A five minute walk south leads you to this.
ya wow.
View from the window.
bing!
More later once we get the house all perdy.
Friday, November 7, 2008
So......Prague!
So I am finally here in Prague. Me and Marketa have been doing the moving game for about 2 weeks now, and things are just about settled down. We like it here. Our house is in Prague 6,a little north and a smidge west of the center of town. We've been here since the 2nd, and I haven't even been to the city yet. I need to get off my ass and check it out (pun omitted intentionally).
A five minute walk south leads you to this.
ya wow.
View from the window.
bing!
More later once we get the house all perdy.
A five minute walk south leads you to this.
ya wow.
View from the window.
bing!
More later once we get the house all perdy.
Wednesday, June 25, 2008
gat damn
Ok Ok.
It's been stupid long since my last post. Partly because I'm lazy and partly because... well no it's only because I'm lazy.
Man lots has happened since October. In fact I'm pretty sure October was a different life time. Well I'll lay it out numerically.
1. I ended the internship at PHX in February and ended up remaining in Holland due to event #2.
2. I got a girlfriend. Her name is Marketa and she was/is the lead designer at PHX. It was a classic scenario of forbidden office romance.
3. I started and have now ended a second internship at a company called LAVA. It was a fantastic experience where I got to work next to inspiring design talent on great projects. I learned an incredible amount in my short stay there. I told them I would be back someday. I meant it.
4. Now I am back in the mirage inducing heat of Texas. I'll be here for a little under 2 months.
So far this trip home has been really nice. It feels like the reply to the past years experience. Like my perspective widens every time I move between cultures. I really wish I could have brought Marketa with me this time, but it didn't work out this time.
I put together this video of the landscape around where my parents live. I never realized how pretty it actually is until I had been away for a year. My intention with the video was to create the feeling of the place.
Last weekend I went to my grand parents ranch near Gainesville which is north of Dallas. It's great out there. I had been there a lot as a kid but never really learned to appreciate it. Living in closely packed Holland has taught me the preciousness of space.
This place is called the Triangle D Ranch because it is owned by 3 doctors, including my father, my uncle and my grand father. My father and other uncle have recently bought my grandpa's share of the Cole Ranch which is located further north and is almost 2 times the size of Triangle D. I don't have any idea where the fences are there, but I did shoot some video which I'll post up soon.
Make it biggerer
This map isn't very accurate and I'm sure I've misplaced some fence lines, but it's as close as I can muster from memory.
I hope to spend more time there in the Future.
It's been stupid long since my last post. Partly because I'm lazy and partly because... well no it's only because I'm lazy.
Man lots has happened since October. In fact I'm pretty sure October was a different life time. Well I'll lay it out numerically.
1. I ended the internship at PHX in February and ended up remaining in Holland due to event #2.
2. I got a girlfriend. Her name is Marketa and she was/is the lead designer at PHX. It was a classic scenario of forbidden office romance.
3. I started and have now ended a second internship at a company called LAVA. It was a fantastic experience where I got to work next to inspiring design talent on great projects. I learned an incredible amount in my short stay there. I told them I would be back someday. I meant it.
4. Now I am back in the mirage inducing heat of Texas. I'll be here for a little under 2 months.
So far this trip home has been really nice. It feels like the reply to the past years experience. Like my perspective widens every time I move between cultures. I really wish I could have brought Marketa with me this time, but it didn't work out this time.
I put together this video of the landscape around where my parents live. I never realized how pretty it actually is until I had been away for a year. My intention with the video was to create the feeling of the place.
Last weekend I went to my grand parents ranch near Gainesville which is north of Dallas. It's great out there. I had been there a lot as a kid but never really learned to appreciate it. Living in closely packed Holland has taught me the preciousness of space.
This place is called the Triangle D Ranch because it is owned by 3 doctors, including my father, my uncle and my grand father. My father and other uncle have recently bought my grandpa's share of the Cole Ranch which is located further north and is almost 2 times the size of Triangle D. I don't have any idea where the fences are there, but I did shoot some video which I'll post up soon.
Make it biggerer
This map isn't very accurate and I'm sure I've misplaced some fence lines, but it's as close as I can muster from memory.
I hope to spend more time there in the Future.
Sunday, October 14, 2007
adaptation
Ok so I haven't posted in a while. A long while.
well here I am, and to reward you all for your endearing attention I have pictures! The past weeks have been really nice, and I am feeling more at home by the day. Work have been interesting since I am developing and designing the new web presence for the studio, mostly alone. Everyone is very helpful and supportive, so I don't feel too nervous about it, be that a good thing or a bad thing.
