Andrew Owen

Well, my second weekend in Amsterdam and my first after a working week. I found last week so damn tiring I was happy the weekend arrived. I also wasn’t sure how I’d find the energy or enthusiasm to ‘enjoy’ my adventure again. A touch of melodrama never hurt anyone.

On Friday morning I went to the Expatcenter at the WTC and got my BSN number, essential if you want to do most things in The Netherlands. The process was very efficient and I had the number within 15 mins. Next stop the ABN AMRO to open a bank account. Again supremely efficient and within 20 mins I had a bank account. Card due to arrive on Tuesday. So most of that sort if admin is sorted. Not sure I’ll get paid this month though, have missed the cutoff date. I’m hoping there is some sort of manual option. Otherwise it means waiting until October, which would be a pain in the ass.

On Friday evening I went down to den Bosch to visit Roel. It’s quite easy from work, train direct from Schiphol, no biggie. We went for dinner at a local restaurant and the to see a film. You know, I can’t even remember what it was called. It had Steve Carroll and Julian Moore in it. ’twas sweet.

On Saturday morning, Roel had to leave early to go to Deventer. He and his sisters were spending the day with his mother as her birthday treat. I woke up and headed back to Amsterdam. Most of the day was pretty low key. Cleaning the flat (sort of) and then waiting for Roel to arrive. We stayed in and watched a film off appleTV. Submarine. We both fell asleep!

Sunday was more eventful, we went to Cocos to watch South Africa play Wales in the rugby world cup. I wore my bokke top, first time ever I think. It wa fairly fun, although not entry sure it’s my crowd. We won. Then we spent the afternoon exploring and doing a little shopping. Later we watched Priest on DVD and met George and Tina at café Luxembourge on Spui for a very pleasant littl visit. Roel and I then had a quick drink at Prik and some food after which Roel left for home and I went home to do my ironing. Fun filled.

Yes, I’m living in Amsterdam. I’ve been here about 10 days now and have completed one full week or work. Apart from the expected mild culture shock I think it’s going pretty well. My response and take on my new life is certainly divided into two reactions. Firstly my reaction to Amsterdam and secondly my reaction to work. I’ll start with work first.

It’s strange. I worked at the BBC for almost 11 years. That’s a long time and a significant portion of my life. Over a quarter of my life was spent in the service of the great British public. Being in one place for that length of time certainly does something to you. At the BBC, although professionally it wasn’t going too well (although not exacly badly), it was a comforting environment. I knew what to do at lunch, I always had friends around for a natter and I knew the office conventions. This, I think, is a bad thing. It made me complacent and at times lazy. I could rely on my knowledge of the “way things work” rather than thinking fresh and working hard. Now that’s all gone and once I’ve learnt the new logistics (I already know the canteen and the coffee machine well) I’ll have to start building up new local insight and the only way to do that is through projects. I have some really good ones to work on and it’s very exciting. One week in (and although I reserve judgement on this “working for profit” thing, all seems to be going well. I”m feeling challenged and inspired. Let’s hope it continues, even after I’ve worked out who my mates are.

As for Amsterdam, well… mostly it’s a delight. And a significant delight at that. Now and then I do have a slight wobble where I wonder why I’m not in London (I know London, all my friends are in London etc) but they pass very quickly and I’m soon back to exploring the city and the local culture. I haven’t quite sussed out the Dutch yet, and I suspect I never really will, but I’m enjoying trying.

Today I got my ID number (BSN) and account number so almost all the “moving country” admin is complete (thank goodness) so I can start enjoying being here without worrying about that.

Last night I found a couple of “cultural events” – no Dutch that have excited me. David Sedaris is here at the end of Sept and Pieter Dirk-Uys in November. Happy days!

I spent the last weekend in Berlin with Roel. We had a great time. Also got the chance to catch up with Katie and Jim, which was really nice.

We flew out on Saturday morning, arriving at similar times, different airports. It was a very early flight for me and for Roel. I had to get up at 04.00! Roel even earlier I think. Needless to say most of Saturday was a bit unclear. We met at the hotel in Wittenbergplatz at around 11.00 and headed out for a little stroll. Katie had asked me to bring some sugar (Muscovado) so I had three kilograms of sugar burning a hole in my suitcase. We went straight to their coffee shop. It was lovely to see them and it’s a really fabulous. They are doing well.

Then we walked around a bit more before heading back to the hotel for a disco nap. That night we had a drink in the bar downstairs (it was Eurovision crazy) before dinner at a place called La Cocette. It was a lovely French place and I thoroughly enjoyed it. Then back to the hotel and sleep.

Sunday was another lazy(ish) day. Walking around… couple shops. Kind of tiring. Another disco nap and out to dinner. We went to meet Katie and Jim at a lovely Korean restaurant in Kreuzberg called Kimchi Princess. Then a drink. Another relatively early night.

After checking out on Monday we went to look at some shops and things. Had a tapas lunch and a drink near the hotel. Roel left first and I had a couple more in various bars in the neighbourhood. Then I got the train back to the airport and home. Was home at 01.00!

