"Just you wait until you read the shit on you I'm gonna blog about..."

The title of this entry is addressed to Belgium, where bureaucracy reigns supreme.

I just got off the phone with my mutualiteit, the Federatie van Socialistische Mutualiteiten van Brabant. It was pleasant enough to be given the choice of speaking in French or Dutch (I chose Dutch, after intending to speak in French for some bizarre reason I'm not fully aware of), and I only got passed from one department to another.

After waiting for little over a month now for my SIS-kaart, which I need for work to fully validate my contract, I decided enough was enough and thought it best to phone up and enquire about how my application was progessing. It turns out everything they had asked me to send was there, but it was simply not being dealt with and the poor girl on the other end of the phone said she didn't know why.

At this point let it be noted that I began my application for my health insurance in December. Since then I have had to restart my application once and had to resend forms in addition that weren't fully completed by my employer.

However, she did promise me that she would personally see to it now and I should have my details and member card by the end of the week. JA!!

It's just so silly how I had to phone up to get them to simply finish processing my application! I'm happy that things are being done (although we will wait and see if it actually does arrive by the end of the week), but midly peeved at the sillyness. Now for my next mission: Stad Brussel/Ville de Bruxelles - WHERE is this twatty piece of paper confirming my address? Just so you know, Tom (Basia's housemate who I lived with while I was looking after Basia's dog, Charlie) also went to the counter at the town hall at exactly the same time as me in January and his address is changed completely. I, on the other hand am still in regio-limbo, somewhere between Vlaanderen and Brussel Hoofdstedelijk Gewest. The police came to see him the next day to check his address, whereas I had to wait about 2 weeks. GRRRRRRR

Anywho, as long as I get my health insurance sorted I will be happy - so I can stop being careful when crossing roads/operating heavy machinery etc.

The land that Government forgot.

"Remember, all that takes to kill a man, is one well aimed blow..."

A line from the BBC drama about Merlin (I think it's called "Merlin" or something) which is being shown on 2BE. I know this because I now have TV! That line is a quote as well, no joke.

Paul came round today with a long cable so we could connect the TV. I've programmed it, but unfortunately there are far too many French-speaking channels for my liking. Nevermind, 2BE shows Glee tonight at 19.45 and that's Dutch-speaking so it won't be dubbed over :)

I just made wedges, and I am eating these as I type. Very tasty indeed, especially with the Curry ketchup.  I did plan to do some laundry today, but I'm having one of those lazy days. After work yesterday I went to meet up with friends as it was Nebojsa's birthday. They had been for a meal at Publico (a lovely little place I took my sisters to) and I met them there for a few glasses of bubbly after I had finished work before going on to Belgica. It was really crowded but we had a laugh, and later we then went onto the Box for a boogie.

I have some great photos from last night, most if not all of which will not be making it to Facebook or this blog as they are truly frightful, with many unintended upskirt shots.

Anywho, only two more days of work on Monday and Tuesday, then I'll be off to Berlin on Thursday. It will be so nice to see Catherine and Lukas, and I hope to see Holly and other Lucas.

I got paid yesterday, which made me happy as I can start paying off my debts. I just owe Jen and my Mum and Dad some dough, which I should have paid off within a month. It's hard at the moment as I'm only working part-time and only have enough to pay my rent and live quite comfortably. However, this doesn't allow me to save any money which is what I want to do, so maybe I can go and travel a bit next year. I'm so excited for Sarah and Jordan to go and see the world and can't wait to be able to do it myself. It's wierd though as I get paid here in two installments: a voorschot or "advance" of around 30% (I think) at the end of the month, then I get the rest on the first friday of the next month - so I get the rest of my wage on Friday while I'm in Berlin. Sorted. Although it's a bit of a silly way of being paid. I don't know anywhere else that pays in this way, although my old part time job at Woolies used to be a bit complicated when working out the overtime. Nevermind, it's Belgium after all. Nothing ever seems simple.

Which brings me to how pissed off I am about STILL not having recieved my SIS Kaart OR my address confirmation from the town hall. Belgium is really pissing me off in regards to this. I'm going to have to phone up my mutualiteit to ask them what the hell is going on, which isn't going to make me happy.

