Wellness

I have rediscovered the sauna. Over the past couple of years life was busy. Always rushing, not necessarily achieving all that much, but rushing anyway. And just lately, I have taken the time to go swimming again. Not feeling rushed, but taking my time. And after swimming I sit or lie down and relax in the sauna. I get warm, just lie there, and there isn't anything else I can do really. I guess you need to make sure you don't fall asleep, but that is more or less it. Lie back, close your eyes and get nice and warm. I like that in these cold winter times. After spending much of the day in the house, getting a bit chilly, it is just lovely to get warmed up again. And to be forced not to do anything except soak up the heat. A girl could get used to that.

Lenette

There is a very Dutch theatre art form, cabaret. It is comedy, sometimes political, topical, which goes a little beyond comedy. The best performers manage to make you laugh till your sides hurt, while making you think as well. They all have their own message, their own style, their own brand of humour. I have my favourites.

One of the best is Lenette van Dongen. After hearing it all from the men, it is good to hear modern life as experienced by a woman. It is a different perspective, and one closer to my own. I went to see her new programme, and it was all it should be. Not too much politics, but plenty of modern life in all its absurdities. The latest trends in outdoor gear, compulsive happiness, social media, electric toothbrushes all made an appearance. At times maybe a little too close for comfort. So, yes, I laughed, I recognised what Lenette said, I even have that very electric toothbrush. So I took the message home, but it didn't weigh me down. Just right.

Guilty Pleasures

Over the weekend I went over to have dinner with a couple of friends. On the way I went to get some chocolates for them. Not just chocolates, actually, but Puccini chocolates, the most exquisite little chocolate works of art you can find here in Amsterdam, and some of the most unusual flavours. And just as I had ordered a box for my friends I heard myself ordering a second one. Just for me. Not a big box, the smallest they have. But still. I did feel guilty, carrying this box home, these lovely big pieces of chocolate with all their exotic tastes.

And over the past few days I have eaten them all. Cranberry, Pecan, Mint, Vanilla Poppyseed, Rum Currant, Honey, Rhubarb. Getting the box out in the morning, taking one, checking in the little booklet which one it was, then slowly taking small bites and enjoying the taste. Repeating the same ritual in the evening, always taking just the one. So, guilty? Just a little. Pleasure? A great deal.

Cricklewood

I subscribe to the Oxford Dictionary of National Biography's daily email, which means I get the life story of a king, a queen, a statesman, an artist, a scientist in a daily email. Someone famous, someone who has made a contribution to society, a life written down in a few hundred words. If you check the website you get a picture as well. Sometimes I don't take the time to read the life, sometimes I learn something new about someone I already knew something about, and sometimes I make the acquaintance of an unknown.

Today it was the life story of our man in Cricklewood, and that can be only one man. I first heard the voice of Alan Coren when I started listening to the News Quiz, many years ago. I loved listening to the man's voice and to his stories. He was able to tell a story with passion, with just the right turn of phrase, and could hold your attention. When he was on a roll I could be laughing aloud for a while, just listening to him talk. He told stories in a way only he could, and you never quite knew where he was heading. His dancing lesson from the sergeant was a great example, and from the way he told the story you could see it all happening right in front of
your eyes. And just once he burst into song, and gave a wonderful rendition of Lili Marleen, in German, much to the amazement of the others on the News Quiz, and, I'm sure, many members of the audience. I used to record the programme on cassette and listen to the various episodes over and over again. Listening to old recordings the same stories can still make me laugh every time.

Some people in your life have the power to bring a smile to your face when you hear or see their name, when you see their picture or hear their voice. Usually these are people you know personally, that you care about and that you share good memories with. And just occasionally it is someone you don't know personally, but who has made you laugh. Alan Coren is one of those people for me, listening to his stories again brings a smile to my face, reading his life story did as well.

View From the Window

In the office, early this morning.

