many ways, it meets my opinion about life. For instance something Sal says in the beginning of the story: 'I just won't sleep (...) There were so many other interesting things to do'. Or Dean saying: 'Sal, think of it, we'll dig Denver together and see what everybody's doing although that matters little to us, the point being that we know what IT is and we know TIME and we know that everything is really FINE'. He's a genius, Dean Moriarty. Quite mad, like I said, but a genius.

With Jack Kerouac himself things ended badly. He drank too much and died young, another confirmation of the fact that all the good ones die young. Though I know life on the road is tough (On the Road shows this very clear) I'm sure it can also be amazing and pure (On the Road shows this even more), so I can't wait until the moment I will travel through America. East to West, North to South, I'll be going there. 'Our battered suitcases were piled on the sidewalk again; we had longer ways to go. But no matter, the road is life'.

Je me fous du passé, avec mes souvenirs, non je ne regrette rien

Intouchables

If you have already seen this amazing French movie, praise yourself. If you haven't, shame on you. But a way to make it up, let's run to the movies right now. I'll come with you, cause this movie is good enough to see it twice. Or three times. Or four. Well, I think I made my point. Why? I'm going to tell you right now.

'Intouchables' is a feel good movie in its purest form. It's about a young Senegalese guy from the streets, who's name is Driss, and Philippe, a rich older man in a wheelchair. Initially, they meet when Driss is applying for a job as Philippe's live-in carer. But he's doesn't really want the job, he just needs to be able to show he's done an application in order to continue receiving his welfare benefits. But his directness and casuality suits Philippe and so the next day Driss is told that he is hired for the job.

All the luxury of the Parisian mansion pleases Driss and he decides to stay. From now on he has to spend every minute of the day helping Philippe because Philippe is paralysed from neck to toe. They become closer friends by the day, though they used to live in complete different worlds. Philippe teaches Driss things about art and classical music whereas Driss encourages Philippe to meet the girl he's having a phone relation with.

But it is not all happiness in this movie. Aside from the hardworking but pleasant and alternating job of being Philippe's caretaker (as I said, Philippe is very, very rich so they travel by private jet), Driss' family lives in the suburbs of Paris and his little brother is having some serious troubles with the wrong friends. So Driss returns to the suburbs and quit his job as caretaker. But for both parties that ain't simple.

'Intouchables' is the second most succesful French movie of all time and has won many prizes. Completely justly, for the movie is hilarious (especially Driss made the entire audience laugh when I was seeing the movie), makes you feel good and has a deeper thought as well. It's about taking life not too seriously and about two different worlds coming together. What I found really nice, was that Philippe hired Driss not because he was that qualified (not at all actually) but because he didn't feel sorry for Philippe. Sometimes he even forgot that Philippe was paralysed.

The music in the movie was phenomenal. Especially the beginning scene rocked. Driss and Philippe sitting in the car, chased by the police while Earth, Wind and Fire's 'September' is booming out of the radio speakers. The video I have added is amazing as well, one of my favourite songs and a hell of a scene. If this makes you feel good already, go see the movie, cause it's even better ;)

Every ghetto, every city and suburban place I've been

Make me recall my days in New Jerusalem

You know it's hot, don't forget what you've got
Looking back,
Looking back, looking back, looking back
You know it's hot, don't forget what you've got
Looking back
Thinking back, thinking back, thinking back

Quick message!

Hi guys, hope you all had a lovely Easter! Mine wasn't very special, spent most of the time studying for my last school exams coming up this week. The only thing that keeps me going is the idea of having a summer that will last for 3 months, including festivals and a big trip through Europe... I ate a lot of delicious meals this days, so that helped with the studying as well :) My lack of posts of last weeks (and probably next week as well) can be explained by this huge pile of studying books and papers as well. Hope you'll forgive me! Fortunately one of these days there will be three packages waiting for me when I come home. My red prom dress (love to say it this way!), a blue jumpsuit and new high heels. Can't wait! Enjoy your evening!

Will & the People

What a gig. We were already in love with Will (& the People) after we saw their amazing show at Lowlands but this time it was for real. Seriously.


After a lovely but tiring day wandering around the streets of Amsterdam (we got lost for about twenty times, I think we walked 500 miles the entire day) and buying some things here and there (well, actually everywhere), we were a bit afraid we lost our energy. But after the show our energy was definitely back. What a gig.





Of course the fact that the concert took place in the smaller room in Paradiso, helped as well. We stood in the front (well, almost) and could almost touch Will. But we had to wait for that to happen for another two hours. They performed absolutely wonderful, especially in the end, when we heard their best songs 'Lion in the Morning Sun' and 'Addicted'. Will jumped in the audience twice. We were scared to death but the man is not only a brilliant singer, but also a brilliant crowd surfer.



After the show, we bought ourselves a cd (well, I didn't but Avalon did) and two bags. And when we had freshened ourselves up a bit, we came back to that place and suddenly Will was there. He only stayed for a few minutes but when he left, I looked at him and he said: 'Oh, hi there! I like your hat' I bought a hat at the Episode that afternoon by the way. A red one. So I was already like: O my god, he likes my hat! And then he told this other guy from the band: 'She has a nice hat, hasn't she?'


Thank god they came back a couple of minutes later. So Avalon kissed and hugged Will, he signed her bandana and my hat, we took a picture with him and he asked me once again where I had bought my hat. Then we really had to go but we will definitely see them again soon. And then I will wear my hat once more of course. And again. And again.