Oh yeah, and we still don't have a government. Joke.

The Daily Mail. Bigots? Or just following the rules?

After Jan Moir's beautiful homage to Stephen Gately, you'd have thought they'd have learned their lesson over at the Daily Outrage. So how does The Daily Mail keep offending people? Well according to the PCC, it does, but it's not against their rules.

Here's an e-mail I recieved today, after complaining about an article by Melanie "Bigot-face" Phillips. I read on www.dailymail.co.uk.

date Wed, Feb 23, 2011 at 1:10 PM subject PCC Complaint: Various v Daily Mail

Further to our previous correspondence, the Commission has now made its assessment of your complaint under the Editors’ Code of Practice.

The Commission members have asked me to thank you for giving them the opportunity to consider the points you raise.  However, their decision is that there has been no breach of the Code in this case. A full explanation of the Commission’s decision is attached.

Although the Commissioners have come to this view, they have asked me to send a copy of your letter to the editor so that he is aware of your concerns.

If you are dissatisfied with the way in which your complaint has been handled you should write within one month to the Independent Reviewer, whose details can be found in our How to Complain leaflet or on the PCC website at the following link:

http://www.pcc.org.uk/about/whoswho/charter_commissioner.html

Thank you for taking this matter up with us.

Yours sincerely

Commission’s decision in the case of

Various v Daily Mail

The Commission received over sixty five complaints about the article “Yes, gays have often been the victims of prejudice. But they now risk becoming the new McCarthyites”. Virtually all the complainants found it to be discriminatory towards homosexual people, and many considered it to be highly offensive.

A number of complainants raised additional concerns that the article was in breach of Clause 1 (Accuracy) of the Code. Several believed that the columnist had failed to distinguish clearly between comment, conjecture and fact, while others considered that some of her statements were either incorrect or misleading.

Firstly, the Commission fully acknowledged the complainants’ concerns about the article and accepted that many readers strongly disagreed with the views expressed by the columnist about attitudes to homosexuality and her position on matters relating to equality. However, under the terms of Clause 1 (Accuracy) of the Code, newspapers are entitled to publish the views of individuals – however robust or controversial – provided that they are clearly distinguished from fact. The article had clearly been presented as a comment piece both in the print edition of the newspaper and on its website, and it was satisfied that readers would be aware that the article reflected the personal opinions of the columnist. It considered that the assertions that the introduction of references to homosexual people was intended to “brainwash children”, that they were being “bombarded” by such references, that there was a “gay agenda” and that there was a “concept of normal sexual behaviour” were clearly presented as representing her own, candid opinions, and it did not consider that readers would be misled into understanding that there was an established “gay agenda” or “ruthless campaign”. Similarly, while it comprehended the complainants’ objections to the claim that such references were “an abuse of childhood”, it did not consider readers would understand this to be anything but her own views on the matter. The Commission was satisfied that readers generally would be aware that these assertions did not amount to statements of fact, but rather the columnist’s robust views.

A number of complainants considered that the article was misleading, particularly in regard to the reporting of the introduction of references to homosexuals in school subjects. They pointed out that this was an initiative suggested as part of LGBT History Month and not, as implied, a permanent addition to the national curriculum or an obligatory exercise. The complainants considered that this should have been made clear. The Commission acknowledged the complainants’ concerns that the context of these references was relevant. However, it considered that readers would be aware that the purpose of the article was not to give a full explanation of such measures – it was not a news article – but rather for the columnist to express her views on them. It noted that the article contained relatively little information about the introduction of the references to issues relating to homosexuality and, in the absence of information, it did not consider that readers would be misled into understanding that such measures were to be adopted permanently as part of the national curriculum. That these references were part of a “Government-backed drive to promote the gay agenda” was, in the view of the Commission, clearly the columnist’s opinion based on the grant issued by the Training and Development Agency for Schools. It could not establish a breach of Clause 1 (Accuracy) on this point.

Some complainants were also concerned that the reference to the reports carried out by the Department for Transport and the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs had also been taken out of context. Given that the complainants had not expressed concern that the references were inaccurate or explained on what grounds they considered the references to be misleading, the Commission could establish a breach of Clause 1 of the Code on this point. In any case, it generally only considers complaints from those directly affected by the matter about which they complained. In this instance, it would require a complaint from the representative of either the Department for Transport or the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs in order to establish whether they considered that their reports had been misrepresented.

