Went shopping for food with my mom today, and as always I couldn't stop myself from entering the local bookstore. (for us Belgians: it was Standaard Boekhandel) Didn't buy anything, I rarely buy first hand books. Only when I have free book cheques to be honest.
Anyway, some soft, sweet piano music was playing when I entered. It took my breath away. I'm always a little more sensitive when entering a bookstore, but the atmosphere of the quiet and gentle music was just perfect, I just had to ask the guy what was playing. He told me he didn't knew it himself, it was downloaded, but he wrote the name down: Ludovico Einaudi. I was surprised to find out at home that I already knew some of his work. I think he mostly does soundtracks.
I'm not sure which song was playing exactly, but I'm pretty sure it was this one.
I haven't been into music for years. I know I sound crazy when I tell this, but music doesn't really have a significant place in my life anymore for let's say, 2 years. I used to love music, but since some years back, I enjoy silence much, much more. I can really go without music for weeks. Unlike my mom. I grew up with the radio playing non-stop. (for us Belgians: it's Radio 2) This station plays oldies, some popular songs but luckily no Nicki Minaj or other shit. I always loved piano music but never really researched it, I might do it in the future.
But I do enjoy a musical intermezzo from time to time, and the setting was perfect, so I really wanted to share it with you guys.
Sabetha
pissedofpenguin@gmail.com
zaterdag 28 februari 2015
woensdag 25 februari 2015
IT guy voluntarily implants chip into his arm
Sometimes, the stupidity of people hurts me, like in this case. On the Belgian news today: some guy was tired of carrying a keychain around all day, so he decided to have a chip implanted which will open the doors from his house, car, etc. Found this link, didn't find it in English, so it'll be hard to understand if you don't speak Dutch. Anyway, here it is.
WHY??? How much does a keychain weight? How hard is it to carry it around all day? I can understand that your hobby is technology. I get the fact that you dig cyborg stuff. But do you really want to become one? I'm all for technology helping people when disabled or sick. (and even then, I have some serious doubts...) But being a lazy ass mafucka, too fucking stupid to realize you are bringing a strange object in your body which might be harmfull... This technology thing is going way too far.
I own a smartphone. Friends gave it to me, but I never use it. I hate smartphones. Whenever people buy one, they become brainless slaves to facebook, twitter, instagram, or whatever website is hip nowadays. I don't even know how the last two websites work, and I only keep my facebook account because I'm too weak to delete it. It is an addiction. At least I can admit that. I hate the fact we are being groomed to want things and need things that cost ridiculous amounts of money, just so you can share you latest breakfast or sushi dinner. In China, this addiction got so serious, the goverment decided to have special pathways installed for smartphone users. Just in case they won't bother people who just want to walk instead of bumbing into some brainless Iphone junkie.
Worst thing about this whole story is that people actually find it cool. WHY? WHY is it cool? I know there was this huge discussion some years back in the UK about parents having their children implanted with chips so they would always know where they were. In case some paedophile caught them. Do you really think this will help? It's just Big Brother, disguised as a rape solution.
This man isn't disabled, he was just tired of carrying around keys. Well newsflash, you punk: life ain't easy. What's next, implanting your stupid ass smartphone into your arm because you might break it? You know what, you go ahead, you pathetic peace of fat. Be proud about the fact thugs only need to cut off your arm to get access to all you own. And don't get surprised when shit like that happens.
'My house is full of electronics', wow, you make me puke.
As you guys might have noticed, I recently moved to a renovated student home. The doorbell is 'high tech': when someone rings, it automatically sends a message to your smartphone. Wow. When my landlord showed me this, I told him straight that I don't have a smartphone and I'd rather have diarrhea for 10 months then using one. What is wrong with an old fashioned doorbell? We have this smart cars now with 'park assist', are you guys really that stupid to think that's a good thing? They present it to you as something which will make your life easier, but in fact, they take away the opportunity to actually learn how to park a goddamn car.
STOP BEING LAZY
Sabetha
pissedofpenguin@gmail.com
WHY??? How much does a keychain weight? How hard is it to carry it around all day? I can understand that your hobby is technology. I get the fact that you dig cyborg stuff. But do you really want to become one? I'm all for technology helping people when disabled or sick. (and even then, I have some serious doubts...) But being a lazy ass mafucka, too fucking stupid to realize you are bringing a strange object in your body which might be harmfull... This technology thing is going way too far.
