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Pirates of the Caribbean: Ascension Day

Friday, May 26, 2017 by Tse Moana Leave a Comment

Continuing on with what seems to be the theme of this week: do all the things! Wednesday Nienke came by for lunch and trying on some of Mom’s left over clothes I’d kept apart. She had made soup, I made an omelette and bought tasty bread and fried fish. We were so stuffed after that 😀

Around two I (gently) kicked Nienke out, I was getting so sleepy. Besides getting home late the night before, it also took a while to fall asleep and I didn’t sleep well. So after she’d gone, I stretched out on the sofa, set my alarm for a good hour later and was gone in minutes. I woke up on my own a few minutes before the alarm. Monkey then decided that the pillow my head was on would fit him perfectly as well 😀

Taking that as a sign, I got up and got ready to go the city again. This time to go to the movies with Ingrid and her friend Romana. We met up in the centre and headed for cafe De Oude Wacht to eat something. It was cheap but good cafe food. I had satay which came with fries and a good salad. The movie didn’t start until eight, so when it was getting colder after dinner, we traded the cafe terrace for the inside cafe in the cinema for a drink and a cookie.

The movie was a pre-premier of Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales. We’d all gone to the supermarket before to stock up on a drink and such for during the movie. But it turns out that, as this was an event-thing, we could all pick a bottle of soda and got crisps for during the movie. Good deal 😀

The movie itself was pretty good. The gimmicks are getting old (although the bank robbery is hilarious), but structurally I found this a better movie than the previous one. I liked the throwbacks to the original trilogy with Orlando Bloom and Keira Knightley, and seeing more of Jack’s past.

I wanted to stay seated throughout the credits but the others we’re more eager to leave. Luckily they (and I, too) had to use the bathroom. I was done quickly, but the ladies’ always has a much longer line. So, fortunately, I was still near the screen when the inevitable after credits scene came on. It was brief, and definitely hints at another sequel. After that, we split up quickly as their buses we’re almost coming. I strolled to the station, taking the opportunity to catch me a great many Pokémon 😀

Yesterday was Ascension Day. And as is tradition, we go to the annual Ascension Day Market in my previous town Eenrum. Ingrid always comes over to go with. This year Nienke and Kim also agreed to go. We convened at my place at ten. The other three then left to go there by car. I went by bike. I decided, two weeks ago, to try exercising again. But the gym and all that doesn’t really work for me. I do like cycling, though. So I installed an app (Strava) and did two rides that first week. The week after I didn’t get around to riding because of a zit on my sit 😀 This week I’m good to go, though. So the trip to the market was to be my first workout of this week. Unfortunately I mistapped and it didn’t record the way to Eenrum.

We met up again and took a gander down the market. We decided to check out one side of the road first, and then at the end turn around and do the other side. That way we would end up back were we started. I bought some new pairs of ankle socks, some plants for the empty pot in the front yard and, as usual, traditional sausage.

Mellien and Bas were also coming, but they came later. So we didn’t get to meet up until we were already halfway on the way back. They joined us for that bit, and at the end we all got something to eat for an impromptu lunch. I’d already had my traditional spring roll and decided on churros for dinner 😀 After that, it was time to go home again as Kim had to work in the afternoon. We split up and I got back on my bike.

For the way back I chose a different route. There’s basically three main ways to get to Eenrum from Winsum (and vice versa). The first two I’d already done and tracked in my first week of using Strava. So now I went for the third route. I knew this was longer, but as it turns out, the difference is 3 km. I made good time, though. Did the 8,2 km in 23 minutes. The others were home before me, but not by much.

Kim and Nienke then went home and Ingrid stayed. We chatted and played board games. First the gold rush edition of Carcassonne. It’s a different version of Carcassonne (versus an expansion). The base rules are the same but the theme is different and it has specialty rules that fit with it. In this case, cities are mountains with gold in it. As you build them, you place gold tokens and can mine for them. At the end, the tokens are turned and scored which is added to your regular score. Because the amount of points on the tokens is hidden until the end, it keeps things exciting. Other difference is that monasteries are, sort of, replaced by named cities where railroads end. You score points when all railroads leading out of the city are finished. The field, prairie in this case, also scores differently. It’s not the amount of completed somethings, but how many Indian settlements or horse herds (drawn on the tiles) are present. I really like this version of the game.

