TURN YOUR DEFUNCT IPOD INTO A BABY MOBILE — Since I can’t find a mobile with decent lullaby music, I’m using my Elecom Soundblock speaker I bought from my last trip to Japan to play the soothing tracks of Animal Crossing Wild World. Tip: 1) Using a later version ipod will allow you to put the iPod to sleep with a timer which is helpful if you plan to loop short songs; 2) More video game soundtracks here.
CHILDREN’S HOSPITAL — Watch ex-Party Downers Meghan Mullally and Ken Marino try their hand surgery. Is that Adam Scott I see making a cameo?
WOOD CARVING CLASSES AT TORTOISE — Only 10 spaces available per class. 10/23 (Sat) 1-4pm @ TGS, 1208 Abbot Kinney Blvd. 10/31 (Sun) 1-4pm @ Ananda, 1354 Abbot Kinney Blvd. 11/14 (Sun) 1-4pm @ TGS 1208, Abbot Kinney Blvd. 11/21 (Sun) 1-4pm @ Ananda 1354, Abbot Kinney Blvd. The class is $25 and he provides everything! Each class is limited for 10 people, so call quickly to save a spot! 310-314-8448
The Automatiek exhibit at the Amsterdam Historical Museum features these classic, self-serve vending machines dispensing historical Dutch objects instead of the old, odd, fried piece of frikadel as teaser for the upcoming new National Historical Museum.
There are a variety of objects to choose from ranging from the obvious Dutch cheese knife to the more obscure Dutch (?!) cassette tape. With each object only costing one or two euros, it’s easy to walk away from the exhibit with a whole lot of new Dutch stuff in your hands as well as in your head. Unless you are one of these people…
The Oma-Hackers
There’s always some one out there looking to beat the system, I just never thought it would be a pair of outlaw grandmas. These two gal pals showed up one day to the exhibit with their own previously made RFID cards. Many people who come to exhibit tend to recharge their card during their first visit to buy more objects, but to come back for seconds, it was unprecedented. Of course, more shocking was the fact that they just refilled their cards, bought their objects and tried to leave without even watching the movie (which I, personally, think is the best part of the whole exhibit). As some one who worked on the project, I had to stop them and ask them why.
Turns out the Automatiek was the best deal on quality tea towels this side of Amsterdam. What normally costs a whopping €6.95 in the stores was only €2 here at the exhibit and everyone on the granny grapevine was trying to get in while the getting was good. Hey, it’s classier than going to the 99¢ Store, right?
So come on down to the Automatiek exhibit before August 29th, 2010 at the Amsterdam Historisch Museum and get your tea towel today, while supplies last!
In a country that lets you ride your bicycle without a helmet while trams and cars try to hit you for points, it’s nice to know that on very special occasions they can really let their hair down when it comes to safety precautions and try to set the city on fire.
At €500 a pop, it’s still cheaper than going on a PICNIC, and apparently a few early-bird tickets are still available.
I (personally) don’t pay that kind of money without some kind of guarantee the whole thing isn’t in my native language and the Shit We All Get isn’t at least a laptop bag or bigger. Looks like I’ll have to hang around outside for discarded badges or pretend to be some one’s child. AGAIN.
Next Web is Wednesday, April 15th – Friday, April 17th at the Westergasfabriek.
Check out eccentric Ghananan coffins or decorate your own. See all things related to death over on the Vijzelstraat. I’ll be there writing my last wishes on my own account.
This fashion trade fair is now open at the Amsterdam RAI for professionals with credentials or nobodies who can at least smooth talk their way into anything with the right push-up bra and a couple of Photoshopped credentials. Lie about yourself Apply online here.
Although everyone and their mom comes to the Netherlands to buy tulips, many people don’t know that the inhabitants of Holland have always had quite the green thumb and tulips aren’t actually the interesting growing out here on the polders. In fact, the Dutch have been able to grow in vast amounts just about anything that needs to be buried in the ground and thrive on sunshine.
Koninklijk Cocaine
At last year’s IDFA, Jeanette Groenendaal showed the documentary, “Dutch Cocaine Factory” (or “De Nederlandse Cocaïne Fabriek” in Nederlands) which covers the past, present, and future of cocaine as an imported commodity for the country and its neighbors.
As the story goes, the Dutch imported the coca plant back in 1878 where they were successfully able to cultivate it in their greenhouses. After its profitability was realized, the Colonial Bank was able to export the plant to the then Dutch colonies of Java and Sumatra where the crop thrived.
Today, The Netherlands has more or less become Europe’s international weighing station for the white stuff. This kind of illegal activity of selling “hard drugs” is taken very seriously not just by the authorities but by the general public. This country that favors the tolerance of marijuana use (contrary to popular belief, it is not legal, but decriminalized and strictly monitored by authorities) over problems that come with addicts of much more dangerous drugs. And because pot is legal here, most residents look at users of higher classed drugs as a) pathetic; b) touristic); or c) sad.
Volkstuinen – Where City Folks Garden
Got them city blues? Well here in Amsterdam, if you don’t have a little plot of land you can call your own, you can sign up to get some! The Volkstuinen roughly translates to the “People’s Gardens”, the clumps of areas just outside of Amsterdam you can put up a garden a shed and plant to your heart’s content. Of course, if everything you touch turns to dust, it doesn’t mean you can’t use your volkstuin as your mini-weekend house (which a lot of people do). And why not? It’s not like they don’t come with electricity and water.
And When the Dutch Celebrate Independence, They Garden
Back in the 16th century (when the word "laboratory", let alone the actual space, didn't exist) carrots used to be their normal-color of purple or yellow until the Dutch decided to turn them orange as a way to celebrate William of Orange through the power of their knowledge or gardening. Exactly how they did it isn’t clear, but I bet these people could turn rutabagas into Skittles™ if given a few more centuries.
Back in the 16th century (when the word "laboratory", let alone the actual space, didn't exist) carrots used to be their normal-color of purple or yellow until the Dutch decided 
