Fries & Ministers

Ladies and gentlemen,

Belgian Fries

The moment is almost there. Today the last political parties consulted their followers and asked them to vote in favour or against the political agreement reached by the negotiators. A couple of hours ago the last party accepted the agreement with an approval rate of about 98% (as did all parties). Although they all complained that the political agreement didn't correspond in a satisfactory manner to their party viewpoints, they all gave their consent because of the historical nature of the agreement. And, undoubtedly, we all agree about that after 539 days after the last elections. So, tonight the last thing they are deciding is who will get which position in the new government. Given the reforms that will have to be introduced not everyone is eager to participate at this government  but hey, the pay isn't that bad, so they will find the 'right' candidates by tomorrow morning.

This means that tomorrow the new government will be sworn in at exactly 540 days with only 2.5 years left, because they already used up the rest of the 4 years...

King Albert II

But don't be fooled. I'm not all that interested in this new government, as shouldn't you! Of far more importance is the fact that today, Sunday December 4, 2011 is the last day of 'The week of the Belgian (!) Fries'. Both the Flemish and the French speaking communities in Belgium celebrated the so called French fries in their own way. The Flemish distributed free Belgian fries each day in another mayor city in Flanders. The Walloons could exchange their newspapers for their portion of fries and they organized a competition called 'Declare your love for the Fries'. Both also added a creative touch to the event: Flanders made a parody on the King's annual speech and the Walloons brought us a Song of the Fries (warning: a bit loud!).

For those who want to explore a bit more, have a look at:

Flemish: http://www.weekvandefriet.be

French: http://www.semainedelafrite.be

And to prove that Belgium remains united, even after the 540 days of the Belgian political version of 'waiting for Godot', there is the site of the Belgian National Union of Fries-makers.

Now, the past few days I realized that sometimes it is hard to explain what's going on or to have an insight in Belgium and why we need 540 days to form a government in the heart of 'United' Europe. So, I decided to offer you for the rest of the week each day - if I succeed - a relaxing, but insightful video showing some aspect of Belgium. Be it a general introduction, or a look at one of it's cities. In any case you will get to know something you didn't know before. 

Here's the introduction for today: A video that is exactly tailored to this Sunday, in between the Belgian Fries and the new Belgian government. Enjoy!

A short animated film about the Belgian political structure. The text was written by Marcel Sel, a Belgian writer, author of Walen Buiten, a best-seller on the «Belgian Crisis». The music was specifically composed by Laurent Aglat for the film, and Emma Dornan's beautiful voice gave the commentary its magical tone. The film was directed by Jerome de Gerlache. And a special thanks to Karine Quarant-Schmidt ! blog.marcelsel.com laurentaglat.com jeromedegerlache.com

Now, after showing you my first introduction I would like to just mention that although I'm a Belgian, I'm living abroad. Well, not that far abroad: now I live in Switzerland. Before that and throughout my life I moved around the globe quite a bit, which gave me some special insights in what's going on in my home country. You know 'distance enables insight', that sort of thing. Maybe later I'll do a week on Switzerland.

iNR

Grow up!

Today I want to write a special topic. Finally someone in the Belgian national press is speaking what everyone with a little sense is thinking. The article was written in Flemish, so I will provide you with a full translation. I don't leave anything out, and if I add something I will do so in yellow. The pictures I added myself. First, let me briefly explain the context so you are able to situate the article...

Another voice

As you know the Belgians had elections a long time ago. To be precise: today, 537 days since there were general elections on Sunday, June 13, 2010. Since that day different parties and politicians have negotiated to come to an agreement to solve Belgians problems. It is clear that the struggle was profound when it came to national issues, but in light of the turmoil on the financial markets in the euro-zone, it is crystal clear that budget cuts are necessary. The state - which means: all of us - has to reduce spending and find new income - means: higher taxes in general. No country wants to end up as Greece, Portugal or Italy with a crisis so profound it becomes hard to live! On March 29, 2011 (after 289 days) we took from Iraq the record for the longest time without a government in peacetime. So, it is clear that having an agreement after 537 days is an accomplishment given the problems to be solved. A few days ago, when it became clear we had an agreement and hence a new government, the unions decided they did not agree and called for a national strike, which took effect today...

