SHEILA and the City ;-)

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Sleepy

In my schedule for tonight, I didn't think I'd get tired before 1am. I was wrong. Oops.

Just figured out what I need to order tomorrow, in order to have my herbalife breakfast in 2004 - like I did the past few years (plus, v. important, my sport shakes). Good. Hope I'll get thru, usually the phones are quite busy when it's the end of the month.

Now I'd better find some stuff I wanna pack tomorrow. My bag's still "upstairs" (attic).

My flight's at 3pm; I don't have to check in until an hour before. So I'll probably take the 12.59 train. Anyone ever tried Easyjet?

wednesday 28 january, flight 4461
dep. Amsterdam 15:00, arr. Edinburgh 15:25

monday 02 february, flight 4464
dep. Edinburgh 12:45, arrival Amsterdam 15:15

Time now: 00.25.

posted by Sheila Wednesday, January 28, 2004
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Oops...

That letter-headed invoice stuff took longer than I had anticipated... Shite, it's been half 12 now! (I.e. 11.30pm). Ugh... I'm definitely not gonna see my lurrrrrrvely pillow before midnite.

Iggy sang: I've got a lust for life.
I'd sing: I've got a lust for kisses.

Snogging is such an ugly word. But I truly feel like it.

posted by Sheila Tuesday, January 27, 2004
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AAGH ;-)

What, no, WHAT am I doin' behind the screen?? Still have to do the iban letter-headed thingy I mentioned, PLUS the herbalife stuff. RAAAAAAAGH.

I did get to relax, wind down a little. Watched a full 2 hrs tv, woah! Actually, it was weird, I watched Lorelei and Rory go back into the house together. They were both answering each other's questions with "i don't know", so Lorelei said: "guess we both have a lot of figuring out to do". The mere intimacy of them together, the trust, feeling of safety... I dunno... for a moment, there was a PING - hey, I miss that. Ouch.

Now let's do those invoices (it's only been 10pm, ugh), make an estimated guess as to how much shakes and stuff I'll need the next year, and then get my gear together for La Trippe, er, The Trip to Scotland (I constantly wanna say Scotia).

Ciaron told me not to forget rubbers. Well, gee, er, thx.. (I'm sure they'll enjoy the trip down to the Midlands and back again as much as I do ;-) And she told me not to behave too well. LOL. She always says the latter, I like that about her.

F, it's been 10.15pm. ACTION, DUDE!
Oops, shouldn't use that one.
Er... never mind.

Dream about precious moments.

posted by Sheila Tuesday, January 27, 2004
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And She Was

There's things to be done! Yet I'm sitting in a very wrong position (no, M, not that one!) in my chair behind the desk, I can feel my neck muscles complaining already. Also, Borus has decided to join me and is lying on my arm, which doesn't help matters much. Plus, I'm chatting with Linda now, oops.

Okay, re-position.

Er... Why did I get online, what was it I wanted to post about. Er...

Don't remember. Anyway. Back to Talking Heads (see header). Every now and then Kink plays this song. It always, always reminds me strongly of Paihia. Running down the beach to the Maori Memorial and back. I know I've written about it before, but hey, it's my prerogative! (Stupid song, that one.)


"Now she's starting to rise
Take a minute to concentrate
And she opens up her eyes"

There's things to be done, like I've already said. I have to...

1) make a phonecall (aaaaagh!! Am I??), it could "increase my odds"(oh, come on, it's not that cryptic!)

2) write an official letter (aaaaaaagh! Really want to, only, it has to be done today).

3) order my breakfast/sport shakes (herbalife) coz my supplies are running low and if I don't do it now, I won't be able to do it until feb 3 (or I have to make the call at work, yikes, too busy there at the mo)

4) write a letter, coz 'they' need "all your bank details incl. your iban number with your invoices on letter-headed paper". Already got the iban number and bank details. Now let's get creative and design a letter-headed paper.

In that order. Then I have to get a new inner tube plus a new tyre. The inner one is beyond repair, the outer one is that crappy, that it'll make sure any new inner tube will need fixing within a week.

"The world was moving and she was
right there with it (and she was)
The world was moving she
was floating above it (and she was)
and she was"

On wednesday I didn't get to sleep until 5.19am. My alarmclock starts whining (it's radio 538, it'll get you out of bed in no time coz their babbling is too annoying to listen to for longer than 2 seconds) at ten to 7. Hit the snooze once (within those 2 seconds), then get up at 7.

