En Route To Recovery

Posted on 27 July 2010 by Arjan

For the first time in over 2 months I ran again today (see my Nike+ run). The last two months, I was kept quiet by a knee injury (still not 100% clear, but most probably torn ligaments). The resting period consisted of two weeks of walking in a knee-immobilizer and a slow recovery by just walking a lot until I didn’t limp anymore. And now, since some days, I felt good enough to run again, but was held back by the risk it concerns. Running might not be the best thing to do for recovery of a knee injury, but the doctor said it would be okay to do. That was before he got the results of the MRI scan of my knee, which I still have to discuss with him, by the way.

Anyway, today was the first test. I decided a 2 km run would be good enough, especially in the warm and oppressive weather of Riga. It went well. My knee kept itself fine, and did not complain. Now let’s see how it will act today and tomorrow. So I can start real training again.

Posted in Running | Tagged , , , , | View Comments

Baltic Postcards – The Mangalsala Jetty in Exploration Weekend

Posted on 26 July 2010 by Arjan

The Mangalsala Jetty

Dear Friends,

In five months you can actually grow into daily routines in a completely new place. A supermarket to do the daily groceries, a restaurant to have a quick bite, a park to walk the dog, a beach to enjoy the sea or sunbathe and read: you find one you like and half-automatically stick with it. Out of ease, mainly. And sometimes, that means you miss out on things. That is why this weekend we put on our exploring flip-flops (it is still quite tropical in Riga), and discovered some new things.

It started with an Indian restaurant in the Old Town on Friday night. The food was excellent, as was the company. Saturday, instead of again going to Jurmala, we drove to Vecāķi‎ to enjoy the very clean beach and swim in the relatively warm but algea laden water. Afterwards we drove to Mangalsala to fight of the biting bugs and walk on the Mangalsala (or Eastern) Jetty and see the Daugava flow into the Baltic Gulf, that a bit further out was tormented by lightning strikes.

Sunday we enjoyed the relative calm of Vakarbulli beach, where the water was very clear. And very cold.

All in all, a great and relaxing weekend.

Warm regards,
Arjan

Posted in Baltic Postcards | Tagged , , , , | View Comments

De Paraplu Performs At Opening Of RMHC Care Mobile

Posted on 20 July 2010 by Arjan

Last Saturday, 17 July, Latvia’s first RMHC Care Mobile was officially opened. During the opening Vermanes Park, circus theatre De Paraplu (the Umbrella) from the Netherlands was giving juggling lessons to children of all ages (yes, me included). Afterwards, they gave a performance in the Radisson Blu Hotel Elizabete. A great example of modern circus.

Posted in Baltic Postcards | Tagged , , , , , | View Comments

Some Observations of the 2010 World Cup

Posted on 2 July 2010 by Arjan

The first stage is done, as is the Round of 16. For 19 consecutive days the beautiful game has dominated news channels, social media, and yes, also a bit my life. Now that we are about to roll into the quarterfinals, after two footballless days, it’s a good time to share some observations.

Although the continent had high hopes, African football was not energized enough by having the final tournament in Africa for the first time. South Africa missed a chance to go through, Nigeria failed, Cameroon and Algeria were almost invisible. And from Cote d’Ivoire, despite being put in a group with Portugal and Brazil, could not impress. Only Ghana suvived until now. And they have a chance.

For the outfitters of the teams, Adidas has been most succesful so far. With 4 teams in the quarter finals, and sure to have 1 in the final. Nike and Puma both have 2 teams left, and are already sure to both have 1 in the semis. More stats: Africa has 1 team left, Europe 3 and South America 4.

The big stars haven’t yet displayed their magic. Cristiano Ronaldo could not really impress, Kaka had brilliant moments, but his 2 yellows in one match were his most memorable moment so far. Messi tried, but was cut down so far, with the negative extreme being Greece, how had 3 players trying to kick him whenever he had the ball. At least, so it seemed.
No, the biggest star of the tournament is not a player, nor a coach. Not even a referee. For me, the star of the tournament so far is the Vuvuzela. The monotonous blaring coming from the tv with each game makes one feel as if being in Africa itself. Even in the northern half of Europe. A quick look around the internet reveals that there is no Messi-button available for YouTube clips now, but a Vuvuzela button that adds the sound of Vuvuzela’s to the clip in question. And it’s not Ronaldo acting as the little yellow man to place on the map in Google street view, they simply gave him a Vuvuzela.

Then, there is the discussion of referees and technological aids. I think, that the referees showed that, just like the teams, some are skilled enough to act on this stage, and some are simply not. When the better referees are on the pitch, there is no demand for technology. For me, that is a great indicator that FIFA needs to invest in the human factor more than in technology.

Anyway, this Friday, we’re going into the quarter finals, kicking off with the match between the Netherlands and Brazil. As a true Oranje fan, I truly believe we have a chance against this Brazil.

Oh, and if you think African football, or Africa in general, should benefit from the worldcup, many special actions are going on. By sponsors, the FIFA, the teams (like the Orange Cruyff Court) and several charities. But, you can also act yourself, by supporting the football academy Right to Dream in Ghana through JustGiving: http://www.justgiving.com/ChangeThroughFootball.