Three complainants had expressed further concern over the statement that Catholic adoption agencies and marriage registrars had been “forced to shut down” after refusing to place children with same-sex couples. Bearing in mind the requirements of anti-discrimination laws, the Commission did not consider the assertion that they had been forced to close down was significantly misleading as to the situation. The statement was not in breach of the Code.

In regard to the complainants’ concerns that the article should have made clear that the Bulls’ actions were against the law, the Commission noted that the article made clear that they had fallen “foul of the law”. It did not consider that readers generally would understand from the columnist’s view on the matter that the Bulls’ actions had been lawful, but rather that the columnist considered that they had merely been “upholding Christian values”. In regard to the claim that the Bulls had been “sued”, given that the couple were claiming damages under the Equality Act, it did not consider that readers would be significantly misled. Similarly, the Commission did not consider that the absence of reference to Dr Raabe’s comments in regard to homosexuality and paedophilia would mislead readers. Given that the article made clear that there were objections to his appointment due to his views on homosexuality, the Commission did not consider that the absence of further information would mislead readers as to the situation. It could not establish a breach of Clause 1 (Accuracy) of the Code.

Two complainants claimed that the reference to male animals that take a leading role in raising young children was not a reference to homosexuality. The Commission noted that the columnist had been giving examples of suggestions as part of LGBT History Month. The complainant had not expressed concern that the columnist had incorrectly reported these suggestions – but rather objected to the suggestion in itself – and therefore the Commission could not establish a breach of the Code on this point.

The complainants were predominantly concerned that the article discriminated against homosexual people, and implied that their sexual orientation was abnormal and inferior to heterosexuality. Two complainants also expressed similar concerns about  the article the following week “The calls for me to be killed this week prove the bedrock values of our society are in grave danger”. The Commission understood the grounds for the complaints. However, it made clear that, while Clause 12 (Discrimination) prevents newspapers from making prejudicial or pejorative reference to an individual’s sexual orientation, it does not cover comments about groups or categories of people. Given that the complainants considered that the articles discriminated against homosexual people in general, the Commission could not establish a breach of Clause 12 (Discrimination) of the Editors’ Code of Practice.

Some complainants were concerned that the article discriminated specifically against Steven Preddy and Martin Hall. The Commission considered that it would require the direct involvement of these individuals, or their official representative, in order to establish whether they considered that the article had discriminated against them. In the absence of such involvement, it could not comment on this matter further.

One complainant looked to engage Clauses 4 (Harassment), 5 (Intrusion into grief or shock) and 6 (Children), however, she had not explained specifically on what grounds she considered that they had been breached. There had been no suggestion that the journalist had behaved in such a manner as to engage Clause 4, and the Commission did not consider that the article intruded into an individual’s personal grief or shock in such a way that would amount to a breach of Clause 5 of the Code. Clause 6 (Children) was designed to protect the private lives of children from intrusion by the press. Given that the article did not make reference to a particular child, it could not establish a breach of the Code.

Finally, the Commission fully understood that the complainants had found the article to be highly offensive. However, it made clear that the terms of the Editors’ Code of Practice do not address issues of taste and offence. The Code is designed to address the potentially competing rights of freedom of expression and other rights of individuals, such as privacy. Newspapers and magazines have editorial freedom to publish what they consider to be appropriate provided that the rights of individuals – enshrined in the terms of the Code which specifically defines and protects these rights – are not compromised.  To come to an inevitably subjective judgement as to whether such material is tasteless or offensive would amount to the Commission acting as a moral arbiter, which can lead to censorship. It could not, therefore, comment on this aspect of the complaints further.

The red section marks my 'lols' at how sad this response is. It seems that as long as we don't attack individuals, we can say what we like and incite hatred in society by attacking a whole group of people. A group of people who in some parts of the world are still imprisoned, killed and even tortured in horrifying ways for being who they are. Pathetic.

All my friends know the low rider...

