I would like to wish 'Good Luck and Break a leg!' to the entire cast and crew of Abergavenny Pantomime Company's production of Rumpelstiltskin at Abergavenny Borough Theatre this week....( first night Monday 24 February: Monday 24th February to Saturday 1st March 2014 Borough Theatre, Abergavenny After our very successful production of Aladdin, we have decided to perform something slightly different, a pantomime which APC have never performed before. “Rumpelstilskin promises to be APC’s Pantomime's finest production ever! Ruby, a poor miller’s daughter, is forced to spin straw into gold when her drunken father boasts that she can. Help comes from an unexpected source in the shape of a menacing and crafty gnome, but at a very high price. To purchase your tickets phone the Borough Theatre Box Office on (01873) 850505. Guaranteed to delight the whole family with all the stunning sets, glittering costumes, wonderful songs and dazzling dancing that audiences have come to expect, topped off with plenty of laughter courtesy of the cast and chorus of Abergavenny Pantomime Company.
I have to own up to a slight bias as this production will mark the first stage appearances of my granddaughter Abi and grandson Jaycob (uncredited but on stage... if well hidden...!). In addition their mother Emily makes a welcome return to tread the boards on the Borough Theatre stage.
Many months of rehearsal will I am sure enable the cast to bring the story to life for the audiences this week.
I am looking forward very much to coming back to Wales to see the show on St David's Day..........Good Luck all.
I had been looking forward to the intriguing Nebraska since I had read Mark Kermode's Guardian review of the film back in December 2013. This was followed by tantalizing snippets which appeared in the trailers here in The Hague. The setup of this 'road movie' made it number 2 on my 'must see' list for 2014. Bruce Dern has for me been one of those fringe actors who has never been a favourite of mine has been 'off the radar' for some time.However Dern along with the rest of the cast were given a dream of a script by writer Bob Nelson and director Alexander Payne..... From the opening image of
a lonely old man trudging along the side of the highway, eventually 'pulled over' by the local police, sets the scene for this finely judged movie.
What a script.....it makes a masterpiece of pauses and short well observed 'one liners' and gives Dern a wonderful deadpan delivery that suits the character of 'Woody' like a glove.
We soon realize the futility of Woody Grant's obsession, as we are introduced to his close family, sons David and Ross and his wonderful wife Kate ( brilliantly observed by June Squibb) who has put up with Grant's madcap idea of claiming his $1million lottery win for too long. The family (an ordinary family) is revealed to us as we travel with Woody and David...from Montana to Nebraska
We meet Woody's siblings and their wider families, watch out for Bart and Cole. There is one great shot where brothers and sons are all sitting in the lounge watching 'the game' the image will long stay in the memory.
We are shown that Woody is a flawed 'Everyman' having been an alcoholic and failed business man, but we warm to our hero as he doggedly pursues his dream. We are introduced to Ed Pegram (Stacy Keach) the ex business partner who along with some family members wants his 'due reward' . We learn of how Kate and Woody got together in such a humorous way, it appears that Woody was quite the catch back in the day.
The pace of the film meanders along towards the final act, where Woody now resigned to the fact that he will not be winning the much sought after prize is given a touching gift by David which allows Woody to get the last laugh.....
I return to the triumph of the script, it is superb.... one of my favourite episodes occurs when the sons determine to reacquire a compressor given to Ed Pegram back in the 1980's. The boys mistakenly enter a barn that they assume belongs to Pegram and return carrying a compressor. Woody states is not his after the boys have struggled to place the compressor into the back of the car...the following dialogue is delivered in a matter of fact way: David Grant: Dad, why didn't you tell us that wasn't Ed's house? Woody Grant: I didn't know what the hell you were doing. Ross Grant: Have you ever seen us steal machinery before? Woody Grant: I never know what you boys are up to.
Ross Grant: Why didn't you say it wasn't yours? Woody Grant: I thought you wanted it. Ross Grant: What would we want an old compressor for? Woody Grant: That's what I couldn't figure out.
Better yet, on returning the compressor they spot the real owners returning... this gives Squibb some of her best lines.
As you may surmise I enjoyed this experience, the film is a triumph and is on my list of 'must see again' movies along with Inside Llewyn Davis and Captain Phillips. It gets a thumbs up and 8 out of 10 from this reviewer. Don't just take my words of praise for Nebraska take a look at what Catherine Shoard has to say http://www.theguardian.com/film/video/2014/feb/24/nebraska-should-win-best-picture-oscar-video.