Posted in Sports | Tagged , , , | View Comments

Why Mr Blatter Is Right This Time

Posted on 27 June 2010 by Arjan

The first half of the 2010 World Cup round of 16 match between England and Germany has just ended. And already we can say that this will be a match that will be spoken off in decades to come. Not only because after the 2-0 of Germany, the game exploded into a super exciting match. No, because a clear goal was not acknowledge by the referees. Many will speak of the decision of FIFA president Blatter to refuse allowing technology to act as a fourth referee. Off-side goals, or balls like the shot of Lampard in this match, they will all be ancient history if technology is introduced in the decision making process of the referees. No more talk of the disputable goal by Geoff Hurst, no more discussions about the hand of god. And even though sometimes decisions by the referees turn out to be highly unfair, it is all an intrinsic part of The Beautiful Game. Skill, goals, emotions. And human error. So, I truly hope, despite that I would have loved England to equalize in this first half, that Mr Blatter manages to keep technology at bay in this case.

Posted in Life | Tagged , , , , | View Comments

Baltic Postcards – Ligatne Ferry

Posted on 13 June 2010 by Arjan

Ligatnes Parceltuve

Dear friends,

Latvia has a beautiful countryside, with many national parks, like the Gaujas National Park, just east of Riga. The Gaujas is a relatively small river that runs through it. Several towns an villages are located in the park that are worth the visit. Sigulda for the castle and the bob sleigh track is just one example. Another reason to visit this park, is to cross the Gaujas on the Ligatne ferry (parceltuve in Latvian). An unique river crossing on a raft that is powered basically by the river’s flow, corrected by the hands of the ferry master. Two cars fit on the raft, and normally it’s not that busy. But just for this experience, it’s worth the drive from Riga.

All the best,
A.

Posted in Baltic Postcards | Tagged , , , , | View Comments

An Important Orange Envelope

Posted on 8 June 2010 by Arjan

On June 9th there are parliamentary elections in the Netherlands. It will be an interesting day, and most probably the current Prime Minister will be ousted. Time for a change. From our current home town, Riga, we sent in our votes a little while ago, in the designated orange envelope. As Dutch citizens, we have the right to vote in the Dutch parliamentary elections, even if Dutch policy has a declining influence on our day-to-day lives. And vice versa. Living abroad automatically brings distance. And in some cases, I am more interested in having a right to vote here in Latvia, where I have a business, than in my home country.

And that makes it interesting. I think we are just two of many people that have chosen, and are fortunate enough, to live in another country. As part of our new societies we pay taxes, earn and spend money locally and are governed by the local rules and regulations. Since Latvia is, as the Netherlands, an EU member state, more and more of these rules and regulations come from, or are inspired by, Brussels. Still, with my vote I can only assert influence on the Dutch rules, and on the participation of political parties registered in the Netherlands for the European arena. Increasingly, this seems strange to me. Following the debates surrounding the elections, and the issues that are apparently important, I feel a declining degree of interest, and a growing disconnect between the things I think are important, and Dutch society. Especially since campaigns and politics are more and more focused on winning the next elections in stead of governing the country in a sustainable way. Maybe in Europe it is time to change the assigning of democratic rights not only to citizens (I am a Dutch national, and there are things I still want to exercise my democratic right for), but also to registered residents. Because those are the people that are governed by the elected government. And also, it would be time for truly pan-european political parties. Those that are not focused on national visions, limitations and power bases, but political parties that focus on what is best for the whole of Europe. It might be a bit controversial for some, but what we sometimes forget is that European model is a great example of how to bring peace to a region through economic cooperation.

So, whoever brings that to the table in the next Dutch elections, will be very likely to find her voted for in my next orange envelope.

Posted in Life | Tagged , , , , , | View Comments

What’s On Your Bucket List?

Posted on 6 June 2010 by Arjan

We just watched this movie. In a word: beautiful.
A friend has a 100 things to do list, and every time he strikes something off, he adds something. Just to keep going.
I, when I think about it, actually come up with a gazillion things, or only one: seeing Hukurila, the village where my paternal family comes from.
So, what’s on your Bucket List?

Posted in Life | Tagged , , , , | View Comments

Baltic Postcards – Riga’s Go Blonde Festival

Posted on 3 June 2010 by Arjan

Dark Horse in Pink Socks

Dear friends,

Last weekend Riga was the Blondes capital of the world for two days with the second edition of the GoBlonde festival. Apart from aiming to bring together the world’s blondes in one place, it also aims to support a charitable cause: playgrounds for children. Even though the parade on Saturday attracted thousands of people (many of them press and interested young men), the parade was not yet the carnival it aims to be next year. Nevertheless, helped by the brilliant weather, it was a bright and cheerful event, with great participation from a couple of companies like L’Oréal and Air Baltic. All in all, the Go Blonde festival has the makings of becoming a huge international festival. Maybe next year I’ll wear pink socks (like the beautiful brunette in the picture) and a blonde wig for it. Or even go blonde myself for a day, especially if it’s for a good cause.

Warm regards,
Arjan

Posted in Baltic Postcards | Tagged , , , | View Comments

Good Luck, Giovanni

Posted on 1 June 2010 by Arjan

Simon Tahamata was my football hero when I was starting to play. The smiling winger of Ajax and the Dutch National, and later Standard Liege, Feyenoord and Germinal Eekeren, was a great and creative player. But not only that, we are both of Moluccan descent, which in those days was also an important factor. I remember vividly his farewell match when he stopped playing professional football. It was a true exodus of Moluccan people travelling south to Eekeren in Belgium to see our hero off during a match between Germinal Eekeren and a selection of Moluccan footballers. One of them is now about to finish his career: Giovanni van Bronckhorst. As the number 5 of the Dutch national squad, Van Bronckhorst will play his last matches in South Africa, before joining the national youth squad as trainer. I just hope he’ll bring the Coupe Jules Rimet back to the Netherlands this summer.

Posted in Life | Tagged , , , , | View Comments