I own a smartphone. Friends gave it to me, but I never use it. I hate smartphones. Whenever people buy one, they become brainless slaves to facebook, twitter, instagram, or whatever website is hip nowadays. I don't even know how the last two websites work, and I only keep my facebook account because I'm too weak to delete it. It is an addiction. At least I can admit that. I hate the fact we are being groomed to want things and need things that cost ridiculous amounts of money, just so you can share you latest breakfast or sushi dinner. In China, this addiction got so serious, the goverment decided to have special pathways installed for smartphone users. Just in case they won't bother people who just want to walk instead of bumbing into some brainless Iphone junkie.
Worst thing about this whole story is that people actually find it cool. WHY? WHY is it cool? I know there was this huge discussion some years back in the UK about parents having their children implanted with chips so they would always know where they were. In case some paedophile caught them. Do you really think this will help? It's just Big Brother, disguised as a rape solution.
This man isn't disabled, he was just tired of carrying around keys. Well newsflash, you punk: life ain't easy. What's next, implanting your stupid ass smartphone into your arm because you might break it? You know what, you go ahead, you pathetic peace of fat. Be proud about the fact thugs only need to cut off your arm to get access to all you own. And don't get surprised when shit like that happens.
'My house is full of electronics', wow, you make me puke.
As you guys might have noticed, I recently moved to a renovated student home. The doorbell is 'high tech': when someone rings, it automatically sends a message to your smartphone. Wow. When my landlord showed me this, I told him straight that I don't have a smartphone and I'd rather have diarrhea for 10 months then using one. What is wrong with an old fashioned doorbell? We have this smart cars now with 'park assist', are you guys really that stupid to think that's a good thing? They present it to you as something which will make your life easier, but in fact, they take away the opportunity to actually learn how to park a goddamn car.
STOP BEING LAZY
Sabetha
pissedofpenguin@gmail.com
zaterdag 21 februari 2015
MyReads: January
Here we go again...
NOTE: I'm typing this post way too late, I forgot a lot of details about some books. This post is really blurry and bad, my excuses for that. I should really start typing these comments right after I finish, but man am I lazy...
Bret Easton Ellis - 'Imperial bedrooms' (read in Dutch; title: 'De informanten')
Bret Easton Ellis is one of my favourite authors, so I really looked forward to reading this book. Imperial bedrooms takes us back to the characters we've met in his first novel, 'less than zero', which is still my favourite Ellis book. I must say I wasn't that impressed with this sequel. You do get a nice view into the lives of Clay, Rip, and all the others, but this book just didn't tickle my fancy like the rest of his books do. (this reminds me, I still have to read 'rules of attraction', I bought it a million years ago but still didn't read it). I'm not saying you shouldn't read it, but I strongly suggest you start with 'less than zero' first. Else you really won't know what the hell he's writing about
my score: 5/10
Jonathan Franzen - 'Strong Motion' (read in Dutch; title: 'Schokgolven')
A strange book. The protagonist is a young man who struggles with live, society, but most of all his materialistic mom and sister. After an earthquake, his grandmother dies. His mom inherits all her money, which brings great stress into the household. At the same time, he falls in love with an older scientist, who discovered a connection between the earthquakes and a nearby factory. The book handles about love and growing up, but also about pollution and how we are all responsible. Can't say I enjoyed it that much, but it's beautifully written. I do believe the author has a lot of potential to grow, so I might read more of his books.
My score: 5/10
Hubert Lampo - 'Terugkeer naar Atlantis' (famous Flemish writer, found no translation)
My mom hates Lampo, because she was forced to read his most famous novel, 'De komst van Joachim Stiller', in high school. She hated it with a passion, but I read that book about 4 years ago and loved it. This one wasn't as good, but still I like how Lampo writes, in a philosophical way, no big stories, but big thoughts. I can't really describe it anymore and since there is no translation, I won't bother. I strongly recommend 'Joachim Stiller', tho.
My score: 7/10
Gayle Lynds - 'The book of Spies' (read in Dutch; title: 'De geheime Boekenclub')
This book was really stupid. I liked the idea at first, but the story bored me to dead, probably one of the worst 'thrillers' I've ever read. I don't want to use any more words for it.
My score: 3/10
Lawrence hill - 'The book of Negroes' (read in Dutch; title: 'Het Negerboek')
I love books about the South, slavery, and Southern literature (I know this is not Southern literature). This book describes the journey of a young girl who was captured and enslaved. She describes the horrors of a slave ship, the terrors of being enslaved, and how she was finally freed and lived in London. Described painfuly yet very touching, this book caught me by the troath and punched me in the stomach, just like every truly touching book does.
