Stole my heart.. that South Africa…

Sad news this morning from V in South Africa… she was so upset… her laptop (my laptop) was stolen from her office in Cape Town, while she was out at lunch. I felt bad for so many reasons, first and foremost because she really needed it, and anytime you get something that important stolen, it hurts. Second cause that’s my old laptop… my trusty old friend.. clunky yet somehow still hip enough to be wanted. I was looking forward to its return, I was going to make it a lynux machine. Dream postponed I guess… Now my laptop, filled with stickers from WBGO-Newark, Ajax-Amsterdam, Amnesty International, and Ben-n-Jerry’s ice cream, has found its way into the clandestine electronics market of Cape Town. I can only hope it brings joy and internet access to those who never had it. If you’re reading this blog from my stolen laptop.. I hope you grow to understand what you’ve done. Here is the last known photoof said laptop, taken last week… pictured is V working happily.

Now onto brighter news – In only 8 hours, I’m off to PARIS for the first time since 1996! Yes, I may have passed through there during some of my travels, but I’ve not actually set foot on Parisien ground since I was 16! I’m truely excited! Especially to be spending time with B and P who live happily with their girlfriends in that fair city. I shall be travelling via Thalys, which is great; a smooth, sleek TGV ride… I’ll take tons of photos, before even getting off the train.

Haiti Update: President Aristide, who has not resigned, arrived in Jamaica this week. Not sure what his plan is considering his enemies have taken over Haiti and the US supports them. Still, it’s of interest that Jamaica as well as the rest of CARICOM acknowledge that Aristide was the victim of an illegal coup propped up by the Bush Administration.

Paris… je vien!

Today’s Music: Badly Drawn Boy – The Hour of Bewilderment

I’m going through bridges

I’ve had visions of changing. Changing colors. Changing photos. Changing my woredrobe (like one new shirt). Most of all, I’m contemplating changing the name of this blog. I mean really, does it mean anything to anyone? BM’s Communique? Has it grown on anyone? Title’s can be important, I’m constantly reading blog-theory, like A. Granado’s Fantastic book “Weblogs: Diario de Bordo”, and alot of the names of these blogs are so famous. How am I to compete? I’m gonna need some feedback on this one, so leave some scribble after reading this.

On my ever expanding jog route yesterday, I couldn’t avoid having to stand at a draw-bridge and wait for some huge ships to come through lugging dirt, gravel, and people’s houses. This is something I think the whole world could use that Amsterdam has – drawbridges. See, no matter how much in a rush, or busy you are… you have no choice.. the draw bridges open all day, anytime. People never get angry, they just stop and wait. Some talk to each other, some just stare… lots even sing! Even after almost two years, I love these moments. I think it improves a city’s mental health – there are some things we cannot control. In this case, the drawbridges, only those guys with the fake captain’s uniforms can control those, when they’re not watching soap operas in their little booths. (Sometimes you see the glow of a TV!) Here, have a look at the animated picture I made of a bridge opening:

The topic that I got caught up this afternoon is missile defense, does anyone remember this? You remember, it’s to set up this hollywoodesque “missile shield” that will destroy any “rogue” missiles fired at the US or its allies. Which right away makes you wonder what a nation is doing that is pissing people off to such a point. Anyway, what is new is that the government is broke and operating in the red. So they want to cut some spending, and since they’ve gutted public health, education, etc., they’re actually thinking “… hmmmmm maybe 420 billion!! is too high of a military budget.” They’ve decided maybe the 10.8 billion spent on missile defense research (thank your evil congress for agreeing to that), maybe that’s too much. Especially considering it doesn’t work and it basically shows they’re not interested in waging peace on this planet.

Today’s Music: Bill Frisell – Gone, Just Like a Train (unbelievable!)

Out my window I hear spain

As I glance out my Amsterdam window, I notice there’s quite a bit of sunlight lately. Take that all you NL critics who complain it only rains! Plus the days are getting longer… which is great.. I feel less guitly for sleeping in. I hate to jump the gun, but spring is in the air.. and that means outside bbq time and long aimless bike rides to taunt sheep and look at all the lovely people on their hip-n-cool boats. Here, have a look outside my window for yourself (yeah there’s commonly a car parked there):

Briefly I’ll touch on an issue that’s getting alot of attention, and perhaps rightfully so – The Spanish Election. First, I’d like to express great joy and the downfall of J.M. Aznar. I’m a huge critic of his policies and attitudes. He not only turns his back on his European Partners, he uses terrorism as his red-herring for military and political goals. So good riddance! In comes Luis Rodriguez Zapatero, who I’ve followed for the past two years (not literally!) and am interested to see him take the helm. He’s not a revolutionary. But he may have something increasingly few leaders have – A SPINE!