12 Years a Slave opened in Pathe Cinemas around The Netherlands this week. Steve O'Regan and myself visited the favoured Pathe Buitenhof on Thursday evening this week for our viewing pleasure. Steve McQueen's powerful film which retells the story of the deception of Solomon Northup which saw him sold into slavery by a pair of unscrupulous men, pulls no punches.
The brutality and despair experienced by those who found themselves ripped from their families and transported as slave labour to the cotton and sugar cane plantations of the Southern States, is shown with very little sentiment.... striking was the fear engendered in the slaves which showed them pointedly ignoring those who were being tortured or left to die by their owners...often having to leave them to die and carry on with their lives seemingly not noticing the scene before them.
One of my minor quibbles with the production is that on occasion scenes are held for too long. I realise that the long scene where Solomon's face expresses the absolute despair felt was extended for effect.... it did linger for too long, I would have preferred it to have drawn away leaving Solomon alone in the landscape. There were other scenes which would have benefited from a tighter editing.
The performances however were however memorable. Chewetel Echiofor puts in the performance of his career so far as his emotions run from the joy of life with his 'free' family, to the depths as he realises that he should have assisted Patsey in her wish to die with dignity.
Patsey is played with tremendous empathy by the newcomer Lupita Nyong'o who has been rightfully identified as a 'best newcomer' at awards cermonies. Micheal Fassbender portryal of the hard drinking, violent, and power crazed plantation owner Edwin Epps, is a triumph, as is Sarah Paulson as Mistress Epps. Paulson shines a more stark and honest light onto the 'southern belle'. So often shown in films from the 1950's and 60's as polite refined and cultured ladies who 'civilize' their oft brutal plantation owner husbands.
Mistress Epps is brutalised by her husbands predilections, this leads her character to bristle with malevolence towards slave girl Patsey and others.... you would not want to get on the wrong side of either of the Epp's.
Other supporting character roles ably support the story, Paul Dano, Benedict Cumberbatch and Alfre Woodard exhibit great presence on the big screen. Brad Pitt's character is required to enable the end of Solomon's story, however unusually for Pitt he doesn't seem to find the mood of the film, he appears somehow too knowing and on the 'outside' of the drama.
Even with its shortcomings which include probably being 20-30 minutes too long (134 minutes!).... and the over use of lingering shots, I can forgive McQueen and the cast... the story is powerful and did leave a lasting impression on this cinema-goer.
I would give 12 Years a Slave 9 out of 10.
I was looking forward to the UK Film BAFTA awards ceremony last night. The show is overseen by the 'national treasure' Stephen Fry. Sadly it is quickly becoming as safe and welcome as a comfy pair of your favourite old slippers.
The show has become slick now that it is 'on the circuit' just ahead of The Oscars......In seeking industry approval the BAFTA's has in my opinion lost its edge and bite. I would put this down to the format which is yawn inducing - a parade of the cinematic 'great and good' roll up to deliver an increasingly short introduction to each montage of nominees. Mr F oversees the whole thing much like your favourite cuddly uncle....the ceremony has become tedious.
Another element that I find part of this is the 'downgrading' of the perceived less important categories which appear at the end of the televised main event. These awards are those which surely give an awards ceremony it's unique appeal.....I wanted more on the best animation, best foreign film, best documentary and other categories. By the end of the evening we had seen large chunks of the main contenders which shared the major categories in a great piece of free(ish) publicity.
It was good the see the best newcomer category.
I also felt for the excellent UK film The Selfish Giant whose lead actors in their teens had never acted on film before. It was up against the huge global super brands....Gravity, 12 Years a Slave et al. It really should have been in a category where it could have shone amongst its true peers.
Then there were the obituaries.....I realise that this cannot show everyone, however some major players were overlooked ....James Gandolfini, Mel Smith and the excellent Roger Lloyd Pack for example.
While it is unlikely that the BAFTA format will change.... the film industry and BBC appear happy with the status quo. I will certainly think twice before joining the back slapping event next year....the upcoming Oscars show that the billion dollar film moguls will edit the show very much in the way 'the studios' used to do in the 40's and 50's ..........please BAFTA think again, the cream will come to the top, but let's see the real heart and upcoming talent.....
A new week in film began on Monday 10th February with yet another subterranean encounter with my 50+ friends at the Pathe Cinema Buitenhof. On offer this week was Mr Morgan's Last Love ( also known as Last Love)... warning plot spoilers lurk here....
