Author Archives: bicyclemark

There are those who run around complaining about the ideals of equality. Those guys (usually men) who bitch and moan about having too much PC’ness.

Political Correctness; can’t we just call it by its real name: RESPECTING OTHERS! Everyone hates the name PC unless you’re talking about that box that takes you to the internet. Trouble is, it isn’t being politically correct that people hate, it’s actually thinking that becomes annoying. So many would prefer to continue mouthing off like morons as opposed to considering the words they use to communicate.

“Just Words” they say… its just words. LANGAUGE DEFINES CULTURE! If you go around calling the people who fight fires, firemen (which we all grew up doing) then you’ll think theres nothing wrong with that. You’d also always picture a man as the person doing that job, as if thats the only way it makes sense because “men are physically better for the job.” But what kind of judge are you if you grew up calling them firemen and only thinking of men in this position?

Lets back up from fires and men.

Language. Recently, quite often, I’ve discussed this current term thats used in everyday language. It’s the use of the word “gay” to refer to negative things. Things that are wrong, stupid, strange… if its negative, people are using “gay” to refer to it. THIS IS A PROBLEM! No one’s sexual preference should be used as derrogatory… as if that is the epitome of wrongness. THAT REFLECTS IN CULTURE. You start sayin that, and if you weren’t already homophobic, you’re garunteed to become.

Would it be appreciated if the name heterosexual or American, or human be used whenever something seemed wierd or stupid? No it wouldn’t.

You mission: Listen! Listen to the masses! If they use the term “GAY” when they mean to say “stupid/wierd” DONT LET IT GO! STOP THEM… ask them “WHAT DOES THAT MEAN… GAY? “THATS A PRETTY IGNORANT TERM TO USE” Say anything… harass them! Make it known that you don’t dig their linguistics!

Its important. We’re sharing this planet. And English is pretty widely spoken.

Barley. It’s whats for dinner.

In Amsterdam there is sun. Bright and sunny sun. Papers on communication theories prevent the enjoyment of this sun. Until now… all has been completed.

There is one soul who has offerred to instuct dutch on a friendly level. To quote Derrick of Toronto: “I want to learn things like bicycle dutch, or Albert Hein (supermarket) Dutch.” Agreed Derrick. The terms at the supermarket are confusing. A letter from the bank was received recently. The name: Mark Fonseca Rendeiro appears on it, as does paragraphs in Dutch which are probably quite important.

There was a discussion last night with a Finnish girl. She was quite sage-like. Global politics was the subject…. or was it snow? Probably both. Helsinki is now definitely on the “to visit” list. A place where during the winter, you get daylight from 9:30 until 4.. or less maybe.

All this talk of weapons of mass destruction. Yet… who has the most nuclear, chemical, and biological weapons in the world? USA! Who constantly refuses to cooperate or let alone fund the United Nations? USA Who unilaterally attacks/invades/intervenes militarily in other nations? USA

Who’s a danger to the world? Iraq!?

Puzzling.

Well it’s 911. Which used to be an emergency number to teach children in the US. Now, I think it means war against invisible people.

Wars against invisible people should be quite difficult. One would have to be invisible to see an invisible person, and even then, would they see each other?

Still NYC… the homeland… is on the brain. Memories and memories. Though ceremonies and presidential speeches are definately not missed. Whats really not missed is the annoying use of American flags! Thankfully in Amsterdam… or Europe in general it’s considered dam tacky and outright wierd to wear a flag, unless you’re at a football match.

But still… heres to NYC. On this, an anniversary of such a sad day. And to those who don’t know… it’s not a sad day in America. It’s a sad day around the world. Don’t let them tell you otherwise… borders and nationalism are just made up for political reasons. We’re all family round here…. human family.

LOUD DUTCH SINGING! “BLAH BLAH LAAA LAA” And there in a boat, is a group of Dutch singing there hearts out, seemingly making fun of someone on dryland. A look at dryland reveals 2 mounted police, protected by garbage bag ponchos amidst the first big rain this month in A’dam. Next to the horses, there’s the fire-rescue unit… where two divers are standing in full diving gear, save the oxygen tank. They seem annoyed… or embarrassed. And they’re waving off the boat with the singing Dutchfolk. But the boat suddenly floats towards the divers, and the singing turns to chanting… abusive chanting… sort of like “You’re a sucker, you dive into this toxic water!” (To the tune of ol-lang-syn.) And then laughter follows… ten minutes of laughter. One Dutchy throws a lolipop into the canal in slow motion, as if to say… “go get this one!”

And then its over. One diver salutes the boat… they salute back and chug away. Another day in Amsterdam. Another chance meeting of a diver and boat party people. Probably everyone of them was drunk… especially the divers.

What does it all mean? WHY? Whats the significance?