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Two Too Many

I knew what to expect of Two Too Many, as I had seen them once before. But I have to say, with a much more conducive setting than previously, they were excellent! Damon, Damien, JJ and Niall make up the band. An eclectic heavy metal type of rock band who play a wide range of classic cover songs. I say this as, not being a massive rock fan per se, I found them pretty darn good!

The gig took place in The Cave, a small rough and ready intimate venue that is completely suited to live performances. Once you walk down the steps, you’re immediately transported to a dark, underground large cave. Complete with what I think are the tallest, heavy metal, long haired bar staff I have ever seen 😊

Although being fashionably late, they launched straight into some big hitters! First up was It’s So Easy by Guns and Roses and the head banging was in full swing! Damien, the lead singer really commands the microphone and belts out a great range of vocals. The crowd is absolutely loving it and before you know it, we’ve gone through a good hour of nonstop classics! It’s all getting very sweaty in there as people are dancing and singing passionately along to the numbers. We get to hear some great tunes like: Don’t Believe A Word and Jailbreak by Thin Lizzy that resonate well with the audience.

Towards the second half of the gig, we get a surprise announcement that its Niall, the drummers birthday and as such, he gets to play his fiancée’s favourite song. He chooses Good Golly Miss Molly by Chuck Berry. The crowd are going wild with Damon, bass guitar and JJ, lead guitar, synchronising their chords together perfectly!

There’s a freshness to this band that is reflected through their obvious love of the songs they play. So, for anyone out there that isn’t yet a rock / metal fan, you’d be mad not to give these guys a whirl. Top tip though: wear black!

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The Epiphany

I’ve had an epiphany! At least I think so. It feels like a mini breakthrough to me all the same. For years I have been battling with things that are just beyond my control, yet somehow am convinced I can change if I am grumpy or resolute enough. Not so the experts say, well I tell you…THEY ARE RIGHT.

It comes with some surprise to a few (thank you kind or blind people), that am turning 40 this year. So, you’d think: expat chick, moved abroad alone to a foreign country, taken on a different language, culture and people – she’s got it going on upstairs. Well, wrong! It seems that continuous learning about oneself is actually just that – ever evolving. Might sound a load of mumbo jumbo hippy twaddle, but I honestly had a couple of moments today where I just LET GO.

First up was trudging off to the gym. Boot camp (oh dear) but gotta try and keep the belly under wraps! Turns out I was the only person who turned up so the instructor said no lesson today. Half disappointment and half relieved, my mind was drifting to fried eggs and cheese on toast. But then, the bombshell came. Let’s do a personal training session she said. Couldn’t quite believe it as you have to normally pay big bucks for these, but no mention of cash and we’re off! Hard work, especially when she shows you just how to do it properly and it really hurts. Then you realise those wasted years of huffing and puffing and you’ve actually been doing it all wrong. Anyway, I am digressing. Super nice lady and we honestly had a lovely conversation. Genuine, friendly and empathetic. Words I do not associate with the average (wo)man on the street in Amsterdam. My faith in humanity is restored!

Second situation. But different. On the tram. You know the drill. Heavily loaded with goodies from Lidl, why have I only just properly discovered this place? It gives Aldi a good run for its money! It was British week, so decided to stock up on mostly unhealthy but tasty stuff. Real cheddar cheese with chili, chicken and leek pie and smoked trout pate. Am going to stop right here as I am actually getting hungry again and have already had lunch 😊

Weighed down with my food, I faced this obnoxious person on the tram, complete with way too loud, terrible music blaring out of his ear phones and the typical skinny jeaned, man bunned hair clone look. Sorry, it’s just not my cup of tea. The driver was taking the bends rally driving style, so I wobbled a bit into him with my enormous bags of shopping. Obviously apologizing and slightly grimacing, was faced with the death stare! No words, no acknowledgement, just the don’t you dare look at me signals. Normally I’d get really annoyed by this as a bit of friendliness can diffuse an awkward situation. But today, I let go. Not let rip. No dirty looks back, but just detachment. And it felt great!!

