14/10/2009

I arrived in Vorst around 5 pm, and there was nobody yet except for my Dutch friend D and an exchange student from Ecuador who spent €150 on his ticket. That's a lot of money for a concert, but man it was absolutely worth it.

The support act, Dinosaur Pile-up, was a British Nirvana look-a-like band. The songs were okay, but nothing more than that. After hearing one song, you've heard them all.

Then, the show started with fragments from "Un Chien Andalou," the surrealist film where Debaser's lyrics come from. (slicing up eyeballs etc.) Then they came on, and the crowd went insane.( Set list, comments, videos )

The only thing that I disliked about this year's edition, was the crowd. The park where the festival is held is rather small compared to others, and the 27.000 people that were attending Cactus was just going a little over its capacity. The weather had its good moments, especially and unexpectedly on Sunday afternoon. I will only elaborate on my personal favourites and stuff I actually have something to say about. I am going to leave out John Gideon and the Shark, Black Box Revelation (meh, I'm sure they were good if you like their music a lot), Novastar (which was an utter disappointment), Paul Weller (didn't stay), The Notwist (not good), !!! (not my cup of tea, didn't see a thing either) and Jamie Lidell (didn't stay). That last one replaced Joss Stone who cancelled last minute. Not that I cared.

Note: certain parts of my report are linguistically much better/worse than others. You will probably see what I enjoyed most of all if you look at the vocabulary and construction of the sentences. XD

( A Police Woman Mad As A Balloon )

( Cold Kids Make Hot Music )

( A Strange And Intense Interlude )

( A Japanese Revelation )

( A French Danceable Bit Of Everything )

The Magic Numbers were good, and solid, as usual. Great interaction with the crowd, good pop songs.

Calexico were also good, they are a collection of great musicians, but it was not really my thing.

( The Closing Act And Apotheosis )

Note: Sadly, these are not my pictures. They're the official ones from the site. Credit where credit is due.

 

Interpol, the Clash, Pixies, Arctic Monkeys, and Eels.

Nuff said!

I can't wait to see Black Francis, Kim Deal, David Lovering, and the ultimate guitar hero Joey Santiago in October. Stupid ticket service gave me a fright but I'm going!!!!!!!

Icelandic rotten shark. And no.

It was bloody awful lol. Imagine a penetrating smell of ammonia that rises up to your nose, and a really really really rough rubber-like substance. Worst thing ever. I ate a shitload of chocolate afterwards and it still didn't help to get rid of the taste.

Because I feel this livejournal is total chaos I decided to make a new one to dump my drawings and be random and philosophical. I sound like I'm having a mid-life crisis lol. 
My tags are a mess. I can't remember them. I have multiple ones for the same thing and some I only used once. I hate disorder in computers, and thus... and I guess I just wanted a change... From naive student to desillusioned grownup :p

You don't need to add me if you don't feel like it, just if you're interested. I'll still be using this one for manga ranting fangirling random life updates. And I'll still come here to check my friends and communities. 

It was a total pain to find a new username. But I've got one. You can visit me on snigelhuset . 

As for the random life updates:

My sensei praised me!! He said I will be ready for my black belt exam and he said I'm doing good training with the second dans :)

Screw work.

Death Note is genius.

Thank you, and have a nice Sunday.

The Belgian Karate Championships were today, and I competed in kata. My draw was not bad, but it was rather disappointing to go out in the first round. My opponent was a black belt (I am 1st kyu), and a Walloon lady. She also had a different style than Shotokan, which is the style I practise, and her movements and techniques were shabby. I don't really know a lot about the other styles, but personally I think that if people with different styles compete in the same tournament, it's like comparing apples and pears.

But ok. My first kata was jion, and it went well. I was less nervous than I thought I would be, I tried to emphasise my stops and pauses, and pay attention to my poses and techniques. But, as my sensei later told me, I lost about 1/3 of my usual strength. That probably also had to do with the nerves.

I lost, 4 to 1. My sensei later told me that the result was debatable, since I didn't do bad at all. Thing is - the BC is known for its partial referees. The balance between Flemish and Walloon refs is non-existing, the proportion must be about 80-20%. The only flag I got was Flemish. Coincidence?

Nothing I can do about it of course. But the main thing is, as I told myself before the competition: I did well for my standards. And I will continue to train and grow. After all, being out of sports for about four years isn't just a little thing. And it was my first real big competition, too. Next goal: learning and mastering new katas, and going for the team kata with two other ladies of my club.

I need new icons. :(

If you have seen the news today, I'm sure you've heard about what happened in Dendermonde this morning. A man stepped into a day care centre in the Flemish town and started stabbing children and nurses. In the end, two children and one adult lost their lives. Ten critically wounded children have fortunately been saved by doctors. The why now is the biggest question, but I doubt there actually is an explanation. There is no justification for an act like this. Turning against small children, all around the age of three and younger, how sick in the head can a person become?

In the meantime, the suspect has given the police five different names and isn't cooperating at all.

