thesentinelamsterdam 6 #12
DESCRIPTION
The Sentinel, Amsterdam tri-weekly e-zine with all that is good and informative on lifestyles with perspectives, opinion and sport from Amsterdam looking out at the rest of the world. We inform, update and entertain from our city just under sea-level.TRANSCRIPT
vol 6 12 ndash 11 June 2013
feature
Qualitynextdoor
The SentinelAmsterdamIntegrity heart humour
perspectives
HoW to HanG out in aMSterdaM
1
2
E-mail sentinelpostgmailcomWebsite wwwthesentineleu
Contributors Sam van Dam ED Munsterman Valeria Scimia Andrei Barburas Dirkje Bakker-Pierre Evelina Kvartunaite and Simon Joseph
EditorsGary Rudland amp Denson PierreDesign realisation and form Andrei Barburas amp No-OfficenlWebmasterwwwsio-bytestumblrcomWebhost Amsterjammincom
The Sentinel Amsterdam does not intentionally include unaccredited photosillustrations that are subject to copyright If you consider your copyright to have been infringed please contact us at sentinelpostgmailcom
BrinG BaCK
3in this issue
The Sentinel Amsterdam
feature - p04
cafeacutebar review - p 52 perspectives - p 64 city gem - p 66
star beer guide - p 78 sentinel recommended - p 81 spotted - p 82
trends - p 84 health amp well-being - p 88film - p 83
technology - p 90
Quality next door
Van Mechelen How to hang out in amsterdam Concerto
Ciney blond Where is this in amsterdam
Bad trends would be good if Moonstoneroom2c
user interface
lsquoA redesigned large church (kerk) and the entire place is simply beautifulrsquo
lsquoThere is so much to see so many temptations that demand your
attentionrsquo
sport - p 94
on the volleythe return of the repressedlsquoA year of structured punishmentlsquo
lsquoIt should make your antennas extendrsquo
Too many coffeesoup houses and cafeacutes are more or less identikitrsquo
dam in 60 mins rembrandtplein
Bring back
Scamsterdam
the Gold room
perspectives - p26
amsterdam city life - p 77
lifestyles - p 60
sport - p96
more
4feature
Qualitynextdoor
By Denson Pierre
A few weeks ago I learned from a local client that the folk from a Haarlem-based brewery were to visit their establishment here in Amsterdam The brewery in question happens to be one of the fastest growing in the Netherlands and not only did a salesman and his director show up to borrel but a fair proportion of the entire workforce
lsquoAmsterdam has changed so much on a social level in recent yearsrsquo
5feature
feature
lsquoI was reminded of a time when Amsterdam-based companies used to do these nice thingsrsquo
6
Amsterdam has changed so much on a social level in recent years with an entirely new generation new to city life and certainly new to Amsterdam occupying public and private real estate Behaviours and expectations are very much in flux as the Amsterdam so immortalised as a cool rebellious sharing and fun place is being replaced by a more showy place but lacking in a certain kind of content It is home to newer masses of service industry and IT-oriented young professionals while artists and conjurers become somewhat marginalised usually through pricing
I went to meet the people from the brewery and would eventually be invited to visit their very impressive operations at Jopenkerk Haarlem To have met them on a company outing spending in the very bars they supply with their fine selection of A-class beers dented my developing idea that all suppliers are just out to maximise profit and share no regard for our desire to feel that we are dealing with other human beings when constructing our affairs of fun and indulgence It may have been old-fashioned marketing andor a calculated attempt to show business clients that the products they deliver are made by a team of happy and proud people or just chance But it was such a nice touch that I was reminded of a time when Amsterdam-based companies used to do these nice things more often On the simplest of levels and given that it is not a fully concessionary arrangement it offers the client bars about ninety minutes of at least 25 dedicated lovers of beer giving a nice little boost to takings while celebrating their business linkage
This was one of the most sensible and heart-warming corporate acts I have observed in Amsterdam for quite some time Individual hospitality businesses can do similar things from time to time but to have a manu-facturer and supplier recycling money through your business is just a refreshing act which they plan to repeat every couple of months with other partner businesses
To complete the story I went to visit Jopen at its base of operations in Haarlem soon afterwards What an opportunity to remind myself that somehow given that I consider Haarlem to be one of the most gorgeous cities I have ever come across I had not made the journey there for more than ten years The point being that it takes me longer to cycle across greater Amsterdam (25 minutes) than it does to hop on a train and stroll out into historic Haarlem such a natural and effortless trip to make
After a leisurely stroll through historic Haarlem taking in the beauty of the place I finally arrived at the terrace of Jopenkerk and the gods of sunshine turned up the intensity at that very moment All of the red prominent in the breweryrsquos branding made the square look like the aftermath of an explosion in a sweet shop The building containing the brewery cafeacute and restaurant is of course a redesigned large church (kerk) and the entire place is simply beautiful When I started to interview the owners business managers and brewers about their history strategy and beer I began to realise what an inspiring and comfortable place it is much aided by the extraordinarily friendly employees and the owners and managers themselves I was joined a little later by the women of No Office Studios Amsterdam to help me assess the full experience of being present at this capital historic hospitality-concept establishment
It is not really the place of a lead feature to endorse commercial operations but Jopen its beer and its people are so well worked out and presented that it should be on every Amsterdammerrsquos radar as a particularly warm aspect to plan into a little trip to our neighbouring city It is well worth it In Amsterdam meanwhile these A-class beers are currently available at Cafeacute Bax Gollem Cafeacute Kostverloren and Cafeacute de Toog Haarlem is closer than you think
lsquoOur desire to feel that we are dealing with other human beings when constructing our affairs of
fun and indulgencersquo
7feature
feature
lsquoI went to visit Jopen at its base of operations in Haarlemrsquo
8
9feature
10feature
11feature
12feature
feature13
feature14
feature15
lsquoSuch a natural and effortless trip to makersquo
16feature
feature17
18feature
feature19
feature20
feature21
feature22
feature
feature
lsquoJopen its beer and its people are so well worked out and presented
that it should be on every Amsterdammerrsquos radarrsquo
feature23
Get advice on housing rental contracts and apartments in Amsterdam
wwwwswonennlenglish
wwwconsultancymarketmediacom
- Account Manager Market Media- (Internship) International Marketing Executive
we are looking for
24classifieds
artist thinker
Here are some of our local partners
Enter (click) to learn why they work with us
demerkplaatsnl
25classifieds
Dam in 60 minutes
By Sam van Dam
perspectives
Rembrandtplein26
perspectives
Last time out I took you up North to the beautiful island of Marken Since that was a somewhat longer trip than some readers might want to take by bike this time our journey is a short one that can even be done on foot to Rembrandtplein The adventure starts at Central Station turn your back on the visually pleasing building that facilitates the arrival of visitors to our hometown and head towards Damrak Amsterdamrsquos lsquoRed Carpetrsquo and home these days to gazillions of restaurants shops bars cafeacutes and of course the nearby world-famous Red Light District all of which wersquoll simply ignore This is easier said than done as there is so much to see so many temptations that demand your attention and try to make you spend your euros before you have even entered the actual city As you walk down Damrak you start to see the buildings situated around Dam Square the central point of Amsterdam offering such delights as the Royal Palace Madame Tussauds the Nieuwekerk the war memorial and other landmarks that define this famous square Rotate 360 degrees to take it all in and then move toward Rokin or if you are in mood for some shopping walk down Kalverstraat instead Yoursquore bound to find something you like in the hundreds of shops lining one of Amsterdamrsquos two main shopping streets Keep walking straight on and just to your right yoursquoll find Spui a lovely square that is regularly home to art and book markets if you have the time You can find a multitude of interesting and inspiring items there or just grab a coffee and sit on one of the benches taking in the scene Once you are done enjoying Spui itrsquos time to get back on track so return to the RokinKalverstraat and head to the right (south) not forgetting to take a closer look
at the statue of former Queen Wilhelmina and her horse standing proudly at the bridge opposite This is also the starting point for boat tours if you want to take a little time out from your stroll to Rembrandtplein get a ticket and hop on one of the very typical 70s-style boats that constantly criss-cross the watery arteries of Amsterdam These typical 1970s-style barges provide a visual impression of the city that looks familiar yet very different a pleasure that locals and visitors alike appreciate very much every time
When you have returned from the water tour return to Rokin and keep walking towards Munt which is easily recognisable by its old-style tower featuring a clockwork chime that marks the hour and enhances the scenery in this part of town along with the Hotel De LrsquoEurope just across the way You could also take a pit-stop there while enjoying the view over the Amstel and the hundreds of little boats filled with chillaxing people at least on sunny days You can dwell on the fact that life in Amsterdam often seems so easy and beautiful that it entices visitors to return again and again You are now very close to your final destination so cross the road and enter the Reguliersbreestraat Marvel at the beauty of the Tuschinski Theater as you continue towards the wide open square that is our last stop Grab a drink or some ice-cream while you find yourself a nice spot on the grassy circular central area of the Rembrandtplein where you can spend hours looking at the beautiful buildings the relaxing people and the artists selling their work This is also where you can find me presenting a fine selection of my photo prints of what to me is the best city in the world So if itrsquos not raining come by and enjoy my photographic impressions of Amsterdam they make awesome souvenirs to take home with you Irsquom looking forward to meeting you on lsquomyrsquo square
lsquoOur journey is a short one that can even be done on footrsquo
27
28perspectives
29perspectives
lsquo1970s-style barges provide a visual impression of the city that looks familiar yet very differentrsquo
30perspectives
31perspectives
32perspectives
33perspectives
lsquoMarvel at the beauty of the Tuschinski Theaterrsquo
34perspectives
35perspectives
lsquoRotate 360 degrees to take it all inrsquo
36perspectives
lsquoRotate 360 degrees to take it all inrsquo
37perspectives
38perspectives
39perspectives
40
perspectives
41perspectives
42featureperspectives
feature4
3perspectives
44
featureperspectives
feature4
5perspectives
lsquoTake a closer look at the statue of former Queen Wilhelmina and her horsersquo
46
perspectives
lsquoThis is also where you can find me presenting a fine selection of my
photo printsrsquo
47perspectives
perspectives4
8
perspectives4
9
For complete and world class tours of Prague
Packages includebull Hidden and playful Prague (for families with young children)bull Literary Praguebull Prague Architecture through the agesbull Religion and the citybull The old city at night
These are detailed tours designed for visitors who wish to explore with great detail and not suitable for simply sight-seeing tourists
Day segments and ratesPR 0800-1230hrs AG 1330-1630hrs UE 1730-2130hrsAll sessions are priced at u 25 per single adult Group size upper limit = 8 Accompanied children under the age of five are gratis and school aged children pay 25 Family package rates are negotiable
ContactJaroslav Cernosek+420 602 228 797Mail jcernosekcentrumcz
wwwyourtuliptourcom
JC Tours
50classifieds
51classifieds
CafeacuteBar Review Van Mechelen
cafebar review52
Van MechelenSloterkade 96-97 Amsterdam
It may be the new hype in the city as far as grand cafeacute and restaurant concepts go but Van Mechelen is already approaching excellence Considering its handy location in another pretty neighbourhood of Amsterdam South it is almost a lsquomust visitrsquo place that has created a theme built on the Burgundian enjoyment of life good food complemented with top-class beer and wine If you want a taste of what it feels like to visit a cafeacute-restaurant in Mechelen Belgium Van Mechelen is an easy way for an Amsterdammer to savour this experience and is just a short cycle ride away
ambianceBurgundian Rating 5
StaffregularsMembers of staff are clearly very well trained and this adds to the light and airy atmosphere Having opened for business just three months ago those who have fallen in love with the place and its consumables have not yet had time to clock up the number of visits and connections to be considered lsquoregularsrsquo Rating 5
televised sportNo space within the design and layout for this form of distraction Rating 3
PricesSurprisingly these are within the lsquonormalrsquo range for this level and quality of fare Outstandingly fairly priced snacks and nibbles are also offered to help you along as you take on the fine (Mechelen brewery group Alken-Maes) beers and wines When did you last enjoy a generous portion of fresh olives for a mere euro250 Rating 5
MusicAt the time of review the establishment was fairly packed out The atmosphere is conducive to chats and hilarity and although the selection of tunes could be heard far in the background the sound system may well have more kick It should as the building is of such a solid constitution that it should contain noise and not easily upset the neighbours Rating 5
Smoking area provisionFortunately for puffers the originally industrial nature of the address means that the former loading bay and entranceexit areas have become two naturally covered terrace areas separated from the luscious interior by huge glass-panelled doors Rating 5
total rating 2830(Rating from 1-5 where 1 = Very poor and 5 = Excellent)
By Denson Pierre
lsquoThe new hype in the city as far as grand cafeacute and restaurant concepts gorsquo
cafebar review53
lsquoMembers of staff are clearly very well trainedrsquo
cafebar review54
cafebar review55
lsquoOutstandingly fairly priced snacks and nibbles are also offeredrsquo
cafebar review56
cafebar review57
lsquoThe atmosphere is conducive to chats and hilarityrsquo
cafebar review58
cafebar review59
scamsterdam
lifestyles60
By Valeria Scimia
Unemployed international and looking for a job in the Netherlands Not only must you face the everyday hell that is job-seeking but now you must also beware of scam companies Yes theyrsquove arrived here too
I was recently contacted by an ostensibly legitimate company that wanted to hire me The contact took the form of what appeared to be a genuine e-mail complete with website and logo from a company in Australia that seemed absolutely legitimate (I have since contacted the company to warn them that someone overseas is using their name and logo to scam people) The e-mail explained that the company was opening an office in Holland and was looking for people who would handle the back-office orders It contained a form to be filled in and returned if I was interested in the position the form asked for all my personal information including my bank details I had been looking for a job and was interested in the offer so I filled in and sent off the form and my CV Once they received my e-mail they asked me to start a trial period without practically explaining anything of what the job was actually about I didnrsquot immediately reply so they called me the next day asking me to start immediately with the trial period promising lots of benefits once the contract was signed I hadnrsquot met anyone at this point only telephone interviews and that already didnrsquot seem right to me I asked them to send me more information by e-mail about what I was meant to do and a few moments later I received a response asking me to make a bank transfer to show them I was trustworthy The lsquotrialrsquo implied that they would send me some money and I had to transfer half via GWK or MoneyTransfer to one of their clients and keep the other half This smelled very fishy to the Italian in me In reality they could be sending a cheque to the bank which would register an income that would later bounce after I had already made the payment to their lsquoclientrsquo On top of losing money the person that tried to lsquohirersquo meyou
would have been untraceable No one was even picking up the phone at the number given in the e-mail and the company they claimed to represent wasnrsquot even active in Europe
So I said no and told them I was no longer interested They even had the gumption to call me back and ask me why I wouldnrsquot do it I gave them a silly excuse so as not to give them any more information or tips on how to improve their scummy scam I am happy I started checking their contacts as soon as their promises seemed too good to be true even if I am still angry I allowed them to data-mine all of my information when I sent them my CV and filled in their form
It beggars belief that they set up an entire facade in these times of work despair and it really doesnrsquot feel right especially because therersquos not much I can do about it now apart from inform people I didnrsquot think this would ever happen here in this country where everything has to be or always seems to be so legitimate But I guess some things never change and a place doesnrsquot make the people and certainly doesnrsquot influence the choices they make I just wanted to share my experience to alert everyone to the possible scam If a company contacts you and asks you to return a form including your bank details when you have never met anyone face-to-face it should make your antennas extend and remember to double-check their credibility Apparently it is illegal to ask such questions of someone here so donrsquot fall for it as I did As I am still waiting to hear from the company in Australia I didnrsquot feel it was proper to disclose its name publicly just yet plus I am not sure the scammers always use the same company as a fake front But what they ask you to do is more or less always the same so keep your eyes open to the little details
lsquoYou face the everyday hell that is job-seeking but now you must also beware of scam companiesrsquo
lsquoThis smelled very fishy to the Italian in mersquo
lsquoThe form asked for all my personal informationrsquo
lifestyles6
1
Je moet er geweest zijn
62classifieds
MechelenAuthentic and full of surprises Thatrsquos Mechelen Hospitable and honourable Thatrsquos the people of Mechelen Come and experience the cityrsquos urban charms for yourself Mechelen
Authentic and full of surprises Thatrsquos Mechelen Hospitable and honourable Thatrsquos the people of Mechelen Come and experience the cityrsquos urban charms for yourself
photography copy Milo Profi
classifieds63
classifieds
How to hang out in
Amsterdam
By ER Muntrem
perspectives
It is not against the rules for babies to cry in cafeacutes It happens Mostly they sleep or sit in someonersquos lap with commendable decorum Otherwise kids in cafeacutes tend to nosh a little less than their elders and handle crayons a little more And while anyone who toddles behind the bar will certainly get caught they can always claim they were encouraged to toddle there in the first place
Dutch parents and I realise this is hard to prove seem to let their kids wander a metre or two further away from them than parents from other developed countries that universal ldquowhere is sherdquo look delayed five or ten seconds If this extra distance is a sign of perceived safety cafeacute culture must help teach it
Except for chefs all cafeacute workers do more or less all the jobs required to run a cafeacute They all wait on tables
serve hot and cold drinks set up outdoor furniture load and retrieve supplies take the garbage out wash glasses light candles arrange flowers unfurl the awning and ring up the bill When the young guy or girl greets you you may know they are not the owner but for the moment they are the face of the establishment It may as well be their place
Admittedly I am seduced by places where waiters donrsquot work for tips where the rushed pace of eating in a restaurant in America does not exist In a cafeacute you can do what you want for as long as you want and get food and drink while you do it Pretty cool and as much a baseline for how to hang out in Amsterdam as cycling is for how to get around
Places to eat and drink owned by corporations have to package experience to deliver it Whatrsquos our brand How can our managers and servers be most efficient How ultimately can we be number one Not something most cafeacutes seem to be worried about and where the universal signs for lsquowe are having a good time togetherrsquo
lsquoCafeacute culture must help teachrsquo lsquoI am seduced by places where waiters donrsquot work for tipsrsquo
64
perspectives
or lsquoI am happy here by myselfrsquo (clinked glasses or absorption in a newspaper say) are routinely in evidence This is one true grace of democracy the average worth smiling about
At cafeacutes co-workers have a beer before or after their shift friends drop by or a regular pops in with some news The stream of customers they donrsquot have to woo and donrsquot have to lsquoworkrsquo gives the whole thing a slightly familial living room perfectly public feel that makes the work far less of a personality crimp than working at Starbucks Or so it seems I do not mean to pretend carrying drinks across the street to the canal side seating or giving obvious directions yet again is always glorious but most people who work in cafeacutersquos laugh and smile a fair bit almost as much as the patrons
And when the owner of a cafeacute is of a generation older than those working there as is usually the case it lends a wise uncle or mother hen feel to the proceedings In the daytime no one is ever too caught up in his or her designated title to ignore a baby on the move And at
night the crowd of drinkers may as well be at a party hosted by their parents or kids or both
Itrsquos not all about money cafeacute culture churns towards the civilised without grinding anyone too far down As well as pleasure there is power in this The best distillation I know of what democracy should be came from a young woman working at Cafeacute Captein With our meal in front of us my friend noticed he was missing his salad Flagged down the young woman went to investigate ldquoItrsquos on its wayrdquo she said ldquoI told my boss to do itrdquo
Imagine we told Putin to do it We told Obama to do it We told the bankers to do it
lsquoMost people who work in cafeacutersquos laugh and smile a fair bitrsquo
lsquoCafeacute culture churns towards the civilised without grinding anyone too far downrsquo
65
66
featurecity gem
lsquoThe last of the large independent music stores left standing in Amsterdamrsquo
CITY GEM
67
Concerto
By Denson Pierre
ConcertoUtrechtsestraat 60 1017 VP Amsterdam
it is a rush when on a full stomach you can make an instant decision on where your next city-centre lunch will be taken it is almost ecstasy when the venue is situated in a music shop which for decades has been defined by its exceptional range and quality of music available in amsterdam Concerto is the last of the large independent music stores left standing in amsterdam all the others have long since been killed off by everything from the advance in recording and playback technologies to habitual illegal downloaders only now realising that their behaviour has an impact right back down to street level despite what they might think about the giant studios and recording companies
Concerto has not stuck but has twisted Since September it has incorporated a cute cafeacute
and lunch area within its premises as well as introducing a bookshop and lounge area making it possible to spend an almost nostalgic time there over several hours It still has a vast range of the very best music in vinyl (both new and second-hand) and CD form DVDs DJ equipment and even gear used for live musical performances Itrsquos a gold mine
If it has taken this clever adaptation in space utilisation to keep this institution viable and available to Amsterdam-based music lovers then I personally wish to support this venture and help mean this type of music retailer to remain part of the city scene For people of a certain age there is something infinitely more appealing about physically handling recorded material appreciating the artwork in its packaging having a listen and then deciding if it is a purchase you would like to make Even though non-digital stockpiling has become rather passeacute I challenge you to visit Concerto and its new cafeacute and bookshop concept and not end up spending more time in this true city gem than you had anticipated
lsquoIt has incorporated a cute cafeacute and lunch area within its premises as well as introducing a bookshop and lounge arearsquo
city gem
68
city gem
69city gem
city gem70
city gem71
72city gem
lsquoThere is something infinitely more appealing about physically
handling recorded material appreciating the artwork in its
packagingrsquo
73city gem
74classifi eds
75classifi eds
classifi edsclassifi eds76
amsterdam city life
BrinG BaCK
Something that seems to have been watered down considerably in Amsterdamrsquos hospitality industry in recent years is independence of thought styling and designAll you have to do is walk around the city to note that way too many coffeesoup houses and cafeacutes are more or less identikit This also applies to many cafeacutes with unimaginative business leaders who open unoriginal looking spaces and hope that the use of white paint purple or blue lights and house music is all it takes
Luckily there is something brewing to save our days and nights I have come across cafeacute owners who are now seriously considering ending the arrangements they have with the giant drink suppliers There are actually no good arguments left for continuing with these huge multinationals as they are frankly more expensive at wholesale for the same A-class products than the supermarkets on every Amsterdammerrsquos street corner
It looks like space is being created for the smaller brewers to take up the supply of A-class beer to smaller establishments throughout the city The giants can keep their character-free tourist traps and those bars still able to benefit purely from their unbeatable locations throughout the city
The Sentinel says bring back better and more original businesses of scale within the local hospitality industry which will help more cafeacutes and bars not only to become distinguishable by the interior designs they will need to conjure but also through the variety of local and regional beers that could become part of their coherent identity The overriding benefit of such courageous thinking and action would be an immediate return to realistic and reasonable pricing for A-class beer in Amsterdam which remains the staple of the easy consumables as this recession drones on
By Denson Pierre
INDEPENDENT CAFeacuteSBARS
77
78star beer guide
Star Beer
The SentinelStar beer guide
lsquoDifferent beers can seem to weigh on the conscience as much as on the taste budsrsquo
Just like the changing of the seasons different beers can seem to weigh on the conscience as much as on the taste buds Ciney blond is a lovely almost effeminate tasting beer All light smooth fruitiness bolstered by substantial alcohol content
As the temperature increases it can even feel like a thirst quencher A nice session beer and one that could function as an entrance-level quality beer in terms of its complexity For advanced samplers it is a great lower platform to descend to after cruising the space occupied by the 8-plus percentage alcoholic beauties
Ciney blond is brewed by Alken-Maes Mechelen Belgium
By Denson Pierre
CINEY BLOND (7 ABV)
79star beer guide
We find the best most fun most typical exciting or local favourite restaurants etcetera in Amsterdam and bring them to you an easy way to feel like a local
Cafe Kostverloren 040606
Recommended
80recommended
EUROGIFTSXenonweg 9 3812 SZ Amersfoort
Tel 033 - 454 35 75 - Fax 033 - 454 35 79E-mail lmproefeurogiftsnl
Website wwweurogiftsnl
FILMPROEF
ORDERNUMMER 6021022ARTIKELNUMMER 65123
Ware grootte (indien uitgeprint)Kleur opdruk Wit
Mulligans Irish Music BarAmsterdamrsquos best address for live Irish music Five (5) nights a week Check our agenda for upcoming sessions Amstel 100 1017 AC Amsterdamwwwmulligansnl
Cafeacute KostverlorenCafeacute Kostverloren is a contemporary cafe offering the cosiness of a saloon an open kitchen and the intimacy of a living room The large terras is great for sunny days2e Kostverlorenkade 70 Amsterdamwwwcafekostverlorennl
ZestZest is fi ne food warm atmosphere and classy drinks with regular semi-acoustic (live) music and DJs (Thursday to Sunday) Amsterdamrsquos newest and freshestBilderdijkstraat 188 Amsterdamwwwfacebookcomclubzestnl
GollemGollemrsquos Proefl okaal Gollem and Gollem II represent the best addresses serving the fullest range of top Belgian Dutch and international beers in AmsterdamOvertoom 160-161wwwcafegollemnl
IncantoA restaurant with a classic Italian kitchen Venetian chef Simone Ambrosin is known for his pure and simple style of cooking with great feeling for nuanceAmstel 2 Amsterdamwwwrestaurant-incantonl
Planet RoseThe fi rst Caribbean restaurant in the Netherlands specialised in Jamaican cuisine The menu features a daily changing selectionNicolaas Beetsstraat 47 Amsterdamwwwplanetroseinfo
Cafe restaurant EdelCafe restaurant Edel is the perfect place for lunch dinner or to simply enjoy a drink Edel is a unique place in AmsterdamPostjesweg 1 1057 DT Amsterdamwwwedelamsterdamnl
Cafeacute OportoCafeacute Oporto is a traditional Amsterdam lsquobrown cafersquo Welcoming tourists and regular customers alike they offer televised sports wifi and a wide range of reasonably priced beers and spiritsZoutsteeg 1 1012 LX Amsterdamwwwcafeoportonet
BaxA cosy and friendly local cafeacute with a focus on special or interesting beers and good quality food Open 7 days a week with a professional kitchen offering a lunch and dinner serviceTen Katestraat 119 Amsterdamwwwcafebaxnl
To be seen and tasted Fun Drinking amp Music
To Be Seen and Tasted
Fun Drinking amp Music
Fun Drinking amp Music
Connoisseurs Delight
Connoisseurs Delight
Connoisseurs Delight
To Be Seen and Tasted
Neighbourhood cosy
Fun drinking and music
ParckGreat fun beautiful people and simply the best bar food in townOvertoom 428 Amsterdamwwwcafeparcknl
To be seen and tasted
Cafe de Toog1890rsquos grandeur fashioned into Amsterdam-West grand brown cafe-restaurant-cool Classy drinks and mealsNicolaas Beetsstraat 142 hs Amsterdam wwwcafedetoogcom
Opera Prima - Patisserie Bistro TraiteurThe best place in town for lunch exquisite high teas or brunches and all of your luxury catering both private and corporateKinkerstraat 228 Amsterdamwwwoperaprimanl
Recommended
81
Where is this inAmsterdamAnswer to sentinelpostgmailcom
82spotted
Room 2cfilm
ldquoCome on in boys the waterrsquos finerdquo This is arguably the best all-round and funny musical to come out of Hollywood in a generation and certainly one of the best three soundtracks of the same period George Clooney will never be as good or charming as he is here playing the accidental leader of a trio of chain gang escapees in the US south of the 1930s Spirituality meets the Ku Klux Klan all coloured by Virginia bluegrass
ldquoCall me Snakerdquo The coolest handle for a leading man (Kurt Russell) in any movie to date Here he is sent in on a heroic lsquoat all costrsquo one-man mission to rescue the president of the United States from the prison island Manhattan has become in a lsquofuturersquo representation of 1997 Air Force One has crashed there and the countdown is on Classic 1980s turn of the millennium dystopian vision with style pace and gadgetry
By dpmotions
By dpmotions
o Brother Where Art Thou (2000)
escape from new York (1981)
room2c83
84trends
lsquoTrends are great to join and surf like a once in a lifetime tsunamirsquo
By Dirkje Bakker-Pierre
Each and every micro-world has its own specific trends Take the fashion world for example where one day you have to wear high heels and round noses and the next itrsquos flat hairy elephant feet-like boots that must hug your feet Or take the automotive world where once upon a time you could never have enough chrome on your car or the food world where we have quietly moved from fast to green and wholesome or the TV world which used to be about fiction and is now more real than reality Some of these trends are great to join and surf like a once in a lifetime tsunami others can slip by unnoticed and others still keep bugging and bugging you even if you try to avoid them like the plague
The online world and specifically the social media universe eats through trends like a fat chick after a hunger strike Facebook in particular seems to move seamlessly from one hype to the next one day itrsquos pictures with fuzzy edges or a bit of a 1970s filter the next itrsquos a profile picture with you very consciously not looking into the camera (very spontaneously and naturally non-posing you might say) These are mostly harmless things if Irsquom honest and when everyone
stops liking them they fade away as quickly as the sun in our small wet country There is one trend however that has festered within Facebook from the very beginning and which seems to be gradually growing and growing without anyone ever liking the postshellip and I mean EVER
Yes I am talking about daily quotes words of wisdom holy quotes mesmerizingly philosophical quotes cheesy quotes religious quoteshellip How can I describe all of them in one easy sentence pieces of text from (famous) people (it can never be something you thought of yourself) that lsquodisclosersquo previously secret information about being happy in life (or at least previously secret to the person doing the posting I presume) In short texts that belong on tiles hanging on the wall in old Dutch peoplersquos toilets
Why
Here are a few I found in my news feed this week
ldquoA mind is like a parachute It doesnrsquot work if it is not openrdquo ndash Frank Zappa
ldquoIt is not because things are difficult that we do not dare it is because we do not dare that things are difficultrdquo ndash Seneca
ldquoIf you donrsquot take what you are doing seriously then nobody else willrdquo ndash Darryl Dlt Thomson
Bad trends would be good if they werenrsquot so bad
85trends
86classifi eds
87classifieds
One of my personal favourite gemstones is moonstone Itlsquos been around for centuries and is used in many cultures As suggested by its name the stone is highly associated with the moon and moon goddess Diana It brings calm peace and love and is said to become more powerful when the moon is full so thatlsquos the best time to wear it One proverb even claims that moonstone can bring you love that will fly you to the moon Spiritually this amazing stone is said to enhance intuition and is always associated with the self It is a very powerful personal stone which doesnlsquot add or remove any aspects of the personality but merely reflects the person wearing it It is said to be very
MoonstoneBy Evelina Kvartunaite
ndash
lsquoThe stone is highly associated with the moon and moon goddess Dianarsquo
ndash
helpful for people who are very sensitive and it is also used in meditation for reflecting oneself Itlsquos always best to charge your gem when the moon is shining at night either while wearing it or by leaving it on a windowsill that receives moonlight Moonstone is also used in healing and is known for balancing the internal organ systems enabling them to work in stable cycles Itlsquos usually more associated with women but is also known to help men embrace their more emotional side soft creative energies and optimism Perhaps understandably moonstone should have limited exposure to strong direct sunlight
ndash
lsquoIt is said to be very helpful for people who are very sensitiversquo
ndash
88
health amp well-being
ndash
lsquoMore associated with women but is also known to help men embrace their more emotional sidersquo
ndash
89health amp well-being
In his article Batin shows how learning how to use complex products is like learning a computer game Just like the challenges in video games match the skills of the user so should TV interactions or any UI interactions for that matter For reference Batin used the four levels described in the Dreyfus model of skill acquisition
Level 1 novicebullRigid adherence to taught rules or plansbullNo exercise of lsquodiscretionary judgmentrsquo
Level 2 Advanced beginnerbullLimited lsquosituational perceptionrsquobullAll aspects of work treated separately with equal importance
Philip Batin wrote an article a couple of months ago about the next big idea in User Interaction gadgets that adapt to your skills As gadgets become more complicated UIs must be able to teach their users over time Apparently more and more interactive products are being returned In 2002 48 of all returned products were technically fully functional but were rejected for failing to satisfy user needs 20 purely due to customer remorse Even though a product may have all the features one can hope for complexity and bad user experience can prevent users from integrating it into their lives
UserInterfaceThe next big thing in UX
lsquoUIs must be able to teach their users over timersquo
By Andrei Barburas
lsquoComplexity and bad user experience can prevent users from
integrating it into their livesrsquo
90
technology
book the majority of which you probably skipped through
Personally I believe that there are certain end users most likely the majority that use only a limited set of features from any device they buy Mobile phones have become indispensable tools in our daily activities yet the average Joe has no idea about the full potential of a smart phone The same applies to Smart TVs they can do lots of things yet the only thing that we do with them is flip channels and complain how bad the shows are
The bottom line is that itrsquos definitely something worth thinking about not only from an operating system perspective but also from the perspective of applications developers
Level 3 competentbulllsquoCoping with crowdednessrsquo (multiple activities accumulation of information)bullSome perception of actions in relation to goalsbullDeliberate planningbullFormulates routines
Level 4 ProficientbullHolistic view of situationbullPrioritizes importance of aspectsbulllsquoPerceives deviations from the normal patternrsquobullEmploys maxim for guidance with meanings that adapt to the situation at hand
Now just imagine a User Interface that adapts based on what you can do and the abilities you have As you learn new things new levels of complexity are unlocked opening the door to fully knowing your device because you learned by doing and not by reading a complicated
lsquoThe average Joe has no idea about the full potential of a
smart phonersquo
91technology
92classifi eds
93classifi eds
Not knowing what was happening in football was extremely annoying to put it mildly and it wasnrsquot just my own self-denial and avoidance of all things football that was a hindrance the extent to which I had to ask others to go in order to remain ignorant was much more excruciating than Irsquod ever imagined There may even be some damage done to football-related friendships that is irreparable I now feel as though Irsquom walking through an empty stadium after everyone else has gone home
So what now and where to next The season is well and truly over and Irsquom free to do whatever I want I could read the back-dated sports pages check all the stats and find out all the facts if I wanted to I could spend hours catching up on last season and speculating on the next with the friends Irsquove still got left down the pub if I wanted to I can follow all the transfer gossip watch pre-season friendlies and build up all my hopes But as with most addictions that would simply be falling back into a previous state of dependence and everything Irsquove just put myself through wouldrsquove been for nothing So how do I go back to an old habit without a total relapse or would it be better to keep abstaining
All my questions seem to be met with other questions and no solutions On the other hand if you ask me what
Someone once said that insanity is when you keep repeating the same behaviour and expect a different outcome most likely a psychologist aimed at his or her ailing patients But for me these words are more reminiscent of my own conduct over the course of a regular football season Week in week out season after season I would expect Tottenham to win something and more often than not Irsquod be left disappointed So I decided to stop No more football ndash at least not for one full season
The season 201213 is now over and during the whole nine months I didnrsquot watch a single moment of football or read a single article on the subject That was my challenge and I was committed to it What is more despite all the warning signs I didnrsquot relapse After a year of structured punishment I didnrsquot have a clue about what was going on in the English Premier League (or any other league) Only having picked up bits and pieces of information that somehow slipped through the net the past season was like a book with most of its pages missing
By Simon Joseph
On The Volley
The Return of the Repressed or the Point of No Return
lsquoInsanity is when you keep repeating the same behaviour and expect a different outcomersquo
sport
lsquoThe past season was like a book with most of its pages missingrsquo
94
lsquoThere may even be some damage done to football-related friendshipsrsquo
lsquoHas abstaining for a season changed mersquo
it until the cows come home but it was us who made those changes or at least allowed them to happen and those changes will continue to happen with or without me Perhaps then the questions I should be asking are has abstaining for a season changed me Am I still obsessed or have I broken the habit of a lifetime Is following football really that terrible or even a real addiction
One thing is certain this lack of resolution is not completely without satisfaction because like all forms of fixation or obsession therersquos comfort and familiarity to be found in repetition as Tottenham miss out on Championrsquos League football by a single point again The repressed will always return to haunt us or so it seems and before we know it the start of next season will be upon us There will be more pain no doubt and more joy This time however it will take more than a boot camp approach to keep me away and who knows Tottenham might even win the league Come on you Spurs
Tottenham Hotspur means I would still tell you that itrsquos not just a pretty football package itrsquos about kith and kin not just where I came from but how I relate to others around me in the here and now Whatrsquos more millions of people are attracted to football they hunger for it and yearn to connect with it even though I still believe itrsquos a form of ineffective escape from one unsatisfying reality to another Following football is a classic example of cognitive dissonance ndash when you simultaneously entertain two opposing thoughts that appear to cancel each other out Before the start of each season for example we all want our club to win everything or to be taken over by billionaires but know that itrsquos impossible or in the latter case controversial and even undesirable So we invent ways to cope We develop a so-called lsquosiege mentalityrsquo or other harmful patterns of behaviour to relieve the discomfort of incongruity With this in mind the past year was supposed to be an exercise in behaviour modification ndash to discover the root of the problem and treat it effectively But one year on have I really discovered anything at all
The English Premier League whether you watch it or not is still probably the most exciting football league in the world We can complain about the changes made to
sport9
5
By Denson Pierre
The Gold Room
Fantasy Football Gold ndash Champions League 2012-2013 winner Denson Pierre and his prizes
The season petered out in an all-German Champions League Final which did nothing to dispel the record that this was a season of too few new stars or regular spectacle We look forward to the next season as it ought not be too difficult to create more excitement than in the one just pastWe did have the opportunity to hand over the envelopes and trophies to the Sentinel Fantasy Football game winners This year all the major winners from the Sentinel Fantasy Football League were unable to be present for the physical prize giving but the winner of the Gold Game and focus of this column was there to receive his prize for winning the master game in styleSo we retire the Gold Room until the beginning of the new football season See you all again then
96
sport
Matt Parker receives his third place and Manager of the Month prizes for the Sentinel Fantasy Football League
Charles Conneely Sentinel Fantasy Football League 2012-2013 Champion
97sport
wwwczechtourismcom
CZECH REPUBLIC - STUNNINGLY DIFFERENT
98
classifi eds
2
E-mail sentinelpostgmailcomWebsite wwwthesentineleu
Contributors Sam van Dam ED Munsterman Valeria Scimia Andrei Barburas Dirkje Bakker-Pierre Evelina Kvartunaite and Simon Joseph
EditorsGary Rudland amp Denson PierreDesign realisation and form Andrei Barburas amp No-OfficenlWebmasterwwwsio-bytestumblrcomWebhost Amsterjammincom
The Sentinel Amsterdam does not intentionally include unaccredited photosillustrations that are subject to copyright If you consider your copyright to have been infringed please contact us at sentinelpostgmailcom
BrinG BaCK
3in this issue
The Sentinel Amsterdam
feature - p04
cafeacutebar review - p 52 perspectives - p 64 city gem - p 66
star beer guide - p 78 sentinel recommended - p 81 spotted - p 82
trends - p 84 health amp well-being - p 88film - p 83
technology - p 90
Quality next door
Van Mechelen How to hang out in amsterdam Concerto
Ciney blond Where is this in amsterdam
Bad trends would be good if Moonstoneroom2c
user interface
lsquoA redesigned large church (kerk) and the entire place is simply beautifulrsquo
lsquoThere is so much to see so many temptations that demand your
attentionrsquo
sport - p 94
on the volleythe return of the repressedlsquoA year of structured punishmentlsquo
lsquoIt should make your antennas extendrsquo
Too many coffeesoup houses and cafeacutes are more or less identikitrsquo
dam in 60 mins rembrandtplein
Bring back
Scamsterdam
the Gold room
perspectives - p26
amsterdam city life - p 77
lifestyles - p 60
sport - p96
more
4feature
Qualitynextdoor
By Denson Pierre
A few weeks ago I learned from a local client that the folk from a Haarlem-based brewery were to visit their establishment here in Amsterdam The brewery in question happens to be one of the fastest growing in the Netherlands and not only did a salesman and his director show up to borrel but a fair proportion of the entire workforce
lsquoAmsterdam has changed so much on a social level in recent yearsrsquo
5feature
feature
lsquoI was reminded of a time when Amsterdam-based companies used to do these nice thingsrsquo
6
Amsterdam has changed so much on a social level in recent years with an entirely new generation new to city life and certainly new to Amsterdam occupying public and private real estate Behaviours and expectations are very much in flux as the Amsterdam so immortalised as a cool rebellious sharing and fun place is being replaced by a more showy place but lacking in a certain kind of content It is home to newer masses of service industry and IT-oriented young professionals while artists and conjurers become somewhat marginalised usually through pricing
I went to meet the people from the brewery and would eventually be invited to visit their very impressive operations at Jopenkerk Haarlem To have met them on a company outing spending in the very bars they supply with their fine selection of A-class beers dented my developing idea that all suppliers are just out to maximise profit and share no regard for our desire to feel that we are dealing with other human beings when constructing our affairs of fun and indulgence It may have been old-fashioned marketing andor a calculated attempt to show business clients that the products they deliver are made by a team of happy and proud people or just chance But it was such a nice touch that I was reminded of a time when Amsterdam-based companies used to do these nice things more often On the simplest of levels and given that it is not a fully concessionary arrangement it offers the client bars about ninety minutes of at least 25 dedicated lovers of beer giving a nice little boost to takings while celebrating their business linkage
This was one of the most sensible and heart-warming corporate acts I have observed in Amsterdam for quite some time Individual hospitality businesses can do similar things from time to time but to have a manu-facturer and supplier recycling money through your business is just a refreshing act which they plan to repeat every couple of months with other partner businesses
To complete the story I went to visit Jopen at its base of operations in Haarlem soon afterwards What an opportunity to remind myself that somehow given that I consider Haarlem to be one of the most gorgeous cities I have ever come across I had not made the journey there for more than ten years The point being that it takes me longer to cycle across greater Amsterdam (25 minutes) than it does to hop on a train and stroll out into historic Haarlem such a natural and effortless trip to make
After a leisurely stroll through historic Haarlem taking in the beauty of the place I finally arrived at the terrace of Jopenkerk and the gods of sunshine turned up the intensity at that very moment All of the red prominent in the breweryrsquos branding made the square look like the aftermath of an explosion in a sweet shop The building containing the brewery cafeacute and restaurant is of course a redesigned large church (kerk) and the entire place is simply beautiful When I started to interview the owners business managers and brewers about their history strategy and beer I began to realise what an inspiring and comfortable place it is much aided by the extraordinarily friendly employees and the owners and managers themselves I was joined a little later by the women of No Office Studios Amsterdam to help me assess the full experience of being present at this capital historic hospitality-concept establishment
It is not really the place of a lead feature to endorse commercial operations but Jopen its beer and its people are so well worked out and presented that it should be on every Amsterdammerrsquos radar as a particularly warm aspect to plan into a little trip to our neighbouring city It is well worth it In Amsterdam meanwhile these A-class beers are currently available at Cafeacute Bax Gollem Cafeacute Kostverloren and Cafeacute de Toog Haarlem is closer than you think
lsquoOur desire to feel that we are dealing with other human beings when constructing our affairs of
fun and indulgencersquo
7feature
feature
lsquoI went to visit Jopen at its base of operations in Haarlemrsquo
8
9feature
10feature
11feature
12feature
feature13
feature14
feature15
lsquoSuch a natural and effortless trip to makersquo
16feature
feature17
18feature
feature19
feature20
feature21
feature22
feature
feature
lsquoJopen its beer and its people are so well worked out and presented
that it should be on every Amsterdammerrsquos radarrsquo
feature23
Get advice on housing rental contracts and apartments in Amsterdam
wwwwswonennlenglish
wwwconsultancymarketmediacom
- Account Manager Market Media- (Internship) International Marketing Executive
we are looking for
24classifieds
artist thinker
Here are some of our local partners
Enter (click) to learn why they work with us
demerkplaatsnl
25classifieds
Dam in 60 minutes
By Sam van Dam
perspectives
Rembrandtplein26
perspectives
Last time out I took you up North to the beautiful island of Marken Since that was a somewhat longer trip than some readers might want to take by bike this time our journey is a short one that can even be done on foot to Rembrandtplein The adventure starts at Central Station turn your back on the visually pleasing building that facilitates the arrival of visitors to our hometown and head towards Damrak Amsterdamrsquos lsquoRed Carpetrsquo and home these days to gazillions of restaurants shops bars cafeacutes and of course the nearby world-famous Red Light District all of which wersquoll simply ignore This is easier said than done as there is so much to see so many temptations that demand your attention and try to make you spend your euros before you have even entered the actual city As you walk down Damrak you start to see the buildings situated around Dam Square the central point of Amsterdam offering such delights as the Royal Palace Madame Tussauds the Nieuwekerk the war memorial and other landmarks that define this famous square Rotate 360 degrees to take it all in and then move toward Rokin or if you are in mood for some shopping walk down Kalverstraat instead Yoursquore bound to find something you like in the hundreds of shops lining one of Amsterdamrsquos two main shopping streets Keep walking straight on and just to your right yoursquoll find Spui a lovely square that is regularly home to art and book markets if you have the time You can find a multitude of interesting and inspiring items there or just grab a coffee and sit on one of the benches taking in the scene Once you are done enjoying Spui itrsquos time to get back on track so return to the RokinKalverstraat and head to the right (south) not forgetting to take a closer look
at the statue of former Queen Wilhelmina and her horse standing proudly at the bridge opposite This is also the starting point for boat tours if you want to take a little time out from your stroll to Rembrandtplein get a ticket and hop on one of the very typical 70s-style boats that constantly criss-cross the watery arteries of Amsterdam These typical 1970s-style barges provide a visual impression of the city that looks familiar yet very different a pleasure that locals and visitors alike appreciate very much every time
When you have returned from the water tour return to Rokin and keep walking towards Munt which is easily recognisable by its old-style tower featuring a clockwork chime that marks the hour and enhances the scenery in this part of town along with the Hotel De LrsquoEurope just across the way You could also take a pit-stop there while enjoying the view over the Amstel and the hundreds of little boats filled with chillaxing people at least on sunny days You can dwell on the fact that life in Amsterdam often seems so easy and beautiful that it entices visitors to return again and again You are now very close to your final destination so cross the road and enter the Reguliersbreestraat Marvel at the beauty of the Tuschinski Theater as you continue towards the wide open square that is our last stop Grab a drink or some ice-cream while you find yourself a nice spot on the grassy circular central area of the Rembrandtplein where you can spend hours looking at the beautiful buildings the relaxing people and the artists selling their work This is also where you can find me presenting a fine selection of my photo prints of what to me is the best city in the world So if itrsquos not raining come by and enjoy my photographic impressions of Amsterdam they make awesome souvenirs to take home with you Irsquom looking forward to meeting you on lsquomyrsquo square
lsquoOur journey is a short one that can even be done on footrsquo
27
28perspectives
29perspectives
lsquo1970s-style barges provide a visual impression of the city that looks familiar yet very differentrsquo
30perspectives
31perspectives
32perspectives
33perspectives
lsquoMarvel at the beauty of the Tuschinski Theaterrsquo
34perspectives
35perspectives
lsquoRotate 360 degrees to take it all inrsquo
36perspectives
lsquoRotate 360 degrees to take it all inrsquo
37perspectives
38perspectives
39perspectives
40
perspectives
41perspectives
42featureperspectives
feature4
3perspectives
44
featureperspectives
feature4
5perspectives
lsquoTake a closer look at the statue of former Queen Wilhelmina and her horsersquo
46
perspectives
lsquoThis is also where you can find me presenting a fine selection of my
photo printsrsquo
47perspectives
perspectives4
8
perspectives4
9
For complete and world class tours of Prague
Packages includebull Hidden and playful Prague (for families with young children)bull Literary Praguebull Prague Architecture through the agesbull Religion and the citybull The old city at night
These are detailed tours designed for visitors who wish to explore with great detail and not suitable for simply sight-seeing tourists
Day segments and ratesPR 0800-1230hrs AG 1330-1630hrs UE 1730-2130hrsAll sessions are priced at u 25 per single adult Group size upper limit = 8 Accompanied children under the age of five are gratis and school aged children pay 25 Family package rates are negotiable
ContactJaroslav Cernosek+420 602 228 797Mail jcernosekcentrumcz
wwwyourtuliptourcom
JC Tours
50classifieds
51classifieds
CafeacuteBar Review Van Mechelen
cafebar review52
Van MechelenSloterkade 96-97 Amsterdam
It may be the new hype in the city as far as grand cafeacute and restaurant concepts go but Van Mechelen is already approaching excellence Considering its handy location in another pretty neighbourhood of Amsterdam South it is almost a lsquomust visitrsquo place that has created a theme built on the Burgundian enjoyment of life good food complemented with top-class beer and wine If you want a taste of what it feels like to visit a cafeacute-restaurant in Mechelen Belgium Van Mechelen is an easy way for an Amsterdammer to savour this experience and is just a short cycle ride away
ambianceBurgundian Rating 5
StaffregularsMembers of staff are clearly very well trained and this adds to the light and airy atmosphere Having opened for business just three months ago those who have fallen in love with the place and its consumables have not yet had time to clock up the number of visits and connections to be considered lsquoregularsrsquo Rating 5
televised sportNo space within the design and layout for this form of distraction Rating 3
