Thursday 26 October 2006

Work

Today we had to do an exercise at work to look up some data in the systems we use. I was paired up with a drop-dead gorgeous girl. Not such a bad thing you (and I admit, I) would think, but she has some issues. She is extremely shy, she is a kind of Barbie-girl (make-up, clothes, etc), has little to no knowledge of computers and was irritated most of the time. She is really beautiful, but sadly there is not much inside her head. Such a waste...

Skype

I am becoming a more and more frequent user of Skype, also because more and more of my friends have installed it. (a hint for all of you, who haven't yet...)
Yesterday evening I was bored and tried to find some random users who had their status on "free to chat". Lately people found me that way as well and had some very strange people talking to me. So, I search and the only people I could find, were bots, horny men or women working in the industry... The men can be explained, the bots less, but I guess Skype is being spammed as well with fake-accounts. The women were more curious. I tried a couple and all were busy or hung up on me. After checking their profiles it became clear that they were either working or fake as well. The links in their profiles, containing their homepages were all links to sex-sites.
I ended up talking to a Ukrainian, but after exchanging the standard sentences about the weather and where we live, I was out of knowledge... :-)

Saturday 21 October 2006

Overqualified

I applied for a position of student-member of the education commission of the Faculty of Arts at my university (the RUG). The commission reviews the current studies and curricula and advises on new policies and new (methods of) education.
The talk I had was very positive and fun. They asked me how my friends would describe me, so I gave them Arnoud's phonenumber and asked them to call and ask him. They did that right away and Arnoud was very positive I would say. :-) I had good hopes.
On Thursday I received an email, with the message that they thought that due to my experiences, work, traineeships and adventures, thought that I was overqualified and wouldn't find a challange in the position. They asked me to reply and comment on their thought. I did and thought that I would still get the position, as I replied rather well and positive. Why would I apply if I wouldn't want to do something 100%? On Friday, I got a voicemail, as I couldn't pick up my phone: I wasn't selected and they were sorry to tell me by phone, but they had other, better, candidates.
OK, if they have better candidates, fine, no problem. But if you are sory to tell me by phone: call me back in 30minutes or something. Also find the reasoning strange, but ok, their pick...

Arnoud

Arnoud (one of my best friends) became a Master of Science yesterday, as he complete his master's course in cultural geography. It was a nice ceremony with good cake afterwards and some nice moments. We are getting old...

Backaches

And again: backaches. On Thursday I had training and halfway I did nothing strange, but suddenly my back started to hurt enormously. The night following was a drama and I couldn't sleep the bigger part of the night. Went to bed at 23.00, was still awake at 2.30 and had to get up at 7.00... Imagine. It is getting better, but still not fantastic. Don't a clue what is wrong, but I think I need physiotherapy again.

Friday 20 October 2006

My Name

I admit: my name is sometimes a bit difficult to pronounce, if you never heard it before. The HR department at KPN made it even more difficult though to write it as "Leaneart". Never heard and saw that before. Doesn't even look like it. Now I understand why the first days no one could pronounce it... :-)

Thursday 19 October 2006

Local Liberal Council Meeting

On Tuesday, my (local) liberal movement had their annual meeting, where the new board got elected , people could ask questions to the current board etc. I left rather early, as the kind of people wasn't really my cup of tea. OK, I am a bit posh and a "rich-kid", but these guys were way worse and not in a good sense. Too many double collars, double tongues, crazy stories and strange ideas. Besides that: the kind of questions asked and the way the meeting went I have seen too often. With the Law Faculty Organization, Rudolph and I attended many meetings and we even disturbed some (what a great evening was that) and they were exactly the same. The old board(s) complaining about what the current is/was doing and other idiotic questions and interruptions. Not my thing.

Monday 16 October 2006

Friends' news

Some of my friends are further on the path of life with all the things you come across, so here a little update.
  • Kate (Georgia) got a baby, but I don't have a clue is it is male or female and no idea about the name.
  • Aida (Albania) is getting married next summer and has invited me, so I will for sure have to be there.
  • Arnoud (NL) will get his master title this Friday, so that calls for a huge party!
  • Olaf (NL/Belgium) will move permanently to Russia, to chase the love of his life.
  • Christoph (Germany) is currently working in Frankfurt at the prestegious firm Linklaters.