So, people. Maybe we should all follow Elsa from Frozen and just, let it go! Happy Monday and good luck with your encounters 😊

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Restaurant Jacketz

Easter weekend in Amsterdam, with the promise of sunshine, chocolate eggs and that extra day off. It was my best friend’s birthday so we decided to start the festivities with a nice lunch.

We had both wandered past Jacketz a number of times whilst doing the groceries on a rushed Saturday, but this time we had the opportunity of sampling its delights and were not to be disappointed!

The concept is straightforward. Jacketz is an eatery in Amsterdam where the basis of your meal is the humble spud. You have the choice between whole sized or half sized jacket potatoes and then choose your filling to go on top. After which, if there is any space left, you add other ingredients such as various cheeses, however, there are no limits!

My friend and I entered the restaurant which was clean, light and airy and were greeted warmly and offered a table. We opted for the elevated upper level and found a spot. We were quickly attended to by the friendly chef who asked us if we were familiar with the concept of Jacketz. We replied informing it was our first time there and he kindly explained the concept and background to us, finishing with once we had experienced our food we would become regulars there! We were asked what we liked to drink with the option of several fruit juices, beers and wines. We each opted for a glass of Pinot Grigio, which was cool and crisp and happily chatted away, listening to the relaxed music playing in the background. Jacketz had a bright, modern atmosphere with several quotes about potatoes by famous people and also free Wi-Fi. It is also possible to eat outside on their terrace when the weather is nice.

In no time at all, our food arrived. The portions were very reasonable and nicely presented. Each of us had “melt in your mouth” soft, fluffy potato with a delicately crisp outer skin which was baked to perfection. I went for the tuna salad with dill and crème fraiche from Normandy and my vegetarian friend went for the beetroot salad with leafy beet and pecorino cheese. We devoured our food only then realizing that the option of the half potato may be more sensible for the next time since the portions were so generous!

We got the bill which was very reasonable and competitively priced and left happy and full.

The chef was right, we will definitely be back!

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One Last Push

Morning sunrise, the smoke bellows up

Across the field, then seeps into the sky

The smell of despair creeps in and around

Amongst cigarette butts lying on the ground

He bellows an order, chest heaving deeply

His mouth is wide screaming that we must push on, keep going!

Coldness and fear are simmering around us

The dug out and dirt is disgusting and dank

We look at each other, eyes locking in at the same thoughts

A quiet nod, how did we get to this?

Bang! Thud, another thunderclap of shelling

But how do we keep going and do we really still care?

I hold my precious chain and photos so dear

My sweetheart back home and children who play so warmly

In the soft evening falling light, laughing

With their innocence shining through

Squelching and screaming, they pull a man past me

With limbs dragging, disjointed and bleeding

When will we stop going over, never to return

That sinking feeling of I am next

Slowly, we drag our feet through the dark slippery trenches

Sticking like superglue in the mud

Knee deep, not wanting to go

The major shouts deafening!

What can I do? I look at the sky lit up like a bonfire

I owe it to my countrymen, we all make the sacrifice

The promise I made, but sweat slowly drips down to my heavy boots

Stinging my weary eyes

One last push toward the dugout ladder

One last heave and deep heavy sigh

Force my body up and over, rifle turned outwards

Ready for battle! We cross together

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Cafe Scrapyard Review

What a gem of a cocktail bar to find in a residential area of Amsterdam!

Scrapyard, it appears, is everything others aren’t for a few reasons. I entered the new bar to bluesy mellow beats and a warm welcome by the owner who originally comes from Salford. I was then presented with an extensive cocktail menu by the award winning cocktail bar person who was more than happy to provide a recommendation.

There is an extensive gin list which seems to be de rigueur in Amsterdam at the moment, but after much deliberating I opted for a CMV – coffee, mint and vanilla daiquiri as a pick me up. This could honestly be my most favourite cocktail ever, as the fresh minty taste balanced against nice strong coffee with vanilla was just divine!

