The weather was super this morning while cleaning the house. In stead of working I decided to go for a tour on the bike. I put air in the tires and has to look for 5 minutes to find the key of the bike lock. And of I went.
I tried to go to Stockholm city to have a feel of time. It takes approximately 30 from the apartment to the office. During the tour I saw one of these big boats coming into the port. The height of these boats is unbelievable.
At the moment that I wanted to go back to Nacka is started raining cats and dogs. Within 2 minutes I was completely soaked. On top of all I got lost again.
But I has fun on the bike and that is the most important off course.
zaterdag 26 april 2008
dinsdag 15 april 2008
Internet
If everything works out fine, I will be connected to the virtual world. I received a letter from the post office that a parcel is waiting for me. Let's hope it is my internet equipment.
My body is telling me to start running and excercising again. The game from Sunday against B reminds me of it again. So tonight after having collected my parcel I will go for a run.
My body is telling me to start running and excercising again. The game from Sunday against B reminds me of it again. So tonight after having collected my parcel I will go for a run.
maandag 14 april 2008
Brussels
On Friday afternoon I flew back to Belgium and arrived on time. Everybody keeps on complaining about Sterling, but I have been extremely happy with their services. Flights on time and enough leg space. Friday evening I had met up with some friends on Plux. It was great to see some people back that I hadn't seen for 3 months. And not only the friends, I had good beer for a reasonable price. I don't think I will drink Spendrups tonight, still have the taste of proper beer in my mouth.
On Saturday we had to go to a funeral and by Saturday afternoon, after our shopping trip I and myself crashed in the sofa and didn't came out of it.
On Sunday morning went for my first squash game of the year. I really need to start playing again, I missed too many shots. (and I'm not mentionning the physical condition -- poor ---.
And today I'm back in front of my PC in the stockholm office, with a nice memory of the weekend.
On Saturday we had to go to a funeral and by Saturday afternoon, after our shopping trip I and myself crashed in the sofa and didn't came out of it.
On Sunday morning went for my first squash game of the year. I really need to start playing again, I missed too many shots. (and I'm not mentionning the physical condition -- poor ---.
And today I'm back in front of my PC in the stockholm office, with a nice memory of the weekend.
vrijdag 15 februari 2008
Open spaces
The new O offices in Stockholm have been shaped up by a famous Swedish design firm. The concept is great: open spaces without having the feeling of working in a cafetaria.
Some people complain about it since they cannot concentrate with the constant noise around them. Since I have worked in open spaces for as far as I know it, I have found a way of blocking this all out.
But, ..... the open spaces have another disadvantage. Today J mailed in sick. This means that out of our tiny (still to be expanded department) 40% is ill . They should install some kind of a system that sucks out the bad bacils out of the air.
Developpers of special machinery: come up with the idea and O will be your first customer.
Some people complain about it since they cannot concentrate with the constant noise around them. Since I have worked in open spaces for as far as I know it, I have found a way of blocking this all out.
But, ..... the open spaces have another disadvantage. Today J mailed in sick. This means that out of our tiny (still to be expanded department) 40% is ill . They should install some kind of a system that sucks out the bad bacils out of the air.
Developpers of special machinery: come up with the idea and O will be your first customer.
woensdag 13 februari 2008
After work
It has been a while, but I'm back. I'm making long hours and I still have to get my internet sorted out at home. This will all come in due time, but it is taking me more time than I had expected.
Yesterday evening would have been a no-go anyhow. Had dinner with K and M in the Belgo restaurant here in Stockholm. The burger was OK. The Leffe on the other hand: it felt like little angels genlty sliding into my body. Heaven. Wat a difference to the other beer I have already had.
This afternoon I will be in meeting all day. It looks to be the story of this month.
Yesterday evening would have been a no-go anyhow. Had dinner with K and M in the Belgo restaurant here in Stockholm. The burger was OK. The Leffe on the other hand: it felt like little angels genlty sliding into my body. Heaven. Wat a difference to the other beer I have already had.
This afternoon I will be in meeting all day. It looks to be the story of this month.
maandag 28 januari 2008
flights
Yesterday evening I arrived at Bromma airport. I took the 17h flight from Zaventem.