Michael Caine is Mr Morgan, a retired and recently widowed Philosophy Professor now living on his own in the Paris apartment that his wife selected and loved. Mr Morgan struggles now that he does not have his wife to translate for him. He does however live in a 'between world' where he still sees his wife at many points during each day.... while sat on a park bench, or in bed at night.
Mr Morgan encounters Pauline Laubie ( Poésy) when surprised by his bus stopping more quickly than he was expecting. Pauline is a Parisian dance instructor, the twinkle in her eye is met by the same in Caine's ( he still has it... of course). What then unfolds is a growing friendship between the pair.... we really have been here before in other similar films of the genre. The added layer is that both Morgan and Laubie are prickly individuals not easy to get to know - each is withholding elements of their lives..... we have seen this before also. In Morgan's case the frosty exterior unfolds after he attempts to join his late wife, ending in hospital. His grown children arrive and further exhibit the traits of a family that has been fractured by misunderstandings brought on by things unsaid in the past. The ill adjusted offspring of course are not happy with the growing attachment between their father and the young Parisian..... long story short.....the son does eventually warm to Pauline.... this appears to give Mr Morgan to completion he requires. The story begins quite slowly and with a little suspension of disbelief works. However following the hospitalization and the introduction of the awkward offspring the story telling begins to unravel for me. The director appears to believe that this can be overcome by moving the characters from set to set - Paris - a family house in Dinard, back to Paris to the apartment....back to Dinard...to a hotel room .... STOP!
Sadly for me the need to show the audience the ending literally spoils what could I believe be a cleaner and tidier ending.
The leads and supports try their best with the script which does let them down...and for me this gives Mr Morgan a score of 6.5 out of 10 for me
Friday 14th February - The Monuments Men - Pathe Buitenhof
Based on the true story which unfolded as the Second World War in Europe drew to its close. It became obvious that the Nazi's had plundered much of the art that had been in private collections at the outbreak of war. Much of this looted from Jewish families as they were consigned to their doom in 'the camps'. Hitler and his acolytes destroyed well known works that were considered degenerate work. Many of his top generals took work into their own private collections, Hitler himself had a plan to create the 3rd Reich Art Museum in Linz.....and to this end many unique works were looted and hidden away in mineral mines in Germany.
The fear was that as the Nazi's drew back to their homeland that they would destroy all that had been hidden. Enter the Monuments Men, a group of middle aged art experts tasked with identifying works and ensuring their return to the places from which they had been taken.....
George Clooney's film was shot deliberately as an homage to the WW2 films of the 60's and 70's ( The Guns of Navarone amongst others)...and is termed a 'Heist!' It begins as The Magnificent Seven.... Clooney even alludes to this as he recruits Matt Damone's character, it continues in the same manner. The shame is that this film could have been played as a period docudrama such as the excellent Argo - unfortunately this appears to be Clooney's Ocean's Eleven - prequel! As such it does a dis-service to the original team of Monuments Men.....
The real monuments men are discussed in the following academic video which I would recommend viewing...
As for the Monuments Men.... it has the feel of a Period Ocean's Eleven and this I cannot get out of my mind.... thus I would give the film a 5 out of 10 .... it could and should have been so much better!
It was a windy afternoon in the city and I was at somewhat of a loose end... when I chanced upon CWACOM2..3D. The normally reliable Pathe Cinema had a minor meltdown on Saturday afternoon in Screen 2 at Spui. No sooner was the audience of expectant children, parents and others requested to don 3D glasses than the system failed - the glasses had no effect everything was still blurry.....when we regained vision...the audio failed. The result was that was were treated to the opening 5 minutes of the film twice. I feared that this was to herald a film that I could have escaped if the presentation had failed.
However what unfolded was a mad 95 minute fun fest. The story which was of course 'unbelievable' was sprinkled liberally with one liners and visual jokes for the whole audience.to laugh at.. the script really goes for it, setting its stall out to force you into submission by its very 'upbeatness'.... if that is a word? The amazing creatures that we meat ( not a spelling mistake!)... the Tacodile, Shrimpanzees to name but a few! The visual jokes were a 'piece of cake'..... yup literally a piece of cake.
I was glad that Pathe eventually got the presentation right as were we all....
The film will work for all the family.....I give it a 7.5 out of 10
A very interesting trio of films you will agree with for me unexpected results. I am now off to enjoy the 2014 BAFTA's cheering on Captain Phillips, The Selfish Giant, American Hustle and Gravity.....and of course Inside Llewyn Davis.... I have yet to see 12 Years a Slave and Nebraska and as a result cannot comment yet.