So I had to cancel my date last night. Date Boy gave me a call at 9.30pm. To ask more specifically why I cancelled. To tell me (aaaaagh) he thinks I'm a clever, funny, and "probably sweet" (I liked the probable-bit) girl, who loves books (I do!). He wants to get to know me better, and do I want to give him that chance?

It sounds pretty corny this way, but it wasn't. He was being honest, like, "hey, these are my motives, what are yours?" He thought he was being blunt, but I like it when people are direct. Like, 'this is the deal, what about it?'. And I can only appreciate him being direct, not wanting to waste time on someone who's not interested. I like that.

"And she was moving very slowly
Rising up above the earth
Moving into the universe
Drifting this way and that
Not touching ground at all
Up above the yard"

Maybe I should be honest with him, too. I mean, I already told him in december I don't date (I planned on starting the whole dating thing again though, now it's 2004). On the phone Date Boy said he thinks I've had some bad experiences with guys in the past and... well, I guess he's right... It's not the way he thinks though (guys only wanting sex). So maybe I need to clarify that.

"And she was looking at herself
And things were looking like a movie
She had a pleasant elevation
She's moving out in all directions"

The thing is... They hunt you down, and when you fall for them, they're like: sorry, no can do. So yeah, I'm pretty careful letting my guards my down. In my world, you shouldn't fall for someone, coz the moment you do, they're off, leaving you dangling.

"She was glad about it... no doubt about it
She isn't sure where she's gone
No time to think about what to tell them
No time to think about what she's done
And she was
Joining the world of missing persons (and she was)
Missing enough to feel alright (and she was)"



And she was... (c) Talking Heads (I guess).

posted by Sheila Friday, January 23, 2004
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Travel light?

Just as I was thinking about DOING things, e.g. the above, this song came up. Am listening to the Tindersticks. Boy, did that violin boy remind me of my big old crush Starbucks Man (er, no, Latte Guy is some complete other guy). Back in Paradiso, I mean (the reminding bit). Took some pretty cool pics; dunno how to upload them on this blog.

Hm. Dunno. Am still figuring out what to do. Leave the country? Fall head over heels in love? (WITH WHOM?!?!?!?!?!?) Change jobs? Change careers altogether? RAAAAAAAAGH. Just wanna hide. Clean this shithole. Throw stuff out. Empty my mind. Get a new computer. Get a camera. Two. Get a webcam (on the other hand; WHY?). Nag, nag, nag.

Damn. I could do with a week in a tent right now. Books, coffee, food, fresh air and lots of sex (preferably with the same guy, thx v. much). The feeling of grass between my toes. Sun on my skin, yet rain on that tent roof during the night. And other nights should be too hot to even go to bed. Stroll down the beach, have a go there. What else could a girl want. Is this IN YOUR FACE? Well, excoothe me!

Going to the gym twice a week again, right after work. AT work, to be precise. It does magic to my mood :-) It's just those er... I dunno. Whatever. Shouldn't think about things in the past. Tend to do that when I don't keep my mind on other stuff. Should focus on the here and now. Spoil myself wherever possible. Hear, hear! I've already started doing that. An hour a day, keeps the doctor away. Like on tuesdays and thursdays: going to the gym. (Yes, I actually really enjoy going to the gym.)

Now I should hang out some laundry. And then I should get to bed. And I'll probably write some, then read some, then wonder some and then -hopefully- sleep some.

Er. Sorry. Don't know why I keep writing these kind of posts. Nasty tone of voice. Behave! Oh yeah, right, I remember: Be brave! Face Life! I guess I just need a little distraction, yeah... Anyone? ;-)

Grin on my face. Bla bla bla bla bla. Yada yada yada. This post sucks. Yikes. If whining was a sport, I'd get to the Olympics, haha. Ahhhhh, that always helps. Never take yourself too serious. Ciao babes. Laundry time.

Oh fuck. I'm gonna get that gigolo. Have some good old sex and then sleep in his arms aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaall night. To wake up to the sound of Moby and the smell of fresh coffee under my nose. Kick him out right after breakfast. Thx, dude. Off you go. Cheers, mate! Catcha later.... In a while, 'dile...

posted by Sheila Tuesday, January 20, 2004
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Oh my...

