Comments for Confessions of a brit abroad http://glensmeaton.com/blog Random blabber from an Englishman in Amsterdam Sun, 23 Oct 2011 19:22:35 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 Comment on Thalys by Cityjet http://glensmeaton.com/blog/?p=43&cpage=1#comment-46 Cityjet Sun, 23 Oct 2011 19:22:35 +0000 http://glensmeaton.com/blog/?p=43#comment-46 <strong>Cityjet...</strong> [...]Thalys « Confessions of a brit abroad[...]... Cityjet…

[...]Thalys « Confessions of a brit abroad[...]…

]]> Comment on Time for clog dancing? by Amsterdam Police – Impotent and Incompetent « Confessions of a brit abroad http://glensmeaton.com/blog/?p=127&cpage=1#comment-33 Amsterdam Police – Impotent and Incompetent « Confessions of a brit abroad Mon, 07 Mar 2011 11:49:45 +0000 http://glensmeaton.com/blog/?p=127#comment-33 [...] particular statement related to two Morroccans who came to my door and threatened my parents, so as it turns out I wasn’t even the victim – my parents were. We all went together to the [...] [...] particular statement related to two Morroccans who came to my door and threatened my parents, so as it turns out I wasn’t even the victim – my parents were. We all went together to the [...]

]]> Comment on Splash down by Dutch Apathy « Confessions of a brit abroad http://glensmeaton.com/blog/?p=118&cpage=1#comment-30 Dutch Apathy « Confessions of a brit abroad Mon, 14 Feb 2011 10:26:47 +0000 http://glensmeaton.com/blog/?p=118#comment-30 [...] from poor performing service providers.  Splash is a perfect example of this.  As you see in my previous post I had a problem, and so I left.  I even created a website dedicated to people boycotting with [...] [...] from poor performing service providers.  Splash is a perfect example of this.  As you see in my previous post I had a problem, and so I left.  I even created a website dedicated to people boycotting with [...]

]]> Comment on Moving to Amsterdam. The good, the bad and the ugly by puppy http://glensmeaton.com/blog/?p=158&cpage=1#comment-29 puppy Fri, 04 Feb 2011 13:52:12 +0000 http://glensmeaton.com/blog/?p=158#comment-29 As his husband, my first and most important comment is: Thank god he only uses his powers for good and not evil. Moving to Amsterdam and marrying him has been the best thing that ever happened to me, bar none. Now on to the facts at hand: Boys: Yes, living in NYC I am very acclimated to having beautiful hot boys and girls around me at all times. This isn't a boast or bragging - with the amount of media [models, actors, dancers, tv, movies, print, etc] that is created in NYC, the sheer odds of having 4 incredibly hot men at a dinner party for 8 is very high. And frankly, because of the sheer volume, the attitudes are kept to a reasonably normal and sensible level. Sex was a very natural and understood part of this. Amsterdam, Holland actually, has some incredibly beautiful men and women. The combination of bicycles and genetics produce some of the most amazing butts I've ever seen. Mouth watering. The truly beautiful ones are very sweet and personable. And friendly. The ones that are almost beautiful remind me of the characters in the movie The Stepford Wives. And everyone else is a sweetheart, also. Nightlife: I've traveled to Amsterdam quite a bit in the past, and yes the nightlife is sucking big time. Work: With 2.4% real unemployment and employment contracts, working here is a dream. If you can get the proper visa [and have a skill] - it is amazing. Do not hesitate. Government: I will never forget going to the gemeente to register to get married. The lines were long so ladies came around with coffee and cookies. And we were treated so respectfully and kindly. Even the IND was exceptional - in it's bureaucracy. Dutch People: Dutch people do seem to be in their own world. But to be honest, I am fading that way myself the longer I'm here. And if someone really annoys me, it is usually also funny, and laughing at them really makes my point. Overall, I adore the Dutch. Taxes: Who are you kidding? I pay less here than I did in NYC and I've got clean streets, government subsidized health insurance for EVERYONE, homeless people taken care of [responsibly - not just shut away], drug issues handled and public transportation [Listen up natives!] that is probably some of the best in the world. AND the government and culture invests in environmentally friendly everything. Power generation, garbage separation, etc. I gladly pay my taxes. My honey missed one point: Banks. Originally, he indicated how efficient and easy to use they are. They suck. They completely make it up as they go along - talk to two people and get two answers, neither of which is probably correct. Oh, they are very easy to use - I should say easy for others to take money out of your account. I'm talking to you, Splash! Truly, they suck. They could not compete on the world stage. I am absolutely thrilled that he 'spun' the truth as I love living here. As his husband, my first and most important comment is: Thank god he only uses his powers for good and not evil. Moving to Amsterdam and marrying him has been the best thing that ever happened to me, bar none.