If you find yourself in Amsterdam, I would recommend that instead of following the tourists out of Centraal Station into the city, that you strike off in the opposite direction and take the GVB ferry (free of course) across to The Eye...
The Eye Cinema is one of the modern gems of the city and as such shows an eclectic mix of film genres. On Saturday 11th January I took myself up to the busy city to watch an intriguing film by the Coen Brothers.....
The first thing that strikes you is the music as we are introduced to the unlucky musician/merchant seaman Llewyn Davis and his life in Greenwich Village in the early 60's.
We proceed to spend a week in his company as he moves around the city playing in dingy clubs and sleeping in friends apartments by night. He has a great deal of emotional baggage, but very little in the way of possessions....unless we count the cat?
Llewyn is the remaining member of a moderately successful duo, his partner having recently committed suicide. Our hero becomes the guardian of a friend's cat following its escape from the apartment where he has couch surfed the night before....The characters are well observed with stars Justin Timberlake, Carey Mulligan and John Goodman take supporting roles in the life of our
eponymous hero played in a low key style by Oscar Isaac.
I believe this film to be a gem, the look and feel of Greenwich Village and the folk scene of the early 1960's is very well observed and the acting is very well observed and sharply focused.
For me the music is the driving thread through the movie. Of the films that I have seen in 2014 it is the one I simply must see at least one more time. It is a film where I feel sure that if I see it again I will find out things that I missed first time around. This may be wishful thinking however it is how I feel. For a film where there are no dramatic cars chases or 3D sets this is quite a feat, but there it is.... Inside Llewyn Davis 9 out of 10 from me.... I would readily accept the soundtrack as a gift also :-)
I wonder where to begin with The Legend of Hercules?
My friend Steve who has accompanied me to many a 3D blockbuster over the past three years, has oft' stated that these films have millions spent on 3D and effects while having about €30 spent on the script.
Watch the trailer http://www.imdb.com/rg/s/4/title/tt1043726/?ref_=ext_shr_eml_vi#lb-vi1028958233
This comment cannot be levelled at The Legend of Hercules - I would conjecture that not much was spent on either script or effects! This is most obvious in the crowd scenes which when rendered in 3D look like computer generated images where the setting looks like small models. The scriptwriters seem determined to prove that volume and shouting even in confined spaces adds value and quality. This is best shown as we reach the fateful wedding of the dark haired (Richard III like) often scowling older prince to Hebe, the major characters shout their threats like children in the playground.
I also wonder why today's directors of 3D films seem to require debris (is it blossom or snow?) t be floating about, as if to identify its 3Dness.
We then come to the costumes....poor Kellen Lutz appears to have been left out of most of the costume discussions as he is forced much of the time to be unclothed to the waist....it iis fortuitous that he has spent many months in the gym ensuring that he accurately portray the physique of the great Hercules!
I have to admit that I was aware from the trailer that this film was not going to be a classic. I guess the saving grace is that no great actors were tempted to turn up 'for the money' and have their reputations tarnished by association with the film. This will sadly also be th film's downfall I fear. It has been proven that with a few 'A graders' on board even a turkey can make its money back.
I had to pay €2 of my money to attend this film.....I cannot fully regret this as I was inside out of the wind for 90 minutes ....it may have been better to have visited a local cafe to achieve the same effect. I would recommend the latter if you have the option. This film I would rank at 5 out of 10 this largely for the 3D arrows which gave a pleasing effect....
As in other European countries here in The Netherlands the Pathe Cinema chain runs an 'Unlimited Card' system. For the sum of 19 Euros (around £16.20) per month I can use my Unlimited Card to visit the cinema as many times as I like at no cost,. I do pay extra for 3D films... Had I selected Pathe's 'Unlimited Gold' card for 26 Euros per month I would also be able to attend 3D and 3D iMax films free.
I have had my card since December 2012 this has enabled me to see 72 films over the 12 months to December 2013. Obviously quality does not always go hand in hand with quantity.... I have seen some 'turkeys'....The Internship was about the worst! However I do try to be discerning and there are some films that I wouldn't countenance going to see, even free .... The Wolf of Wall Street however high its rating is one of these.
In addition to having 3 Pathe Multiplex Cinemas in The Hague we also are lucky to have an art-house cinema - The Filmhuis (The Film House) - this is great for those films which are not going to be blockbusters...
Not far away in Amsterdam and Rotterdam there are also great art-house cinemas.