The flight was OK, I slept most of the time because of the busy weekend we have had.
On Friday we had drinks at Place Lux. T and E came over and we had a good time.
On Saturday evening we went to Le Bazaar. We had dinner in the restaurant above the club. The foot was great, a couscous de maison with lamb and merguez. Afterwards we stretched our legs on the dancefloor. The music could have been better, but was good enough not to remain seated.
When I arrived yesterday evening I was stopped by the Swedish police. I must have looked very supicious. At the end I didn't had to open my bag, but I had to talk for over 5 minutes to tell them why I moved to Sweden. The bullshit must have been really good, because I passed.
The flight was OK, I slept most of the time because of the busy weekend we have had.
On Friday we had drinks at Place Lux. T and E came over and we had a good time.
On Saturday evening we went to Le Bazaar. We had dinner in the restaurant above the club. The foot was great, a couscous de maison with lamb and merguez. Afterwards we stretched our legs on the dancefloor. The music could have been better, but was good enough not to remain seated.
When I arrived yesterday evening I was stopped by the Swedish police. I must have looked very supicious. At the end I didn't had to open my bag, but I had to talk for over 5 minutes to tell them why I moved to Sweden. The bullshit must have been really good, because I passed.
woensdag 23 januari 2008
Warsaw
Last Friday I flew into Poland for the go live of the project I was working on the last 3 months.
Given the short leadtime that was given to the project team, we all feared for the worst.
We went live on Monday. That is the most important message. How is something else.
The hours we had worked were massive. The hours of sleep decreased by day. I started off with 6 hours sleep and it decreased every day by an hour.
Since management didn't give us any liquid reward on Monday we decided to celebrate it ourselves. We only had 1 issue. We got to the hotel around 3 in the morning and all bars around and in the hotel were closed. And yes there is only 1 way to solve the issue, crack the mini bar and go to the lobby. That morning we got to bed around 5 and had to leave the hotel at 9.
I cannot remember how many times I used the snooze button, but it was enough to skip breakfast and having to run down to catch the taxi on time.
Given the short leadtime that was given to the project team, we all feared for the worst.
We went live on Monday. That is the most important message. How is something else.
The hours we had worked were massive. The hours of sleep decreased by day. I started off with 6 hours sleep and it decreased every day by an hour.
Since management didn't give us any liquid reward on Monday we decided to celebrate it ourselves. We only had 1 issue. We got to the hotel around 3 in the morning and all bars around and in the hotel were closed. And yes there is only 1 way to solve the issue, crack the mini bar and go to the lobby. That morning we got to bed around 5 and had to leave the hotel at 9.
I cannot remember how many times I used the snooze button, but it was enough to skip breakfast and having to run down to catch the taxi on time.
maandag 14 januari 2008
Sweden here I am
I flew into Bromma airport today. It was a rather bumpy landing. But the most important is that I have made it to Sweden.
I'm in the week of suprises. This moring the moving company advised me that they had postponed the delivery date by a day, i.e. from tomorrow to Wednesday. I have arranged that they will still deliver our furniture tomorrow (read tomorrow late afternoon - up to you to decide if you want to take the Spanish afternoon or not)
I is flying now to Stockholm. She took some time of to help me unpack. (and to ensure that I don't turn the apartment into a bachelors place)
And I'm not surfing the net with a bit of Muse in my ears.
Friday evening we will both leave Sweden again. She goes back to Belgium while I fly to Warsaw for the go-live of an Oriflame project. This means that I will miss the famous chicken festival.
I'm in the week of suprises. This moring the moving company advised me that they had postponed the delivery date by a day, i.e. from tomorrow to Wednesday. I have arranged that they will still deliver our furniture tomorrow (read tomorrow late afternoon - up to you to decide if you want to take the Spanish afternoon or not)
I is flying now to Stockholm. She took some time of to help me unpack. (and to ensure that I don't turn the apartment into a bachelors place)
And I'm not surfing the net with a bit of Muse in my ears.
