Spiral Fool

Actually, I realized that this blog wasn't refering to the real world as much as I wanted. That's why I decided to share with you several events that attracted my eyes in the news.

Prime Minister of Belgium, Guy Verhofstadt, is worldwide known for wearing the most stupid glasses ever. On a talkshow broadcast in Wallonie, he said, to answer a watcher's remark, that he would change glasses only if 100,000 people demanded it on a petition. I've already signed it. What are you waiting for?! Let's get rid of this plastic piece of junk! (OK, I don't want Guy to wear the same look that 10 years ago - see picture on the right…)

Recently, I heard that Elio Di Rupo, president of the Walloon Socialist Party, wanted our drunk minister of Equipment Michel Daerden to go to the AA's… Warning! The AA's are not the Alcoholic Anonymous — which could have been an excellent place for Daerden to go to — but the Amis d'Adam, an association that promotes, among others, nudist campings. A considerable number of Dutch tourists are expected to come this summer in Wallonie in such nudist camps, and Michel Daerden's task is to find out if the parking facilities are sufficient. It is also said that M. Daerden plans to charge a tax on all foreign vehicules using these parking-lots to be; at least, M. Leterme can't do anything against it.

In early April 2005, pope John Paul II died. Two years later, a sister says she was healed from Alzheimer disease by thinking about John Paul strongly. According to the Roman Church, this is a miracle — which is pretty good for JPII's canonization procedure. I heard about some guy who claims having been saved by someone who got him out of the water because he was drowning. Does that make of that person a saint?

London is known for being the capital of the United Kingdom, but will be known also for being the model of a 3D video game called "Spiral Fool", designed for the brand-new PS3. We don't know a lot about it for the moment, but the gamers are impatient to play with it. Basically, it's about an evil scientist whose task is to get control of people's minds. The game's title is based on an anagram.

For next year, the government decided to raise new taxes on people – why not? They do whatever they like, and they get paid for it. The federal election being nigh, some of the ministers and parlementarians are under the threat of being expelled (which could be a good chatize for those who haven't done anything for 4 or 8 years) and thus, they quickly do something, like voting a law, in order to make a (last?) good impression. Among all those measures, let's highlight this tax on barbecues (because they're CO2-producers). The Pfaffs will be upset.

On 1st April 2007 a "vistrein" will travel between Ostend and Antwerp to promote Ostend's fish markets.

On Hollywood now. If you haven't heard about Michel Daerden's ethylic deeds, you're a caveman. (Ow, I have to tell you about that movie, Caveman, with Ringo Starr…) Well, he's so famous that the producers of the series Lost decided to ask him to play a role in the third series. Here's evidence of it:



Last but not least, don't forget it's Easter in one week's time, so don't get confused if you see big, pink rabbits on street or other animals carrying eggs.

Suddenly, I realize I haven't mentioned something crucial yet: Take the bait!.

My Uncle's Car

If you walk around in Oostende, when you're on vacation, you're likely to see some expensive cars (don't forget that we're in Flanders, the richest part of Belgium—even though I must admit that rich Walloons do exist) like this red Ferrari. My uncle was fascinated by this car, of which the number plate was VDW-333, for which the owner had paid 620€… Unfortunately, there was a big hole in the body of the car, on the left side: maybe the owner couldn't drive very well, so that it was badly damaged. Unlucky.
Anyway, my uncle's car (back in that time, because now he's got a Berlingot) was fine: a Seat Toledo, a car with which he rode 400,000 kilometres!

Arrival at the Seaside

As I come from Liège, we've got to take the freeway and ride for two hours and a half to get to the coast. When the freeway ends in Oostende, with the famous John Kennedy roundabout, you still have to ride a few more kilometres to Mariakerke, and then you can see the sea, at last! Usually, on this road which links Mariakerke to Middelkerke, you have wormen that repair the rails for the tramway or anything else. If you take the same way when you are riding your bike, you're likely to be blown away due to the wind coming from the sea or caused by the speeding tramways… So, if you're planning to go to Oostende or Middelkerke, just do it only if the wind is with you; otherwise just stay home.
Apart from that, when riding on this road, you pass along the Prins Karels Koninklijk Domein, in Raversijde, a old military domain that was taken (like Belgium…) during the Second World War by the Germans to shoot the English ships… Interesting to visit, if you have two hours to spend. And it's even better if my uncle is around to make (silly) comments.

Koekoek, Belgium's Best Restaurant

Who's feeling like eating chicken? If so, why don't you go to Oostende, at the Koekoek restaurant, the only one that never closes (there's no lock on the door!) and only serves "kip aan 't spit" (roasted chicken). If you don't believe me, go to www.koekoek.biz. A half chicken costs a little bit more than 5 €, but it's worth it! Whenever I go to the seaside, I have to go there and eat a half roasted chicken with a "pintje" (a pint), preferably a glass of Maes. But you've got to go there at 11 AM, otherwise there are too many people, and it's especially annoying if they're smoking—at least, it was allowed until 31 December 2006, and I haven't come back there since late December. Wait and see.
On the other picture, you see my mum and dad's hands, eager to eat their succulent meal. I wish I could go there just by squeezing my nose (reference to "Bewitched"). Oh yeah, one more thing: the bread is free and you don't get any knives of forks; use your fingers!!!!

A House Being Destroyed

In Oostende, Flemish city on the coast, you can sometimes see houses being destroyed in order to build brand-new buildings with hyper-expensive flats for old people (or Lotto winners…). I took this picture while walking towards the cathedral.
On the left side, you can see my parents crossing the street.