People on a mission can do without distraction. They need to focus, in order to get things right. So you promise to shut up and let them do whatever it is they need to do. Yet I'm finding it harder each day to keep my mouth shut. I just wanna yell: "HELLOOOOO?!" But I can't. Coz I know it won't help, not one bit. And so I just count the days and try to make it go away.

I know this doesn't make any sense to you, my dear reader. But this is my diary, eh. And I need to "get some air out" every now and then. Other than that, I'm doing good.

Wondering - a friend of mine sent me some very interesting info. Could change my life a bit. Have to post a letter before... what... 27th? No, 25th. How much time does that give me? Not so much.

Today would've been Robertino's birthday. I always called him my tape brother. Coz he kind of was taped to our family (sellotape). I wonder if I subconsciously chose to listen to Mezzanine today, after months and months of not listening to it. I suddenly realize I got this album only a short while after his death. I'm listening to it right now, as well. Weird, almost spooky.

I don't think he's with us anymore. I feel he's moved on pretty fast. Even when we buried him, I felt like he was already at ease at his new place. It was a lovely sunny day, and I could just see him up in the sky, playing with our deceased cat, Rakker (they were totally fond of each other). I could hear him laugh. I can still hear him laugh, whenever I think of him. It always puts a smile on my face.

It's been so many years. It's almost six years ago. I'm so sorry he's become a face in pictures in two of my rooms and in my photo albums. Someone I'm gonna have to describe to my kids, if I ever were to decide to try and have them (and be lucky enough to be able to). I don't know, he was supposed to be their fave uncle. Him and my brother of course. On the other hand, I can't imagine him aging. He didn't get older. So maybe it's quite poetic that he left early, beaming after a great show. A big smile on his face. And maybe seeing it this way is just for us, to let go and be okay with it.

That smile definitely helped though. And him just having had that great night. I'm proud I was his "other sister" for all those years. He'd better save me a dance wherever he is. I forgot those moves he taught me. ("It's the feet, Sheila, it's the feet!")

posted by Sheila Monday, January 19, 2004
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Tyre Trouble

2 bikes
bike 1 - puncture
bike 2 - blow-out

Pretty much been walking everywhere for weeks. Tonight I'm gonna go to OCCII, and I'm definitely not walking home alone. So I need a B.I.K.E. (or a cute guy, but they don't come around that often, do they?).

Although it's pissing outside, I've got to try and fix that puncture (I'm afraid it might need a new inner tube). Also, I'm not so sure I can find the two keys to unlock it. Bugger.

saturday 17 (aka TONIGHT!)
indie-pop night::
Zoppo (completely changed their site)
El Camino
Avec Aicense
21:30 €5,-


new release. © zoppo.

posted by Sheila Saturday, January 17, 2004
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Brave, babe!

Wow. Pringles. My all time favorites: Salt and Vinegar. I've resisted! Three for only 3 euro's, and I stood there, pondering. Looking at them. And the weird thing was; it wasn't such a victory at all. Coz I realised it's not food. It's stuff to stuff your face with.

Yet I feel I should be proud. Coz in a mood like that ("hey, I can resist these"), I could easily have bought them "for later". Which means they would be finished by the end of the w-kend after all. Yes, all three of them. There's no grey in eating for me. It's either black or white. All or nothing.

I've also decided to cook today. For the simple reason I feel like spaghetti w/cheese, garlic, and stuff. Sounds like... carobanara. Carbonara? Who cares. I'm gonna eat it anyway.

posted by Sheila Friday, January 16, 2004
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One more time

No, I don't believe in those horoscopes telling you what'll happen today, tomorrow or whenever. But this one is so weird.

Most of the times, it's not vague at all. They don't stay on the safe side; they make blunt assumptions. For today, this is one of the few things they tell Sagittarius:

"[Y]ou really need to take a calculated look at what's happening on home-base - simply because you aren't exactly enthusiastic about who's sharing your bed."

Ouch. Hmmm, let's think, how many Sags do I know, and how many are sharing their bed? ;-)

posted by Sheila Friday, January 16, 2004
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Huh..?

Flabbergasted might be over the top, but very, very surprised, yeah, I am.

Just got a mail from a girl that used to be my friend when I was er... 11, 12, 13. And we kept in touch for a bit after that. Dancing classes, same school, you know.

Last x-mas I sent her a x-mas card with my @-address. She replies, asks what I've done lately. So I tell her. Now I get her reply. And she writes... and I'm still a bit confused... she writes:

"I think it's great what you've achieved in life".