Friday evening we will both leave Sweden again. She goes back to Belgium while I fly to Warsaw for the go-live of an Oriflame project. This means that I will miss the famous chicken festival.
woensdag 9 januari 2008
Moving
This afternoon a Swedish guy from the moval company came to our apartment to start packing boxes. He was definately Swedish and not Spanish. He was supposed to come in the afternoon. Around 10H30 I got his call that he was on his way. Professional, no!!!!!
Very quickly I could see the transformation of a nice an cosy apartment into a space full of boxes and bubblewrapped chairs and tables.
Tomorrow morning they will start loading the truck. It is normal that you ask the police to reserve parking in front of your building. I was told that this was done. Wel virtually it was; they had send a fax to the police but never got a reply. So they acted very faire and placed the plates tonight at 18h30 and by this we hope that the cars have beamed this to their respective owners to remove their car tomorrow before 8 am.
I don't dare to switch off the light; I'm going to break a leg I fear.
Very quickly I could see the transformation of a nice an cosy apartment into a space full of boxes and bubblewrapped chairs and tables.
Tomorrow morning they will start loading the truck. It is normal that you ask the police to reserve parking in front of your building. I was told that this was done. Wel virtually it was; they had send a fax to the police but never got a reply. So they acted very faire and placed the plates tonight at 18h30 and by this we hope that the cars have beamed this to their respective owners to remove their car tomorrow before 8 am.
I don't dare to switch off the light; I'm going to break a leg I fear.
zondag 30 december 2007
He is back
It took a while but the moment has come to become social again.
I and myself have spend a nice week at the Belgium coast. We have had a great time. The weather and doggy N invited us almost every day to go for nice walks on the beach.
Tomorrow I start working again and in the evening we have been invited by L and C.
In my mind everything has been sorted out to move to Stockholm. I still need to buy some furniture in Ikea and we will get more furniture from friends and family. The only issue I might encounter is time. The stuff from Ikea still needs purchasing and the club seat are still at my parents place.
I and myself have spend a nice week at the Belgium coast. We have had a great time. The weather and doggy N invited us almost every day to go for nice walks on the beach.
Tomorrow I start working again and in the evening we have been invited by L and C.
In my mind everything has been sorted out to move to Stockholm. I still need to buy some furniture in Ikea and we will get more furniture from friends and family. The only issue I might encounter is time. The stuff from Ikea still needs purchasing and the club seat are still at my parents place.
maandag 17 december 2007
work
Today I had a day from hell at work.
I have to admit that I didn't really wanted to start working this morning and have to admit that it didn't got any better. When the first tests started it became apparent that you cannot always delegate work. (The killing the person bit would never be outsourced, I would like to do it myself).
A lot of people are leaving the company this week and if feels weird. It is not like they go on holiday, they go on a permanent holiday. I'm sure that I will still see some people. Only a small percentage of the staff is moving to Sweden and the rest spread out over Europe.
Weird, weird, weird, ....
I have to admit that I didn't really wanted to start working this morning and have to admit that it didn't got any better. When the first tests started it became apparent that you cannot always delegate work. (The killing the person bit would never be outsourced, I would like to do it myself).
A lot of people are leaving the company this week and if feels weird. It is not like they go on holiday, they go on a permanent holiday. I'm sure that I will still see some people. Only a small percentage of the staff is moving to Sweden and the rest spread out over Europe.
Weird, weird, weird, ....
woensdag 12 december 2007
Squash is a mortal game
Yesterday we had the last squash game with M. before she moves back to France. We were 6 and had a lot of fun. I started the first game agains T. I had a stressfull day and wacking that tinny black ball against the wall helped me to get it out of my body. And this was just the day that T played very wel, consequence I lost my first game. And not to say the least, I was already sweating and puffing. I still had to play for 1,5 hours.
In stead of having a steady slow game I had to play E, who jumps and runs down the court like speedy Conzales. I would like to take the same pills as he does to be as quick and vivid on a court. And yes M, as promised I made you run around the squash court. Hope your butt hurts!
After our game I still had to play for an another hour against B. He was superconcentrated and with a bit of luck I managed to win the game.
