Blown away

Hi guys, I have been away for a couple of days. I spent a few days in Spain where usually this time of year the weather is a whole lot warmer than in the rest of Northern Europe. To my surprise it was clouded, chilly and I have hardly seen any sun the days I spent in Spain's capital Madrid. It seemed the climate had gone wild as I left a sunny and hot Amsterdam where in this time of the year it should be drizzling rain and cold to visit Madrid in a cloudy and chilly setting.
Also bizar is what happened during the Americas Cup, a regatta that takes place this year in the city of Valencia in Spain. Normally good for reliable sailing conditions thanks to a regular sea breeze environment, the organisation held it's breath when for a few days there was hardly any wind at all while in the same period in Texas twisters were now more rule than exception and almost seemed to be part of everyday life.

Number 14 turns 60 today!

Happy Birthday to you Johan Cruyff!

Cruyff was awarded "Best European Soccer Player Of The 20th Century". He is without a doubt the most famous Dutch soccer player of all times.

Cruyff was internationally known for his technical ability, speed and acceleration, but his greatest quality was vision, his tactical understanding of the game.
The sports writer David Miller believed Cruyff superior to any previous player in his ability to extract the most from others. He dubbed him "Pythagoras in boots" for the complexity and precision of his angled passes and wrote: "Few have been able to exact, both physically and mentally, such mesmeric control on a match from one penalty area to another".
The Spanish fans showed their admiration for the talented player by giving him a special name. At Nou Camp in Barcelona he is known as "El Salvador" which is Spanish for "The Saviour".

After his retirement from playing soccer in 1984, he became manager of Ajax and later of FC Barcelona.

What is the story behind number 14? At the beginning of the 1970-1971 season Cruyff suffered a long-term groin injury. He made his comeback on 30 October 1970 against PSV. In this game he did not wear his usual number 9 which was used by Gerrie Mühren, but instead Cruyff used number 14. Ajax won the game 1-0. Although it was very uncommon in those days for the starters of a game not to play with numbers 1 to 11, from that moment onwards Cruyff's number was 14, even using the number with the Dutch national team. The number 14 became synonymous with Johan Cruyff, just like number 10 is synonymous with Pele.
There is even a documentary on Cruyff titled "Nummer 14 Johan Cruijff" and in Holland there is a magazine by Voetbal International titled "Nummer 14".
For many soccer players after Cruyff, the player's number proved an inconvenient heritage because, often, a comparison was made with the master. And that is a comparison only a few can bear.
From the next season onwards, Ajax has decided not to use number 14 anymore in honour of Johan Cruyff and in the light of his 60th birthday on April 25. This decision makes perfect sense to me, because if you say "Number 14" you will always think of Johan Cruyff.

In case you missed it

Everybody is so busy lately, so here is an refresher so you know what you have missed:

Boris Jeltsin passed away on Monday 23 April

Sanjaya got voted off American Idol
but will go to Washington

Segolene Royal or Nicholas Sarkozy, the French will vote in a second round on May 6 who will be their new president.

Jennifer Lopez gets paid $2 million to perform 40 minutes at a birthday party. Mmmm, some sweet sixteen, eh 30th birthday party.

ABN Amro and Barclays announce agreements on terms of merger

The American coast guard finds 20 tons of cocaine on a freighter in international waters for the coast of Panama. Street value is estimated at $600 million dollar. All 14 crew members of Panamese and Mexican origin have been arrested.

David Belle - Commercial

Here is a funny commercial with David Belle, the founder of Le Parkour. Again a video of Le Parkour?
You may think I am a bit obsessed with sports such as break dance or Le Parkour where athletes can show their flexibility, physical strength and balance awareness. And you are right... I think this has to do with the fact that my knees are 'kaput' and that is why I admire those athletes with healthy strong bodies who are able to do what I can only dream of.
Who knows what I am physically capable of when I am fully recovered from my TTO surgery in a couple of months. Maybe I could do an aerial instead of just a simple forward roll. I already have the video to check whether I have what it takes to join the Yamakasi team... Time will tell. Until then I have this video to comfort myself.. and to chuckle a bit as it has a funny or should i say 'gross' ending?