Films seen 1-8 February 2014
Saturday 1st February - The Selfish Giant (2013 - dir Clio Barnard) at Filmhuis Den Haag
A strikingly human film. Very reminiscent of the gritty naturalistic UK films and TV dramas from the 1960's and 1970's such as Ken Loach's Kes and Poor Cow.
The performances of the young lead actors is very honest and believable. Their interaction with the adults that they come into contact with are well observed. The film itself struck a cord with me, as it brought back memories of a particular former pupil of mine who was very like 'Arbor'.... one of those kids that you suspect will either become a millionaire from living off his wits or will end his days in and out of prison.
The environs of the council estate were Arbor and Swifty live is brought to life vividly without any sentimentality. The denouement is shocking if not a surprise as the set up is predictable, if anything this is the Achilles heel of the film. It does not detract from the acting or atmosphere however.
I am full of praise for Clio Barnard and the cast and would recommend this film scoring it at a creditable 8.5 out of 10.
I can't say that I have always been a fan of Jeremy Irons he does on occasions choose films which offer that little bit extra. The premise for the film requires one to suspend disbelief from the outset. A chance encounter on a bridge with a mysterious stranger leads the single, chess playing Classical Languages teacher to simply leave on the train which gives the film its title. Irons simply leaves his class and Switzerland where he lives with no luggage.... surprisingly he must have his passport with him! On arrival he seems with a small degree of research to uncover an intriguing and tragic story from the Portuguese civil war. There are interesting cameos from Tom Courtney, Christopher Lee and Bruno Ganz.
If you are able to put up with the issues that I have alluded to above, you will find the settings and acting handled skillfully with Irons himself bringing the professor to life with great skill.
My personal score would be 8.0 out of 10
Friday 7th February - American Hustle - Pathe Spuimarkt
I was concerned by reviews which portrayed American Hustle to be ultimately a film about wigs! Having seen Parkland the previous week, where the world changing effects of Dallas Texas on November 22, 1963 are well recreated for a film which ultimately is disappointing as it does not seem to go anywhere or discover anything other than the lives of those involved with the story on the day. I am happy to report that this film is more than a film about wigs in my opinion.
Yes it does try its best to evoke the 1970's which it does well. For me the standout performances in the film come from the ladies in the cast - Amy Adams who portrays the vulnerability and drive of her character convincingly. While Jennifer Lawrence shows her acting versatility as the ' wronged wife' in a fine display of bravado. I can see why Adams has been elevated to an Oscar nomination - I for one believe that this deserved.
Bale, Cooper, Renner and the uncredited but menacing De Niro ably support the girls. Cooper being the least convincing of the whole cast for me. The story is somewhat thin, and could leave the experience empty I think that the cast ultimately raise this above films such as Parkland....
From my 2013 statistics my favourite cinema is Pathe Buitenhof
In planning my visit to Westduin, I came across the Dutch War Grave information regarding the Stijkelgroep.
The leader of the group was one Johan Aarldrik Stijkel,( also known asDr Eerland de Vries) he was born in Rotterdam in 1911
Stijkel in a letter to his father from prison stated that he saw it as his duty to work against the German occupation forces.
The group's aim was to gather intelligence on the German's movements around Holland and pass this back to England - as an example the group transmitted data on positions around IJmuiden, anchorages of seaplanes in Rotterdam and ammunition depots.
This was risky work and the group which numbered around 80 brave souls were inexperienced in espionage, as a result sadly made some basic errors which risked their safety. Major amongst these was allowing themselves to be infiltrated a collaborator called Anton_van_der_Waals (executed following a trial in The Hague in 1950), van der Vaals was known as the worst traitor active in The Netherlands during the war having given information ensuring the deaths of many from the Dutch resistance.
The group were eventually trapped during a botched attempt to secretly sail out of the harbour in Scheveningen and rendezvous at sea with a British submarine on the evening of 2 April 1941. Having been betrayed they were unaware that the German's had blocked the harbour and arranged for their arrest onboard the fishing boat KW133 "Eendracht".
Stijkel attempted to escape however he and two other members of the group were arrested and taken to prison nearby in the notorious 'Oranjehotel'. Over the following weeks othermembers of the groupwere arrested an brought to the prison. The unusual thing was what happened next. The usual way in which traitors were treated by the Nazi's was to execute them publicly in their country in order to subdue the population. This group however were treated differently. On 26 March 1942 the group were transferred to a Berlin prison to await trial.
