5oclock whistlin

Sometimes stuff feels unique to Amsterdam, but it isn’t. Sometimes you gotta work on fridays, even though you’re the part-time king, and the co-workers invite you out for after-work drinks. Beers after work, probably international protocol, no? Still, it feels like no one does this like the dutch. I bet it starts earlier here, cause the white collared ones barely work on friday, and maybe lunch is barely over, but the pubs are spilling over across from Artis (the zoo).

So naturally when they ask me to go for a drink – I go. Somewhere in between podcasting and powerbook fundraising, I failed to notice what a cool crew I work with. Slowly but surely, the fishtank has put together a staff of international allstars. The pub conversation curiously and quickly zigzags between Dutch and English. Nobody flinches, cept for my brain that keeps thinking — note to self, blog about this phenom and these cool people. Sho-nuff, conversation got to podcasting and before you know it, 15 minutes worth of “what is podcasting good for” has spouted from out this mouth, and now there’s a debate if its good or bad for society. haha.. yeah.. we worry, cause fishtank employees help mold young minds and fix society’s ills.

I’m writing like shite today… distracted by the Fugazi, and the postcard from Northern Sweden. I’m going you know…. to that crazy phallus-shaped country… oh yes. I’m not only going ice-fishing with Marty McFly and SuperSofia, I’m also dogsledding north to visit my most favorite blogologista. ‘Parently her uni wants to listen to me talk podcasting… but nevermind that’s all next month.

So let’s play… cause like the midnight mailman says, blogs should be for fun and for learning, starting this weekend, I present an occasional series on the communiqu? called: “Who are the people in my blog-neighborhood.” Long title, I know. It means with each post I’ll take one blog from that column to the left, and talk about why I blogrolled them or what I like about that blog. Why? Cause they’re there, I put ?m there, and they deserve some explanation/credit.

Oh and weird coincidence, small world, Jamie from the Known Universe is talking about a friend that I also know from here in Amsterdam. Its like seperation degrees of Kevin Bacon sometimes.

Wow.. did I write all this crap?

Today’s Sounds: Fugazi – Endhits (recommended by Greg at VivaPodcast!)

One for Blogger

I worked hard on this “offline”.

Today’s Sounds: Decemberists – Picaresque

A Letter to Ray

delayed post because blogger sucks a fat one lately.

Dear Mr. Ray Charles Robinson,

I just saw the film about your life, and I really wanted to talk to you. I know you were involved in the making, so I wanted to make sure to say — incredible work. Beyond that, I think I haven’t appreciated your music enough, so from now on, I’ll be collecting old Ray Charles recordings. My name’s BM and I play horn, and grew up in New Jersey, but now I live in the Europa. I write a little blog and produce a podcast as well, so I wanted to tell you I’ll be talking highly about you on both. Anyway I’m sure you’re a busy man, even posthumously, so this is just a thanks for the gifts you left us, from me and island girl, as we were captivated in that theater tonight.

All the best,

Bicyclemark

Today’s Sounds: Ray Charles – Greatest Hits

Some Soft Wear

Few things need to be discussed today, point by point sometimes helps.

– Ayer, it was Radiohumper’s B-day! The great sierra, who pushes the blogosphere and myself to do more, care harder, and just say it. If I ever had any doubt about mixing my passion for world affairs into my blogposts, she helped erase that doubt. It’s nothing short of a pleasure to travel in similar blog circles as the one and only RH. Parabens querida.

– The Robot Condoleeza announced today that she wouldn’t run for president in 2008. The announcement was made without emotion and in a monotone voice. A reporter asked a question to which it responded “questioning government does not compute.” To which the press core smiled and laughed, to the collective declaration… “isn’t she charming.”

– A blogger that I periodically/randomly keep up with, Contentious, makes some good points about using AOL instant messenger. Follow the link and read about how the losers at AOL can claim ownership over any ideas you talk about in your chats. She even recommends we stop using AIM. I’d love to, trouble is, my generation of net users grew up with AIM and AOL, and while hopefully most people have stopped using that crap-ass service, I know many use it cause they know it… like an old friend. Too bad when your friend double crosses you. I think AIM should eventually just shrivel up and die since Skype, MSN, and even Yahoo all have better options. (yeah.. AIM does have the more known web-based version)

– This one’s not so much about software, but if any of my dear readers are making the journey from the SanFran area to Amsterdam in the coming weeks, and you’re willing to run drugs carry a consumer electronics product… email me. (bicyclemark at yahoo)

Today’s Sounds: Madge Weinstein on the SloerieSource