It makes me fucking sick.

It's the worst day of the year. It always is. Please let it be over, so everything can go back to normal, and my old friends can go back to ignoring me.

Siiiiigh.

And fuck you dearest pet, for pooing on my fucking seat!!!!!!!!!!!!

*is in a horrible mood*

Most retarded song of the month! The long awaited moment for everyone (but especially me) to award a prize to the most stupid, idiotic, brainless, and just plain fucking annoying songs.

Nominating: Born Crain - A four letter word. A Belgian artist who seems to think he's the new version of Prince (he's changed his name twice already). *is now wondering why she knows these things in the first place*

Why retarded: It's cliché and the phrases are just plain dumb. It's not a crime if the lines don't rhyme. (yes, this was intentional.)

As for some short excerpts:
This is absolutely terrible. Here's to never hearing this waste of time again.

Name: Freya
Age: almost 23
Fave VK characters: Zero, Cain and also Ichiru (I'm not that fond of Yuuki to be honest)
Fave VK ships: Kaname/Aidou (I think they're hilarious), Cain/Luca, Cain/anyone ♥
VK anime/manga or both? both. I think the manga's much more beautiful and sophisticated, but of course the voices in the anime give something extra to the VK experience. :p Lord I sound like a publicity person.
How did you get into VK? I remember I was googling vampires (don't ask me why, I can't remember lmao) and I got on onemanga and started reading. Haven't stopped since.
Did you read the manga or watch the anime first? read the manga first.
What do you like about VK? Well, vampires are just about the hottest thing ever.
Do you dislike anything about it? YES. The lack of Cain bugs me big time.
Other Fandoms: I love Skip Beat! and Tokyo Crazy Paradise. It makes me laugh so much. I also follow(ed) Midnight Secretary, Special A, Nana, and Fushigi Yuugi Genbu Kaiden.
Other Interests: I love drawing, reading (books, comics and poetry), language in general, tennis, figure skating, karate, music (rock & alternative)
About you: I'm a teacher at a Berlitz Language school in Belgium so I have no life anymore these days. :( But I'm a friendly girl who likes to meet others who share her interests. :)
What your LJ mainly consists of: ummm... personal life, thoughts about life, things that make me laugh, fangirling over tennis players, sports, music, and manga/anime.
Friends only lj? Yes, but I also have a couple of public posts (like my new series, the worst song of the month).
Does the age of your LJ friends matter? yes of course, if you aren't my age I will delete you from my list.
(I'm kidding.)
Any rules your friends must follow? Don't be rude, don't attack me or my friends.

Most retarded song of the month! The long awaited moment for everyone (but especially me) to award a prize to the most stupid, idiotic, brainless, and just plain fucking annoying songs.



Nominating: The Feeling - I love it when you call.

Ack. I hate commercial radio stations. (Thanks for putting it in my head for the rest of the evening, Qmusic.)

Why retarded: the chorus has one of the most useless and brainless sequence of words ever:

"I love it when you call
I love it when you call
I love it when you call,
but you never call at all."

= Lyric fail.

It almost beats Will.I.Am's song "I got it from my momma."  ALMOST. To catch up with that, well... Keep trying, The Feeling, I'm sure that you'll get there one day.

Just so you know what song I'm talking about, here is a link to the video:

Ninjas hands down.

I am so proud of myself that I managed to install this wonderful Skip Beat! mood theme - although tennis is on and while I should be studying. I am not so proud of that.

In other news, Katarina Srebotnik kicked some American ass today! If one ignores Tipsarevic' horrible first round loss, it turns out not to be such a bad grand slam! :D

Edit: something happened with the Writer's Block. The only true question is ninjas or pirates? Naturally.

My level of nerdiness has increased in the last couple of weeks. I started to read manga online, too much for my own good, and definitely too much to get some work done. Anyway. It's so awesome I can't stop reading, and I can't believe how much time I needed to realise that. Some of the series are absolutely brilliant, like Vampire Knight (I have a slight crush on Zero Kiriyuu and Kain Akatsuki rofl). I just found out yesterday that they're actually turning the comic (which is still developing) into a series on Japanese TV (watch it on youtube!). It is soooooooooooo cool!
I also love Skip Beat! The drawing style itself I don't like very much, but it's so funny! The way the artist expresses Kyouko's hatred and gloom (especially when she's in the costume of Bo, a giant rooster, is hilarious) and all that just makes me crack up every single time.

And this is why you should NOT try this at home:
exams in like 2 weeks *PANIC*
thesis due next friday *HELP*

Also, I'm going Wimbledon!! From June 15 until 26! Wooooooooo!

Will you count me in?