After a nice shower we had a couple of drinks to celebrate the last time we were going to see M on a squash court in Waterloo. Snif snif
And now my legs hurt!!!
In stead of having a steady slow game I had to play E, who jumps and runs down the court like speedy Conzales. I would like to take the same pills as he does to be as quick and vivid on a court. And yes M, as promised I made you run around the squash court. Hope your butt hurts!
After our game I still had to play for an another hour against B. He was superconcentrated and with a bit of luck I managed to win the game.
After a nice shower we had a couple of drinks to celebrate the last time we were going to see M on a squash court in Waterloo. Snif snif
And now my legs hurt!!!
zondag 2 december 2007
Appartement
En ja, verleden week hebben we ons nieuw liefdesnest in Zweden gevonden.
Veel keus was er niet. De firma die ons begeleid in het Zweeds gegeven had maar 1 huis kunnen vinden in ons budget. Het is eigenlijk geen huis, maar een apartement in een 2 appartemenshuis. De eigenaars wonen beneden, maar zijn het gros van het jaar in Spanje. Dus, .... geen last van de directe buren.
Het huis [laten we het zo maar noemen] is 120 vierkante meter en heeft 3 slaapkamers. Plaats genoeg dus voor vrienden die willen overkomen. De living is heel ruim en is naar het zuiden gericht. We hebben zelfs een houtkachel in de living. Dat gaat gezellig worden. Wel opletten als V komt, zorgen dat er geen 'peau de bete' voor komt te liggen.
Hopelijk kan ik de verhuis regelen voor de tweede week van Januari en dan begint mijn leven echt in Zweden.
Ik heb 2 parkeerplaasten voor auto's. Vermits ik zelf zonder auto vertrek, ga ik die verhuren aan collega's. Vermits alcohol duur is in Zweden, ga ik ze in natura laten betalen.
Ik zie al enorm uit naar de zomer. Het terras is groot en onze BBQ gaat mee. Joepie
Veel keus was er niet. De firma die ons begeleid in het Zweeds gegeven had maar 1 huis kunnen vinden in ons budget. Het is eigenlijk geen huis, maar een apartement in een 2 appartemenshuis. De eigenaars wonen beneden, maar zijn het gros van het jaar in Spanje. Dus, .... geen last van de directe buren.
Het huis [laten we het zo maar noemen] is 120 vierkante meter en heeft 3 slaapkamers. Plaats genoeg dus voor vrienden die willen overkomen. De living is heel ruim en is naar het zuiden gericht. We hebben zelfs een houtkachel in de living. Dat gaat gezellig worden. Wel opletten als V komt, zorgen dat er geen 'peau de bete' voor komt te liggen.
Hopelijk kan ik de verhuis regelen voor de tweede week van Januari en dan begint mijn leven echt in Zweden.
Ik heb 2 parkeerplaasten voor auto's. Vermits ik zelf zonder auto vertrek, ga ik die verhuren aan collega's. Vermits alcohol duur is in Zweden, ga ik ze in natura laten betalen.
Ik zie al enorm uit naar de zomer. Het terras is groot en onze BBQ gaat mee. Joepie
holidays
This is the last day of our short trip to Spain. We will fly back tomorrow morning to Belgium. Having to wake up around 4 o'clock tomorrow morning is something I try to block out of my mind. Tomorrow evening I will be taken a late flight to Stockholm. I will have to prepare for my meeting on Tuesday and will be glad to sleep early.
We have been blessed with the weather in Spain. Today we have spend time on the terras and the sun. There was a little breeze, but apart from that everything was great.
Yesterday evening I bought a pair of shoes. Off course I didn't need them, but ....
La meson de la costa on Friday was superb as always. Did we eat too much, off course we did, the food is too well made. We had ham and pulpo as a starter. It felt like angels piing on our tongs. The fish for the main course was served on a bed of red peppars and was delicious.
I had the feeling that my stomage was going to explode.
We have been blessed with the weather in Spain. Today we have spend time on the terras and the sun. There was a little breeze, but apart from that everything was great.
Yesterday evening I bought a pair of shoes. Off course I didn't need them, but ....
