July 14th, 15th and 17th
Well, it's been a while since I last posted so I suppose I'm overdue. Thursday (15th) was my birthday. My good friends Eric and Angus had been planning a surprise for me for about two weeks, that I managed to ruin unknowingly the day before. Prior to this, they had talked about taking me out, getting me liquored up and all three of us getting german hookers with them paying for mine. I was hesitatnt, to say the least! Thankfully this story was exactly that- a story. The day before my birthday they both came over. They told me that the Air Force was doing a bake sale and Angus had been slotted to make cookies. In hindsight that's a ridiculous story, but I thought nothing of it, since I haven't had a celebrated birthday in about a decade now, and never a surprise one. Anyway, to shorten this, they needed to borrow a cookie sheet from me, which they did. A minute later Eric came over and borrowed back the key I have to his house. (he has one of mine as well) He said Angus needed to use the computer over the next couple days. Again, quite believable at the time, but in retrospect Angus could have got it from me when he needed it, since he hangs out with me anyway. They said they were going out, and I was home. Now, not having a key, but wanting to check my email- My phone, and subsequently my internet, has been shut off for a little while at home- I went next door to Erics house.. expecting there to be no answer. After a pause, Eric answered. I told him I wanted to use his computer for a minute.. and he fumbled with his words for a couple minutes before scurrying away shaken. Angus stepped up to the door and talked to me.. but (not knowing otherwise) I persisted. He finally said "Tom, you can't come in here". I said "no, it's cool, I just want to check my email for a minute and a half, put it on disc and I'll take it home." He just looked dead at me and said "no Tom, you really can't come in here." It took nearly ten seconds before it hit me.. then after a lot of swears (not angry swears) from all three of us, I walked in backwards and went into the computer room. Anyway, to spare anyone reading this, let's fast-forward to the actual birthday. They really had put a lot into this. There were streamers and balloons across Erics living room, they had moved the furniture into more of a party setup, the kitchen table looked like a catering company had visited.. all done by Angus.. I have to say, for a "man's-man", the guy knows his way around the kitchen. He had done self-serve taco stuff with all the toppings, and I mean all. He had made stuff for the nacho chips, the napkins and plates were arranged perfectly. It was amazing. Zack and Mrs. Zack showed up. (thats an inside joke- they've just started dating.. theres more to the joke but I'd best leave it alone) We all sat and talked and ate together and had a great time. (Paul and Claire had already shown up briefly, but had to leave early. They did bring me a wonderful card though..smile) Then it was time for presents. I felt like a little kid again. There were cards and presents for me to unwrap! That's something I'm really, really not used to! I was entirely expecting them to be gag gifts, given the type of conversations/jokes we usually engage in. I fully expected at least one of the gifts to need inflating, perhaps resembling a farm animal, and it wouldn't have surprised me to see a butt-plug in there somewhere. But they got me actual, legitimate gifts. Gifts that required thought and patience. Gifts that showed they spent most of an entire day shopping just for me. Things that will look good in my home here, and in my farmhouse in Maine after I get out. Next we all went next door to my house to watch an episode of South Park I have that the Blakes (aka the Zacks aka the Smiths etc) hadn't seen yet and we all loved. Then Eric and Angus went next door and came back with a huge tub of ice cream and a homemade cake! They made me an actual cake, which meant that not only did they have to buy all the stuff for it, but they had to bring everything to Angus's house (since Eric & I dont have ovens in our apartments) and then bring it all back again. Apparently there's a funny story to it too. It seems that not only did they forget the cookie sheets for the "catering" layout, but they also forgot to buy oil for the cake. They asked if I had any "for the cookies", which I didn't. Again, I thought nothing. If I have something a friend needs, it's theirs. That's just how anyone should live. Anyway, they went downstairs to the Dutch grocery store but they couldn't figure out which one was the right oil. They asked a male employee, who stood there confused for at least 30 seconds before getting a female employee. They repeated everything to her, saying they weren't sure what the Dutch call it, but it's the oil you use to make a cake. She looked around for a while, looking confused, so Angus tried pointing to one. "no" she said, "that is for salads". A second point by Angus got another "salads". And a third. Then they tried to sell them their (Dutch) cake mix, which they would have none of. Finally the woman said she was sorry but she couldn't help them, and quickly disappeared. Right before leaving they noticed one that had a picture of corn on it. Remembering that his mother had baked with corn oil in the past before, Angus took a gamble and won. They used it in the cake, and it tasted fan-freaking-tastic. Then we all sat down and watched "The Butterfly Effect" which is a great movie if you haven't seen it! More people showed up near the end of the movie, and we all talked and watched the end of that and part of the Steve-O movie. July 15th was the second best day I've ever had in the Netherlands (#1 was in Maastricht at an Irish bar and walking around the park) and I have my friends Angus and Eric (with the help of Joan, Zack, Zack and Brianna) to thank for it. So guys, if you read this, from the bottom of my heart, thank you.
Yesterday (Saturday) we went to see Farenheit 9/11, the new Michael Moore movie. I said before, and I say now after seeing it, the same thing about Michael Moore and his movies. He does bring attention to things that need attention. He does question things that should be questioned. But he also uses the same lies, political spins, and fear and hysteria in his movies that he criticizes the media and government for using. That, in my book does not make him a bad person. Just a hippocrate. The other thing that bothered me about the movie is that, as far as I've heard from everyone, it's SUPPOSED to be a movie about 9/11, at least primarily. In reality it was a two hour critique about Bush. Bush has made mistakes. Bush should be critiqued. I don't hate Bush per-se, although I think Clinton was much better and Gore would have been better, albeit boring. But I believe in calling a spade a spade. If you want to make a movie about 9/11- fine. But keep it about 9/11. And if you want to criticize the media and the government (which I agree with you on by the way), don't use the same exact tactics you accuse them of. But I digress. I'd like to say that people will go to this movie, get something out of it, but take it with a grain of salt.. take it for what it is. Unfortunately, I think a lot of American people.. people in general for that matter, are sheep. They'll follow him blindly, unquestioningly just like Mel Gibson with the Passion. (don't get me started about that one) All you people who think Michael Moore only tells the truth, to you I can only say: Baaaah.
Yesterday (Saturday) we went to see Farenheit 9/11, the new Michael Moore movie. I said before, and I say now after seeing it, the same thing about Michael Moore and his movies. He does bring attention to things that need attention. He does question things that should be questioned. But he also uses the same lies, political spins, and fear and hysteria in his movies that he criticizes the media and government for using. That, in my book does not make him a bad person. Just a hippocrate. The other thing that bothered me about the movie is that, as far as I've heard from everyone, it's SUPPOSED to be a movie about 9/11, at least primarily. In reality it was a two hour critique about Bush. Bush has made mistakes. Bush should be critiqued. I don't hate Bush per-se, although I think Clinton was much better and Gore would have been better, albeit boring. But I believe in calling a spade a spade. If you want to make a movie about 9/11- fine. But keep it about 9/11. And if you want to criticize the media and the government (which I agree with you on by the way), don't use the same exact tactics you accuse them of. But I digress. I'd like to say that people will go to this movie, get something out of it, but take it with a grain of salt.. take it for what it is. Unfortunately, I think a lot of American people.. people in general for that matter, are sheep. They'll follow him blindly, unquestioningly just like Mel Gibson with the Passion. (don't get me started about that one) All you people who think Michael Moore only tells the truth, to you I can only say: Baaaah.