PricesSurprisingly these are within the lsquonormalrsquo range for this level and quality of fare Outstandingly fairly priced snacks and nibbles are also offered to help you along as you take on the fine (Mechelen brewery group Alken-Maes) beers and wines When did you last enjoy a generous portion of fresh olives for a mere euro250 Rating 5
MusicAt the time of review the establishment was fairly packed out The atmosphere is conducive to chats and hilarity and although the selection of tunes could be heard far in the background the sound system may well have more kick It should as the building is of such a solid constitution that it should contain noise and not easily upset the neighbours Rating 5
Smoking area provisionFortunately for puffers the originally industrial nature of the address means that the former loading bay and entranceexit areas have become two naturally covered terrace areas separated from the luscious interior by huge glass-panelled doors Rating 5
total rating 2830(Rating from 1-5 where 1 = Very poor and 5 = Excellent)
By Denson Pierre
lsquoThe new hype in the city as far as grand cafeacute and restaurant concepts gorsquo
cafebar review53
lsquoMembers of staff are clearly very well trainedrsquo
cafebar review54
cafebar review55
lsquoOutstandingly fairly priced snacks and nibbles are also offeredrsquo
cafebar review56
cafebar review57
lsquoThe atmosphere is conducive to chats and hilarityrsquo
cafebar review58
cafebar review59
scamsterdam
lifestyles60
By Valeria Scimia
Unemployed international and looking for a job in the Netherlands Not only must you face the everyday hell that is job-seeking but now you must also beware of scam companies Yes theyrsquove arrived here too
I was recently contacted by an ostensibly legitimate company that wanted to hire me The contact took the form of what appeared to be a genuine e-mail complete with website and logo from a company in Australia that seemed absolutely legitimate (I have since contacted the company to warn them that someone overseas is using their name and logo to scam people) The e-mail explained that the company was opening an office in Holland and was looking for people who would handle the back-office orders It contained a form to be filled in and returned if I was interested in the position the form asked for all my personal information including my bank details I had been looking for a job and was interested in the offer so I filled in and sent off the form and my CV Once they received my e-mail they asked me to start a trial period without practically explaining anything of what the job was actually about I didnrsquot immediately reply so they called me the next day asking me to start immediately with the trial period promising lots of benefits once the contract was signed I hadnrsquot met anyone at this point only telephone interviews and that already didnrsquot seem right to me I asked them to send me more information by e-mail about what I was meant to do and a few moments later I received a response asking me to make a bank transfer to show them I was trustworthy The lsquotrialrsquo implied that they would send me some money and I had to transfer half via GWK or MoneyTransfer to one of their clients and keep the other half This smelled very fishy to the Italian in me In reality they could be sending a cheque to the bank which would register an income that would later bounce after I had already made the payment to their lsquoclientrsquo On top of losing money the person that tried to lsquohirersquo meyou
would have been untraceable No one was even picking up the phone at the number given in the e-mail and the company they claimed to represent wasnrsquot even active in Europe
So I said no and told them I was no longer interested They even had the gumption to call me back and ask me why I wouldnrsquot do it I gave them a silly excuse so as not to give them any more information or tips on how to improve their scummy scam I am happy I started checking their contacts as soon as their promises seemed too good to be true even if I am still angry I allowed them to data-mine all of my information when I sent them my CV and filled in their form
It beggars belief that they set up an entire facade in these times of work despair and it really doesnrsquot feel right especially because therersquos not much I can do about it now apart from inform people I didnrsquot think this would ever happen here in this country where everything has to be or always seems to be so legitimate But I guess some things never change and a place doesnrsquot make the people and certainly doesnrsquot influence the choices they make I just wanted to share my experience to alert everyone to the possible scam If a company contacts you and asks you to return a form including your bank details when you have never met anyone face-to-face it should make your antennas extend and remember to double-check their credibility Apparently it is illegal to ask such questions of someone here so donrsquot fall for it as I did As I am still waiting to hear from the company in Australia I didnrsquot feel it was proper to disclose its name publicly just yet plus I am not sure the scammers always use the same company as a fake front But what they ask you to do is more or less always the same so keep your eyes open to the little details
lsquoYou face the everyday hell that is job-seeking but now you must also beware of scam companiesrsquo
lsquoThis smelled very fishy to the Italian in mersquo
lsquoThe form asked for all my personal informationrsquo
lifestyles6
1
Je moet er geweest zijn
62classifieds
MechelenAuthentic and full of surprises Thatrsquos Mechelen Hospitable and honourable Thatrsquos the people of Mechelen Come and experience the cityrsquos urban charms for yourself Mechelen
Authentic and full of surprises Thatrsquos Mechelen Hospitable and honourable Thatrsquos the people of Mechelen Come and experience the cityrsquos urban charms for yourself
photography copy Milo Profi
classifieds63
classifieds
How to hang out in
Amsterdam
By ER Muntrem
perspectives
It is not against the rules for babies to cry in cafeacutes It happens Mostly they sleep or sit in someonersquos lap with commendable decorum Otherwise kids in cafeacutes tend to nosh a little less than their elders and handle crayons a little more And while anyone who toddles behind the bar will certainly get caught they can always claim they were encouraged to toddle there in the first place
Dutch parents and I realise this is hard to prove seem to let their kids wander a metre or two further away from them than parents from other developed countries that universal ldquowhere is sherdquo look delayed five or ten seconds If this extra distance is a sign of perceived safety cafeacute culture must help teach it
Except for chefs all cafeacute workers do more or less all the jobs required to run a cafeacute They all wait on tables
serve hot and cold drinks set up outdoor furniture load and retrieve supplies take the garbage out wash glasses light candles arrange flowers unfurl the awning and ring up the bill When the young guy or girl greets you you may know they are not the owner but for the moment they are the face of the establishment It may as well be their place
Admittedly I am seduced by places where waiters donrsquot work for tips where the rushed pace of eating in a restaurant in America does not exist In a cafeacute you can do what you want for as long as you want and get food and drink while you do it Pretty cool and as much a baseline for how to hang out in Amsterdam as cycling is for how to get around
Places to eat and drink owned by corporations have to package experience to deliver it Whatrsquos our brand How can our managers and servers be most efficient How ultimately can we be number one Not something most cafeacutes seem to be worried about and where the universal signs for lsquowe are having a good time togetherrsquo
lsquoCafeacute culture must help teachrsquo lsquoI am seduced by places where waiters donrsquot work for tipsrsquo
64
perspectives
or lsquoI am happy here by myselfrsquo (clinked glasses or absorption in a newspaper say) are routinely in evidence This is one true grace of democracy the average worth smiling about
At cafeacutes co-workers have a beer before or after their shift friends drop by or a regular pops in with some news The stream of customers they donrsquot have to woo and donrsquot have to lsquoworkrsquo gives the whole thing a slightly familial living room perfectly public feel that makes the work far less of a personality crimp than working at Starbucks Or so it seems I do not mean to pretend carrying drinks across the street to the canal side seating or giving obvious directions yet again is always glorious but most people who work in cafeacutersquos laugh and smile a fair bit almost as much as the patrons
And when the owner of a cafeacute is of a generation older than those working there as is usually the case it lends a wise uncle or mother hen feel to the proceedings In the daytime no one is ever too caught up in his or her designated title to ignore a baby on the move And at
night the crowd of drinkers may as well be at a party hosted by their parents or kids or both
Itrsquos not all about money cafeacute culture churns towards the civilised without grinding anyone too far down As well as pleasure there is power in this The best distillation I know of what democracy should be came from a young woman working at Cafeacute Captein With our meal in front of us my friend noticed he was missing his salad Flagged down the young woman went to investigate ldquoItrsquos on its wayrdquo she said ldquoI told my boss to do itrdquo
Imagine we told Putin to do it We told Obama to do it We told the bankers to do it
lsquoMost people who work in cafeacutersquos laugh and smile a fair bitrsquo
lsquoCafeacute culture churns towards the civilised without grinding anyone too far downrsquo
65
66
featurecity gem
lsquoThe last of the large independent music stores left standing in Amsterdamrsquo
CITY GEM
67
Concerto
By Denson Pierre
ConcertoUtrechtsestraat 60 1017 VP Amsterdam
it is a rush when on a full stomach you can make an instant decision on where your next city-centre lunch will be taken it is almost ecstasy when the venue is situated in a music shop which for decades has been defined by its exceptional range and quality of music available in amsterdam Concerto is the last of the large independent music stores left standing in amsterdam all the others have long since been killed off by everything from the advance in recording and playback technologies to habitual illegal downloaders only now realising that their behaviour has an impact right back down to street level despite what they might think about the giant studios and recording companies
Concerto has not stuck but has twisted Since September it has incorporated a cute cafeacute
and lunch area within its premises as well as introducing a bookshop and lounge area making it possible to spend an almost nostalgic time there over several hours It still has a vast range of the very best music in vinyl (both new and second-hand) and CD form DVDs DJ equipment and even gear used for live musical performances Itrsquos a gold mine
If it has taken this clever adaptation in space utilisation to keep this institution viable and available to Amsterdam-based music lovers then I personally wish to support this venture and help mean this type of music retailer to remain part of the city scene For people of a certain age there is something infinitely more appealing about physically handling recorded material appreciating the artwork in its packaging having a listen and then deciding if it is a purchase you would like to make Even though non-digital stockpiling has become rather passeacute I challenge you to visit Concerto and its new cafeacute and bookshop concept and not end up spending more time in this true city gem than you had anticipated
lsquoIt has incorporated a cute cafeacute and lunch area within its premises as well as introducing a bookshop and lounge arearsquo
city gem
68
city gem
69city gem
city gem70
city gem71
72city gem
lsquoThere is something infinitely more appealing about physically
handling recorded material appreciating the artwork in its
packagingrsquo
73city gem
74classifi eds
75classifi eds
classifi edsclassifi eds76
amsterdam city life
BrinG BaCK
Something that seems to have been watered down considerably in Amsterdamrsquos hospitality industry in recent years is independence of thought styling and designAll you have to do is walk around the city to note that way too many coffeesoup houses and cafeacutes are more or less identikit This also applies to many cafeacutes with unimaginative business leaders who open unoriginal looking spaces and hope that the use of white paint purple or blue lights and house music is all it takes
Luckily there is something brewing to save our days and nights I have come across cafeacute owners who are now seriously considering ending the arrangements they have with the giant drink suppliers There are actually no good arguments left for continuing with these huge multinationals as they are frankly more expensive at wholesale for the same A-class products than the supermarkets on every Amsterdammerrsquos street corner
It looks like space is being created for the smaller brewers to take up the supply of A-class beer to smaller establishments throughout the city The giants can keep their character-free tourist traps and those bars still able to benefit purely from their unbeatable locations throughout the city
The Sentinel says bring back better and more original businesses of scale within the local hospitality industry which will help more cafeacutes and bars not only to become distinguishable by the interior designs they will need to conjure but also through the variety of local and regional beers that could become part of their coherent identity The overriding benefit of such courageous thinking and action would be an immediate return to realistic and reasonable pricing for A-class beer in Amsterdam which remains the staple of the easy consumables as this recession drones on
By Denson Pierre
INDEPENDENT CAFeacuteSBARS
77
78star beer guide
Star Beer
The SentinelStar beer guide
lsquoDifferent beers can seem to weigh on the conscience as much as on the taste budsrsquo
Just like the changing of the seasons different beers can seem to weigh on the conscience as much as on the taste buds Ciney blond is a lovely almost effeminate tasting beer All light smooth fruitiness bolstered by substantial alcohol content
As the temperature increases it can even feel like a thirst quencher A nice session beer and one that could function as an entrance-level quality beer in terms of its complexity For advanced samplers it is a great lower platform to descend to after cruising the space occupied by the 8-plus percentage alcoholic beauties
Ciney blond is brewed by Alken-Maes Mechelen Belgium
By Denson Pierre
CINEY BLOND (7 ABV)
79star beer guide
We find the best most fun most typical exciting or local favourite restaurants etcetera in Amsterdam and bring them to you an easy way to feel like a local
Cafe Kostverloren 040606
Recommended
80recommended
EUROGIFTSXenonweg 9 3812 SZ Amersfoort
Tel 033 - 454 35 75 - Fax 033 - 454 35 79E-mail lmproefeurogiftsnl
Website wwweurogiftsnl
FILMPROEF
ORDERNUMMER 6021022ARTIKELNUMMER 65123
Ware grootte (indien uitgeprint)Kleur opdruk Wit
Mulligans Irish Music BarAmsterdamrsquos best address for live Irish music Five (5) nights a week Check our agenda for upcoming sessions Amstel 100 1017 AC Amsterdamwwwmulligansnl
Cafeacute KostverlorenCafeacute Kostverloren is a contemporary cafe offering the cosiness of a saloon an open kitchen and the intimacy of a living room The large terras is great for sunny days2e Kostverlorenkade 70 Amsterdamwwwcafekostverlorennl
ZestZest is fi ne food warm atmosphere and classy drinks with regular semi-acoustic (live) music and DJs (Thursday to Sunday) Amsterdamrsquos newest and freshestBilderdijkstraat 188 Amsterdamwwwfacebookcomclubzestnl
GollemGollemrsquos Proefl okaal Gollem and Gollem II represent the best addresses serving the fullest range of top Belgian Dutch and international beers in AmsterdamOvertoom 160-161wwwcafegollemnl
IncantoA restaurant with a classic Italian kitchen Venetian chef Simone Ambrosin is known for his pure and simple style of cooking with great feeling for nuanceAmstel 2 Amsterdamwwwrestaurant-incantonl
Planet RoseThe fi rst Caribbean restaurant in the Netherlands specialised in Jamaican cuisine The menu features a daily changing selectionNicolaas Beetsstraat 47 Amsterdamwwwplanetroseinfo
Cafe restaurant EdelCafe restaurant Edel is the perfect place for lunch dinner or to simply enjoy a drink Edel is a unique place in AmsterdamPostjesweg 1 1057 DT Amsterdamwwwedelamsterdamnl
Cafeacute OportoCafeacute Oporto is a traditional Amsterdam lsquobrown cafersquo Welcoming tourists and regular customers alike they offer televised sports wifi and a wide range of reasonably priced beers and spiritsZoutsteeg 1 1012 LX Amsterdamwwwcafeoportonet
BaxA cosy and friendly local cafeacute with a focus on special or interesting beers and good quality food Open 7 days a week with a professional kitchen offering a lunch and dinner serviceTen Katestraat 119 Amsterdamwwwcafebaxnl
To be seen and tasted Fun Drinking amp Music
To Be Seen and Tasted
Fun Drinking amp Music
Fun Drinking amp Music
Connoisseurs Delight
Connoisseurs Delight
Connoisseurs Delight
To Be Seen and Tasted
Neighbourhood cosy
Fun drinking and music
ParckGreat fun beautiful people and simply the best bar food in townOvertoom 428 Amsterdamwwwcafeparcknl
To be seen and tasted
Cafe de Toog1890rsquos grandeur fashioned into Amsterdam-West grand brown cafe-restaurant-cool Classy drinks and mealsNicolaas Beetsstraat 142 hs Amsterdam wwwcafedetoogcom
Opera Prima - Patisserie Bistro TraiteurThe best place in town for lunch exquisite high teas or brunches and all of your luxury catering both private and corporateKinkerstraat 228 Amsterdamwwwoperaprimanl
Recommended
81
Where is this inAmsterdamAnswer to sentinelpostgmailcom
82spotted
Room 2cfilm
ldquoCome on in boys the waterrsquos finerdquo This is arguably the best all-round and funny musical to come out of Hollywood in a generation and certainly one of the best three soundtracks of the same period George Clooney will never be as good or charming as he is here playing the accidental leader of a trio of chain gang escapees in the US south of the 1930s Spirituality meets the Ku Klux Klan all coloured by Virginia bluegrass
ldquoCall me Snakerdquo The coolest handle for a leading man (Kurt Russell) in any movie to date Here he is sent in on a heroic lsquoat all costrsquo one-man mission to rescue the president of the United States from the prison island Manhattan has become in a lsquofuturersquo representation of 1997 Air Force One has crashed there and the countdown is on Classic 1980s turn of the millennium dystopian vision with style pace and gadgetry
By dpmotions
By dpmotions
o Brother Where Art Thou (2000)
escape from new York (1981)
room2c83
84trends
lsquoTrends are great to join and surf like a once in a lifetime tsunamirsquo
By Dirkje Bakker-Pierre
Each and every micro-world has its own specific trends Take the fashion world for example where one day you have to wear high heels and round noses and the next itrsquos flat hairy elephant feet-like boots that must hug your feet Or take the automotive world where once upon a time you could never have enough chrome on your car or the food world where we have quietly moved from fast to green and wholesome or the TV world which used to be about fiction and is now more real than reality Some of these trends are great to join and surf like a once in a lifetime tsunami others can slip by unnoticed and others still keep bugging and bugging you even if you try to avoid them like the plague
The online world and specifically the social media universe eats through trends like a fat chick after a hunger strike Facebook in particular seems to move seamlessly from one hype to the next one day itrsquos pictures with fuzzy edges or a bit of a 1970s filter the next itrsquos a profile picture with you very consciously not looking into the camera (very spontaneously and naturally non-posing you might say) These are mostly harmless things if Irsquom honest and when everyone
stops liking them they fade away as quickly as the sun in our small wet country There is one trend however that has festered within Facebook from the very beginning and which seems to be gradually growing and growing without anyone ever liking the postshellip and I mean EVER
Yes I am talking about daily quotes words of wisdom holy quotes mesmerizingly philosophical quotes cheesy quotes religious quoteshellip How can I describe all of them in one easy sentence pieces of text from (famous) people (it can never be something you thought of yourself) that lsquodisclosersquo previously secret information about being happy in life (or at least previously secret to the person doing the posting I presume) In short texts that belong on tiles hanging on the wall in old Dutch peoplersquos toilets
Why
Here are a few I found in my news feed this week
ldquoA mind is like a parachute It doesnrsquot work if it is not openrdquo ndash Frank Zappa
ldquoIt is not because things are difficult that we do not dare it is because we do not dare that things are difficultrdquo ndash Seneca
ldquoIf you donrsquot take what you are doing seriously then nobody else willrdquo ndash Darryl Dlt Thomson
Bad trends would be good if they werenrsquot so bad
85trends
86classifi eds
87classifieds
One of my personal favourite gemstones is moonstone Itlsquos been around for centuries and is used in many cultures As suggested by its name the stone is highly associated with the moon and moon goddess Diana It brings calm peace and love and is said to become more powerful when the moon is full so thatlsquos the best time to wear it One proverb even claims that moonstone can bring you love that will fly you to the moon Spiritually this amazing stone is said to enhance intuition and is always associated with the self It is a very powerful personal stone which doesnlsquot add or remove any aspects of the personality but merely reflects the person wearing it It is said to be very
MoonstoneBy Evelina Kvartunaite
ndash
lsquoThe stone is highly associated with the moon and moon goddess Dianarsquo
ndash
helpful for people who are very sensitive and it is also used in meditation for reflecting oneself Itlsquos always best to charge your gem when the moon is shining at night either while wearing it or by leaving it on a windowsill that receives moonlight Moonstone is also used in healing and is known for balancing the internal organ systems enabling them to work in stable cycles Itlsquos usually more associated with women but is also known to help men embrace their more emotional side soft creative energies and optimism Perhaps understandably moonstone should have limited exposure to strong direct sunlight
ndash
lsquoIt is said to be very helpful for people who are very sensitiversquo
ndash
88
health amp well-being
ndash
lsquoMore associated with women but is also known to help men embrace their more emotional sidersquo
ndash
89health amp well-being
In his article Batin shows how learning how to use complex products is like learning a computer game Just like the challenges in video games match the skills of the user so should TV interactions or any UI interactions for that matter For reference Batin used the four levels described in the Dreyfus model of skill acquisition
Level 1 novicebullRigid adherence to taught rules or plansbullNo exercise of lsquodiscretionary judgmentrsquo
Level 2 Advanced beginnerbullLimited lsquosituational perceptionrsquobullAll aspects of work treated separately with equal importance
Philip Batin wrote an article a couple of months ago about the next big idea in User Interaction gadgets that adapt to your skills As gadgets become more complicated UIs must be able to teach their users over time Apparently more and more interactive products are being returned In 2002 48 of all returned products were technically fully functional but were rejected for failing to satisfy user needs 20 purely due to customer remorse Even though a product may have all the features one can hope for complexity and bad user experience can prevent users from integrating it into their lives
UserInterfaceThe next big thing in UX
lsquoUIs must be able to teach their users over timersquo
By Andrei Barburas
lsquoComplexity and bad user experience can prevent users from
integrating it into their livesrsquo
90
technology
book the majority of which you probably skipped through
Personally I believe that there are certain end users most likely the majority that use only a limited set of features from any device they buy Mobile phones have become indispensable tools in our daily activities yet the average Joe has no idea about the full potential of a smart phone The same applies to Smart TVs they can do lots of things yet the only thing that we do with them is flip channels and complain how bad the shows are
The bottom line is that itrsquos definitely something worth thinking about not only from an operating system perspective but also from the perspective of applications developers
Level 3 competentbulllsquoCoping with crowdednessrsquo (multiple activities accumulation of information)bullSome perception of actions in relation to goalsbullDeliberate planningbullFormulates routines
Level 4 ProficientbullHolistic view of situationbullPrioritizes importance of aspectsbulllsquoPerceives deviations from the normal patternrsquobullEmploys maxim for guidance with meanings that adapt to the situation at hand
Now just imagine a User Interface that adapts based on what you can do and the abilities you have As you learn new things new levels of complexity are unlocked opening the door to fully knowing your device because you learned by doing and not by reading a complicated
lsquoThe average Joe has no idea about the full potential of a
smart phonersquo
91technology
92classifi eds
93classifi eds
Not knowing what was happening in football was extremely annoying to put it mildly and it wasnrsquot just my own self-denial and avoidance of all things football that was a hindrance the extent to which I had to ask others to go in order to remain ignorant was much more excruciating than Irsquod ever imagined There may even be some damage done to football-related friendships that is irreparable I now feel as though Irsquom walking through an empty stadium after everyone else has gone home
So what now and where to next The season is well and truly over and Irsquom free to do whatever I want I could read the back-dated sports pages check all the stats and find out all the facts if I wanted to I could spend hours catching up on last season and speculating on the next with the friends Irsquove still got left down the pub if I wanted to I can follow all the transfer gossip watch pre-season friendlies and build up all my hopes But as with most addictions that would simply be falling back into a previous state of dependence and everything Irsquove just put myself through wouldrsquove been for nothing So how do I go back to an old habit without a total relapse or would it be better to keep abstaining
All my questions seem to be met with other questions and no solutions On the other hand if you ask me what
Someone once said that insanity is when you keep repeating the same behaviour and expect a different outcome most likely a psychologist aimed at his or her ailing patients But for me these words are more reminiscent of my own conduct over the course of a regular football season Week in week out season after season I would expect Tottenham to win something and more often than not Irsquod be left disappointed So I decided to stop No more football ndash at least not for one full season
The season 201213 is now over and during the whole nine months I didnrsquot watch a single moment of football or read a single article on the subject That was my challenge and I was committed to it What is more despite all the warning signs I didnrsquot relapse After a year of structured punishment I didnrsquot have a clue about what was going on in the English Premier League (or any other league) Only having picked up bits and pieces of information that somehow slipped through the net the past season was like a book with most of its pages missing
By Simon Joseph
On The Volley
The Return of the Repressed or the Point of No Return
lsquoInsanity is when you keep repeating the same behaviour and expect a different outcomersquo
sport
lsquoThe past season was like a book with most of its pages missingrsquo
94
lsquoThere may even be some damage done to football-related friendshipsrsquo
lsquoHas abstaining for a season changed mersquo
it until the cows come home but it was us who made those changes or at least allowed them to happen and those changes will continue to happen with or without me Perhaps then the questions I should be asking are has abstaining for a season changed me Am I still obsessed or have I broken the habit of a lifetime Is following football really that terrible or even a real addiction
One thing is certain this lack of resolution is not completely without satisfaction because like all forms of fixation or obsession therersquos comfort and familiarity to be found in repetition as Tottenham miss out on Championrsquos League football by a single point again The repressed will always return to haunt us or so it seems and before we know it the start of next season will be upon us There will be more pain no doubt and more joy This time however it will take more than a boot camp approach to keep me away and who knows Tottenham might even win the league Come on you Spurs
Tottenham Hotspur means I would still tell you that itrsquos not just a pretty football package itrsquos about kith and kin not just where I came from but how I relate to others around me in the here and now Whatrsquos more millions of people are attracted to football they hunger for it and yearn to connect with it even though I still believe itrsquos a form of ineffective escape from one unsatisfying reality to another Following football is a classic example of cognitive dissonance ndash when you simultaneously entertain two opposing thoughts that appear to cancel each other out Before the start of each season for example we all want our club to win everything or to be taken over by billionaires but know that itrsquos impossible or in the latter case controversial and even undesirable So we invent ways to cope We develop a so-called lsquosiege mentalityrsquo or other harmful patterns of behaviour to relieve the discomfort of incongruity With this in mind the past year was supposed to be an exercise in behaviour modification ndash to discover the root of the problem and treat it effectively But one year on have I really discovered anything at all
The English Premier League whether you watch it or not is still probably the most exciting football league in the world We can complain about the changes made to
sport9
5
By Denson Pierre
The Gold Room
Fantasy Football Gold ndash Champions League 2012-2013 winner Denson Pierre and his prizes
The season petered out in an all-German Champions League Final which did nothing to dispel the record that this was a season of too few new stars or regular spectacle We look forward to the next season as it ought not be too difficult to create more excitement than in the one just pastWe did have the opportunity to hand over the envelopes and trophies to the Sentinel Fantasy Football game winners This year all the major winners from the Sentinel Fantasy Football League were unable to be present for the physical prize giving but the winner of the Gold Game and focus of this column was there to receive his prize for winning the master game in styleSo we retire the Gold Room until the beginning of the new football season See you all again then
96
sport
Matt Parker receives his third place and Manager of the Month prizes for the Sentinel Fantasy Football League
Charles Conneely Sentinel Fantasy Football League 2012-2013 Champion
97sport
wwwczechtourismcom
CZECH REPUBLIC - STUNNINGLY DIFFERENT
98
classifi eds
E-mail sentinelpostgmailcomWebsite wwwthesentineleu
Contributors Sam van Dam ED Munsterman Valeria Scimia Andrei Barburas Dirkje Bakker-Pierre Evelina Kvartunaite and Simon Joseph
EditorsGary Rudland amp Denson PierreDesign realisation and form Andrei Barburas amp No-OfficenlWebmasterwwwsio-bytestumblrcomWebhost Amsterjammincom
The Sentinel Amsterdam does not intentionally include unaccredited photosillustrations that are subject to copyright If you consider your copyright to have been infringed please contact us at sentinelpostgmailcom
BrinG BaCK
3in this issue
The Sentinel Amsterdam
feature - p04
cafeacutebar review - p 52 perspectives - p 64 city gem - p 66
star beer guide - p 78 sentinel recommended - p 81 spotted - p 82
trends - p 84 health amp well-being - p 88film - p 83
technology - p 90
Quality next door
Van Mechelen How to hang out in amsterdam Concerto
Ciney blond Where is this in amsterdam
Bad trends would be good if Moonstoneroom2c
user interface
lsquoA redesigned large church (kerk) and the entire place is simply beautifulrsquo
lsquoThere is so much to see so many temptations that demand your
attentionrsquo
sport - p 94
on the volleythe return of the repressedlsquoA year of structured punishmentlsquo
lsquoIt should make your antennas extendrsquo
Too many coffeesoup houses and cafeacutes are more or less identikitrsquo
dam in 60 mins rembrandtplein
Bring back
Scamsterdam
the Gold room
perspectives - p26
amsterdam city life - p 77
lifestyles - p 60
sport - p96
more
4feature
Qualitynextdoor
By Denson Pierre
A few weeks ago I learned from a local client that the folk from a Haarlem-based brewery were to visit their establishment here in Amsterdam The brewery in question happens to be one of the fastest growing in the Netherlands and not only did a salesman and his director show up to borrel but a fair proportion of the entire workforce
lsquoAmsterdam has changed so much on a social level in recent yearsrsquo
5feature
feature
lsquoI was reminded of a time when Amsterdam-based companies used to do these nice thingsrsquo
6
Amsterdam has changed so much on a social level in recent years with an entirely new generation new to city life and certainly new to Amsterdam occupying public and private real estate Behaviours and expectations are very much in flux as the Amsterdam so immortalised as a cool rebellious sharing and fun place is being replaced by a more showy place but lacking in a certain kind of content It is home to newer masses of service industry and IT-oriented young professionals while artists and conjurers become somewhat marginalised usually through pricing
I went to meet the people from the brewery and would eventually be invited to visit their very impressive operations at Jopenkerk Haarlem To have met them on a company outing spending in the very bars they supply with their fine selection of A-class beers dented my developing idea that all suppliers are just out to maximise profit and share no regard for our desire to feel that we are dealing with other human beings when constructing our affairs of fun and indulgence It may have been old-fashioned marketing andor a calculated attempt to show business clients that the products they deliver are made by a team of happy and proud people or just chance But it was such a nice touch that I was reminded of a time when Amsterdam-based companies used to do these nice things more often On the simplest of levels and given that it is not a fully concessionary arrangement it offers the client bars about ninety minutes of at least 25 dedicated lovers of beer giving a nice little boost to takings while celebrating their business linkage
This was one of the most sensible and heart-warming corporate acts I have observed in Amsterdam for quite some time Individual hospitality businesses can do similar things from time to time but to have a manu-facturer and supplier recycling money through your business is just a refreshing act which they plan to repeat every couple of months with other partner businesses
To complete the story I went to visit Jopen at its base of operations in Haarlem soon afterwards What an opportunity to remind myself that somehow given that I consider Haarlem to be one of the most gorgeous cities I have ever come across I had not made the journey there for more than ten years The point being that it takes me longer to cycle across greater Amsterdam (25 minutes) than it does to hop on a train and stroll out into historic Haarlem such a natural and effortless trip to make
After a leisurely stroll through historic Haarlem taking in the beauty of the place I finally arrived at the terrace of Jopenkerk and the gods of sunshine turned up the intensity at that very moment All of the red prominent in the breweryrsquos branding made the square look like the aftermath of an explosion in a sweet shop The building containing the brewery cafeacute and restaurant is of course a redesigned large church (kerk) and the entire place is simply beautiful When I started to interview the owners business managers and brewers about their history strategy and beer I began to realise what an inspiring and comfortable place it is much aided by the extraordinarily friendly employees and the owners and managers themselves I was joined a little later by the women of No Office Studios Amsterdam to help me assess the full experience of being present at this capital historic hospitality-concept establishment
It is not really the place of a lead feature to endorse commercial operations but Jopen its beer and its people are so well worked out and presented that it should be on every Amsterdammerrsquos radar as a particularly warm aspect to plan into a little trip to our neighbouring city It is well worth it In Amsterdam meanwhile these A-class beers are currently available at Cafeacute Bax Gollem Cafeacute Kostverloren and Cafeacute de Toog Haarlem is closer than you think
lsquoOur desire to feel that we are dealing with other human beings when constructing our affairs of
fun and indulgencersquo
7feature
feature
lsquoI went to visit Jopen at its base of operations in Haarlemrsquo
8
9feature
10feature
11feature
12feature
feature13
feature14
feature15
lsquoSuch a natural and effortless trip to makersquo
16feature
feature17
18feature
feature19
feature20
feature21
feature22
feature
feature
lsquoJopen its beer and its people are so well worked out and presented
that it should be on every Amsterdammerrsquos radarrsquo
feature23
Get advice on housing rental contracts and apartments in Amsterdam
wwwwswonennlenglish
wwwconsultancymarketmediacom
- Account Manager Market Media- (Internship) International Marketing Executive
we are looking for
24classifieds
artist thinker
Here are some of our local partners
Enter (click) to learn why they work with us
demerkplaatsnl
25classifieds
Dam in 60 minutes
By Sam van Dam
perspectives
Rembrandtplein26
perspectives
Last time out I took you up North to the beautiful island of Marken Since that was a somewhat longer trip than some readers might want to take by bike this time our journey is a short one that can even be done on foot to Rembrandtplein The adventure starts at Central Station turn your back on the visually pleasing building that facilitates the arrival of visitors to our hometown and head towards Damrak Amsterdamrsquos lsquoRed Carpetrsquo and home these days to gazillions of restaurants shops bars cafeacutes and of course the nearby world-famous Red Light District all of which wersquoll simply ignore This is easier said than done as there is so much to see so many temptations that demand your attention and try to make you spend your euros before you have even entered the actual city As you walk down Damrak you start to see the buildings situated around Dam Square the central point of Amsterdam offering such delights as the Royal Palace Madame Tussauds the Nieuwekerk the war memorial and other landmarks that define this famous square Rotate 360 degrees to take it all in and then move toward Rokin or if you are in mood for some shopping walk down Kalverstraat instead Yoursquore bound to find something you like in the hundreds of shops lining one of Amsterdamrsquos two main shopping streets Keep walking straight on and just to your right yoursquoll find Spui a lovely square that is regularly home to art and book markets if you have the time You can find a multitude of interesting and inspiring items there or just grab a coffee and sit on one of the benches taking in the scene Once you are done enjoying Spui itrsquos time to get back on track so return to the RokinKalverstraat and head to the right (south) not forgetting to take a closer look
at the statue of former Queen Wilhelmina and her horse standing proudly at the bridge opposite This is also the starting point for boat tours if you want to take a little time out from your stroll to Rembrandtplein get a ticket and hop on one of the very typical 70s-style boats that constantly criss-cross the watery arteries of Amsterdam These typical 1970s-style barges provide a visual impression of the city that looks familiar yet very different a pleasure that locals and visitors alike appreciate very much every time
When you have returned from the water tour return to Rokin and keep walking towards Munt which is easily recognisable by its old-style tower featuring a clockwork chime that marks the hour and enhances the scenery in this part of town along with the Hotel De LrsquoEurope just across the way You could also take a pit-stop there while enjoying the view over the Amstel and the hundreds of little boats filled with chillaxing people at least on sunny days You can dwell on the fact that life in Amsterdam often seems so easy and beautiful that it entices visitors to return again and again You are now very close to your final destination so cross the road and enter the Reguliersbreestraat Marvel at the beauty of the Tuschinski Theater as you continue towards the wide open square that is our last stop Grab a drink or some ice-cream while you find yourself a nice spot on the grassy circular central area of the Rembrandtplein where you can spend hours looking at the beautiful buildings the relaxing people and the artists selling their work This is also where you can find me presenting a fine selection of my photo prints of what to me is the best city in the world So if itrsquos not raining come by and enjoy my photographic impressions of Amsterdam they make awesome souvenirs to take home with you Irsquom looking forward to meeting you on lsquomyrsquo square
lsquoOur journey is a short one that can even be done on footrsquo
27
28perspectives
29perspectives
lsquo1970s-style barges provide a visual impression of the city that looks familiar yet very differentrsquo
30perspectives
31perspectives
32perspectives
33perspectives
lsquoMarvel at the beauty of the Tuschinski Theaterrsquo
34perspectives
35perspectives
lsquoRotate 360 degrees to take it all inrsquo
36perspectives
lsquoRotate 360 degrees to take it all inrsquo
37perspectives
38perspectives
39perspectives
40
perspectives
41perspectives
42featureperspectives
feature4
3perspectives
44
featureperspectives
feature4
5perspectives
lsquoTake a closer look at the statue of former Queen Wilhelmina and her horsersquo
46
perspectives
lsquoThis is also where you can find me presenting a fine selection of my
photo printsrsquo
47perspectives
perspectives4
8
perspectives4
9
For complete and world class tours of Prague
Packages includebull Hidden and playful Prague (for families with young children)bull Literary Praguebull Prague Architecture through the agesbull Religion and the citybull The old city at night
These are detailed tours designed for visitors who wish to explore with great detail and not suitable for simply sight-seeing tourists
Day segments and ratesPR 0800-1230hrs AG 1330-1630hrs UE 1730-2130hrsAll sessions are priced at u 25 per single adult Group size upper limit = 8 Accompanied children under the age of five are gratis and school aged children pay 25 Family package rates are negotiable
ContactJaroslav Cernosek+420 602 228 797Mail jcernosekcentrumcz
wwwyourtuliptourcom
JC Tours
50classifieds
51classifieds
CafeacuteBar Review Van Mechelen
cafebar review52
Van MechelenSloterkade 96-97 Amsterdam
It may be the new hype in the city as far as grand cafeacute and restaurant concepts go but Van Mechelen is already approaching excellence Considering its handy location in another pretty neighbourhood of Amsterdam South it is almost a lsquomust visitrsquo place that has created a theme built on the Burgundian enjoyment of life good food complemented with top-class beer and wine If you want a taste of what it feels like to visit a cafeacute-restaurant in Mechelen Belgium Van Mechelen is an easy way for an Amsterdammer to savour this experience and is just a short cycle ride away
ambianceBurgundian Rating 5
StaffregularsMembers of staff are clearly very well trained and this adds to the light and airy atmosphere Having opened for business just three months ago those who have fallen in love with the place and its consumables have not yet had time to clock up the number of visits and connections to be considered lsquoregularsrsquo Rating 5
televised sportNo space within the design and layout for this form of distraction Rating 3
PricesSurprisingly these are within the lsquonormalrsquo range for this level and quality of fare Outstandingly fairly priced snacks and nibbles are also offered to help you along as you take on the fine (Mechelen brewery group Alken-Maes) beers and wines When did you last enjoy a generous portion of fresh olives for a mere euro250 Rating 5
MusicAt the time of review the establishment was fairly packed out The atmosphere is conducive to chats and hilarity and although the selection of tunes could be heard far in the background the sound system may well have more kick It should as the building is of such a solid constitution that it should contain noise and not easily upset the neighbours Rating 5
Smoking area provisionFortunately for puffers the originally industrial nature of the address means that the former loading bay and entranceexit areas have become two naturally covered terrace areas separated from the luscious interior by huge glass-panelled doors Rating 5
total rating 2830(Rating from 1-5 where 1 = Very poor and 5 = Excellent)
By Denson Pierre
lsquoThe new hype in the city as far as grand cafeacute and restaurant concepts gorsquo
cafebar review53
lsquoMembers of staff are clearly very well trainedrsquo
cafebar review54
cafebar review55
lsquoOutstandingly fairly priced snacks and nibbles are also offeredrsquo
cafebar review56
cafebar review57
lsquoThe atmosphere is conducive to chats and hilarityrsquo
cafebar review58
cafebar review59
scamsterdam
lifestyles60
By Valeria Scimia
Unemployed international and looking for a job in the Netherlands Not only must you face the everyday hell that is job-seeking but now you must also beware of scam companies Yes theyrsquove arrived here too
I was recently contacted by an ostensibly legitimate company that wanted to hire me The contact took the form of what appeared to be a genuine e-mail complete with website and logo from a company in Australia that seemed absolutely legitimate (I have since contacted the company to warn them that someone overseas is using their name and logo to scam people) The e-mail explained that the company was opening an office in Holland and was looking for people who would handle the back-office orders It contained a form to be filled in and returned if I was interested in the position the form asked for all my personal information including my bank details I had been looking for a job and was interested in the offer so I filled in and sent off the form and my CV Once they received my e-mail they asked me to start a trial period without practically explaining anything of what the job was actually about I didnrsquot immediately reply so they called me the next day asking me to start immediately with the trial period promising lots of benefits once the contract was signed I hadnrsquot met anyone at this point only telephone interviews and that already didnrsquot seem right to me I asked them to send me more information by e-mail about what I was meant to do and a few moments later I received a response asking me to make a bank transfer to show them I was trustworthy The lsquotrialrsquo implied that they would send me some money and I had to transfer half via GWK or MoneyTransfer to one of their clients and keep the other half This smelled very fishy to the Italian in me In reality they could be sending a cheque to the bank which would register an income that would later bounce after I had already made the payment to their lsquoclientrsquo On top of losing money the person that tried to lsquohirersquo meyou
would have been untraceable No one was even picking up the phone at the number given in the e-mail and the company they claimed to represent wasnrsquot even active in Europe
So I said no and told them I was no longer interested They even had the gumption to call me back and ask me why I wouldnrsquot do it I gave them a silly excuse so as not to give them any more information or tips on how to improve their scummy scam I am happy I started checking their contacts as soon as their promises seemed too good to be true even if I am still angry I allowed them to data-mine all of my information when I sent them my CV and filled in their form
It beggars belief that they set up an entire facade in these times of work despair and it really doesnrsquot feel right especially because therersquos not much I can do about it now apart from inform people I didnrsquot think this would ever happen here in this country where everything has to be or always seems to be so legitimate But I guess some things never change and a place doesnrsquot make the people and certainly doesnrsquot influence the choices they make I just wanted to share my experience to alert everyone to the possible scam If a company contacts you and asks you to return a form including your bank details when you have never met anyone face-to-face it should make your antennas extend and remember to double-check their credibility Apparently it is illegal to ask such questions of someone here so donrsquot fall for it as I did As I am still waiting to hear from the company in Australia I didnrsquot feel it was proper to disclose its name publicly just yet plus I am not sure the scammers always use the same company as a fake front But what they ask you to do is more or less always the same so keep your eyes open to the little details
lsquoYou face the everyday hell that is job-seeking but now you must also beware of scam companiesrsquo
lsquoThis smelled very fishy to the Italian in mersquo
lsquoThe form asked for all my personal informationrsquo
lifestyles6
1
Je moet er geweest zijn
62classifieds
MechelenAuthentic and full of surprises Thatrsquos Mechelen Hospitable and honourable Thatrsquos the people of Mechelen Come and experience the cityrsquos urban charms for yourself Mechelen
Authentic and full of surprises Thatrsquos Mechelen Hospitable and honourable Thatrsquos the people of Mechelen Come and experience the cityrsquos urban charms for yourself
photography copy Milo Profi
classifieds63
classifieds
How to hang out in
Amsterdam
By ER Muntrem
perspectives
It is not against the rules for babies to cry in cafeacutes It happens Mostly they sleep or sit in someonersquos lap with commendable decorum Otherwise kids in cafeacutes tend to nosh a little less than their elders and handle crayons a little more And while anyone who toddles behind the bar will certainly get caught they can always claim they were encouraged to toddle there in the first place
Dutch parents and I realise this is hard to prove seem to let their kids wander a metre or two further away from them than parents from other developed countries that universal ldquowhere is sherdquo look delayed five or ten seconds If this extra distance is a sign of perceived safety cafeacute culture must help teach it
Except for chefs all cafeacute workers do more or less all the jobs required to run a cafeacute They all wait on tables
serve hot and cold drinks set up outdoor furniture load and retrieve supplies take the garbage out wash glasses light candles arrange flowers unfurl the awning and ring up the bill When the young guy or girl greets you you may know they are not the owner but for the moment they are the face of the establishment It may as well be their place
Admittedly I am seduced by places where waiters donrsquot work for tips where the rushed pace of eating in a restaurant in America does not exist In a cafeacute you can do what you want for as long as you want and get food and drink while you do it Pretty cool and as much a baseline for how to hang out in Amsterdam as cycling is for how to get around
Places to eat and drink owned by corporations have to package experience to deliver it Whatrsquos our brand How can our managers and servers be most efficient How ultimately can we be number one Not something most cafeacutes seem to be worried about and where the universal signs for lsquowe are having a good time togetherrsquo
lsquoCafeacute culture must help teachrsquo lsquoI am seduced by places where waiters donrsquot work for tipsrsquo
64
perspectives
or lsquoI am happy here by myselfrsquo (clinked glasses or absorption in a newspaper say) are routinely in evidence This is one true grace of democracy the average worth smiling about
At cafeacutes co-workers have a beer before or after their shift friends drop by or a regular pops in with some news The stream of customers they donrsquot have to woo and donrsquot have to lsquoworkrsquo gives the whole thing a slightly familial living room perfectly public feel that makes the work far less of a personality crimp than working at Starbucks Or so it seems I do not mean to pretend carrying drinks across the street to the canal side seating or giving obvious directions yet again is always glorious but most people who work in cafeacutersquos laugh and smile a fair bit almost as much as the patrons
And when the owner of a cafeacute is of a generation older than those working there as is usually the case it lends a wise uncle or mother hen feel to the proceedings In the daytime no one is ever too caught up in his or her designated title to ignore a baby on the move And at
night the crowd of drinkers may as well be at a party hosted by their parents or kids or both
Itrsquos not all about money cafeacute culture churns towards the civilised without grinding anyone too far down As well as pleasure there is power in this The best distillation I know of what democracy should be came from a young woman working at Cafeacute Captein With our meal in front of us my friend noticed he was missing his salad Flagged down the young woman went to investigate ldquoItrsquos on its wayrdquo she said ldquoI told my boss to do itrdquo
Imagine we told Putin to do it We told Obama to do it We told the bankers to do it
lsquoMost people who work in cafeacutersquos laugh and smile a fair bitrsquo
lsquoCafeacute culture churns towards the civilised without grinding anyone too far downrsquo
65
66
featurecity gem
lsquoThe last of the large independent music stores left standing in Amsterdamrsquo
CITY GEM
67
Concerto
By Denson Pierre
ConcertoUtrechtsestraat 60 1017 VP Amsterdam
it is a rush when on a full stomach you can make an instant decision on where your next city-centre lunch will be taken it is almost ecstasy when the venue is situated in a music shop which for decades has been defined by its exceptional range and quality of music available in amsterdam Concerto is the last of the large independent music stores left standing in amsterdam all the others have long since been killed off by everything from the advance in recording and playback technologies to habitual illegal downloaders only now realising that their behaviour has an impact right back down to street level despite what they might think about the giant studios and recording companies
Concerto has not stuck but has twisted Since September it has incorporated a cute cafeacute
and lunch area within its premises as well as introducing a bookshop and lounge area making it possible to spend an almost nostalgic time there over several hours It still has a vast range of the very best music in vinyl (both new and second-hand) and CD form DVDs DJ equipment and even gear used for live musical performances Itrsquos a gold mine
If it has taken this clever adaptation in space utilisation to keep this institution viable and available to Amsterdam-based music lovers then I personally wish to support this venture and help mean this type of music retailer to remain part of the city scene For people of a certain age there is something infinitely more appealing about physically handling recorded material appreciating the artwork in its packaging having a listen and then deciding if it is a purchase you would like to make Even though non-digital stockpiling has become rather passeacute I challenge you to visit Concerto and its new cafeacute and bookshop concept and not end up spending more time in this true city gem than you had anticipated
lsquoIt has incorporated a cute cafeacute and lunch area within its premises as well as introducing a bookshop and lounge arearsquo
city gem
68
city gem
69city gem
city gem70
city gem71
72city gem
lsquoThere is something infinitely more appealing about physically
handling recorded material appreciating the artwork in its
packagingrsquo
73city gem
74classifi eds
75classifi eds
classifi edsclassifi eds76
amsterdam city life
BrinG BaCK
Something that seems to have been watered down considerably in Amsterdamrsquos hospitality industry in recent years is independence of thought styling and designAll you have to do is walk around the city to note that way too many coffeesoup houses and cafeacutes are more or less identikit This also applies to many cafeacutes with unimaginative business leaders who open unoriginal looking spaces and hope that the use of white paint purple or blue lights and house music is all it takes
Luckily there is something brewing to save our days and nights I have come across cafeacute owners who are now seriously considering ending the arrangements they have with the giant drink suppliers There are actually no good arguments left for continuing with these huge multinationals as they are frankly more expensive at wholesale for the same A-class products than the supermarkets on every Amsterdammerrsquos street corner
It looks like space is being created for the smaller brewers to take up the supply of A-class beer to smaller establishments throughout the city The giants can keep their character-free tourist traps and those bars still able to benefit purely from their unbeatable locations throughout the city
The Sentinel says bring back better and more original businesses of scale within the local hospitality industry which will help more cafeacutes and bars not only to become distinguishable by the interior designs they will need to conjure but also through the variety of local and regional beers that could become part of their coherent identity The overriding benefit of such courageous thinking and action would be an immediate return to realistic and reasonable pricing for A-class beer in Amsterdam which remains the staple of the easy consumables as this recession drones on