The past few weeks have been filled with thinking about the soon approaching future, and when exactly I will be doing in 5 months. Originally my plan was to complete this internship, and then come home and get settled into a job stateside. The longer I am here and the more people I talk to, the more my mind shifts towards wanting to stay longer. There are certainly things I miss about America. I miss mountains, open space, family (although I don't see them much), camping, and most of all, greasy diner food. About 2 weeks ago I had a craving for Colorado. I have spent many winter vacations nestled in the snowy silence of the high mountains, and there is nothing that can compare to that place. I will be seeing it this winter. This short stint of longing is about the only home sickness I can say I have experienced so far. For now my return ticket is February 1st, so I will be returning then. The question is for how long.
Also in the past couple of weeks my social life has been reborn. My feelings about this are neutral. I have thoroughly enjoyed my period of solitude and reflection, but there are positive things about having friends again. One person I hangout with often is a Dutch guy named Joeri. He is a funny, social guy who is always on the move, and spontaneous as hell. I have also been spending more time with Kate, the German flat-mate. We have begun producing music together again, and have discovered a similar interest in spiritual matters.
I love interesting people.
So right now I am leaning towards coming 'home' as a short break between the internship and a job. I think i will line up a few job interviews in December and January, and see if I can find a position that I could start in March. That would give me a month to be home and get my fix in the mountains before returning to Amsterdam. If everything goes according to plan I would love to spend the next 2 or 3 years in The Netherlands. We'll see how I feel about coming home after that.
Now for the pictures
This is one of our biggest clients. I don't they would appreciate this.
I visited the beach near Zandvoort with Wouter and Alesia a few weeks ago. There are some old German bunkers there that the Dutch decided to leave as a reminder of the past. The last one is my own little contribution to history.
well here I am, and to reward you all for your endearing attention I have pictures! The past weeks have been really nice, and I am feeling more at home by the day. Work have been interesting since I am developing and designing the new web presence for the studio, mostly alone. Everyone is very helpful and supportive, so I don't feel too nervous about it, be that a good thing or a bad thing.
The past few weeks have been filled with thinking about the soon approaching future, and when exactly I will be doing in 5 months. Originally my plan was to complete this internship, and then come home and get settled into a job stateside. The longer I am here and the more people I talk to, the more my mind shifts towards wanting to stay longer. There are certainly things I miss about America. I miss mountains, open space, family (although I don't see them much), camping, and most of all, greasy diner food. About 2 weeks ago I had a craving for Colorado. I have spent many winter vacations nestled in the snowy silence of the high mountains, and there is nothing that can compare to that place. I will be seeing it this winter. This short stint of longing is about the only home sickness I can say I have experienced so far. For now my return ticket is February 1st, so I will be returning then. The question is for how long.
Also in the past couple of weeks my social life has been reborn. My feelings about this are neutral. I have thoroughly enjoyed my period of solitude and reflection, but there are positive things about having friends again. One person I hangout with often is a Dutch guy named Joeri. He is a funny, social guy who is always on the move, and spontaneous as hell. I have also been spending more time with Kate, the German flat-mate. We have begun producing music together again, and have discovered a similar interest in spiritual matters.
I love interesting people.
So right now I am leaning towards coming 'home' as a short break between the internship and a job. I think i will line up a few job interviews in December and January, and see if I can find a position that I could start in March. That would give me a month to be home and get my fix in the mountains before returning to Amsterdam. If everything goes according to plan I would love to spend the next 2 or 3 years in The Netherlands. We'll see how I feel about coming home after that.
Now for the pictures
This is one of our biggest clients. I don't they would appreciate this.
I visited the beach near Zandvoort with Wouter and Alesia a few weeks ago. There are some old German bunkers there that the Dutch decided to leave as a reminder of the past. The last one is my own little contribution to history.
Sunday, August 26, 2007
Sorry.....I'm lazy OK....
Well It's been a while since I have written here. Shocking isn't it.
In the time that I have been silent on the interweb a few things have transpired. My good friend Gabriel came to visit me last Wednesday and stayed for about 9 or 10 days. It was good to hang out with him since I have not had the chance to in a while now. We went to a couple of shows and checked out a bunch of really nice record shops around town. Amsterdam is a really nice city. On Friday night me and Gabe sat out on a grassy hill (man-made of course, I don't think there is even a Dutch word for hill) by Museumplein, where several of the bigger museums are. We bought some food from Albert Heijn (a supermarket) and sat out watching people and chatting. The atmosphere in Amsterdam is one of relaxation, or gezellig as the Dutch say. This word is actually on the verge of kitsch here due to it's over use.