She writes another sentence or two, and it's obvious that to her, it's a lot. And I'm like: HUH?? What? WHAT have I achieved???

It's very weird to realize someone thinks you've done well. That she sees me that way. I don't think I deserve her being impressed. I don't think she should be impressed. WHY??

Hm, that reminds me of something completely different. I might tell later. DEFINITELY gonna have a lunch break now. Work for London seemed finished at 11.15am, yet she's already sent 2 other mails. And now I'm really, really ready. Lunch. Then back to my book. Need to translate 30 pages today. Minimum!

Plus I've got to start working on that thing I was reminded off...

posted by Sheila Friday, January 16, 2004
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Internet 'Geek' Image Shattered by New Study

Some quotes:

"The typical Internet user -- far from being a geek -- shuns television and actively socializes with friends[.]"

"[T]he typical Internet user is an avid reader of books and spends more time engaged in social activities than the non-user[.] And, television viewing is down among some Internet users by as much as five hours per week compared with Net abstainers[.]"

Wanna read it all? Go HERE.

posted by Sheila Thursday, January 15, 2004
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Movie Warning

For those of you in the NL contemplating to go and see UNDERWORLD (I'm not even gonna link it)... DON'T.

I've seen in it back in September. Host Boy (23, sitting on my left) liked it, coz he felt/hoped/thought there were deeper layers to be discovered (before you believe that, you have to realise this comes from someone who likes to discover threads in movies no one else has seen, and were most likely completely unintentional by its producers).

It was one cliche on top of the other. It got hilarious. At one point the guy on my right said "o jesus", shaking his head and wiping the tears off his cheeks. I would've loved to laugh out loud, yet HB looked v. stern, so I saved my laughter for later.

And don't get your hopes up. It won't get cult status.

posted by Sheila Thursday, January 15, 2004
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The hardest button to button

Never mind the header, no idea where that came from.
Just sneaked downstairs to our “information centre” (once I made the mistake of using their name in Dutch, she went nuts!) to check the papers (white lie) and copy some. You have to do something right. Especially if there´s nothing you can do. Er... Latte? As if.

posted by Sheila Thursday, January 15, 2004
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Sex a/t City

Yeah, they've updated their episode guide!!
What the F is Carrie wearing??



Ordering fastfood. © HBO.

For a quick spoiler (beware!) click here. For a "read it all"-spoiler, click here!

posted by Sheila Monday, January 12, 2004
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COPY PASTE:

Your Monday horoscope, sheila!
The emphasis today must be on getting the job done. Look to spend some quality time paying attention to the details. A romance you have recently enjoyed must be delayed for the time being.

Thx for the reminder. I know, I know, I know! Come on Lizzie, let's kick some ass!
70 (pages) down, 67 to go.
So what about that delay? Spill it, stars :-)

Don't think I don't do anything but reading horoscopes. I get them sent to me, and yeah, I do read them. Sometimes it catches my attention for one reason or another. This was very apt, hence the pasting thingy.

Off I go! I've just been reminded I should focus on the job!

PS I've added some links on the right. Did you see?

Alright, WORK! Here's the 1st sentence I'm gonna translate into D: "At that moment, Claire entered the quad, carrying her lunch tray with one hand." Claire's a bitch btw. Ciao!

posted by Sheila Monday, January 12, 2004
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Horos for the 11th

"There's an invitation coming your way that shouldn't be declined too."

Alright, then I'll go to Ktsjoem Feb 10th! (Cyozlab.)
And to Casablanca March 27th. (Parlandos.)

It doesn't say which invite I shouldn't decline.
Glad I only got two today ;-)
Silly horoscopes!

posted by Sheila Monday, January 12, 2004
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Blue Rooster :-)

When I was young, we didn't fly off to sunny places like Spain, and we didn't drive to crammed places like in France. We spent 6 weeks on a camp-site, in the middle of a forest. And I LOVED it.

So if you want to spend a few laidback nights in Drenthe (one of the three most northern provinces of the Netherlands), go and crash at the Blue Rooster (in Dutch: Blauwe Haan).

You might bump into my friend Janneke, who still lives and works there. She's the babe on the right of this pic:



Janneke having coffee and cake. © Blauwe Haan.

posted by Sheila Sunday, January 11, 2004
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Hmm.

And then it was Sunday. Another week (water) down the bridge.
Be brave, face life!
Be brave, face life!
Be brave, face life!
Just manage to Charlie your way through it.
Put a smile upon your face.
Go for a run. Let the chemistry of your body do its job.
Be brave! Face life!

