Self-portrait (post cyclone)

Let's call this the tribute to Lou Reed look, shall we ? Sounds better than the flood and storm defying look...

It's official autumn has arrived... and I took some celebratory smartphone pics. Ignore the weird angle and notice that I did manage to (inadvertently) capture four out of six cats in that second photo. Maaaad skiiiiills !

Hope you are all alright ? Despite St Jude storm aka Cyclone Christian.

OMG

via ohnotheydidnt and perfectnumber6 and of course, by courtesy of Mr William Claxton

Drooling...

Late Night Playlist

My neighbours must hate me. With my current erratic sleeping patterns, I've been pottering about the place at all times, day and night. And mostly night.

Today I went through some of my music collection which is still mostly vinyl and CD (no mp3s in this vintage household !), trying to decide what to keep and what to give away.

At the moment, I'm mainly exploring my New Wave records. Something about that music - souvenirs of teenage depression, angst and longing - appeals to my current job-seeking, slightly heart-broken self. I haven't listened to those records in over a decade and now I wonder why it took me so long to "rediscover" them. This is some seriously good shit.

Uh, one more for the road ! Another classic. (And a belated happy birthday to Mr Dylan).

"There's too much confusion, I can't get no relief"... basically sums it all up.

Have a good night everybody.

The mood around here

The cats are cool (read "asleep") as usual.

And me ? Wish I could say the same. But alas, no rest in sight...
After having been fired from my last job, I decided to go back to school. For 14 months of web developer training no less. Jeez, my literary - (read "lazy") - brain is in total overdrive and about ready to burst...

But let me reassure you. I still have enough energy and time to stalk ebay and various thrift shops. Some fabulous finds are coming right up.

Door Handle Love

OMG, you guys ! Things are crazy busy around here.

I'm still not finished with the hall and kitchen.

I've had one super score on ebay that needed a lot of attention and TLC.

I've sold some stuff on ebay that also required a lot of attention. And why, oh why, are ebay buyers never in a hurry to pick up their purchases ? I want the stuff gone ! GONE ! I need some room for my new projects.

Anway, I also made a thrift store owner very happy selling him my early 20th century wardrobe for a mere 50 eur. But again, I want the stuff GONE ! And on the upside, they're gonna come by Thursday morning to dismantle the whole thing and drive away with it. So, zero hassle for me.

I did some epic Ikea shopping.

I cuddled the kitties even more than usual.

I'm trying to get my act together for a short UK holiday. Antiques centres and car boot sales here I come !

And I took the time to enjoy life and the occasional sunny spell. Here are some more 60s door handles I spotted while taking a stroll through Saint-Josse and Schaerbeek with a friend.




We both agreed that this one looks like intestins...

100th!

When I started this blog over a year ago, I'd never have thought I'd make it to the 100th post. I usually have zero persistence when it comes to any activity...

But oh surprise, here we are. The 100th post.

To celebrate this major interweb event, I'm staging a little giveaway. Yeah, Christmas is coming early this year.
So if you want to have a chance at winning this set of lovely vintage Belgian bowls, just leave me a comment. I'm curious to read who you are and where you're from. I'll announce the winner in two weeks.

And from what I've seen on other blogs, nothing brings out the commentators as free loot... So bring it on guys.

Edit - Since I have been totally neglecting this little blog for the last few weeks and months, I think I will prolong the giveaway for a couple more weeks. Sort of a belated Christmas gift then... And hopefully by January I will have gotten my priorities right and will start blogging more regularly again :-)

All Saints' Day

No, I did not spend the day in Lothlorien...

I did however go through some good old traditional 'Toussaint' activities.

Drive to Luxembourg to visit family. Check. Spend about three minutes at the cemetery to honour the dead. Check. Instead spend three hours at lunch to honour the living. Check. Mandatory tax-free booze and cigarette shopping. Check.

What about you ? Did you have a long weekend ? Did you accomplish anything productive ?

Public service announcement

Ok guys. I need your help.

For my own very personal and very selfish sanity, please let's keep the sexiest guy on TV... on TV.