My score: 8/10
Jeroen Brouwers - 'Sysiphus' bakens - vloekschrift (feuilletons 8)' (probably my favourite Dutch author, no translation)
I admire Jeroen Brouwers. He's one of the best Dutch writers I have read, and by far the best polemic writer I've ever read. I'm doing a great job on collecting all his books. Anyway, this polemic deals with the fact Brouwers denied 'the most prestigious literary price in the lowlands' because he can hardly live from the money he makes as an author. I like all his books, but I like him the most when he gets angry.
My score: 9/10
Dirk De Wachter - 'Borderline times - the end of normality' (read in Dutch; title: 'Borderline times, the end of normality')
Great, just great. De Wachter gives us a view on society based on the 8 characteristics of borderline as listed in the DSM IV, and how they dominate our society. The destruction of family, the glorification of violence and substance abuse, and many more. By some of the points I shaked my head and felt like he finally described how I felt for years. But as every one on earth, I'm not free of blame, and sometimes I had to admit I make the same mistakes. A thought-provoking and very interesting book, I recommend it to everybody who is interested in psychology and society.
My score: 8/10
Books that match the 2015 reading challenge
Sabetha
pissedofpenguin@gmail.com
NOTE: I'm typing this post way too late, I forgot a lot of details about some books. This post is really blurry and bad, my excuses for that. I should really start typing these comments right after I finish, but man am I lazy...
Bret Easton Ellis - 'Imperial bedrooms' (read in Dutch; title: 'De informanten')
Bret Easton Ellis is one of my favourite authors, so I really looked forward to reading this book. Imperial bedrooms takes us back to the characters we've met in his first novel, 'less than zero', which is still my favourite Ellis book. I must say I wasn't that impressed with this sequel. You do get a nice view into the lives of Clay, Rip, and all the others, but this book just didn't tickle my fancy like the rest of his books do. (this reminds me, I still have to read 'rules of attraction', I bought it a million years ago but still didn't read it). I'm not saying you shouldn't read it, but I strongly suggest you start with 'less than zero' first. Else you really won't know what the hell he's writing about
my score: 5/10
Jonathan Franzen - 'Strong Motion' (read in Dutch; title: 'Schokgolven')
A strange book. The protagonist is a young man who struggles with live, society, but most of all his materialistic mom and sister. After an earthquake, his grandmother dies. His mom inherits all her money, which brings great stress into the household. At the same time, he falls in love with an older scientist, who discovered a connection between the earthquakes and a nearby factory. The book handles about love and growing up, but also about pollution and how we are all responsible. Can't say I enjoyed it that much, but it's beautifully written. I do believe the author has a lot of potential to grow, so I might read more of his books.
My score: 5/10
Hubert Lampo - 'Terugkeer naar Atlantis' (famous Flemish writer, found no translation)
My mom hates Lampo, because she was forced to read his most famous novel, 'De komst van Joachim Stiller', in high school. She hated it with a passion, but I read that book about 4 years ago and loved it. This one wasn't as good, but still I like how Lampo writes, in a philosophical way, no big stories, but big thoughts. I can't really describe it anymore and since there is no translation, I won't bother. I strongly recommend 'Joachim Stiller', tho.
My score: 7/10
Gayle Lynds - 'The book of Spies' (read in Dutch; title: 'De geheime Boekenclub')
This book was really stupid. I liked the idea at first, but the story bored me to dead, probably one of the worst 'thrillers' I've ever read. I don't want to use any more words for it.
My score: 3/10
Lawrence hill - 'The book of Negroes' (read in Dutch; title: 'Het Negerboek')
I love books about the South, slavery, and Southern literature (I know this is not Southern literature). This book describes the journey of a young girl who was captured and enslaved. She describes the horrors of a slave ship, the terrors of being enslaved, and how she was finally freed and lived in London. Described painfuly yet very touching, this book caught me by the troath and punched me in the stomach, just like every truly touching book does.
My score: 8/10
Jeroen Brouwers - 'Sysiphus' bakens - vloekschrift (feuilletons 8)' (probably my favourite Dutch author, no translation)
I admire Jeroen Brouwers. He's one of the best Dutch writers I have read, and by far the best polemic writer I've ever read. I'm doing a great job on collecting all his books. Anyway, this polemic deals with the fact Brouwers denied 'the most prestigious literary price in the lowlands' because he can hardly live from the money he makes as an author. I like all his books, but I like him the most when he gets angry.
My score: 9/10
Dirk De Wachter - 'Borderline times - the end of normality' (read in Dutch; title: 'Borderline times, the end of normality')
Great, just great. De Wachter gives us a view on society based on the 8 characteristics of borderline as listed in the DSM IV, and how they dominate our society. The destruction of family, the glorification of violence and substance abuse, and many more. By some of the points I shaked my head and felt like he finally described how I felt for years. But as every one on earth, I'm not free of blame, and sometimes I had to admit I make the same mistakes. A thought-provoking and very interesting book, I recommend it to everybody who is interested in psychology and society.