1am. Let's get this ass to bed. Tomorrow I shall remind myself of my convo with G.
Gotto do it yourself, babe. Indeed!

posted by Sheila Sunday, January 11, 2004
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A day down town

Spent all day in town yesterday. Met up with Guido at 11am at De Zwart, Pieter came and joined us 1,5 hour later. Another two hours, 2 latte's, 2 cappuccino's and 2 Hajenius cigars later, Pieter had to leave. G and I went to drop off a roll of film. Then we crossed the street to ABD to sniff books.

Almost bought Houellebeq (or whatever way his name's written) in English (I definitely can't and will not read it in French), but decided against it. I got Buddha of Suburbia (Hanif Kureishi) instead. It was pretty much raining cats and dogs when we wanted to leave ABD. Being very Charlie (Be brave! Face life!) we walked to Gasthuys, for a beer and sandwhich. And another beer. Weird, I didn't like the taste of Heineken yesterday.

Walked to Singel, where G's got a small apartment. Only minutes after we got there, his dad dropped in. He's using G's apartment as a studio (he's a very, very talented artist). Chatted for a while. Then G and I left. G: "One more beer?" Oh well, why not! So another Heineken down our throats at the Eland. We almost sat there in silence, but the good thing is, it doesn't matter. It's okay. After kissing goodbye (there's no snogging involved, sorry to disappoint you ;-) we went our ways. It was almost 6pm by then.

On my walk home I talked a few blocks with a lady walking in my direction, at about the same speed. At the bridge going to Prinsenstraat, she went right, I continued my walk towards Brouwersgracht. Funny, these City Talks. I really like that about living here.

posted by Sheila Saturday, January 10, 2004
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Verbal seduction

"Sheila! Today is a great afternoon for communication. Look to speak with anyone who will listen, especially if you are trying to sell something. If you see a good-looking person, realize that your powers of verbal seduction are at an all-time high today."

Bugger! Just when I wasn't planning on seeing anyone! Guess I should give the notorious deep frozen section at the supermarket a try, eh? ;-) Er... what could I possibly need today... Pizza??? Ugh!

Btw, has it really only been 2,5 weeks since x-mas eve??? It surely feels like 2,5 MONTHS!

posted by Sheila Saturday, January 10, 2004
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For once in Dutch

Heeft iemand wel eens de moeite genomen naar Marco Borsato te luisteren? Ik heb het nummer "Afscheid nemen bestaat niet" nog nooit gehoord (behalve flarden), maar die titel intrigeert me mateloos.

Hoezo, afscheid nemen bestaat niet? Wat is dat nou weer voor gelul? Wat doe je dan volgens Borsato? (Hoewel, vermoedelijk Fluitsma en Van Tijn oid, hoe heten ze ook alweer.) Ben erg benieuwd wat je dan doet - elkaar in een volgend leven weerzien?? Elkaar gezellig in elkanders onderbewustzijn ontmoeten? Samen afspreken in dromenland? Eh??

Enlighten me, oh, enlightened one! (En dat komt uit 'n film, als ik me goed herinner.)

O ja, misschien zou deze post je doen twijfelen, maar 't gaat weer 'n stuk beter met me, hoera. Laten we hopen dat 't aanhoudt :-) Pepers kunnen verstuurd worden naar... En vergeet pretty please sugar on top niet mijn Grote Borsato Vraag te beantwoorden (mocht je hip hip hurray het antwoord weten). (En neeeeee, heb geen zin om te surfen op 't net, ik wilde dit gewoon ff kwijt en wellicht is er iemand helemaal happy ende content dat ie zijn of haar kennis over MB mag spuien. Go for it, hon!)

posted by Sheila Tuesday, January 06, 2004
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Twee meter de lucht in.

That's funny. I was telling Ilona to listen to Voicst, since I had given her the album and she told me she hadn't listened to it yet. It's the last thing I say before we hang up. Then I hear some waves of music from the other room. Huh? Chemical Push? That's not on their album. Jump up, to the living room, check the display. Radio! Live! And as it turns out it's their 5th out of 6 songs. So I got to dance a little. Just as well, coz I've been binge eating ;-) Bon bon bloc, pizza and almost a complete bag of crisps. Gross!

posted by Sheila Tuesday, January 06, 2004
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Twelve years ago...