By Denson Pierre
INDEPENDENT CAFeacuteSBARS
77
78star beer guide
Star Beer
The SentinelStar beer guide
lsquoDifferent beers can seem to weigh on the conscience as much as on the taste budsrsquo
Just like the changing of the seasons different beers can seem to weigh on the conscience as much as on the taste buds Ciney blond is a lovely almost effeminate tasting beer All light smooth fruitiness bolstered by substantial alcohol content
As the temperature increases it can even feel like a thirst quencher A nice session beer and one that could function as an entrance-level quality beer in terms of its complexity For advanced samplers it is a great lower platform to descend to after cruising the space occupied by the 8-plus percentage alcoholic beauties
Ciney blond is brewed by Alken-Maes Mechelen Belgium
By Denson Pierre
CINEY BLOND (7 ABV)
79star beer guide
We find the best most fun most typical exciting or local favourite restaurants etcetera in Amsterdam and bring them to you an easy way to feel like a local
Cafe Kostverloren 040606
Recommended
80recommended
EUROGIFTSXenonweg 9 3812 SZ Amersfoort
Tel 033 - 454 35 75 - Fax 033 - 454 35 79E-mail lmproefeurogiftsnl
Website wwweurogiftsnl
FILMPROEF
ORDERNUMMER 6021022ARTIKELNUMMER 65123
Ware grootte (indien uitgeprint)Kleur opdruk Wit
Mulligans Irish Music BarAmsterdamrsquos best address for live Irish music Five (5) nights a week Check our agenda for upcoming sessions Amstel 100 1017 AC Amsterdamwwwmulligansnl
Cafeacute KostverlorenCafeacute Kostverloren is a contemporary cafe offering the cosiness of a saloon an open kitchen and the intimacy of a living room The large terras is great for sunny days2e Kostverlorenkade 70 Amsterdamwwwcafekostverlorennl
ZestZest is fi ne food warm atmosphere and classy drinks with regular semi-acoustic (live) music and DJs (Thursday to Sunday) Amsterdamrsquos newest and freshestBilderdijkstraat 188 Amsterdamwwwfacebookcomclubzestnl
GollemGollemrsquos Proefl okaal Gollem and Gollem II represent the best addresses serving the fullest range of top Belgian Dutch and international beers in AmsterdamOvertoom 160-161wwwcafegollemnl
IncantoA restaurant with a classic Italian kitchen Venetian chef Simone Ambrosin is known for his pure and simple style of cooking with great feeling for nuanceAmstel 2 Amsterdamwwwrestaurant-incantonl
Planet RoseThe fi rst Caribbean restaurant in the Netherlands specialised in Jamaican cuisine The menu features a daily changing selectionNicolaas Beetsstraat 47 Amsterdamwwwplanetroseinfo
Cafe restaurant EdelCafe restaurant Edel is the perfect place for lunch dinner or to simply enjoy a drink Edel is a unique place in AmsterdamPostjesweg 1 1057 DT Amsterdamwwwedelamsterdamnl
Cafeacute OportoCafeacute Oporto is a traditional Amsterdam lsquobrown cafersquo Welcoming tourists and regular customers alike they offer televised sports wifi and a wide range of reasonably priced beers and spiritsZoutsteeg 1 1012 LX Amsterdamwwwcafeoportonet
BaxA cosy and friendly local cafeacute with a focus on special or interesting beers and good quality food Open 7 days a week with a professional kitchen offering a lunch and dinner serviceTen Katestraat 119 Amsterdamwwwcafebaxnl
To be seen and tasted Fun Drinking amp Music
To Be Seen and Tasted
Fun Drinking amp Music
Fun Drinking amp Music
Connoisseurs Delight
Connoisseurs Delight
Connoisseurs Delight
To Be Seen and Tasted
Neighbourhood cosy
Fun drinking and music
ParckGreat fun beautiful people and simply the best bar food in townOvertoom 428 Amsterdamwwwcafeparcknl
To be seen and tasted
Cafe de Toog1890rsquos grandeur fashioned into Amsterdam-West grand brown cafe-restaurant-cool Classy drinks and mealsNicolaas Beetsstraat 142 hs Amsterdam wwwcafedetoogcom
Opera Prima - Patisserie Bistro TraiteurThe best place in town for lunch exquisite high teas or brunches and all of your luxury catering both private and corporateKinkerstraat 228 Amsterdamwwwoperaprimanl
Recommended
81
Where is this inAmsterdamAnswer to sentinelpostgmailcom
82spotted
Room 2cfilm
ldquoCome on in boys the waterrsquos finerdquo This is arguably the best all-round and funny musical to come out of Hollywood in a generation and certainly one of the best three soundtracks of the same period George Clooney will never be as good or charming as he is here playing the accidental leader of a trio of chain gang escapees in the US south of the 1930s Spirituality meets the Ku Klux Klan all coloured by Virginia bluegrass
ldquoCall me Snakerdquo The coolest handle for a leading man (Kurt Russell) in any movie to date Here he is sent in on a heroic lsquoat all costrsquo one-man mission to rescue the president of the United States from the prison island Manhattan has become in a lsquofuturersquo representation of 1997 Air Force One has crashed there and the countdown is on Classic 1980s turn of the millennium dystopian vision with style pace and gadgetry
By dpmotions
By dpmotions
o Brother Where Art Thou (2000)
escape from new York (1981)
room2c83
84trends
lsquoTrends are great to join and surf like a once in a lifetime tsunamirsquo
By Dirkje Bakker-Pierre
Each and every micro-world has its own specific trends Take the fashion world for example where one day you have to wear high heels and round noses and the next itrsquos flat hairy elephant feet-like boots that must hug your feet Or take the automotive world where once upon a time you could never have enough chrome on your car or the food world where we have quietly moved from fast to green and wholesome or the TV world which used to be about fiction and is now more real than reality Some of these trends are great to join and surf like a once in a lifetime tsunami others can slip by unnoticed and others still keep bugging and bugging you even if you try to avoid them like the plague
The online world and specifically the social media universe eats through trends like a fat chick after a hunger strike Facebook in particular seems to move seamlessly from one hype to the next one day itrsquos pictures with fuzzy edges or a bit of a 1970s filter the next itrsquos a profile picture with you very consciously not looking into the camera (very spontaneously and naturally non-posing you might say) These are mostly harmless things if Irsquom honest and when everyone
stops liking them they fade away as quickly as the sun in our small wet country There is one trend however that has festered within Facebook from the very beginning and which seems to be gradually growing and growing without anyone ever liking the postshellip and I mean EVER
Yes I am talking about daily quotes words of wisdom holy quotes mesmerizingly philosophical quotes cheesy quotes religious quoteshellip How can I describe all of them in one easy sentence pieces of text from (famous) people (it can never be something you thought of yourself) that lsquodisclosersquo previously secret information about being happy in life (or at least previously secret to the person doing the posting I presume) In short texts that belong on tiles hanging on the wall in old Dutch peoplersquos toilets
Why
Here are a few I found in my news feed this week
ldquoA mind is like a parachute It doesnrsquot work if it is not openrdquo ndash Frank Zappa
ldquoIt is not because things are difficult that we do not dare it is because we do not dare that things are difficultrdquo ndash Seneca
ldquoIf you donrsquot take what you are doing seriously then nobody else willrdquo ndash Darryl Dlt Thomson
Bad trends would be good if they werenrsquot so bad
85trends
86classifi eds
87classifieds
One of my personal favourite gemstones is moonstone Itlsquos been around for centuries and is used in many cultures As suggested by its name the stone is highly associated with the moon and moon goddess Diana It brings calm peace and love and is said to become more powerful when the moon is full so thatlsquos the best time to wear it One proverb even claims that moonstone can bring you love that will fly you to the moon Spiritually this amazing stone is said to enhance intuition and is always associated with the self It is a very powerful personal stone which doesnlsquot add or remove any aspects of the personality but merely reflects the person wearing it It is said to be very
MoonstoneBy Evelina Kvartunaite
ndash
lsquoThe stone is highly associated with the moon and moon goddess Dianarsquo
ndash
helpful for people who are very sensitive and it is also used in meditation for reflecting oneself Itlsquos always best to charge your gem when the moon is shining at night either while wearing it or by leaving it on a windowsill that receives moonlight Moonstone is also used in healing and is known for balancing the internal organ systems enabling them to work in stable cycles Itlsquos usually more associated with women but is also known to help men embrace their more emotional side soft creative energies and optimism Perhaps understandably moonstone should have limited exposure to strong direct sunlight
ndash
lsquoIt is said to be very helpful for people who are very sensitiversquo
ndash
88
health amp well-being
ndash
lsquoMore associated with women but is also known to help men embrace their more emotional sidersquo
ndash
89health amp well-being
In his article Batin shows how learning how to use complex products is like learning a computer game Just like the challenges in video games match the skills of the user so should TV interactions or any UI interactions for that matter For reference Batin used the four levels described in the Dreyfus model of skill acquisition
Level 1 novicebullRigid adherence to taught rules or plansbullNo exercise of lsquodiscretionary judgmentrsquo
Level 2 Advanced beginnerbullLimited lsquosituational perceptionrsquobullAll aspects of work treated separately with equal importance
Philip Batin wrote an article a couple of months ago about the next big idea in User Interaction gadgets that adapt to your skills As gadgets become more complicated UIs must be able to teach their users over time Apparently more and more interactive products are being returned In 2002 48 of all returned products were technically fully functional but were rejected for failing to satisfy user needs 20 purely due to customer remorse Even though a product may have all the features one can hope for complexity and bad user experience can prevent users from integrating it into their lives
UserInterfaceThe next big thing in UX
lsquoUIs must be able to teach their users over timersquo
By Andrei Barburas
lsquoComplexity and bad user experience can prevent users from
integrating it into their livesrsquo
90
technology
book the majority of which you probably skipped through
Personally I believe that there are certain end users most likely the majority that use only a limited set of features from any device they buy Mobile phones have become indispensable tools in our daily activities yet the average Joe has no idea about the full potential of a smart phone The same applies to Smart TVs they can do lots of things yet the only thing that we do with them is flip channels and complain how bad the shows are
The bottom line is that itrsquos definitely something worth thinking about not only from an operating system perspective but also from the perspective of applications developers
Level 3 competentbulllsquoCoping with crowdednessrsquo (multiple activities accumulation of information)bullSome perception of actions in relation to goalsbullDeliberate planningbullFormulates routines
Level 4 ProficientbullHolistic view of situationbullPrioritizes importance of aspectsbulllsquoPerceives deviations from the normal patternrsquobullEmploys maxim for guidance with meanings that adapt to the situation at hand
Now just imagine a User Interface that adapts based on what you can do and the abilities you have As you learn new things new levels of complexity are unlocked opening the door to fully knowing your device because you learned by doing and not by reading a complicated
lsquoThe average Joe has no idea about the full potential of a
smart phonersquo
91technology
92classifi eds
93classifi eds
Not knowing what was happening in football was extremely annoying to put it mildly and it wasnrsquot just my own self-denial and avoidance of all things football that was a hindrance the extent to which I had to ask others to go in order to remain ignorant was much more excruciating than Irsquod ever imagined There may even be some damage done to football-related friendships that is irreparable I now feel as though Irsquom walking through an empty stadium after everyone else has gone home
So what now and where to next The season is well and truly over and Irsquom free to do whatever I want I could read the back-dated sports pages check all the stats and find out all the facts if I wanted to I could spend hours catching up on last season and speculating on the next with the friends Irsquove still got left down the pub if I wanted to I can follow all the transfer gossip watch pre-season friendlies and build up all my hopes But as with most addictions that would simply be falling back into a previous state of dependence and everything Irsquove just put myself through wouldrsquove been for nothing So how do I go back to an old habit without a total relapse or would it be better to keep abstaining
All my questions seem to be met with other questions and no solutions On the other hand if you ask me what
Someone once said that insanity is when you keep repeating the same behaviour and expect a different outcome most likely a psychologist aimed at his or her ailing patients But for me these words are more reminiscent of my own conduct over the course of a regular football season Week in week out season after season I would expect Tottenham to win something and more often than not Irsquod be left disappointed So I decided to stop No more football ndash at least not for one full season
The season 201213 is now over and during the whole nine months I didnrsquot watch a single moment of football or read a single article on the subject That was my challenge and I was committed to it What is more despite all the warning signs I didnrsquot relapse After a year of structured punishment I didnrsquot have a clue about what was going on in the English Premier League (or any other league) Only having picked up bits and pieces of information that somehow slipped through the net the past season was like a book with most of its pages missing
By Simon Joseph
On The Volley
The Return of the Repressed or the Point of No Return
lsquoInsanity is when you keep repeating the same behaviour and expect a different outcomersquo
sport
lsquoThe past season was like a book with most of its pages missingrsquo
94
lsquoThere may even be some damage done to football-related friendshipsrsquo
lsquoHas abstaining for a season changed mersquo
it until the cows come home but it was us who made those changes or at least allowed them to happen and those changes will continue to happen with or without me Perhaps then the questions I should be asking are has abstaining for a season changed me Am I still obsessed or have I broken the habit of a lifetime Is following football really that terrible or even a real addiction
One thing is certain this lack of resolution is not completely without satisfaction because like all forms of fixation or obsession therersquos comfort and familiarity to be found in repetition as Tottenham miss out on Championrsquos League football by a single point again The repressed will always return to haunt us or so it seems and before we know it the start of next season will be upon us There will be more pain no doubt and more joy This time however it will take more than a boot camp approach to keep me away and who knows Tottenham might even win the league Come on you Spurs
Tottenham Hotspur means I would still tell you that itrsquos not just a pretty football package itrsquos about kith and kin not just where I came from but how I relate to others around me in the here and now Whatrsquos more millions of people are attracted to football they hunger for it and yearn to connect with it even though I still believe itrsquos a form of ineffective escape from one unsatisfying reality to another Following football is a classic example of cognitive dissonance ndash when you simultaneously entertain two opposing thoughts that appear to cancel each other out Before the start of each season for example we all want our club to win everything or to be taken over by billionaires but know that itrsquos impossible or in the latter case controversial and even undesirable So we invent ways to cope We develop a so-called lsquosiege mentalityrsquo or other harmful patterns of behaviour to relieve the discomfort of incongruity With this in mind the past year was supposed to be an exercise in behaviour modification ndash to discover the root of the problem and treat it effectively But one year on have I really discovered anything at all
The English Premier League whether you watch it or not is still probably the most exciting football league in the world We can complain about the changes made to
sport9
5
By Denson Pierre
The Gold Room
Fantasy Football Gold ndash Champions League 2012-2013 winner Denson Pierre and his prizes
The season petered out in an all-German Champions League Final which did nothing to dispel the record that this was a season of too few new stars or regular spectacle We look forward to the next season as it ought not be too difficult to create more excitement than in the one just pastWe did have the opportunity to hand over the envelopes and trophies to the Sentinel Fantasy Football game winners This year all the major winners from the Sentinel Fantasy Football League were unable to be present for the physical prize giving but the winner of the Gold Game and focus of this column was there to receive his prize for winning the master game in styleSo we retire the Gold Room until the beginning of the new football season See you all again then
96
sport
Matt Parker receives his third place and Manager of the Month prizes for the Sentinel Fantasy Football League
Charles Conneely Sentinel Fantasy Football League 2012-2013 Champion
97sport
wwwczechtourismcom
CZECH REPUBLIC - STUNNINGLY DIFFERENT
98
classifi eds
4feature
Qualitynextdoor
By Denson Pierre
A few weeks ago I learned from a local client that the folk from a Haarlem-based brewery were to visit their establishment here in Amsterdam The brewery in question happens to be one of the fastest growing in the Netherlands and not only did a salesman and his director show up to borrel but a fair proportion of the entire workforce
lsquoAmsterdam has changed so much on a social level in recent yearsrsquo
5feature
feature
lsquoI was reminded of a time when Amsterdam-based companies used to do these nice thingsrsquo
6
Amsterdam has changed so much on a social level in recent years with an entirely new generation new to city life and certainly new to Amsterdam occupying public and private real estate Behaviours and expectations are very much in flux as the Amsterdam so immortalised as a cool rebellious sharing and fun place is being replaced by a more showy place but lacking in a certain kind of content It is home to newer masses of service industry and IT-oriented young professionals while artists and conjurers become somewhat marginalised usually through pricing
I went to meet the people from the brewery and would eventually be invited to visit their very impressive operations at Jopenkerk Haarlem To have met them on a company outing spending in the very bars they supply with their fine selection of A-class beers dented my developing idea that all suppliers are just out to maximise profit and share no regard for our desire to feel that we are dealing with other human beings when constructing our affairs of fun and indulgence It may have been old-fashioned marketing andor a calculated attempt to show business clients that the products they deliver are made by a team of happy and proud people or just chance But it was such a nice touch that I was reminded of a time when Amsterdam-based companies used to do these nice things more often On the simplest of levels and given that it is not a fully concessionary arrangement it offers the client bars about ninety minutes of at least 25 dedicated lovers of beer giving a nice little boost to takings while celebrating their business linkage
This was one of the most sensible and heart-warming corporate acts I have observed in Amsterdam for quite some time Individual hospitality businesses can do similar things from time to time but to have a manu-facturer and supplier recycling money through your business is just a refreshing act which they plan to repeat every couple of months with other partner businesses
To complete the story I went to visit Jopen at its base of operations in Haarlem soon afterwards What an opportunity to remind myself that somehow given that I consider Haarlem to be one of the most gorgeous cities I have ever come across I had not made the journey there for more than ten years The point being that it takes me longer to cycle across greater Amsterdam (25 minutes) than it does to hop on a train and stroll out into historic Haarlem such a natural and effortless trip to make
After a leisurely stroll through historic Haarlem taking in the beauty of the place I finally arrived at the terrace of Jopenkerk and the gods of sunshine turned up the intensity at that very moment All of the red prominent in the breweryrsquos branding made the square look like the aftermath of an explosion in a sweet shop The building containing the brewery cafeacute and restaurant is of course a redesigned large church (kerk) and the entire place is simply beautiful When I started to interview the owners business managers and brewers about their history strategy and beer I began to realise what an inspiring and comfortable place it is much aided by the extraordinarily friendly employees and the owners and managers themselves I was joined a little later by the women of No Office Studios Amsterdam to help me assess the full experience of being present at this capital historic hospitality-concept establishment
It is not really the place of a lead feature to endorse commercial operations but Jopen its beer and its people are so well worked out and presented that it should be on every Amsterdammerrsquos radar as a particularly warm aspect to plan into a little trip to our neighbouring city It is well worth it In Amsterdam meanwhile these A-class beers are currently available at Cafeacute Bax Gollem Cafeacute Kostverloren and Cafeacute de Toog Haarlem is closer than you think
lsquoOur desire to feel that we are dealing with other human beings when constructing our affairs of
fun and indulgencersquo
7feature
feature
lsquoI went to visit Jopen at its base of operations in Haarlemrsquo
8
9feature
10feature
11feature
12feature
feature13
feature14
feature15
lsquoSuch a natural and effortless trip to makersquo
16feature
feature17
18feature
feature19
feature20
feature21
feature22
feature
feature
lsquoJopen its beer and its people are so well worked out and presented
that it should be on every Amsterdammerrsquos radarrsquo
feature23
Get advice on housing rental contracts and apartments in Amsterdam
wwwwswonennlenglish
wwwconsultancymarketmediacom
- Account Manager Market Media- (Internship) International Marketing Executive
we are looking for
24classifieds
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Here are some of our local partners
Enter (click) to learn why they work with us
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Dam in 60 minutes
By Sam van Dam
perspectives
Rembrandtplein26
perspectives
Last time out I took you up North to the beautiful island of Marken Since that was a somewhat longer trip than some readers might want to take by bike this time our journey is a short one that can even be done on foot to Rembrandtplein The adventure starts at Central Station turn your back on the visually pleasing building that facilitates the arrival of visitors to our hometown and head towards Damrak Amsterdamrsquos lsquoRed Carpetrsquo and home these days to gazillions of restaurants shops bars cafeacutes and of course the nearby world-famous Red Light District all of which wersquoll simply ignore This is easier said than done as there is so much to see so many temptations that demand your attention and try to make you spend your euros before you have even entered the actual city As you walk down Damrak you start to see the buildings situated around Dam Square the central point of Amsterdam offering such delights as the Royal Palace Madame Tussauds the Nieuwekerk the war memorial and other landmarks that define this famous square Rotate 360 degrees to take it all in and then move toward Rokin or if you are in mood for some shopping walk down Kalverstraat instead Yoursquore bound to find something you like in the hundreds of shops lining one of Amsterdamrsquos two main shopping streets Keep walking straight on and just to your right yoursquoll find Spui a lovely square that is regularly home to art and book markets if you have the time You can find a multitude of interesting and inspiring items there or just grab a coffee and sit on one of the benches taking in the scene Once you are done enjoying Spui itrsquos time to get back on track so return to the RokinKalverstraat and head to the right (south) not forgetting to take a closer look
at the statue of former Queen Wilhelmina and her horse standing proudly at the bridge opposite This is also the starting point for boat tours if you want to take a little time out from your stroll to Rembrandtplein get a ticket and hop on one of the very typical 70s-style boats that constantly criss-cross the watery arteries of Amsterdam These typical 1970s-style barges provide a visual impression of the city that looks familiar yet very different a pleasure that locals and visitors alike appreciate very much every time
When you have returned from the water tour return to Rokin and keep walking towards Munt which is easily recognisable by its old-style tower featuring a clockwork chime that marks the hour and enhances the scenery in this part of town along with the Hotel De LrsquoEurope just across the way You could also take a pit-stop there while enjoying the view over the Amstel and the hundreds of little boats filled with chillaxing people at least on sunny days You can dwell on the fact that life in Amsterdam often seems so easy and beautiful that it entices visitors to return again and again You are now very close to your final destination so cross the road and enter the Reguliersbreestraat Marvel at the beauty of the Tuschinski Theater as you continue towards the wide open square that is our last stop Grab a drink or some ice-cream while you find yourself a nice spot on the grassy circular central area of the Rembrandtplein where you can spend hours looking at the beautiful buildings the relaxing people and the artists selling their work This is also where you can find me presenting a fine selection of my photo prints of what to me is the best city in the world So if itrsquos not raining come by and enjoy my photographic impressions of Amsterdam they make awesome souvenirs to take home with you Irsquom looking forward to meeting you on lsquomyrsquo square
lsquoOur journey is a short one that can even be done on footrsquo
27
28perspectives
29perspectives
lsquo1970s-style barges provide a visual impression of the city that looks familiar yet very differentrsquo
30perspectives
31perspectives
32perspectives
33perspectives
lsquoMarvel at the beauty of the Tuschinski Theaterrsquo
34perspectives
35perspectives
lsquoRotate 360 degrees to take it all inrsquo
36perspectives
lsquoRotate 360 degrees to take it all inrsquo
37perspectives
38perspectives
39perspectives
40
perspectives
41perspectives
42featureperspectives
feature4
3perspectives
44
featureperspectives
feature4
5perspectives
lsquoTake a closer look at the statue of former Queen Wilhelmina and her horsersquo
46
perspectives
lsquoThis is also where you can find me presenting a fine selection of my
photo printsrsquo
47perspectives
perspectives4
8
perspectives4
9
For complete and world class tours of Prague
Packages includebull Hidden and playful Prague (for families with young children)bull Literary Praguebull Prague Architecture through the agesbull Religion and the citybull The old city at night
These are detailed tours designed for visitors who wish to explore with great detail and not suitable for simply sight-seeing tourists
Day segments and ratesPR 0800-1230hrs AG 1330-1630hrs UE 1730-2130hrsAll sessions are priced at u 25 per single adult Group size upper limit = 8 Accompanied children under the age of five are gratis and school aged children pay 25 Family package rates are negotiable
ContactJaroslav Cernosek+420 602 228 797Mail jcernosekcentrumcz
wwwyourtuliptourcom
JC Tours
50classifieds
51classifieds
CafeacuteBar Review Van Mechelen
cafebar review52
Van MechelenSloterkade 96-97 Amsterdam
It may be the new hype in the city as far as grand cafeacute and restaurant concepts go but Van Mechelen is already approaching excellence Considering its handy location in another pretty neighbourhood of Amsterdam South it is almost a lsquomust visitrsquo place that has created a theme built on the Burgundian enjoyment of life good food complemented with top-class beer and wine If you want a taste of what it feels like to visit a cafeacute-restaurant in Mechelen Belgium Van Mechelen is an easy way for an Amsterdammer to savour this experience and is just a short cycle ride away
ambianceBurgundian Rating 5
StaffregularsMembers of staff are clearly very well trained and this adds to the light and airy atmosphere Having opened for business just three months ago those who have fallen in love with the place and its consumables have not yet had time to clock up the number of visits and connections to be considered lsquoregularsrsquo Rating 5
televised sportNo space within the design and layout for this form of distraction Rating 3
PricesSurprisingly these are within the lsquonormalrsquo range for this level and quality of fare Outstandingly fairly priced snacks and nibbles are also offered to help you along as you take on the fine (Mechelen brewery group Alken-Maes) beers and wines When did you last enjoy a generous portion of fresh olives for a mere euro250 Rating 5
MusicAt the time of review the establishment was fairly packed out The atmosphere is conducive to chats and hilarity and although the selection of tunes could be heard far in the background the sound system may well have more kick It should as the building is of such a solid constitution that it should contain noise and not easily upset the neighbours Rating 5
Smoking area provisionFortunately for puffers the originally industrial nature of the address means that the former loading bay and entranceexit areas have become two naturally covered terrace areas separated from the luscious interior by huge glass-panelled doors Rating 5
total rating 2830(Rating from 1-5 where 1 = Very poor and 5 = Excellent)
By Denson Pierre
lsquoThe new hype in the city as far as grand cafeacute and restaurant concepts gorsquo
cafebar review53
lsquoMembers of staff are clearly very well trainedrsquo
cafebar review54
cafebar review55
lsquoOutstandingly fairly priced snacks and nibbles are also offeredrsquo
cafebar review56
cafebar review57
lsquoThe atmosphere is conducive to chats and hilarityrsquo
cafebar review58
cafebar review59
scamsterdam
lifestyles60
By Valeria Scimia
Unemployed international and looking for a job in the Netherlands Not only must you face the everyday hell that is job-seeking but now you must also beware of scam companies Yes theyrsquove arrived here too
I was recently contacted by an ostensibly legitimate company that wanted to hire me The contact took the form of what appeared to be a genuine e-mail complete with website and logo from a company in Australia that seemed absolutely legitimate (I have since contacted the company to warn them that someone overseas is using their name and logo to scam people) The e-mail explained that the company was opening an office in Holland and was looking for people who would handle the back-office orders It contained a form to be filled in and returned if I was interested in the position the form asked for all my personal information including my bank details I had been looking for a job and was interested in the offer so I filled in and sent off the form and my CV Once they received my e-mail they asked me to start a trial period without practically explaining anything of what the job was actually about I didnrsquot immediately reply so they called me the next day asking me to start immediately with the trial period promising lots of benefits once the contract was signed I hadnrsquot met anyone at this point only telephone interviews and that already didnrsquot seem right to me I asked them to send me more information by e-mail about what I was meant to do and a few moments later I received a response asking me to make a bank transfer to show them I was trustworthy The lsquotrialrsquo implied that they would send me some money and I had to transfer half via GWK or MoneyTransfer to one of their clients and keep the other half This smelled very fishy to the Italian in me In reality they could be sending a cheque to the bank which would register an income that would later bounce after I had already made the payment to their lsquoclientrsquo On top of losing money the person that tried to lsquohirersquo meyou
would have been untraceable No one was even picking up the phone at the number given in the e-mail and the company they claimed to represent wasnrsquot even active in Europe
So I said no and told them I was no longer interested They even had the gumption to call me back and ask me why I wouldnrsquot do it I gave them a silly excuse so as not to give them any more information or tips on how to improve their scummy scam I am happy I started checking their contacts as soon as their promises seemed too good to be true even if I am still angry I allowed them to data-mine all of my information when I sent them my CV and filled in their form
It beggars belief that they set up an entire facade in these times of work despair and it really doesnrsquot feel right especially because therersquos not much I can do about it now apart from inform people I didnrsquot think this would ever happen here in this country where everything has to be or always seems to be so legitimate But I guess some things never change and a place doesnrsquot make the people and certainly doesnrsquot influence the choices they make I just wanted to share my experience to alert everyone to the possible scam If a company contacts you and asks you to return a form including your bank details when you have never met anyone face-to-face it should make your antennas extend and remember to double-check their credibility Apparently it is illegal to ask such questions of someone here so donrsquot fall for it as I did As I am still waiting to hear from the company in Australia I didnrsquot feel it was proper to disclose its name publicly just yet plus I am not sure the scammers always use the same company as a fake front But what they ask you to do is more or less always the same so keep your eyes open to the little details
lsquoYou face the everyday hell that is job-seeking but now you must also beware of scam companiesrsquo
lsquoThis smelled very fishy to the Italian in mersquo
lsquoThe form asked for all my personal informationrsquo
lifestyles6
1
Je moet er geweest zijn
62classifieds
MechelenAuthentic and full of surprises Thatrsquos Mechelen Hospitable and honourable Thatrsquos the people of Mechelen Come and experience the cityrsquos urban charms for yourself Mechelen
Authentic and full of surprises Thatrsquos Mechelen Hospitable and honourable Thatrsquos the people of Mechelen Come and experience the cityrsquos urban charms for yourself
photography copy Milo Profi
classifieds63
classifieds
How to hang out in
Amsterdam
By ER Muntrem
perspectives
It is not against the rules for babies to cry in cafeacutes It happens Mostly they sleep or sit in someonersquos lap with commendable decorum Otherwise kids in cafeacutes tend to nosh a little less than their elders and handle crayons a little more And while anyone who toddles behind the bar will certainly get caught they can always claim they were encouraged to toddle there in the first place
Dutch parents and I realise this is hard to prove seem to let their kids wander a metre or two further away from them than parents from other developed countries that universal ldquowhere is sherdquo look delayed five or ten seconds If this extra distance is a sign of perceived safety cafeacute culture must help teach it
Except for chefs all cafeacute workers do more or less all the jobs required to run a cafeacute They all wait on tables
serve hot and cold drinks set up outdoor furniture load and retrieve supplies take the garbage out wash glasses light candles arrange flowers unfurl the awning and ring up the bill When the young guy or girl greets you you may know they are not the owner but for the moment they are the face of the establishment It may as well be their place
Admittedly I am seduced by places where waiters donrsquot work for tips where the rushed pace of eating in a restaurant in America does not exist In a cafeacute you can do what you want for as long as you want and get food and drink while you do it Pretty cool and as much a baseline for how to hang out in Amsterdam as cycling is for how to get around
Places to eat and drink owned by corporations have to package experience to deliver it Whatrsquos our brand How can our managers and servers be most efficient How ultimately can we be number one Not something most cafeacutes seem to be worried about and where the universal signs for lsquowe are having a good time togetherrsquo
lsquoCafeacute culture must help teachrsquo lsquoI am seduced by places where waiters donrsquot work for tipsrsquo
64
perspectives
or lsquoI am happy here by myselfrsquo (clinked glasses or absorption in a newspaper say) are routinely in evidence This is one true grace of democracy the average worth smiling about
At cafeacutes co-workers have a beer before or after their shift friends drop by or a regular pops in with some news The stream of customers they donrsquot have to woo and donrsquot have to lsquoworkrsquo gives the whole thing a slightly familial living room perfectly public feel that makes the work far less of a personality crimp than working at Starbucks Or so it seems I do not mean to pretend carrying drinks across the street to the canal side seating or giving obvious directions yet again is always glorious but most people who work in cafeacutersquos laugh and smile a fair bit almost as much as the patrons
And when the owner of a cafeacute is of a generation older than those working there as is usually the case it lends a wise uncle or mother hen feel to the proceedings In the daytime no one is ever too caught up in his or her designated title to ignore a baby on the move And at
night the crowd of drinkers may as well be at a party hosted by their parents or kids or both
Itrsquos not all about money cafeacute culture churns towards the civilised without grinding anyone too far down As well as pleasure there is power in this The best distillation I know of what democracy should be came from a young woman working at Cafeacute Captein With our meal in front of us my friend noticed he was missing his salad Flagged down the young woman went to investigate ldquoItrsquos on its wayrdquo she said ldquoI told my boss to do itrdquo
Imagine we told Putin to do it We told Obama to do it We told the bankers to do it
lsquoMost people who work in cafeacutersquos laugh and smile a fair bitrsquo
lsquoCafeacute culture churns towards the civilised without grinding anyone too far downrsquo
65
66
featurecity gem
lsquoThe last of the large independent music stores left standing in Amsterdamrsquo
CITY GEM
67
Concerto
By Denson Pierre
ConcertoUtrechtsestraat 60 1017 VP Amsterdam
it is a rush when on a full stomach you can make an instant decision on where your next city-centre lunch will be taken it is almost ecstasy when the venue is situated in a music shop which for decades has been defined by its exceptional range and quality of music available in amsterdam Concerto is the last of the large independent music stores left standing in amsterdam all the others have long since been killed off by everything from the advance in recording and playback technologies to habitual illegal downloaders only now realising that their behaviour has an impact right back down to street level despite what they might think about the giant studios and recording companies
Concerto has not stuck but has twisted Since September it has incorporated a cute cafeacute
and lunch area within its premises as well as introducing a bookshop and lounge area making it possible to spend an almost nostalgic time there over several hours It still has a vast range of the very best music in vinyl (both new and second-hand) and CD form DVDs DJ equipment and even gear used for live musical performances Itrsquos a gold mine
If it has taken this clever adaptation in space utilisation to keep this institution viable and available to Amsterdam-based music lovers then I personally wish to support this venture and help mean this type of music retailer to remain part of the city scene For people of a certain age there is something infinitely more appealing about physically handling recorded material appreciating the artwork in its packaging having a listen and then deciding if it is a purchase you would like to make Even though non-digital stockpiling has become rather passeacute I challenge you to visit Concerto and its new cafeacute and bookshop concept and not end up spending more time in this true city gem than you had anticipated
lsquoIt has incorporated a cute cafeacute and lunch area within its premises as well as introducing a bookshop and lounge arearsquo
city gem
68
city gem
69city gem
city gem70
city gem71
72city gem
lsquoThere is something infinitely more appealing about physically
handling recorded material appreciating the artwork in its
packagingrsquo
73city gem
74classifi eds
75classifi eds
classifi edsclassifi eds76
amsterdam city life
BrinG BaCK
Something that seems to have been watered down considerably in Amsterdamrsquos hospitality industry in recent years is independence of thought styling and designAll you have to do is walk around the city to note that way too many coffeesoup houses and cafeacutes are more or less identikit This also applies to many cafeacutes with unimaginative business leaders who open unoriginal looking spaces and hope that the use of white paint purple or blue lights and house music is all it takes
Luckily there is something brewing to save our days and nights I have come across cafeacute owners who are now seriously considering ending the arrangements they have with the giant drink suppliers There are actually no good arguments left for continuing with these huge multinationals as they are frankly more expensive at wholesale for the same A-class products than the supermarkets on every Amsterdammerrsquos street corner
It looks like space is being created for the smaller brewers to take up the supply of A-class beer to smaller establishments throughout the city The giants can keep their character-free tourist traps and those bars still able to benefit purely from their unbeatable locations throughout the city
The Sentinel says bring back better and more original businesses of scale within the local hospitality industry which will help more cafeacutes and bars not only to become distinguishable by the interior designs they will need to conjure but also through the variety of local and regional beers that could become part of their coherent identity The overriding benefit of such courageous thinking and action would be an immediate return to realistic and reasonable pricing for A-class beer in Amsterdam which remains the staple of the easy consumables as this recession drones on
By Denson Pierre
INDEPENDENT CAFeacuteSBARS
77
78star beer guide
Star Beer
The SentinelStar beer guide
lsquoDifferent beers can seem to weigh on the conscience as much as on the taste budsrsquo
Just like the changing of the seasons different beers can seem to weigh on the conscience as much as on the taste buds Ciney blond is a lovely almost effeminate tasting beer All light smooth fruitiness bolstered by substantial alcohol content
As the temperature increases it can even feel like a thirst quencher A nice session beer and one that could function as an entrance-level quality beer in terms of its complexity For advanced samplers it is a great lower platform to descend to after cruising the space occupied by the 8-plus percentage alcoholic beauties
Ciney blond is brewed by Alken-Maes Mechelen Belgium
By Denson Pierre
CINEY BLOND (7 ABV)
79star beer guide
We find the best most fun most typical exciting or local favourite restaurants etcetera in Amsterdam and bring them to you an easy way to feel like a local
Cafe Kostverloren 040606
Recommended
80recommended
EUROGIFTSXenonweg 9 3812 SZ Amersfoort
Tel 033 - 454 35 75 - Fax 033 - 454 35 79E-mail lmproefeurogiftsnl
Website wwweurogiftsnl
FILMPROEF
ORDERNUMMER 6021022ARTIKELNUMMER 65123
Ware grootte (indien uitgeprint)Kleur opdruk Wit
Mulligans Irish Music BarAmsterdamrsquos best address for live Irish music Five (5) nights a week Check our agenda for upcoming sessions Amstel 100 1017 AC Amsterdamwwwmulligansnl
Cafeacute KostverlorenCafeacute Kostverloren is a contemporary cafe offering the cosiness of a saloon an open kitchen and the intimacy of a living room The large terras is great for sunny days2e Kostverlorenkade 70 Amsterdamwwwcafekostverlorennl
ZestZest is fi ne food warm atmosphere and classy drinks with regular semi-acoustic (live) music and DJs (Thursday to Sunday) Amsterdamrsquos newest and freshestBilderdijkstraat 188 Amsterdamwwwfacebookcomclubzestnl
GollemGollemrsquos Proefl okaal Gollem and Gollem II represent the best addresses serving the fullest range of top Belgian Dutch and international beers in AmsterdamOvertoom 160-161wwwcafegollemnl
IncantoA restaurant with a classic Italian kitchen Venetian chef Simone Ambrosin is known for his pure and simple style of cooking with great feeling for nuanceAmstel 2 Amsterdamwwwrestaurant-incantonl
Planet RoseThe fi rst Caribbean restaurant in the Netherlands specialised in Jamaican cuisine The menu features a daily changing selectionNicolaas Beetsstraat 47 Amsterdamwwwplanetroseinfo
Cafe restaurant EdelCafe restaurant Edel is the perfect place for lunch dinner or to simply enjoy a drink Edel is a unique place in AmsterdamPostjesweg 1 1057 DT Amsterdamwwwedelamsterdamnl
Cafeacute OportoCafeacute Oporto is a traditional Amsterdam lsquobrown cafersquo Welcoming tourists and regular customers alike they offer televised sports wifi and a wide range of reasonably priced beers and spiritsZoutsteeg 1 1012 LX Amsterdamwwwcafeoportonet
BaxA cosy and friendly local cafeacute with a focus on special or interesting beers and good quality food Open 7 days a week with a professional kitchen offering a lunch and dinner serviceTen Katestraat 119 Amsterdamwwwcafebaxnl
To be seen and tasted Fun Drinking amp Music
To Be Seen and Tasted
Fun Drinking amp Music
Fun Drinking amp Music
Connoisseurs Delight
Connoisseurs Delight
Connoisseurs Delight
To Be Seen and Tasted
Neighbourhood cosy
Fun drinking and music
ParckGreat fun beautiful people and simply the best bar food in townOvertoom 428 Amsterdamwwwcafeparcknl
To be seen and tasted
Cafe de Toog1890rsquos grandeur fashioned into Amsterdam-West grand brown cafe-restaurant-cool Classy drinks and mealsNicolaas Beetsstraat 142 hs Amsterdam wwwcafedetoogcom
Opera Prima - Patisserie Bistro TraiteurThe best place in town for lunch exquisite high teas or brunches and all of your luxury catering both private and corporateKinkerstraat 228 Amsterdamwwwoperaprimanl
Recommended
81
Where is this inAmsterdamAnswer to sentinelpostgmailcom
82spotted
Room 2cfilm
ldquoCome on in boys the waterrsquos finerdquo This is arguably the best all-round and funny musical to come out of Hollywood in a generation and certainly one of the best three soundtracks of the same period George Clooney will never be as good or charming as he is here playing the accidental leader of a trio of chain gang escapees in the US south of the 1930s Spirituality meets the Ku Klux Klan all coloured by Virginia bluegrass
ldquoCall me Snakerdquo The coolest handle for a leading man (Kurt Russell) in any movie to date Here he is sent in on a heroic lsquoat all costrsquo one-man mission to rescue the president of the United States from the prison island Manhattan has become in a lsquofuturersquo representation of 1997 Air Force One has crashed there and the countdown is on Classic 1980s turn of the millennium dystopian vision with style pace and gadgetry
By dpmotions
By dpmotions
o Brother Where Art Thou (2000)
escape from new York (1981)
room2c83
84trends
lsquoTrends are great to join and surf like a once in a lifetime tsunamirsquo
By Dirkje Bakker-Pierre
Each and every micro-world has its own specific trends Take the fashion world for example where one day you have to wear high heels and round noses and the next itrsquos flat hairy elephant feet-like boots that must hug your feet Or take the automotive world where once upon a time you could never have enough chrome on your car or the food world where we have quietly moved from fast to green and wholesome or the TV world which used to be about fiction and is now more real than reality Some of these trends are great to join and surf like a once in a lifetime tsunami others can slip by unnoticed and others still keep bugging and bugging you even if you try to avoid them like the plague
The online world and specifically the social media universe eats through trends like a fat chick after a hunger strike Facebook in particular seems to move seamlessly from one hype to the next one day itrsquos pictures with fuzzy edges or a bit of a 1970s filter the next itrsquos a profile picture with you very consciously not looking into the camera (very spontaneously and naturally non-posing you might say) These are mostly harmless things if Irsquom honest and when everyone
stops liking them they fade away as quickly as the sun in our small wet country There is one trend however that has festered within Facebook from the very beginning and which seems to be gradually growing and growing without anyone ever liking the postshellip and I mean EVER
Yes I am talking about daily quotes words of wisdom holy quotes mesmerizingly philosophical quotes cheesy quotes religious quoteshellip How can I describe all of them in one easy sentence pieces of text from (famous) people (it can never be something you thought of yourself) that lsquodisclosersquo previously secret information about being happy in life (or at least previously secret to the person doing the posting I presume) In short texts that belong on tiles hanging on the wall in old Dutch peoplersquos toilets
Why
Here are a few I found in my news feed this week
ldquoA mind is like a parachute It doesnrsquot work if it is not openrdquo ndash Frank Zappa
ldquoIt is not because things are difficult that we do not dare it is because we do not dare that things are difficultrdquo ndash Seneca
ldquoIf you donrsquot take what you are doing seriously then nobody else willrdquo ndash Darryl Dlt Thomson
Bad trends would be good if they werenrsquot so bad
85trends
86classifi eds
87classifieds
One of my personal favourite gemstones is moonstone Itlsquos been around for centuries and is used in many cultures As suggested by its name the stone is highly associated with the moon and moon goddess Diana It brings calm peace and love and is said to become more powerful when the moon is full so thatlsquos the best time to wear it One proverb even claims that moonstone can bring you love that will fly you to the moon Spiritually this amazing stone is said to enhance intuition and is always associated with the self It is a very powerful personal stone which doesnlsquot add or remove any aspects of the personality but merely reflects the person wearing it It is said to be very
MoonstoneBy Evelina Kvartunaite
ndash
lsquoThe stone is highly associated with the moon and moon goddess Dianarsquo
ndash
helpful for people who are very sensitive and it is also used in meditation for reflecting oneself Itlsquos always best to charge your gem when the moon is shining at night either while wearing it or by leaving it on a windowsill that receives moonlight Moonstone is also used in healing and is known for balancing the internal organ systems enabling them to work in stable cycles Itlsquos usually more associated with women but is also known to help men embrace their more emotional side soft creative energies and optimism Perhaps understandably moonstone should have limited exposure to strong direct sunlight
ndash
lsquoIt is said to be very helpful for people who are very sensitiversquo
ndash
88
health amp well-being
ndash
lsquoMore associated with women but is also known to help men embrace their more emotional sidersquo
ndash
89health amp well-being
In his article Batin shows how learning how to use complex products is like learning a computer game Just like the challenges in video games match the skills of the user so should TV interactions or any UI interactions for that matter For reference Batin used the four levels described in the Dreyfus model of skill acquisition
Level 1 novicebullRigid adherence to taught rules or plansbullNo exercise of lsquodiscretionary judgmentrsquo
Level 2 Advanced beginnerbullLimited lsquosituational perceptionrsquobullAll aspects of work treated separately with equal importance
Philip Batin wrote an article a couple of months ago about the next big idea in User Interaction gadgets that adapt to your skills As gadgets become more complicated UIs must be able to teach their users over time Apparently more and more interactive products are being returned In 2002 48 of all returned products were technically fully functional but were rejected for failing to satisfy user needs 20 purely due to customer remorse Even though a product may have all the features one can hope for complexity and bad user experience can prevent users from integrating it into their lives
UserInterfaceThe next big thing in UX
lsquoUIs must be able to teach their users over timersquo
By Andrei Barburas
lsquoComplexity and bad user experience can prevent users from
integrating it into their livesrsquo
90
technology
book the majority of which you probably skipped through
Personally I believe that there are certain end users most likely the majority that use only a limited set of features from any device they buy Mobile phones have become indispensable tools in our daily activities yet the average Joe has no idea about the full potential of a smart phone The same applies to Smart TVs they can do lots of things yet the only thing that we do with them is flip channels and complain how bad the shows are
The bottom line is that itrsquos definitely something worth thinking about not only from an operating system perspective but also from the perspective of applications developers
Level 3 competentbulllsquoCoping with crowdednessrsquo (multiple activities accumulation of information)bullSome perception of actions in relation to goalsbullDeliberate planningbullFormulates routines
Level 4 ProficientbullHolistic view of situationbullPrioritizes importance of aspectsbulllsquoPerceives deviations from the normal patternrsquobullEmploys maxim for guidance with meanings that adapt to the situation at hand
Now just imagine a User Interface that adapts based on what you can do and the abilities you have As you learn new things new levels of complexity are unlocked opening the door to fully knowing your device because you learned by doing and not by reading a complicated
lsquoThe average Joe has no idea about the full potential of a
smart phonersquo
91technology
92classifi eds
93classifi eds
Not knowing what was happening in football was extremely annoying to put it mildly and it wasnrsquot just my own self-denial and avoidance of all things football that was a hindrance the extent to which I had to ask others to go in order to remain ignorant was much more excruciating than Irsquod ever imagined There may even be some damage done to football-related friendships that is irreparable I now feel as though Irsquom walking through an empty stadium after everyone else has gone home
So what now and where to next The season is well and truly over and Irsquom free to do whatever I want I could read the back-dated sports pages check all the stats and find out all the facts if I wanted to I could spend hours catching up on last season and speculating on the next with the friends Irsquove still got left down the pub if I wanted to I can follow all the transfer gossip watch pre-season friendlies and build up all my hopes But as with most addictions that would simply be falling back into a previous state of dependence and everything Irsquove just put myself through wouldrsquove been for nothing So how do I go back to an old habit without a total relapse or would it be better to keep abstaining
All my questions seem to be met with other questions and no solutions On the other hand if you ask me what
Someone once said that insanity is when you keep repeating the same behaviour and expect a different outcome most likely a psychologist aimed at his or her ailing patients But for me these words are more reminiscent of my own conduct over the course of a regular football season Week in week out season after season I would expect Tottenham to win something and more often than not Irsquod be left disappointed So I decided to stop No more football ndash at least not for one full season
The season 201213 is now over and during the whole nine months I didnrsquot watch a single moment of football or read a single article on the subject That was my challenge and I was committed to it What is more despite all the warning signs I didnrsquot relapse After a year of structured punishment I didnrsquot have a clue about what was going on in the English Premier League (or any other league) Only having picked up bits and pieces of information that somehow slipped through the net the past season was like a book with most of its pages missing
By Simon Joseph
On The Volley
The Return of the Repressed or the Point of No Return
lsquoInsanity is when you keep repeating the same behaviour and expect a different outcomersquo
sport
lsquoThe past season was like a book with most of its pages missingrsquo
94
lsquoThere may even be some damage done to football-related friendshipsrsquo
lsquoHas abstaining for a season changed mersquo
it until the cows come home but it was us who made those changes or at least allowed them to happen and those changes will continue to happen with or without me Perhaps then the questions I should be asking are has abstaining for a season changed me Am I still obsessed or have I broken the habit of a lifetime Is following football really that terrible or even a real addiction