This is the context to which you should relate this article... Enjoy reading!

Note: Copyright of the original article " Word eens volwassen" remains with the authors: Yves Delepeleire, Sarah Vankersschaever en Nikolas Vanhecke. It was published on December 2nd, 2011 in De Standaard and can be found at: http://www.standaard.be/artikel/detail.aspx?artikelid=CQ3J29NR

GROW UP!

Today we will see the same predictable images on the news: tens of thousands of unions members dressed in red, green and blue are blocking the traffic in Brussels, making much fuss and shouting slogans like 'no to blind cuts', ‘not on the back of the working man' and ‘hands off our early retirement'. There was a time we could just smile about it; we even approved and sympathized with your strikes, even if it was only because they have something of a friendly fair. But today we don't understand you! We really don't!

The Union

When we take a look at the new coalition agreement, then we find it contains sufficient food and drink for the 'working man'. Do we have to make sacrifices? Yes, certainly. As everyone. But in comparison with the social massacres wreaking some other European countries, the sacrifices asked of us by Di Rupo I can be called mere peanuts (Di Rupo is the name of our new Prime Minister, and with the roman numeral "I" added it signifies the first coalition he leads). No increase of the statutory retirement age, no relinquishing of a months salary, no stop on salary negotiations. And, what may be your biggest concern,  an index - nonexistent in all other European countries - that remains untouched (The index is a mechanism linked to a reference number that takes into account several living expenses. And when a critical value is reached all salaries (ea) increase correspondingly, adapting the purchase power of people at the increased living expense). Moreover, from 2013, the tax deductible amount for the low and middle class incomes will be increased with 200 euro. And the lowest pensions are increased as well. If these are crisis-measures, then you should be happy, in stead of shooting down the agreement as came it straight from hell.

That you only want to see the negative side of the agreement, is in our opinion the direct result of one reflex only: conservation. What you call 'social destruction', we don't see as anything more than 'social correction'. No generation has evolved that quickly as the baby-boom-generation. Year after year they received one present after the other (payed career breaks, early retirement from 58, ...), because the society could afford it at that time. We have to arrive at the conclusion that we all have been living too long beyond our means and we will have to work a little longer to keep things for everyone - and specifically for the future generations - a bit survivable. And now, you are telling us: not with us. Just like a child, you don't want to return the candy. That profiles you more than ever as the unions of the acquired rights. It makes you more than ever the voice of just the older generation, who, blind for the reality, takes a stand, digs in and looks back. With such an attitude you accomplish exactly what you claim to be fighting, namely that the invoice should be forwarded to the next generations.

ATTITUDE

We realize that the message of having to work longer, isn't a nice one. If we have to work longer, it does not suffice to increase the age for early retirement. The politicians will have to find creative means to avoid the social dumping of companies and to keep older employees motivated to work, by giving them for instance a lighter workload. There are for sure elderly who want to work. Nevertheless we get the bad feeling that the work attitude of many persons in their late forties and early fifties is getting spoiled. Or do you think it is normal that the only ardent desire of many persons in their early fifties is to enter early retirement 'as soon as possible'? That is for sure an attitude resulting from politics, but that, you, the unions, are supporting now.

Positive attitude

We find that defensive attitude irresponsible, because it is short-sighted and untenable. The inverted population pyramid is a fact. Each year we are with less workers to pay for the still increasing ageing of the population. The measures of Di Rupo I might be sufficient to attenuate the first effects of the ageing, hopefully, but they are so minimal and widespread in time that it is clear today that they will have to be strengthened rather sooner then later. If you can't see that, then you are denying the sunlight. And that makes your rear cap fight painfully embarrassing.