Now on to the facts at hand:

Boys: Yes, living in NYC I am very acclimated to having beautiful hot boys and girls around me at all times. This isn’t a boast or bragging – with the amount of media [models, actors, dancers, tv, movies, print, etc] that is created in NYC, the sheer odds of having 4 incredibly hot men at a dinner party for 8 is very high. And frankly, because of the sheer volume, the attitudes are kept to a reasonably normal and sensible level. Sex was a very natural and understood part of this.

Amsterdam, Holland actually, has some incredibly beautiful men and women. The combination of bicycles and genetics produce some of the most amazing butts I’ve ever seen. Mouth watering.

The truly beautiful ones are very sweet and personable. And friendly. The ones that are almost beautiful remind me of the characters in the movie The Stepford Wives. And everyone else is a sweetheart, also.

Nightlife: I’ve traveled to Amsterdam quite a bit in the past, and yes the nightlife is sucking big time.

Work: With 2.4% real unemployment and employment contracts, working here is a dream. If you can get the proper visa [and have a skill] – it is amazing. Do not hesitate.

Government: I will never forget going to the gemeente to register to get married. The lines were long so ladies came around with coffee and cookies. And we were treated so respectfully and kindly. Even the IND was exceptional – in it’s bureaucracy.

Dutch People: Dutch people do seem to be in their own world. But to be honest, I am fading that way myself the longer I’m here. And if someone really annoys me, it is usually also funny, and laughing at them really makes my point. Overall, I adore the Dutch.

Taxes: Who are you kidding? I pay less here than I did in NYC and I’ve got clean streets, government subsidized health insurance for EVERYONE, homeless people taken care of [responsibly - not just shut away], drug issues handled and public transportation [Listen up natives!] that is probably some of the best in the world. AND the government and culture invests in environmentally friendly everything. Power generation, garbage separation, etc. I gladly pay my taxes.

My honey missed one point: Banks. Originally, he indicated how efficient and easy to use they are. They suck. They completely make it up as they go along – talk to two people and get two answers, neither of which is probably correct. Oh, they are very easy to use – I should say easy for others to take money out of your account. I’m talking to you, Splash! Truly, they suck. They could not compete on the world stage.

I am absolutely thrilled that he ‘spun’ the truth as I love living here.

]]> Comment on Time for clog dancing? by Glen http://glensmeaton.com/blog/?p=127&cpage=1#comment-28 Glen Fri, 04 Feb 2011 13:28:29 +0000 http://glensmeaton.com/blog/?p=127#comment-28 The new neighbors have arrived. So far they seem OK. There's a child running around, and no idea what they are going to do with the restaurant, but anything is better than the angry lesbian cooking up bowls of cheese! The new neighbors have arrived. So far they seem OK. There’s a child running around, and no idea what they are going to do with the restaurant, but anything is better than the angry lesbian cooking up bowls of cheese!

