Geert JM Vanderkelen

I went to the Pearl Jam gig in Berlin. It happened in a parc called Wuhlheide in the Kindl-Bühne. Apparently the venue has a capacity of 17000 people.

And it was good indeed! The first thing that got my attention is that Pearl Jam played songs from Riot Act (Save You, Green Disease) which they didn’t do in Antwerpen. Or maybe I missed something in the excitement. Also, Eddie gave two speeches read from paper in German: one was about the good weather, which was just unnaturally perfect; and one was for his friend from the Ramones, to which he dedicated a song.

The crowd was great. As expected: much better than in Belgium! More bouncing and shaking, more singing like it should.. Eddie actually said the public in Wuhlheide was better than the Italians. It’s on tape, go check it out!

About the venue: I was stunned seeing it! The only thing that could get organized better is the entrance, but for the rest, once inside you have everything. You got also lots of space and free toilets (you can donate 20 cents, which I did). Vegetarian food too, and fruit. Lots of beer of course with the typical German way of asking like 1 EUR so you give your plastic cup back (keeps it clean!).

Great night for me. Seeing the crowd from a top of the arena go along on Daughter.. it’s quite an experience indeed. Pearl Jam is the best rock band there is right now (don’t try to discuss it!). No commercials, no big news about it and all concerts sold out in a few minutes. It’s quite spectacular that a low profile band just gets it done every time and keeps it simple in their sets.

Lets hope for a next tour in Europe!

Hear! Hear! Pearl Jam in Belgium! And it was about time! IMHO, we need a new national holiday for this!

They knew they left us in the cold after canceling a few times, but they warmed us up again after the great show. The 90s might be gone, and we are all like 10 or more years old after Ten and Vs., but it felt great..

Opening with there most smashing hits and having a go on us with their new singles, they got me rocking. My bones hurts after wards and my muscles on my left leg got a bit injured (I fell a bit), but it was worth it. “It’s Evolution baby!”

The one thing I was disappointed was the audience. Ok, they were all clapping after the songs and showing respect but it was mostly silence when Betterman was played or standstill when Evolution kicked in. Maybe I expect to much living in Germany now.

I’m going to Berlin to watch Pearl Jam there. Lets see how it goes with a German audience. It might be like the Queens of the Stone Age concert, though I guess age is kicking in for most of us..

Btw, Wolfmother is a band to watch out, but.. well, I guess it was OK.

The day the Shadows became heroes.

(I hear you thinking: ‘Oh dear’)

Anyway! Sunday, the 4th and the last chapter of Rock Werchter. It was a nice day, people were having a siesta under the trees and the brave ones getting some red skin while headbanging. The sunset made it a beautiful summer evening and all were happy (I hope) enjoying the fireworks around midnight.

Pictures of Day 4 of Rocker Werchter 2006

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We, my sister and me, were back around 3:30 in the morning but we woke up at 9 to head again to Rock Werchter for the final day bringing Depeche Mode. Looking back at yesterday: the crowd was good, the weather was fine and the bands great!

Pictures of Day 3

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For those following this blog and wondering where ‘day 1′ disappeared too: we didn’t go! Indeed! We missed Tool, Deftones, Manu Chao and Red Hot Chili Peppers! Why? Because there was this ceremony of my sister’s school where the last years were getting their end results. It was her final year, so I had to be there. Be we missed Tool and the Peppers!

But this post was about ‘day 2′ of Rock Werchter, which was a nice, sunny day where the shadows were popular and a breeze a relieve.

Pictures of Rock Werchter, day 1

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This is about the best news one can get on a Sunday morning, with the first coffee at hand! Pearl Jam comes, about 6 years after the tragedy in Denmark, back to Europe!

Checkout the dates here: http://pearljam.com/tour/

Yes, that’s right, Belgium in Sport Paleis! I saw R.E.M. last year there. I might even go to the PJ concert in Berlin, just in case.

If I could do a double salto, I’ll do it right now, but I’ll keep it to a single one.

Sometimes when men pee, a conversations start. I guess women don’t really know what I’m talking about, but they got tools now to experience it!

Anyway, last night I was at the pub and somebody started to talk to me while peeing. I replied in English as I didn’t get what he want. “Oh? American?” I replied I was from Belgium, hasting to the exit. “Ah! I’m born here, but my family is Romanian.”

As we get into conversation, the American peeing there in the corner goes “Hey! I’m *hik* Amercian”. “From where are you?” I asked a guy entering. “Me Russian!”. The next one got interviewed by the Romanian and he was Turkish and I got a few French words with him.

The germans around looked a bit like foreigners suddenly. But was great there in the toilets. Got a bit crowed and we managed to wrap up and go safely to our beers how were getting warm.

If you wonder what modern tools I’m using for cleaning the floor, etc in my apartment, well here is the website!

http://www.vileda.de/

Ok, I’m also using same stuff of other brands as Vileda is the more expensive one. Also, I’m not using the hyper-funky-mega-kickass-but-expensive bucket, my hands and a normal bucket just works fine for me!

Maybe I make pictures of iet, watch my shootout for Stuff!

Easter time in Germany (at least in Bavaria and other christian states) are having a long weekend with Friday and Monday before easter Sunday off. What am I supposed to do during these extra days of vacation? Well, I could visit my family, true. But there was something more important.

Cleaning up! Yes, that’s right! Cleansing the apartment!

I started on Friday with considering doing it. I think this is a very important step.

On Saturday I got extra cleaning things which I was missing. First I had to clean my windows and I started with the one in my kitchen. I was so impressed with the result I just stopped and enjoyed the transparency and rested for the rest of the day.

Sunday I picked up my courage and I was cleaning my windows. There was somebody else doing it too, which was kind of funny! Anyway, nice clean windows and the light at last has the opportunity to shine upon me inside!

I stopped on Sunday so I still got something to do on Monday, not to get bored (you know..). So on this last day of this long weekend I started sorting my papers and threw like 80% away. I got distracted and I just felt like: “Well, this is for next weekend..” But an hour later I just said: “Oh hell!” Result: cleansed place!!

http://shoot.some-abstract-type-shit.com/main.php?g2_itemId=1313

Somehow the pictures are blurry.. I’ll never learn it..

Oh, and in some great inspiration and upwelling of tenderness I rambled this out of my keyboard called ‘Sheltering’:

http://wiki.some-abstract-type-shit.com/F-ART:Text#Sheltering

And damn I broke a nail..!

That’s right, I’m a bit crazy, but not insane and also trying not to be stupid anymore! Have done that before, not again!

One year I have been with MySQL AB and it’s great to have some normal working habits. Although, I’m learning quite a few things with me now specializing on MySQL Cluster, I have to be careful I’m not hooking myself into it to much. I rather keep my options open and look at other technology to work on too.

Meanwhile at home things are getting into place. I’m rather happy with how my life is now. I found out for myself it doesn’t really matter to much where I live in this world: it’s all good and the same shit. Dealing with the environment and making the most of it is what I do best I guess.

There are a few things I like to keep constant in my life.. These constants are slowly taking shape. But having hit the stone to often, I go easier on these things.

Till next status report!