Whilst watching the art of cocktail making, I was also informed that they make cocktails that are good for you, as in environmentally friendly and organic products. If you wish you can also choose a wine or a beer supplied by the Two Chefs Brewery.

After devouring my cocktail, I decided to have a peek around the place as there was a good range of modern and interesting art on display from local art producer RichArt Penture. There were quite a few real life portraits of famous people such as Martin Luther King and Mohammed Ali.

Scrapyard also has regular social events, such as Art Battle Contests where local artists with a mix of different styles (graffiti, tattoo, illustration) compete against each other with the help of the public to decide who wins.

They also host kitchen takeovers where there is a food truck and specialty theme of cuisine. I was informed the most recent one was South African.

Settling into the big comfy leather couch at the back I decided it was time to try another cocktail! Again, spoilt by the menu and amazing names, I plumped for a Basil Fawlty – more chosen out of the amusing name. It was a smooth blend of vodka, crème de cassis, triple sec, elderflower tonic and fresh basil and lip-smackingly good.

Scrapyard really is a cool little place in that it balances beautifully made and tasting cocktails, with a down to earth edginess crossed with unbeatably the friendliest bar staff I have ever encountered in a cocktail bar. Opening till late on Fridays and Saturdays, I can see this being a popular hangout.

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Workshop 'maXimize Yourself'

This training is developed on the initiative of maX BNL and is part of the e-miles program.

Whilst coming across the Workshop maXimise Yourself course, I was curious as to what it would cover and how it would be relevant for me. In times of being SMART and also LEAN, it is often somewhat challenging for the assistant role to encompass extra aspects without drawing away from its core requirements. I was pleasantly surprised.

The course curriculum was set out well, four half day sessions spread over four weeks and contained excellent probing questions such as delving deeper into what kind of job you would do if you could choose any, or how you make choices on where you would also like to develop within your current job.

I guess the most useful part of the course for me was to think outside of the box and really nail down what were your skills, areas that you really excelled in and also those which you would prefer to give lesser focus to, if at all possible. For me personally this was pointing all throughout the course to the fact that I really enjoyed writing. Whether that be in a traditional email or communication type format within your job as an assistant or perhaps in an extra-curricular manner in a completely different field. The feedback that came out was extremely useful to me and as a follow up to the conclusion I decided to take a creative writing course in my own time. I thoroughly enjoyed it and realized that I was unlocking the key to my true potential in simply putting words on paper! While I was at the course I was surrounded by literary professionals, such as editors, journalists and even authors that had joined the course to “polish” their skills, which left me feeling, as we all do when initially faced with a new challenge, slightly inadequate. What the maXimise course really taught me and gave enlightenment on was that everyone is capable of following their true passion, from just the start of giving it a try, to finishing and excelling. You just need to make the start!

I completed the creative writing course and since then have had 2 separate articles published in an external online magazine to date and am looking to develop this further. The maXimise workshop’s slogan is just go for it – and my recommendation to anyone is to do just that!

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Restaurant Motimahal Review

It was decided upon, during the last get together with the magazine folks, that we would venture into Amsterdam to try an authentic Indian curry house. I had happened upon Motimahal since it is close by where I live and have been a couple of times before.

We were a group of eight people and got a good table, close to the well-stocked bar. The atmosphere was cosy and the background music was of a decent audible level so that you could easily hear each other’s conversation. We were greeted warmly by Mister Singh, the owner of the restaurant, who am not sure also may handle some of the cooking but mainly tends to the guests. There are a fairly standard range of drinks to choose from that are averagely priced, with us choosing a bottle of house red, several beers and a gin and tonic. The staff are very welcoming and their customer service is really good, they are very happy to tend to your needs and specific requests and if something from the menu requires some slight alteration, they are more than happy to help with your preferences.