I know this is the song used on the old Marmite ads, but it was going through my head as I was making my first bacon sandwich in what seems like aaaaaaages. After discovering that a lone supermarket by the European Parliament was selling brown sauce, and the supermarket across the road from my apartment was selling "English" bacon, I knew I had to unify these two amazing products - in my belly.

 OM NOM NOM NOM NOM NOM NOM NOM NOM NOM NOM NOM!!!!!

It's safe to say that I probably died and went to heaven, and it has to be said that in ALL seriousness, I don't know how I have survived without bacon sandwiches with brown sauce (that raw thing that was brought to my table in a cafe in Brussels does not even register on the pig meat deliciousness scale).

Just so you know, there's a cool remix of Low Rider from a while ago, that I've just remembered:

This is in all likelihood making a swift return to my iPod.

Dikke kusjes allemaal.

"Pass me a tissue, Wing Commander..."

... an hilarious line from the film "Personal Services", starring Julie Walters in a portrayal of a brothel Madam loosely based on the life of Cynthia Payne. It's a great cult classic that I have enjoyed since I was introduced to it when I was around 16-17. It makes me feel good and reminds me to remember to be myself when I'm feeling a bit down. Also, I really felt like watching "Kinky Boots", but I don't have that on DVD yet and didn't want to watch some jumpy grainy copy online.

 

I watched this around lunchtime, as I had some free time. This morning I recieved an e-mail from the annoying student saying he could no longer carry on with his English lessons as he had to finish his thesis. I do believe him as most of the time he has been on the phone with his tutor from Turkey begging for extensions and what-not. The only thing that pissed me off is the money that I'll be losing out on. Grrrr.

After I had finished watching Personal Services, I decided to take a walk and do something with my afternoon. I'm glad I did, as I stumbled upon a farm - which is situated more or less across the road from me, in Brussels, in the city.

Unfortunately my camera ran out of battery after I took the last photo of the roosters. There were also some really friendly sheep, goats, lots more poultry, deer (I think... they had antlers), a peacock, and that's about what I can remember. It was a nice little detour on my way to the Basiliek/Basilique.

There's quite a nice view from the top of the steps; I went inside, which was okay. It's quite modern really.


Anyway, it was a nice walk up there. You can see it from the front of my apartment so it's been intriguing me for a while. It wasn't a disappointment when I got there, it just didn't meet my expectations. I thought this when I got there, and realised I could probably apply that perspective to my time in Belgium. It hasn't been exactly what I thought it would be. However, I don't know if I ever really knew what it was going to be like. I never knew what uni would be like, or my year abroad in France and Spain, until I actually got there. Maybe this time it's just wierd because I'm not living the student dream. I can't get away anymore with missing that 9am lecture and turning up at 10am instead, just because I went out the night before and was a bit rough. More often than not I have to be at the bloody airport for 6.30am now! Life is different now.

Having said that, I'm not unhappy about it. I was on Skype to Rich last night and was telling him how I feel really good when I'm at work. I hate leaving because I've got shit to worry about in the real world. At the airport I can just concentrate on work and even have a good time doing it with my workmates.

For those coming to visit me in the coming months, here is a photo of where you will be staying:

My building is the one slightly left of centre with the curved roof.

It really was a lovely day - bit chilly later on though.

It has to be said I'm missing my friends and family a lot at the moment. I'm also quite lonely in my apartment at the moment, as Paul is barely here. I don't think he's adapting well to living away from home, which is wierd as he's lived away from home in different countries - that's how we met! I hope he doesn't regret it. On the other hand, I enjoy immensely curling up on the couch with a duvet and watching various DVDs/boxsets. I might have a beer tonight that my sisters and Jordan left in the fridge. 9 days and counting, till I hit the geilest city of them all.........

Wir fahren mit der Luftbahn...

... well I will be when I fly to Berlin a week on Freitag. Can't wait!

It's a great feeling knowing that I'm going to visit a city that I've been dying to see for a few years now. I'm almost certain I won't be disappointed - I've thoroughly enjoyed every trip to Germany I have made in the past. I can't wait to see Catherine, as well as Lukas and various other people whom I know live there for one reason or another.

Did I use 'whom' correctly? I've been reading Stephen Fry and he has prompted me to call into question my use of that particular dative pronoun. I must investigate further...