Anticipation

Sometimes you see it before you feel it.

DIY

It's been a long time since I've done any DIY, I realised this morning, as I stood there in the attic with a paint roller in my hand. I still knew how to do all that, but I had to borrow some old clothes as I no longer have my work clothes. Meanwhile, a lot was going on around me, and there were the usual debates on the best and most efficient way to get the work done. Suddenly you understand why those tough guys working on the roads stand around with their hands in their pockets so much, there is a lot to think about. We got the work done quickly this time. And very efficiently, I'm sure, thanks to our initial attention to organisation. Isn't that just the way it always goes.

Invaded?

Cycling into work today I noticed sponges in two places. Just plain, ordinary yellow household sponges lying in the street, the kind that remind you of Sponge Bob. Is this a sign? Are we being invaded by sponges from outer space? Is it time for the big city cleanup? Is there a cleaner at work somewhere realising he has lost half his tools? So many questions, and so few answers.

Stones

When I was in Edinburgh earlier this year I found a tiny shop almost right next to the hostel, Mr Wood's Fossils. There was a collection of fossils, minerals and meteorites there that I found fascinating. Since I've been working as a guide I have become more interested in those things anyway, and this was a lovely shop. I spent a long time there, looking at all the items on display, and I actually left carrying a few stones, and a small piece of Jasper.

Jasper to me is connected to the Antarctic, to Hannah Point on the South Shetland Islands. There is a streak of Jasper near Suicide Point, always fascinating to see. You are not allowed to take any with you, and though I have found bits of Jasper on the beach, and certainly was tempted, I did behave. I did buy a couple of pieces from Mr Wood's shop though, so I can have a look at them once in a while. I also bought a piece of Bloodstone, the stone that might have attracted people to live on Rum. This piece isn't from Rum, though, I should have bought a piece there, of course. Next time.

Since my visit to the shop I've been looking at stones more often. I checked out the stones at Naturalis, and just the other day at a small shop in Amsterdam. And I've been following Mr. Woods Fossils through his weblog. There is such a great variety in colour, just in stones, again so much to know and learn. New fields.

The Company of Monks

I went to work, by tram for a change, and listened to music along the way. Not just music, but the music of monks. I recently heard a radio programme on Ambrosian Plainsong and was fascinated, so I went out to find some more. I ended up with some Gregorian chant, which I found wonderfully calming.

So this morning, in a crowded tram, crossing crowded streets, there was such peace, it was lovely but alienating. I felt detached from my surroundings. I got the feeling back I had on Iona, the sense of quiet, of great peace. As easy as that.

The Diver and His Niece

When I was staying at Harberton earlier this year the little giant visited Santiago. The girl, created by Royal de Luxe, completely took over the city for three days, and her visit was shown live on Chilean television. At Harberton that is the television you get, so my host sat and watched much of the spectacle. I joined him a few times and was quite amazeda at the event. Could it be possible to create such huge characters and still make them believable and provide them with a soul of sorts. On screen it all looked pretty impressive and convincing.



Then the party came over to Antwerp, just when I had a morning to spare there. I went out into the city centre quite early, to look for the Diver or the Little Giant, and found the Diver. He was just getting ready to move on, and walked past me into busy streets, followed by a huge crowd. I took a shortcut and managed to arrive right in front of the Diver as he passed the small boat that was on its way to pick up the Little Giant. The Diver got cleaned along the way, by his escort, and took in his surroundings. It was a moving and overwhelming sight.



I had no time to seek out the Little Giant, but I will catch up with her one day, I'm sure. I might even get to see the Sultan's Elephant.