After that we played Rummikub and then decided to do something about dinner. Quick trip to the shop later we had easy food to stick in the oven. We waited it out with a few games of Tea Time (an Alice in Wonderland inspired tile taking game). After dinner we played a quick best-of-three set of Pesten (similar to Crazy Eights). We tied two for two between all games as I won Carcassonne and Rummikub and Ingrid won Tea Time and Pesten. Ingrid then went home.

Today is one of two days during my time off that I had no plans. So this morning I got on my bike again and went for a longer route, 21 km as it turns out. It took me a good 57 minutes. Which is faster already than the first week.

Posted in: General, Photos Tagged: Board Games, Cycling, De Oude Wacht, Eating Out, Eenrum, Food, Friends, Ingrid, Kim, Mellien & Bas, Movies, Nienke, Pathé, Photos, Review, Workout

Il Barbiere di Siviglia

Wednesday, May 24, 2017 by Tse Moana Leave a Comment

Kim and I went to the opera yesterday. It was Opera Zuid again, but this time they were performing The Barber of Sevilla. I picked Kim up from work and we took a bus to the city centre. We had originally planned to eat at the newly opened La Place. Kim, however, preferred somewhere where they would bring our food. I though that was a splendid idea so we went in search for another place to eat. We picked De Kostery but it was closing, which is weird for a place that loudly displays outside that they serve dinner… We then tried Het Feithhuis. This was a long shot as it’s quite popular and generally requires a reservation. And indeed, they had no table. So we settled on the Drie Gezusters. I’d been there before, but never to eat.

They have a pretty basic, but good, menu. I’d wanted to go for steak but then I spotted Moroccan lamb stew with sweet potato and went for that. It was very tasty. It came with a wedge of water melon, which was a nice refresher at the end. The sides we’re also good: well done fries in the skin, steamed cauliflower and broccoli and some salad. I skipped that last one for I was getting quite full. For dessert I chose a wentelteefje (aka French toast) made from suikerbrood (sugar bread) with cinnamon ice cream and whipped cream. Delicious.

After dinner we made our way to the theater on foot. Joran, our friend from work was also coming with his girlfriend. We met up at the theater. It was their first time at the Schouwburg in Groningen so we showed them some of the places to sit and where to enter to get to their seats.

The opera it self was, musically speaking, very good. The orchestra (Philharmonie Zuidnederland) played very well, and the players were great. The color of voice of the woman singing Rosina (Romie Estèves) was a bit too shrill for my tastes. Technically, though, she was very good. Both Figaro (Luthando Qave) and the Count Almaviva (Juraj Holly) were fantastic.

What I liked less was the staging. Instead of taking the story and playing it as is, the directors modernised it. In was now place in a Spa in Sevilla where the people would come to enjoy luxurious excesses and vices. This had some of the ensemble performers playing sniffing coke of a hand mirror, both supplied by Figaro. Old Doctor Bartolo lives next to this spa. And the old time soldiers become a modern cross between military and private security. This leads to Rosina singing an aria in a bikini and Figaro doing modern dance moves during his.

After the show we briefly met up with Joran again to compare experiences and say goodbye. We were in no particular rush, the train was gone anyway, but they had to leave. We then grabbed a bus back to the station where we had to wait an hour for our train. Luckily the Burger King was open so we indulged in some nuggets and a hot blondie. The train showed up early so we could wait the last fifteen minutes or so in more comfort.

Picture (credit: Joost Milde/Opera Zuid) shows Almaviva on the left in his disguise as Don Alfonso, Rosina being choke held by Doctor Bartolo and Figaro trying to restrain him.

Oeh, also, I finished the shed!

Posted in: General, Photos Tagged: Culture, Drie Gezusters, Eating Out, Friends, Groningen, Home, Kim, Opera, Opera Zuid, Photos, Schouwburg, Theater

Om Nom Nom

Wednesday, June 22, 2016 by Tse Moana Leave a Comment

Today treated us to good weather, so we had a barbecue over at Mellien & Bas.

In the same vein I hung out with Nienke and Kim yesterday. I went for tea at Nienke’s place, and then later Kim came by here. She made pancakes and we watched Guardians of the Galaxy. I love that movie. And the pancakes were great.