Am collecting my diaries - quite a bunch, wow. Weird. Huge pile of letters I got from Willem, my first boyfriend. Sometimes I still miss receiving his letters (really). Somewhere I wrote: "mum thinks I might never get a boyfriend like him again". Gee, thx, mum. Anyway :-) I also found a piece of paper, dated January 16, 1992:

Somebody opened the door
I heard her step into the room
,,Hello, my love," I whispered softly
And she shot me in my bloom

I copied it literally (it was in english). Wasn't I one happy poet? ;-) How old (young??) was I anyway. Eighteen. Jesus.

posted by Sheila Monday, January 05, 2004
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Crappy subtitles

Me and M. were having fun one time, talking about crappy translations. Yesterday I was watching the second half of Gilmore Girls. Here goes...

ENGLISH (original)
Rori: please be nice to gran
Lorelei: yeah, yeah, broken record!

DUTCH (translation)
Rori: doe je aardig tegen oma
Lorelei: ik breek mijn record!

For those of you who don't read Dutch - it was translated as follows:
Lorelei: I'll beat the record! (Instead of: you keep repeating yourself.)

Hopefully I translated it okay from Dutch to English :-s

In The Sopranos Tony buys an album (I think) for his mum. She's -of course- not in a happy mood and keeps complaining. I remember him saying something like: "Why bother buying a new album for a broken record?" Nice quote, don't you think?

posted by Sheila Monday, January 05, 2004
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Hey Tigra!

Here's a pic of the episode we both missed.


Wedding table Charlotte and Harry. © HBO.

You can read the episode guide here: Episode 82!



Charlotte and Harry down the aisle... © HBO.

posted by Sheila Monday, January 05, 2004
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'Sex and the City' begins final fling

Copy paste... straight from CNN, where it was posted January 2, 2004. Its copyright says I'm not allowed to copy it, but am I not only advertising for CNN, Sex a/t C plus The Associated Press? What's the difference between me forwarding or posting this link, sending you the text by mail even, or offer it here?

LOS ANGELES, California (AP) -- If "Sex and the City" puts its fans in the mood for anything these days, it might just be a good cry.

The final episodes of HBO's series about four high-flying New York women start airing 9 p.m. EST Sunday, and after that it's goodbye to Carrie, Miranda, Charlotte and Samantha.

In six seasons, the pals have run through men like disposable razors while keeping a tight grip on their friendship, provoking debate about how they stack up as symbols of contemporary womanhood.

The series became one of HBO's trademark shows, the kind it can rightly claim isn't duplicated by the broadcast networks.

It's not just the cable channel and devotees who are reluctant to see the end of the comedy-drama based on Candace Bushnell's book. The cast is feeling a bit blue as well.

"It's just really sad," said Cynthia Nixon, who plays lawyer-mom Miranda. "We all have emotional moments and a lot of nostalgic moments on the set nowadays."

As the end of shooting approaches, "we keep having the last coffee shop scene, Stanford's [Willie Garson] last day, all of these last scenes," said Nixon. Shooting was scheduled to end in February.

Kristin Davis, who plays newly married (for the second time) Charlotte, was employing her own avoidance technique.

"I'm trying to create a list of things that will be good about it [ending], so when I feel sad I have that list," she said. "And the list is small, including not having to have my hair dried straight every day."

Both Nixon and Davis said they would have happily continued with the show. But Sarah Jessica Parker, the series' star and an executive producer, has said she believes it's best to quit while it's still beloved.

The cast is tight-lipped about how the finale will play out, partly because they're not quite sure. Each was only given script pages concerning her character, and multiple endings of the final encounter for the friends were shot.

Plot leaks had occurred and executive producer Michael Patrick King wanted to clamp down, according to Davis: "He started getting really paranoid."

The series' sixth and final season was broken into two parts, with a dozen episodes that aired through fall and the final eight wrapping up

When last seen, Miranda had reunited with Steve, her son's father. Charlotte had tied the knot with Harry. Carrie (Parker) was starting a red-hot romance with an artist played by Mikhail Baryshnikov. And Samantha (Kim Cattrall) appeared in danger of being tied down -- emotionally, that is -- by one man, the hunky Smith.

Dealing with microscrutiny
From the outset, the series provoked as much discussion about its social messages as it did its trendsetting fashion. Was it pre-feminist, post-feminist or anti-feminist? And why did the New York of "Sex and the City" look so unfailingly white despite the real city's ethnic diversity?