On a different note, I am legal now! (see below)
I went for an interview at the IND (immigration) on Thursday and everything went very smoothly.
Kick ass.... My employer even paid for the fees.
Here is the view from my balcony at the neighbor hood below. I think I live in one of the tallest buildings in the area. 15 floors and we're at the top.
Sorry for the crap pictures, my phone is the only thing I have to take pics with at the moment.
Also I recently had a job I worke don produced in the local paper. It's a total cheese newspaper ad, but it's sort of cool to have something produced.
I put the logo on the balloon. hoorrayy for graphics designs!!11!!1
Well kids I have to off now. Cheers.
In the time that I have been silent on the interweb a few things have transpired. My good friend Gabriel came to visit me last Wednesday and stayed for about 9 or 10 days. It was good to hang out with him since I have not had the chance to in a while now. We went to a couple of shows and checked out a bunch of really nice record shops around town. Amsterdam is a really nice city. On Friday night me and Gabe sat out on a grassy hill (man-made of course, I don't think there is even a Dutch word for hill) by Museumplein, where several of the bigger museums are. We bought some food from Albert Heijn (a supermarket) and sat out watching people and chatting. The atmosphere in Amsterdam is one of relaxation, or gezellig as the Dutch say. This word is actually on the verge of kitsch here due to it's over use.
On a different note, I am legal now! (see below)
I went for an interview at the IND (immigration) on Thursday and everything went very smoothly.
Kick ass.... My employer even paid for the fees.
Here is the view from my balcony at the neighbor hood below. I think I live in one of the tallest buildings in the area. 15 floors and we're at the top.
Sorry for the crap pictures, my phone is the only thing I have to take pics with at the moment.
Also I recently had a job I worke don produced in the local paper. It's a total cheese newspaper ad, but it's sort of cool to have something produced.
I put the logo on the balloon. hoorrayy for graphics designs!!11!!1
Well kids I have to off now. Cheers.
Monday, August 13, 2007
First month....
Just to get this started.
Damn I need to learn Dutch.
So the first month is nearly behind me and I have yet to feel the negative effects of leaving home. There are frustrating moments for sure, but thats all they tend to be. Moments. The most frustrating day I have had was due to my not speaking Dutch. There was a big creative session at work for a campaign that I had done some concepting on...in Dutch. I wanted to pitch in, but I think it is much easier for them to hash these things out in their native tongue. It is hard to not feel left out when you have no idea what is going on around you. This is a new concept to me, being that the only other language I grew up hearing was Redneck. A dialect I have fond memories of.
Oh and the Europeans think my honky white trash impression is amazing. Little do they know that people really do drink out of mason jars and deep fry cow balls.
Mmmm...Cow balls.
I also had to explain what cajon food was to the people at work. Funny that is. Try to explain to a Dutchman the proper way to suck a crawdad head....then we'll talk.
On another note, me and the German flat-mate scored some wickedly cheap speakers at a local flea market, and have been making music about 3 or 4 times a week. She has a decent collection of gear, but we tend to just sync up the macs and jam. Amazingly easy and unbelievably fun. We also met an Italian guy via Craigslist and he has been coming over and jamming as well. The end product is always completely odd. Especially since his English is not so good. There is very little control over the sound or style of our output. I love it.
Me and KT are also addicted to this guy.
Do you love it?
Damn I need to learn Dutch.
So the first month is nearly behind me and I have yet to feel the negative effects of leaving home. There are frustrating moments for sure, but thats all they tend to be. Moments. The most frustrating day I have had was due to my not speaking Dutch. There was a big creative session at work for a campaign that I had done some concepting on...in Dutch. I wanted to pitch in, but I think it is much easier for them to hash these things out in their native tongue. It is hard to not feel left out when you have no idea what is going on around you. This is a new concept to me, being that the only other language I grew up hearing was Redneck. A dialect I have fond memories of.
Oh and the Europeans think my honky white trash impression is amazing. Little do they know that people really do drink out of mason jars and deep fry cow balls.
Mmmm...Cow balls.
I also had to explain what cajon food was to the people at work. Funny that is. Try to explain to a Dutchman the proper way to suck a crawdad head....then we'll talk.