I'm talking about Michael Imperioli currently starring in the show Detroit 1-8-7. Which ABC is apparently already thinking of cancelling... Motherf*ckers.
Sopranos fans will of course remember him as Christopher Moltisanti, Carmela's junkie, up to no good cousin and occasional fiancé murderer... Ah good memories !

Anyway, I confess. I'm a huge sucker when it comes to good old-fashioned cop 'procedurals'. Think "Cold Case" or "The Wire", even CSI (but only Las Vegas !) to some extent. In our sad, tough times, there's something to be said about over-worked, emotionally stunted, yet devoted civil servants fighting crime and (almost) always setting the world right at the end of 45 min. Just with some good old police leg work and of course a ton of charm and sexiness.

Also ever since I discovered the awesome Sweet Juniper blog, I am totally obsessed with Detroit. Morbid curiosity probably, but Jeez what a fascinating place. To think that one of the richest cities in the US is literally falling back into total decay and oblivion...

So please, pretty pleeeeeease, if you're in the US, tune in Tuesday nights on ABC at 10.00 pm. And if you're outside the US, may I suggest you download this show via The Pirate Bay or Monova...

Yes, let's keep Detroit 1-8-7 alive ! The world needs it ! I need it !

Question : is there a TV series you are really crazy about ? To the point of total addiction ?
I'll let you in on another embarassing secret. I am hoarding all 15 seasons of ER on dvd, and could have totally gone on watching Dr. Carter break in new interns for at least another 15 seasons.

Manna Hommage

A little wink to one of my favourite bloggers - this fine lady from Brooklyn.

Strange encounters not only happen in the streets of NY, sometimes they are right outside your door.


Hello Mrs Bovine, how did you get up there ?

Ode to a cat

This has nothing to do with anything. I just stumbled upon these people's homage to their cat. Right here.

Now if this doesn't make you laugh out loud or at least bring a smile to your face, you are one hell of sour puss...

Blast from the past

Oh man, I am housecleaning and chucking out old stuff... and what do I stumble upon ?



Yep, New Order's True Faith on audio tape, from 1987. Shit, I am ancient...

Enjoy kids ;-)

Tube de l'été

Ok I am off for a few days to greener pastures. Yay !

But worry not, I am leaving you in good company - with Belgian phenomenon Stromae. So let's forget our problems, and let's dance...

And for those of you curious about less common and more experimental music, check out this guy's blog radio.

Fat Cat on the edge...

This is a perfect expression of my present state of mind.

Lyrics

"Sois pauvre et tais-toi

Oui sois pauvre et tais-toi

Toi la petite caissière !

Il n'y a que ton salaire

En promo chez Leclerc...

Oui sois pauvre et tais-toi

Toi le p'tit fonctionnaire

Tu devrais avoir honte

De nous coûter si cher !

Et si t'es pas content

Comme dit le président

Et si t'es pas content

T'as qu'à foutre le camp...

Tous les jours on galère

Dans le RER

Serrés comme du bétail

On se rend au travail

Pendant que Nicolas

Fait son footing au bois

On se gèle sur les quais

En attendant l'tramway.

Oui sois pauvre et tais-toi

Toi le sapeur pompier

Tu sais, sauver des vies

Ca rapporte pas de blé

Oui sois pauvre et tais-toi

Toi le petit cheminot

Tu sais les privilèges

C'est pas pour les prolos !

Tous les jours on galère (bis)

Oui sois pauvre et tais-toi

Toi la p'tite infirmière

On t'les paiera jamais

Tes heures supplémentaires

Oui sois pauvre et tais-toi

Toi la p'tite caillera

Fume ta marijuana

Et surtout bouge de là...

Oui sois pauvre et tais-toi

Oui sois pauvre !"

Que serais-je sans toi

Jean Ferrat (né Jean Tenenbaum, 26 December 1930 –
13 March 2010).

Or in the words of Louis Aragon

"Un jour pourtant un jour viendra couleur d'orange
Un jour de palme un jour de feuillages au front
Un jour d'épaule nue où les gens s'aimeront
Un jour comme un oiseau sur la plus haute branche"