Dear trade unions, you blame the political parties of being too afraid of their voters to take courage decisions. Unfortunately you seem to adopt the same attitude. We can't discard the impression that you only preach what your followers want to hear, in view of the next trade union elections. It makes us wonder if trade unions are still representing the ideology to which they pledge when toasting at new year. With the vision you are promoting today, you are more and more resembling a bad parody of Daens (Belgian film about a priest 'Daens' who fought social injustice during the industrial revolution of the 19th century). 

We are not collaborating with Europe or the employers, about whom you so often say that they never have enough. We are not the spokesman of an ultra liberal ideology, nor heralds of an entire generation. Our outrage is not primarily one of journalists, but rather one of young citizens. It comes straight from the heart. And that profound feeling tells us we are heading straight for a new generation conflict. Not between mother and sun or father and daughter, but between young and old. We are not youngsters who want to give up the solidarity with the older generation. But we can't avoid noticing that now, you, yourself with your attitude are putting at risk the solidarity with future generations.

This is not the only article that appeared today in the Belgian press, but it is one which contains many criticisms I agree with. It presents a healthy perspective and hopefully it starts to make people think before they strike.

To finish I would like to add an initiative from the Union of Independent Entrepreneurs in Belgium. They launched a petition for those who did not strike because they did not want to bring any further harm to the Belgian economy. You can find the online petition (in Flemish only) on their site. Although I am in no way linked to them, I think this was a healthy initiative. Especially because they promoted it by rewarding those who went to work (by serving them a special breakfast).

You're encouraged to leave some comments and to spread the word. I'd love to know what you think about this and how it applies to your profession/region/country/continent...

Enjoy the weekend!
(and the new workweek)

iNR

New Chief

Today I'm not writing about today, but about yesterday. Nevertheless yesterday continued today or today began a little late, which made yesterday last longer. But if you're reading this from London then yesterday did not continue today, because yesterday did not finish before today started. You're just one hour late ;-) Well, all of this just to say that yesterdays evening continued well past midnight...

Ahmadinejad                       Fidel Castr(ad)o

So, yesterday, after a long and hard fought campaign, I was elected Chief of the 8th floor, by Christa (the underground subversive mole of the 7th floor), by Sarah (the lonely companion of Fidel the Igel - English: hedgehog), by Mahsa (the most intelligent nuclear doctor), by Ahmadinejad (our rabbit/chick who feels rejected by Sarah and loves to drink Christa's beer) and by Fidel Castr(ad)o.

Here's the final verdict:

Although the day is long and I have to concentrate on Instrumentation and Flight Planning and Monitoring, to be able to succeed the exams next Wednesday and Thursday, I'm looking forward to see the short film by the hand of Valentine Meylan tonight at Théâtre du Pommier.

See you all tonight!

iNR

Goodmorning Neuch

This morning I wanted to share with you the beautiful beginning of this day. The rising sun projecting a warm glow on the brick walls of the room. Not only did it light up my morning, but also the face of my dear, who was preparing to leave. I have to admit I was still waking up from below the warm eider-down, my eyes peeping just above the cover awakened by the rising sun. She was greeting me with her lovely smile, glowing in the rising sun. The next moment she's gone and I'm left with a warm bed, the rising sun and not enough courage to start another day of studying for my two flying exams of next week. 

Yesterday we had a heartwarming goodbye party for a good friend (Gg) at which I showed my clown-side in several bad ways. We had aces of fun, but of course when joking around I did some stupid things as well. We were throwing Ahmadinejad from one side of the room to the other (Ahmadinejad being our little stuffed chicken which has a little bag serving as an egg-warmer; as a pilot I love to give it flying lessons). Then my opponent decided to hide behind a colleague with a glass of beer. Guess where Ahmadinejad touched down? Again, Christa, I apologize! 

After a couple of little more successful landings, several home-made pizza's, some stove top cinnamon apples and a big Tiramisu prepared by my dear, I discovered my activity for next Thursday evening: La Soirée Concours de la CCA at Théâtre du Pommier, Neuchatel. I've never been there, but they're playing a couple of short-films of which one is made by Valentine. I hope to have fun tomorrow!