La meson de la costa on Friday was superb as always. Did we eat too much, off course we did, the food is too well made. We had ham and pulpo as a starter. It felt like angels piing on our tongs. The fish for the main course was served on a bed of red peppars and was delicious.
I had the feeling that my stomage was going to explode.
vrijdag 30 november 2007
Vacation
We had a warm day today in the south of Spain. As of 10 o'clock the sun came out and it became warm. We have spend the day on the terras reading books and magazines. Never imagined that I would still be able to sit outside in T-shirt and shorts.
Having day light until 6 o'clock is now considered a big benefit.
Tonight we are going to have dinner with T and A in meson de la costa. This is the best restaurant in Torrevieja to have a typical Spanish meal.
We will be driving into town with our undertaker car. Hertz has upgraded our small car to a Ford Focus Estate (with an unbearable smell).
We have already done some shopping and there is more to come tomorrow. I have seen a nice pair of shoes.
Thanks to Ryanair we cannot buy a lot since any other kilo will be charged at 8 euro/kilo.
Having day light until 6 o'clock is now considered a big benefit.
Tonight we are going to have dinner with T and A in meson de la costa. This is the best restaurant in Torrevieja to have a typical Spanish meal.
We will be driving into town with our undertaker car. Hertz has upgraded our small car to a Ford Focus Estate (with an unbearable smell).
We have already done some shopping and there is more to come tomorrow. I have seen a nice pair of shoes.
Thanks to Ryanair we cannot buy a lot since any other kilo will be charged at 8 euro/kilo.
woensdag 21 november 2007
Calendar
I should start to maintain a travel calendar. Tomorrow I have to organise our trip to Stockholm. Next week I and myself will be visiting apartments around Stockholm. I really hope that we will find ourselves the place where we will have our future dreams.
Superb music on JIM TV by the way, Zornik's latest single.
On Thursday we will be challenged: we will be flying to Spain with Ryan Air. Spain, here we come for 4 days. On Monday we will arrive in Belgium and Monday night I will be flying out to Stockholm to give a training to end users.
My squash games are decreasing by the minute. At the moment I'm only playing 2 times a week in stead of 3 to 4 times a week. I will have to start running again to not to turn into a rolling apple.
The end of year is coming soon like this and ze still are unaware where we will spend it.
Snif snif snif
Superb music on JIM TV by the way, Zornik's latest single.
On Thursday we will be challenged: we will be flying to Spain with Ryan Air. Spain, here we come for 4 days. On Monday we will arrive in Belgium and Monday night I will be flying out to Stockholm to give a training to end users.
My squash games are decreasing by the minute. At the moment I'm only playing 2 times a week in stead of 3 to 4 times a week. I will have to start running again to not to turn into a rolling apple.
The end of year is coming soon like this and ze still are unaware where we will spend it.
Snif snif snif
zondag 18 november 2007
Geraadsbergen
K organised a food trip around Geraadsbergen. We started the trip on the main square of Geraadsbergen where we learned that in the Middle Ages 4 fountains were placed around the main square. They even had the Manneke Pis. I, as a Bruxelois, has to say of course that only the one in Brussels is the most important one. Our guide was really good and we understood the impact of the Napoleon translations on the street names.
After climbing the famous "muur van Geraadsbergen" which is very famous from one of the biggest cyling events in Belgium we enjoyed dinner with a Leffe from the tap.
I had already cycled up the Muur when I was jonger and staying with my grandmother, but I just couldn't remember (or even imagine) that I had cycled it a couple of times.
Even if it is a small city, it really is a lovely city.
I really enjoyed the stories told by our guide on how the inhabitants once threw their last food over the big wall to fool the people that wanted to invade Geraadsbergen.
K had organised this really well. After an hour walk we enjoyed a glass of champagne and some starters. After a walk we had lunch and after another bit of stretching the legs we had a big plate of dessert with coffee.
After climbing the famous "muur van Geraadsbergen" which is very famous from one of the biggest cyling events in Belgium we enjoyed dinner with a Leffe from the tap.
I had already cycled up the Muur when I was jonger and staying with my grandmother, but I just couldn't remember (or even imagine) that I had cycled it a couple of times.