The trial was held in secret beginning in September 1942, on 26 September the verdict was delivered on the 39 - 32 were sentenced to death and 6 spared death to be sent to 'the camps'... one of the group died in prison. Efforts were made by the Dutch authorities through the Swedish Embassy in Berlin for clemency and also to use the group in a swap for German spies held in the west. All of these attempts failed and on 4th June 1942 at Tegel Berlin,the group beginning with Stijkel himself were executed at 5 minute intervals. The burial was in what was eventually to become the Russian sector of Berlin and in 1947 the group were repatriated to The Netherlands. A memorial service was held at the Grote Kerk in The Hague on 1 August 1947.
Coffins containing the group were then taken through the city to Westduin for internment.
Following our visit to the Australian War Memorial back in November 2013. I was struck by the way in which every day one of the Australian fallen in all wars are publicly commemorated during a solemn and moving service completed by the playing of the Last Post.
Australia War Memorial Canberra
On my return I have been researching British and Commonwealth War Graves from the Second World War in The Netherlands. My plan at some point in 2014 is to visit to Nijmegen.
I should not have been surprised really to find that I have a war graves cemetery very close by. In fact less than 10 minutes walk away from my apartment. This is the Westduin Cemetery, today I took the short walk to the cemetery to pay my respects.
The Westduin Cemetery links back to Australia as there are representatives from the colonial forces buried here in addition to British servicemen.
Westduin Commonwealth Cemetery
The majority of the graves are of aircrew, often the 5 man crew of a bomber who perished together as comrades in arms.
Buried here are 87 casualties - 70 of whom are identified, amongst there are 6 Canadians, 5 Australians and 1 Czech.
There is of course a story behind every gravestone, one of which was 561257 Sgt Victor Spurr, 40 Sqn. RAF who perished with all of the crew when their Bristol Blenheim IV was shot down on 10 May 1940 returning from a bombing run on Ypenburg aerodrome in the Hague. The Blenheim stood little chance against the well armed Messerschmidt 109's which harassed them constantly.
Blenheim IV
The was pilot Sgt Thomas Downes and his crew who flew in a Handley Page Hampden for Bomber Command. Their plane came down in poor weather off the coast of The Netherlands on 12 February 1942 following an unsuccessful attack on the two German ships the Scharnhorst and Gneisenau.
In my researches about Westduin I discovered another story which will form my next post. This is because the cemetery also has a significant Dutch War Grave where 47 members of a Dutch resistance group called The Stijkelgroep are buried. 33 members of the group were executed by the Germans in Berlin on 4th June 1943.
My third anniversary of living in The Netherlands has now passed, as has my 6th anniversary out of the classroom working for the IB. Both seemed to cross my path without fanfare or trumpets.
Anniversaries such as this often prompt people to consider a number of things including the future. Working in an office setting it soon becomes apparent that there is a 'sweet time' to be in a job.
While it is still providing a challenging but providing job satisfaction after a period of say ...... 6 years. At around this time it may be wise to consider the possibility of a new challenge?
A new challenge in educational technology, perhaps closer to but not necessarily in the classroom. When one has perhaps a deal of practical experience, and one might actually be missing the daily challenge of a school.....in an international setting.
Apologies for this rambling thought..dear reader... too much time alone to think can cause the mind to wander off on flights of fancy.......who can foretell the future?
Not this small slightly greying 50 something Welsh dragon for sure..... if anyone wishes to read my palm, I would be interested :-)
The world seemed very small in my home town of Newbridge around 1960 when I suspect this picture was taken.....has his view changed......what do you think?
In my head it was only yesterday that I set out with a one way air ticket from Cardiff Airport to The Netherlands. About to embark on a new chapter, living in a new country.
That was in January 2011..... 3 years ago!
As with all changes this one has not been without its difficulties and hardships requiring compromises, however I would still maintain that it was the right move to take.
It has given me not only the opportunity to view the UK from a different perspective. It has also enabled me to view up close the workings and mindset of my adopted country The Netherlands (not to be confused with Holland).
Regarding the UK, there are things such a the etiquette around queuing that can engender stress. With distance these often become endearing qualities.....the Dutch can spell queue, however have no idea on the definition of the word and as such are freed of all social constraints.
What can I say about life here in the Low Countries? The Dutch have a reputation for being direct, which is true this can take incomers by surprise at first, however it is an admirable trait as it removes any possible misunderstanding.....and saves time.
As a trading race, they are also tolerant and welcoming of others.....with an eye on the deal of course! The Dutch have many sayings, one that I like is that all visitors arrive as strangers, but leave as friends. This is very true, I have found The Dutch to be friendly particularly if you make an effort.