I've been awake for a while now
You got me feelin like a child now
'Cause every time I see your bubbly face
I get the tinglies in a silly place

It starts in my toes
And I crinkle my nose
Wherever it goes
I always know
That you make me smile
Please stay for a while now
Just take your time
Wherever you go

The rain is falling on my window pane
But we are hiding in a safer place
Under covers staying dry and warm
You give me feelings that I adore

It starts in my toes
And I crinkle my nose
Wherever it goes
I always know
That you make me smile
Please stay for a while now
Just take your time
Wherever you go

What am I gonna say
When you make me feel this way
I just mmmmm

And it starts in my toes
Makes me crinkle my nose

Wherever it goes
I always know
That you make me smile
Please stay for a while now
Just take your time
Wherever you go

I've been asleep for a while now
You tuck me in just like a child now
'Cause every time you hold me in your arms
I'm comfortable enough to feel your warmth

And it stats in my soul
And I lose all control
When you kiss my nose
The feelin' shows
'cause you make me smile baby
Just take your time now
Holdin' me tight

Wherever wherever wherever you go
Wherever wherever wherever you go

wherever you go
I always know
'Cause you make me smile
Even just for a while

Some guy who only speaks French keeps calling me to get my parents on the phone... He doesn't speak a word of Dutch. Why on earth would someone who only speaks French call to Flemish people? Bilingual country anyone? He called three times already, each time when my parents are not at home. He wants them to buy wine. I know, totally random.
He is so slimey! He keeps asking me how I am, how nice I am etc. Today he asked me my age and whether I would teach him some Dutch words. Uh-huh. My dad joked around that I'm being stalked, but my mum hates the idea. She thinks he calls on purpose when i'm home alone, lmao. My brother said, just tell him to fuck off, but I am too polite for that!!

I am never picking up the phone again!!

I am an insensitive bitch.

Monday and Tuesday I went to ABN AMRO tournament in Rotterdam because my two favourite men were playing there (and it was also good to meet old friends again lol). Mission accomplished! Both of them won one round but then fell apart in the 2nd round. Turns out Michael Llodra won it. *shudders*
Not a lot happened. I screamed during Tipsarevic' match and got a pic with him, Verdasco and Zverev. And erm, that's basically the most important news. :p

For the non-believers among you, here is the proof that I met the sex:



Let's just say I had my share of drool for the next 4 months or so!!

The meeting with my parents was weird, I didn't really know how to behave towards them. Anyway they said he was really nice, so that is good enough I guess. The only full day that he was here we spent at home, but we also paid Bruges a visit during the afternoon. We walked around for some two hours but of course he forgot his camera so we'll have to go back there in the summer!!

We left for Glasgow Friday morning and arrived there without any problems. I was kind of nervous to meet our friends and their family (cause after all we were staying at their house), but they were all very nice It was so cool to finally meet them! One of the first things their mother said was, are you afraid of big dogs? I was already a bit because you never know what to expect. They were indeed kinda big, and except a bit of jumping in the beginning they were really friendly lol.

Saturday was football day of course. Celtic (the whole family and Milan are huge fans) played Gretna, and it wasn't supposed to be a great match, cause well, Gretna aren't the best team. We walked around in the Celtic shop first and it's incredible what stuff they sell with the Celtic logo on it!! And unfortunately for me, the first half was crap lol. Second half was a lot better, I enjoyed watching it. When we got back, we heard that Phil O'Donnell, an ex-Celtic player, had died during a match. As a result, the huge match between Celtic and Rangers that was supposed to take place on Wednesday was postponed (and still hasn't been played yet).



On Sunday we walked around in Glasgow City. The most beautiful buildings were those of the University of Glasgow lol, the rest wasn't much to look at. I was surprised at how many Starbucks there are! I know some of my friends would be jealous to know The shopping streets were cool.. If you like to shop, you should definitely go there!



New Year's Eve was quiet, we didn't do much except play pool and watch tv. Chris and Paul kept going over the music channels and Milan wanted to see that Soulja Boy song every time we saw it (and they showed it A LOT!!) Needless to say, I never want to hear that song ever again. Also I had a bit too much to drink (for my standards then) and I felt sick the next day. We drove to Loch Lomond and then Stirling Castle, but during the trip I had to throw up That wasn't much fun.







On the last day we went to visit Edinburgh and my wish for snow was granted, even though the others were rather annoyed with that to say the least! We were all cold and wet when we got back, but I had a great time there. It was so pretty Since we had already visited a castle two days before (Stirling Castle), we didn't go in the Edinburgh one (also because the prices for that are criminal lol). And the Stirling one gave a nice show, with their employees running around in Medieval clothes!

Exams are over!

Again I chose a new layout, and I don't give a damn if this one is called "baby", but it's cute and I love it.
So Scotland was awesome, I loved it. I'll write a more elaborate report tomorrow, I have loads of time now anyway  And I'll add some of my best pics as well. (My dad liked exactly 2 of them.)

I'm going to ATP Rotterdam for two days!! Yay! Janko Tipsarevic, watch out. I have like a million autographs to ask him lol. And tell him that he did so well at the Australian Open. I'm so proud of him, all his fans are. Oh yes, that's another thing for me to do: watch the tapes of the match against Federer over and over again.

I'm a bit worried about a friend of mine, but I really hope I've got no reason for that.