 

Posted in: General, Photos Tagged: Eva & Jarig, Food, Friends, Ingrid, Mellien & Bas, Photos

Friends and Family

Saturday, June 18, 2016 by Tse Moana Leave a Comment

Sunday I had the girls, and their boys, over for dinner. First time in my new house, with my new table and my new chairs 😀

Wednesday it was time for grocery shopping. On the way, Mom and I decided to stop by at my aunt and uncle’s. My aunt was home alone so we joined her for some coffee. Afterwards we made our way to the store and quickly got our groceries done.

And today we were in Harderwijk for my aunt’s 80th birthday. Like a few years ago the party was at the day care facility my cousin works at. This has the advantage of enough space for the adults to sit and chat, and more than enough space and fun toys for the kids to play with. And get a fun picture taken with Dad 😀

Posted in: General, Photos Tagged: Dad, Family, Friends, Mom, Parents, Photos

Durotan & Lothar & Rodolfo & Mimi

Saturday, June 11, 2016 by Tse Moana Leave a Comment

The Warcraft movie is finally out, so of course I immediately went to see it. I had ordered a special movie package online that has a steel case blu-ray (gets sent on release) plus a code for a free warcraft game and a code for a free movie ticket. I have my Pathé Unlimited so I gave the free ticket to Nienke and she came along.

The movie itself is good. It has some points for improvement. For example, they’re trying to show a lot and give a lot of information. For those unfamiliar with the game and its world that can cause overload. But overall it is a good fantasy movie, and a great video game movie.

Thursday was theater-day. Mom and I had tickets to go see Opera Zuid perform La Bohème. They did a straight forward adaptation, no changes to time or place. The staging was basic in structure and filled in with details to make it look real. Which worked very well. The performances were very good. I definitely want to go see this company again.

Today, Gert and I popped over to Amsterdam to see the Warcraft movie in IMAX 3D. It was great fun, but I really don’t see the added value of IMAX 3D. I had to keep my head still and in the exact same position all the time or I would see double. And everything is so blown up that every panning shot was just a blurry mess.

After the movie we had a quick fast food dinner and hopped on the train back home.

Posted in: General Tagged: Culture, Friends, Gert, Movies, Opera, Pathé, Review, Theater

The Nice Guys: Civil War

Thursday, May 26, 2016 by Tse Moana Leave a Comment

More movies yesterday. After eating at Pappa Joe’s, Gert and I went to see The Nice Guys. I had seen trailers and it seemed like a fun movie. But in a way that I also didn’t quite know what to expect. Featuring Russell Crowe and Ryan Gosling as private investigators who reluctantly team up to find a missing young woman, there’s a lot of comedy, but in a bit of a dark and forlorn way. The kid playing Gosling’s daughter steals the screen, though 🙂

Then we saw Captain America: Civil War. I have mixed feelings about this film, and I think that shows how good it is. I really like the Avengers. As individuals I like some more than others, but as a team, I love them. And I don’t like it when my team is fighting among themselves. Especially since both sides make good points. As such it is an excellent exploration of responsibility, accountability, guilt, trust and friendship.

I spent a large part of the movie being conflicted. In the end I side with Tony because I like Tony better than Steve. But I just want my babies to get along 🙁 They don’t have to be the best of friends. I don’t think they can be that. But at least a close partnership and mutual trust,

Posted in: General Tagged: Eating Out, Friends, Gert, Movies, Pappa Joe, Review

Amoras

Friday, May 20, 2016 by Tse Moana Leave a Comment

Busy day, today! I’ve been reading a new comic book series the last year called Amoras. It’s a six book series that tells a Suske & Wiske story in a dystopian future. There’s time travel, crime, death, blood and a fair amount of cursing and swearing. Suffice to say, it’s definitely not meant for kids. I really like the storyline and how it looks. A while ago I saw on Facebook that the Stripmuseum (comic museum) in Groningen would show an exhibition of Amoras pieces.

Since I am now the proud owner of a museum card, I decided it was time to go see. I asked Gert if he wanted to come as well, but he declined. So, this morning I made my way to Groningen. I arrived around lunch time and felt a wee bit peckish. The Stripmuseum is located above the McDonalds. So rather than go look for a place, I just hit the Mac for a quick and easy lunch.

After, I got my ticket for the museum and started looking around. I began with the regular collection that was divided into themes. First there was a section on comic art used in music and theater posters, other promotional imagery and album covers. Then it led me chronologically through the development of comics in the Netherlands and Belgium.