My score: 8/10
Books that match the 2015 reading challenge
- A book with more than 500 pages: 'strong motion'
- A book by a female author: 'The book of spies' (sadly enough)
- A book set in a different country: 'The book of negroes' (multiple countries!)
- A book you can finish in a day: 'Imperial bedrooms'
- A non-fiction book: 'Borderline times'
Sabetha
pissedofpenguin@gmail.com
Bad news (personal)
Hi folks,
We recently found out my mom has lung cancer. I really tried updating this blog sooner, but I couldn't.
The verdict was on 26th january. Last wednesday she had her first chemotherapy. She seems to react quite good to it, she's not sick or tired. My mother is a very strong woman. I know most people will say this about their parents, but my mom really isn't normal.
Since I had internship for 11 weeks, I did not have much time to study, and exams are coming closer and closer. Also, I'm at my parents house now to help them out with tasks, because my dad has extreme back pains which cause him to walk with a limp. He needs to be operated on march 2.
As much as I want to write and be a little angry penguin, I just can't, not now. I'm 100 percent sure every one reading this understands.
Love,
Sabetha
pissedofpenguin@gmail.com
We recently found out my mom has lung cancer. I really tried updating this blog sooner, but I couldn't.
The verdict was on 26th january. Last wednesday she had her first chemotherapy. She seems to react quite good to it, she's not sick or tired. My mother is a very strong woman. I know most people will say this about their parents, but my mom really isn't normal.
Since I had internship for 11 weeks, I did not have much time to study, and exams are coming closer and closer. Also, I'm at my parents house now to help them out with tasks, because my dad has extreme back pains which cause him to walk with a limp. He needs to be operated on march 2.
As much as I want to write and be a little angry penguin, I just can't, not now. I'm 100 percent sure every one reading this understands.
Love,
Sabetha
pissedofpenguin@gmail.com
zondag 18 januari 2015
BusyBusyBusy
I haven't been working for school as much as I should have the last couple of weeks, which means I have a lot of catching up to do. Besides that I have internship. And although I tried a couple of times to write an article, about stuff that is happening in Belgium and Europe right now, things are changing so rapidly I can't follow. On top of that, I'm trying to read more during evenings. So I don't have as much blog-time as I'd like in these dark days hehe.
Anyway, I'll try to update more regularly, for now, I'll leave you with this awesome fella:
Anyway, I'll try to update more regularly, for now, I'll leave you with this awesome fella:
Sabetha
pissedofpenguin@gmail.com
zaterdag 10 januari 2015
The elephant in the room: Charlie Hebdo
Since Paris is not that far from Antwerp, and since the attack this wednesday was not just an attack on innocent people, but also and foremost an attack on the freedom of speech, I'll do my 'job' and state my support for the victims, family and the protests going on right now.
I won't bother you with details of what happened. I think every one who stumbles upon this blog knows pretty darn good what happened, and else: google is your best friend (just don't automatically believe what some sources say...). It's hard to express what I felt when I heard of what happened. I wasn't shocked, it felt more like the threath we all felt the last years in Europe, was finally unravelling in full force and it was awful yet also oddly familiar, as if we all knew it was coming, we just expected it to be a bombing or some other 'common' method of terrorism. Unlike my reaction to other attacks, such as those in London, I felt really uneasy about it. Not only is it an act of terrorism, it's also aimed at one of the 'rights' we have which I cherish most.
Antwerp is not only pretty close to Paris, we also have a big population of muslims, wether we like it or not. Reaction happened pretty quickly over here. The same night, a spontanious procession took place in Brussels. I also like this Antwerp graffitti:
I don't believe muslims were involved in the attack. Extremists did it, not muslims. But that's not what I want to write about now. Since I'm 100% sure we haven't seen the last of this yet, I'll get back to the events and the suspects in another post.
I've read a lot about the militarisation of the police and how the world is ruled by those who we can never see or hurt. But it's one of the first times I can give comments on an event that is met with disgust globaly. I really don't feel happy about it, but I'm really curious to see what rights will be taken away from which people as a response to what took place. Also, this will be discussed by yours truly, later.
What shocked me the most is how close it's all becoming and especially, who got killed at Charlie Hebdo. 2 of the killed cartoonists were old men.
I'm still looking for the right feeling to express what I was thinking when I saw the news, but I can't quite put a finger on it. It felt like recognition, like it was ment to be, we all knew it would come but we never wanted to see it coming.