On another note, me and the German flat-mate scored some wickedly cheap speakers at a local flea market, and have been making music about 3 or 4 times a week. She has a decent collection of gear, but we tend to just sync up the macs and jam. Amazingly easy and unbelievably fun. We also met an Italian guy via Craigslist and he has been coming over and jamming as well. The end product is always completely odd. Especially since his English is not so good. There is very little control over the sound or style of our output. I love it.
Me and KT are also addicted to this guy.
Do you love it?
Saturday, July 21, 2007
The Dutch Ghetto
At 8 am on Wednesday, I landed at Schipol Airport in Amsterdam. An hour later I arrived at my new home in Niewendam, or North Amsterdam. The neighborhood looks like many outlying areas in Holland, stacked full with cheaply built, mildly depressing looking buildings. If I were to equivocate their presence to something in the states it would have to be project housing, such that you might find if you were to ride the subway one stop too far north in Manhatten. The buildings have the appearance of public housing, but not the 'sketchy' factor that they might in the states. When my flat-mate Kati informed me that we live in a ghetto area and that I should be careful, it took me a moment, and a chuckle, to know if she was being serious or not. If this is the worst the Netherlands has to offer, then the European nickname of 'Disneyland' is fairly accurate. Having come from Dallas I feel like I know what a bad neighborhood is. Lets take a drive south on Malcom X Blvd. and then we'll talk. That said it is very nice here. The Dutch are very helpful and accommodating. I think living in an apartment with 3 other non-Dutch people helps too.
On Thursday and Friday I ventured down to Phoenix where I will be working. My morning commute consists of :
1. A 10 minute walk to the bus
2. A 25 minute bus ride thttp://www.blogger.com/img/gl.link.gifo Centraal
3. A 45 minute tram ride to Amstelveen
4. A 15 minute walk from the tram to the studio (which also includes a segment through a local park!)
Ya. I know. A 1.5 hour one-way commute will get old, but there is a lot to look at along the way as the tram goes through the heart of the city.
Well I need to get out to buy a bike.
I heard about this guy. Ya that says 'Bike Pirate' in Dutch.
Awesome.
On Thursday and Friday I ventured down to Phoenix where I will be working. My morning commute consists of :
1. A 10 minute walk to the bus
2. A 25 minute bus ride thttp://www.blogger.com/img/gl.link.gifo Centraal
3. A 45 minute tram ride to Amstelveen
4. A 15 minute walk from the tram to the studio (which also includes a segment through a local park!)
Ya. I know. A 1.5 hour one-way commute will get old, but there is a lot to look at along the way as the tram goes through the heart of the city.
Well I need to get out to buy a bike.
I heard about this guy. Ya that says 'Bike Pirate' in Dutch.
Awesome.
Sunday, July 8, 2007
Is this thing on?
I am a Texan. It doesn't matter how you slice it, Texan blood runs in my veins. My ancestors came and settled in Texas from Germany in the mid 1800's and we've been here ever since. As I have grown older however, my sense of belonging has waned and now that I am out of college, I am leaving. Most people leave their hometown, many leave their home state, but I am leaving my home country. I don't know what I expect to find, but I feel like I have to look. On July 16th I will be flying from Dallas, and landing in Amsterdam, where I will be living for the next 6 months. Surprisingly enough I don't feel scared or even very nervous for that matter, but I suppose we'll see how it pans out once I am there. Hopefully I will stay motivated to post on this blog at least once a week, and perhaps even post a few videos.
Currently I am trying to figure out how to get all the proper paperwork to legally stay and work there. It's really confusing trying to piece together what I am supposed to be doing to from government websites and hotlines. Hopefully my employer has taken care of his end of the deal. I'll be working at a place called Phoenix in Amstelveen, just south of Amsterdam. It's a small graphic design firm, and I'll be the intern.
I'm sure I will miss all my friends in Denton, it will be weird not seeing them anymore. It's been awesome to go through school with such a cool group of people. Hopefully when I get back I'll have some money left over to travel around a bit and visit them all.
Currently I am trying to figure out how to get all the proper paperwork to legally stay and work there. It's really confusing trying to piece together what I am supposed to be doing to from government websites and hotlines. Hopefully my employer has taken care of his end of the deal. I'll be working at a place called Phoenix in Amstelveen, just south of Amsterdam. It's a small graphic design firm, and I'll be the intern.
I'm sure I will miss all my friends in Denton, it will be weird not seeing them anymore. It's been awesome to go through school with such a cool group of people. Hopefully when I get back I'll have some money left over to travel around a bit and visit them all.
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