One thing is certain this lack of resolution is not completely without satisfaction because like all forms of fixation or obsession therersquos comfort and familiarity to be found in repetition as Tottenham miss out on Championrsquos League football by a single point again The repressed will always return to haunt us or so it seems and before we know it the start of next season will be upon us There will be more pain no doubt and more joy This time however it will take more than a boot camp approach to keep me away and who knows Tottenham might even win the league Come on you Spurs
Tottenham Hotspur means I would still tell you that itrsquos not just a pretty football package itrsquos about kith and kin not just where I came from but how I relate to others around me in the here and now Whatrsquos more millions of people are attracted to football they hunger for it and yearn to connect with it even though I still believe itrsquos a form of ineffective escape from one unsatisfying reality to another Following football is a classic example of cognitive dissonance ndash when you simultaneously entertain two opposing thoughts that appear to cancel each other out Before the start of each season for example we all want our club to win everything or to be taken over by billionaires but know that itrsquos impossible or in the latter case controversial and even undesirable So we invent ways to cope We develop a so-called lsquosiege mentalityrsquo or other harmful patterns of behaviour to relieve the discomfort of incongruity With this in mind the past year was supposed to be an exercise in behaviour modification ndash to discover the root of the problem and treat it effectively But one year on have I really discovered anything at all
The English Premier League whether you watch it or not is still probably the most exciting football league in the world We can complain about the changes made to
sport9
5
By Denson Pierre
The Gold Room
Fantasy Football Gold ndash Champions League 2012-2013 winner Denson Pierre and his prizes
The season petered out in an all-German Champions League Final which did nothing to dispel the record that this was a season of too few new stars or regular spectacle We look forward to the next season as it ought not be too difficult to create more excitement than in the one just pastWe did have the opportunity to hand over the envelopes and trophies to the Sentinel Fantasy Football game winners This year all the major winners from the Sentinel Fantasy Football League were unable to be present for the physical prize giving but the winner of the Gold Game and focus of this column was there to receive his prize for winning the master game in styleSo we retire the Gold Room until the beginning of the new football season See you all again then
96
sport
Matt Parker receives his third place and Manager of the Month prizes for the Sentinel Fantasy Football League
Charles Conneely Sentinel Fantasy Football League 2012-2013 Champion
97sport
wwwczechtourismcom
CZECH REPUBLIC - STUNNINGLY DIFFERENT
98
classifi eds
Qualitynextdoor
By Denson Pierre
A few weeks ago I learned from a local client that the folk from a Haarlem-based brewery were to visit their establishment here in Amsterdam The brewery in question happens to be one of the fastest growing in the Netherlands and not only did a salesman and his director show up to borrel but a fair proportion of the entire workforce
lsquoAmsterdam has changed so much on a social level in recent yearsrsquo
5feature
feature
lsquoI was reminded of a time when Amsterdam-based companies used to do these nice thingsrsquo
6
Amsterdam has changed so much on a social level in recent years with an entirely new generation new to city life and certainly new to Amsterdam occupying public and private real estate Behaviours and expectations are very much in flux as the Amsterdam so immortalised as a cool rebellious sharing and fun place is being replaced by a more showy place but lacking in a certain kind of content It is home to newer masses of service industry and IT-oriented young professionals while artists and conjurers become somewhat marginalised usually through pricing
I went to meet the people from the brewery and would eventually be invited to visit their very impressive operations at Jopenkerk Haarlem To have met them on a company outing spending in the very bars they supply with their fine selection of A-class beers dented my developing idea that all suppliers are just out to maximise profit and share no regard for our desire to feel that we are dealing with other human beings when constructing our affairs of fun and indulgence It may have been old-fashioned marketing andor a calculated attempt to show business clients that the products they deliver are made by a team of happy and proud people or just chance But it was such a nice touch that I was reminded of a time when Amsterdam-based companies used to do these nice things more often On the simplest of levels and given that it is not a fully concessionary arrangement it offers the client bars about ninety minutes of at least 25 dedicated lovers of beer giving a nice little boost to takings while celebrating their business linkage
This was one of the most sensible and heart-warming corporate acts I have observed in Amsterdam for quite some time Individual hospitality businesses can do similar things from time to time but to have a manu-facturer and supplier recycling money through your business is just a refreshing act which they plan to repeat every couple of months with other partner businesses
To complete the story I went to visit Jopen at its base of operations in Haarlem soon afterwards What an opportunity to remind myself that somehow given that I consider Haarlem to be one of the most gorgeous cities I have ever come across I had not made the journey there for more than ten years The point being that it takes me longer to cycle across greater Amsterdam (25 minutes) than it does to hop on a train and stroll out into historic Haarlem such a natural and effortless trip to make
After a leisurely stroll through historic Haarlem taking in the beauty of the place I finally arrived at the terrace of Jopenkerk and the gods of sunshine turned up the intensity at that very moment All of the red prominent in the breweryrsquos branding made the square look like the aftermath of an explosion in a sweet shop The building containing the brewery cafeacute and restaurant is of course a redesigned large church (kerk) and the entire place is simply beautiful When I started to interview the owners business managers and brewers about their history strategy and beer I began to realise what an inspiring and comfortable place it is much aided by the extraordinarily friendly employees and the owners and managers themselves I was joined a little later by the women of No Office Studios Amsterdam to help me assess the full experience of being present at this capital historic hospitality-concept establishment
It is not really the place of a lead feature to endorse commercial operations but Jopen its beer and its people are so well worked out and presented that it should be on every Amsterdammerrsquos radar as a particularly warm aspect to plan into a little trip to our neighbouring city It is well worth it In Amsterdam meanwhile these A-class beers are currently available at Cafeacute Bax Gollem Cafeacute Kostverloren and Cafeacute de Toog Haarlem is closer than you think
lsquoOur desire to feel that we are dealing with other human beings when constructing our affairs of
fun and indulgencersquo
7feature
feature
lsquoI went to visit Jopen at its base of operations in Haarlemrsquo
8
9feature
10feature
11feature
12feature
feature13
feature14
feature15
lsquoSuch a natural and effortless trip to makersquo
16feature
feature17
18feature
feature19
feature20
feature21
feature22
feature
feature
lsquoJopen its beer and its people are so well worked out and presented
that it should be on every Amsterdammerrsquos radarrsquo
feature23
Get advice on housing rental contracts and apartments in Amsterdam
wwwwswonennlenglish
wwwconsultancymarketmediacom
- Account Manager Market Media- (Internship) International Marketing Executive
we are looking for
24classifieds
artist thinker
Here are some of our local partners
Enter (click) to learn why they work with us
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Dam in 60 minutes
By Sam van Dam
perspectives
Rembrandtplein26
perspectives
Last time out I took you up North to the beautiful island of Marken Since that was a somewhat longer trip than some readers might want to take by bike this time our journey is a short one that can even be done on foot to Rembrandtplein The adventure starts at Central Station turn your back on the visually pleasing building that facilitates the arrival of visitors to our hometown and head towards Damrak Amsterdamrsquos lsquoRed Carpetrsquo and home these days to gazillions of restaurants shops bars cafeacutes and of course the nearby world-famous Red Light District all of which wersquoll simply ignore This is easier said than done as there is so much to see so many temptations that demand your attention and try to make you spend your euros before you have even entered the actual city As you walk down Damrak you start to see the buildings situated around Dam Square the central point of Amsterdam offering such delights as the Royal Palace Madame Tussauds the Nieuwekerk the war memorial and other landmarks that define this famous square Rotate 360 degrees to take it all in and then move toward Rokin or if you are in mood for some shopping walk down Kalverstraat instead Yoursquore bound to find something you like in the hundreds of shops lining one of Amsterdamrsquos two main shopping streets Keep walking straight on and just to your right yoursquoll find Spui a lovely square that is regularly home to art and book markets if you have the time You can find a multitude of interesting and inspiring items there or just grab a coffee and sit on one of the benches taking in the scene Once you are done enjoying Spui itrsquos time to get back on track so return to the RokinKalverstraat and head to the right (south) not forgetting to take a closer look
at the statue of former Queen Wilhelmina and her horse standing proudly at the bridge opposite This is also the starting point for boat tours if you want to take a little time out from your stroll to Rembrandtplein get a ticket and hop on one of the very typical 70s-style boats that constantly criss-cross the watery arteries of Amsterdam These typical 1970s-style barges provide a visual impression of the city that looks familiar yet very different a pleasure that locals and visitors alike appreciate very much every time
When you have returned from the water tour return to Rokin and keep walking towards Munt which is easily recognisable by its old-style tower featuring a clockwork chime that marks the hour and enhances the scenery in this part of town along with the Hotel De LrsquoEurope just across the way You could also take a pit-stop there while enjoying the view over the Amstel and the hundreds of little boats filled with chillaxing people at least on sunny days You can dwell on the fact that life in Amsterdam often seems so easy and beautiful that it entices visitors to return again and again You are now very close to your final destination so cross the road and enter the Reguliersbreestraat Marvel at the beauty of the Tuschinski Theater as you continue towards the wide open square that is our last stop Grab a drink or some ice-cream while you find yourself a nice spot on the grassy circular central area of the Rembrandtplein where you can spend hours looking at the beautiful buildings the relaxing people and the artists selling their work This is also where you can find me presenting a fine selection of my photo prints of what to me is the best city in the world So if itrsquos not raining come by and enjoy my photographic impressions of Amsterdam they make awesome souvenirs to take home with you Irsquom looking forward to meeting you on lsquomyrsquo square
lsquoOur journey is a short one that can even be done on footrsquo
27
28perspectives
29perspectives
lsquo1970s-style barges provide a visual impression of the city that looks familiar yet very differentrsquo
30perspectives
31perspectives
32perspectives
33perspectives
lsquoMarvel at the beauty of the Tuschinski Theaterrsquo
34perspectives
35perspectives
lsquoRotate 360 degrees to take it all inrsquo
36perspectives
lsquoRotate 360 degrees to take it all inrsquo
37perspectives
38perspectives
39perspectives
40
perspectives
41perspectives
42featureperspectives
feature4
3perspectives
44
featureperspectives
feature4
5perspectives
lsquoTake a closer look at the statue of former Queen Wilhelmina and her horsersquo
46
perspectives
lsquoThis is also where you can find me presenting a fine selection of my
photo printsrsquo
47perspectives
perspectives4
8
perspectives4
9
For complete and world class tours of Prague
Packages includebull Hidden and playful Prague (for families with young children)bull Literary Praguebull Prague Architecture through the agesbull Religion and the citybull The old city at night
These are detailed tours designed for visitors who wish to explore with great detail and not suitable for simply sight-seeing tourists
Day segments and ratesPR 0800-1230hrs AG 1330-1630hrs UE 1730-2130hrsAll sessions are priced at u 25 per single adult Group size upper limit = 8 Accompanied children under the age of five are gratis and school aged children pay 25 Family package rates are negotiable
ContactJaroslav Cernosek+420 602 228 797Mail jcernosekcentrumcz
wwwyourtuliptourcom
JC Tours
50classifieds
51classifieds
CafeacuteBar Review Van Mechelen
cafebar review52
Van MechelenSloterkade 96-97 Amsterdam
It may be the new hype in the city as far as grand cafeacute and restaurant concepts go but Van Mechelen is already approaching excellence Considering its handy location in another pretty neighbourhood of Amsterdam South it is almost a lsquomust visitrsquo place that has created a theme built on the Burgundian enjoyment of life good food complemented with top-class beer and wine If you want a taste of what it feels like to visit a cafeacute-restaurant in Mechelen Belgium Van Mechelen is an easy way for an Amsterdammer to savour this experience and is just a short cycle ride away
ambianceBurgundian Rating 5
StaffregularsMembers of staff are clearly very well trained and this adds to the light and airy atmosphere Having opened for business just three months ago those who have fallen in love with the place and its consumables have not yet had time to clock up the number of visits and connections to be considered lsquoregularsrsquo Rating 5
televised sportNo space within the design and layout for this form of distraction Rating 3
PricesSurprisingly these are within the lsquonormalrsquo range for this level and quality of fare Outstandingly fairly priced snacks and nibbles are also offered to help you along as you take on the fine (Mechelen brewery group Alken-Maes) beers and wines When did you last enjoy a generous portion of fresh olives for a mere euro250 Rating 5
MusicAt the time of review the establishment was fairly packed out The atmosphere is conducive to chats and hilarity and although the selection of tunes could be heard far in the background the sound system may well have more kick It should as the building is of such a solid constitution that it should contain noise and not easily upset the neighbours Rating 5
Smoking area provisionFortunately for puffers the originally industrial nature of the address means that the former loading bay and entranceexit areas have become two naturally covered terrace areas separated from the luscious interior by huge glass-panelled doors Rating 5
total rating 2830(Rating from 1-5 where 1 = Very poor and 5 = Excellent)
By Denson Pierre
lsquoThe new hype in the city as far as grand cafeacute and restaurant concepts gorsquo
cafebar review53
lsquoMembers of staff are clearly very well trainedrsquo
cafebar review54
cafebar review55
lsquoOutstandingly fairly priced snacks and nibbles are also offeredrsquo
cafebar review56
cafebar review57
lsquoThe atmosphere is conducive to chats and hilarityrsquo
cafebar review58
cafebar review59
scamsterdam
lifestyles60
By Valeria Scimia
Unemployed international and looking for a job in the Netherlands Not only must you face the everyday hell that is job-seeking but now you must also beware of scam companies Yes theyrsquove arrived here too
I was recently contacted by an ostensibly legitimate company that wanted to hire me The contact took the form of what appeared to be a genuine e-mail complete with website and logo from a company in Australia that seemed absolutely legitimate (I have since contacted the company to warn them that someone overseas is using their name and logo to scam people) The e-mail explained that the company was opening an office in Holland and was looking for people who would handle the back-office orders It contained a form to be filled in and returned if I was interested in the position the form asked for all my personal information including my bank details I had been looking for a job and was interested in the offer so I filled in and sent off the form and my CV Once they received my e-mail they asked me to start a trial period without practically explaining anything of what the job was actually about I didnrsquot immediately reply so they called me the next day asking me to start immediately with the trial period promising lots of benefits once the contract was signed I hadnrsquot met anyone at this point only telephone interviews and that already didnrsquot seem right to me I asked them to send me more information by e-mail about what I was meant to do and a few moments later I received a response asking me to make a bank transfer to show them I was trustworthy The lsquotrialrsquo implied that they would send me some money and I had to transfer half via GWK or MoneyTransfer to one of their clients and keep the other half This smelled very fishy to the Italian in me In reality they could be sending a cheque to the bank which would register an income that would later bounce after I had already made the payment to their lsquoclientrsquo On top of losing money the person that tried to lsquohirersquo meyou
would have been untraceable No one was even picking up the phone at the number given in the e-mail and the company they claimed to represent wasnrsquot even active in Europe
So I said no and told them I was no longer interested They even had the gumption to call me back and ask me why I wouldnrsquot do it I gave them a silly excuse so as not to give them any more information or tips on how to improve their scummy scam I am happy I started checking their contacts as soon as their promises seemed too good to be true even if I am still angry I allowed them to data-mine all of my information when I sent them my CV and filled in their form
It beggars belief that they set up an entire facade in these times of work despair and it really doesnrsquot feel right especially because therersquos not much I can do about it now apart from inform people I didnrsquot think this would ever happen here in this country where everything has to be or always seems to be so legitimate But I guess some things never change and a place doesnrsquot make the people and certainly doesnrsquot influence the choices they make I just wanted to share my experience to alert everyone to the possible scam If a company contacts you and asks you to return a form including your bank details when you have never met anyone face-to-face it should make your antennas extend and remember to double-check their credibility Apparently it is illegal to ask such questions of someone here so donrsquot fall for it as I did As I am still waiting to hear from the company in Australia I didnrsquot feel it was proper to disclose its name publicly just yet plus I am not sure the scammers always use the same company as a fake front But what they ask you to do is more or less always the same so keep your eyes open to the little details
lsquoYou face the everyday hell that is job-seeking but now you must also beware of scam companiesrsquo
lsquoThis smelled very fishy to the Italian in mersquo
lsquoThe form asked for all my personal informationrsquo
lifestyles6
1
Je moet er geweest zijn
62classifieds
MechelenAuthentic and full of surprises Thatrsquos Mechelen Hospitable and honourable Thatrsquos the people of Mechelen Come and experience the cityrsquos urban charms for yourself Mechelen
Authentic and full of surprises Thatrsquos Mechelen Hospitable and honourable Thatrsquos the people of Mechelen Come and experience the cityrsquos urban charms for yourself
photography copy Milo Profi
classifieds63
classifieds
How to hang out in
Amsterdam
By ER Muntrem
perspectives
It is not against the rules for babies to cry in cafeacutes It happens Mostly they sleep or sit in someonersquos lap with commendable decorum Otherwise kids in cafeacutes tend to nosh a little less than their elders and handle crayons a little more And while anyone who toddles behind the bar will certainly get caught they can always claim they were encouraged to toddle there in the first place
Dutch parents and I realise this is hard to prove seem to let their kids wander a metre or two further away from them than parents from other developed countries that universal ldquowhere is sherdquo look delayed five or ten seconds If this extra distance is a sign of perceived safety cafeacute culture must help teach it
Except for chefs all cafeacute workers do more or less all the jobs required to run a cafeacute They all wait on tables
serve hot and cold drinks set up outdoor furniture load and retrieve supplies take the garbage out wash glasses light candles arrange flowers unfurl the awning and ring up the bill When the young guy or girl greets you you may know they are not the owner but for the moment they are the face of the establishment It may as well be their place
Admittedly I am seduced by places where waiters donrsquot work for tips where the rushed pace of eating in a restaurant in America does not exist In a cafeacute you can do what you want for as long as you want and get food and drink while you do it Pretty cool and as much a baseline for how to hang out in Amsterdam as cycling is for how to get around
Places to eat and drink owned by corporations have to package experience to deliver it Whatrsquos our brand How can our managers and servers be most efficient How ultimately can we be number one Not something most cafeacutes seem to be worried about and where the universal signs for lsquowe are having a good time togetherrsquo
lsquoCafeacute culture must help teachrsquo lsquoI am seduced by places where waiters donrsquot work for tipsrsquo
64
perspectives
or lsquoI am happy here by myselfrsquo (clinked glasses or absorption in a newspaper say) are routinely in evidence This is one true grace of democracy the average worth smiling about
At cafeacutes co-workers have a beer before or after their shift friends drop by or a regular pops in with some news The stream of customers they donrsquot have to woo and donrsquot have to lsquoworkrsquo gives the whole thing a slightly familial living room perfectly public feel that makes the work far less of a personality crimp than working at Starbucks Or so it seems I do not mean to pretend carrying drinks across the street to the canal side seating or giving obvious directions yet again is always glorious but most people who work in cafeacutersquos laugh and smile a fair bit almost as much as the patrons
And when the owner of a cafeacute is of a generation older than those working there as is usually the case it lends a wise uncle or mother hen feel to the proceedings In the daytime no one is ever too caught up in his or her designated title to ignore a baby on the move And at
night the crowd of drinkers may as well be at a party hosted by their parents or kids or both
Itrsquos not all about money cafeacute culture churns towards the civilised without grinding anyone too far down As well as pleasure there is power in this The best distillation I know of what democracy should be came from a young woman working at Cafeacute Captein With our meal in front of us my friend noticed he was missing his salad Flagged down the young woman went to investigate ldquoItrsquos on its wayrdquo she said ldquoI told my boss to do itrdquo
Imagine we told Putin to do it We told Obama to do it We told the bankers to do it
lsquoMost people who work in cafeacutersquos laugh and smile a fair bitrsquo
lsquoCafeacute culture churns towards the civilised without grinding anyone too far downrsquo
65
66
featurecity gem
lsquoThe last of the large independent music stores left standing in Amsterdamrsquo
CITY GEM
67
Concerto
By Denson Pierre
ConcertoUtrechtsestraat 60 1017 VP Amsterdam
it is a rush when on a full stomach you can make an instant decision on where your next city-centre lunch will be taken it is almost ecstasy when the venue is situated in a music shop which for decades has been defined by its exceptional range and quality of music available in amsterdam Concerto is the last of the large independent music stores left standing in amsterdam all the others have long since been killed off by everything from the advance in recording and playback technologies to habitual illegal downloaders only now realising that their behaviour has an impact right back down to street level despite what they might think about the giant studios and recording companies
Concerto has not stuck but has twisted Since September it has incorporated a cute cafeacute
and lunch area within its premises as well as introducing a bookshop and lounge area making it possible to spend an almost nostalgic time there over several hours It still has a vast range of the very best music in vinyl (both new and second-hand) and CD form DVDs DJ equipment and even gear used for live musical performances Itrsquos a gold mine
If it has taken this clever adaptation in space utilisation to keep this institution viable and available to Amsterdam-based music lovers then I personally wish to support this venture and help mean this type of music retailer to remain part of the city scene For people of a certain age there is something infinitely more appealing about physically handling recorded material appreciating the artwork in its packaging having a listen and then deciding if it is a purchase you would like to make Even though non-digital stockpiling has become rather passeacute I challenge you to visit Concerto and its new cafeacute and bookshop concept and not end up spending more time in this true city gem than you had anticipated
lsquoIt has incorporated a cute cafeacute and lunch area within its premises as well as introducing a bookshop and lounge arearsquo
city gem
68
city gem
69city gem
city gem70
city gem71
72city gem
lsquoThere is something infinitely more appealing about physically
handling recorded material appreciating the artwork in its
packagingrsquo
73city gem
74classifi eds
75classifi eds
classifi edsclassifi eds76
amsterdam city life
BrinG BaCK
Something that seems to have been watered down considerably in Amsterdamrsquos hospitality industry in recent years is independence of thought styling and designAll you have to do is walk around the city to note that way too many coffeesoup houses and cafeacutes are more or less identikit This also applies to many cafeacutes with unimaginative business leaders who open unoriginal looking spaces and hope that the use of white paint purple or blue lights and house music is all it takes
Luckily there is something brewing to save our days and nights I have come across cafeacute owners who are now seriously considering ending the arrangements they have with the giant drink suppliers There are actually no good arguments left for continuing with these huge multinationals as they are frankly more expensive at wholesale for the same A-class products than the supermarkets on every Amsterdammerrsquos street corner
It looks like space is being created for the smaller brewers to take up the supply of A-class beer to smaller establishments throughout the city The giants can keep their character-free tourist traps and those bars still able to benefit purely from their unbeatable locations throughout the city
The Sentinel says bring back better and more original businesses of scale within the local hospitality industry which will help more cafeacutes and bars not only to become distinguishable by the interior designs they will need to conjure but also through the variety of local and regional beers that could become part of their coherent identity The overriding benefit of such courageous thinking and action would be an immediate return to realistic and reasonable pricing for A-class beer in Amsterdam which remains the staple of the easy consumables as this recession drones on
By Denson Pierre
INDEPENDENT CAFeacuteSBARS
77
78star beer guide
Star Beer
The SentinelStar beer guide
lsquoDifferent beers can seem to weigh on the conscience as much as on the taste budsrsquo
Just like the changing of the seasons different beers can seem to weigh on the conscience as much as on the taste buds Ciney blond is a lovely almost effeminate tasting beer All light smooth fruitiness bolstered by substantial alcohol content
As the temperature increases it can even feel like a thirst quencher A nice session beer and one that could function as an entrance-level quality beer in terms of its complexity For advanced samplers it is a great lower platform to descend to after cruising the space occupied by the 8-plus percentage alcoholic beauties
Ciney blond is brewed by Alken-Maes Mechelen Belgium
By Denson Pierre
CINEY BLOND (7 ABV)
79star beer guide
We find the best most fun most typical exciting or local favourite restaurants etcetera in Amsterdam and bring them to you an easy way to feel like a local
Cafe Kostverloren 040606
Recommended
80recommended
EUROGIFTSXenonweg 9 3812 SZ Amersfoort
Tel 033 - 454 35 75 - Fax 033 - 454 35 79E-mail lmproefeurogiftsnl
Website wwweurogiftsnl
FILMPROEF
ORDERNUMMER 6021022ARTIKELNUMMER 65123
Ware grootte (indien uitgeprint)Kleur opdruk Wit
Mulligans Irish Music BarAmsterdamrsquos best address for live Irish music Five (5) nights a week Check our agenda for upcoming sessions Amstel 100 1017 AC Amsterdamwwwmulligansnl
Cafeacute KostverlorenCafeacute Kostverloren is a contemporary cafe offering the cosiness of a saloon an open kitchen and the intimacy of a living room The large terras is great for sunny days2e Kostverlorenkade 70 Amsterdamwwwcafekostverlorennl
ZestZest is fi ne food warm atmosphere and classy drinks with regular semi-acoustic (live) music and DJs (Thursday to Sunday) Amsterdamrsquos newest and freshestBilderdijkstraat 188 Amsterdamwwwfacebookcomclubzestnl
GollemGollemrsquos Proefl okaal Gollem and Gollem II represent the best addresses serving the fullest range of top Belgian Dutch and international beers in AmsterdamOvertoom 160-161wwwcafegollemnl
IncantoA restaurant with a classic Italian kitchen Venetian chef Simone Ambrosin is known for his pure and simple style of cooking with great feeling for nuanceAmstel 2 Amsterdamwwwrestaurant-incantonl
Planet RoseThe fi rst Caribbean restaurant in the Netherlands specialised in Jamaican cuisine The menu features a daily changing selectionNicolaas Beetsstraat 47 Amsterdamwwwplanetroseinfo
Cafe restaurant EdelCafe restaurant Edel is the perfect place for lunch dinner or to simply enjoy a drink Edel is a unique place in AmsterdamPostjesweg 1 1057 DT Amsterdamwwwedelamsterdamnl
Cafeacute OportoCafeacute Oporto is a traditional Amsterdam lsquobrown cafersquo Welcoming tourists and regular customers alike they offer televised sports wifi and a wide range of reasonably priced beers and spiritsZoutsteeg 1 1012 LX Amsterdamwwwcafeoportonet
BaxA cosy and friendly local cafeacute with a focus on special or interesting beers and good quality food Open 7 days a week with a professional kitchen offering a lunch and dinner serviceTen Katestraat 119 Amsterdamwwwcafebaxnl
To be seen and tasted Fun Drinking amp Music
To Be Seen and Tasted
Fun Drinking amp Music
Fun Drinking amp Music
Connoisseurs Delight
Connoisseurs Delight
Connoisseurs Delight
To Be Seen and Tasted
Neighbourhood cosy
Fun drinking and music
ParckGreat fun beautiful people and simply the best bar food in townOvertoom 428 Amsterdamwwwcafeparcknl
To be seen and tasted
Cafe de Toog1890rsquos grandeur fashioned into Amsterdam-West grand brown cafe-restaurant-cool Classy drinks and mealsNicolaas Beetsstraat 142 hs Amsterdam wwwcafedetoogcom
Opera Prima - Patisserie Bistro TraiteurThe best place in town for lunch exquisite high teas or brunches and all of your luxury catering both private and corporateKinkerstraat 228 Amsterdamwwwoperaprimanl
Recommended
81
Where is this inAmsterdamAnswer to sentinelpostgmailcom
82spotted
Room 2cfilm
ldquoCome on in boys the waterrsquos finerdquo This is arguably the best all-round and funny musical to come out of Hollywood in a generation and certainly one of the best three soundtracks of the same period George Clooney will never be as good or charming as he is here playing the accidental leader of a trio of chain gang escapees in the US south of the 1930s Spirituality meets the Ku Klux Klan all coloured by Virginia bluegrass
ldquoCall me Snakerdquo The coolest handle for a leading man (Kurt Russell) in any movie to date Here he is sent in on a heroic lsquoat all costrsquo one-man mission to rescue the president of the United States from the prison island Manhattan has become in a lsquofuturersquo representation of 1997 Air Force One has crashed there and the countdown is on Classic 1980s turn of the millennium dystopian vision with style pace and gadgetry
By dpmotions
By dpmotions
o Brother Where Art Thou (2000)
escape from new York (1981)
room2c83
84trends
lsquoTrends are great to join and surf like a once in a lifetime tsunamirsquo
By Dirkje Bakker-Pierre
Each and every micro-world has its own specific trends Take the fashion world for example where one day you have to wear high heels and round noses and the next itrsquos flat hairy elephant feet-like boots that must hug your feet Or take the automotive world where once upon a time you could never have enough chrome on your car or the food world where we have quietly moved from fast to green and wholesome or the TV world which used to be about fiction and is now more real than reality Some of these trends are great to join and surf like a once in a lifetime tsunami others can slip by unnoticed and others still keep bugging and bugging you even if you try to avoid them like the plague
The online world and specifically the social media universe eats through trends like a fat chick after a hunger strike Facebook in particular seems to move seamlessly from one hype to the next one day itrsquos pictures with fuzzy edges or a bit of a 1970s filter the next itrsquos a profile picture with you very consciously not looking into the camera (very spontaneously and naturally non-posing you might say) These are mostly harmless things if Irsquom honest and when everyone
stops liking them they fade away as quickly as the sun in our small wet country There is one trend however that has festered within Facebook from the very beginning and which seems to be gradually growing and growing without anyone ever liking the postshellip and I mean EVER
Yes I am talking about daily quotes words of wisdom holy quotes mesmerizingly philosophical quotes cheesy quotes religious quoteshellip How can I describe all of them in one easy sentence pieces of text from (famous) people (it can never be something you thought of yourself) that lsquodisclosersquo previously secret information about being happy in life (or at least previously secret to the person doing the posting I presume) In short texts that belong on tiles hanging on the wall in old Dutch peoplersquos toilets
Why
Here are a few I found in my news feed this week
ldquoA mind is like a parachute It doesnrsquot work if it is not openrdquo ndash Frank Zappa
ldquoIt is not because things are difficult that we do not dare it is because we do not dare that things are difficultrdquo ndash Seneca
ldquoIf you donrsquot take what you are doing seriously then nobody else willrdquo ndash Darryl Dlt Thomson
Bad trends would be good if they werenrsquot so bad
85trends
86classifi eds
87classifieds
One of my personal favourite gemstones is moonstone Itlsquos been around for centuries and is used in many cultures As suggested by its name the stone is highly associated with the moon and moon goddess Diana It brings calm peace and love and is said to become more powerful when the moon is full so thatlsquos the best time to wear it One proverb even claims that moonstone can bring you love that will fly you to the moon Spiritually this amazing stone is said to enhance intuition and is always associated with the self It is a very powerful personal stone which doesnlsquot add or remove any aspects of the personality but merely reflects the person wearing it It is said to be very
MoonstoneBy Evelina Kvartunaite
ndash
lsquoThe stone is highly associated with the moon and moon goddess Dianarsquo
ndash
helpful for people who are very sensitive and it is also used in meditation for reflecting oneself Itlsquos always best to charge your gem when the moon is shining at night either while wearing it or by leaving it on a windowsill that receives moonlight Moonstone is also used in healing and is known for balancing the internal organ systems enabling them to work in stable cycles Itlsquos usually more associated with women but is also known to help men embrace their more emotional side soft creative energies and optimism Perhaps understandably moonstone should have limited exposure to strong direct sunlight
ndash
lsquoIt is said to be very helpful for people who are very sensitiversquo
ndash
88
health amp well-being
ndash
lsquoMore associated with women but is also known to help men embrace their more emotional sidersquo
ndash
89health amp well-being
In his article Batin shows how learning how to use complex products is like learning a computer game Just like the challenges in video games match the skills of the user so should TV interactions or any UI interactions for that matter For reference Batin used the four levels described in the Dreyfus model of skill acquisition
Level 1 novicebullRigid adherence to taught rules or plansbullNo exercise of lsquodiscretionary judgmentrsquo
Level 2 Advanced beginnerbullLimited lsquosituational perceptionrsquobullAll aspects of work treated separately with equal importance
Philip Batin wrote an article a couple of months ago about the next big idea in User Interaction gadgets that adapt to your skills As gadgets become more complicated UIs must be able to teach their users over time Apparently more and more interactive products are being returned In 2002 48 of all returned products were technically fully functional but were rejected for failing to satisfy user needs 20 purely due to customer remorse Even though a product may have all the features one can hope for complexity and bad user experience can prevent users from integrating it into their lives
UserInterfaceThe next big thing in UX
lsquoUIs must be able to teach their users over timersquo
By Andrei Barburas
lsquoComplexity and bad user experience can prevent users from
integrating it into their livesrsquo
90
technology
book the majority of which you probably skipped through
Personally I believe that there are certain end users most likely the majority that use only a limited set of features from any device they buy Mobile phones have become indispensable tools in our daily activities yet the average Joe has no idea about the full potential of a smart phone The same applies to Smart TVs they can do lots of things yet the only thing that we do with them is flip channels and complain how bad the shows are
The bottom line is that itrsquos definitely something worth thinking about not only from an operating system perspective but also from the perspective of applications developers
Level 3 competentbulllsquoCoping with crowdednessrsquo (multiple activities accumulation of information)bullSome perception of actions in relation to goalsbullDeliberate planningbullFormulates routines
Level 4 ProficientbullHolistic view of situationbullPrioritizes importance of aspectsbulllsquoPerceives deviations from the normal patternrsquobullEmploys maxim for guidance with meanings that adapt to the situation at hand
Now just imagine a User Interface that adapts based on what you can do and the abilities you have As you learn new things new levels of complexity are unlocked opening the door to fully knowing your device because you learned by doing and not by reading a complicated
lsquoThe average Joe has no idea about the full potential of a
smart phonersquo
91technology
92classifi eds
93classifi eds
Not knowing what was happening in football was extremely annoying to put it mildly and it wasnrsquot just my own self-denial and avoidance of all things football that was a hindrance the extent to which I had to ask others to go in order to remain ignorant was much more excruciating than Irsquod ever imagined There may even be some damage done to football-related friendships that is irreparable I now feel as though Irsquom walking through an empty stadium after everyone else has gone home
So what now and where to next The season is well and truly over and Irsquom free to do whatever I want I could read the back-dated sports pages check all the stats and find out all the facts if I wanted to I could spend hours catching up on last season and speculating on the next with the friends Irsquove still got left down the pub if I wanted to I can follow all the transfer gossip watch pre-season friendlies and build up all my hopes But as with most addictions that would simply be falling back into a previous state of dependence and everything Irsquove just put myself through wouldrsquove been for nothing So how do I go back to an old habit without a total relapse or would it be better to keep abstaining
All my questions seem to be met with other questions and no solutions On the other hand if you ask me what
Someone once said that insanity is when you keep repeating the same behaviour and expect a different outcome most likely a psychologist aimed at his or her ailing patients But for me these words are more reminiscent of my own conduct over the course of a regular football season Week in week out season after season I would expect Tottenham to win something and more often than not Irsquod be left disappointed So I decided to stop No more football ndash at least not for one full season
The season 201213 is now over and during the whole nine months I didnrsquot watch a single moment of football or read a single article on the subject That was my challenge and I was committed to it What is more despite all the warning signs I didnrsquot relapse After a year of structured punishment I didnrsquot have a clue about what was going on in the English Premier League (or any other league) Only having picked up bits and pieces of information that somehow slipped through the net the past season was like a book with most of its pages missing
By Simon Joseph
On The Volley
The Return of the Repressed or the Point of No Return
lsquoInsanity is when you keep repeating the same behaviour and expect a different outcomersquo
sport
lsquoThe past season was like a book with most of its pages missingrsquo
94
lsquoThere may even be some damage done to football-related friendshipsrsquo
lsquoHas abstaining for a season changed mersquo
it until the cows come home but it was us who made those changes or at least allowed them to happen and those changes will continue to happen with or without me Perhaps then the questions I should be asking are has abstaining for a season changed me Am I still obsessed or have I broken the habit of a lifetime Is following football really that terrible or even a real addiction
One thing is certain this lack of resolution is not completely without satisfaction because like all forms of fixation or obsession therersquos comfort and familiarity to be found in repetition as Tottenham miss out on Championrsquos League football by a single point again The repressed will always return to haunt us or so it seems and before we know it the start of next season will be upon us There will be more pain no doubt and more joy This time however it will take more than a boot camp approach to keep me away and who knows Tottenham might even win the league Come on you Spurs
Tottenham Hotspur means I would still tell you that itrsquos not just a pretty football package itrsquos about kith and kin not just where I came from but how I relate to others around me in the here and now Whatrsquos more millions of people are attracted to football they hunger for it and yearn to connect with it even though I still believe itrsquos a form of ineffective escape from one unsatisfying reality to another Following football is a classic example of cognitive dissonance ndash when you simultaneously entertain two opposing thoughts that appear to cancel each other out Before the start of each season for example we all want our club to win everything or to be taken over by billionaires but know that itrsquos impossible or in the latter case controversial and even undesirable So we invent ways to cope We develop a so-called lsquosiege mentalityrsquo or other harmful patterns of behaviour to relieve the discomfort of incongruity With this in mind the past year was supposed to be an exercise in behaviour modification ndash to discover the root of the problem and treat it effectively But one year on have I really discovered anything at all
The English Premier League whether you watch it or not is still probably the most exciting football league in the world We can complain about the changes made to
sport9
5
By Denson Pierre
The Gold Room
Fantasy Football Gold ndash Champions League 2012-2013 winner Denson Pierre and his prizes
The season petered out in an all-German Champions League Final which did nothing to dispel the record that this was a season of too few new stars or regular spectacle We look forward to the next season as it ought not be too difficult to create more excitement than in the one just pastWe did have the opportunity to hand over the envelopes and trophies to the Sentinel Fantasy Football game winners This year all the major winners from the Sentinel Fantasy Football League were unable to be present for the physical prize giving but the winner of the Gold Game and focus of this column was there to receive his prize for winning the master game in styleSo we retire the Gold Room until the beginning of the new football season See you all again then
96
sport
Matt Parker receives his third place and Manager of the Month prizes for the Sentinel Fantasy Football League
Charles Conneely Sentinel Fantasy Football League 2012-2013 Champion
97sport
wwwczechtourismcom
CZECH REPUBLIC - STUNNINGLY DIFFERENT
98
classifi eds
feature
lsquoI was reminded of a time when Amsterdam-based companies used to do these nice thingsrsquo
6
Amsterdam has changed so much on a social level in recent years with an entirely new generation new to city life and certainly new to Amsterdam occupying public and private real estate Behaviours and expectations are very much in flux as the Amsterdam so immortalised as a cool rebellious sharing and fun place is being replaced by a more showy place but lacking in a certain kind of content It is home to newer masses of service industry and IT-oriented young professionals while artists and conjurers become somewhat marginalised usually through pricing
I went to meet the people from the brewery and would eventually be invited to visit their very impressive operations at Jopenkerk Haarlem To have met them on a company outing spending in the very bars they supply with their fine selection of A-class beers dented my developing idea that all suppliers are just out to maximise profit and share no regard for our desire to feel that we are dealing with other human beings when constructing our affairs of fun and indulgence It may have been old-fashioned marketing andor a calculated attempt to show business clients that the products they deliver are made by a team of happy and proud people or just chance But it was such a nice touch that I was reminded of a time when Amsterdam-based companies used to do these nice things more often On the simplest of levels and given that it is not a fully concessionary arrangement it offers the client bars about ninety minutes of at least 25 dedicated lovers of beer giving a nice little boost to takings while celebrating their business linkage
This was one of the most sensible and heart-warming corporate acts I have observed in Amsterdam for quite some time Individual hospitality businesses can do similar things from time to time but to have a manu-facturer and supplier recycling money through your business is just a refreshing act which they plan to repeat every couple of months with other partner businesses
To complete the story I went to visit Jopen at its base of operations in Haarlem soon afterwards What an opportunity to remind myself that somehow given that I consider Haarlem to be one of the most gorgeous cities I have ever come across I had not made the journey there for more than ten years The point being that it takes me longer to cycle across greater Amsterdam (25 minutes) than it does to hop on a train and stroll out into historic Haarlem such a natural and effortless trip to make
After a leisurely stroll through historic Haarlem taking in the beauty of the place I finally arrived at the terrace of Jopenkerk and the gods of sunshine turned up the intensity at that very moment All of the red prominent in the breweryrsquos branding made the square look like the aftermath of an explosion in a sweet shop The building containing the brewery cafeacute and restaurant is of course a redesigned large church (kerk) and the entire place is simply beautiful When I started to interview the owners business managers and brewers about their history strategy and beer I began to realise what an inspiring and comfortable place it is much aided by the extraordinarily friendly employees and the owners and managers themselves I was joined a little later by the women of No Office Studios Amsterdam to help me assess the full experience of being present at this capital historic hospitality-concept establishment
It is not really the place of a lead feature to endorse commercial operations but Jopen its beer and its people are so well worked out and presented that it should be on every Amsterdammerrsquos radar as a particularly warm aspect to plan into a little trip to our neighbouring city It is well worth it In Amsterdam meanwhile these A-class beers are currently available at Cafeacute Bax Gollem Cafeacute Kostverloren and Cafeacute de Toog Haarlem is closer than you think
lsquoOur desire to feel that we are dealing with other human beings when constructing our affairs of
fun and indulgencersquo
7feature
feature
lsquoI went to visit Jopen at its base of operations in Haarlemrsquo
8
9feature
10feature
11feature
12feature
feature13
feature14
feature15
lsquoSuch a natural and effortless trip to makersquo
16feature
feature17
18feature
feature19
feature20
feature21
feature22
feature
feature
lsquoJopen its beer and its people are so well worked out and presented
that it should be on every Amsterdammerrsquos radarrsquo
feature23
Get advice on housing rental contracts and apartments in Amsterdam
wwwwswonennlenglish
wwwconsultancymarketmediacom
- Account Manager Market Media- (Internship) International Marketing Executive
we are looking for
24classifieds
artist thinker
Here are some of our local partners
Enter (click) to learn why they work with us
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25classifieds
Dam in 60 minutes
By Sam van Dam
perspectives
Rembrandtplein26
perspectives
Last time out I took you up North to the beautiful island of Marken Since that was a somewhat longer trip than some readers might want to take by bike this time our journey is a short one that can even be done on foot to Rembrandtplein The adventure starts at Central Station turn your back on the visually pleasing building that facilitates the arrival of visitors to our hometown and head towards Damrak Amsterdamrsquos lsquoRed Carpetrsquo and home these days to gazillions of restaurants shops bars cafeacutes and of course the nearby world-famous Red Light District all of which wersquoll simply ignore This is easier said than done as there is so much to see so many temptations that demand your attention and try to make you spend your euros before you have even entered the actual city As you walk down Damrak you start to see the buildings situated around Dam Square the central point of Amsterdam offering such delights as the Royal Palace Madame Tussauds the Nieuwekerk the war memorial and other landmarks that define this famous square Rotate 360 degrees to take it all in and then move toward Rokin or if you are in mood for some shopping walk down Kalverstraat instead Yoursquore bound to find something you like in the hundreds of shops lining one of Amsterdamrsquos two main shopping streets Keep walking straight on and just to your right yoursquoll find Spui a lovely square that is regularly home to art and book markets if you have the time You can find a multitude of interesting and inspiring items there or just grab a coffee and sit on one of the benches taking in the scene Once you are done enjoying Spui itrsquos time to get back on track so return to the RokinKalverstraat and head to the right (south) not forgetting to take a closer look
at the statue of former Queen Wilhelmina and her horse standing proudly at the bridge opposite This is also the starting point for boat tours if you want to take a little time out from your stroll to Rembrandtplein get a ticket and hop on one of the very typical 70s-style boats that constantly criss-cross the watery arteries of Amsterdam These typical 1970s-style barges provide a visual impression of the city that looks familiar yet very different a pleasure that locals and visitors alike appreciate very much every time
When you have returned from the water tour return to Rokin and keep walking towards Munt which is easily recognisable by its old-style tower featuring a clockwork chime that marks the hour and enhances the scenery in this part of town along with the Hotel De LrsquoEurope just across the way You could also take a pit-stop there while enjoying the view over the Amstel and the hundreds of little boats filled with chillaxing people at least on sunny days You can dwell on the fact that life in Amsterdam often seems so easy and beautiful that it entices visitors to return again and again You are now very close to your final destination so cross the road and enter the Reguliersbreestraat Marvel at the beauty of the Tuschinski Theater as you continue towards the wide open square that is our last stop Grab a drink or some ice-cream while you find yourself a nice spot on the grassy circular central area of the Rembrandtplein where you can spend hours looking at the beautiful buildings the relaxing people and the artists selling their work This is also where you can find me presenting a fine selection of my photo prints of what to me is the best city in the world So if itrsquos not raining come by and enjoy my photographic impressions of Amsterdam they make awesome souvenirs to take home with you Irsquom looking forward to meeting you on lsquomyrsquo square
lsquoOur journey is a short one that can even be done on footrsquo
27
28perspectives
29perspectives
lsquo1970s-style barges provide a visual impression of the city that looks familiar yet very differentrsquo
30perspectives
31perspectives
32perspectives
33perspectives
lsquoMarvel at the beauty of the Tuschinski Theaterrsquo
34perspectives
35perspectives
lsquoRotate 360 degrees to take it all inrsquo
36perspectives
lsquoRotate 360 degrees to take it all inrsquo
37perspectives
38perspectives
39perspectives
40
perspectives
41perspectives
42featureperspectives
feature4
3perspectives
44
featureperspectives
feature4
5perspectives
lsquoTake a closer look at the statue of former Queen Wilhelmina and her horsersquo
46
perspectives
lsquoThis is also where you can find me presenting a fine selection of my
photo printsrsquo
47perspectives
perspectives4
8
perspectives4
9
For complete and world class tours of Prague
Packages includebull Hidden and playful Prague (for families with young children)bull Literary Praguebull Prague Architecture through the agesbull Religion and the citybull The old city at night
These are detailed tours designed for visitors who wish to explore with great detail and not suitable for simply sight-seeing tourists
Day segments and ratesPR 0800-1230hrs AG 1330-1630hrs UE 1730-2130hrsAll sessions are priced at u 25 per single adult Group size upper limit = 8 Accompanied children under the age of five are gratis and school aged children pay 25 Family package rates are negotiable
ContactJaroslav Cernosek+420 602 228 797Mail jcernosekcentrumcz
wwwyourtuliptourcom
JC Tours
50classifieds
51classifieds
CafeacuteBar Review Van Mechelen
cafebar review52
Van MechelenSloterkade 96-97 Amsterdam
It may be the new hype in the city as far as grand cafeacute and restaurant concepts go but Van Mechelen is already approaching excellence Considering its handy location in another pretty neighbourhood of Amsterdam South it is almost a lsquomust visitrsquo place that has created a theme built on the Burgundian enjoyment of life good food complemented with top-class beer and wine If you want a taste of what it feels like to visit a cafeacute-restaurant in Mechelen Belgium Van Mechelen is an easy way for an Amsterdammer to savour this experience and is just a short cycle ride away
ambianceBurgundian Rating 5
StaffregularsMembers of staff are clearly very well trained and this adds to the light and airy atmosphere Having opened for business just three months ago those who have fallen in love with the place and its consumables have not yet had time to clock up the number of visits and connections to be considered lsquoregularsrsquo Rating 5
televised sportNo space within the design and layout for this form of distraction Rating 3
PricesSurprisingly these are within the lsquonormalrsquo range for this level and quality of fare Outstandingly fairly priced snacks and nibbles are also offered to help you along as you take on the fine (Mechelen brewery group Alken-Maes) beers and wines When did you last enjoy a generous portion of fresh olives for a mere euro250 Rating 5
MusicAt the time of review the establishment was fairly packed out The atmosphere is conducive to chats and hilarity and although the selection of tunes could be heard far in the background the sound system may well have more kick It should as the building is of such a solid constitution that it should contain noise and not easily upset the neighbours Rating 5
Smoking area provisionFortunately for puffers the originally industrial nature of the address means that the former loading bay and entranceexit areas have become two naturally covered terrace areas separated from the luscious interior by huge glass-panelled doors Rating 5