Even if it is a small city, it really is a lovely city.
I really enjoyed the stories told by our guide on how the inhabitants once threw their last food over the big wall to fool the people that wanted to invade Geraadsbergen.
K had organised this really well. After an hour walk we enjoyed a glass of champagne and some starters. After a walk we had lunch and after another bit of stretching the legs we had a big plate of dessert with coffee.
woensdag 14 november 2007
Today was a really weird day. This morning I got a mail confirming that I might have found my permanant place to live in Stockholm. Let's hope that this will be the place.
I was lucky that I didn't went to Stockholm today. Stockholm was covered in a 30 cm white blanket. Traffic was put to a hold. P was telling me today that her dad was stuck in Stockholm a couple of years back because of the snow. All flights were cancelled and he had to stay in a hotel.
Workwise, it was a tinny disaster. I have the feeling that today I received a big plate of pasta. In stead of eating it, the pile of pasta only got bigger and still I wasn't able to enjoy the sauce.
And now I'm home enjoying a movie on VT5. I will miss my Dutch speaking channels!!!
I was lucky that I didn't went to Stockholm today. Stockholm was covered in a 30 cm white blanket. Traffic was put to a hold. P was telling me today that her dad was stuck in Stockholm a couple of years back because of the snow. All flights were cancelled and he had to stay in a hotel.
Workwise, it was a tinny disaster. I have the feeling that today I received a big plate of pasta. In stead of eating it, the pile of pasta only got bigger and still I wasn't able to enjoy the sauce.
And now I'm home enjoying a movie on VT5. I will miss my Dutch speaking channels!!!
maandag 12 november 2007
Papers and decisions
I finally got the confirmation for my flight tomorrow to Sweden. I’m flying out tomorrow morning and coming back tomorrow evening. With a bit of luck I will have filled out all the necessary documents to apply for my social security number.M from the relocation agency is going to accompany me to the offices and in the meantime she will tell me by how much I will have to increase the budget for the house rental. People in her office have been looking for a house in the budget and apparently they cannot find anything.
I will also try to find out what it will cost me to keep my scooter in Sweden. Oriflame is not paying for the shipment of the mean machine (although my trip tomorrow is four times as expensive).
Time is not my best friend at the moment, I still have a bit over a month to find myself a house to rent and arrange for the shipment of the furniture.
I will also try to find out what it will cost me to keep my scooter in Sweden. Oriflame is not paying for the shipment of the mean machine (although my trip tomorrow is four times as expensive).
Time is not my best friend at the moment, I still have a bit over a month to find myself a house to rent and arrange for the shipment of the furniture.
Last weekend
Guess where we were last Friday after work................................ The Grapefine at Place de Luxembourg. Some Oriflame colleagues joined for the drinks. The pub was packed and very smoky, but we had a good time.
Colruyt the next day was a nightmare. I'm getting used to people driving their trolley onto my ankles, but this time the butchery took their time to prepare the food for the raclette. I went to pick up our order while I was queuing. And yes, I had to pay first, put everything in the car and rush back up since the foodstuff came too late.
We got home on time to bring the groceries back up, quickly prepare a sandwich and rush to the squash court where B trashed me.
The Saturday we had friends over for racqlette. L & C brought their daughter with them. Too bad the little girl didn't put on her Megamindy suit. It looked nice, I tried to fit it on, but couldn't even get my arm into her super outfit.
Sunday was sofa time, but still managed to go for a 45 minute run.
Colruyt the next day was a nightmare. I'm getting used to people driving their trolley onto my ankles, but this time the butchery took their time to prepare the food for the raclette. I went to pick up our order while I was queuing. And yes, I had to pay first, put everything in the car and rush back up since the foodstuff came too late.
We got home on time to bring the groceries back up, quickly prepare a sandwich and rush to the squash court where B trashed me.
The Saturday we had friends over for racqlette. L & C brought their daughter with them. Too bad the little girl didn't put on her Megamindy suit. It looked nice, I tried to fit it on, but couldn't even get my arm into her super outfit.
Sunday was sofa time, but still managed to go for a 45 minute run.
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