Even the cast's lingerie habits were analyzed, with one article questioning why one actress (Parker) wore a bra in her bedroom scenes while the other actresses generally went without.

How did the actresses feel about such microscrutiny?

"I'm amused but flattered as well by any in-depth analysis of the show," Davis said. She recalled talking to Parker before the series' debut about how the emphasis on romance and sex would be received.

Happily, she said, "we were not drummed out of town" by feminists.

How does Davis read the series' message, if any?

"To me, it's very feminist because the whole thing has been to show women in different situations with different choices, and not to have there be one right choice and judging other choices," she said.

Nixon, who says she and Parker had pushed to for more ethnic diversity, welcomed a brief romance this season with a black physician, played by Blair Underwood.

"It was an insulated, isolated group," Nixon said of the fictional characters and their world. "We came up with some things, although it was still not what we were imagining."

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Copyright 2004 The Associated Press


Sarah Jessica Parker and Mikhail Baryshnikov in a scene from the 2004 season. © AP Photo / HBO.

Click here for a pic of all four gals.

posted by Sheila Monday, January 05, 2004
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Life is what you make it.

Doesn't that come from some lyrics? Think so. Anyway!
Yesterday I had to go into town to get a gift for Floris. I think I would still be hiding inside da houzzz, if it weren't for the fact I simply had to go out and do that. Er, actually, that might be slightly exaggerated :-)
Btw, isn't "exaggerated" a truly ugly word? Or is that my job butting in?. (Focus, Sheila, Focus! Oh yeah, going into town...)


BUYING CD's
I hardly left the Haarlemmerplein or my tyre made a sound as if some sniper shut it. BENG! Great. Left it there. Continued on foot. Straight to Boudisque, since they seem to be the only ones to sell EAT THE EVIDENCE by VOICST.

Only found one copy at first. So I went straight to the guy behind the paydesk. Coz I had planned on buying them for several people by now. Floris loves new music... Ilona has to get to know them better... And maybe... Hm... Anyway.

- "Have you got anymore of these?" Rattling on a keyboard, eyes fixed on a screen.
- "We've got five."
- "Great, can I have three?"

His colleague bursts out laughing. Er... Well, I guess it might have been funny; I was quite cheerful (people usually respond to other people being cheerful, you must've received that repeatedly forwarded message about how contagious a smile is, at least a dozen times by now) and I guess you don't usually sell that many of the same album in one go.

In the end I bought four, so either Sven or Tjeerd (hardly ever spoke to Joppe), you owe me a drink. Er, guess not, just kidding. Whatever. Lousy joke. Bad Dobby, bad Dobby!

So why did I get four? Like I said, definitely wanted to give Ilona one for her b-day. Then I talked to Floris on his b-day and he told me he hadn't bought any new bands lately, so hey, voila, quick thinking! Third's mine. Fourth's stowed away... So behave, drop some remarks like "have you heard any good bands lately?" and "I could really do with some new music in life" and you might be the next happy person eating evidence.

Obviously I got a little carried away, and also got JAPAN - GENTLEMEN TAKE POLAROIDS (kind of lost that cd during divorce battle - i.e., it was his), plus CAPTAIN BEEFHEART - SHINY BEAST (Bat Chain Puller). Was very tempted to buy Depeche Mode - The Singles, but didn't. Good girl...

(Don't I use "so" an awful lot? I do!)


LIZZIE McGUIRE
Today I've been a very, very good girl. All thanks to Patrick, I have to admit. Thanks a zill, Patrick! He was as kind as to bring his laptop to work, so I could use it. When I arrived at our Sunday Spot (he works there, remember) at what, er, 11.30am, his laptop was waiting on a table in the corner, plugged in and all.

After I returned from the toilet (to change SHIRTS, I always do that when I've been for a brisk walk) (that was a tongue in cheek thingy for Ilona:-) ANYWAY, upon my arrival back upstairs... (sorry, getting in a lalalaaaa mood) I found a latte and a glass of water waiting for me. So sweet!!!

Worked quite a bit until 3.40 pm. Ilona had just arrived by then, I was wrapping up chapter something. I translated up to 38 pages today, woohoo!!!! Patrick dropped by every now and then to chat a few minutes, which was good fun plus good for Le Body (never work too long behind the screen...). If I had been working at home, I'd never had gotten started. First bite's toughest to chew.

