Rear-view mirror

You never know how it’s going to end up.

May the belief lead you towards beauty of life and unexpected journey thru eternal joy of sharing.  

The Hague by D.Kaulins

18.02 – the day when I eventually got my first life – loving injection since being far from the people I love the most.  

All I was searching for was me, now when I found … there is a room for you.

The view from the up is breathtaking /D.K/

On Sundays we are singing along the percussion, guitars, violin and bass. We take long walks along the channels. We watch movies and laugh till tears. We have a beer and pizza.

I am looking forward for my dancing lessons on Saturdays! Fingers crossed!

p.s. Today I am taking a trip to EKWC, Den Bosch. To see this: http://sundaymorning.ekwc.nl/#

Agnes.

Distance and time

Marta Marce

There are people who are magnets. You can go as far as you want but still be attached. Sometimes it’s all about love [referring to the movie from the last night Alles Is Liefde ], but sometimes you share more than affection as itself. It is curiosity to be next to THE feeling. As close as possible even if it hurts.

We grow up in divers families, we were told that there are rules, we have been warned and judged and taught. And when it comes to the relations we share the knowledge, expectation to be respected. 

Do we search for someone with background we could fit in or pattern matters only till love comes in?

It’s up to us make difference, but sensation shared by ambient melodic line can be enormous influence.

I have been lost plenty times, inspiration vanishes. Over and over again the same - to put myself together. 

But lately I found out if you have soul - mates around, it’s so much easier to find a meaning.

Laughs keep me alive and eager to move on. Late nights. Prayer for the warm sunrise.

I just wanted to say that smile is the most effective affection. Underestimated asset of human being just because  it makes so many upturns.

Agnes.

Book launch!

And today we celebrate book launch of Trans Artists. 

http://www.transartists.org/article/book-launch

"It is our desire this publication provides inspiration for the times ahead of us, for critical thinking, to trigger ideas and creativity, to motivate and stimulate artists as well as other cultural operators and to act as a stepping stone for further reflection." /On - Air/

Let's celebrate from time to time. 

Agnes.

My inglenook.

As any particular plans didn’t lie on my schedule for the weekend I prepared myself for exceedingly stodgy two days teaming up with bunch of books of the Dutch language.

(Somehow my teacher had the feeling that I am going to have an extra time for it so he didn’t hesitate to give me loads of homework, thanks buddy!)

Well…

How it turned out?

The Hague happens to be the capital city of the province of South Holland in the Netherlands and the third largest city  after Amsterdam and Rotterdam. It's the place where Latvian embassy is located and on Saturday at 12 AM the most firm Latvians from Amsterdam left their houses and went to vote for ONLY one official language of the state - Latvian.

Referendum to make Russian as the second official language is the consequence of Latvian inertness and tolerance. Does our culture have vanished under the Big Brother’s eye? Have we really gone that far?

Language shapes and limits our ideas. It is the conjunctive element of the State. It has to be ONE otherwise people will talk and listen differently. I still believe we are unified - we share a common language, culture, ethnicity, descent and history; we build our society being a component of it and how can you make a puzzle if the bits of it don’t match?

Referendum turned out to be spectacular ... results of it showed that people care, they finally exhibited attitude and somehow it just made me brood over values and importance of citizen’s duties.

Results: 74.8 percent of Latvian citizens were against the constitutional amendments.

Anyway, I just wanted to let you know that ... 

This weekend toped up every single spot of my heart with sincere laugh, affectionate music and people who taught to hear mellifluous sounding of the sun and the smell of earth after rain. Thank you, God. I eventually felt alive.

Oh., f … my homework! 

Agnes.

Performing in Time.

Are we facing our identity by comprehending our past?

How big impact past puts on us and can you build future not knowing what is behind the curtain of present?

Globalization, intercultural communication - that’s what we were facing now and then, but lately we are a part of it in the almost every area of our lives.

The thought of being citizens of the planet makes me reflective; where goes the certain identity of every culture, moreover why people are even scared to belong to their own nation?

In the light of diverse background of the past, there are various cultures developing and if you cannot be proud of yours does it mean that there is a serious problem in acceptance of your personal identity?

Being far away from the motherland I challenge myself to discover the reason of belonging to the certain nation.

“Ask not what your country can do for you - ask what you can do for your country" / U.S. President John F. Kennedy /.

Let’s think about that once in a while…

Agnes. 

Where the heck are we jumping these days?

Jump by Terry Border 

Yesterday I turn out to participate in ACTA meeting/act of protest in the very centre of Amsterdam.

I wasn’t particularly in the mood of shouting or demonstrating indignation but luckily I found out how frustrating it actually could be if ‘The Great State of The Internet’ be occupied and ruled by some corporation which ‘suppose to’ know better what’s needed to be heard.

Only one question rose to my mind at the same moment standing there, between the hotdog place and the socially active crowd.

Are we back ‘there’? Fight for free speech? NO censorship [?] 

Our own parents were standing for freedom of the state, only difference that years have passed and now we are standing for the freedom of the Internet.

There are billion realities out there, but there is one cyberspace which connects all of them. 

Take it or leave it. 

Agnes.

okey?

Joel: I can't see anything that I don't like about you. 
Clementine: But you will! But you will. You know, you will think of things. And I'll get bored with you and feel trapped because that's what happens with me. 
Joel: Okay. 
Clementine: Okay. 


Agnes.