Good luck to all. :-)

My Albanian Speech

Excellencies,
Colleagues,
Ladies and Gentlemen,

On its road towards European integration, Albania lost much time. The reasons come from an inherited communist legacy and poverty, to regional conflicts and internal crisis. During the difficult years of transition, Albania had to face the challenges of turning an ineffective planned economy into a market economy with social responsibility, of creating a stable constitutional system, of regaining public confidence and social cohesion.

Between 1990 and 1992, Albania ended 46 years of Communist rule and established a multiparty democracy. This transition has proven challenging, as successive governments have tried to deal with high unemployment, widespread corruption, a challenging infrastructure, powerful organized crime networks, and combative political opponents. Although Albania's economy continues to grow, the country is still one of the poorest in Europe, hampered by a large informal economy and an inadequate energy and transportation infrastructure. Albania has played a largely helpful role in managing inter-ethnic tensions in south-eastern Europe, and is continuing to work towards joining NATO and the EU.

Ten European countries, sharing a common aspiration for integration, were admitted into the European Union in 2004. Albania, too, is pursuing the realization of the same aspiration.

The Albanian Government and society are engaged into a widespread European integration process, being fully committed to carrying out the necessary reforms. We have the political will and drive, to carry out these reforms. At a ceremony held in Luxembourg last summer, the Stabilization and Association Agreement between the European Community and its Member States, and the Republic of Albania, was signed. This shows that Albania is on the right way in the process towards European Integration and is determined to comply with European standards and democratic values.

Albania is working to strengthen the institutions and capacities of the central and local government, and to enhance the efficiency of the reforms. Albania has made significant progress in its democratic development since holding the first multiparty elections in 1991, but deficiencies still remain. So far, international observers judged elections to be largely free and fair, especially since the restoration of political stability following the collapse of pyramid schemes in 1997.
Following a period of instability due to internal quarrelling within the former ruling Socialist Party, the government went through a period of relative political stability. A number of significant new strategies and a new resource planning system were put in place, and the effectiveness of the Ministry of European Integration was highly improved. The 2005 election campaign, and the ensuing political polarization, used up a great deal of government energy and slowed the reform progress. In the 2005 parliamentary elections, the Democratic Party and its allies won a decisive victory on pledges of reducing crime and corruption, promoting economic growth, and decreasing the size of government. The parliamentary elections were lengthy and showed some shortcomings, but were conducted in a fundamentally sound manner. This election, and particularly the orderly transition of power, was considered an important step forward. The parliament has remained a real forum for political exchange. Significant changes to its internal organization have improved its functioning and steps were taken to enhance the coherence of new laws.

We are also truly convinced that the respect and protection of human rights and freedoms are the main pillars of a democratic society. The Government of the Republic of Albania has constantly demonstrated that it fully implements the standards laid down in the Council of Europe Conventions, as well as the relevant documents of regional organizations, such as the OSCE. It will continue to do so in the future as well. Albania has associated itself with the countries that are implementing a number of national strategies and programs that focus on specific population groups such as women, children, persons in need, minorities, etc.

On the road to European integration, our region still, is facing challenges such as the future of Kosovo. Albania greatly appreciates the recent democratic and integrated developments in Kosovo, thanks to the efforts of the people of Kosovo, its self-governing institutions and the activity of the UNMIK. The Albanian Government has the view that the time has come for a rapid and clear implementation of policy of standards and status. This would be the key to the solution of a number of other issues. We really hope that the question of the final status of Kosovo will find its final solution soon for the sake of the Kosovo people and for the whole region as well. In the meantime, we are convinced of the need to build a democratic, multiethnic, and multicultural society in Kosovo governed by the rule of law, mutual tolerance, and understanding.