As I embark on my fourth year away from home I feel as Welsh as I ever have, Ddraig Goch remains intact. I think that I also have a wider focus that comes from the added perspective having had the chance to view the world through a different lens.
The small boy playing in his garden - my dad still has the shed - had little idea of how the world was going to change in his lifetime.
Who knows what the future may bring....whatever it is embrace it.
I wish you the New Year that you would wish for yourself....
One of the highlights of the late summer in The Hague is the 'Jazz in de Gracht' festival, now in its 9th year.
The weather was good enough this year for the crowds to chill along the canal dipping into some fine places to eat and drink along the way.
One of the highlights of the evening were Blood, Sweat and Kiers who encouraged the crowds to join in with their unrelenting rhythm and the sax sounds of Wouter Kiers.
This autumn rolls on the the forthcoming MuseumNight in The Hague next Saturday 7th September. This is the second jewel in the city.
This is the night when many of the museums and hotels in the city throw open their doors until the early hours of Sunday morning. There will be transport between venues for those note brave enough to cycle...
The Hague - city of Peace.
September will also this year see the Peace Palace celebrating the centenary of its presence in the city.
The story of the Red Dragon
The tale of two dragons (one, red and one white), is related to a story that first appears in the 9th Century 'Historia Brittonum'.
The Historia contain a narrative in which the tyrant Vortigern (5th-century British warlord) attempts to build a citadel, but the structure collapses repeatedly. His wise men tell him he must sacrifice a boy born without a father on the spot to alleviate the curse.
Vortigern finally finds such a boy, Emrys (Ambrosius Aurelianus), identified with Merlin in later versions), but Emrys reveals the real reason for the collapsing towers: two dragons, one red and one white, representing the Britons and the Saxons specifically, are buried beneath the foundation.
This story was later adapted by Geoffrey of Monmouth, and thence appears in the Brut y Brenhinedd. Thus, Lludd supplies an origin for the dragons in the Vortigern story.
I recently posted on the funding and launch of OUYA the new Android based Games console that was funded by the power of the Cloud by Kickstarter a US based company which invites potential investors to make a contribution to new and innovative project.
This form of crowd-funding in 'the cloud' for projects has certainly proved successful for many including OUYA which as you will see below has been able to secure the second highest capitol investment since 2009 when Kickstarter began, having raised $8,596,474 from 63,416 individual investors.
As with any innovation there are always those who wish to use systems either fraudulently for personal gain. This has caused projects to be removed by the crowd-funding companies as soon as there was clear evidence of wrongdoing. In the US and other jurisdictions there are copyright and other legal challenges to crowd-funded projects, however it is not unknown for large corporations to be in dispute with each other.
I would say that on balance bringing those seeking funding with an audience who are inclined to offer such support seems to be a good use of new technology and the power of the web.
First on the scene back in 2001 was ArtistShare which began as a fan sourcing site enabling artists
to fund their recordings using their fans support - the result has been truly inspiring as you can see from the awards won by ArtistShare funded recordings:
47th Annual Grammy Awards– 2005 Winner: Best Large Jazz Ensemble Album Maria Schneider - Concert In the Garden,
Nominee:
Best Jazz Instrumental Solo Maria Schneider "Bulería, Solea y Rumba" --
Donny McCaslin, soloist (track from "Concert in the Garden”)
Nominee: Best Instrumental Composition "Bulería, Solea y Rumba" -- Maria Schneider
48th Annual Grammy Awards– 2006 Winner: Best Instrumental Composition “Into The Light” Billy Childs
Nominee: Best Instrumental Jazz Album “Lyric”
Nominee: Best Instrumental Arrangement Billy Childs, arranger
Nominee: Best Comedy Album The Agoraphobic Cowboy, Rick Moranis
49th Annual Grammy Awards– 2007 Winner: Best Latin Jazz Album Brian Lynch/Eddie Palmieri - Simpatico
Nominee: Best Large jazz Ensemble Album Bob Brookmeyer - Spirit Music
50th Annual Grammy Awards– 2008 Winner: Best Instrumental Composition Maria Schneider - “Cerulean Skies”
Nominee: Best Large Jazz Ensemble Album - Maria Schneider “Sky Blue”
52nd Annual Grammy Awards– 2010
Nominee: Best Jazz Instrumental Album - The Clayton Brothers - "Brother to Brother"
Nominee: Best Latin Jazz Recording - Geoffrey Keezer - "Aurea"
53rd Annual Grammy Awards– 2011 Winner: Best Instrumental composition - The Path Among The Trees -Billy Childs
Nominee: Best Jazz Instrumental Recording, Individual or Group - The Clayton Brothers - "New Song And Dance"
Nominee: Gerald Clayton Best Instrumental Composition - Battle Circle - The Clayton Brothers - "New Song And Dance"
Nominee: Best Large Jazz Ensemble Recording The Path Among The Trees
Nominee: Best Instrumental Composition - Patrick Williams - Aurora
Nominee: Best Instrumental Arrangement - "Fanfare For A New Day"
- Patrick Williams - Aurora
12th Annual Latin Grammy Awards– 2012
Nominee: Best MPB (Música Popular Brasileira) Album - Yeahwon - Yeahwon
Other nominees in this category were Caetano Veloso, Milton Nascimento, Djavan and Mônica Salmaso.