Mr Cohen

I went to see Leonard Cohen again. Late August, a beautiful sunny evening in Ghent. After all the rain, a dry day and evening, a beautiful sunset, and a great concert out in the square. Some 8000 people probably, but it didn't feel quite so big. The setting was quite intimate. For the first part of the concert we still had daylight, so everything was clear and easy to watch. I sat quite far back, but I had brought my binoculars, and the big screens helped. Then there were the beautiful pink and orange skies, the bright moon lighting those lovely old buildings, and changing the atmosphere to the intimacy of darkness and late night. Mr cohen played for about three hours, lively, and intimate, with that golden voice. The perfect night.

The Game

So, WE got to play another match, against Cameroon. WE are through to the next round already, but still, time to party. I decided to go shopping around 8 p.m. I thought it would be nice and quiet, and it was. On the way down there were still a few people around, lots of people in orange t-shirts, hats, and other accessories. It was lovely and sunny, so it all looked pretty good. Once I got to the supermarket I had the place virtually to myself. No one pushing in the isles, no avoiding trolleys, just empty lanes and a chance to get everything quickly. And then there still was a queue at the checkout, because only one was available. But it was a tiny queue and I was happy. I think the next game is on Monday, 4 p.m....

Sunday in the Park in Amsterdam

About 20 years ago I was at the National Theatre in London to see a production of "Sunday in the Park with George". I didn't know the piece, and didn't know much about Sondheim. The production blew me away. There was Maria Friedman, just perfect for the part, the setting and design just perfect, and the piece and the music itself. Some of the lyrics are forever in my mind, they just pop up at weird moments, for strange reasons. Like some other songs, actually, but that is another story.

Then this month the first professional Dutch production is on in Amsterdam, so I had to go and see it. It's part of the Sondheim festival, celebrating the man's 80th birthday. I cycled up to the M-lab, a wonderful place on the river IJ, a lovely view over the water. Like an island in the Seine maybe? I like the theatre, no frills, just seats and a stage, all attention going to the production. Like the Donmar.

Then the production. I enjoyed it, it moved me, and I was impressed by the performances and the translation. Sondheim's lyrics are hard to sing in English, so they cannot be easy in Dutch, and translating them must be a tough job. I know the lyrics well, and there were some very nice finds in the translation. The production was a little smaller than the London one, but no less effective, and the actors managed to fill the painting, even with a smaller group of characters.

It is such a beautifully constructed piece, obviously well thought out, and it all fits like the painting. But the piece also has a heart, a story, and characters to care about. That is what makes it special. You can admire what the mind has put together, and feel the emotion too. That is what makes it so perfect.

I loved the way the lead actors played the characters, the way the songs were sung. The passion that was in the piece. We need more Sondheim.

Birding Spring

It's been a good spring for raising birds in my street. I had a family of Blue Tits living in the box attached to my window. Towards the end of their breeding season they were threatened by the Great Spotted Woodpecker that was trying to raise a family in the trees at the end of the street. He clung to my wall once in a while, trying to get into the box. I love woodpeckers, and I guess they do eat young Blue Tits, but they're not having mine if I can help it.

Then I keep hearing Short-toed Treecreepers, they have a nest somewhere round here too. And then today I got to see the evidence.



The one thing really missing this year in this street are the Swifts. I see them high up in the air, or hunting round my tree, but they don't seem to be breeding here anymore. A great loss.

The AJ Platform

After my trip earlier this month I couldn't resist the temptation and I went back. The main reason to pick this weekend was the Alex Jennings platform at the National Theatre. The chance to hear Alex talk for an hour on his life and career was too good to resist. I met up with Penny before the platform started, we took a short walk along the river and had some lunch, and then sat and listened to the interview. I enjoyed it and heard some news to put up on the AJ Diaries. Always good to get Alex news firsthand. It seems like he will be working abroad for most of the year, in Japan and Paris, resuming earlier roles. I'm still hoping he's going to do some Sondheim in the not too distant future.

Then there was "The Real Thing" at the Old Vic. Toby Stephens in a Stoppard play. I had forgotten how much I like Stoppard. I think "The Real Thing" was the first Stoppard play I saw quite a few years ago, the original production, but I couldn't remember much of it. This was a lively production with all the layers coming out. Good to see Toby Stephens again after a very long time.