Microsoft admits flaw in Xbox 360

After more than 1000 complaints of Xbox 360 users, Microsoft admits on Dutch TV that there is a malfunction in the Xbox 360. In a press statement Microsoft admits that the Xbox 360 could cause scratches on the discs by the DVD drive. For months Microsoft denied the problem and kept saying that the gamers themselves were responsible for the scratches on the CDs and DVDs in the game console.
The Dutch TV show Kassa ran several tests and proved (on film) that the scratches were caused by a lack of cushioning at the lens to stabilize the discs. Microsoft has offered to repair it so it will become a full functional console. However it is not possible to get a new game console. Estimated is that worldwide nearly 1 to 2 million units are affected.
Although while this topic has become an issue in The Netherlands, it could become a global problem for Microsoft in the future. I would recommend anyone who is facing the same problem to contact their local Microsoft office.

Source: Nu.nl

Pandora's box

If you want to discover new music that you will like, then there is Pandora Internet Radio to the rescue. Just name your favourite song or artist and Pandora, a new discovery music service, will make new suggestions. No software is required as it is all web based. You do not have to worry about listening 'illegal' to music as the artists get compensated because Pandora pays licensing fees for all music that is played on their web site. The best part is that you do not have to pay for it as Pandora is free although they offer also a paid subscription.
You can create up to 100 stations and even refine the stations by giving a 'thumbs up' if you like the song or moving the song to a different station. Just like in Pandora's box you will not know what will be released when you open the box. You will not know what song is up next and each time it will be a surprise. This way other artists are brought to your attention, artists whom you may never have heard of if not for Pandora.
But this Pandora's box is different from the Greek mythological one as all negativity has already been released when you open it so as in Greek mythology only Hope remains at the bottom.
The check list: Artists getting paid, check. Free Internet radio, check. Rubbish filtered, check. Good music, check. All items checked and no red flags. So there is nothing against it to give it a try. Then let's be adventurous and see what Pandora's box has in store for you.

Lost in Playmobil

Funny video of 'Lost' in Playmobil version. If you have lived in a cave for the past three years and do not know what I am talking about. Do not worry! Just watch this video so you can catch up with the first season.

TAR-JHAY

A pathetic attempt to make 'Target' sound more glamorous. I don't have anything against this American discount store, where you can find cereal next to great clothes at great prices; everything is cute and cheap. I just don't like it if people are ashamed to admit they shop at a discount store and pronounce the name differently so it would sound more savvy instead of ordinary (read: 'cheap'). WAKE-UP CALL!!! You can name it whatever you want, it is still a discount store! Pronouncing the name differently does not make it magically transform into a French fashion boutique!

It's time for a quizzzzzzzzz

"A thrill-seeking, slightly unscrupulous, tough-as-nails archaeologist, Lara Croft travels the world in search of ancient relics perhaps better left hidden. She packs two Colt .45s and has no fear of jumping off buildings, exploring creepy tombs, or taking on evil meglomaniacs bent on world domination."

Yeah, without a doubt I fit this description. Imagine me as this vixen roaming the streets looking for villains. This was my score on Quizfarm.com on the test 'Which action hero would you like to be'. I scored as Lara Croft. Mmm, I wonder how a pair of tight black jeans would look on me with matching Colts ofcourse...

300

Yes! I finally watched the movie '300' and I loved it! This movie is pure entertainment and although full of cliches, I loved every minute of it. Mind you, the entire movie is shot on blue screen and only the actors, costumes and some props were on stage. The visual effects are amazing and each Spartan has a gorgeous six pack (sorry, I had to put it in here). A while ago I was sent this link, but I did not understand the jokes. Now I finally do ... and indeed the jokes are so funny! There are so many one-liners from this movie that are as strong as hilarious at the same time. I found the scene with Xerces a bit funny and a bit drag queen-ish. I am not sure whether it was on purpose, but it was a nice change from the ever relentless, motivated, energetic, we-are-faithful-to-Leonides-and-will-never-give-up-cuz-we-are-true-Spartans. But my oh my, I found the movie very impressive. I regret not to have read the original comics first, but will rush to the store to buy it to compare notes. Hopefully this movie will be nominated for 'Best Visual Effects' and 'Best Adapted Screenplay' for the 80th Academy Awards. This movie I definitely want to watch again on the big screen if only to hear Leonides shout again 'THIS IS SPARTAAAAAAAA!