total rating 2830(Rating from 1-5 where 1 = Very poor and 5 = Excellent)
By Denson Pierre
lsquoThe new hype in the city as far as grand cafeacute and restaurant concepts gorsquo
cafebar review53
lsquoMembers of staff are clearly very well trainedrsquo
cafebar review54
cafebar review55
lsquoOutstandingly fairly priced snacks and nibbles are also offeredrsquo
cafebar review56
cafebar review57
lsquoThe atmosphere is conducive to chats and hilarityrsquo
cafebar review58
cafebar review59
scamsterdam
lifestyles60
By Valeria Scimia
Unemployed international and looking for a job in the Netherlands Not only must you face the everyday hell that is job-seeking but now you must also beware of scam companies Yes theyrsquove arrived here too
I was recently contacted by an ostensibly legitimate company that wanted to hire me The contact took the form of what appeared to be a genuine e-mail complete with website and logo from a company in Australia that seemed absolutely legitimate (I have since contacted the company to warn them that someone overseas is using their name and logo to scam people) The e-mail explained that the company was opening an office in Holland and was looking for people who would handle the back-office orders It contained a form to be filled in and returned if I was interested in the position the form asked for all my personal information including my bank details I had been looking for a job and was interested in the offer so I filled in and sent off the form and my CV Once they received my e-mail they asked me to start a trial period without practically explaining anything of what the job was actually about I didnrsquot immediately reply so they called me the next day asking me to start immediately with the trial period promising lots of benefits once the contract was signed I hadnrsquot met anyone at this point only telephone interviews and that already didnrsquot seem right to me I asked them to send me more information by e-mail about what I was meant to do and a few moments later I received a response asking me to make a bank transfer to show them I was trustworthy The lsquotrialrsquo implied that they would send me some money and I had to transfer half via GWK or MoneyTransfer to one of their clients and keep the other half This smelled very fishy to the Italian in me In reality they could be sending a cheque to the bank which would register an income that would later bounce after I had already made the payment to their lsquoclientrsquo On top of losing money the person that tried to lsquohirersquo meyou
would have been untraceable No one was even picking up the phone at the number given in the e-mail and the company they claimed to represent wasnrsquot even active in Europe
So I said no and told them I was no longer interested They even had the gumption to call me back and ask me why I wouldnrsquot do it I gave them a silly excuse so as not to give them any more information or tips on how to improve their scummy scam I am happy I started checking their contacts as soon as their promises seemed too good to be true even if I am still angry I allowed them to data-mine all of my information when I sent them my CV and filled in their form
It beggars belief that they set up an entire facade in these times of work despair and it really doesnrsquot feel right especially because therersquos not much I can do about it now apart from inform people I didnrsquot think this would ever happen here in this country where everything has to be or always seems to be so legitimate But I guess some things never change and a place doesnrsquot make the people and certainly doesnrsquot influence the choices they make I just wanted to share my experience to alert everyone to the possible scam If a company contacts you and asks you to return a form including your bank details when you have never met anyone face-to-face it should make your antennas extend and remember to double-check their credibility Apparently it is illegal to ask such questions of someone here so donrsquot fall for it as I did As I am still waiting to hear from the company in Australia I didnrsquot feel it was proper to disclose its name publicly just yet plus I am not sure the scammers always use the same company as a fake front But what they ask you to do is more or less always the same so keep your eyes open to the little details
lsquoYou face the everyday hell that is job-seeking but now you must also beware of scam companiesrsquo
lsquoThis smelled very fishy to the Italian in mersquo
lsquoThe form asked for all my personal informationrsquo
lifestyles6
1
Je moet er geweest zijn
62classifieds
MechelenAuthentic and full of surprises Thatrsquos Mechelen Hospitable and honourable Thatrsquos the people of Mechelen Come and experience the cityrsquos urban charms for yourself Mechelen
Authentic and full of surprises Thatrsquos Mechelen Hospitable and honourable Thatrsquos the people of Mechelen Come and experience the cityrsquos urban charms for yourself
photography copy Milo Profi
classifieds63
classifieds
How to hang out in
Amsterdam
By ER Muntrem
perspectives
It is not against the rules for babies to cry in cafeacutes It happens Mostly they sleep or sit in someonersquos lap with commendable decorum Otherwise kids in cafeacutes tend to nosh a little less than their elders and handle crayons a little more And while anyone who toddles behind the bar will certainly get caught they can always claim they were encouraged to toddle there in the first place
Dutch parents and I realise this is hard to prove seem to let their kids wander a metre or two further away from them than parents from other developed countries that universal ldquowhere is sherdquo look delayed five or ten seconds If this extra distance is a sign of perceived safety cafeacute culture must help teach it
Except for chefs all cafeacute workers do more or less all the jobs required to run a cafeacute They all wait on tables
serve hot and cold drinks set up outdoor furniture load and retrieve supplies take the garbage out wash glasses light candles arrange flowers unfurl the awning and ring up the bill When the young guy or girl greets you you may know they are not the owner but for the moment they are the face of the establishment It may as well be their place
Admittedly I am seduced by places where waiters donrsquot work for tips where the rushed pace of eating in a restaurant in America does not exist In a cafeacute you can do what you want for as long as you want and get food and drink while you do it Pretty cool and as much a baseline for how to hang out in Amsterdam as cycling is for how to get around
Places to eat and drink owned by corporations have to package experience to deliver it Whatrsquos our brand How can our managers and servers be most efficient How ultimately can we be number one Not something most cafeacutes seem to be worried about and where the universal signs for lsquowe are having a good time togetherrsquo
lsquoCafeacute culture must help teachrsquo lsquoI am seduced by places where waiters donrsquot work for tipsrsquo
64
perspectives
or lsquoI am happy here by myselfrsquo (clinked glasses or absorption in a newspaper say) are routinely in evidence This is one true grace of democracy the average worth smiling about
At cafeacutes co-workers have a beer before or after their shift friends drop by or a regular pops in with some news The stream of customers they donrsquot have to woo and donrsquot have to lsquoworkrsquo gives the whole thing a slightly familial living room perfectly public feel that makes the work far less of a personality crimp than working at Starbucks Or so it seems I do not mean to pretend carrying drinks across the street to the canal side seating or giving obvious directions yet again is always glorious but most people who work in cafeacutersquos laugh and smile a fair bit almost as much as the patrons
And when the owner of a cafeacute is of a generation older than those working there as is usually the case it lends a wise uncle or mother hen feel to the proceedings In the daytime no one is ever too caught up in his or her designated title to ignore a baby on the move And at
night the crowd of drinkers may as well be at a party hosted by their parents or kids or both
Itrsquos not all about money cafeacute culture churns towards the civilised without grinding anyone too far down As well as pleasure there is power in this The best distillation I know of what democracy should be came from a young woman working at Cafeacute Captein With our meal in front of us my friend noticed he was missing his salad Flagged down the young woman went to investigate ldquoItrsquos on its wayrdquo she said ldquoI told my boss to do itrdquo
Imagine we told Putin to do it We told Obama to do it We told the bankers to do it
lsquoMost people who work in cafeacutersquos laugh and smile a fair bitrsquo
lsquoCafeacute culture churns towards the civilised without grinding anyone too far downrsquo
65
66
featurecity gem
lsquoThe last of the large independent music stores left standing in Amsterdamrsquo
CITY GEM
67
Concerto
By Denson Pierre
ConcertoUtrechtsestraat 60 1017 VP Amsterdam
it is a rush when on a full stomach you can make an instant decision on where your next city-centre lunch will be taken it is almost ecstasy when the venue is situated in a music shop which for decades has been defined by its exceptional range and quality of music available in amsterdam Concerto is the last of the large independent music stores left standing in amsterdam all the others have long since been killed off by everything from the advance in recording and playback technologies to habitual illegal downloaders only now realising that their behaviour has an impact right back down to street level despite what they might think about the giant studios and recording companies
Concerto has not stuck but has twisted Since September it has incorporated a cute cafeacute
and lunch area within its premises as well as introducing a bookshop and lounge area making it possible to spend an almost nostalgic time there over several hours It still has a vast range of the very best music in vinyl (both new and second-hand) and CD form DVDs DJ equipment and even gear used for live musical performances Itrsquos a gold mine
If it has taken this clever adaptation in space utilisation to keep this institution viable and available to Amsterdam-based music lovers then I personally wish to support this venture and help mean this type of music retailer to remain part of the city scene For people of a certain age there is something infinitely more appealing about physically handling recorded material appreciating the artwork in its packaging having a listen and then deciding if it is a purchase you would like to make Even though non-digital stockpiling has become rather passeacute I challenge you to visit Concerto and its new cafeacute and bookshop concept and not end up spending more time in this true city gem than you had anticipated
lsquoIt has incorporated a cute cafeacute and lunch area within its premises as well as introducing a bookshop and lounge arearsquo
city gem
68
city gem
69city gem
city gem70
city gem71
72city gem
lsquoThere is something infinitely more appealing about physically
handling recorded material appreciating the artwork in its
packagingrsquo
73city gem
74classifi eds
75classifi eds
classifi edsclassifi eds76
amsterdam city life
BrinG BaCK
Something that seems to have been watered down considerably in Amsterdamrsquos hospitality industry in recent years is independence of thought styling and designAll you have to do is walk around the city to note that way too many coffeesoup houses and cafeacutes are more or less identikit This also applies to many cafeacutes with unimaginative business leaders who open unoriginal looking spaces and hope that the use of white paint purple or blue lights and house music is all it takes
Luckily there is something brewing to save our days and nights I have come across cafeacute owners who are now seriously considering ending the arrangements they have with the giant drink suppliers There are actually no good arguments left for continuing with these huge multinationals as they are frankly more expensive at wholesale for the same A-class products than the supermarkets on every Amsterdammerrsquos street corner
It looks like space is being created for the smaller brewers to take up the supply of A-class beer to smaller establishments throughout the city The giants can keep their character-free tourist traps and those bars still able to benefit purely from their unbeatable locations throughout the city
The Sentinel says bring back better and more original businesses of scale within the local hospitality industry which will help more cafeacutes and bars not only to become distinguishable by the interior designs they will need to conjure but also through the variety of local and regional beers that could become part of their coherent identity The overriding benefit of such courageous thinking and action would be an immediate return to realistic and reasonable pricing for A-class beer in Amsterdam which remains the staple of the easy consumables as this recession drones on
By Denson Pierre
INDEPENDENT CAFeacuteSBARS
77
78star beer guide
Star Beer
The SentinelStar beer guide
lsquoDifferent beers can seem to weigh on the conscience as much as on the taste budsrsquo
Just like the changing of the seasons different beers can seem to weigh on the conscience as much as on the taste buds Ciney blond is a lovely almost effeminate tasting beer All light smooth fruitiness bolstered by substantial alcohol content
As the temperature increases it can even feel like a thirst quencher A nice session beer and one that could function as an entrance-level quality beer in terms of its complexity For advanced samplers it is a great lower platform to descend to after cruising the space occupied by the 8-plus percentage alcoholic beauties
Ciney blond is brewed by Alken-Maes Mechelen Belgium
By Denson Pierre
CINEY BLOND (7 ABV)
79star beer guide
We find the best most fun most typical exciting or local favourite restaurants etcetera in Amsterdam and bring them to you an easy way to feel like a local
Cafe Kostverloren 040606
Recommended
80recommended
EUROGIFTSXenonweg 9 3812 SZ Amersfoort
Tel 033 - 454 35 75 - Fax 033 - 454 35 79E-mail lmproefeurogiftsnl
Website wwweurogiftsnl
FILMPROEF
ORDERNUMMER 6021022ARTIKELNUMMER 65123
Ware grootte (indien uitgeprint)Kleur opdruk Wit
Mulligans Irish Music BarAmsterdamrsquos best address for live Irish music Five (5) nights a week Check our agenda for upcoming sessions Amstel 100 1017 AC Amsterdamwwwmulligansnl
Cafeacute KostverlorenCafeacute Kostverloren is a contemporary cafe offering the cosiness of a saloon an open kitchen and the intimacy of a living room The large terras is great for sunny days2e Kostverlorenkade 70 Amsterdamwwwcafekostverlorennl
ZestZest is fi ne food warm atmosphere and classy drinks with regular semi-acoustic (live) music and DJs (Thursday to Sunday) Amsterdamrsquos newest and freshestBilderdijkstraat 188 Amsterdamwwwfacebookcomclubzestnl
GollemGollemrsquos Proefl okaal Gollem and Gollem II represent the best addresses serving the fullest range of top Belgian Dutch and international beers in AmsterdamOvertoom 160-161wwwcafegollemnl
IncantoA restaurant with a classic Italian kitchen Venetian chef Simone Ambrosin is known for his pure and simple style of cooking with great feeling for nuanceAmstel 2 Amsterdamwwwrestaurant-incantonl
Planet RoseThe fi rst Caribbean restaurant in the Netherlands specialised in Jamaican cuisine The menu features a daily changing selectionNicolaas Beetsstraat 47 Amsterdamwwwplanetroseinfo
Cafe restaurant EdelCafe restaurant Edel is the perfect place for lunch dinner or to simply enjoy a drink Edel is a unique place in AmsterdamPostjesweg 1 1057 DT Amsterdamwwwedelamsterdamnl
Cafeacute OportoCafeacute Oporto is a traditional Amsterdam lsquobrown cafersquo Welcoming tourists and regular customers alike they offer televised sports wifi and a wide range of reasonably priced beers and spiritsZoutsteeg 1 1012 LX Amsterdamwwwcafeoportonet
BaxA cosy and friendly local cafeacute with a focus on special or interesting beers and good quality food Open 7 days a week with a professional kitchen offering a lunch and dinner serviceTen Katestraat 119 Amsterdamwwwcafebaxnl
To be seen and tasted Fun Drinking amp Music
To Be Seen and Tasted
Fun Drinking amp Music
Fun Drinking amp Music
Connoisseurs Delight
Connoisseurs Delight
Connoisseurs Delight
To Be Seen and Tasted
Neighbourhood cosy
Fun drinking and music
ParckGreat fun beautiful people and simply the best bar food in townOvertoom 428 Amsterdamwwwcafeparcknl
To be seen and tasted
Cafe de Toog1890rsquos grandeur fashioned into Amsterdam-West grand brown cafe-restaurant-cool Classy drinks and mealsNicolaas Beetsstraat 142 hs Amsterdam wwwcafedetoogcom
Opera Prima - Patisserie Bistro TraiteurThe best place in town for lunch exquisite high teas or brunches and all of your luxury catering both private and corporateKinkerstraat 228 Amsterdamwwwoperaprimanl
Recommended
81
Where is this inAmsterdamAnswer to sentinelpostgmailcom
82spotted
Room 2cfilm
ldquoCome on in boys the waterrsquos finerdquo This is arguably the best all-round and funny musical to come out of Hollywood in a generation and certainly one of the best three soundtracks of the same period George Clooney will never be as good or charming as he is here playing the accidental leader of a trio of chain gang escapees in the US south of the 1930s Spirituality meets the Ku Klux Klan all coloured by Virginia bluegrass
ldquoCall me Snakerdquo The coolest handle for a leading man (Kurt Russell) in any movie to date Here he is sent in on a heroic lsquoat all costrsquo one-man mission to rescue the president of the United States from the prison island Manhattan has become in a lsquofuturersquo representation of 1997 Air Force One has crashed there and the countdown is on Classic 1980s turn of the millennium dystopian vision with style pace and gadgetry
By dpmotions
By dpmotions
o Brother Where Art Thou (2000)
escape from new York (1981)
room2c83
84trends
lsquoTrends are great to join and surf like a once in a lifetime tsunamirsquo
By Dirkje Bakker-Pierre
Each and every micro-world has its own specific trends Take the fashion world for example where one day you have to wear high heels and round noses and the next itrsquos flat hairy elephant feet-like boots that must hug your feet Or take the automotive world where once upon a time you could never have enough chrome on your car or the food world where we have quietly moved from fast to green and wholesome or the TV world which used to be about fiction and is now more real than reality Some of these trends are great to join and surf like a once in a lifetime tsunami others can slip by unnoticed and others still keep bugging and bugging you even if you try to avoid them like the plague
The online world and specifically the social media universe eats through trends like a fat chick after a hunger strike Facebook in particular seems to move seamlessly from one hype to the next one day itrsquos pictures with fuzzy edges or a bit of a 1970s filter the next itrsquos a profile picture with you very consciously not looking into the camera (very spontaneously and naturally non-posing you might say) These are mostly harmless things if Irsquom honest and when everyone
stops liking them they fade away as quickly as the sun in our small wet country There is one trend however that has festered within Facebook from the very beginning and which seems to be gradually growing and growing without anyone ever liking the postshellip and I mean EVER
Yes I am talking about daily quotes words of wisdom holy quotes mesmerizingly philosophical quotes cheesy quotes religious quoteshellip How can I describe all of them in one easy sentence pieces of text from (famous) people (it can never be something you thought of yourself) that lsquodisclosersquo previously secret information about being happy in life (or at least previously secret to the person doing the posting I presume) In short texts that belong on tiles hanging on the wall in old Dutch peoplersquos toilets
Why
Here are a few I found in my news feed this week
ldquoA mind is like a parachute It doesnrsquot work if it is not openrdquo ndash Frank Zappa
ldquoIt is not because things are difficult that we do not dare it is because we do not dare that things are difficultrdquo ndash Seneca
ldquoIf you donrsquot take what you are doing seriously then nobody else willrdquo ndash Darryl Dlt Thomson
Bad trends would be good if they werenrsquot so bad
85trends
86classifi eds
87classifieds
One of my personal favourite gemstones is moonstone Itlsquos been around for centuries and is used in many cultures As suggested by its name the stone is highly associated with the moon and moon goddess Diana It brings calm peace and love and is said to become more powerful when the moon is full so thatlsquos the best time to wear it One proverb even claims that moonstone can bring you love that will fly you to the moon Spiritually this amazing stone is said to enhance intuition and is always associated with the self It is a very powerful personal stone which doesnlsquot add or remove any aspects of the personality but merely reflects the person wearing it It is said to be very
MoonstoneBy Evelina Kvartunaite
ndash
lsquoThe stone is highly associated with the moon and moon goddess Dianarsquo
ndash
helpful for people who are very sensitive and it is also used in meditation for reflecting oneself Itlsquos always best to charge your gem when the moon is shining at night either while wearing it or by leaving it on a windowsill that receives moonlight Moonstone is also used in healing and is known for balancing the internal organ systems enabling them to work in stable cycles Itlsquos usually more associated with women but is also known to help men embrace their more emotional side soft creative energies and optimism Perhaps understandably moonstone should have limited exposure to strong direct sunlight
ndash
lsquoIt is said to be very helpful for people who are very sensitiversquo
ndash
88
health amp well-being
ndash
lsquoMore associated with women but is also known to help men embrace their more emotional sidersquo
ndash
89health amp well-being
In his article Batin shows how learning how to use complex products is like learning a computer game Just like the challenges in video games match the skills of the user so should TV interactions or any UI interactions for that matter For reference Batin used the four levels described in the Dreyfus model of skill acquisition
Level 1 novicebullRigid adherence to taught rules or plansbullNo exercise of lsquodiscretionary judgmentrsquo
Level 2 Advanced beginnerbullLimited lsquosituational perceptionrsquobullAll aspects of work treated separately with equal importance
Philip Batin wrote an article a couple of months ago about the next big idea in User Interaction gadgets that adapt to your skills As gadgets become more complicated UIs must be able to teach their users over time Apparently more and more interactive products are being returned In 2002 48 of all returned products were technically fully functional but were rejected for failing to satisfy user needs 20 purely due to customer remorse Even though a product may have all the features one can hope for complexity and bad user experience can prevent users from integrating it into their lives
UserInterfaceThe next big thing in UX
lsquoUIs must be able to teach their users over timersquo
By Andrei Barburas
lsquoComplexity and bad user experience can prevent users from
integrating it into their livesrsquo
90
technology
book the majority of which you probably skipped through
Personally I believe that there are certain end users most likely the majority that use only a limited set of features from any device they buy Mobile phones have become indispensable tools in our daily activities yet the average Joe has no idea about the full potential of a smart phone The same applies to Smart TVs they can do lots of things yet the only thing that we do with them is flip channels and complain how bad the shows are
The bottom line is that itrsquos definitely something worth thinking about not only from an operating system perspective but also from the perspective of applications developers
Level 3 competentbulllsquoCoping with crowdednessrsquo (multiple activities accumulation of information)bullSome perception of actions in relation to goalsbullDeliberate planningbullFormulates routines
Level 4 ProficientbullHolistic view of situationbullPrioritizes importance of aspectsbulllsquoPerceives deviations from the normal patternrsquobullEmploys maxim for guidance with meanings that adapt to the situation at hand
Now just imagine a User Interface that adapts based on what you can do and the abilities you have As you learn new things new levels of complexity are unlocked opening the door to fully knowing your device because you learned by doing and not by reading a complicated
lsquoThe average Joe has no idea about the full potential of a
smart phonersquo
91technology
92classifi eds
93classifi eds
Not knowing what was happening in football was extremely annoying to put it mildly and it wasnrsquot just my own self-denial and avoidance of all things football that was a hindrance the extent to which I had to ask others to go in order to remain ignorant was much more excruciating than Irsquod ever imagined There may even be some damage done to football-related friendships that is irreparable I now feel as though Irsquom walking through an empty stadium after everyone else has gone home
So what now and where to next The season is well and truly over and Irsquom free to do whatever I want I could read the back-dated sports pages check all the stats and find out all the facts if I wanted to I could spend hours catching up on last season and speculating on the next with the friends Irsquove still got left down the pub if I wanted to I can follow all the transfer gossip watch pre-season friendlies and build up all my hopes But as with most addictions that would simply be falling back into a previous state of dependence and everything Irsquove just put myself through wouldrsquove been for nothing So how do I go back to an old habit without a total relapse or would it be better to keep abstaining
All my questions seem to be met with other questions and no solutions On the other hand if you ask me what
Someone once said that insanity is when you keep repeating the same behaviour and expect a different outcome most likely a psychologist aimed at his or her ailing patients But for me these words are more reminiscent of my own conduct over the course of a regular football season Week in week out season after season I would expect Tottenham to win something and more often than not Irsquod be left disappointed So I decided to stop No more football ndash at least not for one full season
The season 201213 is now over and during the whole nine months I didnrsquot watch a single moment of football or read a single article on the subject That was my challenge and I was committed to it What is more despite all the warning signs I didnrsquot relapse After a year of structured punishment I didnrsquot have a clue about what was going on in the English Premier League (or any other league) Only having picked up bits and pieces of information that somehow slipped through the net the past season was like a book with most of its pages missing
By Simon Joseph
On The Volley
The Return of the Repressed or the Point of No Return
lsquoInsanity is when you keep repeating the same behaviour and expect a different outcomersquo
sport
lsquoThe past season was like a book with most of its pages missingrsquo
94
lsquoThere may even be some damage done to football-related friendshipsrsquo
lsquoHas abstaining for a season changed mersquo
it until the cows come home but it was us who made those changes or at least allowed them to happen and those changes will continue to happen with or without me Perhaps then the questions I should be asking are has abstaining for a season changed me Am I still obsessed or have I broken the habit of a lifetime Is following football really that terrible or even a real addiction
One thing is certain this lack of resolution is not completely without satisfaction because like all forms of fixation or obsession therersquos comfort and familiarity to be found in repetition as Tottenham miss out on Championrsquos League football by a single point again The repressed will always return to haunt us or so it seems and before we know it the start of next season will be upon us There will be more pain no doubt and more joy This time however it will take more than a boot camp approach to keep me away and who knows Tottenham might even win the league Come on you Spurs
Tottenham Hotspur means I would still tell you that itrsquos not just a pretty football package itrsquos about kith and kin not just where I came from but how I relate to others around me in the here and now Whatrsquos more millions of people are attracted to football they hunger for it and yearn to connect with it even though I still believe itrsquos a form of ineffective escape from one unsatisfying reality to another Following football is a classic example of cognitive dissonance ndash when you simultaneously entertain two opposing thoughts that appear to cancel each other out Before the start of each season for example we all want our club to win everything or to be taken over by billionaires but know that itrsquos impossible or in the latter case controversial and even undesirable So we invent ways to cope We develop a so-called lsquosiege mentalityrsquo or other harmful patterns of behaviour to relieve the discomfort of incongruity With this in mind the past year was supposed to be an exercise in behaviour modification ndash to discover the root of the problem and treat it effectively But one year on have I really discovered anything at all
The English Premier League whether you watch it or not is still probably the most exciting football league in the world We can complain about the changes made to
sport9
5
By Denson Pierre
The Gold Room
Fantasy Football Gold ndash Champions League 2012-2013 winner Denson Pierre and his prizes
The season petered out in an all-German Champions League Final which did nothing to dispel the record that this was a season of too few new stars or regular spectacle We look forward to the next season as it ought not be too difficult to create more excitement than in the one just pastWe did have the opportunity to hand over the envelopes and trophies to the Sentinel Fantasy Football game winners This year all the major winners from the Sentinel Fantasy Football League were unable to be present for the physical prize giving but the winner of the Gold Game and focus of this column was there to receive his prize for winning the master game in styleSo we retire the Gold Room until the beginning of the new football season See you all again then
96
sport
Matt Parker receives his third place and Manager of the Month prizes for the Sentinel Fantasy Football League
Charles Conneely Sentinel Fantasy Football League 2012-2013 Champion
97sport
wwwczechtourismcom
CZECH REPUBLIC - STUNNINGLY DIFFERENT
98
classifi eds
Amsterdam has changed so much on a social level in recent years with an entirely new generation new to city life and certainly new to Amsterdam occupying public and private real estate Behaviours and expectations are very much in flux as the Amsterdam so immortalised as a cool rebellious sharing and fun place is being replaced by a more showy place but lacking in a certain kind of content It is home to newer masses of service industry and IT-oriented young professionals while artists and conjurers become somewhat marginalised usually through pricing
I went to meet the people from the brewery and would eventually be invited to visit their very impressive operations at Jopenkerk Haarlem To have met them on a company outing spending in the very bars they supply with their fine selection of A-class beers dented my developing idea that all suppliers are just out to maximise profit and share no regard for our desire to feel that we are dealing with other human beings when constructing our affairs of fun and indulgence It may have been old-fashioned marketing andor a calculated attempt to show business clients that the products they deliver are made by a team of happy and proud people or just chance But it was such a nice touch that I was reminded of a time when Amsterdam-based companies used to do these nice things more often On the simplest of levels and given that it is not a fully concessionary arrangement it offers the client bars about ninety minutes of at least 25 dedicated lovers of beer giving a nice little boost to takings while celebrating their business linkage
This was one of the most sensible and heart-warming corporate acts I have observed in Amsterdam for quite some time Individual hospitality businesses can do similar things from time to time but to have a manu-facturer and supplier recycling money through your business is just a refreshing act which they plan to repeat every couple of months with other partner businesses
To complete the story I went to visit Jopen at its base of operations in Haarlem soon afterwards What an opportunity to remind myself that somehow given that I consider Haarlem to be one of the most gorgeous cities I have ever come across I had not made the journey there for more than ten years The point being that it takes me longer to cycle across greater Amsterdam (25 minutes) than it does to hop on a train and stroll out into historic Haarlem such a natural and effortless trip to make
After a leisurely stroll through historic Haarlem taking in the beauty of the place I finally arrived at the terrace of Jopenkerk and the gods of sunshine turned up the intensity at that very moment All of the red prominent in the breweryrsquos branding made the square look like the aftermath of an explosion in a sweet shop The building containing the brewery cafeacute and restaurant is of course a redesigned large church (kerk) and the entire place is simply beautiful When I started to interview the owners business managers and brewers about their history strategy and beer I began to realise what an inspiring and comfortable place it is much aided by the extraordinarily friendly employees and the owners and managers themselves I was joined a little later by the women of No Office Studios Amsterdam to help me assess the full experience of being present at this capital historic hospitality-concept establishment
It is not really the place of a lead feature to endorse commercial operations but Jopen its beer and its people are so well worked out and presented that it should be on every Amsterdammerrsquos radar as a particularly warm aspect to plan into a little trip to our neighbouring city It is well worth it In Amsterdam meanwhile these A-class beers are currently available at Cafeacute Bax Gollem Cafeacute Kostverloren and Cafeacute de Toog Haarlem is closer than you think
lsquoOur desire to feel that we are dealing with other human beings when constructing our affairs of
fun and indulgencersquo
7feature
feature
lsquoI went to visit Jopen at its base of operations in Haarlemrsquo
8
9feature
10feature
11feature
12feature
feature13
feature14
feature15
lsquoSuch a natural and effortless trip to makersquo
16feature
feature17
18feature
feature19
feature20
feature21
feature22
feature
feature
lsquoJopen its beer and its people are so well worked out and presented
that it should be on every Amsterdammerrsquos radarrsquo
feature23
Get advice on housing rental contracts and apartments in Amsterdam
wwwwswonennlenglish
wwwconsultancymarketmediacom
- Account Manager Market Media- (Internship) International Marketing Executive
we are looking for
24classifieds
artist thinker
Here are some of our local partners
Enter (click) to learn why they work with us
demerkplaatsnl
25classifieds
Dam in 60 minutes
By Sam van Dam
perspectives
Rembrandtplein26
perspectives
Last time out I took you up North to the beautiful island of Marken Since that was a somewhat longer trip than some readers might want to take by bike this time our journey is a short one that can even be done on foot to Rembrandtplein The adventure starts at Central Station turn your back on the visually pleasing building that facilitates the arrival of visitors to our hometown and head towards Damrak Amsterdamrsquos lsquoRed Carpetrsquo and home these days to gazillions of restaurants shops bars cafeacutes and of course the nearby world-famous Red Light District all of which wersquoll simply ignore This is easier said than done as there is so much to see so many temptations that demand your attention and try to make you spend your euros before you have even entered the actual city As you walk down Damrak you start to see the buildings situated around Dam Square the central point of Amsterdam offering such delights as the Royal Palace Madame Tussauds the Nieuwekerk the war memorial and other landmarks that define this famous square Rotate 360 degrees to take it all in and then move toward Rokin or if you are in mood for some shopping walk down Kalverstraat instead Yoursquore bound to find something you like in the hundreds of shops lining one of Amsterdamrsquos two main shopping streets Keep walking straight on and just to your right yoursquoll find Spui a lovely square that is regularly home to art and book markets if you have the time You can find a multitude of interesting and inspiring items there or just grab a coffee and sit on one of the benches taking in the scene Once you are done enjoying Spui itrsquos time to get back on track so return to the RokinKalverstraat and head to the right (south) not forgetting to take a closer look
at the statue of former Queen Wilhelmina and her horse standing proudly at the bridge opposite This is also the starting point for boat tours if you want to take a little time out from your stroll to Rembrandtplein get a ticket and hop on one of the very typical 70s-style boats that constantly criss-cross the watery arteries of Amsterdam These typical 1970s-style barges provide a visual impression of the city that looks familiar yet very different a pleasure that locals and visitors alike appreciate very much every time
When you have returned from the water tour return to Rokin and keep walking towards Munt which is easily recognisable by its old-style tower featuring a clockwork chime that marks the hour and enhances the scenery in this part of town along with the Hotel De LrsquoEurope just across the way You could also take a pit-stop there while enjoying the view over the Amstel and the hundreds of little boats filled with chillaxing people at least on sunny days You can dwell on the fact that life in Amsterdam often seems so easy and beautiful that it entices visitors to return again and again You are now very close to your final destination so cross the road and enter the Reguliersbreestraat Marvel at the beauty of the Tuschinski Theater as you continue towards the wide open square that is our last stop Grab a drink or some ice-cream while you find yourself a nice spot on the grassy circular central area of the Rembrandtplein where you can spend hours looking at the beautiful buildings the relaxing people and the artists selling their work This is also where you can find me presenting a fine selection of my photo prints of what to me is the best city in the world So if itrsquos not raining come by and enjoy my photographic impressions of Amsterdam they make awesome souvenirs to take home with you Irsquom looking forward to meeting you on lsquomyrsquo square
lsquoOur journey is a short one that can even be done on footrsquo
27
28perspectives
29perspectives
lsquo1970s-style barges provide a visual impression of the city that looks familiar yet very differentrsquo
30perspectives
31perspectives
32perspectives
33perspectives
lsquoMarvel at the beauty of the Tuschinski Theaterrsquo
34perspectives
35perspectives
lsquoRotate 360 degrees to take it all inrsquo
36perspectives
lsquoRotate 360 degrees to take it all inrsquo
37perspectives
38perspectives
39perspectives
40
perspectives
41perspectives
42featureperspectives
feature4
3perspectives
44
featureperspectives
feature4
5perspectives
lsquoTake a closer look at the statue of former Queen Wilhelmina and her horsersquo
46
perspectives
lsquoThis is also where you can find me presenting a fine selection of my
photo printsrsquo
47perspectives
perspectives4
8
perspectives4
9
For complete and world class tours of Prague
Packages includebull Hidden and playful Prague (for families with young children)bull Literary Praguebull Prague Architecture through the agesbull Religion and the citybull The old city at night
These are detailed tours designed for visitors who wish to explore with great detail and not suitable for simply sight-seeing tourists
Day segments and ratesPR 0800-1230hrs AG 1330-1630hrs UE 1730-2130hrsAll sessions are priced at u 25 per single adult Group size upper limit = 8 Accompanied children under the age of five are gratis and school aged children pay 25 Family package rates are negotiable
ContactJaroslav Cernosek+420 602 228 797Mail jcernosekcentrumcz
wwwyourtuliptourcom
JC Tours
50classifieds
51classifieds
CafeacuteBar Review Van Mechelen
cafebar review52
Van MechelenSloterkade 96-97 Amsterdam
It may be the new hype in the city as far as grand cafeacute and restaurant concepts go but Van Mechelen is already approaching excellence Considering its handy location in another pretty neighbourhood of Amsterdam South it is almost a lsquomust visitrsquo place that has created a theme built on the Burgundian enjoyment of life good food complemented with top-class beer and wine If you want a taste of what it feels like to visit a cafeacute-restaurant in Mechelen Belgium Van Mechelen is an easy way for an Amsterdammer to savour this experience and is just a short cycle ride away
ambianceBurgundian Rating 5
StaffregularsMembers of staff are clearly very well trained and this adds to the light and airy atmosphere Having opened for business just three months ago those who have fallen in love with the place and its consumables have not yet had time to clock up the number of visits and connections to be considered lsquoregularsrsquo Rating 5
televised sportNo space within the design and layout for this form of distraction Rating 3
PricesSurprisingly these are within the lsquonormalrsquo range for this level and quality of fare Outstandingly fairly priced snacks and nibbles are also offered to help you along as you take on the fine (Mechelen brewery group Alken-Maes) beers and wines When did you last enjoy a generous portion of fresh olives for a mere euro250 Rating 5
MusicAt the time of review the establishment was fairly packed out The atmosphere is conducive to chats and hilarity and although the selection of tunes could be heard far in the background the sound system may well have more kick It should as the building is of such a solid constitution that it should contain noise and not easily upset the neighbours Rating 5
Smoking area provisionFortunately for puffers the originally industrial nature of the address means that the former loading bay and entranceexit areas have become two naturally covered terrace areas separated from the luscious interior by huge glass-panelled doors Rating 5
total rating 2830(Rating from 1-5 where 1 = Very poor and 5 = Excellent)
By Denson Pierre
lsquoThe new hype in the city as far as grand cafeacute and restaurant concepts gorsquo
cafebar review53
lsquoMembers of staff are clearly very well trainedrsquo
cafebar review54
cafebar review55
lsquoOutstandingly fairly priced snacks and nibbles are also offeredrsquo
cafebar review56
cafebar review57
lsquoThe atmosphere is conducive to chats and hilarityrsquo
cafebar review58
cafebar review59
scamsterdam
lifestyles60
By Valeria Scimia
Unemployed international and looking for a job in the Netherlands Not only must you face the everyday hell that is job-seeking but now you must also beware of scam companies Yes theyrsquove arrived here too
I was recently contacted by an ostensibly legitimate company that wanted to hire me The contact took the form of what appeared to be a genuine e-mail complete with website and logo from a company in Australia that seemed absolutely legitimate (I have since contacted the company to warn them that someone overseas is using their name and logo to scam people) The e-mail explained that the company was opening an office in Holland and was looking for people who would handle the back-office orders It contained a form to be filled in and returned if I was interested in the position the form asked for all my personal information including my bank details I had been looking for a job and was interested in the offer so I filled in and sent off the form and my CV Once they received my e-mail they asked me to start a trial period without practically explaining anything of what the job was actually about I didnrsquot immediately reply so they called me the next day asking me to start immediately with the trial period promising lots of benefits once the contract was signed I hadnrsquot met anyone at this point only telephone interviews and that already didnrsquot seem right to me I asked them to send me more information by e-mail about what I was meant to do and a few moments later I received a response asking me to make a bank transfer to show them I was trustworthy The lsquotrialrsquo implied that they would send me some money and I had to transfer half via GWK or MoneyTransfer to one of their clients and keep the other half This smelled very fishy to the Italian in me In reality they could be sending a cheque to the bank which would register an income that would later bounce after I had already made the payment to their lsquoclientrsquo On top of losing money the person that tried to lsquohirersquo meyou
would have been untraceable No one was even picking up the phone at the number given in the e-mail and the company they claimed to represent wasnrsquot even active in Europe
So I said no and told them I was no longer interested They even had the gumption to call me back and ask me why I wouldnrsquot do it I gave them a silly excuse so as not to give them any more information or tips on how to improve their scummy scam I am happy I started checking their contacts as soon as their promises seemed too good to be true even if I am still angry I allowed them to data-mine all of my information when I sent them my CV and filled in their form
It beggars belief that they set up an entire facade in these times of work despair and it really doesnrsquot feel right especially because therersquos not much I can do about it now apart from inform people I didnrsquot think this would ever happen here in this country where everything has to be or always seems to be so legitimate But I guess some things never change and a place doesnrsquot make the people and certainly doesnrsquot influence the choices they make I just wanted to share my experience to alert everyone to the possible scam If a company contacts you and asks you to return a form including your bank details when you have never met anyone face-to-face it should make your antennas extend and remember to double-check their credibility Apparently it is illegal to ask such questions of someone here so donrsquot fall for it as I did As I am still waiting to hear from the company in Australia I didnrsquot feel it was proper to disclose its name publicly just yet plus I am not sure the scammers always use the same company as a fake front But what they ask you to do is more or less always the same so keep your eyes open to the little details
lsquoYou face the everyday hell that is job-seeking but now you must also beware of scam companiesrsquo
lsquoThis smelled very fishy to the Italian in mersquo
lsquoThe form asked for all my personal informationrsquo
lifestyles6
1
Je moet er geweest zijn
62classifieds
MechelenAuthentic and full of surprises Thatrsquos Mechelen Hospitable and honourable Thatrsquos the people of Mechelen Come and experience the cityrsquos urban charms for yourself Mechelen
Authentic and full of surprises Thatrsquos Mechelen Hospitable and honourable Thatrsquos the people of Mechelen Come and experience the cityrsquos urban charms for yourself
photography copy Milo Profi
classifieds63
classifieds
How to hang out in
Amsterdam
By ER Muntrem
perspectives
It is not against the rules for babies to cry in cafeacutes It happens Mostly they sleep or sit in someonersquos lap with commendable decorum Otherwise kids in cafeacutes tend to nosh a little less than their elders and handle crayons a little more And while anyone who toddles behind the bar will certainly get caught they can always claim they were encouraged to toddle there in the first place
Dutch parents and I realise this is hard to prove seem to let their kids wander a metre or two further away from them than parents from other developed countries that universal ldquowhere is sherdquo look delayed five or ten seconds If this extra distance is a sign of perceived safety cafeacute culture must help teach it
Except for chefs all cafeacute workers do more or less all the jobs required to run a cafeacute They all wait on tables
serve hot and cold drinks set up outdoor furniture load and retrieve supplies take the garbage out wash glasses light candles arrange flowers unfurl the awning and ring up the bill When the young guy or girl greets you you may know they are not the owner but for the moment they are the face of the establishment It may as well be their place
Admittedly I am seduced by places where waiters donrsquot work for tips where the rushed pace of eating in a restaurant in America does not exist In a cafeacute you can do what you want for as long as you want and get food and drink while you do it Pretty cool and as much a baseline for how to hang out in Amsterdam as cycling is for how to get around
Places to eat and drink owned by corporations have to package experience to deliver it Whatrsquos our brand How can our managers and servers be most efficient How ultimately can we be number one Not something most cafeacutes seem to be worried about and where the universal signs for lsquowe are having a good time togetherrsquo
lsquoCafeacute culture must help teachrsquo lsquoI am seduced by places where waiters donrsquot work for tipsrsquo
64
perspectives
or lsquoI am happy here by myselfrsquo (clinked glasses or absorption in a newspaper say) are routinely in evidence This is one true grace of democracy the average worth smiling about
At cafeacutes co-workers have a beer before or after their shift friends drop by or a regular pops in with some news The stream of customers they donrsquot have to woo and donrsquot have to lsquoworkrsquo gives the whole thing a slightly familial living room perfectly public feel that makes the work far less of a personality crimp than working at Starbucks Or so it seems I do not mean to pretend carrying drinks across the street to the canal side seating or giving obvious directions yet again is always glorious but most people who work in cafeacutersquos laugh and smile a fair bit almost as much as the patrons
And when the owner of a cafeacute is of a generation older than those working there as is usually the case it lends a wise uncle or mother hen feel to the proceedings In the daytime no one is ever too caught up in his or her designated title to ignore a baby on the move And at
night the crowd of drinkers may as well be at a party hosted by their parents or kids or both
Itrsquos not all about money cafeacute culture churns towards the civilised without grinding anyone too far down As well as pleasure there is power in this The best distillation I know of what democracy should be came from a young woman working at Cafeacute Captein With our meal in front of us my friend noticed he was missing his salad Flagged down the young woman went to investigate ldquoItrsquos on its wayrdquo she said ldquoI told my boss to do itrdquo
Imagine we told Putin to do it We told Obama to do it We told the bankers to do it
lsquoMost people who work in cafeacutersquos laugh and smile a fair bitrsquo
lsquoCafeacute culture churns towards the civilised without grinding anyone too far downrsquo
65
66
featurecity gem
lsquoThe last of the large independent music stores left standing in Amsterdamrsquo
CITY GEM
67
Concerto
By Denson Pierre
ConcertoUtrechtsestraat 60 1017 VP Amsterdam
it is a rush when on a full stomach you can make an instant decision on where your next city-centre lunch will be taken it is almost ecstasy when the venue is situated in a music shop which for decades has been defined by its exceptional range and quality of music available in amsterdam Concerto is the last of the large independent music stores left standing in amsterdam all the others have long since been killed off by everything from the advance in recording and playback technologies to habitual illegal downloaders only now realising that their behaviour has an impact right back down to street level despite what they might think about the giant studios and recording companies
Concerto has not stuck but has twisted Since September it has incorporated a cute cafeacute
and lunch area within its premises as well as introducing a bookshop and lounge area making it possible to spend an almost nostalgic time there over several hours It still has a vast range of the very best music in vinyl (both new and second-hand) and CD form DVDs DJ equipment and even gear used for live musical performances Itrsquos a gold mine
If it has taken this clever adaptation in space utilisation to keep this institution viable and available to Amsterdam-based music lovers then I personally wish to support this venture and help mean this type of music retailer to remain part of the city scene For people of a certain age there is something infinitely more appealing about physically handling recorded material appreciating the artwork in its packaging having a listen and then deciding if it is a purchase you would like to make Even though non-digital stockpiling has become rather passeacute I challenge you to visit Concerto and its new cafeacute and bookshop concept and not end up spending more time in this true city gem than you had anticipated
lsquoIt has incorporated a cute cafeacute and lunch area within its premises as well as introducing a bookshop and lounge arearsquo
city gem
68
city gem
69city gem
city gem70
city gem71
72city gem
lsquoThere is something infinitely more appealing about physically
handling recorded material appreciating the artwork in its
packagingrsquo
73city gem
74classifi eds
75classifi eds
classifi edsclassifi eds76
amsterdam city life
BrinG BaCK
Something that seems to have been watered down considerably in Amsterdamrsquos hospitality industry in recent years is independence of thought styling and designAll you have to do is walk around the city to note that way too many coffeesoup houses and cafeacutes are more or less identikit This also applies to many cafeacutes with unimaginative business leaders who open unoriginal looking spaces and hope that the use of white paint purple or blue lights and house music is all it takes
Luckily there is something brewing to save our days and nights I have come across cafeacute owners who are now seriously considering ending the arrangements they have with the giant drink suppliers There are actually no good arguments left for continuing with these huge multinationals as they are frankly more expensive at wholesale for the same A-class products than the supermarkets on every Amsterdammerrsquos street corner
It looks like space is being created for the smaller brewers to take up the supply of A-class beer to smaller establishments throughout the city The giants can keep their character-free tourist traps and those bars still able to benefit purely from their unbeatable locations throughout the city
The Sentinel says bring back better and more original businesses of scale within the local hospitality industry which will help more cafeacutes and bars not only to become distinguishable by the interior designs they will need to conjure but also through the variety of local and regional beers that could become part of their coherent identity The overriding benefit of such courageous thinking and action would be an immediate return to realistic and reasonable pricing for A-class beer in Amsterdam which remains the staple of the easy consumables as this recession drones on
By Denson Pierre
INDEPENDENT CAFeacuteSBARS
77
78star beer guide
Star Beer
The SentinelStar beer guide
lsquoDifferent beers can seem to weigh on the conscience as much as on the taste budsrsquo
Just like the changing of the seasons different beers can seem to weigh on the conscience as much as on the taste buds Ciney blond is a lovely almost effeminate tasting beer All light smooth fruitiness bolstered by substantial alcohol content
As the temperature increases it can even feel like a thirst quencher A nice session beer and one that could function as an entrance-level quality beer in terms of its complexity For advanced samplers it is a great lower platform to descend to after cruising the space occupied by the 8-plus percentage alcoholic beauties
Ciney blond is brewed by Alken-Maes Mechelen Belgium
By Denson Pierre
CINEY BLOND (7 ABV)
79star beer guide
We find the best most fun most typical exciting or local favourite restaurants etcetera in Amsterdam and bring them to you an easy way to feel like a local
Cafe Kostverloren 040606
Recommended
80recommended
EUROGIFTSXenonweg 9 3812 SZ Amersfoort
Tel 033 - 454 35 75 - Fax 033 - 454 35 79E-mail lmproefeurogiftsnl
Website wwweurogiftsnl
FILMPROEF
ORDERNUMMER 6021022ARTIKELNUMMER 65123
Ware grootte (indien uitgeprint)Kleur opdruk Wit
Mulligans Irish Music BarAmsterdamrsquos best address for live Irish music Five (5) nights a week Check our agenda for upcoming sessions Amstel 100 1017 AC Amsterdamwwwmulligansnl
Cafeacute KostverlorenCafeacute Kostverloren is a contemporary cafe offering the cosiness of a saloon an open kitchen and the intimacy of a living room The large terras is great for sunny days2e Kostverlorenkade 70 Amsterdamwwwcafekostverlorennl
ZestZest is fi ne food warm atmosphere and classy drinks with regular semi-acoustic (live) music and DJs (Thursday to Sunday) Amsterdamrsquos newest and freshestBilderdijkstraat 188 Amsterdamwwwfacebookcomclubzestnl
GollemGollemrsquos Proefl okaal Gollem and Gollem II represent the best addresses serving the fullest range of top Belgian Dutch and international beers in AmsterdamOvertoom 160-161wwwcafegollemnl
IncantoA restaurant with a classic Italian kitchen Venetian chef Simone Ambrosin is known for his pure and simple style of cooking with great feeling for nuanceAmstel 2 Amsterdamwwwrestaurant-incantonl
Planet RoseThe fi rst Caribbean restaurant in the Netherlands specialised in Jamaican cuisine The menu features a daily changing selectionNicolaas Beetsstraat 47 Amsterdamwwwplanetroseinfo