And it's free! ;-)

iNR

M-i-Essence

Today, I thought it was time to introduce "my dear" a little bit more. That said, I should tune down your expectations before they go through the roof, which would be completely justified by the way. Just focus on three elements of my dear: lips, feet and hair. These three combine to be her essence or in Apple-terminology her iEssence. And she's "mine" ... hence the title of this post. So, that's done! You know enough...

Now, to change the subject completely; for some time now I have been walking around thinking over the use of habits. You know: the good, the bad and the ugly... Some good habits: looking left ánd right before crossing the street, not wearing your underwear inside out the second time,... Some bad habits: doing your dishes with the tub water after taking the bath, selecting the wrong network when publishing your birth pictures on Tweetdeck,... Some ugly habits: wearing a tweet jacket to go water skiing, eating your nails,... and not to split hairs, but "de-splitting hairs" fits this category as well.

I guess that at this point the train has left the station with you still on the platform, so let me explain. Try to find a girl - you may look for a boy if you like to go against the odds - and observe her at a moment she has nothing to do. She will go for her hair and start playing with them. Now, if you're lucky you'll have picked one with long hairs so instead of just fudging in it, she will start to inspect them in front of her eyes. This is the moment! Look at her eyes! Completely cross-eyed!

Jaiks!

iNR

PS: Thank you my dear for being so dear to me! You're M-i-Essence!

The day I should call

Today is the day, the day I should call. If you read yesterday's post then you recall how my dear and I hit rock-bottom discussing about when I should make the call. The conclusion remained vague so the consensus, if any, could be that I would call today.

We had a pasta at Mezzo, Neuchâtel

At the time it is just over one in the afternoon and I haven't called yet. It's funny: I want to call, but at the same time I don't want. I know that it would be so much easier if I had called already. Not only would I feel much more relax; it would make my dear happy; it would advance the issue related to the call; it would make me happy because it would get things moving again... and yet: I don't want to call. It must be some kind of inertia. A nag for stability. Or maybe just a stable instability, because let's face it: our situation only seems stabilized. Yes, we are married. Yes, we spend a lot of time together. Yes, we are still able to eat and do what we like (more or less). Yes, we are able to study. Yes, we are happy... but there is just one more "yes" that will divert the shit to the fan: Yes, our money is running out fast!

So, I guess in the end it would be better to just make the call. And maybe it would be best if I stick to the word "end" and really make the call upon ending this post. So, you all know what I'm doing for the next 5 minutes... (after I went to the "loo", hehe)

iNR

Frustration Day

I wish to you all a Happy Frustration Day!

Today, it seems to be frustration day. Nothing like Indignado, Arabian Spring, Anti-nuclear transport, etc, but just plain frustration.  

I tried the whole day to concentrate on the topics for my exams of next week. Without any success. I did like a couple of tests to see where I am, but withstanding the positive results, it frustrates me only more. Let me try and briefly explain it to you: 

I'm studying to get my Airline Transport Pilot License (ATPL). Until now I passed all my exams, but now they did an update of the questions and subjects on the exam. They also updated the online system that allows us to study, but because I started my exams in the old exam-system, I have to continue in this system. The fact that they updated the study-system and deleted all old subjects, results in the fact that I'm not able to study the old subjects that I'll get on my exam. And that I have to study the new subjects which I won't get on the exam.