When he was about to wrap things up (his shift ends at 6pm), I asked for the bill. Ilona was about to leave, and I figured he would, too. When he dropped by, we were still in the middle of a conversation about a friend of mine, who's really angry/upset/both with me, for not showing up on her boyfriend's b-day party. Ilona asked if I had heard from her since. Nope. Patrick didn't join in, obviously (serious looks plus probably "don't disturb" unknowingly written on our faces). When we left, we talked for a bit with him and Nathalie, another friend of his. Long story to explain/mention: sorry, didn't mean to not have a chat before we left!


POTTERING and KUREISHI
Went to bed quite early yesterday (before midnight) to read the final chapters of Potter 5. At about 2.45 I read the last page. Shite. So now... 1) wait until numero 6 comes available and 2) decide what book I'll read next. That's one of the things I like best about finally having that MSc: time to read for fun!!!

Think I might continue reading INTIMACY by Hanif Kureishi. Ilona sent me an interview by email in november. This part of it, made me buy Intimacy (twice).

Sex is never easy in Kureishi's world. He wrote of a gay, mixed-race affair in his film My Beautiful Laundrette, of sex for hire in Suburbia, and then in his novel Intimacy about a man falling out of love with his partner, the details of which so tallied with his own circumstances - leaving his publisher girlfriend for another, much younger woman - that he was condemned in the press as a right disloyal bastard.

"Well," says Kureishi, "I think when you're writing, you look for the bits that are difficult. They're the exciting bits. You look for conflict. When you're writing you're aware that when you stop, at that moment it's an act of censorship. If you think, 'I shouldn't say that,' it's always the things you should say."

But there are other people's feelings, too.

"Well, separation is traumatic. It's horrible to think that people have to part. Not only that they have to part, but that they may even hate each other before they part. And when you hate someone, you maybe behave monstrously towards them, which is a disgusting thought. And they hate you as well. That's what goes on. And it's worse if there are children. Writers happen to write it down, which makes them bad."

© Emma Brockes, Sunday November 16 2003, The Observer

As you see, this book is bound to lift whatever spirits remain to be lifted (haha, sorry, silly sentence). Anyway. I really liked My Beautiful Laundrette, and I defintely liked Sammy and Rosie Get Laid, he also wrote that. (BTW, this weekend I opened the second bottle of Baileys I had bought at JFK's, just got me a glass, which is the 2nd from this bottle, how long will this bottle last? Also: listening to Beefheart now.)

Hm, have never seen those movies a second time. Would I dare, or would it really spoil the memory?

It's been 10.30pm. Let's post this and try and get to bed before midnite. Vido, what about it, shall we go to Paradiso tomorrow? (Jan 5th.)

Shite. How'm I gonna get there without a bike. Bugger. (Don't frown hon, your getting wrinkly.) Hmmm... I guess I could... yikes... go by tram?

PS Did I mention I had a crush on Roland Gift when I was in my teens?!

posted by Sheila Sunday, January 04, 2004
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Er... No subject.

Just "ran into" a pic of Nemo. Well, maybe I should say Bruce, since the image is focussed on him.

Had a real nice phone call with Gert yesterday, it was good to talk about things. He was very relaxed, tried to put things in perspective.

This afternoon I had coffee with Floris, who turned 36 today. Heading for 40 :-p Strange. I know we're all getting older, and we don't like the other option, yet it's weird. At what point will you stop thinking about heading towards a certain and definite end?

Did some shopping together, quite funny to walk with someone while getting food. That's been ages :-) Afterwards we crossed the street to get some salmon eggs. I thought it very funny. "Cosy."

Tomorrow Floris will be making us sushi ("I don't like sushi." "You like me." Flashback ;-) And I'll be off trying once again to get this certain gift which I can't describe here, coz Ilona might read it! I had kind of bought her a gift, didn't give it yet, and I'm not too thrilled about it, so I'm trying to get something better...

The weird thing is, I'm not hungry. Yesterday I only had one meal (plus fruit, twice). Today I only had one meal (plus chococate - don't even know why I forced that down my throat). Weird huh? I was muttering to myself walking down the aisles* "I'm not hungry, I'm always hungry, how come I'm not hungry?" and one or two people stared at me, frowning. Quite funny. I didn't feel busted or whatever.

*Like the word "aisle". Just like I like "isle". Aye!

Here's a pic to brighten up this page.


Nemo, Dory and Bruce. © Disney.

posted by Sheila Friday, January 02, 2004
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