Cafe restaurant EdelCafe restaurant Edel is the perfect place for lunch dinner or to simply enjoy a drink Edel is a unique place in AmsterdamPostjesweg 1 1057 DT Amsterdamwwwedelamsterdamnl
Cafeacute OportoCafeacute Oporto is a traditional Amsterdam lsquobrown cafersquo Welcoming tourists and regular customers alike they offer televised sports wifi and a wide range of reasonably priced beers and spiritsZoutsteeg 1 1012 LX Amsterdamwwwcafeoportonet
BaxA cosy and friendly local cafeacute with a focus on special or interesting beers and good quality food Open 7 days a week with a professional kitchen offering a lunch and dinner serviceTen Katestraat 119 Amsterdamwwwcafebaxnl
To be seen and tasted Fun Drinking amp Music
To Be Seen and Tasted
Fun Drinking amp Music
Fun Drinking amp Music
Connoisseurs Delight
Connoisseurs Delight
Connoisseurs Delight
To Be Seen and Tasted
Neighbourhood cosy
Fun drinking and music
ParckGreat fun beautiful people and simply the best bar food in townOvertoom 428 Amsterdamwwwcafeparcknl
To be seen and tasted
Cafe de Toog1890rsquos grandeur fashioned into Amsterdam-West grand brown cafe-restaurant-cool Classy drinks and mealsNicolaas Beetsstraat 142 hs Amsterdam wwwcafedetoogcom
Opera Prima - Patisserie Bistro TraiteurThe best place in town for lunch exquisite high teas or brunches and all of your luxury catering both private and corporateKinkerstraat 228 Amsterdamwwwoperaprimanl
Recommended
81
Where is this inAmsterdamAnswer to sentinelpostgmailcom
82spotted
Room 2cfilm
ldquoCome on in boys the waterrsquos finerdquo This is arguably the best all-round and funny musical to come out of Hollywood in a generation and certainly one of the best three soundtracks of the same period George Clooney will never be as good or charming as he is here playing the accidental leader of a trio of chain gang escapees in the US south of the 1930s Spirituality meets the Ku Klux Klan all coloured by Virginia bluegrass
ldquoCall me Snakerdquo The coolest handle for a leading man (Kurt Russell) in any movie to date Here he is sent in on a heroic lsquoat all costrsquo one-man mission to rescue the president of the United States from the prison island Manhattan has become in a lsquofuturersquo representation of 1997 Air Force One has crashed there and the countdown is on Classic 1980s turn of the millennium dystopian vision with style pace and gadgetry
By dpmotions
By dpmotions
o Brother Where Art Thou (2000)
escape from new York (1981)
room2c83
84trends
lsquoTrends are great to join and surf like a once in a lifetime tsunamirsquo
By Dirkje Bakker-Pierre
Each and every micro-world has its own specific trends Take the fashion world for example where one day you have to wear high heels and round noses and the next itrsquos flat hairy elephant feet-like boots that must hug your feet Or take the automotive world where once upon a time you could never have enough chrome on your car or the food world where we have quietly moved from fast to green and wholesome or the TV world which used to be about fiction and is now more real than reality Some of these trends are great to join and surf like a once in a lifetime tsunami others can slip by unnoticed and others still keep bugging and bugging you even if you try to avoid them like the plague
The online world and specifically the social media universe eats through trends like a fat chick after a hunger strike Facebook in particular seems to move seamlessly from one hype to the next one day itrsquos pictures with fuzzy edges or a bit of a 1970s filter the next itrsquos a profile picture with you very consciously not looking into the camera (very spontaneously and naturally non-posing you might say) These are mostly harmless things if Irsquom honest and when everyone
stops liking them they fade away as quickly as the sun in our small wet country There is one trend however that has festered within Facebook from the very beginning and which seems to be gradually growing and growing without anyone ever liking the postshellip and I mean EVER
Yes I am talking about daily quotes words of wisdom holy quotes mesmerizingly philosophical quotes cheesy quotes religious quoteshellip How can I describe all of them in one easy sentence pieces of text from (famous) people (it can never be something you thought of yourself) that lsquodisclosersquo previously secret information about being happy in life (or at least previously secret to the person doing the posting I presume) In short texts that belong on tiles hanging on the wall in old Dutch peoplersquos toilets
Why
Here are a few I found in my news feed this week
ldquoA mind is like a parachute It doesnrsquot work if it is not openrdquo ndash Frank Zappa
ldquoIt is not because things are difficult that we do not dare it is because we do not dare that things are difficultrdquo ndash Seneca
ldquoIf you donrsquot take what you are doing seriously then nobody else willrdquo ndash Darryl Dlt Thomson
Bad trends would be good if they werenrsquot so bad
85trends
86classifi eds
87classifieds
One of my personal favourite gemstones is moonstone Itlsquos been around for centuries and is used in many cultures As suggested by its name the stone is highly associated with the moon and moon goddess Diana It brings calm peace and love and is said to become more powerful when the moon is full so thatlsquos the best time to wear it One proverb even claims that moonstone can bring you love that will fly you to the moon Spiritually this amazing stone is said to enhance intuition and is always associated with the self It is a very powerful personal stone which doesnlsquot add or remove any aspects of the personality but merely reflects the person wearing it It is said to be very
MoonstoneBy Evelina Kvartunaite
ndash
lsquoThe stone is highly associated with the moon and moon goddess Dianarsquo
ndash
helpful for people who are very sensitive and it is also used in meditation for reflecting oneself Itlsquos always best to charge your gem when the moon is shining at night either while wearing it or by leaving it on a windowsill that receives moonlight Moonstone is also used in healing and is known for balancing the internal organ systems enabling them to work in stable cycles Itlsquos usually more associated with women but is also known to help men embrace their more emotional side soft creative energies and optimism Perhaps understandably moonstone should have limited exposure to strong direct sunlight
ndash
lsquoIt is said to be very helpful for people who are very sensitiversquo
ndash
88
health amp well-being
ndash
lsquoMore associated with women but is also known to help men embrace their more emotional sidersquo
ndash
89health amp well-being
In his article Batin shows how learning how to use complex products is like learning a computer game Just like the challenges in video games match the skills of the user so should TV interactions or any UI interactions for that matter For reference Batin used the four levels described in the Dreyfus model of skill acquisition
Level 1 novicebullRigid adherence to taught rules or plansbullNo exercise of lsquodiscretionary judgmentrsquo
Level 2 Advanced beginnerbullLimited lsquosituational perceptionrsquobullAll aspects of work treated separately with equal importance
Philip Batin wrote an article a couple of months ago about the next big idea in User Interaction gadgets that adapt to your skills As gadgets become more complicated UIs must be able to teach their users over time Apparently more and more interactive products are being returned In 2002 48 of all returned products were technically fully functional but were rejected for failing to satisfy user needs 20 purely due to customer remorse Even though a product may have all the features one can hope for complexity and bad user experience can prevent users from integrating it into their lives
UserInterfaceThe next big thing in UX
lsquoUIs must be able to teach their users over timersquo
By Andrei Barburas
lsquoComplexity and bad user experience can prevent users from
integrating it into their livesrsquo
90
technology
book the majority of which you probably skipped through
Personally I believe that there are certain end users most likely the majority that use only a limited set of features from any device they buy Mobile phones have become indispensable tools in our daily activities yet the average Joe has no idea about the full potential of a smart phone The same applies to Smart TVs they can do lots of things yet the only thing that we do with them is flip channels and complain how bad the shows are
The bottom line is that itrsquos definitely something worth thinking about not only from an operating system perspective but also from the perspective of applications developers
Level 3 competentbulllsquoCoping with crowdednessrsquo (multiple activities accumulation of information)bullSome perception of actions in relation to goalsbullDeliberate planningbullFormulates routines
Level 4 ProficientbullHolistic view of situationbullPrioritizes importance of aspectsbulllsquoPerceives deviations from the normal patternrsquobullEmploys maxim for guidance with meanings that adapt to the situation at hand
Now just imagine a User Interface that adapts based on what you can do and the abilities you have As you learn new things new levels of complexity are unlocked opening the door to fully knowing your device because you learned by doing and not by reading a complicated
lsquoThe average Joe has no idea about the full potential of a
smart phonersquo
91technology
92classifi eds
93classifi eds
Not knowing what was happening in football was extremely annoying to put it mildly and it wasnrsquot just my own self-denial and avoidance of all things football that was a hindrance the extent to which I had to ask others to go in order to remain ignorant was much more excruciating than Irsquod ever imagined There may even be some damage done to football-related friendships that is irreparable I now feel as though Irsquom walking through an empty stadium after everyone else has gone home
So what now and where to next The season is well and truly over and Irsquom free to do whatever I want I could read the back-dated sports pages check all the stats and find out all the facts if I wanted to I could spend hours catching up on last season and speculating on the next with the friends Irsquove still got left down the pub if I wanted to I can follow all the transfer gossip watch pre-season friendlies and build up all my hopes But as with most addictions that would simply be falling back into a previous state of dependence and everything Irsquove just put myself through wouldrsquove been for nothing So how do I go back to an old habit without a total relapse or would it be better to keep abstaining
All my questions seem to be met with other questions and no solutions On the other hand if you ask me what
Someone once said that insanity is when you keep repeating the same behaviour and expect a different outcome most likely a psychologist aimed at his or her ailing patients But for me these words are more reminiscent of my own conduct over the course of a regular football season Week in week out season after season I would expect Tottenham to win something and more often than not Irsquod be left disappointed So I decided to stop No more football ndash at least not for one full season
The season 201213 is now over and during the whole nine months I didnrsquot watch a single moment of football or read a single article on the subject That was my challenge and I was committed to it What is more despite all the warning signs I didnrsquot relapse After a year of structured punishment I didnrsquot have a clue about what was going on in the English Premier League (or any other league) Only having picked up bits and pieces of information that somehow slipped through the net the past season was like a book with most of its pages missing
By Simon Joseph
On The Volley
The Return of the Repressed or the Point of No Return
lsquoInsanity is when you keep repeating the same behaviour and expect a different outcomersquo
sport
lsquoThe past season was like a book with most of its pages missingrsquo
94
lsquoThere may even be some damage done to football-related friendshipsrsquo
lsquoHas abstaining for a season changed mersquo
it until the cows come home but it was us who made those changes or at least allowed them to happen and those changes will continue to happen with or without me Perhaps then the questions I should be asking are has abstaining for a season changed me Am I still obsessed or have I broken the habit of a lifetime Is following football really that terrible or even a real addiction
One thing is certain this lack of resolution is not completely without satisfaction because like all forms of fixation or obsession therersquos comfort and familiarity to be found in repetition as Tottenham miss out on Championrsquos League football by a single point again The repressed will always return to haunt us or so it seems and before we know it the start of next season will be upon us There will be more pain no doubt and more joy This time however it will take more than a boot camp approach to keep me away and who knows Tottenham might even win the league Come on you Spurs
Tottenham Hotspur means I would still tell you that itrsquos not just a pretty football package itrsquos about kith and kin not just where I came from but how I relate to others around me in the here and now Whatrsquos more millions of people are attracted to football they hunger for it and yearn to connect with it even though I still believe itrsquos a form of ineffective escape from one unsatisfying reality to another Following football is a classic example of cognitive dissonance ndash when you simultaneously entertain two opposing thoughts that appear to cancel each other out Before the start of each season for example we all want our club to win everything or to be taken over by billionaires but know that itrsquos impossible or in the latter case controversial and even undesirable So we invent ways to cope We develop a so-called lsquosiege mentalityrsquo or other harmful patterns of behaviour to relieve the discomfort of incongruity With this in mind the past year was supposed to be an exercise in behaviour modification ndash to discover the root of the problem and treat it effectively But one year on have I really discovered anything at all
The English Premier League whether you watch it or not is still probably the most exciting football league in the world We can complain about the changes made to
sport9
5
By Denson Pierre
The Gold Room
Fantasy Football Gold ndash Champions League 2012-2013 winner Denson Pierre and his prizes
The season petered out in an all-German Champions League Final which did nothing to dispel the record that this was a season of too few new stars or regular spectacle We look forward to the next season as it ought not be too difficult to create more excitement than in the one just pastWe did have the opportunity to hand over the envelopes and trophies to the Sentinel Fantasy Football game winners This year all the major winners from the Sentinel Fantasy Football League were unable to be present for the physical prize giving but the winner of the Gold Game and focus of this column was there to receive his prize for winning the master game in styleSo we retire the Gold Room until the beginning of the new football season See you all again then
96
sport
Matt Parker receives his third place and Manager of the Month prizes for the Sentinel Fantasy Football League
Charles Conneely Sentinel Fantasy Football League 2012-2013 Champion
97sport
wwwczechtourismcom
CZECH REPUBLIC - STUNNINGLY DIFFERENT
98
classifi eds
feature
lsquoI went to visit Jopen at its base of operations in Haarlemrsquo
8
9feature
10feature
11feature
12feature
feature13
feature14
feature15
lsquoSuch a natural and effortless trip to makersquo
16feature
feature17
18feature
feature19
feature20
feature21
feature22
feature
feature
lsquoJopen its beer and its people are so well worked out and presented
that it should be on every Amsterdammerrsquos radarrsquo
feature23
Get advice on housing rental contracts and apartments in Amsterdam
wwwwswonennlenglish
wwwconsultancymarketmediacom
- Account Manager Market Media- (Internship) International Marketing Executive
we are looking for
24classifieds
artist thinker
Here are some of our local partners
Enter (click) to learn why they work with us
demerkplaatsnl
25classifieds
Dam in 60 minutes
By Sam van Dam
perspectives
Rembrandtplein26
perspectives
Last time out I took you up North to the beautiful island of Marken Since that was a somewhat longer trip than some readers might want to take by bike this time our journey is a short one that can even be done on foot to Rembrandtplein The adventure starts at Central Station turn your back on the visually pleasing building that facilitates the arrival of visitors to our hometown and head towards Damrak Amsterdamrsquos lsquoRed Carpetrsquo and home these days to gazillions of restaurants shops bars cafeacutes and of course the nearby world-famous Red Light District all of which wersquoll simply ignore This is easier said than done as there is so much to see so many temptations that demand your attention and try to make you spend your euros before you have even entered the actual city As you walk down Damrak you start to see the buildings situated around Dam Square the central point of Amsterdam offering such delights as the Royal Palace Madame Tussauds the Nieuwekerk the war memorial and other landmarks that define this famous square Rotate 360 degrees to take it all in and then move toward Rokin or if you are in mood for some shopping walk down Kalverstraat instead Yoursquore bound to find something you like in the hundreds of shops lining one of Amsterdamrsquos two main shopping streets Keep walking straight on and just to your right yoursquoll find Spui a lovely square that is regularly home to art and book markets if you have the time You can find a multitude of interesting and inspiring items there or just grab a coffee and sit on one of the benches taking in the scene Once you are done enjoying Spui itrsquos time to get back on track so return to the RokinKalverstraat and head to the right (south) not forgetting to take a closer look
at the statue of former Queen Wilhelmina and her horse standing proudly at the bridge opposite This is also the starting point for boat tours if you want to take a little time out from your stroll to Rembrandtplein get a ticket and hop on one of the very typical 70s-style boats that constantly criss-cross the watery arteries of Amsterdam These typical 1970s-style barges provide a visual impression of the city that looks familiar yet very different a pleasure that locals and visitors alike appreciate very much every time
When you have returned from the water tour return to Rokin and keep walking towards Munt which is easily recognisable by its old-style tower featuring a clockwork chime that marks the hour and enhances the scenery in this part of town along with the Hotel De LrsquoEurope just across the way You could also take a pit-stop there while enjoying the view over the Amstel and the hundreds of little boats filled with chillaxing people at least on sunny days You can dwell on the fact that life in Amsterdam often seems so easy and beautiful that it entices visitors to return again and again You are now very close to your final destination so cross the road and enter the Reguliersbreestraat Marvel at the beauty of the Tuschinski Theater as you continue towards the wide open square that is our last stop Grab a drink or some ice-cream while you find yourself a nice spot on the grassy circular central area of the Rembrandtplein where you can spend hours looking at the beautiful buildings the relaxing people and the artists selling their work This is also where you can find me presenting a fine selection of my photo prints of what to me is the best city in the world So if itrsquos not raining come by and enjoy my photographic impressions of Amsterdam they make awesome souvenirs to take home with you Irsquom looking forward to meeting you on lsquomyrsquo square
lsquoOur journey is a short one that can even be done on footrsquo
27
28perspectives
29perspectives
lsquo1970s-style barges provide a visual impression of the city that looks familiar yet very differentrsquo
30perspectives
31perspectives
32perspectives
33perspectives
lsquoMarvel at the beauty of the Tuschinski Theaterrsquo
34perspectives
35perspectives
lsquoRotate 360 degrees to take it all inrsquo
36perspectives
lsquoRotate 360 degrees to take it all inrsquo
37perspectives
38perspectives
39perspectives
40
perspectives
41perspectives
42featureperspectives
feature4
3perspectives
44
featureperspectives
feature4
5perspectives
lsquoTake a closer look at the statue of former Queen Wilhelmina and her horsersquo
46
perspectives
lsquoThis is also where you can find me presenting a fine selection of my
photo printsrsquo
47perspectives
perspectives4
8
perspectives4
9
For complete and world class tours of Prague
Packages includebull Hidden and playful Prague (for families with young children)bull Literary Praguebull Prague Architecture through the agesbull Religion and the citybull The old city at night
These are detailed tours designed for visitors who wish to explore with great detail and not suitable for simply sight-seeing tourists
Day segments and ratesPR 0800-1230hrs AG 1330-1630hrs UE 1730-2130hrsAll sessions are priced at u 25 per single adult Group size upper limit = 8 Accompanied children under the age of five are gratis and school aged children pay 25 Family package rates are negotiable
ContactJaroslav Cernosek+420 602 228 797Mail jcernosekcentrumcz
wwwyourtuliptourcom
JC Tours
50classifieds
51classifieds
CafeacuteBar Review Van Mechelen
cafebar review52
Van MechelenSloterkade 96-97 Amsterdam
It may be the new hype in the city as far as grand cafeacute and restaurant concepts go but Van Mechelen is already approaching excellence Considering its handy location in another pretty neighbourhood of Amsterdam South it is almost a lsquomust visitrsquo place that has created a theme built on the Burgundian enjoyment of life good food complemented with top-class beer and wine If you want a taste of what it feels like to visit a cafeacute-restaurant in Mechelen Belgium Van Mechelen is an easy way for an Amsterdammer to savour this experience and is just a short cycle ride away
ambianceBurgundian Rating 5
StaffregularsMembers of staff are clearly very well trained and this adds to the light and airy atmosphere Having opened for business just three months ago those who have fallen in love with the place and its consumables have not yet had time to clock up the number of visits and connections to be considered lsquoregularsrsquo Rating 5
televised sportNo space within the design and layout for this form of distraction Rating 3
PricesSurprisingly these are within the lsquonormalrsquo range for this level and quality of fare Outstandingly fairly priced snacks and nibbles are also offered to help you along as you take on the fine (Mechelen brewery group Alken-Maes) beers and wines When did you last enjoy a generous portion of fresh olives for a mere euro250 Rating 5
MusicAt the time of review the establishment was fairly packed out The atmosphere is conducive to chats and hilarity and although the selection of tunes could be heard far in the background the sound system may well have more kick It should as the building is of such a solid constitution that it should contain noise and not easily upset the neighbours Rating 5
Smoking area provisionFortunately for puffers the originally industrial nature of the address means that the former loading bay and entranceexit areas have become two naturally covered terrace areas separated from the luscious interior by huge glass-panelled doors Rating 5
total rating 2830(Rating from 1-5 where 1 = Very poor and 5 = Excellent)
By Denson Pierre
lsquoThe new hype in the city as far as grand cafeacute and restaurant concepts gorsquo
cafebar review53
lsquoMembers of staff are clearly very well trainedrsquo
cafebar review54
cafebar review55
lsquoOutstandingly fairly priced snacks and nibbles are also offeredrsquo
cafebar review56
cafebar review57
lsquoThe atmosphere is conducive to chats and hilarityrsquo
cafebar review58
cafebar review59
scamsterdam
lifestyles60
By Valeria Scimia
Unemployed international and looking for a job in the Netherlands Not only must you face the everyday hell that is job-seeking but now you must also beware of scam companies Yes theyrsquove arrived here too
I was recently contacted by an ostensibly legitimate company that wanted to hire me The contact took the form of what appeared to be a genuine e-mail complete with website and logo from a company in Australia that seemed absolutely legitimate (I have since contacted the company to warn them that someone overseas is using their name and logo to scam people) The e-mail explained that the company was opening an office in Holland and was looking for people who would handle the back-office orders It contained a form to be filled in and returned if I was interested in the position the form asked for all my personal information including my bank details I had been looking for a job and was interested in the offer so I filled in and sent off the form and my CV Once they received my e-mail they asked me to start a trial period without practically explaining anything of what the job was actually about I didnrsquot immediately reply so they called me the next day asking me to start immediately with the trial period promising lots of benefits once the contract was signed I hadnrsquot met anyone at this point only telephone interviews and that already didnrsquot seem right to me I asked them to send me more information by e-mail about what I was meant to do and a few moments later I received a response asking me to make a bank transfer to show them I was trustworthy The lsquotrialrsquo implied that they would send me some money and I had to transfer half via GWK or MoneyTransfer to one of their clients and keep the other half This smelled very fishy to the Italian in me In reality they could be sending a cheque to the bank which would register an income that would later bounce after I had already made the payment to their lsquoclientrsquo On top of losing money the person that tried to lsquohirersquo meyou
would have been untraceable No one was even picking up the phone at the number given in the e-mail and the company they claimed to represent wasnrsquot even active in Europe
So I said no and told them I was no longer interested They even had the gumption to call me back and ask me why I wouldnrsquot do it I gave them a silly excuse so as not to give them any more information or tips on how to improve their scummy scam I am happy I started checking their contacts as soon as their promises seemed too good to be true even if I am still angry I allowed them to data-mine all of my information when I sent them my CV and filled in their form
It beggars belief that they set up an entire facade in these times of work despair and it really doesnrsquot feel right especially because therersquos not much I can do about it now apart from inform people I didnrsquot think this would ever happen here in this country where everything has to be or always seems to be so legitimate But I guess some things never change and a place doesnrsquot make the people and certainly doesnrsquot influence the choices they make I just wanted to share my experience to alert everyone to the possible scam If a company contacts you and asks you to return a form including your bank details when you have never met anyone face-to-face it should make your antennas extend and remember to double-check their credibility Apparently it is illegal to ask such questions of someone here so donrsquot fall for it as I did As I am still waiting to hear from the company in Australia I didnrsquot feel it was proper to disclose its name publicly just yet plus I am not sure the scammers always use the same company as a fake front But what they ask you to do is more or less always the same so keep your eyes open to the little details
lsquoYou face the everyday hell that is job-seeking but now you must also beware of scam companiesrsquo
lsquoThis smelled very fishy to the Italian in mersquo
lsquoThe form asked for all my personal informationrsquo
lifestyles6
1
Je moet er geweest zijn
62classifieds
MechelenAuthentic and full of surprises Thatrsquos Mechelen Hospitable and honourable Thatrsquos the people of Mechelen Come and experience the cityrsquos urban charms for yourself Mechelen
Authentic and full of surprises Thatrsquos Mechelen Hospitable and honourable Thatrsquos the people of Mechelen Come and experience the cityrsquos urban charms for yourself
photography copy Milo Profi
classifieds63
classifieds
How to hang out in
Amsterdam
By ER Muntrem
perspectives
It is not against the rules for babies to cry in cafeacutes It happens Mostly they sleep or sit in someonersquos lap with commendable decorum Otherwise kids in cafeacutes tend to nosh a little less than their elders and handle crayons a little more And while anyone who toddles behind the bar will certainly get caught they can always claim they were encouraged to toddle there in the first place
Dutch parents and I realise this is hard to prove seem to let their kids wander a metre or two further away from them than parents from other developed countries that universal ldquowhere is sherdquo look delayed five or ten seconds If this extra distance is a sign of perceived safety cafeacute culture must help teach it
Except for chefs all cafeacute workers do more or less all the jobs required to run a cafeacute They all wait on tables
serve hot and cold drinks set up outdoor furniture load and retrieve supplies take the garbage out wash glasses light candles arrange flowers unfurl the awning and ring up the bill When the young guy or girl greets you you may know they are not the owner but for the moment they are the face of the establishment It may as well be their place
Admittedly I am seduced by places where waiters donrsquot work for tips where the rushed pace of eating in a restaurant in America does not exist In a cafeacute you can do what you want for as long as you want and get food and drink while you do it Pretty cool and as much a baseline for how to hang out in Amsterdam as cycling is for how to get around
Places to eat and drink owned by corporations have to package experience to deliver it Whatrsquos our brand How can our managers and servers be most efficient How ultimately can we be number one Not something most cafeacutes seem to be worried about and where the universal signs for lsquowe are having a good time togetherrsquo
lsquoCafeacute culture must help teachrsquo lsquoI am seduced by places where waiters donrsquot work for tipsrsquo
64
perspectives
or lsquoI am happy here by myselfrsquo (clinked glasses or absorption in a newspaper say) are routinely in evidence This is one true grace of democracy the average worth smiling about
At cafeacutes co-workers have a beer before or after their shift friends drop by or a regular pops in with some news The stream of customers they donrsquot have to woo and donrsquot have to lsquoworkrsquo gives the whole thing a slightly familial living room perfectly public feel that makes the work far less of a personality crimp than working at Starbucks Or so it seems I do not mean to pretend carrying drinks across the street to the canal side seating or giving obvious directions yet again is always glorious but most people who work in cafeacutersquos laugh and smile a fair bit almost as much as the patrons
And when the owner of a cafeacute is of a generation older than those working there as is usually the case it lends a wise uncle or mother hen feel to the proceedings In the daytime no one is ever too caught up in his or her designated title to ignore a baby on the move And at
night the crowd of drinkers may as well be at a party hosted by their parents or kids or both
Itrsquos not all about money cafeacute culture churns towards the civilised without grinding anyone too far down As well as pleasure there is power in this The best distillation I know of what democracy should be came from a young woman working at Cafeacute Captein With our meal in front of us my friend noticed he was missing his salad Flagged down the young woman went to investigate ldquoItrsquos on its wayrdquo she said ldquoI told my boss to do itrdquo
Imagine we told Putin to do it We told Obama to do it We told the bankers to do it
lsquoMost people who work in cafeacutersquos laugh and smile a fair bitrsquo
lsquoCafeacute culture churns towards the civilised without grinding anyone too far downrsquo
65
66
featurecity gem
lsquoThe last of the large independent music stores left standing in Amsterdamrsquo
CITY GEM
67
Concerto
By Denson Pierre
ConcertoUtrechtsestraat 60 1017 VP Amsterdam
it is a rush when on a full stomach you can make an instant decision on where your next city-centre lunch will be taken it is almost ecstasy when the venue is situated in a music shop which for decades has been defined by its exceptional range and quality of music available in amsterdam Concerto is the last of the large independent music stores left standing in amsterdam all the others have long since been killed off by everything from the advance in recording and playback technologies to habitual illegal downloaders only now realising that their behaviour has an impact right back down to street level despite what they might think about the giant studios and recording companies
Concerto has not stuck but has twisted Since September it has incorporated a cute cafeacute
and lunch area within its premises as well as introducing a bookshop and lounge area making it possible to spend an almost nostalgic time there over several hours It still has a vast range of the very best music in vinyl (both new and second-hand) and CD form DVDs DJ equipment and even gear used for live musical performances Itrsquos a gold mine
If it has taken this clever adaptation in space utilisation to keep this institution viable and available to Amsterdam-based music lovers then I personally wish to support this venture and help mean this type of music retailer to remain part of the city scene For people of a certain age there is something infinitely more appealing about physically handling recorded material appreciating the artwork in its packaging having a listen and then deciding if it is a purchase you would like to make Even though non-digital stockpiling has become rather passeacute I challenge you to visit Concerto and its new cafeacute and bookshop concept and not end up spending more time in this true city gem than you had anticipated
lsquoIt has incorporated a cute cafeacute and lunch area within its premises as well as introducing a bookshop and lounge arearsquo
city gem
68
city gem
69city gem
city gem70
city gem71
72city gem
lsquoThere is something infinitely more appealing about physically
handling recorded material appreciating the artwork in its
packagingrsquo
73city gem
74classifi eds
75classifi eds
classifi edsclassifi eds76
amsterdam city life
BrinG BaCK
Something that seems to have been watered down considerably in Amsterdamrsquos hospitality industry in recent years is independence of thought styling and designAll you have to do is walk around the city to note that way too many coffeesoup houses and cafeacutes are more or less identikit This also applies to many cafeacutes with unimaginative business leaders who open unoriginal looking spaces and hope that the use of white paint purple or blue lights and house music is all it takes
Luckily there is something brewing to save our days and nights I have come across cafeacute owners who are now seriously considering ending the arrangements they have with the giant drink suppliers There are actually no good arguments left for continuing with these huge multinationals as they are frankly more expensive at wholesale for the same A-class products than the supermarkets on every Amsterdammerrsquos street corner
It looks like space is being created for the smaller brewers to take up the supply of A-class beer to smaller establishments throughout the city The giants can keep their character-free tourist traps and those bars still able to benefit purely from their unbeatable locations throughout the city
The Sentinel says bring back better and more original businesses of scale within the local hospitality industry which will help more cafeacutes and bars not only to become distinguishable by the interior designs they will need to conjure but also through the variety of local and regional beers that could become part of their coherent identity The overriding benefit of such courageous thinking and action would be an immediate return to realistic and reasonable pricing for A-class beer in Amsterdam which remains the staple of the easy consumables as this recession drones on
By Denson Pierre
INDEPENDENT CAFeacuteSBARS
77
78star beer guide
Star Beer
The SentinelStar beer guide
lsquoDifferent beers can seem to weigh on the conscience as much as on the taste budsrsquo
Just like the changing of the seasons different beers can seem to weigh on the conscience as much as on the taste buds Ciney blond is a lovely almost effeminate tasting beer All light smooth fruitiness bolstered by substantial alcohol content
As the temperature increases it can even feel like a thirst quencher A nice session beer and one that could function as an entrance-level quality beer in terms of its complexity For advanced samplers it is a great lower platform to descend to after cruising the space occupied by the 8-plus percentage alcoholic beauties
Ciney blond is brewed by Alken-Maes Mechelen Belgium
By Denson Pierre
CINEY BLOND (7 ABV)
79star beer guide
We find the best most fun most typical exciting or local favourite restaurants etcetera in Amsterdam and bring them to you an easy way to feel like a local
Cafe Kostverloren 040606
Recommended
80recommended
EUROGIFTSXenonweg 9 3812 SZ Amersfoort
Tel 033 - 454 35 75 - Fax 033 - 454 35 79E-mail lmproefeurogiftsnl
Website wwweurogiftsnl
FILMPROEF
ORDERNUMMER 6021022ARTIKELNUMMER 65123
Ware grootte (indien uitgeprint)Kleur opdruk Wit
Mulligans Irish Music BarAmsterdamrsquos best address for live Irish music Five (5) nights a week Check our agenda for upcoming sessions Amstel 100 1017 AC Amsterdamwwwmulligansnl
Cafeacute KostverlorenCafeacute Kostverloren is a contemporary cafe offering the cosiness of a saloon an open kitchen and the intimacy of a living room The large terras is great for sunny days2e Kostverlorenkade 70 Amsterdamwwwcafekostverlorennl
ZestZest is fi ne food warm atmosphere and classy drinks with regular semi-acoustic (live) music and DJs (Thursday to Sunday) Amsterdamrsquos newest and freshestBilderdijkstraat 188 Amsterdamwwwfacebookcomclubzestnl
GollemGollemrsquos Proefl okaal Gollem and Gollem II represent the best addresses serving the fullest range of top Belgian Dutch and international beers in AmsterdamOvertoom 160-161wwwcafegollemnl
IncantoA restaurant with a classic Italian kitchen Venetian chef Simone Ambrosin is known for his pure and simple style of cooking with great feeling for nuanceAmstel 2 Amsterdamwwwrestaurant-incantonl
Planet RoseThe fi rst Caribbean restaurant in the Netherlands specialised in Jamaican cuisine The menu features a daily changing selectionNicolaas Beetsstraat 47 Amsterdamwwwplanetroseinfo
Cafe restaurant EdelCafe restaurant Edel is the perfect place for lunch dinner or to simply enjoy a drink Edel is a unique place in AmsterdamPostjesweg 1 1057 DT Amsterdamwwwedelamsterdamnl
Cafeacute OportoCafeacute Oporto is a traditional Amsterdam lsquobrown cafersquo Welcoming tourists and regular customers alike they offer televised sports wifi and a wide range of reasonably priced beers and spiritsZoutsteeg 1 1012 LX Amsterdamwwwcafeoportonet
BaxA cosy and friendly local cafeacute with a focus on special or interesting beers and good quality food Open 7 days a week with a professional kitchen offering a lunch and dinner serviceTen Katestraat 119 Amsterdamwwwcafebaxnl
To be seen and tasted Fun Drinking amp Music
To Be Seen and Tasted
Fun Drinking amp Music
Fun Drinking amp Music
Connoisseurs Delight
Connoisseurs Delight
Connoisseurs Delight
To Be Seen and Tasted
Neighbourhood cosy
Fun drinking and music
ParckGreat fun beautiful people and simply the best bar food in townOvertoom 428 Amsterdamwwwcafeparcknl
To be seen and tasted
Cafe de Toog1890rsquos grandeur fashioned into Amsterdam-West grand brown cafe-restaurant-cool Classy drinks and mealsNicolaas Beetsstraat 142 hs Amsterdam wwwcafedetoogcom
Opera Prima - Patisserie Bistro TraiteurThe best place in town for lunch exquisite high teas or brunches and all of your luxury catering both private and corporateKinkerstraat 228 Amsterdamwwwoperaprimanl
Recommended
81
Where is this inAmsterdamAnswer to sentinelpostgmailcom
82spotted
Room 2cfilm
ldquoCome on in boys the waterrsquos finerdquo This is arguably the best all-round and funny musical to come out of Hollywood in a generation and certainly one of the best three soundtracks of the same period George Clooney will never be as good or charming as he is here playing the accidental leader of a trio of chain gang escapees in the US south of the 1930s Spirituality meets the Ku Klux Klan all coloured by Virginia bluegrass
ldquoCall me Snakerdquo The coolest handle for a leading man (Kurt Russell) in any movie to date Here he is sent in on a heroic lsquoat all costrsquo one-man mission to rescue the president of the United States from the prison island Manhattan has become in a lsquofuturersquo representation of 1997 Air Force One has crashed there and the countdown is on Classic 1980s turn of the millennium dystopian vision with style pace and gadgetry
By dpmotions
By dpmotions
o Brother Where Art Thou (2000)
escape from new York (1981)
room2c83
84trends
lsquoTrends are great to join and surf like a once in a lifetime tsunamirsquo
By Dirkje Bakker-Pierre
Each and every micro-world has its own specific trends Take the fashion world for example where one day you have to wear high heels and round noses and the next itrsquos flat hairy elephant feet-like boots that must hug your feet Or take the automotive world where once upon a time you could never have enough chrome on your car or the food world where we have quietly moved from fast to green and wholesome or the TV world which used to be about fiction and is now more real than reality Some of these trends are great to join and surf like a once in a lifetime tsunami others can slip by unnoticed and others still keep bugging and bugging you even if you try to avoid them like the plague
The online world and specifically the social media universe eats through trends like a fat chick after a hunger strike Facebook in particular seems to move seamlessly from one hype to the next one day itrsquos pictures with fuzzy edges or a bit of a 1970s filter the next itrsquos a profile picture with you very consciously not looking into the camera (very spontaneously and naturally non-posing you might say) These are mostly harmless things if Irsquom honest and when everyone
stops liking them they fade away as quickly as the sun in our small wet country There is one trend however that has festered within Facebook from the very beginning and which seems to be gradually growing and growing without anyone ever liking the postshellip and I mean EVER
Yes I am talking about daily quotes words of wisdom holy quotes mesmerizingly philosophical quotes cheesy quotes religious quoteshellip How can I describe all of them in one easy sentence pieces of text from (famous) people (it can never be something you thought of yourself) that lsquodisclosersquo previously secret information about being happy in life (or at least previously secret to the person doing the posting I presume) In short texts that belong on tiles hanging on the wall in old Dutch peoplersquos toilets
Why
Here are a few I found in my news feed this week
ldquoA mind is like a parachute It doesnrsquot work if it is not openrdquo ndash Frank Zappa
ldquoIt is not because things are difficult that we do not dare it is because we do not dare that things are difficultrdquo ndash Seneca
ldquoIf you donrsquot take what you are doing seriously then nobody else willrdquo ndash Darryl Dlt Thomson
Bad trends would be good if they werenrsquot so bad
85trends
86classifi eds
87classifieds
One of my personal favourite gemstones is moonstone Itlsquos been around for centuries and is used in many cultures As suggested by its name the stone is highly associated with the moon and moon goddess Diana It brings calm peace and love and is said to become more powerful when the moon is full so thatlsquos the best time to wear it One proverb even claims that moonstone can bring you love that will fly you to the moon Spiritually this amazing stone is said to enhance intuition and is always associated with the self It is a very powerful personal stone which doesnlsquot add or remove any aspects of the personality but merely reflects the person wearing it It is said to be very
MoonstoneBy Evelina Kvartunaite
ndash
lsquoThe stone is highly associated with the moon and moon goddess Dianarsquo
ndash
helpful for people who are very sensitive and it is also used in meditation for reflecting oneself Itlsquos always best to charge your gem when the moon is shining at night either while wearing it or by leaving it on a windowsill that receives moonlight Moonstone is also used in healing and is known for balancing the internal organ systems enabling them to work in stable cycles Itlsquos usually more associated with women but is also known to help men embrace their more emotional side soft creative energies and optimism Perhaps understandably moonstone should have limited exposure to strong direct sunlight
ndash
lsquoIt is said to be very helpful for people who are very sensitiversquo
ndash
88
health amp well-being
ndash
lsquoMore associated with women but is also known to help men embrace their more emotional sidersquo
ndash
89health amp well-being
In his article Batin shows how learning how to use complex products is like learning a computer game Just like the challenges in video games match the skills of the user so should TV interactions or any UI interactions for that matter For reference Batin used the four levels described in the Dreyfus model of skill acquisition
Level 1 novicebullRigid adherence to taught rules or plansbullNo exercise of lsquodiscretionary judgmentrsquo
Level 2 Advanced beginnerbullLimited lsquosituational perceptionrsquobullAll aspects of work treated separately with equal importance
Philip Batin wrote an article a couple of months ago about the next big idea in User Interaction gadgets that adapt to your skills As gadgets become more complicated UIs must be able to teach their users over time Apparently more and more interactive products are being returned In 2002 48 of all returned products were technically fully functional but were rejected for failing to satisfy user needs 20 purely due to customer remorse Even though a product may have all the features one can hope for complexity and bad user experience can prevent users from integrating it into their lives
UserInterfaceThe next big thing in UX
lsquoUIs must be able to teach their users over timersquo
By Andrei Barburas
lsquoComplexity and bad user experience can prevent users from
integrating it into their livesrsquo
90
technology
book the majority of which you probably skipped through
Personally I believe that there are certain end users most likely the majority that use only a limited set of features from any device they buy Mobile phones have become indispensable tools in our daily activities yet the average Joe has no idea about the full potential of a smart phone The same applies to Smart TVs they can do lots of things yet the only thing that we do with them is flip channels and complain how bad the shows are
The bottom line is that itrsquos definitely something worth thinking about not only from an operating system perspective but also from the perspective of applications developers
Level 3 competentbulllsquoCoping with crowdednessrsquo (multiple activities accumulation of information)bullSome perception of actions in relation to goalsbullDeliberate planningbullFormulates routines
Level 4 ProficientbullHolistic view of situationbullPrioritizes importance of aspectsbulllsquoPerceives deviations from the normal patternrsquobullEmploys maxim for guidance with meanings that adapt to the situation at hand
Now just imagine a User Interface that adapts based on what you can do and the abilities you have As you learn new things new levels of complexity are unlocked opening the door to fully knowing your device because you learned by doing and not by reading a complicated
lsquoThe average Joe has no idea about the full potential of a
smart phonersquo
91technology
92classifi eds
93classifi eds
Not knowing what was happening in football was extremely annoying to put it mildly and it wasnrsquot just my own self-denial and avoidance of all things football that was a hindrance the extent to which I had to ask others to go in order to remain ignorant was much more excruciating than Irsquod ever imagined There may even be some damage done to football-related friendships that is irreparable I now feel as though Irsquom walking through an empty stadium after everyone else has gone home
So what now and where to next The season is well and truly over and Irsquom free to do whatever I want I could read the back-dated sports pages check all the stats and find out all the facts if I wanted to I could spend hours catching up on last season and speculating on the next with the friends Irsquove still got left down the pub if I wanted to I can follow all the transfer gossip watch pre-season friendlies and build up all my hopes But as with most addictions that would simply be falling back into a previous state of dependence and everything Irsquove just put myself through wouldrsquove been for nothing So how do I go back to an old habit without a total relapse or would it be better to keep abstaining
All my questions seem to be met with other questions and no solutions On the other hand if you ask me what
Someone once said that insanity is when you keep repeating the same behaviour and expect a different outcome most likely a psychologist aimed at his or her ailing patients But for me these words are more reminiscent of my own conduct over the course of a regular football season Week in week out season after season I would expect Tottenham to win something and more often than not Irsquod be left disappointed So I decided to stop No more football ndash at least not for one full season
The season 201213 is now over and during the whole nine months I didnrsquot watch a single moment of football or read a single article on the subject That was my challenge and I was committed to it What is more despite all the warning signs I didnrsquot relapse After a year of structured punishment I didnrsquot have a clue about what was going on in the English Premier League (or any other league) Only having picked up bits and pieces of information that somehow slipped through the net the past season was like a book with most of its pages missing
By Simon Joseph
On The Volley
The Return of the Repressed or the Point of No Return
lsquoInsanity is when you keep repeating the same behaviour and expect a different outcomersquo
sport
lsquoThe past season was like a book with most of its pages missingrsquo
94
lsquoThere may even be some damage done to football-related friendshipsrsquo
lsquoHas abstaining for a season changed mersquo
it until the cows come home but it was us who made those changes or at least allowed them to happen and those changes will continue to happen with or without me Perhaps then the questions I should be asking are has abstaining for a season changed me Am I still obsessed or have I broken the habit of a lifetime Is following football really that terrible or even a real addiction
One thing is certain this lack of resolution is not completely without satisfaction because like all forms of fixation or obsession therersquos comfort and familiarity to be found in repetition as Tottenham miss out on Championrsquos League football by a single point again The repressed will always return to haunt us or so it seems and before we know it the start of next season will be upon us There will be more pain no doubt and more joy This time however it will take more than a boot camp approach to keep me away and who knows Tottenham might even win the league Come on you Spurs
Tottenham Hotspur means I would still tell you that itrsquos not just a pretty football package itrsquos about kith and kin not just where I came from but how I relate to others around me in the here and now Whatrsquos more millions of people are attracted to football they hunger for it and yearn to connect with it even though I still believe itrsquos a form of ineffective escape from one unsatisfying reality to another Following football is a classic example of cognitive dissonance ndash when you simultaneously entertain two opposing thoughts that appear to cancel each other out Before the start of each season for example we all want our club to win everything or to be taken over by billionaires but know that itrsquos impossible or in the latter case controversial and even undesirable So we invent ways to cope We develop a so-called lsquosiege mentalityrsquo or other harmful patterns of behaviour to relieve the discomfort of incongruity With this in mind the past year was supposed to be an exercise in behaviour modification ndash to discover the root of the problem and treat it effectively But one year on have I really discovered anything at all
The English Premier League whether you watch it or not is still probably the most exciting football league in the world We can complain about the changes made to
sport9
5
By Denson Pierre
The Gold Room
Fantasy Football Gold ndash Champions League 2012-2013 winner Denson Pierre and his prizes
The season petered out in an all-German Champions League Final which did nothing to dispel the record that this was a season of too few new stars or regular spectacle We look forward to the next season as it ought not be too difficult to create more excitement than in the one just pastWe did have the opportunity to hand over the envelopes and trophies to the Sentinel Fantasy Football game winners This year all the major winners from the Sentinel Fantasy Football League were unable to be present for the physical prize giving but the winner of the Gold Game and focus of this column was there to receive his prize for winning the master game in styleSo we retire the Gold Room until the beginning of the new football season See you all again then
96
sport
Matt Parker receives his third place and Manager of the Month prizes for the Sentinel Fantasy Football League
Charles Conneely Sentinel Fantasy Football League 2012-2013 Champion
97sport
wwwczechtourismcom
CZECH REPUBLIC - STUNNINGLY DIFFERENT
98
classifi eds
9feature
10feature
11feature
12feature
feature13
feature14
feature15
lsquoSuch a natural and effortless trip to makersquo
16feature
feature17
18feature
feature19
feature20
feature21
feature22
feature
feature
lsquoJopen its beer and its people are so well worked out and presented
that it should be on every Amsterdammerrsquos radarrsquo
feature23
Get advice on housing rental contracts and apartments in Amsterdam
wwwwswonennlenglish
wwwconsultancymarketmediacom
- Account Manager Market Media- (Internship) International Marketing Executive
we are looking for
24classifieds
artist thinker
Here are some of our local partners
Enter (click) to learn why they work with us
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25classifieds
Dam in 60 minutes
By Sam van Dam
perspectives
Rembrandtplein26
perspectives
Last time out I took you up North to the beautiful island of Marken Since that was a somewhat longer trip than some readers might want to take by bike this time our journey is a short one that can even be done on foot to Rembrandtplein The adventure starts at Central Station turn your back on the visually pleasing building that facilitates the arrival of visitors to our hometown and head towards Damrak Amsterdamrsquos lsquoRed Carpetrsquo and home these days to gazillions of restaurants shops bars cafeacutes and of course the nearby world-famous Red Light District all of which wersquoll simply ignore This is easier said than done as there is so much to see so many temptations that demand your attention and try to make you spend your euros before you have even entered the actual city As you walk down Damrak you start to see the buildings situated around Dam Square the central point of Amsterdam offering such delights as the Royal Palace Madame Tussauds the Nieuwekerk the war memorial and other landmarks that define this famous square Rotate 360 degrees to take it all in and then move toward Rokin or if you are in mood for some shopping walk down Kalverstraat instead Yoursquore bound to find something you like in the hundreds of shops lining one of Amsterdamrsquos two main shopping streets Keep walking straight on and just to your right yoursquoll find Spui a lovely square that is regularly home to art and book markets if you have the time You can find a multitude of interesting and inspiring items there or just grab a coffee and sit on one of the benches taking in the scene Once you are done enjoying Spui itrsquos time to get back on track so return to the RokinKalverstraat and head to the right (south) not forgetting to take a closer look
at the statue of former Queen Wilhelmina and her horse standing proudly at the bridge opposite This is also the starting point for boat tours if you want to take a little time out from your stroll to Rembrandtplein get a ticket and hop on one of the very typical 70s-style boats that constantly criss-cross the watery arteries of Amsterdam These typical 1970s-style barges provide a visual impression of the city that looks familiar yet very different a pleasure that locals and visitors alike appreciate very much every time
When you have returned from the water tour return to Rokin and keep walking towards Munt which is easily recognisable by its old-style tower featuring a clockwork chime that marks the hour and enhances the scenery in this part of town along with the Hotel De LrsquoEurope just across the way You could also take a pit-stop there while enjoying the view over the Amstel and the hundreds of little boats filled with chillaxing people at least on sunny days You can dwell on the fact that life in Amsterdam often seems so easy and beautiful that it entices visitors to return again and again You are now very close to your final destination so cross the road and enter the Reguliersbreestraat Marvel at the beauty of the Tuschinski Theater as you continue towards the wide open square that is our last stop Grab a drink or some ice-cream while you find yourself a nice spot on the grassy circular central area of the Rembrandtplein where you can spend hours looking at the beautiful buildings the relaxing people and the artists selling their work This is also where you can find me presenting a fine selection of my photo prints of what to me is the best city in the world So if itrsquos not raining come by and enjoy my photographic impressions of Amsterdam they make awesome souvenirs to take home with you Irsquom looking forward to meeting you on lsquomyrsquo square