The road towards European integration is not an easy one, but the results are rewarding. Countries in Central and Eastern Europe have proven that while it is possible to reach the final destination, the process can be as important as the event of joining itself.

During fifteen years of transition, Albania's history of relationship with the EU can be seen as a history of building a state of law, public order, justice, and infrastructure. We are fully aware that the key to integration process is to build a sustainable democracy that respects the institutions and the state of law. However, we will need the help of the European institutions in succeeding with that. The EU should be willing to give advice and offer assistance in any matter and help to speed up the process towards European Integration. Not to dismiss or delay the possible accession of Albania to the EU, due to unfounded fears of increasing unemployment in certain West European countries or possible threats of Muslim extremism.

I thank you for your attention.

Glorious victory

Today at 11 we had a match against the number 4 in our poule. We won with the stunning numbers of 2-7. :-) It was a nice day, with my whole team coming to drink coffee at my place at 9.30 and a nice match after that. Had the defence rather tight, except for the first countergoal in the first minute... :-( We are now second, but with 2 matches less played. Champions we are. :-)

Wednesday 11 October 2006

PRA

Today at 8AM I have a post-health check for the test I took the last 2 weeks. So I have to get up early and am not looking forward to that, as today was early as well and I am really tired. Will be a nice day though as I have my training to hit some decent balls and let out the anger and after that a friend will come over for a drink.

Idiotic people

Had an interview at KPN today together with a whole bunch of people. As I am a little short on cash, have some bills to pay, and business isn't that flourishing yet, I am taking up another part time job. At a help desk that is. Not the most high standing and exciting work, but all I can get at the moment. I visited all the employment agencies in town, but I am either over-qualified or not full time available, so they don't have anything for me.
The selection was a peace of cake (a test with the reader next to it...) and I will probably start next week; I am curious how it will be. The IQ-level of the people participating wasn't that high (15 multiple choice questions, max 6 faults, reader next to it and still 50% dropout), but one lady really didn't know how to behave. She got accepted (very surprising) and immediately started to call her whole family and friends, shouting through the room that she had a job. Her (loud and nasty) voice, her appearance and the conversation an sich were all too much to bear. I controlled myself and didn't step up to ask if she really needed to do that, but by god, I hope she is in a different team...

Monday 9 October 2006

Sunday: hockey day

Yesterday was a fine hockey day for me, my team and the whole world! :-) At 10.30AM I was at the club, drank a coffee and reffed an interesting match of Gents 7 against some other men's team. After that I had my own match against the number one in our poule. We won with the glorious numbers of 4-1. We are definately going for the championship this year. Looking forward to that. After our match, our first men's team played and it was a thrilling match as well, which they lost with 3-4 against Tempo from Zwolle. The club bought a beamer, a sattelite and a screen and at 5PM we watched the dutch women win the world cup final in Madrid against Australia. God, never seen such a superb women's 2nd half. It was amazing and nice for showing next summer at some camps in the US. Do I have to mention that it was late when the light at the club went out?
PS even though Spain didn't make it to the final. Conratulations to Borja for winning the Catalan Cup! Go Borja! :-)

Some more frustration

Over the ELS-NL email-list (ELSA Lawyers Society) came an urgent request for a chair and vice-chair for the upcoming ELSA ICM. Even though I have been very critical all my active years towards the International Board, about their way of working, their way of communicating and some other idiotic, silly little things, I have always supported the organisation and always offered to help. So, this time I also offered to help to act either as a chair or vice-chair. What surprises me: never heard a word from the IB again... Not a thank you, no sorry-we-found-someone, or anything else. Guess they didn't need someone that urgent... I tried to reach the secretary general on MSN, but she doesn't reply, even though she is online and active (= chatting with someone I was also chatting with). Do I understand this? Should I even? It is just frustrating as I only want to help and still see other similar organisations, like AIESEC, being so much more professional and progressing.