Well, I was going to move house a while back. Then I backed out of that. Then I was going to renovate my bathroom and kitchen. I had all the costings and designs worked out. Was *this* close to hiring a builder but backed out at the last minute! I’m too scared to do big things I think. Well, actually while I’m looking to change jobs I think it would make more sense to wait a bit. So essentially I’ve ‘postponed’ the work until I have a clearer view of the future. It’s a but disappointing as I was looking forward to a fancy new kitchen and bathroom, but it’s better to wait.

This of course means that my weekend is pretty much free now. I would have had to go get bathroom supplies etc. I don’t need to do that anymore, which is a big relief. I can just relax!

Oh, I forgot on Monday evening I also went to watch Taxi Zum Klo at the Brixton Ritzy cinema.

Wedding weekend. It was the Royal Wedding this weekend and I have to confess I was way more into it than I thought I would be. I found the whole thing fascinating. I have been trying to explain why, but can’t really.

My good mood has also been helped by not being at work for what seems like a lifetime! What with Easter and the extra holiday for the wedding, and May Day bank holiday it’s been a long time. In a nutshell:

On Thursday 21st, I went out with Richy. We went to the West End Eurovision show. Basically a whole bunch of West End shows perform different Eurovision songs. You then vote for the best. Graham Norton was one of the judges and very funny. It was a great evening and I can’t wait until next year. Before the show (it only starts at 11.30) we went for a few drinks, met up with Pauline and Claire in the Yard. JC was there too.

Friday, 22nd I met up with PJ and Anne. I rode my bike around to their house and we went to Victoria park for a little sit with the pooch. We had delicious burgers at one of the local places in the little villagey part. Was great fun.

Saturday, 23rd I went round to have lunch with Rhonagh and Richy as Rho’s flat in Clapton Pond. Was a delight… lovely flat and lovely company. Sadly I had to leave early but went on for dinner and drinks with Mark B. Was good too.

Sunday, was low key and relaxing.

Monday, 25th lunch with Richard S at Livebait.. was delicious.

Tuesday, 26th Roel arrived. We had a low key evening, sipping wine and listening to music. Was fun.

Wednesday, 27th was a boozey day. We went into Soho and had a drink at the Dutch pub there. Followed by lunch as Polpo with Rhonagh (divine and delicious). Then we shared a bottle of wine at The Yard, followed by meeting the lovely Kerry and Eleri at the Falcon in Clapham North for even more booze. A really lovely day though.

Thursday, 28th – hangover! But I struggled through and we went down to Brighton. We spent the afternoon looking around, then met David and Vlad for dinner at Bills. It was lovely, the most delicious pork-belly ever. Followed by a couple drinks and then home again… v late. Cab from London Bridge at around 1.30am.

Friday, 29th watched the Wedding on the sofa! Then met Richy for Ida Barr at the South Bank. Wasn’t great. Was okay, but was better last time. In the evening we stayed in and watched Loose Cannons on my Apple TV. A nice relaxed evening.

Saturday, 30th…. fun day. We went to the Carhartt outlet store near London Fields, then wandered down to Broadway Market. I remembered why I hate it. Then a stroll down to Bethnal Green, quick tube to Regent’s Park. Lay in the sun for an hour or so. Boris Bike ride down to the Palace and then to Charing Cross. Tube home. Quick power snooze and out to meet Richy, Pauline, Claire and Richy’s friend at the Yard. We then went to Ku Bar and on to The Friendly Society… danced a lot. Although that place suffers from a lack of Maria… less cool really.

Sunday, 1 May…. Ummm, walk to Clapham Common punctuated by breakfast at Breads Etcetera on the High Street. My first visit and not as cool as I’d hoped. Kind of cramped and the DIY bread thing is an annoying gimmick. Overpriced too. The Roel left.

What a great weekend! It unfolded pretty much like this.

On Friday night I went to Richy’s house. It was his birthday and he was cooking dinner for Pauline and I. And his Kiwi friend Simon was there too. It was a very pleasant evening. Richy made a delicious Tagine. I gave him a wine decanter from Habitat, that I think he liked. We used it at dinner and it certainly was good fun to use.

Little bit irritating, I decided to ride my scooter up to Richy’s and as I was parking it I accidentally backed into a horizontal pole which smashed my rear light! Annoying. I decided to leave the bike at Richy’s. I’ll need to sort it out this week. Hopefully it won’t cost too much to repair.

After dinner, I caught the tube back to my flat when the lovely Roel was waiting. He’d flown in from Den Bosch earlier in the evening. It was lovely to see him again. Saturday morning we went for a quick breakfast at Paul in Clapham Junction before catching the train to Windsor. There we met Doug, Gary and Raymond and visited the castle. It was the first time I’d been to the castle and found it very interesting.

After a few quiet hours at home we met the boys again. This time at Satsuma for dinner before a few drinks at The Welly. Chris was out too, as was Mark, Rob and Brian. Today was more low key, with Roel leaving mid afternoon. We had brunch in Shoreditch at a place called Diner. ’twas fun.