lsquoOur journey is a short one that can even be done on footrsquo
27
28perspectives
29perspectives
lsquo1970s-style barges provide a visual impression of the city that looks familiar yet very differentrsquo
30perspectives
31perspectives
32perspectives
33perspectives
lsquoMarvel at the beauty of the Tuschinski Theaterrsquo
34perspectives
35perspectives
lsquoRotate 360 degrees to take it all inrsquo
36perspectives
lsquoRotate 360 degrees to take it all inrsquo
37perspectives
38perspectives
39perspectives
40
perspectives
41perspectives
42featureperspectives
feature4
3perspectives
44
featureperspectives
feature4
5perspectives
lsquoTake a closer look at the statue of former Queen Wilhelmina and her horsersquo
46
perspectives
lsquoThis is also where you can find me presenting a fine selection of my
photo printsrsquo
47perspectives
perspectives4
8
perspectives4
9
For complete and world class tours of Prague
Packages includebull Hidden and playful Prague (for families with young children)bull Literary Praguebull Prague Architecture through the agesbull Religion and the citybull The old city at night
These are detailed tours designed for visitors who wish to explore with great detail and not suitable for simply sight-seeing tourists
Day segments and ratesPR 0800-1230hrs AG 1330-1630hrs UE 1730-2130hrsAll sessions are priced at u 25 per single adult Group size upper limit = 8 Accompanied children under the age of five are gratis and school aged children pay 25 Family package rates are negotiable
ContactJaroslav Cernosek+420 602 228 797Mail jcernosekcentrumcz
wwwyourtuliptourcom
JC Tours
50classifieds
51classifieds
CafeacuteBar Review Van Mechelen
cafebar review52
Van MechelenSloterkade 96-97 Amsterdam
It may be the new hype in the city as far as grand cafeacute and restaurant concepts go but Van Mechelen is already approaching excellence Considering its handy location in another pretty neighbourhood of Amsterdam South it is almost a lsquomust visitrsquo place that has created a theme built on the Burgundian enjoyment of life good food complemented with top-class beer and wine If you want a taste of what it feels like to visit a cafeacute-restaurant in Mechelen Belgium Van Mechelen is an easy way for an Amsterdammer to savour this experience and is just a short cycle ride away
ambianceBurgundian Rating 5
StaffregularsMembers of staff are clearly very well trained and this adds to the light and airy atmosphere Having opened for business just three months ago those who have fallen in love with the place and its consumables have not yet had time to clock up the number of visits and connections to be considered lsquoregularsrsquo Rating 5
televised sportNo space within the design and layout for this form of distraction Rating 3
PricesSurprisingly these are within the lsquonormalrsquo range for this level and quality of fare Outstandingly fairly priced snacks and nibbles are also offered to help you along as you take on the fine (Mechelen brewery group Alken-Maes) beers and wines When did you last enjoy a generous portion of fresh olives for a mere euro250 Rating 5
MusicAt the time of review the establishment was fairly packed out The atmosphere is conducive to chats and hilarity and although the selection of tunes could be heard far in the background the sound system may well have more kick It should as the building is of such a solid constitution that it should contain noise and not easily upset the neighbours Rating 5
Smoking area provisionFortunately for puffers the originally industrial nature of the address means that the former loading bay and entranceexit areas have become two naturally covered terrace areas separated from the luscious interior by huge glass-panelled doors Rating 5
total rating 2830(Rating from 1-5 where 1 = Very poor and 5 = Excellent)
By Denson Pierre
lsquoThe new hype in the city as far as grand cafeacute and restaurant concepts gorsquo
cafebar review53
lsquoMembers of staff are clearly very well trainedrsquo
cafebar review54
cafebar review55
lsquoOutstandingly fairly priced snacks and nibbles are also offeredrsquo
cafebar review56
cafebar review57
lsquoThe atmosphere is conducive to chats and hilarityrsquo
cafebar review58
cafebar review59
scamsterdam
lifestyles60
By Valeria Scimia
Unemployed international and looking for a job in the Netherlands Not only must you face the everyday hell that is job-seeking but now you must also beware of scam companies Yes theyrsquove arrived here too
I was recently contacted by an ostensibly legitimate company that wanted to hire me The contact took the form of what appeared to be a genuine e-mail complete with website and logo from a company in Australia that seemed absolutely legitimate (I have since contacted the company to warn them that someone overseas is using their name and logo to scam people) The e-mail explained that the company was opening an office in Holland and was looking for people who would handle the back-office orders It contained a form to be filled in and returned if I was interested in the position the form asked for all my personal information including my bank details I had been looking for a job and was interested in the offer so I filled in and sent off the form and my CV Once they received my e-mail they asked me to start a trial period without practically explaining anything of what the job was actually about I didnrsquot immediately reply so they called me the next day asking me to start immediately with the trial period promising lots of benefits once the contract was signed I hadnrsquot met anyone at this point only telephone interviews and that already didnrsquot seem right to me I asked them to send me more information by e-mail about what I was meant to do and a few moments later I received a response asking me to make a bank transfer to show them I was trustworthy The lsquotrialrsquo implied that they would send me some money and I had to transfer half via GWK or MoneyTransfer to one of their clients and keep the other half This smelled very fishy to the Italian in me In reality they could be sending a cheque to the bank which would register an income that would later bounce after I had already made the payment to their lsquoclientrsquo On top of losing money the person that tried to lsquohirersquo meyou
would have been untraceable No one was even picking up the phone at the number given in the e-mail and the company they claimed to represent wasnrsquot even active in Europe
So I said no and told them I was no longer interested They even had the gumption to call me back and ask me why I wouldnrsquot do it I gave them a silly excuse so as not to give them any more information or tips on how to improve their scummy scam I am happy I started checking their contacts as soon as their promises seemed too good to be true even if I am still angry I allowed them to data-mine all of my information when I sent them my CV and filled in their form
It beggars belief that they set up an entire facade in these times of work despair and it really doesnrsquot feel right especially because therersquos not much I can do about it now apart from inform people I didnrsquot think this would ever happen here in this country where everything has to be or always seems to be so legitimate But I guess some things never change and a place doesnrsquot make the people and certainly doesnrsquot influence the choices they make I just wanted to share my experience to alert everyone to the possible scam If a company contacts you and asks you to return a form including your bank details when you have never met anyone face-to-face it should make your antennas extend and remember to double-check their credibility Apparently it is illegal to ask such questions of someone here so donrsquot fall for it as I did As I am still waiting to hear from the company in Australia I didnrsquot feel it was proper to disclose its name publicly just yet plus I am not sure the scammers always use the same company as a fake front But what they ask you to do is more or less always the same so keep your eyes open to the little details
lsquoYou face the everyday hell that is job-seeking but now you must also beware of scam companiesrsquo
lsquoThis smelled very fishy to the Italian in mersquo
lsquoThe form asked for all my personal informationrsquo
lifestyles6
1
Je moet er geweest zijn
62classifieds
MechelenAuthentic and full of surprises Thatrsquos Mechelen Hospitable and honourable Thatrsquos the people of Mechelen Come and experience the cityrsquos urban charms for yourself Mechelen
Authentic and full of surprises Thatrsquos Mechelen Hospitable and honourable Thatrsquos the people of Mechelen Come and experience the cityrsquos urban charms for yourself
photography copy Milo Profi
classifieds63
classifieds
How to hang out in
Amsterdam
By ER Muntrem
perspectives
It is not against the rules for babies to cry in cafeacutes It happens Mostly they sleep or sit in someonersquos lap with commendable decorum Otherwise kids in cafeacutes tend to nosh a little less than their elders and handle crayons a little more And while anyone who toddles behind the bar will certainly get caught they can always claim they were encouraged to toddle there in the first place
Dutch parents and I realise this is hard to prove seem to let their kids wander a metre or two further away from them than parents from other developed countries that universal ldquowhere is sherdquo look delayed five or ten seconds If this extra distance is a sign of perceived safety cafeacute culture must help teach it
Except for chefs all cafeacute workers do more or less all the jobs required to run a cafeacute They all wait on tables
serve hot and cold drinks set up outdoor furniture load and retrieve supplies take the garbage out wash glasses light candles arrange flowers unfurl the awning and ring up the bill When the young guy or girl greets you you may know they are not the owner but for the moment they are the face of the establishment It may as well be their place
Admittedly I am seduced by places where waiters donrsquot work for tips where the rushed pace of eating in a restaurant in America does not exist In a cafeacute you can do what you want for as long as you want and get food and drink while you do it Pretty cool and as much a baseline for how to hang out in Amsterdam as cycling is for how to get around
Places to eat and drink owned by corporations have to package experience to deliver it Whatrsquos our brand How can our managers and servers be most efficient How ultimately can we be number one Not something most cafeacutes seem to be worried about and where the universal signs for lsquowe are having a good time togetherrsquo
lsquoCafeacute culture must help teachrsquo lsquoI am seduced by places where waiters donrsquot work for tipsrsquo
64
perspectives
or lsquoI am happy here by myselfrsquo (clinked glasses or absorption in a newspaper say) are routinely in evidence This is one true grace of democracy the average worth smiling about
At cafeacutes co-workers have a beer before or after their shift friends drop by or a regular pops in with some news The stream of customers they donrsquot have to woo and donrsquot have to lsquoworkrsquo gives the whole thing a slightly familial living room perfectly public feel that makes the work far less of a personality crimp than working at Starbucks Or so it seems I do not mean to pretend carrying drinks across the street to the canal side seating or giving obvious directions yet again is always glorious but most people who work in cafeacutersquos laugh and smile a fair bit almost as much as the patrons
And when the owner of a cafeacute is of a generation older than those working there as is usually the case it lends a wise uncle or mother hen feel to the proceedings In the daytime no one is ever too caught up in his or her designated title to ignore a baby on the move And at
night the crowd of drinkers may as well be at a party hosted by their parents or kids or both
Itrsquos not all about money cafeacute culture churns towards the civilised without grinding anyone too far down As well as pleasure there is power in this The best distillation I know of what democracy should be came from a young woman working at Cafeacute Captein With our meal in front of us my friend noticed he was missing his salad Flagged down the young woman went to investigate ldquoItrsquos on its wayrdquo she said ldquoI told my boss to do itrdquo
Imagine we told Putin to do it We told Obama to do it We told the bankers to do it
lsquoMost people who work in cafeacutersquos laugh and smile a fair bitrsquo
lsquoCafeacute culture churns towards the civilised without grinding anyone too far downrsquo
65
66
featurecity gem
lsquoThe last of the large independent music stores left standing in Amsterdamrsquo
CITY GEM
67
Concerto
By Denson Pierre
ConcertoUtrechtsestraat 60 1017 VP Amsterdam
it is a rush when on a full stomach you can make an instant decision on where your next city-centre lunch will be taken it is almost ecstasy when the venue is situated in a music shop which for decades has been defined by its exceptional range and quality of music available in amsterdam Concerto is the last of the large independent music stores left standing in amsterdam all the others have long since been killed off by everything from the advance in recording and playback technologies to habitual illegal downloaders only now realising that their behaviour has an impact right back down to street level despite what they might think about the giant studios and recording companies
Concerto has not stuck but has twisted Since September it has incorporated a cute cafeacute
and lunch area within its premises as well as introducing a bookshop and lounge area making it possible to spend an almost nostalgic time there over several hours It still has a vast range of the very best music in vinyl (both new and second-hand) and CD form DVDs DJ equipment and even gear used for live musical performances Itrsquos a gold mine
If it has taken this clever adaptation in space utilisation to keep this institution viable and available to Amsterdam-based music lovers then I personally wish to support this venture and help mean this type of music retailer to remain part of the city scene For people of a certain age there is something infinitely more appealing about physically handling recorded material appreciating the artwork in its packaging having a listen and then deciding if it is a purchase you would like to make Even though non-digital stockpiling has become rather passeacute I challenge you to visit Concerto and its new cafeacute and bookshop concept and not end up spending more time in this true city gem than you had anticipated
lsquoIt has incorporated a cute cafeacute and lunch area within its premises as well as introducing a bookshop and lounge arearsquo
city gem
68
city gem
69city gem
city gem70
city gem71
72city gem
lsquoThere is something infinitely more appealing about physically
handling recorded material appreciating the artwork in its
packagingrsquo
73city gem
74classifi eds
75classifi eds
classifi edsclassifi eds76
amsterdam city life
BrinG BaCK
Something that seems to have been watered down considerably in Amsterdamrsquos hospitality industry in recent years is independence of thought styling and designAll you have to do is walk around the city to note that way too many coffeesoup houses and cafeacutes are more or less identikit This also applies to many cafeacutes with unimaginative business leaders who open unoriginal looking spaces and hope that the use of white paint purple or blue lights and house music is all it takes
Luckily there is something brewing to save our days and nights I have come across cafeacute owners who are now seriously considering ending the arrangements they have with the giant drink suppliers There are actually no good arguments left for continuing with these huge multinationals as they are frankly more expensive at wholesale for the same A-class products than the supermarkets on every Amsterdammerrsquos street corner
It looks like space is being created for the smaller brewers to take up the supply of A-class beer to smaller establishments throughout the city The giants can keep their character-free tourist traps and those bars still able to benefit purely from their unbeatable locations throughout the city
The Sentinel says bring back better and more original businesses of scale within the local hospitality industry which will help more cafeacutes and bars not only to become distinguishable by the interior designs they will need to conjure but also through the variety of local and regional beers that could become part of their coherent identity The overriding benefit of such courageous thinking and action would be an immediate return to realistic and reasonable pricing for A-class beer in Amsterdam which remains the staple of the easy consumables as this recession drones on
By Denson Pierre
INDEPENDENT CAFeacuteSBARS
77
78star beer guide
Star Beer
The SentinelStar beer guide
lsquoDifferent beers can seem to weigh on the conscience as much as on the taste budsrsquo
Just like the changing of the seasons different beers can seem to weigh on the conscience as much as on the taste buds Ciney blond is a lovely almost effeminate tasting beer All light smooth fruitiness bolstered by substantial alcohol content
As the temperature increases it can even feel like a thirst quencher A nice session beer and one that could function as an entrance-level quality beer in terms of its complexity For advanced samplers it is a great lower platform to descend to after cruising the space occupied by the 8-plus percentage alcoholic beauties
Ciney blond is brewed by Alken-Maes Mechelen Belgium
By Denson Pierre
CINEY BLOND (7 ABV)
79star beer guide
We find the best most fun most typical exciting or local favourite restaurants etcetera in Amsterdam and bring them to you an easy way to feel like a local
Cafe Kostverloren 040606
Recommended
80recommended
EUROGIFTSXenonweg 9 3812 SZ Amersfoort
Tel 033 - 454 35 75 - Fax 033 - 454 35 79E-mail lmproefeurogiftsnl
Website wwweurogiftsnl
FILMPROEF
ORDERNUMMER 6021022ARTIKELNUMMER 65123
Ware grootte (indien uitgeprint)Kleur opdruk Wit
Mulligans Irish Music BarAmsterdamrsquos best address for live Irish music Five (5) nights a week Check our agenda for upcoming sessions Amstel 100 1017 AC Amsterdamwwwmulligansnl
Cafeacute KostverlorenCafeacute Kostverloren is a contemporary cafe offering the cosiness of a saloon an open kitchen and the intimacy of a living room The large terras is great for sunny days2e Kostverlorenkade 70 Amsterdamwwwcafekostverlorennl
ZestZest is fi ne food warm atmosphere and classy drinks with regular semi-acoustic (live) music and DJs (Thursday to Sunday) Amsterdamrsquos newest and freshestBilderdijkstraat 188 Amsterdamwwwfacebookcomclubzestnl
GollemGollemrsquos Proefl okaal Gollem and Gollem II represent the best addresses serving the fullest range of top Belgian Dutch and international beers in AmsterdamOvertoom 160-161wwwcafegollemnl
IncantoA restaurant with a classic Italian kitchen Venetian chef Simone Ambrosin is known for his pure and simple style of cooking with great feeling for nuanceAmstel 2 Amsterdamwwwrestaurant-incantonl
Planet RoseThe fi rst Caribbean restaurant in the Netherlands specialised in Jamaican cuisine The menu features a daily changing selectionNicolaas Beetsstraat 47 Amsterdamwwwplanetroseinfo
Cafe restaurant EdelCafe restaurant Edel is the perfect place for lunch dinner or to simply enjoy a drink Edel is a unique place in AmsterdamPostjesweg 1 1057 DT Amsterdamwwwedelamsterdamnl
Cafeacute OportoCafeacute Oporto is a traditional Amsterdam lsquobrown cafersquo Welcoming tourists and regular customers alike they offer televised sports wifi and a wide range of reasonably priced beers and spiritsZoutsteeg 1 1012 LX Amsterdamwwwcafeoportonet
BaxA cosy and friendly local cafeacute with a focus on special or interesting beers and good quality food Open 7 days a week with a professional kitchen offering a lunch and dinner serviceTen Katestraat 119 Amsterdamwwwcafebaxnl
To be seen and tasted Fun Drinking amp Music
To Be Seen and Tasted
Fun Drinking amp Music
Fun Drinking amp Music
Connoisseurs Delight
Connoisseurs Delight
Connoisseurs Delight
To Be Seen and Tasted
Neighbourhood cosy
Fun drinking and music
ParckGreat fun beautiful people and simply the best bar food in townOvertoom 428 Amsterdamwwwcafeparcknl
To be seen and tasted
Cafe de Toog1890rsquos grandeur fashioned into Amsterdam-West grand brown cafe-restaurant-cool Classy drinks and mealsNicolaas Beetsstraat 142 hs Amsterdam wwwcafedetoogcom
Opera Prima - Patisserie Bistro TraiteurThe best place in town for lunch exquisite high teas or brunches and all of your luxury catering both private and corporateKinkerstraat 228 Amsterdamwwwoperaprimanl
Recommended
81
Where is this inAmsterdamAnswer to sentinelpostgmailcom
82spotted
Room 2cfilm
ldquoCome on in boys the waterrsquos finerdquo This is arguably the best all-round and funny musical to come out of Hollywood in a generation and certainly one of the best three soundtracks of the same period George Clooney will never be as good or charming as he is here playing the accidental leader of a trio of chain gang escapees in the US south of the 1930s Spirituality meets the Ku Klux Klan all coloured by Virginia bluegrass
ldquoCall me Snakerdquo The coolest handle for a leading man (Kurt Russell) in any movie to date Here he is sent in on a heroic lsquoat all costrsquo one-man mission to rescue the president of the United States from the prison island Manhattan has become in a lsquofuturersquo representation of 1997 Air Force One has crashed there and the countdown is on Classic 1980s turn of the millennium dystopian vision with style pace and gadgetry
By dpmotions
By dpmotions
o Brother Where Art Thou (2000)
escape from new York (1981)
room2c83
84trends
lsquoTrends are great to join and surf like a once in a lifetime tsunamirsquo
By Dirkje Bakker-Pierre
Each and every micro-world has its own specific trends Take the fashion world for example where one day you have to wear high heels and round noses and the next itrsquos flat hairy elephant feet-like boots that must hug your feet Or take the automotive world where once upon a time you could never have enough chrome on your car or the food world where we have quietly moved from fast to green and wholesome or the TV world which used to be about fiction and is now more real than reality Some of these trends are great to join and surf like a once in a lifetime tsunami others can slip by unnoticed and others still keep bugging and bugging you even if you try to avoid them like the plague
The online world and specifically the social media universe eats through trends like a fat chick after a hunger strike Facebook in particular seems to move seamlessly from one hype to the next one day itrsquos pictures with fuzzy edges or a bit of a 1970s filter the next itrsquos a profile picture with you very consciously not looking into the camera (very spontaneously and naturally non-posing you might say) These are mostly harmless things if Irsquom honest and when everyone
stops liking them they fade away as quickly as the sun in our small wet country There is one trend however that has festered within Facebook from the very beginning and which seems to be gradually growing and growing without anyone ever liking the postshellip and I mean EVER
Yes I am talking about daily quotes words of wisdom holy quotes mesmerizingly philosophical quotes cheesy quotes religious quoteshellip How can I describe all of them in one easy sentence pieces of text from (famous) people (it can never be something you thought of yourself) that lsquodisclosersquo previously secret information about being happy in life (or at least previously secret to the person doing the posting I presume) In short texts that belong on tiles hanging on the wall in old Dutch peoplersquos toilets
Why
Here are a few I found in my news feed this week
ldquoA mind is like a parachute It doesnrsquot work if it is not openrdquo ndash Frank Zappa
ldquoIt is not because things are difficult that we do not dare it is because we do not dare that things are difficultrdquo ndash Seneca
ldquoIf you donrsquot take what you are doing seriously then nobody else willrdquo ndash Darryl Dlt Thomson
Bad trends would be good if they werenrsquot so bad
85trends
86classifi eds
87classifieds
One of my personal favourite gemstones is moonstone Itlsquos been around for centuries and is used in many cultures As suggested by its name the stone is highly associated with the moon and moon goddess Diana It brings calm peace and love and is said to become more powerful when the moon is full so thatlsquos the best time to wear it One proverb even claims that moonstone can bring you love that will fly you to the moon Spiritually this amazing stone is said to enhance intuition and is always associated with the self It is a very powerful personal stone which doesnlsquot add or remove any aspects of the personality but merely reflects the person wearing it It is said to be very
MoonstoneBy Evelina Kvartunaite
ndash
lsquoThe stone is highly associated with the moon and moon goddess Dianarsquo
ndash
helpful for people who are very sensitive and it is also used in meditation for reflecting oneself Itlsquos always best to charge your gem when the moon is shining at night either while wearing it or by leaving it on a windowsill that receives moonlight Moonstone is also used in healing and is known for balancing the internal organ systems enabling them to work in stable cycles Itlsquos usually more associated with women but is also known to help men embrace their more emotional side soft creative energies and optimism Perhaps understandably moonstone should have limited exposure to strong direct sunlight
ndash
lsquoIt is said to be very helpful for people who are very sensitiversquo
ndash
88
health amp well-being
ndash
lsquoMore associated with women but is also known to help men embrace their more emotional sidersquo
ndash
89health amp well-being
In his article Batin shows how learning how to use complex products is like learning a computer game Just like the challenges in video games match the skills of the user so should TV interactions or any UI interactions for that matter For reference Batin used the four levels described in the Dreyfus model of skill acquisition
Level 1 novicebullRigid adherence to taught rules or plansbullNo exercise of lsquodiscretionary judgmentrsquo
Level 2 Advanced beginnerbullLimited lsquosituational perceptionrsquobullAll aspects of work treated separately with equal importance
Philip Batin wrote an article a couple of months ago about the next big idea in User Interaction gadgets that adapt to your skills As gadgets become more complicated UIs must be able to teach their users over time Apparently more and more interactive products are being returned In 2002 48 of all returned products were technically fully functional but were rejected for failing to satisfy user needs 20 purely due to customer remorse Even though a product may have all the features one can hope for complexity and bad user experience can prevent users from integrating it into their lives
UserInterfaceThe next big thing in UX
lsquoUIs must be able to teach their users over timersquo
By Andrei Barburas
lsquoComplexity and bad user experience can prevent users from
integrating it into their livesrsquo
90
technology
book the majority of which you probably skipped through
Personally I believe that there are certain end users most likely the majority that use only a limited set of features from any device they buy Mobile phones have become indispensable tools in our daily activities yet the average Joe has no idea about the full potential of a smart phone The same applies to Smart TVs they can do lots of things yet the only thing that we do with them is flip channels and complain how bad the shows are
The bottom line is that itrsquos definitely something worth thinking about not only from an operating system perspective but also from the perspective of applications developers
Level 3 competentbulllsquoCoping with crowdednessrsquo (multiple activities accumulation of information)bullSome perception of actions in relation to goalsbullDeliberate planningbullFormulates routines
Level 4 ProficientbullHolistic view of situationbullPrioritizes importance of aspectsbulllsquoPerceives deviations from the normal patternrsquobullEmploys maxim for guidance with meanings that adapt to the situation at hand
Now just imagine a User Interface that adapts based on what you can do and the abilities you have As you learn new things new levels of complexity are unlocked opening the door to fully knowing your device because you learned by doing and not by reading a complicated
lsquoThe average Joe has no idea about the full potential of a
smart phonersquo
91technology
92classifi eds
93classifi eds
Not knowing what was happening in football was extremely annoying to put it mildly and it wasnrsquot just my own self-denial and avoidance of all things football that was a hindrance the extent to which I had to ask others to go in order to remain ignorant was much more excruciating than Irsquod ever imagined There may even be some damage done to football-related friendships that is irreparable I now feel as though Irsquom walking through an empty stadium after everyone else has gone home
So what now and where to next The season is well and truly over and Irsquom free to do whatever I want I could read the back-dated sports pages check all the stats and find out all the facts if I wanted to I could spend hours catching up on last season and speculating on the next with the friends Irsquove still got left down the pub if I wanted to I can follow all the transfer gossip watch pre-season friendlies and build up all my hopes But as with most addictions that would simply be falling back into a previous state of dependence and everything Irsquove just put myself through wouldrsquove been for nothing So how do I go back to an old habit without a total relapse or would it be better to keep abstaining
All my questions seem to be met with other questions and no solutions On the other hand if you ask me what
Someone once said that insanity is when you keep repeating the same behaviour and expect a different outcome most likely a psychologist aimed at his or her ailing patients But for me these words are more reminiscent of my own conduct over the course of a regular football season Week in week out season after season I would expect Tottenham to win something and more often than not Irsquod be left disappointed So I decided to stop No more football ndash at least not for one full season
The season 201213 is now over and during the whole nine months I didnrsquot watch a single moment of football or read a single article on the subject That was my challenge and I was committed to it What is more despite all the warning signs I didnrsquot relapse After a year of structured punishment I didnrsquot have a clue about what was going on in the English Premier League (or any other league) Only having picked up bits and pieces of information that somehow slipped through the net the past season was like a book with most of its pages missing
By Simon Joseph
On The Volley
The Return of the Repressed or the Point of No Return
lsquoInsanity is when you keep repeating the same behaviour and expect a different outcomersquo
sport
lsquoThe past season was like a book with most of its pages missingrsquo
94
lsquoThere may even be some damage done to football-related friendshipsrsquo
lsquoHas abstaining for a season changed mersquo
it until the cows come home but it was us who made those changes or at least allowed them to happen and those changes will continue to happen with or without me Perhaps then the questions I should be asking are has abstaining for a season changed me Am I still obsessed or have I broken the habit of a lifetime Is following football really that terrible or even a real addiction
One thing is certain this lack of resolution is not completely without satisfaction because like all forms of fixation or obsession therersquos comfort and familiarity to be found in repetition as Tottenham miss out on Championrsquos League football by a single point again The repressed will always return to haunt us or so it seems and before we know it the start of next season will be upon us There will be more pain no doubt and more joy This time however it will take more than a boot camp approach to keep me away and who knows Tottenham might even win the league Come on you Spurs
Tottenham Hotspur means I would still tell you that itrsquos not just a pretty football package itrsquos about kith and kin not just where I came from but how I relate to others around me in the here and now Whatrsquos more millions of people are attracted to football they hunger for it and yearn to connect with it even though I still believe itrsquos a form of ineffective escape from one unsatisfying reality to another Following football is a classic example of cognitive dissonance ndash when you simultaneously entertain two opposing thoughts that appear to cancel each other out Before the start of each season for example we all want our club to win everything or to be taken over by billionaires but know that itrsquos impossible or in the latter case controversial and even undesirable So we invent ways to cope We develop a so-called lsquosiege mentalityrsquo or other harmful patterns of behaviour to relieve the discomfort of incongruity With this in mind the past year was supposed to be an exercise in behaviour modification ndash to discover the root of the problem and treat it effectively But one year on have I really discovered anything at all
The English Premier League whether you watch it or not is still probably the most exciting football league in the world We can complain about the changes made to
sport9
5
By Denson Pierre
The Gold Room
Fantasy Football Gold ndash Champions League 2012-2013 winner Denson Pierre and his prizes
The season petered out in an all-German Champions League Final which did nothing to dispel the record that this was a season of too few new stars or regular spectacle We look forward to the next season as it ought not be too difficult to create more excitement than in the one just pastWe did have the opportunity to hand over the envelopes and trophies to the Sentinel Fantasy Football game winners This year all the major winners from the Sentinel Fantasy Football League were unable to be present for the physical prize giving but the winner of the Gold Game and focus of this column was there to receive his prize for winning the master game in styleSo we retire the Gold Room until the beginning of the new football season See you all again then
96
sport
Matt Parker receives his third place and Manager of the Month prizes for the Sentinel Fantasy Football League
Charles Conneely Sentinel Fantasy Football League 2012-2013 Champion
97sport
wwwczechtourismcom
CZECH REPUBLIC - STUNNINGLY DIFFERENT
98
classifi eds
10feature
11feature
12feature
feature13
feature14
feature15
lsquoSuch a natural and effortless trip to makersquo
16feature
feature17
18feature
feature19
feature20
feature21
feature22
feature
feature
lsquoJopen its beer and its people are so well worked out and presented
that it should be on every Amsterdammerrsquos radarrsquo
feature23
Get advice on housing rental contracts and apartments in Amsterdam
wwwwswonennlenglish
wwwconsultancymarketmediacom
- Account Manager Market Media- (Internship) International Marketing Executive
we are looking for
24classifieds
artist thinker
Here are some of our local partners
Enter (click) to learn why they work with us
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25classifieds
Dam in 60 minutes
By Sam van Dam
perspectives
Rembrandtplein26
perspectives
Last time out I took you up North to the beautiful island of Marken Since that was a somewhat longer trip than some readers might want to take by bike this time our journey is a short one that can even be done on foot to Rembrandtplein The adventure starts at Central Station turn your back on the visually pleasing building that facilitates the arrival of visitors to our hometown and head towards Damrak Amsterdamrsquos lsquoRed Carpetrsquo and home these days to gazillions of restaurants shops bars cafeacutes and of course the nearby world-famous Red Light District all of which wersquoll simply ignore This is easier said than done as there is so much to see so many temptations that demand your attention and try to make you spend your euros before you have even entered the actual city As you walk down Damrak you start to see the buildings situated around Dam Square the central point of Amsterdam offering such delights as the Royal Palace Madame Tussauds the Nieuwekerk the war memorial and other landmarks that define this famous square Rotate 360 degrees to take it all in and then move toward Rokin or if you are in mood for some shopping walk down Kalverstraat instead Yoursquore bound to find something you like in the hundreds of shops lining one of Amsterdamrsquos two main shopping streets Keep walking straight on and just to your right yoursquoll find Spui a lovely square that is regularly home to art and book markets if you have the time You can find a multitude of interesting and inspiring items there or just grab a coffee and sit on one of the benches taking in the scene Once you are done enjoying Spui itrsquos time to get back on track so return to the RokinKalverstraat and head to the right (south) not forgetting to take a closer look
at the statue of former Queen Wilhelmina and her horse standing proudly at the bridge opposite This is also the starting point for boat tours if you want to take a little time out from your stroll to Rembrandtplein get a ticket and hop on one of the very typical 70s-style boats that constantly criss-cross the watery arteries of Amsterdam These typical 1970s-style barges provide a visual impression of the city that looks familiar yet very different a pleasure that locals and visitors alike appreciate very much every time
When you have returned from the water tour return to Rokin and keep walking towards Munt which is easily recognisable by its old-style tower featuring a clockwork chime that marks the hour and enhances the scenery in this part of town along with the Hotel De LrsquoEurope just across the way You could also take a pit-stop there while enjoying the view over the Amstel and the hundreds of little boats filled with chillaxing people at least on sunny days You can dwell on the fact that life in Amsterdam often seems so easy and beautiful that it entices visitors to return again and again You are now very close to your final destination so cross the road and enter the Reguliersbreestraat Marvel at the beauty of the Tuschinski Theater as you continue towards the wide open square that is our last stop Grab a drink or some ice-cream while you find yourself a nice spot on the grassy circular central area of the Rembrandtplein where you can spend hours looking at the beautiful buildings the relaxing people and the artists selling their work This is also where you can find me presenting a fine selection of my photo prints of what to me is the best city in the world So if itrsquos not raining come by and enjoy my photographic impressions of Amsterdam they make awesome souvenirs to take home with you Irsquom looking forward to meeting you on lsquomyrsquo square
lsquoOur journey is a short one that can even be done on footrsquo
27
28perspectives
29perspectives
lsquo1970s-style barges provide a visual impression of the city that looks familiar yet very differentrsquo
30perspectives
31perspectives
32perspectives
33perspectives
lsquoMarvel at the beauty of the Tuschinski Theaterrsquo
34perspectives
35perspectives
lsquoRotate 360 degrees to take it all inrsquo
36perspectives
lsquoRotate 360 degrees to take it all inrsquo
37perspectives
38perspectives
39perspectives
40
perspectives
41perspectives
42featureperspectives
feature4
3perspectives
44
featureperspectives
feature4
5perspectives
lsquoTake a closer look at the statue of former Queen Wilhelmina and her horsersquo
46
perspectives
lsquoThis is also where you can find me presenting a fine selection of my
photo printsrsquo
47perspectives
perspectives4
8
perspectives4
9
For complete and world class tours of Prague
Packages includebull Hidden and playful Prague (for families with young children)bull Literary Praguebull Prague Architecture through the agesbull Religion and the citybull The old city at night
These are detailed tours designed for visitors who wish to explore with great detail and not suitable for simply sight-seeing tourists
Day segments and ratesPR 0800-1230hrs AG 1330-1630hrs UE 1730-2130hrsAll sessions are priced at u 25 per single adult Group size upper limit = 8 Accompanied children under the age of five are gratis and school aged children pay 25 Family package rates are negotiable
ContactJaroslav Cernosek+420 602 228 797Mail jcernosekcentrumcz
wwwyourtuliptourcom
JC Tours
50classifieds
51classifieds
CafeacuteBar Review Van Mechelen
cafebar review52
Van MechelenSloterkade 96-97 Amsterdam
It may be the new hype in the city as far as grand cafeacute and restaurant concepts go but Van Mechelen is already approaching excellence Considering its handy location in another pretty neighbourhood of Amsterdam South it is almost a lsquomust visitrsquo place that has created a theme built on the Burgundian enjoyment of life good food complemented with top-class beer and wine If you want a taste of what it feels like to visit a cafeacute-restaurant in Mechelen Belgium Van Mechelen is an easy way for an Amsterdammer to savour this experience and is just a short cycle ride away
ambianceBurgundian Rating 5
StaffregularsMembers of staff are clearly very well trained and this adds to the light and airy atmosphere Having opened for business just three months ago those who have fallen in love with the place and its consumables have not yet had time to clock up the number of visits and connections to be considered lsquoregularsrsquo Rating 5
televised sportNo space within the design and layout for this form of distraction Rating 3
PricesSurprisingly these are within the lsquonormalrsquo range for this level and quality of fare Outstandingly fairly priced snacks and nibbles are also offered to help you along as you take on the fine (Mechelen brewery group Alken-Maes) beers and wines When did you last enjoy a generous portion of fresh olives for a mere euro250 Rating 5
MusicAt the time of review the establishment was fairly packed out The atmosphere is conducive to chats and hilarity and although the selection of tunes could be heard far in the background the sound system may well have more kick It should as the building is of such a solid constitution that it should contain noise and not easily upset the neighbours Rating 5
Smoking area provisionFortunately for puffers the originally industrial nature of the address means that the former loading bay and entranceexit areas have become two naturally covered terrace areas separated from the luscious interior by huge glass-panelled doors Rating 5
total rating 2830(Rating from 1-5 where 1 = Very poor and 5 = Excellent)
By Denson Pierre
lsquoThe new hype in the city as far as grand cafeacute and restaurant concepts gorsquo
cafebar review53
lsquoMembers of staff are clearly very well trainedrsquo
cafebar review54
cafebar review55
lsquoOutstandingly fairly priced snacks and nibbles are also offeredrsquo
cafebar review56
cafebar review57
lsquoThe atmosphere is conducive to chats and hilarityrsquo
cafebar review58
cafebar review59
scamsterdam
lifestyles60
By Valeria Scimia
Unemployed international and looking for a job in the Netherlands Not only must you face the everyday hell that is job-seeking but now you must also beware of scam companies Yes theyrsquove arrived here too
I was recently contacted by an ostensibly legitimate company that wanted to hire me The contact took the form of what appeared to be a genuine e-mail complete with website and logo from a company in Australia that seemed absolutely legitimate (I have since contacted the company to warn them that someone overseas is using their name and logo to scam people) The e-mail explained that the company was opening an office in Holland and was looking for people who would handle the back-office orders It contained a form to be filled in and returned if I was interested in the position the form asked for all my personal information including my bank details I had been looking for a job and was interested in the offer so I filled in and sent off the form and my CV Once they received my e-mail they asked me to start a trial period without practically explaining anything of what the job was actually about I didnrsquot immediately reply so they called me the next day asking me to start immediately with the trial period promising lots of benefits once the contract was signed I hadnrsquot met anyone at this point only telephone interviews and that already didnrsquot seem right to me I asked them to send me more information by e-mail about what I was meant to do and a few moments later I received a response asking me to make a bank transfer to show them I was trustworthy The lsquotrialrsquo implied that they would send me some money and I had to transfer half via GWK or MoneyTransfer to one of their clients and keep the other half This smelled very fishy to the Italian in me In reality they could be sending a cheque to the bank which would register an income that would later bounce after I had already made the payment to their lsquoclientrsquo On top of losing money the person that tried to lsquohirersquo meyou
would have been untraceable No one was even picking up the phone at the number given in the e-mail and the company they claimed to represent wasnrsquot even active in Europe
So I said no and told them I was no longer interested They even had the gumption to call me back and ask me why I wouldnrsquot do it I gave them a silly excuse so as not to give them any more information or tips on how to improve their scummy scam I am happy I started checking their contacts as soon as their promises seemed too good to be true even if I am still angry I allowed them to data-mine all of my information when I sent them my CV and filled in their form
It beggars belief that they set up an entire facade in these times of work despair and it really doesnrsquot feel right especially because therersquos not much I can do about it now apart from inform people I didnrsquot think this would ever happen here in this country where everything has to be or always seems to be so legitimate But I guess some things never change and a place doesnrsquot make the people and certainly doesnrsquot influence the choices they make I just wanted to share my experience to alert everyone to the possible scam If a company contacts you and asks you to return a form including your bank details when you have never met anyone face-to-face it should make your antennas extend and remember to double-check their credibility Apparently it is illegal to ask such questions of someone here so donrsquot fall for it as I did As I am still waiting to hear from the company in Australia I didnrsquot feel it was proper to disclose its name publicly just yet plus I am not sure the scammers always use the same company as a fake front But what they ask you to do is more or less always the same so keep your eyes open to the little details
lsquoYou face the everyday hell that is job-seeking but now you must also beware of scam companiesrsquo
lsquoThis smelled very fishy to the Italian in mersquo
lsquoThe form asked for all my personal informationrsquo
lifestyles6
1
Je moet er geweest zijn
62classifieds
MechelenAuthentic and full of surprises Thatrsquos Mechelen Hospitable and honourable Thatrsquos the people of Mechelen Come and experience the cityrsquos urban charms for yourself Mechelen
Authentic and full of surprises Thatrsquos Mechelen Hospitable and honourable Thatrsquos the people of Mechelen Come and experience the cityrsquos urban charms for yourself
photography copy Milo Profi
classifieds63
classifieds
How to hang out in
Amsterdam
By ER Muntrem
perspectives
It is not against the rules for babies to cry in cafeacutes It happens Mostly they sleep or sit in someonersquos lap with commendable decorum Otherwise kids in cafeacutes tend to nosh a little less than their elders and handle crayons a little more And while anyone who toddles behind the bar will certainly get caught they can always claim they were encouraged to toddle there in the first place
Dutch parents and I realise this is hard to prove seem to let their kids wander a metre or two further away from them than parents from other developed countries that universal ldquowhere is sherdquo look delayed five or ten seconds If this extra distance is a sign of perceived safety cafeacute culture must help teach it
Except for chefs all cafeacute workers do more or less all the jobs required to run a cafeacute They all wait on tables
serve hot and cold drinks set up outdoor furniture load and retrieve supplies take the garbage out wash glasses light candles arrange flowers unfurl the awning and ring up the bill When the young guy or girl greets you you may know they are not the owner but for the moment they are the face of the establishment It may as well be their place
Admittedly I am seduced by places where waiters donrsquot work for tips where the rushed pace of eating in a restaurant in America does not exist In a cafeacute you can do what you want for as long as you want and get food and drink while you do it Pretty cool and as much a baseline for how to hang out in Amsterdam as cycling is for how to get around
Places to eat and drink owned by corporations have to package experience to deliver it Whatrsquos our brand How can our managers and servers be most efficient How ultimately can we be number one Not something most cafeacutes seem to be worried about and where the universal signs for lsquowe are having a good time togetherrsquo
lsquoCafeacute culture must help teachrsquo lsquoI am seduced by places where waiters donrsquot work for tipsrsquo
64
perspectives
or lsquoI am happy here by myselfrsquo (clinked glasses or absorption in a newspaper say) are routinely in evidence This is one true grace of democracy the average worth smiling about
At cafeacutes co-workers have a beer before or after their shift friends drop by or a regular pops in with some news The stream of customers they donrsquot have to woo and donrsquot have to lsquoworkrsquo gives the whole thing a slightly familial living room perfectly public feel that makes the work far less of a personality crimp than working at Starbucks Or so it seems I do not mean to pretend carrying drinks across the street to the canal side seating or giving obvious directions yet again is always glorious but most people who work in cafeacutersquos laugh and smile a fair bit almost as much as the patrons
And when the owner of a cafeacute is of a generation older than those working there as is usually the case it lends a wise uncle or mother hen feel to the proceedings In the daytime no one is ever too caught up in his or her designated title to ignore a baby on the move And at
night the crowd of drinkers may as well be at a party hosted by their parents or kids or both
Itrsquos not all about money cafeacute culture churns towards the civilised without grinding anyone too far down As well as pleasure there is power in this The best distillation I know of what democracy should be came from a young woman working at Cafeacute Captein With our meal in front of us my friend noticed he was missing his salad Flagged down the young woman went to investigate ldquoItrsquos on its wayrdquo she said ldquoI told my boss to do itrdquo
Imagine we told Putin to do it We told Obama to do it We told the bankers to do it
lsquoMost people who work in cafeacutersquos laugh and smile a fair bitrsquo
lsquoCafeacute culture churns towards the civilised without grinding anyone too far downrsquo
65
66
featurecity gem
lsquoThe last of the large independent music stores left standing in Amsterdamrsquo
CITY GEM
67
Concerto
By Denson Pierre
ConcertoUtrechtsestraat 60 1017 VP Amsterdam
it is a rush when on a full stomach you can make an instant decision on where your next city-centre lunch will be taken it is almost ecstasy when the venue is situated in a music shop which for decades has been defined by its exceptional range and quality of music available in amsterdam Concerto is the last of the large independent music stores left standing in amsterdam all the others have long since been killed off by everything from the advance in recording and playback technologies to habitual illegal downloaders only now realising that their behaviour has an impact right back down to street level despite what they might think about the giant studios and recording companies
Concerto has not stuck but has twisted Since September it has incorporated a cute cafeacute
and lunch area within its premises as well as introducing a bookshop and lounge area making it possible to spend an almost nostalgic time there over several hours It still has a vast range of the very best music in vinyl (both new and second-hand) and CD form DVDs DJ equipment and even gear used for live musical performances Itrsquos a gold mine
If it has taken this clever adaptation in space utilisation to keep this institution viable and available to Amsterdam-based music lovers then I personally wish to support this venture and help mean this type of music retailer to remain part of the city scene For people of a certain age there is something infinitely more appealing about physically handling recorded material appreciating the artwork in its packaging having a listen and then deciding if it is a purchase you would like to make Even though non-digital stockpiling has become rather passeacute I challenge you to visit Concerto and its new cafeacute and bookshop concept and not end up spending more time in this true city gem than you had anticipated
lsquoIt has incorporated a cute cafeacute and lunch area within its premises as well as introducing a bookshop and lounge arearsquo
city gem
68
city gem
69city gem
city gem70
city gem71
72city gem
lsquoThere is something infinitely more appealing about physically
handling recorded material appreciating the artwork in its
packagingrsquo
73city gem
74classifi eds
75classifi eds
classifi edsclassifi eds76
amsterdam city life
BrinG BaCK
Something that seems to have been watered down considerably in Amsterdamrsquos hospitality industry in recent years is independence of thought styling and designAll you have to do is walk around the city to note that way too many coffeesoup houses and cafeacutes are more or less identikit This also applies to many cafeacutes with unimaginative business leaders who open unoriginal looking spaces and hope that the use of white paint purple or blue lights and house music is all it takes
Luckily there is something brewing to save our days and nights I have come across cafeacute owners who are now seriously considering ending the arrangements they have with the giant drink suppliers There are actually no good arguments left for continuing with these huge multinationals as they are frankly more expensive at wholesale for the same A-class products than the supermarkets on every Amsterdammerrsquos street corner
It looks like space is being created for the smaller brewers to take up the supply of A-class beer to smaller establishments throughout the city The giants can keep their character-free tourist traps and those bars still able to benefit purely from their unbeatable locations throughout the city
The Sentinel says bring back better and more original businesses of scale within the local hospitality industry which will help more cafeacutes and bars not only to become distinguishable by the interior designs they will need to conjure but also through the variety of local and regional beers that could become part of their coherent identity The overriding benefit of such courageous thinking and action would be an immediate return to realistic and reasonable pricing for A-class beer in Amsterdam which remains the staple of the easy consumables as this recession drones on
By Denson Pierre
INDEPENDENT CAFeacuteSBARS
77
78star beer guide
Star Beer
The SentinelStar beer guide
lsquoDifferent beers can seem to weigh on the conscience as much as on the taste budsrsquo
Just like the changing of the seasons different beers can seem to weigh on the conscience as much as on the taste buds Ciney blond is a lovely almost effeminate tasting beer All light smooth fruitiness bolstered by substantial alcohol content
As the temperature increases it can even feel like a thirst quencher A nice session beer and one that could function as an entrance-level quality beer in terms of its complexity For advanced samplers it is a great lower platform to descend to after cruising the space occupied by the 8-plus percentage alcoholic beauties
Ciney blond is brewed by Alken-Maes Mechelen Belgium
By Denson Pierre
CINEY BLOND (7 ABV)
79star beer guide
We find the best most fun most typical exciting or local favourite restaurants etcetera in Amsterdam and bring them to you an easy way to feel like a local
Cafe Kostverloren 040606
Recommended
80recommended
EUROGIFTSXenonweg 9 3812 SZ Amersfoort
Tel 033 - 454 35 75 - Fax 033 - 454 35 79E-mail lmproefeurogiftsnl
Website wwweurogiftsnl
FILMPROEF
ORDERNUMMER 6021022ARTIKELNUMMER 65123
Ware grootte (indien uitgeprint)Kleur opdruk Wit
Mulligans Irish Music BarAmsterdamrsquos best address for live Irish music Five (5) nights a week Check our agenda for upcoming sessions Amstel 100 1017 AC Amsterdamwwwmulligansnl
Cafeacute KostverlorenCafeacute Kostverloren is a contemporary cafe offering the cosiness of a saloon an open kitchen and the intimacy of a living room The large terras is great for sunny days2e Kostverlorenkade 70 Amsterdamwwwcafekostverlorennl
ZestZest is fi ne food warm atmosphere and classy drinks with regular semi-acoustic (live) music and DJs (Thursday to Sunday) Amsterdamrsquos newest and freshestBilderdijkstraat 188 Amsterdamwwwfacebookcomclubzestnl
GollemGollemrsquos Proefl okaal Gollem and Gollem II represent the best addresses serving the fullest range of top Belgian Dutch and international beers in AmsterdamOvertoom 160-161wwwcafegollemnl
IncantoA restaurant with a classic Italian kitchen Venetian chef Simone Ambrosin is known for his pure and simple style of cooking with great feeling for nuanceAmstel 2 Amsterdamwwwrestaurant-incantonl
Planet RoseThe fi rst Caribbean restaurant in the Netherlands specialised in Jamaican cuisine The menu features a daily changing selectionNicolaas Beetsstraat 47 Amsterdamwwwplanetroseinfo
Cafe restaurant EdelCafe restaurant Edel is the perfect place for lunch dinner or to simply enjoy a drink Edel is a unique place in AmsterdamPostjesweg 1 1057 DT Amsterdamwwwedelamsterdamnl