Nevertheless I stayed at the library the entire day. Trying all the tricks I know - after all, I am a psychologist - I was hoping to get the rush going, the concentration flowing, but all in vane. Then, my dear comes back from her second appointment. Merely sitting down she asks me if I called the lady of the consulting company? I keep calm and say: No, but I'll do it tomorrow; thinking that tomorrow my headache will have disappeared, my patience will be recharged and my energy levels in general might be just a tad higher than tonight at the end of this marvelous gray day at the library. Unfortunately, she doesn't know that today is Frustration Day, nor is she aware of my train of thought (better that she can't read my mind, right?). Equally unfortunate, however, is that she keeps pushing to call today. So, what can I do: I gently promise her to call tomorrow, but that's it. She then want me to say "tomorrow morning" - you know, as a binding promise, but I refuse. After all, I'm a responsible guy and it is already five to five pm, so "tomorrow" should suffice. If you're single you think at this point that it is solved - to be honest, you probably thought it a couple of times before - but regretfully I can inform you that in married life things are ever so slightly different: Now, the real bargaining starts: "afternoon" I say; "morning" she says; "early afternoon" I say; ... slowly we dig a hole looking for the more profound levels of the ridiculous stage, until we arrive at rock bottom: "between 12 and 13" I say. She replies: " Yeah, of course, that's when everyone is to lunch" and she goes back to tomorrow morning. And with that we reached rock-bottom of my patience: " Ok, that's it, I won't call her". That puts things back in perspective, because after all, all she wanted for me is to make the call. So, now I go back to work, and if I call tomorrow, everything will be fine...

And that my friends is called: negotiation on Frustration Day.

Let's bring this day to a peaceful rest...

iNR

Editing

Hey, I guess everyone already asked someone else to correct or edit a text he/she wrote, at least once. I often have the problem when I ask my dear to help me check and correct my French in emails or letters. Although I only have had enough classes in french, I missed practicing for a couple of years. So, because of this I have to shape up when it comes to punctuation or the use of the subjonctif for instance. Anyway, all good reasons for me to ask her to go over some of the texts I wrote.

So, from time to time I ask her, but then I encounter the small problem that she changes more than just spelling or grammar. She changes the style of the text. Which is understandable, because sometimes things are said in French just a slightly different way then in my head. Not only that, the Swiss French has conclusively a more formal style than the Belgian French.

Now, when I correct a text in English I have the habit of carefully marking the difference between the corrections based on spelling/grammar and those on style. In the latter case I add a small note explaining that this or that is said in another way in English. A third kind of corrections are those where I have the feeling the writer wants to tell something which is either different from what he/she is writing, or it is not absolutely clear for the reader. Until now this has produced good results and feedback from the writers. They say it helps them a lot when I make these distinctions and that's what the correction is for, right? More even, it helps to give them some insight in the corrections.

Why did I write this? Oh yes, my dear... In a clumsy way I just wanted to thank her for her help in correcting my French and also apologizing because it is not that simple to correct my text. I'm quite the pain in the ass, especially if I don't get the kind of feedback that I expect/need/want/... I put the bar quite high up there. Fortunately I have a dear who has the patience and curiosity to discover my "delicacies". A big thanks to her.

iNR

i - Relevant

There is an iPod, an iPhone, an iPad and an iCloud. That's all important, but what's the common element between all these marvels of modern technology? I mean besides Apple or the late Steve... I is the linking concept. Well, this blog is mine and about what I find relevant or irrelevant: Hence, the title: i-Relevant. Up to you how you read it...

While writing this I'm watching my wife, lying on the bed. Sexy as she is - hey I married her for a reason ;-) - she's diverting my attention from writing this blog, but not the way you might think. No, she's sniffing away. I just gave her a bunch of placebo-pills to swallow which magically stopped the hissing, sniffing and coughing. So now she's reading the book Dialogic Learning, trying not to fall asleep. And that is, for all of you who know my wife, a lost struggle. Fortunately her nose is keeping her awake. 

But, hey, back to me!

I, after all, am the topic of this blog. I want to share my thoughts, my ideas, my observations, but at the same time I realize that it might not be that simple. Hey, let's face it, I already have difficulty writing my more distant friends in a somewhat regular manner. Nevertheless writing can be therapeutic, I guess. Like writing in a diary, but in a way more in tune with modern social media. As a psychologist I can see the therapeutic usefulness of this blog. As a husband I can also see how this might contribute to our relationship. Me concentrating on studies and work, my wife concentrating on her studies - well, I have to say that at this moment she's more concerned with the splitting of hairs then with the book in front of her. More, we are both communicating in a language that is not our mother tongue. So, let's face it. The fact that we survived for 100 days already is a miracle on it's own. Life is a challenge, right ;-)

See, you next time for more...

iNR