55th Annual Grammy Awards– 2013 Winner: Best Instrumental Arrangement - Gil Evans "How About You"
Nominee: Best Large Jazz Ensemble Recording The Gil Evans Project: Centennial
Nominee: Best Arrangement Featuring A Vocalist(s)- Gil Evans "Look to the Rainbow" - featuring Luciana Souza
Using the power of small investors to coalesce around a project in order to fund it is not new and indeed there are many examples perhaps one of the best being the funding of the Statue of Liberty in 1886. The web allows this idea to span the globe, allowing many more individuals to be involved.
The invitation above was sent those well respected TechCrunch guys and others in the IT community on Thursday 28 March prompting fevered speculation over what is to be revealed this week?
Debate has raged over the past few years over rumours that Facebook will eventually launch 'Facebook Android Handset'.
The TechCrunch article has followed up some pretty reliable leads which suggest that there is a link up between Facebook and HTC that will see the debate finally answered this Thursday.....we wait in hope.
Today saw the launch of the OUYA games console, shipped today to its supporters. The development of the new device was crowdfunded by Kickstarter ( Ouya attracted over $8m (£5.3m) in funding from 63,416 backers).
OUYA uses Google Android technology and the open design will allow games developers to more easily design new games products for the device as OUYA say 'Developers can wave farewell to the roadblocks of bringing a console
game to market. Anyone can make a game: every OUYA console is a dev kit.
No need to purchase a license or an expensive SDK. It's built on
Android, so developers already know how it works.'
The market for games consoles is of course a small pond containing some pretty large, carnivorous competition, however I hope that a company which sends the following message to hackers and mashers has the necessary support and business acumen to survive and thrive -
'Hackers welcome.
Have at it: It's easy to root (and rooting won't void your
warranty). Everything opens with standard screws. Hardware hackers can
create their own peripherals, and connect via USB or Bluetooth. You want
our hardware design? Let us know. We might just give it to you.
Surprise us!'
So all you gamers out there, your help is required........
'All we need is you.
With your help, we need to:
Convert our prototype to production-ready models and get all the regulatory approvals (yeah, we need these to sell them)
Deliver developer kits (for early developers so we can have games on
day one, though every console will include an SDK once we launch)
Place our first production orders (we are working with a
manufacturing firm with lots of game hardware experience, but we need to
know how many to make!)
Ideally, fund some initial game development (i.e., 1st-party games)
And if you’re international, we want your help too…gaming is global, and we will
get you OUYA. We still have a lot to figure out in regards to rights
and countries, but it can be done. Look what we've accomplished
already!'
Show the world, through your numbers, that you're out there.
'The Passion of Christ' was broadcast throughout The Netherlands from The Hague on Thursday 28 March(Donderdag 28 Maart).
Taking in many of the main sights of the 'City of Peace' and including musical spectacular plus the carrying of the cross into the city centre, the event was broadcast on the main national channel NOS1 (previously Netherlands 1).
The story moved from 'The Plein' where the last supper was staged, to the rail tracks where Judas struggled with his decision to give up Jesus to the authorities. Onward to Scheveningen Pier standing in for the Garden of Gethsemane where Jesus was given up to the authorities.
Back at the Hofvijver ( the lake in front of the Dutch Parliament) where Mary was in full flow. Jesus eventually brought to the Hofvijver for his meeting with Pontius Pilot and eventual Crucifixion. The spectacle ended with Jesus appearing to everyone walking across the Hofvijver.
While the action was taking place the giant white Cross was making its way past The Peace Palace via Plein 1813, Noordeinde Palace to The Hofvijver for the finale.
This really was a good start to Easter in the city.