Time for other London pastimes too. After my visit to Manchester earlier this year I wanted to go back to the Tate to see the Pre-Raphaelites. I like the way the Tate is organised and designed, plenty of room for the paintings, and beautiful, warm colours. It is the colours in the paintings that always strike me too. Somehow reproductions in books and on postcards never get the blue quite right, you don't get the real shades unless you are looking at the original paintings. And all the detail that gets lost in reproductions too, especially when it comes to the Pre-Raphaelites, where details are so important.






And talking about details, I couldn't help wondering once or twice whether London is going Dutch....

Back in London

It feels like a very long time since I was last in London, and it probably is, but it is good to be back. The city always changes but manages to stay the same. There are sights and sounds that I love, and that make me feel at home. It is good to find old familiar bookshops, though some seem to have disappeared, and others appeared. It is good to wander round Covent Garden, to see the theatres and think of all the productions I've seen over the years.

I love to walk across Waterloo Bridge, especially late at night, after a performance at the National Theatre or the Old Vic. I don't know what it is about that bridge, the sights, the sounds, the smells, or whether it is just the associations. Memories of walking towards the National Theatre in the daylight, full of expectation, of great plays and performances, and then feeling the cool wind in your hair afterwards, seeing the City and St. Paul in the one direction, the Houses of Parliament in the other, with the play still fresh in your mind.




This time I had the rare opportunity to see both my favourites in one day. I got to see Roger Rees in the afternoon, playing opposite Ian McKellen in "Waiting for Godot" and then Alex Jennings in "The Habit of Art" in the evening at the National. Both wonderful performances. Good to be back in both the Haymarket and the Lyttelton Theatre. It was Roger Rees who first got me interested in the London Theatre, when, long ago I first saw his Nicholas Nickleby on television, and then I got to see him play Hamlet in London. It was actually his Berowne that I really loved, though I've never seen a more impressive Hamlet. Just a few years later I first saw Alex Jennings, again at the RSC, his first season. I've had many opportunities since to see Alex at work in London, but Roger has been working in the US mainly. It was good to see both of them back in London, in such different but interesting productions. More!

Winter

Sitting in the office today, in another little closet because "mine" has been taken over by the company Christmas presents, I could see the snowy fog closing in. The rooftops stayed white, the pavements a little white. Cycling into work I managed to fall, of course, when I had to use the brakes just as I had to turn a corner and I had to give way to another cyclist. No damage, I just got my trousers wet falling in the snow.

Cycling back home tonight was okay, fortunately. We had our office Christmas party, and so I cycled home with a bottle of champagne in my bag. Not a good time to fall.

Zita

The day after Zita in Paradiso. I saw Zita Swoon a few years ago in Paradiso and was very impressed. I like the music and Stef Kamil Carlens has great presence and charisma. He moves into the music, and moves with the music. There is so much energy on stage.

The rhythms can be hypnotic.

Last night's concert had great variety. It started with Stef Kamil on his own, playing some quieter songs with just the guitar. Then the girls came on stage and gradually the whole band came on. He had some guests joining in as well. First the Dutch singer songwriter Spinvis, who told a Christmas story, and sang a song, interwoven with "I Feel Alive In the City". I wasn't too sure about this at first, I have mixed feelings about Spinvis, but this worked very well.

Then one of the highlights of the evening when two members of dEUS, Stef Kamil's former band came up on stage, Tom Barman and violin player Klaas Janzoons. They played an old dEUS song as well as a Velvet Underground song. I never saw the old dEUS on stage, and very much enjoyed this little reunion.

The show looked good again, with Stef Kamil in bright red and yellow.

Winter?

The rooftops are white, I wore gloves cycling into work this morning, and there was some salt on the Skinny Bridge. Is it going to be winter here after all?