With the heady and exotic aroma of Indian spices and fragrance, we all decided to opt for poppadums with mango chutney and mint raita for starters. They were nice and hot when served and had a nice crisp to them when broken to dip in the yummy sauces. We all ordered a different variety of curries such as: chicken tikka balti, chicken korma, chicken madras and lamb curry that came served with a good serving of basmati rice. My chicken tikka balti was really exquisite in flavour with a good strong marinated spicy flavour, combined with a generous creamy sauce, served in the traditional bucket. The korma was a smooth, mild creamy flavour, also delectable, but completely different to the madras which had a spicy and robust flavour. The portion sizes were quite generous with not everyone managing to finish their food so the price is quite well reflected here. We all finished our meals happily full and opted against the idea of dessert as we would have simply burst!

The restaurant was almost full so is a good reflection of its popularity – just have to work my way through trying more of the dishes on the extensive menu!

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Marilyn Monroe Exhibition

Having just been to see the exhibition at the Nieuwe Kerk of celebrating what would have been Marilyn Monroe's 90th birthday, I thought it a rather poignant topic in which to highlight the life and challenges that being a female in society brings.

Marilyn, whose real name of Norma Jean Baker began life in a rather squalid, turbulent way. Born in 1926, she was given away by her natural mother to foster parents and subsequently appeared to have had the burden of growing up too fast thrust upon her. She even married her next door neighbour so as not to have to return to the orphanage again. What a young person goes through and experiences as such an early age most definitely shapes them for their later years and who they will become. But it isn't always doom and gloom that must repeat itself, as often, this kick-starts a desire to win, in whatever shape or form, but almost certainly, a catalyst to prove others wrong.

Marilyn was determined to fulfill her lifelong ambition of becoming a successful actress from an early age and became fascinated by Hollywood, glamour and the influence and adulation she saw they received. Perhaps as a contrast to her own lack of attention from an adolescent, she soon realised that she would show the world she meant business. In an age back then where women were not equal to men, she was famously quoted as saying "I have too many fantasies to be a housewife." Something which back then would have caused great controversy but also as we see now, as others have done too, provide huge inspiration to many females. She also decided to work out, lifting weights, which was abhorrently unheard of, in order to perfect and maintain her wonderful physique. I often wonder if she had been an icon in our modern times, if so many of my friends and acquaintances might not have suffered the negative body image that is placed upon us when seeing the emaciated look of the so called international catwalk models, whose body shape almost most of us will never match.  

She threw caution to the wind and became a movie star, albeit a not very successful one initially, but like so many things that we try and fail with, she continued with a strong will and conviction, which eventually paid off. She was reported as quoting "If I had observed all the rules, I'd never have gotten anywhere." We must take note from this and realise that we make our own destiny in life and if we just keep trying and ignore the haters, it will eventually pay off.

Having married and divorced at an early age, she later went on to marry Joe De Maggio, a famous US sports star, however this wasn't to last as he all too soon he became very controlling, jealous and resentful of her popularity and success. "I don't mind living in a man's world, as long as I can be a woman in it" became a key statement for her as she edged towards equaling the male Hollywood stars of that time. How often do we see even now, the challenges of being a female in the workplace balanced with having children, perhaps taking a career break to raise them and returning to the same position as your male counterpart? It seems that although she was living in times gone by, the same challenges are still very much alive.

What we, as women (and every gender in fact) must take from this, is that "Fear is stupid. So are Regrets." The fear of not having dared try something has hit me many a time and have missed out on trying or doing something, which looking back, would have been just fine! Personally speaking, it took me 6 years to pluck up the courage to go to the cinema alone. My fear was that "people would stare," or that others would think I was a loner. Having done this for the past 6 years now, my only regret was not having done this earlier!

If we try and follow her motto of "I live to succeed, not to please you or anyone else" we won't go far wrong. And I personally have taken many key learnings from this wonderfully stylish, powerful, yet gentle woman.

Highly recommend anyone looking to spend an hour strolling around the exhibition to go for it and who knows, you might take your own life lessons from it. Closes February 2017.