The year 2015 has not started out good. Am I scared? No, but I'm certainly not at ease. Not only did we loose 12 people on wednesday, the whole event spanned roughly 2 days, in which more people died and chaos ruled France and Europe. We have not yet seen the end of this. More attacks will follow, I am so sure of that. But that's not the only thing that unsettles me. Already have I seen some measures and tactics being used the last days which gave me goosebumps. I'll also get back on that later.
All I want to say for now is this: I condemn these actions and I feel deeply for the deads, pain and suffering they gave us. But let's not forget we are being ruled by an elite who has everything just under control. I want to know the truth about what happened almost in my backyard. I'm not buying this IS/Al-Qaida crap. And I do NOT like what is happening in Europe neither the voices I hear in the streets.
That's all for now folks, as I said 3 times before, I will get back on this.
Sabetha
pissedofpenguin@gmail.com
I won't bother you with details of what happened. I think every one who stumbles upon this blog knows pretty darn good what happened, and else: google is your best friend (just don't automatically believe what some sources say...). It's hard to express what I felt when I heard of what happened. I wasn't shocked, it felt more like the threath we all felt the last years in Europe, was finally unravelling in full force and it was awful yet also oddly familiar, as if we all knew it was coming, we just expected it to be a bombing or some other 'common' method of terrorism. Unlike my reaction to other attacks, such as those in London, I felt really uneasy about it. Not only is it an act of terrorism, it's also aimed at one of the 'rights' we have which I cherish most.
Antwerp is not only pretty close to Paris, we also have a big population of muslims, wether we like it or not. Reaction happened pretty quickly over here. The same night, a spontanious procession took place in Brussels. I also like this Antwerp graffitti:
I don't believe muslims were involved in the attack. Extremists did it, not muslims. But that's not what I want to write about now. Since I'm 100% sure we haven't seen the last of this yet, I'll get back to the events and the suspects in another post.
I've read a lot about the militarisation of the police and how the world is ruled by those who we can never see or hurt. But it's one of the first times I can give comments on an event that is met with disgust globaly. I really don't feel happy about it, but I'm really curious to see what rights will be taken away from which people as a response to what took place. Also, this will be discussed by yours truly, later.
What shocked me the most is how close it's all becoming and especially, who got killed at Charlie Hebdo. 2 of the killed cartoonists were old men.
I'm still looking for the right feeling to express what I was thinking when I saw the news, but I can't quite put a finger on it. It felt like recognition, like it was ment to be, we all knew it would come but we never wanted to see it coming.
The year 2015 has not started out good. Am I scared? No, but I'm certainly not at ease. Not only did we loose 12 people on wednesday, the whole event spanned roughly 2 days, in which more people died and chaos ruled France and Europe. We have not yet seen the end of this. More attacks will follow, I am so sure of that. But that's not the only thing that unsettles me. Already have I seen some measures and tactics being used the last days which gave me goosebumps. I'll also get back on that later.
All I want to say for now is this: I condemn these actions and I feel deeply for the deads, pain and suffering they gave us. But let's not forget we are being ruled by an elite who has everything just under control. I want to know the truth about what happened almost in my backyard. I'm not buying this IS/Al-Qaida crap. And I do NOT like what is happening in Europe neither the voices I hear in the streets.
That's all for now folks, as I said 3 times before, I will get back on this.
Sabetha
pissedofpenguin@gmail.com
vrijdag 2 januari 2015
Nightmares, anyone?
I once read a book in which the author staded that the worst thing to listen to is someone else's nightmare. But I also read someone who had the same feeling about having to watch someone's vacation photographs, and this one for me is the shittiest out of the list. So here we go.
I hate dreaming because of my frequent and intense nightmares. Since I quit smoking weed during the week I've been dreaming again, but not quite like I was used to.
First of all, since two weeks I start dreaming really late because I'm always vividly dreaming when my alarm goes off at roughly the same hour. Besides that, I've been having the same dream over and over again, but with different elements.
It's always about one of the places I spend time a lot. They are always being bombed. It started with my hometown, Last time it was in Antwerp. The only real thing that's always the same is the bombing, the other things happening are random and really stupid or crazy. This one time, I tried to run away in the woods and in another one, some queen of thieves was threatening me. Etc etc.
I always considered dreams and nightmares in particular to be crazy spins of the brain, sadly enough I encounter them a lot during nightly hours. This is one of the reasons I have regular problems with sleep.
But I never dream about the same theme every damn time. I don't believe my dream to be some vision. I'm just wondering what's happening in my brain. This stuff is way too annoying (and creepy) at the same time.
Sabetha
pissedofpenguin@gmail.com
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