]]> Comment on Splash down by Glen http://glensmeaton.com/blog/?p=118&cpage=1#comment-27 Glen Tue, 01 Feb 2011 11:28:18 +0000 http://glensmeaton.com/blog/?p=118#comment-27 Patrick and I have decided to offer information to other Splash members, hopefully to guide them to a better gym. You can see the new site at; http://www.boycottsplashamsterdam.nl Patrick and I have decided to offer information to other Splash members, hopefully to guide them to a better gym. You can see the new site at;

http://www.boycottsplashamsterdam.nl

]]> Comment on Time for clog dancing? by Glen http://glensmeaton.com/blog/?p=127&cpage=1#comment-26 Glen Tue, 01 Feb 2011 11:26:59 +0000 http://glensmeaton.com/blog/?p=127#comment-26 Update; the neighbours downstairs seem to have finally had enough and are moving out. The police and the lawyers were totally impotent, but I guess they feel the same thing and as they couldn't stop the sounds of life coming from our apartment they're going. Not that they told us, of course, we just saw a sign on the door of the restaurant telling customers that they were closing. Lets just hope we get some nicer people moving in! Update; the neighbours downstairs seem to have finally had enough and are moving out. The police and the lawyers were totally impotent, but I guess they feel the same thing and as they couldn’t stop the sounds of life coming from our apartment they’re going.

Not that they told us, of course, we just saw a sign on the door of the restaurant telling customers that they were closing.

Lets just hope we get some nicer people moving in!

]]> Comment on AirPrint that doesn’t print by glen http://glensmeaton.com/blog/?p=129&cpage=1#comment-24 glen Tue, 28 Dec 2010 10:33:49 +0000 http://glensmeaton.com/blog/?p=129#comment-24 Solved by installing Printopia on the mac connected to my printer - works like a charm :-) Solved by installing Printopia on the mac connected to my printer – works like a charm :-)

]]> Comment on Sinterklaas… Sweet dutch tradition or racial issue? by glen http://glensmeaton.com/blog/?p=25&cpage=1#comment-23 glen Tue, 28 Dec 2010 10:29:47 +0000 http://glensmeaton.com/blog/?p=25#comment-23 Excellent point, Stefan. Situations considered 'racially sensitive' always seem to be black issues, but you're right - why isn't it a problem that Sint is white? :-) Excellent point, Stefan. Situations considered ‘racially sensitive’ always seem to be black issues, but you’re right – why isn’t it a problem that Sint is white? :-)

]]> Comment on Sinterklaas… Sweet dutch tradition or racial issue? by Stefan S http://glensmeaton.com/blog/?p=25&cpage=1#comment-22 Stefan S Tue, 28 Dec 2010 10:18:36 +0000 http://glensmeaton.com/blog/?p=25#comment-22 Never heard of the dark vs.light theory myself ;-) Odd way of describing a very Dutch, non racial, tradition though ;) I mean Why is santa claus white? we don't consider that to be a racial issue do we? Funny thing is lots of traditions or just plain words for things have been made a racial issue over the last couple of years. Just like the word NEGERZOEN (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chocolate-coated_marshmallow_treats) which was just a Dutch word to describe a chocolate like cookie. A couple of years back this was banned and renamed. Nobody ever even thought about making it a racial issue until someone was offended by it. People should get some perspective on things and shouldn't be easily offended just because we have done certain things for ages. A.K.A lighting up ;-)) Never heard of the dark vs.light theory myself ;-) Odd way of describing a very Dutch, non racial, tradition though ;) I mean Why is santa claus white? we don’t consider that to be a racial issue do we?

Funny thing is lots of traditions or just plain words for things have been made a racial issue over the last couple of years. Just like the word NEGERZOEN (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chocolate-coated_marshmallow_treats) which was just a Dutch word to describe a chocolate like cookie. A couple of years back this was banned and renamed. Nobody ever even thought about making it a racial issue until someone was offended by it. People should get some perspective on things and shouldn’t be easily offended just because we have done certain things for ages. A.K.A lighting up ;-) )

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