Anywho, things are going well in the airport. I will be joining the US Airways group at work, which I am fine with, but I was hoping to work for Iberia so I could use my Spanish. It makes more sense for me to work with US, being Engelstalig/anglophone and all so I should start training for that some time in April and being earning some better money.

I'm back teaching tomorrow after a week off for various reasons. I'm not really arsed about it, the only thing that is making me do it is the need for money. The two guys I'm tutoring at the moment are not making me want to teach them at all - they are a little lazy and impatient, and don't pay me enough (or rather I fell too soft when they asked for a cheaper price. My own fault, I guess).  I think if and when I make it back to the UK and take up teaching, I will enjoying teaching children and young adults much more, rather than adult learners who think they're going to be fluent after 2 weeks. Young people don't have that same expectation of school, as they know they're only meant to go as fast as their teachers teach them. I'm sure there are of course exceptions to this assumption. If I'm honest, I'm just trying to justify my boredom at trying to teach my language to these particular learners.

Talking of language learning, it occured to me to try and teach myself a bit of German for work. I'm encountering increasing numbers of Germans who don't speak English, French or Dutch. Normally of the older generation, they are just happening to cross my path and it would be nice if I had an adequate vocabulary and knowledge of basic grammar to string a few sentences together. Ahl keep tha posted.

Today, whilst boarding a Lufthansa flight and then a Swiss flight I had two nice conversations in English with two colleagues, who wanted to know why I lived here, spoke Dutch and French etc. blah blah blah. The second was happy as I could do the call outs for him in "perfect" English (I enjoyed hearing the sound of Bradford echoing and filling the whole of Terminal A).

The A/Schengen Terminal - the nice one.

One speaks to me in English anyway as he seems to like it, but the other switched to English after he asked me where I was from. Then he asked me if I spoke Dutch, then realising we had already spoken in Dutch, excused himself citing the stereotype of English people not speaking languages etc. so he just thought it better to speak English - not sure how that makes sense, but I was more than happy to remain in my native language, as I can get a little confused when swapping between French, Dutch and English (and whatever else) all day. Love it.

Belgicisme/Belgicanisme

It's chaos outside my window at the moment. There's the constant sound of horn-beeping and other annoying traffic-related sounds.

Well, the sound of cars at least. The Brussels transport network MIVB/STIB has called it quits for a while and gone on strike, so everyone is having to drive or walk, or take the De Lijn buses (Flanders saves the day again). And they don't mess about, they started during rush hour yesterday so people coming home from work (me being one of these people) were buggered.  I was meeting my sisters in Delirium in the centre of town, and decided to get off the bus from the airport earlier on in order to take the metro closer to the centre. Of course the metro decided to stop literally the moment after I got there. Buses were still working at that point but it would have been pointless to walk to a bus which wouldn't take me that close to where I wanted to be. So I walked (quickly I might add, as I really wanted a beer and a wee.)

Seriously, they're beeping a lot now. Is this to get the traffic moving with soundwaves, or to express anger at the Belgian government, or lack thereof?

I read a good article today from the Independent about the political crisis here. I was quite impressed to find a better quality article about it in a British newspaper than most other articles about it on the BBC and other newspapers. Usually it's simply "Belgium doesn't have a government. They speak French and Dutch there. Brussels is a French-speaking city in Flanders, that's the problem" - none of which is wholly incorrect, although the last part could be misinterpreted.

May I interrrupt the proceedings to inform all that I am typing this while looking at the screen through my new glasses. As of Sunday I became Dave "Specky-Four-Eyes" Cooper. They are fabulous of course, simply because I don't have to squint anymore.

I came across the concept of Belgian nationalism while reading this article (I often break off to investigate things that I think about as a result of the intellectual stimulation (lol) that we get from reading). I hadn't thought much about it, which is probably why I got a slightly lower grade than I had wished for on my final Dutch project at uni (I concentrated on regionalism in Belgium, but evidently didn't really mention the possibility of nationalism in Belgium). Then I got to thinking (yes, I've been watching too much Sex and the City) about Belgian nationalism (Belgicisme in Dutch, Belgicanisme in French) as a possible avenue to success in the future and an end to the political crises that have crippled the country over the last few years. Maybe it is possible that after (too) much devolution of responsibilities (a much more agreeable term than 'power', n'est-ce pas?), it might be time to acknowledge the role of federal government in encouraging the country and its people to become united, rather than the regions simply 'sticking together' because they can't separate.