Sunday 8 October 2006

Books

What women have with shoes, clothing and jewelry, I have with books. Yesterday was another fine example of this. I went to a bookshop to buy an ordered study book and came out with 3 other books. I need a new bookshelf. :-)

Ipod

Yesterday I bought a new battery for my Ipod, as it was dead for a couple of weeks already. I first thought that I would leave it there and they would replace it, but they sold me a battery and 2 plastic screwdrivers in a package and I had to replace it myself. It took me a while (using a knife), but it now works perfectly again and even with my whole harddisk still full with mp3's! :-) The inside of an Ipod looks funny though.

New Template

I have been thinking about a new template for a while. I have searched the web for some nice ones, but me being a complete html-noob, only wanted a fixed thing. Now Blogger moved to Beta Blogger and they had some new templates. The switching was easy, but inserting my site meter and world map was an ordeal. Moving from html to XML is not so easy, but with some help of Florijan and a lot of trying, it now seems to work. The clock and tagboard have been abolished, as hardly anyone wrote something on it and the clock was just for fun. Let me know what you think of my new template and if you miss something.

Fitness

My brother started to fitness a couple of weeks ago and he let the club call me, if I wouldn't be interested in a try-out or joining; so he could get a present. :-) So, yesterday I went (it is actually around the corner) and did a nice 1.5 hr workout. This morning I went again and spend a full 2 hrs there. I don't really need the stamina (that is what I keep saying to myself, and maybe someday I will believe it), but I go there to get a somewhat better body. I haven't trained and played in a year and I am getting some fat, I don't want. :-) So I am doing the abs, the upper body muscles, the arms and more. Now I have muscle aches in my upper legs (of course I do some stamina exercises). Do I even like sports?

Tuesday 3 October 2006

Hockey

The Dutch female field hockey team is performing rather well during the Worldcup in Madrid, Spain, at the moment. They won their first 3 matches and are leading group A and have good chances to reach the semi-finals. They won from England, Spain and India. The matches weren't the most exciting once, hardly I would say, but it is a trend in nowadays hockey that it is getting more and more "professional". With professional I mean down-to-earth/plain/business-like. No more exceptional tricks, special moves or dashing shows. It should all be straight, safe and simple. I understand that it is imperative to win and to consolidate the advantage. Also the differences between the teams are getting smaller and smaller. The golden years that the Dutch were dominating the world (as the Pakistani before them) are over and countries like Australia, Spain, Germany and some Asian ones are at the same level and give fierce competition. The game itself has changed (more zone defense and less man-to-man for example), but the physical state of the players has grown tremendously. In this field the Dutch were behind, as countries like Germany and Australia started with more physical workouts way before the Dutch.
I do miss the magical passes, tricks and moves though. It makes the game so much more vibrant, alive and fun to watch. I love the sport, but it starts to get a bit boring.

PS quoting a spanish hockey friend of mine: "Women's field hockey is not a sport. You can't compare men's and womens's hockey by far." Should I agree?

Monday 2 October 2006

Foreigners in Groningen

The university paper of Groningen (the UK) published an article in their English section 2 weeks ago about foreign bloggers in Groningen. These are students who are in Groningen for a semester, a year or a whole bachelor and they write about Groningen, the Netherlands and their studentlife. As it is always nice to read about how others think about and see your city, I checked all the featured blogs and here are 4 links for you to read as well. Just to show another perspective of my (somewhat) subjective opinion and thoughts. :-)

Enjoy...

1 Mirja
2 Water Shed
3 Pieter
4 Haley

Violence

Today in the newspaper: violence against the personnel of an ambulance who arrived to help someone during a night's out. Police has to come to set them free and gets mobbed as well. Three police officers get hurt, 10 people get arrested.

What is wrong with this world? Why, in godsname, would someone attack or hinder the personnel of an ambulance. Those people are there to help and should be supported and applauded... There is a trend in attacks on and hinder of ambulance personnel lately in the Netherlands. No one seems to know where it comes from, but more and more of these incidents are reported. One of the political parties asked for police escorts every time an ambulance has to ride out, but that has been rejected by our minister as there isn't enough police capacity to do this.

To all the idiots (both in the Netherlands and in the rest of the world): let those people do their jobs and get a life!

 

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