Gerko's Weblog

Monday, September 15, 2003

Sometime last week, I think I was coming home from work (What !? Work ? GERKO !? What have you been not-telling us?) (Loads, I might get around to it someday, but for now, listen to this story.) I kinda accidentily stumbled upon a coffeeshop. Well, bicycled past, actually. Complete with some cartooney figure from a dutch newspaper comic known as "De Stamgasten", and a "no admittance below 18 years" sign.

Now, for those few who are unaware of our fine nation's drug policy and culture, Coffee shops in the Netherlands are places where you can buy and smoke marijuana. Or some other "soft drugs". I'm actually not in on the real know-how, since I'm a goody-two-shoes innocent white sheet of a prince in bright shining armour (yeah, right!). In any case, I don't know jack about those places, except that foreign comedians always make fun of 'em when coming around here. Which can get a little ... tiresome when it comes along the tenth plus time.

Still, I'm not a foreign comedian. So I'm free game, right ?

So after passing it, a little plan started forming in my head. It's really not much more than the basic coffee shop gag, but I suppose it's funny anyhow. I pictured myself walking inside, and ask the tender with a straight face, (in English, to add to the effect), for a Cup O' Cappuccino.

I suppose it'd work a whole lot better if I could add another 40 years to my age, though. I mean, ignorance about such cultural differences in old people is a lot more plausible and funny than in youngsters. In youngsters, it's mainly just stupid.

Hum. Perhaps I could even comment about having a such a great drug policy in this country, barring caffeine from the underaged. (Now, that's one that could only really work with an older person. *sigh*)

You know, I actually think I'm going to do that one day. I mean, give me one good reason why not ? (Aside from the possibility of getting a little high from the smoke in the atmosphere there ?) I'm seriously crazy enough. Okay, and I realize it'd probably only be funny to myself, but hey, who cares ? Hum. Okay, I got a reason. What if they do serve coffee aside from the more directly mind-influencing substances ? ... I don't like coffee.

But then again, downing one cup of not-to-tasty brownish stuff isn't too high a price to pay for a gag that should certainly entertain myself and attract the wonder and awe of my peers. (*cough* *cough* to the last part)

Thursday, September 11, 2003

New books. New bookcounter. During my absence, add another two books that I should have put up here.

Beyond Lies The Wub, Volume 1 of the collected stories of Philip K. Dick ; spanning 404 pages containing 25 short stories.

I recognised the last story in the book, "Nanny" ... Think I saw it on TV sometime .... on The Outer Limits, probably. It's been a lot of years, but there's little doubt as to it being the same thing. (Though on the for-TV version had the "Nannies" not as spherical robots, but more human-like) ...

And another bundle from Agatha Christie, containing her first three novels. The Mysterious Affair at Styles ; The Secret Adversary ; Murder on the Links, spanning a total of 649 pages.

Those were good. The first and third of those were your classical "Detective" stories, starring Hercule Poirot. The second one is more of a spy/thriller, starring Tommy and Tuppence. Aaaaaah. I really liked that one. Storyline was so-so, and I had my correct guess as to the identity of the villian rather early. (As expected, I pretty much completely botched on the 'real' detective novels. Don't worry...) But the characters ... Aaaaah ... beautiful. I really struck a liking to the main protagonists. Tommy and Tuppence are 't3h c00lies'. On their own, but they really shine in their scenes together.

When I went to the library again 'yesterday' (wednesday) to pick up some new books (Elise, I looked for BJD, but I could only find the sequel. I decided not to.) I stumbled on a stand-alone version of The Secret Adversary. Feeling already nostalgic (even though I'd only turned in the 3-novel bundle five minutes earlier) I browsed over a little favourite part almost near the very start. Imagine my shock when I found it completely missing ! The book I held in my hands was an abridged version, and half a page was reduced to three mere sentences. ... So, sure, that part wasn't important to the story, but it set the character of Tuppence oh-so-well, and was quite comical and whatnot. Witnessing this horror, I instantly vowed to try and steer clear from the evil known as an abridged version of anything for the rest of my life.

Yes, I realize this post wouldn't pass as a proper book review, not even a sucky one.

The new books are The Time Machine by H.G. Wells, a classic I hadn't gotten around to yet, and The road to Mars by Eric Idle, of former Monty Python fame.

For real-life related updates, check back here some time or other when Gerko decides to get around to writing it

Wednesday, September 10, 2003

It's official now. If I don't shave in the morning every day, I look like an unshaved bum.

It had better not get worse than this.

That is all. (for now)