The protests have gestured towards this, however on paper the movement is only favoured among the Wallonian parties. This is because it normally only fits with their other policies of keeping their financial interests covered. - there are no French-speaking separatists that have as much influence as the NVA or Vlaams Belang, as it would not make financial sense for Wallonia to secede from Belgium. Flanders on the other hand, would be loaded as it would no longer have to subsidise poor Wallonia if it decided to split.

Wouldn't it be great though, if the regions could put their financial interests aside, and just look at the social impact of embracing the Belgian identity and working it into their politics? Or have they already tried enough, and this young and relatively inexperienced blogging nobody should shut the hell up?

Quoi 2 9?

Well.

I know it's been, like, two months (and a bit) since my last blog post (and I've only made about 3 so far, so not the best start to a blog) but I'm ready to get back into it. Let's see how far we get...

First thing's first - Ik woon nu in Brussel/Maintenant j'habite à Bruxelles.

Andy came to visit last weekend, and we stumbled upon the best Embassy in the city.

I was staying for a while at my mate Basia'a apartment, who had fled to Oz for a month leaving me to look after her mentally ill dog. 

Let me rephrase: Basia went on holiday for a month to visit her family and friends back home, and I volunteered to look after her sweet but scared dog so I could stay in Brussels and look for a place of my own.

The reason for the two explanations is because both are true, but the reality is somewhere between the two and I haven't the energy to choose my words carefully.

So now, I have a new apartment after having moved in on Saturday. It's on the north side of the inner ring (lol), on the Boulevard d'Anvers/Antwerpselaan. It's pretty funky, although sometimes I feel like my apartment is a cross between 80s glam and charity shop chic. It's warm, dry and comfy which makes me happy and in a great location. It's also a great location for tranny hookers, which is a downside for me, but a pluspunt for the men that are seeking the manlady of their dreams.

Special thanks to the chippy around the corner for providing me with a new place to get some good chips outside of Antwerp. The guy even speaks Dutch, which is just prima. I just have to remember not to look at his hands when he's wrapping stuff up, as they are a special type of minging. Maybe it's from the fat burning him - don tek me wrong, but it meks me gip.

I've also started teaching English part time. It was a shakey start, but I think I'm gettting into it. Although I was pissed off when one of my students didn't turn up today - I wouldn't mind, but I teach them one at a time, so I had to wait for my next one.

While waiting for the next student, I made a quick visit to a nearby cafe, in which I had a pleasant experience on a previous visit. However, I had to send back the bacon sandwich I ordered... as the bacon was not cooked. I mean, really. A raw bacon sarni? I asked the girl if she could fry my bacon and she was surprised that I didn't want to eat raw pig.  She had put me in the unfortunate position of having to explain that in England we fry our bacon, and even eat it with a brown sauce (no apologies to the retards who have bacon sarnis with ketchup). After conceding that my way was better (she didn't, but my way is better), she brought me back a pleasant enough bacon sandwich with a refreshing cup of Earl Grey.

Then I went to teach my second student who did turn up. I have had a few problems with this one, as he won't let me teach him the stuff he needs to know, insisting he already knows it. I give him some examples to do as I know he will make mistakes, just to prove to him that I vaguely know what work I need to do with him. After dragging him through some modal verbs, various tenses, moods and other such grammatical delights, we finally got onto some good stuff today and I think we are going to be alright. This is mostly thanks to Basia who gave me some tips on difficult students and cool games and tools to use to engage with them. I said to my Dad last night if I gave up on him, I might be poorer but I'd be happier. On second thoughts, I think I'd just end up being unhappy about the lack of money.

Anywho, tomorrow I have a day off before a weekend at the airport. Tomorrow night there is a party for everyone who works in the airport. I wasn't going to go, but some other workmates are going who also have to work on Saturday morning, so our plan is to go straight to work afterwards at 6.30am. Don't worry, I'll keep it classy.