Life and its little pleasures

Werchter

Probably my last one, but definitely one to remember. I had a great time at Rock Werchter this year. Highlights for me were: Marc Ronson, Soulwax, Hot Chip, Mika, Ben Folds, Air Traffic and The Hives.

I can't believe that anyone would still book these losers or even pay money to go see them. What an idiot...

The wedding on Saturday was good fun too even though the DJ sucked big time. My cousin's quote: "if you won't start playing some better music, I will smack you in the face", was good for some laughs, but didn't have any impact at all. Luckily we were all determined to have a good time, no mater what. Even kissing those younger ones, right R.?

Moving in 2 weeks... countdown has started.

Party

The "Was it 70s, 80s or 90s"-party (in true Stu Bru mode) was a success! Best party I have ever had at my house. Thanks to everyone for making a fantastic effort in the dress department. You guys rock!

I see the pictures already appearing on Facebook (oh god...), and there is a selection also online right here.

Party

My birthday/housewarming party was awesome! Thanks to everyone who made an effort to show up as a Quentin Tarantino character! Some pictures here.

Sting

Yesterday in De Standaard: Second show of The Police tonight cancelled due to voice problems of Sting. Their gig in Het Sportpaleis in Antwerp on Monday sold out, but on Tuesday the show was postponed.

Since I don't live in Belgium anymore and definitely didn't have Police tickets, I couldn't care less. I had better tickets for yesterday evening: tickets for The Masque of the Red Death, the new production of Punchdrunk. They also did Faust some months ago, remember? Again it was an amazing experience (read a review here) and if you can get tickets to this, go. Because let me tell you, everybody wants to go there! Even famous rock stars cancel gigs to go there... Yes, Sting was also there last night...

Adam, a friend (and lead actor of Breaker), plays in this too (middle one in the picture).

Port Eliot 2

Thousands of mosquito bites and a wary start aside, this last weekend was just amazing. I have completely changed my views on literature festivals!

Ok, so no trains on Friday due to the bad UK weather did not promise a very good start of the weekend. Going to the casino instead and winning money at the poker tables however, made me feel a lot better already (and made the rest of the weekend free!).

So we left on Saturday morning and about 4 trains and 5 hours later, we arrived in St Germans, some tiny quaint town close to Plymouth. The festival grounds were at 300 meters from the train station, so no long hikes there. Port Eliot is a manor with a beatiful estate surrounding it.

After finding the perfect spot for the tent (see pics from Nick below), we enjoyed 2 days of poetry, stand up comedy, stand up poetry (aisle16, these guys were brilliant), music, 1-minute disco, dancing, drinking, eating etc. And it didn't even rain during Saturday and Sunday. At least not during the day... It rained all Sunday night though...

So after Brighton, my second wandering outside of London was quite worth the trip! More pics from me on Flickr.

Camping percussion

Yes, I was on this camping and yes, I heard it all. It was around 3 am, I think...

Festivalitis

The rock t-shirt

Yep, the design for the werchter shirt is final! Thanks to the ever fabulous Shellac!If you see one of these @ Rock Werchter, buy that person a drink because they are worthy!!

Cannes

I'm lying here on the sofa, exhausted from last night (party, more on that later) and SkyMovies is broadcasting a special on the 60th anniversary of the Cannes Filmfestival. During the next weeks, one of their channels will be showing all the films that won a Palme D'Or. Tonight, it's l'Enfant.

I had an amazing 3 days at the Festival earlier this week. After a couple of hours standing in line for the accreditation (thanks again, Screenvision), everything was just wonderful. Some of the highlights:
- 28 degrees Celcius (it was raining all day in London on the day before I left, so this was definitely a big highlight)
- Persepolis. A wonderful animation movie that actually made me cry twice. De Standaard seems to agree with me, my company on the other hand fell asleep during the film... de gustibus et coloris etc...
- Tanghi Argentini, the best short film I saw during the couple of hours I spent in one of the short film booths in the short film corner. Try to see this. It's a beautiful script and really great acting (Dirk van Dijck and Koen Van Impe). Oh yes, It's a Belgian film by Guido Thys.
- Straight8 screening in the Kodak pavilion. Some really cool films like Sticks and Balls, Everything but... and The Other Half.
- Partying after the Straight8 screening (no other comments).
- Dressing up "red carpet" style (yes, yes, tuxedo, evening dress etc...) and seeing the premiere of Mister Lonely (weird film, good moments, sometimes very funny but too long).
- Another highlight: the hotel within walking distance of the Palais. And I found it the week before the festival. And not even exepnsive. Trust me, this is worth a lot! Yes, very very lucky.

Unfortunately no spotting of Brad Pitt, George Clooney, Leonardo or any others. Although this crew sat in the bar of the Martinez hotel with Quentin Tarrantino and Roman Polanski. But that was the day before I arrived... Ah well, something to maybe look forward to next year. Selection of pictures of the three days here.

T-shirt

So I've got the tickets, I've got the accomodation and everybody is still very excited to come down to Belgium for the festival. There will be about 14 of us heading over from the UK and some other countries and we are as excited as 16-year olds who are allowed to go for the first time. Also, my reputation is on the line as I've been bragging my pants off about the "atmosphere at Werchter". So it beter be good and the weather better be excellent. Now all I need to arrange is some cool t-shirts for all of us to wear for fun. (Yes, I digg the "I'm part of this stupid group"-feeling) So what to put on there? It has to be really funny, because we will have to outstage other groups like the Asfaltkonijnen... Any ideas anyone? Maybe Shellac can make us a nice design because he's such a good friend? :-) Or because I ask so nicely? Please lieve Gerrit...