Okay, I’m trying again. My memory is so bad these days, I reckon if I don’t record what I get up to, I’ll never remember anything.

Last night I went to meet Raymond in Earl’s Court. Ray is my friend from New York City. Chris and I met him way bay in (I think) 2004 in Buenos Aires and we’ve kept in touch ever since. It is through Raymond that I met Doug and Gary and their gang.

We had arranged to meet at 18.30 at Earl’s Court station. We then went to a Lebanese restaurant called Orjowan just up the road. We had the non-vegetarian set menu. It was really rather good. We also enjoyed a bottle of Lebanese Rose. My share came to £33.27. After dinner we headed down to Brompton Road. It’s a real shame that the little gay world that used to exist around there has all but gone. With the exception of Balans (not that gay/good) and Clone Zone it’s an almost entirely non-gay zone. Infinity has gone and of course the Coleherne is now a Gastropub.

We went to The Pembroke for a couple of drinks. The Pembroke used to be the Coleherne. It’s a fairly generic (although felt a little down at heal) big ol’ gastropub. Ray wanted a blonde beer and the pints that the bartender gave us were anything but. So we only managed half of that before reverting to Kronenberg and Stella.

Doug and Luca popped along on their way home from Luca’s singing recital. It was a delight to see them. Then home.

Today is quite action packed. After work I am going to Richy’s house – it’s his birthday and he’s making dinner for Pauline and I. While I’m there, the lovely Roel will be arriving at my house, to await my return!

It’s been a funny sort of weekend. A nice long bank holiday weekend. It wasn’t bad, just not very exciting and I didn’t seem to get as many things done as I would have liked.

On Friday night I stayed in and took it easy, watched telly and watched the first half of Maurice, which I haven’t watched in ages. Then on Saturday I went to West London. I had left the presents I bought my neice and nephew in my office on Thursday and needed to go pick ‘em up. I also picked up a new scooter. Well, a second hand scooter that I have bought off eBay. I decided I wanted another one, it’s been almost two years since I sold my old Vespa and I miss it.

I didn’t buy a Vespa this time, but a Honda. My thinking was that although Vespa’s are lovely they are a bit more pricey and until I’m sure I’m using the bike all the time I’m not sure I want to invest. Also, as I’ll have to park it on the road I’m not sure a fancy bike is the right choice. I’m beginning to doubt my decision as the Honda just doesn’t feel as nice to ride, although I’m sure I’ll get used to it. It was cheap too at just around 500 pounds.

As it’s 100cc I also need to do my CBT before I can ride it properly. I parked at my office for now and will try to do the CBT on Saturday. Then I’ll be able to insure it and go. Hopefully I’ll be able to bring it home on Saturday and start using it next week to get to work.

I have worked out a route that I think should be quite pleasant, but you never really know until you’ve given it go.

Then on Sat night, I went ’round to Richy’s house to have dinner and watch the X-Factor. He was the perfect host, as usual and made a delicious chilly mince delight. One of his standards. It was also a suitably quiet and low key evening.

Sunday, I went down to Newdigate for my nephew’s birthday party. I rented a streetcar and drove down, using my new Tom Tom app on my iPhone. I forgot how nice it is to drive when you have navigational assistance, stress free. Worked really well. The party was fun too, lots of kids running about, as to be expected.

In the evening I met Chris and we went out and met up with Doug and Gary. After a couple drinks in Soho we decided to take a Boris Bike down to Vauxhall. My first real ride. It was great fun..although I found it a bit exhausting going over the river. I’m so unfit. It was a bit surreal at times, zooming through Piccadilly, past Trafalgar square and Westminster. Really fun.

Today, I went for a walk and in a bit I am going to meet Chloe and Sandra for a film at the bfi. Should be fun I think.

It was a good weekend… varied and fun filled. I had a “date” on Friday night, which was very pleasant. We went to Strada in Clapham and enjoyed delicious pizzas. Then on Saturday, during the day I went out early and spent a couple hours in the Café Nero on Clapham High Street. Gloria was coming to clean the flat and I prefer not to be there. I also had some work to catch up on, so it all worked out quite well. I also got to see Gloria for a few minutes when I returned home. She’s cute. Although she speak Spanish at me like she thinks I understand… usually I don’t.

That night I joined Doug, Gary and their chums for the last ever gay bingo at the ICA. We met at Halfway to Heaven and had a couple beers, then popped to Pizza Express for a quick bit before joining the throng at the ICA. It was a great night, good crowd and good fun. I enjoyed. Slight hangover the next day.

Sunday afternoon I went to the cinema with Gideon and Mark, which is always a treat. Always nice to see them. I hadn’t seen them in a while, except at my birthday where I didn’t really get a chance to speak to them so that was nice. I was a bit dopey though and went to the wrong cinema. We’d planned to meet at the Curzon Mayfair. I stupidly went to the one in Soho… I’m a dullard. Don’t often go to any of the other Curzons so I think I just went in to auto-pilot. It wasn’t a total disaster as I was able to jump in a taxi and got to Mayfair in time.

Sunday night I cooked food, relaxed and watched TV. Bracing myself for another week.