Blogs from North Brabant, Netherlands, Europe - page 11

Monday (21/02/2011) The week began with a bang; I read E. A. Poe in the morning and thereafter took full benefit of the 1 Euro sale going on at the C1000. It was pretty much an admin day. I went into Eindhoven to buy a neat shirt and plenty of black socks. It is so tempting to walk into every store an take advantage of the thousands of sales going on everywhere; one big ‘upper’ due to the recession. I did buy myself a computer game that was on hectic special. It’s probably because o-one knows it anymore due to it being more than 2 years old, but it’s bloody new-age to me. I did this as I just can’t take the TV volume O&O listen to after supper. Although the programs are interesting and it’s ... read more

This morning we watched the Imaginarium of Dr Parnassus for inspiration of the use of theatre space and optical illusional effects. I thought it was exciting to think that we could immitate similar effects of a fold up stage, walk in mirror, swings and slight of hand tricks with a live audience! Then the film followed through with too many digital effects and the beauty, simplicity and mystery of the visuals was lost in the mix up of happenings and special effects thrown in together. My strengths were finally coming through in the studio today when working with my partner on the communication plan, promotional ideas and interactivity for the attraction! This group project event will take place on the summer parade and we decided on promoting the event by handing out free food samples like ... read more

Tuesday night I went out with the lovely Spanish students to the Speeltuin for some live jamming jazz and they made me get up and join in the band, singing 'don't worry about a thing'! Today in class we had to decide on a story for our theatre attraction, but in a group of 14 students that didnt go down too well. Too many ideas and not enough open minds to accept, negotiate and adapt or alter ideas. I sat back and listened most of the time then added my views and suggestions on how to make it work as a team. They all seem anxious about settling with an idea when they know our tutor has her own strong ideas on what she might want to see so instead they want to wait and hear ... read more

Well it has been an interesting week, I’ll tell you that much. Tuesday (08/02/2011) I had a bit of a late start. Eventually I reared my morning-face out of the depths of the multiple layers of sheets I habituate nightly. The aim on Monday was to obtain my BSN (social-security/ ID) number. It turned out that I needed a birth certificate, parental birth details and a whole lot of other info; which I now had in my possession due to the interwebnet. I stumbled down for breakfast only to find out I didn’t need any of that. Rene had phoned the Belastingsdienst buildings in Eindhoven. He’d found a way for me to just show my passport and proof of residence and thereby obtain a BSN number. Wednesday morning bright and early I had to be in ... read more

Had a lazy Saturday in, getting up late. Attempted at being creatively productive in making mini hats towards my carnvial costume. Ron and his girlfriend picked me up at 8.30pm with the car to go to Bavel where his brother, Lennert was performing in his band called de Bijtels. They played covers, including Dutch carnival songs, which I am just going to have to enjoy and learn to like! Ron and Lennert's dad walked in on one song, dressed as Sinterklaas! It was brillaint, then we went into town for a bit of dancing. ... read more