Fusee Doree

Amsterdam is dynamic, so dynamic that you cannot find a place where people don't perform. On streets, on bus stations, on canals, even better if it's happening under the roof. 

*people are free, they enjoy every taste of freedom and make it colorful. 

*weird hair cuts, extravagant make - up, funny shoes ... if you are grey most probably you will stand out. this city is a hippie land. 

*me and my circus friend Basia went for a beer to the Dokhuis Galerie. convenient location, nice atmosphere, enjoyable size - big enough not to run into the people, small enough to keep it cozy. 

a bottle of beer costs 2 euros and a cup of tea 0,50. there are apple and chocolate cakes, there are vegan food - which is the most common around the area. 

P.s.

1. Basia rolls cigarettes differently than Jon;

2. Even if you go just for a beer most probably you will end up in some CD presentation, because it's what they do.. they create and share...

3.Liste to this http://fuseedoree.bandcamp.com/

cheers,

Agnes.

'This city doesn't exist, only in your mind and only in form language. This is the place where we'll meet.'

By Lotte Geeven, my colleague.

How to handle dismal mood of loneliness when door to the city are closed and you’re face to face with yourself?

Silence makes me realize how important socializing can be. If only it’s not one of these awfully disturbing small – chats. Rather silence than misleading politeness.

There are loads of people in the world but luck of friendship. There are a lot of those who wants to love and be loved, but there are comparatively few relationships. And all these ships are going down each time when we put ourselves above others.

Don’t let yourself to lose the most valuable…because otherwise meal becomes just a meal, walk just a walk and excitement is flat. There are only 2D movies when you want to watch 3D television instead.

...After all you may say that I should be incredibly glad to be where I am. And I am, indeed. However there comes time when you realize that your values have changed and one thing you would appreciate the most is a cold pint of a beer with your friends.

Cheers,

Agnes. 

P.s.http://geeven.nl/ - Lotte Geeven - work, publications,blog. 

Expectations and reality

I told you how frustrating my relations with movies can be, but I didn’t tell you that sometimes it’s indispensable to sit down, take a cup of tea and watch, listen, observe. 

They are at least few stories that have to be heard.

The one I suggest - ‘(500) days of summer'. 

It’s a story of boy meets girl. But you should know upfront, this is not a love story.

And when expectations will eventually kick realities ass I am going to open a champagne bottle to celebrate.

Rachel Hansen: Just because she likes the same bizzaro crap you do doesn't mean she's your soul mate.

If you think he/ she is the one, try to remember how many times you had this feeling. It’s different you may say, but I say it’s the same, just the plot changes.

However … I believe in soul mates and I believe that there is true love somewhere out there…

Tom: What happens if you fall in love?

Summer: Well, you don't believe that, do you?

Tom: It's love. It's not Santa Claus.

Please…share if you have one. Story, love or expectation. 

Cheers,

Agnes. 

Continuing observation.

*The Dutch in the cinema tend to be very open in their way of expressing emotions towards the plot. It’s nice to hear laughs and feet clapping on the ground, but it can get annoying when discussion between visitors appear;

**In the public library entrance fee for toilets are cashed in!  0, 20 euros for toilet? Disappointing.

***The Dutch will appreciate your initiative to hold conversation in their language, but if they feel you struggle, they are going to switch English automatically.

Note: 99, 99% of Dutch know English at least in a basic level.

****If you step over Dutch politeness and get to know them better, they are becoming whole – hearted and forthcoming friends.

*****Litter can be thrown away only in certain days, if you choose any other timing fine can be levied in a case if police finds confirmation of your identity.  

******Contrariwise England where you need to proof your identity even if you are 80 in the Netherlands IDs is not often asked for.…yuio. Alcohol!

Note:  youngsters can drink alcohol from age 16.

*******Dutch people don’t ask if you need a hand. Just do it, ask and you are going to have thousands of them!

Isn’t this a great country!

Note:

Holland and the Netherlands are not synonymous. Holland is just one section of the Netherlands, largely the western coastal region, including Amsterdam, Rotterdam, Haarlem, Leiden and the Hague. However, other famous Dutch cities like Utrecht, Groningen, Maastricht, Den Bosch and Leeuwarden are *not* in Holland.

Cheers,

Agnes. 

Connect things or better living thru art

Andris Vītoliņš (1975, Latvia). He Moves, 2010

Recently I read the perfect formulation of the brain – teaser of mine. It says that - what is dear to us cannot always be easily told to others – or not in the form we want to express it. Stumbling can mean that the object is close to us, precious but perhaps also too complex.

That’s it. I have this idea which bothers my mind for several years, but I am struggling to find the right approach for implementation. It cannot be done in a jiffy, but it has to find its way eventually.

I am externalizing internal view of mine and fingers – crossed I am going to be able connect all the dots which highlights vision, mission and ambitions.

For doing it successfully I need to find those who believe in Europe to jump in – despite unexpected turbulence and changing currents.

I am sure my dream matters so I have decided to take my share of responsibility and put my best effort to promote Baltic States and their cultural and historical heritage. It has been developing through all these years either being under Communism or Democracy. Influence of other nations is noticeable in every area of the State although culture is not an exception it has saved the majority of its identity.

European Cultural Foundation once has said that they believe that culture engages and inspires people to transcend boundaries. 

The connecting power of culture is essential for creating open, inclusive and democratic societies, and as such is invaluable for building Europe.

Agnes.