Once through all that, you end up on the top floor where there’s space for the changing exhibition. Which in this case was the Amoras one. It was interesting to see the process. There were many storyboards, sketches, and line-art pieces from all six of the books. The only thing I thought was a shame was the order of display. They went mostly by sort of art, and then chronologically. So, storyboards book one, storyboards book two and so on, then sketches book one, sketches book two, rinse and repeat. I would have liked to see the order from idea to end product. So the storyboard for a page, then its sketch, the line-art, and then the coloured page. So you can really see how it changes before getting to its final point.

When I got out, I made my way to the centre of the city to meet up with Gert and see X-Men: Apocalypse. I’d heard some bad stuff about it, but I liked it. The build-up wasn’t always strong enough. I didn’t notice, for instance, that the end battle was the end battle until it was a good bit underway. And I would have liked to see a bit more detail on the origin of Apocalypse.

Then it was time for some dinner. We decided to go to the Frietwinkel. This is a fairly new place that does fries. It’s all about the organic and the fresh. They literally cut fries from fresh potatoes right there instead of using frozen pre-cut fries. And they serve fries with pulled chicken. Which is fucking delicious. The place also looks rustic nice with old stools, crates on the walls and such.

Right after that we went back to the Pathé. This time to see the Angry Birds movie. It’s not very good. The only thing I found quite funny was this one scene, a homage to the slow-down-time-in-the kitchen scene in the previous X-Men movie. And they also did a sort of homage to that scene in X-Men: Apocalypse. So that was a fun coincidence. Other than that, it’s a generic animated kids movie.

Posted in: General, Photos Tagged: Art, Books, Culture, Eating Out, Friends, Frietwinkel, Gert, McDonalds, Movies, Museum, Pathé, Review, Stripmuseum

Glorious Spring

Sunday, May 8, 2016 by Tse Moana Leave a Comment

Ascension Day was Thursday, so as is our tradition, Ingrid came over. We went to the annual market in my old town and played board games. The weather was real nice so we headed to the market on bike. Excellent opportunity for a few quick pics.

The good weather continued so Sunday I headed over to Nienke for lunch. Nom!

Posted in: General, Photos Tagged: Animals, Food, Friends, Ingrid, Nature, Nienke, Photos

Elf Fantasy Fair Haarzuilens 2016

Tuesday, April 26, 2016 by Tse Moana Leave a Comment

It’s that time of year again, Elf Fantasy Fair. And this year, too, we had a camp throughout the weekend. The weather was real nice, plus we had a good spot along one of the main walkways.

I did some  walking around, checking out the sights and stands. I ate a candy apple, which I’d never had before. Also acquired some new loots. Them being the Star Trek Catan board game, the book Jonathan Strange and Mr. Norrell, and a Mal Reynolds (Firefly) Funko Pop. I’ve had the book and the game on my list for a while now, so I’m pleased I found them here. And very affordable as well, I got a good deal on the game especially.

And! There was a very nice looking TARDIS on the premises as well 😀

 

 

Posted in: General, Photos Tagged: Board Games, Elf Fantasy Fair, Elfia, Friends, Frisia Fantasia, Funko, Photos, Re-enactment, Shopping

In the Jungle, the Mighty Jungle, Kung Fu Panda Sleeps Tonight

Monday, April 18, 2016 by Tse Moana Leave a Comment

It was Mom birthday yesterday. Happy Birthday, Mom!

(My parents are very good at having their picture taken… )

Last week I saw The Jungle Book with Gert. It is an amazing movie, absolutely stunning in visual quality. The story is familiar but re-told in a good way, with some added darkness here and there to make it more realistic. I love that they kept the magicality of the whole by still letting the animals talk, and sing. Neel Sethi performs a good Mowgli, it it occasionally uneven, but I didn’t mind as that only underscores the fact that Mowgli’s a kid an really in over his head.

Today we saw Kung Fu Panda 3. I’d never seen the first two, so over the weekend I watched both of them on Netflix. I was pleasantly surprised by all three of them. They are really good. They tell good stories, I like the characters and the animation is very nice.

Posted in: General, Photos Tagged: Birthday, Family, Friends, Gert, Mom, Movies, Parents, Pathé, Photos, Review
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