Oh hey… my favorite Portuguese blogger helped me find a great report on the state of journalism in America. Its all here on a very sleek website. Want the highlights? Basically big media companies are losing their audience. To which I say – YOU DID IT TO YOURSELVES MORONS! And it’s supposed to get worse because without the audience.. they’re cutting back on things like… REPORTING! Brilliant! There’s no money because people don’t like us, so we’ll do an even worse job thanks to huge budget cuts! That’s why we’ll all better off right here in the blogosphere, where the air is cleaner. Sniff Sniff.

Today’s Music: Faudel – Samra (RAI music)

Flash.. AHH AAHHH

In less than 1 week I shall be on a TGV/Thalys train to Paris. As a train-o-file, I’m excited just to be getting on such a smooth ride… even if it has been around since 97 or so, it still seems so high-tech. So today when I noticed that they’re working on a China to Europe connection, I got super excited. At some point in my life, I hope to ride on such a train… Europe to China! Across Russia and Kazakstan! One day, oh yes.

This year there’s a conference that no one should miss, it’s called “The Fifth Hope: Hackers on Planet Earth.” It’s taking place in New York City and it will bring together some of the most creative and original characters in the tech world! You can hear more about it and get a general idea of the nature of this conference my listening to Off the Hook or Off the Wall at 2600.com I’m going to see if I make it out there in July, it’ll be sad to miss this one.

Fantastic documentary film that I’ve not yet seen, “Searching for the Wrong-Eyed Jesus” It’s about the SOUTH of the US. It looks disturbingly interesting. And the music features some truely original artists. I’ve missed my chance here in Amsterdam, but I’ll be renting it over at Cult Videotheek ASAP.

Today’s Music: Curtis Mayfield – I forget the album

Maple Syrup Delight

The “work” section of my website had been updated with my recent papers, one of which has been submitted for eventual publication, I hope. There’s also an article towards the bottom of that list, that recently came out here in Amsterdam, and as I wander around different University buildings, I swear I see that newspaper everywhere. Probably students using them to clean their spills. I figured I’d mention these things because my weblog visits are slowly increasing!

Today was yet another terrible day for the entire world, another act of mass murder. I was just flipping through the world newspapers to see what they’re saying about the Madrid train bombing. I find it disturbing and yet typical of the Spanish government to immediately blame their scapegoats – ETA. I say this because they do no investigation, much like the American government who loves to attribute everything to Al Qaeda, Madrid likes to blame every act of violence on ETA. It’s skipping right over the investigation and going right to the conviction, then they can try to round up the usual suspects. Why? Because they spoonfeed people this black and white, good versus evil, scenario. As if the Spanish government is filled with saints. Many hands are stained with blood on this one. The only encouraging thing I’ve seen are the people taking to the streets all over Spain to stand together and denounce violence and express solidarity with one another. That’s what I like… when people remember that we’re all in this together, and we need to take care of each other.

My other thing today has been looking up American Universities and their “Canadian Studies Programs.” This because I read in the Courrier International about how college students studying Canada are becoming fewer and fewer. Can you believe it? The “neighbors to the north” and no one is interested in them! They don’t know who the PM is! (Paul Martin) They don’t know what province Regina is in, or how to pronounce it! (Saskatchewan and umm.. it’s like a part of the female anatomy) People should be studying these things! I checked out these “Canadian Studies” programs, one at the U of Vermont and another at Plattsburgh, they look cute, I would have studied Canada. Then again.. I am one of those Canada-o-philes.

Today’s Music:311 – Evolver (cause yesterday was 3/11)

Part Time Lover

There has been an increase of UK residents visiting my blog in the past week, I’d just like to take the time to welcome them! Today I was totally enjoying the London Underground Blog and this video of a guy sliding down a huge escalator, that she had posted on there. Public transport stunts are the best.

So I grew up in NJ, as you may well know, and I was glad to read that unlike that coward Bloomberg, the mayor of Asbury Park and Governor McGreevey, have legally recognized gay marriages. They join the mayor of Seattle and of course, “America’s Mayor” San Fran’s Gavin Newsom. Hooray for my homestate! Oh and one last thing about gay marriages… I completely agree that this whole anti-gay marriage push is horrid. However, it should not underscore my distaste for the institution of marriage in general. Overpriced ceremonies, showers, gifts, clothing, food… I could care less for it. Nevermind the fact that I find it has become devoid of meaning. What Im saying is, in many ways – sure you should have the legal right, but why participate anyway, in such a crap tradition. Civil Unions all the way!

This week I bought a Portuguese book on weblogs by Mr. Antonio Granado a great journalist in Portugal. His blog has become the way I start the day, and we’ve even exchanged emails, which is great. I must become a well rounded scholar in the realm of weblogs and online communication! Speaking of which, my article on alternative journalists was submitted today to a scholarly journal in the states… I’ll be posting it on my website this week, as well as announcing if and when it gets accepted. Oh, and anyone in the Amsterdam area, an article of mine came out in this month’s “Insiders” published by the ISN. The online version should be available shortly. See, I’m earning my self-proclaimed title of a “journalist!”

Today’s Music: Art Blakey- Feelin Good (love that Caravan)