Cafeacute OportoCafeacute Oporto is a traditional Amsterdam lsquobrown cafersquo Welcoming tourists and regular customers alike they offer televised sports wifi and a wide range of reasonably priced beers and spiritsZoutsteeg 1 1012 LX Amsterdamwwwcafeoportonet
BaxA cosy and friendly local cafeacute with a focus on special or interesting beers and good quality food Open 7 days a week with a professional kitchen offering a lunch and dinner serviceTen Katestraat 119 Amsterdamwwwcafebaxnl
To be seen and tasted Fun Drinking amp Music
To Be Seen and Tasted
Fun Drinking amp Music
Fun Drinking amp Music
Connoisseurs Delight
Connoisseurs Delight
Connoisseurs Delight
To Be Seen and Tasted
Neighbourhood cosy
Fun drinking and music
ParckGreat fun beautiful people and simply the best bar food in townOvertoom 428 Amsterdamwwwcafeparcknl
To be seen and tasted
Cafe de Toog1890rsquos grandeur fashioned into Amsterdam-West grand brown cafe-restaurant-cool Classy drinks and mealsNicolaas Beetsstraat 142 hs Amsterdam wwwcafedetoogcom
Opera Prima - Patisserie Bistro TraiteurThe best place in town for lunch exquisite high teas or brunches and all of your luxury catering both private and corporateKinkerstraat 228 Amsterdamwwwoperaprimanl
Recommended
81
Where is this inAmsterdamAnswer to sentinelpostgmailcom
82spotted
Room 2cfilm
ldquoCome on in boys the waterrsquos finerdquo This is arguably the best all-round and funny musical to come out of Hollywood in a generation and certainly one of the best three soundtracks of the same period George Clooney will never be as good or charming as he is here playing the accidental leader of a trio of chain gang escapees in the US south of the 1930s Spirituality meets the Ku Klux Klan all coloured by Virginia bluegrass
ldquoCall me Snakerdquo The coolest handle for a leading man (Kurt Russell) in any movie to date Here he is sent in on a heroic lsquoat all costrsquo one-man mission to rescue the president of the United States from the prison island Manhattan has become in a lsquofuturersquo representation of 1997 Air Force One has crashed there and the countdown is on Classic 1980s turn of the millennium dystopian vision with style pace and gadgetry
By dpmotions
By dpmotions
o Brother Where Art Thou (2000)
escape from new York (1981)
room2c83
84trends
lsquoTrends are great to join and surf like a once in a lifetime tsunamirsquo
By Dirkje Bakker-Pierre
Each and every micro-world has its own specific trends Take the fashion world for example where one day you have to wear high heels and round noses and the next itrsquos flat hairy elephant feet-like boots that must hug your feet Or take the automotive world where once upon a time you could never have enough chrome on your car or the food world where we have quietly moved from fast to green and wholesome or the TV world which used to be about fiction and is now more real than reality Some of these trends are great to join and surf like a once in a lifetime tsunami others can slip by unnoticed and others still keep bugging and bugging you even if you try to avoid them like the plague
The online world and specifically the social media universe eats through trends like a fat chick after a hunger strike Facebook in particular seems to move seamlessly from one hype to the next one day itrsquos pictures with fuzzy edges or a bit of a 1970s filter the next itrsquos a profile picture with you very consciously not looking into the camera (very spontaneously and naturally non-posing you might say) These are mostly harmless things if Irsquom honest and when everyone
stops liking them they fade away as quickly as the sun in our small wet country There is one trend however that has festered within Facebook from the very beginning and which seems to be gradually growing and growing without anyone ever liking the postshellip and I mean EVER
Yes I am talking about daily quotes words of wisdom holy quotes mesmerizingly philosophical quotes cheesy quotes religious quoteshellip How can I describe all of them in one easy sentence pieces of text from (famous) people (it can never be something you thought of yourself) that lsquodisclosersquo previously secret information about being happy in life (or at least previously secret to the person doing the posting I presume) In short texts that belong on tiles hanging on the wall in old Dutch peoplersquos toilets
Why
Here are a few I found in my news feed this week
ldquoA mind is like a parachute It doesnrsquot work if it is not openrdquo ndash Frank Zappa
ldquoIt is not because things are difficult that we do not dare it is because we do not dare that things are difficultrdquo ndash Seneca
ldquoIf you donrsquot take what you are doing seriously then nobody else willrdquo ndash Darryl Dlt Thomson
Bad trends would be good if they werenrsquot so bad
85trends
86classifi eds
87classifieds
One of my personal favourite gemstones is moonstone Itlsquos been around for centuries and is used in many cultures As suggested by its name the stone is highly associated with the moon and moon goddess Diana It brings calm peace and love and is said to become more powerful when the moon is full so thatlsquos the best time to wear it One proverb even claims that moonstone can bring you love that will fly you to the moon Spiritually this amazing stone is said to enhance intuition and is always associated with the self It is a very powerful personal stone which doesnlsquot add or remove any aspects of the personality but merely reflects the person wearing it It is said to be very
MoonstoneBy Evelina Kvartunaite
ndash
lsquoThe stone is highly associated with the moon and moon goddess Dianarsquo
ndash
helpful for people who are very sensitive and it is also used in meditation for reflecting oneself Itlsquos always best to charge your gem when the moon is shining at night either while wearing it or by leaving it on a windowsill that receives moonlight Moonstone is also used in healing and is known for balancing the internal organ systems enabling them to work in stable cycles Itlsquos usually more associated with women but is also known to help men embrace their more emotional side soft creative energies and optimism Perhaps understandably moonstone should have limited exposure to strong direct sunlight
ndash
lsquoIt is said to be very helpful for people who are very sensitiversquo
ndash
88
health amp well-being
ndash
lsquoMore associated with women but is also known to help men embrace their more emotional sidersquo
ndash
89health amp well-being
In his article Batin shows how learning how to use complex products is like learning a computer game Just like the challenges in video games match the skills of the user so should TV interactions or any UI interactions for that matter For reference Batin used the four levels described in the Dreyfus model of skill acquisition
Level 1 novicebullRigid adherence to taught rules or plansbullNo exercise of lsquodiscretionary judgmentrsquo
Level 2 Advanced beginnerbullLimited lsquosituational perceptionrsquobullAll aspects of work treated separately with equal importance
Philip Batin wrote an article a couple of months ago about the next big idea in User Interaction gadgets that adapt to your skills As gadgets become more complicated UIs must be able to teach their users over time Apparently more and more interactive products are being returned In 2002 48 of all returned products were technically fully functional but were rejected for failing to satisfy user needs 20 purely due to customer remorse Even though a product may have all the features one can hope for complexity and bad user experience can prevent users from integrating it into their lives
UserInterfaceThe next big thing in UX
lsquoUIs must be able to teach their users over timersquo
By Andrei Barburas
lsquoComplexity and bad user experience can prevent users from
integrating it into their livesrsquo
90
technology
book the majority of which you probably skipped through
Personally I believe that there are certain end users most likely the majority that use only a limited set of features from any device they buy Mobile phones have become indispensable tools in our daily activities yet the average Joe has no idea about the full potential of a smart phone The same applies to Smart TVs they can do lots of things yet the only thing that we do with them is flip channels and complain how bad the shows are
The bottom line is that itrsquos definitely something worth thinking about not only from an operating system perspective but also from the perspective of applications developers
Level 3 competentbulllsquoCoping with crowdednessrsquo (multiple activities accumulation of information)bullSome perception of actions in relation to goalsbullDeliberate planningbullFormulates routines
Level 4 ProficientbullHolistic view of situationbullPrioritizes importance of aspectsbulllsquoPerceives deviations from the normal patternrsquobullEmploys maxim for guidance with meanings that adapt to the situation at hand
Now just imagine a User Interface that adapts based on what you can do and the abilities you have As you learn new things new levels of complexity are unlocked opening the door to fully knowing your device because you learned by doing and not by reading a complicated
lsquoThe average Joe has no idea about the full potential of a
smart phonersquo
91technology
92classifi eds
93classifi eds
Not knowing what was happening in football was extremely annoying to put it mildly and it wasnrsquot just my own self-denial and avoidance of all things football that was a hindrance the extent to which I had to ask others to go in order to remain ignorant was much more excruciating than Irsquod ever imagined There may even be some damage done to football-related friendships that is irreparable I now feel as though Irsquom walking through an empty stadium after everyone else has gone home
So what now and where to next The season is well and truly over and Irsquom free to do whatever I want I could read the back-dated sports pages check all the stats and find out all the facts if I wanted to I could spend hours catching up on last season and speculating on the next with the friends Irsquove still got left down the pub if I wanted to I can follow all the transfer gossip watch pre-season friendlies and build up all my hopes But as with most addictions that would simply be falling back into a previous state of dependence and everything Irsquove just put myself through wouldrsquove been for nothing So how do I go back to an old habit without a total relapse or would it be better to keep abstaining
All my questions seem to be met with other questions and no solutions On the other hand if you ask me what
Someone once said that insanity is when you keep repeating the same behaviour and expect a different outcome most likely a psychologist aimed at his or her ailing patients But for me these words are more reminiscent of my own conduct over the course of a regular football season Week in week out season after season I would expect Tottenham to win something and more often than not Irsquod be left disappointed So I decided to stop No more football ndash at least not for one full season
The season 201213 is now over and during the whole nine months I didnrsquot watch a single moment of football or read a single article on the subject That was my challenge and I was committed to it What is more despite all the warning signs I didnrsquot relapse After a year of structured punishment I didnrsquot have a clue about what was going on in the English Premier League (or any other league) Only having picked up bits and pieces of information that somehow slipped through the net the past season was like a book with most of its pages missing
By Simon Joseph
On The Volley
The Return of the Repressed or the Point of No Return
lsquoInsanity is when you keep repeating the same behaviour and expect a different outcomersquo
sport
lsquoThe past season was like a book with most of its pages missingrsquo
94
lsquoThere may even be some damage done to football-related friendshipsrsquo
lsquoHas abstaining for a season changed mersquo
it until the cows come home but it was us who made those changes or at least allowed them to happen and those changes will continue to happen with or without me Perhaps then the questions I should be asking are has abstaining for a season changed me Am I still obsessed or have I broken the habit of a lifetime Is following football really that terrible or even a real addiction
One thing is certain this lack of resolution is not completely without satisfaction because like all forms of fixation or obsession therersquos comfort and familiarity to be found in repetition as Tottenham miss out on Championrsquos League football by a single point again The repressed will always return to haunt us or so it seems and before we know it the start of next season will be upon us There will be more pain no doubt and more joy This time however it will take more than a boot camp approach to keep me away and who knows Tottenham might even win the league Come on you Spurs
Tottenham Hotspur means I would still tell you that itrsquos not just a pretty football package itrsquos about kith and kin not just where I came from but how I relate to others around me in the here and now Whatrsquos more millions of people are attracted to football they hunger for it and yearn to connect with it even though I still believe itrsquos a form of ineffective escape from one unsatisfying reality to another Following football is a classic example of cognitive dissonance ndash when you simultaneously entertain two opposing thoughts that appear to cancel each other out Before the start of each season for example we all want our club to win everything or to be taken over by billionaires but know that itrsquos impossible or in the latter case controversial and even undesirable So we invent ways to cope We develop a so-called lsquosiege mentalityrsquo or other harmful patterns of behaviour to relieve the discomfort of incongruity With this in mind the past year was supposed to be an exercise in behaviour modification ndash to discover the root of the problem and treat it effectively But one year on have I really discovered anything at all
The English Premier League whether you watch it or not is still probably the most exciting football league in the world We can complain about the changes made to
sport9
5
By Denson Pierre
The Gold Room
Fantasy Football Gold ndash Champions League 2012-2013 winner Denson Pierre and his prizes
The season petered out in an all-German Champions League Final which did nothing to dispel the record that this was a season of too few new stars or regular spectacle We look forward to the next season as it ought not be too difficult to create more excitement than in the one just pastWe did have the opportunity to hand over the envelopes and trophies to the Sentinel Fantasy Football game winners This year all the major winners from the Sentinel Fantasy Football League were unable to be present for the physical prize giving but the winner of the Gold Game and focus of this column was there to receive his prize for winning the master game in styleSo we retire the Gold Room until the beginning of the new football season See you all again then
96
sport
Matt Parker receives his third place and Manager of the Month prizes for the Sentinel Fantasy Football League
Charles Conneely Sentinel Fantasy Football League 2012-2013 Champion
97sport
wwwczechtourismcom
CZECH REPUBLIC - STUNNINGLY DIFFERENT
98
classifi eds
11feature
12feature
feature13
feature14
feature15
lsquoSuch a natural and effortless trip to makersquo
16feature
feature17
18feature
feature19
feature20
feature21
feature22
feature
feature
lsquoJopen its beer and its people are so well worked out and presented
that it should be on every Amsterdammerrsquos radarrsquo
feature23
Get advice on housing rental contracts and apartments in Amsterdam
wwwwswonennlenglish
wwwconsultancymarketmediacom
- Account Manager Market Media- (Internship) International Marketing Executive
we are looking for
24classifieds
artist thinker
Here are some of our local partners
Enter (click) to learn why they work with us
demerkplaatsnl
25classifieds
Dam in 60 minutes
By Sam van Dam
perspectives
Rembrandtplein26
perspectives
Last time out I took you up North to the beautiful island of Marken Since that was a somewhat longer trip than some readers might want to take by bike this time our journey is a short one that can even be done on foot to Rembrandtplein The adventure starts at Central Station turn your back on the visually pleasing building that facilitates the arrival of visitors to our hometown and head towards Damrak Amsterdamrsquos lsquoRed Carpetrsquo and home these days to gazillions of restaurants shops bars cafeacutes and of course the nearby world-famous Red Light District all of which wersquoll simply ignore This is easier said than done as there is so much to see so many temptations that demand your attention and try to make you spend your euros before you have even entered the actual city As you walk down Damrak you start to see the buildings situated around Dam Square the central point of Amsterdam offering such delights as the Royal Palace Madame Tussauds the Nieuwekerk the war memorial and other landmarks that define this famous square Rotate 360 degrees to take it all in and then move toward Rokin or if you are in mood for some shopping walk down Kalverstraat instead Yoursquore bound to find something you like in the hundreds of shops lining one of Amsterdamrsquos two main shopping streets Keep walking straight on and just to your right yoursquoll find Spui a lovely square that is regularly home to art and book markets if you have the time You can find a multitude of interesting and inspiring items there or just grab a coffee and sit on one of the benches taking in the scene Once you are done enjoying Spui itrsquos time to get back on track so return to the RokinKalverstraat and head to the right (south) not forgetting to take a closer look
at the statue of former Queen Wilhelmina and her horse standing proudly at the bridge opposite This is also the starting point for boat tours if you want to take a little time out from your stroll to Rembrandtplein get a ticket and hop on one of the very typical 70s-style boats that constantly criss-cross the watery arteries of Amsterdam These typical 1970s-style barges provide a visual impression of the city that looks familiar yet very different a pleasure that locals and visitors alike appreciate very much every time
When you have returned from the water tour return to Rokin and keep walking towards Munt which is easily recognisable by its old-style tower featuring a clockwork chime that marks the hour and enhances the scenery in this part of town along with the Hotel De LrsquoEurope just across the way You could also take a pit-stop there while enjoying the view over the Amstel and the hundreds of little boats filled with chillaxing people at least on sunny days You can dwell on the fact that life in Amsterdam often seems so easy and beautiful that it entices visitors to return again and again You are now very close to your final destination so cross the road and enter the Reguliersbreestraat Marvel at the beauty of the Tuschinski Theater as you continue towards the wide open square that is our last stop Grab a drink or some ice-cream while you find yourself a nice spot on the grassy circular central area of the Rembrandtplein where you can spend hours looking at the beautiful buildings the relaxing people and the artists selling their work This is also where you can find me presenting a fine selection of my photo prints of what to me is the best city in the world So if itrsquos not raining come by and enjoy my photographic impressions of Amsterdam they make awesome souvenirs to take home with you Irsquom looking forward to meeting you on lsquomyrsquo square
lsquoOur journey is a short one that can even be done on footrsquo
27
28perspectives
29perspectives
lsquo1970s-style barges provide a visual impression of the city that looks familiar yet very differentrsquo
30perspectives
31perspectives
32perspectives
33perspectives
lsquoMarvel at the beauty of the Tuschinski Theaterrsquo
34perspectives
35perspectives
lsquoRotate 360 degrees to take it all inrsquo
36perspectives
lsquoRotate 360 degrees to take it all inrsquo
37perspectives
38perspectives
39perspectives
40
perspectives
41perspectives
42featureperspectives
feature4
3perspectives
44
featureperspectives
feature4
5perspectives
lsquoTake a closer look at the statue of former Queen Wilhelmina and her horsersquo
46
perspectives
lsquoThis is also where you can find me presenting a fine selection of my
photo printsrsquo
47perspectives
perspectives4
8
perspectives4
9
For complete and world class tours of Prague
Packages includebull Hidden and playful Prague (for families with young children)bull Literary Praguebull Prague Architecture through the agesbull Religion and the citybull The old city at night
These are detailed tours designed for visitors who wish to explore with great detail and not suitable for simply sight-seeing tourists
Day segments and ratesPR 0800-1230hrs AG 1330-1630hrs UE 1730-2130hrsAll sessions are priced at u 25 per single adult Group size upper limit = 8 Accompanied children under the age of five are gratis and school aged children pay 25 Family package rates are negotiable
ContactJaroslav Cernosek+420 602 228 797Mail jcernosekcentrumcz
wwwyourtuliptourcom
JC Tours
50classifieds
51classifieds
CafeacuteBar Review Van Mechelen
cafebar review52
Van MechelenSloterkade 96-97 Amsterdam
It may be the new hype in the city as far as grand cafeacute and restaurant concepts go but Van Mechelen is already approaching excellence Considering its handy location in another pretty neighbourhood of Amsterdam South it is almost a lsquomust visitrsquo place that has created a theme built on the Burgundian enjoyment of life good food complemented with top-class beer and wine If you want a taste of what it feels like to visit a cafeacute-restaurant in Mechelen Belgium Van Mechelen is an easy way for an Amsterdammer to savour this experience and is just a short cycle ride away
ambianceBurgundian Rating 5
StaffregularsMembers of staff are clearly very well trained and this adds to the light and airy atmosphere Having opened for business just three months ago those who have fallen in love with the place and its consumables have not yet had time to clock up the number of visits and connections to be considered lsquoregularsrsquo Rating 5
televised sportNo space within the design and layout for this form of distraction Rating 3
PricesSurprisingly these are within the lsquonormalrsquo range for this level and quality of fare Outstandingly fairly priced snacks and nibbles are also offered to help you along as you take on the fine (Mechelen brewery group Alken-Maes) beers and wines When did you last enjoy a generous portion of fresh olives for a mere euro250 Rating 5
MusicAt the time of review the establishment was fairly packed out The atmosphere is conducive to chats and hilarity and although the selection of tunes could be heard far in the background the sound system may well have more kick It should as the building is of such a solid constitution that it should contain noise and not easily upset the neighbours Rating 5
Smoking area provisionFortunately for puffers the originally industrial nature of the address means that the former loading bay and entranceexit areas have become two naturally covered terrace areas separated from the luscious interior by huge glass-panelled doors Rating 5
total rating 2830(Rating from 1-5 where 1 = Very poor and 5 = Excellent)
By Denson Pierre
lsquoThe new hype in the city as far as grand cafeacute and restaurant concepts gorsquo
cafebar review53
lsquoMembers of staff are clearly very well trainedrsquo
cafebar review54
cafebar review55
lsquoOutstandingly fairly priced snacks and nibbles are also offeredrsquo
cafebar review56
cafebar review57
lsquoThe atmosphere is conducive to chats and hilarityrsquo
cafebar review58
cafebar review59
scamsterdam
lifestyles60
By Valeria Scimia
Unemployed international and looking for a job in the Netherlands Not only must you face the everyday hell that is job-seeking but now you must also beware of scam companies Yes theyrsquove arrived here too
I was recently contacted by an ostensibly legitimate company that wanted to hire me The contact took the form of what appeared to be a genuine e-mail complete with website and logo from a company in Australia that seemed absolutely legitimate (I have since contacted the company to warn them that someone overseas is using their name and logo to scam people) The e-mail explained that the company was opening an office in Holland and was looking for people who would handle the back-office orders It contained a form to be filled in and returned if I was interested in the position the form asked for all my personal information including my bank details I had been looking for a job and was interested in the offer so I filled in and sent off the form and my CV Once they received my e-mail they asked me to start a trial period without practically explaining anything of what the job was actually about I didnrsquot immediately reply so they called me the next day asking me to start immediately with the trial period promising lots of benefits once the contract was signed I hadnrsquot met anyone at this point only telephone interviews and that already didnrsquot seem right to me I asked them to send me more information by e-mail about what I was meant to do and a few moments later I received a response asking me to make a bank transfer to show them I was trustworthy The lsquotrialrsquo implied that they would send me some money and I had to transfer half via GWK or MoneyTransfer to one of their clients and keep the other half This smelled very fishy to the Italian in me In reality they could be sending a cheque to the bank which would register an income that would later bounce after I had already made the payment to their lsquoclientrsquo On top of losing money the person that tried to lsquohirersquo meyou
would have been untraceable No one was even picking up the phone at the number given in the e-mail and the company they claimed to represent wasnrsquot even active in Europe
So I said no and told them I was no longer interested They even had the gumption to call me back and ask me why I wouldnrsquot do it I gave them a silly excuse so as not to give them any more information or tips on how to improve their scummy scam I am happy I started checking their contacts as soon as their promises seemed too good to be true even if I am still angry I allowed them to data-mine all of my information when I sent them my CV and filled in their form
It beggars belief that they set up an entire facade in these times of work despair and it really doesnrsquot feel right especially because therersquos not much I can do about it now apart from inform people I didnrsquot think this would ever happen here in this country where everything has to be or always seems to be so legitimate But I guess some things never change and a place doesnrsquot make the people and certainly doesnrsquot influence the choices they make I just wanted to share my experience to alert everyone to the possible scam If a company contacts you and asks you to return a form including your bank details when you have never met anyone face-to-face it should make your antennas extend and remember to double-check their credibility Apparently it is illegal to ask such questions of someone here so donrsquot fall for it as I did As I am still waiting to hear from the company in Australia I didnrsquot feel it was proper to disclose its name publicly just yet plus I am not sure the scammers always use the same company as a fake front But what they ask you to do is more or less always the same so keep your eyes open to the little details
lsquoYou face the everyday hell that is job-seeking but now you must also beware of scam companiesrsquo
lsquoThis smelled very fishy to the Italian in mersquo
lsquoThe form asked for all my personal informationrsquo
lifestyles6
1
Je moet er geweest zijn
62classifieds
MechelenAuthentic and full of surprises Thatrsquos Mechelen Hospitable and honourable Thatrsquos the people of Mechelen Come and experience the cityrsquos urban charms for yourself Mechelen
Authentic and full of surprises Thatrsquos Mechelen Hospitable and honourable Thatrsquos the people of Mechelen Come and experience the cityrsquos urban charms for yourself
photography copy Milo Profi
classifieds63
classifieds
How to hang out in
Amsterdam
By ER Muntrem
perspectives
It is not against the rules for babies to cry in cafeacutes It happens Mostly they sleep or sit in someonersquos lap with commendable decorum Otherwise kids in cafeacutes tend to nosh a little less than their elders and handle crayons a little more And while anyone who toddles behind the bar will certainly get caught they can always claim they were encouraged to toddle there in the first place
Dutch parents and I realise this is hard to prove seem to let their kids wander a metre or two further away from them than parents from other developed countries that universal ldquowhere is sherdquo look delayed five or ten seconds If this extra distance is a sign of perceived safety cafeacute culture must help teach it
Except for chefs all cafeacute workers do more or less all the jobs required to run a cafeacute They all wait on tables
serve hot and cold drinks set up outdoor furniture load and retrieve supplies take the garbage out wash glasses light candles arrange flowers unfurl the awning and ring up the bill When the young guy or girl greets you you may know they are not the owner but for the moment they are the face of the establishment It may as well be their place
Admittedly I am seduced by places where waiters donrsquot work for tips where the rushed pace of eating in a restaurant in America does not exist In a cafeacute you can do what you want for as long as you want and get food and drink while you do it Pretty cool and as much a baseline for how to hang out in Amsterdam as cycling is for how to get around
Places to eat and drink owned by corporations have to package experience to deliver it Whatrsquos our brand How can our managers and servers be most efficient How ultimately can we be number one Not something most cafeacutes seem to be worried about and where the universal signs for lsquowe are having a good time togetherrsquo
lsquoCafeacute culture must help teachrsquo lsquoI am seduced by places where waiters donrsquot work for tipsrsquo
64
perspectives
or lsquoI am happy here by myselfrsquo (clinked glasses or absorption in a newspaper say) are routinely in evidence This is one true grace of democracy the average worth smiling about
At cafeacutes co-workers have a beer before or after their shift friends drop by or a regular pops in with some news The stream of customers they donrsquot have to woo and donrsquot have to lsquoworkrsquo gives the whole thing a slightly familial living room perfectly public feel that makes the work far less of a personality crimp than working at Starbucks Or so it seems I do not mean to pretend carrying drinks across the street to the canal side seating or giving obvious directions yet again is always glorious but most people who work in cafeacutersquos laugh and smile a fair bit almost as much as the patrons
And when the owner of a cafeacute is of a generation older than those working there as is usually the case it lends a wise uncle or mother hen feel to the proceedings In the daytime no one is ever too caught up in his or her designated title to ignore a baby on the move And at
night the crowd of drinkers may as well be at a party hosted by their parents or kids or both
Itrsquos not all about money cafeacute culture churns towards the civilised without grinding anyone too far down As well as pleasure there is power in this The best distillation I know of what democracy should be came from a young woman working at Cafeacute Captein With our meal in front of us my friend noticed he was missing his salad Flagged down the young woman went to investigate ldquoItrsquos on its wayrdquo she said ldquoI told my boss to do itrdquo
Imagine we told Putin to do it We told Obama to do it We told the bankers to do it
lsquoMost people who work in cafeacutersquos laugh and smile a fair bitrsquo
lsquoCafeacute culture churns towards the civilised without grinding anyone too far downrsquo
65
66
featurecity gem
lsquoThe last of the large independent music stores left standing in Amsterdamrsquo
CITY GEM
67
Concerto
By Denson Pierre
ConcertoUtrechtsestraat 60 1017 VP Amsterdam
it is a rush when on a full stomach you can make an instant decision on where your next city-centre lunch will be taken it is almost ecstasy when the venue is situated in a music shop which for decades has been defined by its exceptional range and quality of music available in amsterdam Concerto is the last of the large independent music stores left standing in amsterdam all the others have long since been killed off by everything from the advance in recording and playback technologies to habitual illegal downloaders only now realising that their behaviour has an impact right back down to street level despite what they might think about the giant studios and recording companies
Concerto has not stuck but has twisted Since September it has incorporated a cute cafeacute
and lunch area within its premises as well as introducing a bookshop and lounge area making it possible to spend an almost nostalgic time there over several hours It still has a vast range of the very best music in vinyl (both new and second-hand) and CD form DVDs DJ equipment and even gear used for live musical performances Itrsquos a gold mine
If it has taken this clever adaptation in space utilisation to keep this institution viable and available to Amsterdam-based music lovers then I personally wish to support this venture and help mean this type of music retailer to remain part of the city scene For people of a certain age there is something infinitely more appealing about physically handling recorded material appreciating the artwork in its packaging having a listen and then deciding if it is a purchase you would like to make Even though non-digital stockpiling has become rather passeacute I challenge you to visit Concerto and its new cafeacute and bookshop concept and not end up spending more time in this true city gem than you had anticipated
lsquoIt has incorporated a cute cafeacute and lunch area within its premises as well as introducing a bookshop and lounge arearsquo
city gem
68
city gem
69city gem
city gem70
city gem71
72city gem
lsquoThere is something infinitely more appealing about physically
handling recorded material appreciating the artwork in its
packagingrsquo
73city gem
74classifi eds
75classifi eds
classifi edsclassifi eds76
amsterdam city life
BrinG BaCK
Something that seems to have been watered down considerably in Amsterdamrsquos hospitality industry in recent years is independence of thought styling and designAll you have to do is walk around the city to note that way too many coffeesoup houses and cafeacutes are more or less identikit This also applies to many cafeacutes with unimaginative business leaders who open unoriginal looking spaces and hope that the use of white paint purple or blue lights and house music is all it takes
Luckily there is something brewing to save our days and nights I have come across cafeacute owners who are now seriously considering ending the arrangements they have with the giant drink suppliers There are actually no good arguments left for continuing with these huge multinationals as they are frankly more expensive at wholesale for the same A-class products than the supermarkets on every Amsterdammerrsquos street corner
It looks like space is being created for the smaller brewers to take up the supply of A-class beer to smaller establishments throughout the city The giants can keep their character-free tourist traps and those bars still able to benefit purely from their unbeatable locations throughout the city
The Sentinel says bring back better and more original businesses of scale within the local hospitality industry which will help more cafeacutes and bars not only to become distinguishable by the interior designs they will need to conjure but also through the variety of local and regional beers that could become part of their coherent identity The overriding benefit of such courageous thinking and action would be an immediate return to realistic and reasonable pricing for A-class beer in Amsterdam which remains the staple of the easy consumables as this recession drones on
By Denson Pierre
INDEPENDENT CAFeacuteSBARS
77
78star beer guide
Star Beer
The SentinelStar beer guide
lsquoDifferent beers can seem to weigh on the conscience as much as on the taste budsrsquo
Just like the changing of the seasons different beers can seem to weigh on the conscience as much as on the taste buds Ciney blond is a lovely almost effeminate tasting beer All light smooth fruitiness bolstered by substantial alcohol content
As the temperature increases it can even feel like a thirst quencher A nice session beer and one that could function as an entrance-level quality beer in terms of its complexity For advanced samplers it is a great lower platform to descend to after cruising the space occupied by the 8-plus percentage alcoholic beauties
Ciney blond is brewed by Alken-Maes Mechelen Belgium
By Denson Pierre
CINEY BLOND (7 ABV)
79star beer guide
We find the best most fun most typical exciting or local favourite restaurants etcetera in Amsterdam and bring them to you an easy way to feel like a local
Cafe Kostverloren 040606
Recommended
80recommended
EUROGIFTSXenonweg 9 3812 SZ Amersfoort
Tel 033 - 454 35 75 - Fax 033 - 454 35 79E-mail lmproefeurogiftsnl
Website wwweurogiftsnl
FILMPROEF
ORDERNUMMER 6021022ARTIKELNUMMER 65123
Ware grootte (indien uitgeprint)Kleur opdruk Wit
Mulligans Irish Music BarAmsterdamrsquos best address for live Irish music Five (5) nights a week Check our agenda for upcoming sessions Amstel 100 1017 AC Amsterdamwwwmulligansnl
Cafeacute KostverlorenCafeacute Kostverloren is a contemporary cafe offering the cosiness of a saloon an open kitchen and the intimacy of a living room The large terras is great for sunny days2e Kostverlorenkade 70 Amsterdamwwwcafekostverlorennl
ZestZest is fi ne food warm atmosphere and classy drinks with regular semi-acoustic (live) music and DJs (Thursday to Sunday) Amsterdamrsquos newest and freshestBilderdijkstraat 188 Amsterdamwwwfacebookcomclubzestnl
GollemGollemrsquos Proefl okaal Gollem and Gollem II represent the best addresses serving the fullest range of top Belgian Dutch and international beers in AmsterdamOvertoom 160-161wwwcafegollemnl
IncantoA restaurant with a classic Italian kitchen Venetian chef Simone Ambrosin is known for his pure and simple style of cooking with great feeling for nuanceAmstel 2 Amsterdamwwwrestaurant-incantonl
Planet RoseThe fi rst Caribbean restaurant in the Netherlands specialised in Jamaican cuisine The menu features a daily changing selectionNicolaas Beetsstraat 47 Amsterdamwwwplanetroseinfo
Cafe restaurant EdelCafe restaurant Edel is the perfect place for lunch dinner or to simply enjoy a drink Edel is a unique place in AmsterdamPostjesweg 1 1057 DT Amsterdamwwwedelamsterdamnl
Cafeacute OportoCafeacute Oporto is a traditional Amsterdam lsquobrown cafersquo Welcoming tourists and regular customers alike they offer televised sports wifi and a wide range of reasonably priced beers and spiritsZoutsteeg 1 1012 LX Amsterdamwwwcafeoportonet
BaxA cosy and friendly local cafeacute with a focus on special or interesting beers and good quality food Open 7 days a week with a professional kitchen offering a lunch and dinner serviceTen Katestraat 119 Amsterdamwwwcafebaxnl
To be seen and tasted Fun Drinking amp Music
To Be Seen and Tasted
Fun Drinking amp Music
Fun Drinking amp Music
Connoisseurs Delight
Connoisseurs Delight
Connoisseurs Delight
To Be Seen and Tasted
Neighbourhood cosy
Fun drinking and music
ParckGreat fun beautiful people and simply the best bar food in townOvertoom 428 Amsterdamwwwcafeparcknl
To be seen and tasted
Cafe de Toog1890rsquos grandeur fashioned into Amsterdam-West grand brown cafe-restaurant-cool Classy drinks and mealsNicolaas Beetsstraat 142 hs Amsterdam wwwcafedetoogcom
Opera Prima - Patisserie Bistro TraiteurThe best place in town for lunch exquisite high teas or brunches and all of your luxury catering both private and corporateKinkerstraat 228 Amsterdamwwwoperaprimanl
Recommended
81
Where is this inAmsterdamAnswer to sentinelpostgmailcom
82spotted
Room 2cfilm
ldquoCome on in boys the waterrsquos finerdquo This is arguably the best all-round and funny musical to come out of Hollywood in a generation and certainly one of the best three soundtracks of the same period George Clooney will never be as good or charming as he is here playing the accidental leader of a trio of chain gang escapees in the US south of the 1930s Spirituality meets the Ku Klux Klan all coloured by Virginia bluegrass
ldquoCall me Snakerdquo The coolest handle for a leading man (Kurt Russell) in any movie to date Here he is sent in on a heroic lsquoat all costrsquo one-man mission to rescue the president of the United States from the prison island Manhattan has become in a lsquofuturersquo representation of 1997 Air Force One has crashed there and the countdown is on Classic 1980s turn of the millennium dystopian vision with style pace and gadgetry
By dpmotions
By dpmotions
o Brother Where Art Thou (2000)
escape from new York (1981)
room2c83
84trends
lsquoTrends are great to join and surf like a once in a lifetime tsunamirsquo
By Dirkje Bakker-Pierre
Each and every micro-world has its own specific trends Take the fashion world for example where one day you have to wear high heels and round noses and the next itrsquos flat hairy elephant feet-like boots that must hug your feet Or take the automotive world where once upon a time you could never have enough chrome on your car or the food world where we have quietly moved from fast to green and wholesome or the TV world which used to be about fiction and is now more real than reality Some of these trends are great to join and surf like a once in a lifetime tsunami others can slip by unnoticed and others still keep bugging and bugging you even if you try to avoid them like the plague
The online world and specifically the social media universe eats through trends like a fat chick after a hunger strike Facebook in particular seems to move seamlessly from one hype to the next one day itrsquos pictures with fuzzy edges or a bit of a 1970s filter the next itrsquos a profile picture with you very consciously not looking into the camera (very spontaneously and naturally non-posing you might say) These are mostly harmless things if Irsquom honest and when everyone
stops liking them they fade away as quickly as the sun in our small wet country There is one trend however that has festered within Facebook from the very beginning and which seems to be gradually growing and growing without anyone ever liking the postshellip and I mean EVER
Yes I am talking about daily quotes words of wisdom holy quotes mesmerizingly philosophical quotes cheesy quotes religious quoteshellip How can I describe all of them in one easy sentence pieces of text from (famous) people (it can never be something you thought of yourself) that lsquodisclosersquo previously secret information about being happy in life (or at least previously secret to the person doing the posting I presume) In short texts that belong on tiles hanging on the wall in old Dutch peoplersquos toilets
Why
Here are a few I found in my news feed this week
ldquoA mind is like a parachute It doesnrsquot work if it is not openrdquo ndash Frank Zappa
ldquoIt is not because things are difficult that we do not dare it is because we do not dare that things are difficultrdquo ndash Seneca
ldquoIf you donrsquot take what you are doing seriously then nobody else willrdquo ndash Darryl Dlt Thomson
Bad trends would be good if they werenrsquot so bad
85trends
86classifi eds
87classifieds
One of my personal favourite gemstones is moonstone Itlsquos been around for centuries and is used in many cultures As suggested by its name the stone is highly associated with the moon and moon goddess Diana It brings calm peace and love and is said to become more powerful when the moon is full so thatlsquos the best time to wear it One proverb even claims that moonstone can bring you love that will fly you to the moon Spiritually this amazing stone is said to enhance intuition and is always associated with the self It is a very powerful personal stone which doesnlsquot add or remove any aspects of the personality but merely reflects the person wearing it It is said to be very
MoonstoneBy Evelina Kvartunaite
ndash
lsquoThe stone is highly associated with the moon and moon goddess Dianarsquo
ndash
helpful for people who are very sensitive and it is also used in meditation for reflecting oneself Itlsquos always best to charge your gem when the moon is shining at night either while wearing it or by leaving it on a windowsill that receives moonlight Moonstone is also used in healing and is known for balancing the internal organ systems enabling them to work in stable cycles Itlsquos usually more associated with women but is also known to help men embrace their more emotional side soft creative energies and optimism Perhaps understandably moonstone should have limited exposure to strong direct sunlight
ndash
lsquoIt is said to be very helpful for people who are very sensitiversquo
ndash
88
health amp well-being
ndash
lsquoMore associated with women but is also known to help men embrace their more emotional sidersquo
ndash
89health amp well-being
In his article Batin shows how learning how to use complex products is like learning a computer game Just like the challenges in video games match the skills of the user so should TV interactions or any UI interactions for that matter For reference Batin used the four levels described in the Dreyfus model of skill acquisition
Level 1 novicebullRigid adherence to taught rules or plansbullNo exercise of lsquodiscretionary judgmentrsquo
Level 2 Advanced beginnerbullLimited lsquosituational perceptionrsquobullAll aspects of work treated separately with equal importance
Philip Batin wrote an article a couple of months ago about the next big idea in User Interaction gadgets that adapt to your skills As gadgets become more complicated UIs must be able to teach their users over time Apparently more and more interactive products are being returned In 2002 48 of all returned products were technically fully functional but were rejected for failing to satisfy user needs 20 purely due to customer remorse Even though a product may have all the features one can hope for complexity and bad user experience can prevent users from integrating it into their lives
UserInterfaceThe next big thing in UX
lsquoUIs must be able to teach their users over timersquo
By Andrei Barburas
lsquoComplexity and bad user experience can prevent users from
integrating it into their livesrsquo
90
technology
book the majority of which you probably skipped through
Personally I believe that there are certain end users most likely the majority that use only a limited set of features from any device they buy Mobile phones have become indispensable tools in our daily activities yet the average Joe has no idea about the full potential of a smart phone The same applies to Smart TVs they can do lots of things yet the only thing that we do with them is flip channels and complain how bad the shows are
The bottom line is that itrsquos definitely something worth thinking about not only from an operating system perspective but also from the perspective of applications developers
Level 3 competentbulllsquoCoping with crowdednessrsquo (multiple activities accumulation of information)bullSome perception of actions in relation to goalsbullDeliberate planningbullFormulates routines
Level 4 ProficientbullHolistic view of situationbullPrioritizes importance of aspectsbulllsquoPerceives deviations from the normal patternrsquobullEmploys maxim for guidance with meanings that adapt to the situation at hand
Now just imagine a User Interface that adapts based on what you can do and the abilities you have As you learn new things new levels of complexity are unlocked opening the door to fully knowing your device because you learned by doing and not by reading a complicated
lsquoThe average Joe has no idea about the full potential of a
smart phonersquo
91technology
92classifi eds
93classifi eds
Not knowing what was happening in football was extremely annoying to put it mildly and it wasnrsquot just my own self-denial and avoidance of all things football that was a hindrance the extent to which I had to ask others to go in order to remain ignorant was much more excruciating than Irsquod ever imagined There may even be some damage done to football-related friendships that is irreparable I now feel as though Irsquom walking through an empty stadium after everyone else has gone home
So what now and where to next The season is well and truly over and Irsquom free to do whatever I want I could read the back-dated sports pages check all the stats and find out all the facts if I wanted to I could spend hours catching up on last season and speculating on the next with the friends Irsquove still got left down the pub if I wanted to I can follow all the transfer gossip watch pre-season friendlies and build up all my hopes But as with most addictions that would simply be falling back into a previous state of dependence and everything Irsquove just put myself through wouldrsquove been for nothing So how do I go back to an old habit without a total relapse or would it be better to keep abstaining
All my questions seem to be met with other questions and no solutions On the other hand if you ask me what
Someone once said that insanity is when you keep repeating the same behaviour and expect a different outcome most likely a psychologist aimed at his or her ailing patients But for me these words are more reminiscent of my own conduct over the course of a regular football season Week in week out season after season I would expect Tottenham to win something and more often than not Irsquod be left disappointed So I decided to stop No more football ndash at least not for one full season
The season 201213 is now over and during the whole nine months I didnrsquot watch a single moment of football or read a single article on the subject That was my challenge and I was committed to it What is more despite all the warning signs I didnrsquot relapse After a year of structured punishment I didnrsquot have a clue about what was going on in the English Premier League (or any other league) Only having picked up bits and pieces of information that somehow slipped through the net the past season was like a book with most of its pages missing
By Simon Joseph
On The Volley
The Return of the Repressed or the Point of No Return
lsquoInsanity is when you keep repeating the same behaviour and expect a different outcomersquo
sport
lsquoThe past season was like a book with most of its pages missingrsquo
94
lsquoThere may even be some damage done to football-related friendshipsrsquo
lsquoHas abstaining for a season changed mersquo
it until the cows come home but it was us who made those changes or at least allowed them to happen and those changes will continue to happen with or without me Perhaps then the questions I should be asking are has abstaining for a season changed me Am I still obsessed or have I broken the habit of a lifetime Is following football really that terrible or even a real addiction
One thing is certain this lack of resolution is not completely without satisfaction because like all forms of fixation or obsession therersquos comfort and familiarity to be found in repetition as Tottenham miss out on Championrsquos League football by a single point again The repressed will always return to haunt us or so it seems and before we know it the start of next season will be upon us There will be more pain no doubt and more joy This time however it will take more than a boot camp approach to keep me away and who knows Tottenham might even win the league Come on you Spurs
Tottenham Hotspur means I would still tell you that itrsquos not just a pretty football package itrsquos about kith and kin not just where I came from but how I relate to others around me in the here and now Whatrsquos more millions of people are attracted to football they hunger for it and yearn to connect with it even though I still believe itrsquos a form of ineffective escape from one unsatisfying reality to another Following football is a classic example of cognitive dissonance ndash when you simultaneously entertain two opposing thoughts that appear to cancel each other out Before the start of each season for example we all want our club to win everything or to be taken over by billionaires but know that itrsquos impossible or in the latter case controversial and even undesirable So we invent ways to cope We develop a so-called lsquosiege mentalityrsquo or other harmful patterns of behaviour to relieve the discomfort of incongruity With this in mind the past year was supposed to be an exercise in behaviour modification ndash to discover the root of the problem and treat it effectively But one year on have I really discovered anything at all
The English Premier League whether you watch it or not is still probably the most exciting football league in the world We can complain about the changes made to
sport9
5
By Denson Pierre
The Gold Room
Fantasy Football Gold ndash Champions League 2012-2013 winner Denson Pierre and his prizes
The season petered out in an all-German Champions League Final which did nothing to dispel the record that this was a season of too few new stars or regular spectacle We look forward to the next season as it ought not be too difficult to create more excitement than in the one just pastWe did have the opportunity to hand over the envelopes and trophies to the Sentinel Fantasy Football game winners This year all the major winners from the Sentinel Fantasy Football League were unable to be present for the physical prize giving but the winner of the Gold Game and focus of this column was there to receive his prize for winning the master game in styleSo we retire the Gold Room until the beginning of the new football season See you all again then
96
sport
Matt Parker receives his third place and Manager of the Month prizes for the Sentinel Fantasy Football League
Charles Conneely Sentinel Fantasy Football League 2012-2013 Champion
97sport
wwwczechtourismcom
CZECH REPUBLIC - STUNNINGLY DIFFERENT
98
classifi eds
12feature
feature13
feature14
feature15
lsquoSuch a natural and effortless trip to makersquo
16feature
feature17
18feature
feature19
feature20
feature21
feature22
feature
feature
lsquoJopen its beer and its people are so well worked out and presented
that it should be on every Amsterdammerrsquos radarrsquo
feature23
Get advice on housing rental contracts and apartments in Amsterdam
wwwwswonennlenglish
wwwconsultancymarketmediacom
- Account Manager Market Media- (Internship) International Marketing Executive
we are looking for
24classifieds
artist thinker
Here are some of our local partners
Enter (click) to learn why they work with us
demerkplaatsnl
25classifieds
Dam in 60 minutes
By Sam van Dam
perspectives
Rembrandtplein26
perspectives
Last time out I took you up North to the beautiful island of Marken Since that was a somewhat longer trip than some readers might want to take by bike this time our journey is a short one that can even be done on foot to Rembrandtplein The adventure starts at Central Station turn your back on the visually pleasing building that facilitates the arrival of visitors to our hometown and head towards Damrak Amsterdamrsquos lsquoRed Carpetrsquo and home these days to gazillions of restaurants shops bars cafeacutes and of course the nearby world-famous Red Light District all of which wersquoll simply ignore This is easier said than done as there is so much to see so many temptations that demand your attention and try to make you spend your euros before you have even entered the actual city As you walk down Damrak you start to see the buildings situated around Dam Square the central point of Amsterdam offering such delights as the Royal Palace Madame Tussauds the Nieuwekerk the war memorial and other landmarks that define this famous square Rotate 360 degrees to take it all in and then move toward Rokin or if you are in mood for some shopping walk down Kalverstraat instead Yoursquore bound to find something you like in the hundreds of shops lining one of Amsterdamrsquos two main shopping streets Keep walking straight on and just to your right yoursquoll find Spui a lovely square that is regularly home to art and book markets if you have the time You can find a multitude of interesting and inspiring items there or just grab a coffee and sit on one of the benches taking in the scene Once you are done enjoying Spui itrsquos time to get back on track so return to the RokinKalverstraat and head to the right (south) not forgetting to take a closer look
at the statue of former Queen Wilhelmina and her horse standing proudly at the bridge opposite This is also the starting point for boat tours if you want to take a little time out from your stroll to Rembrandtplein get a ticket and hop on one of the very typical 70s-style boats that constantly criss-cross the watery arteries of Amsterdam These typical 1970s-style barges provide a visual impression of the city that looks familiar yet very different a pleasure that locals and visitors alike appreciate very much every time
When you have returned from the water tour return to Rokin and keep walking towards Munt which is easily recognisable by its old-style tower featuring a clockwork chime that marks the hour and enhances the scenery in this part of town along with the Hotel De LrsquoEurope just across the way You could also take a pit-stop there while enjoying the view over the Amstel and the hundreds of little boats filled with chillaxing people at least on sunny days You can dwell on the fact that life in Amsterdam often seems so easy and beautiful that it entices visitors to return again and again You are now very close to your final destination so cross the road and enter the Reguliersbreestraat Marvel at the beauty of the Tuschinski Theater as you continue towards the wide open square that is our last stop Grab a drink or some ice-cream while you find yourself a nice spot on the grassy circular central area of the Rembrandtplein where you can spend hours looking at the beautiful buildings the relaxing people and the artists selling their work This is also where you can find me presenting a fine selection of my photo prints of what to me is the best city in the world So if itrsquos not raining come by and enjoy my photographic impressions of Amsterdam they make awesome souvenirs to take home with you Irsquom looking forward to meeting you on lsquomyrsquo square
lsquoOur journey is a short one that can even be done on footrsquo
27
28perspectives
29perspectives
lsquo1970s-style barges provide a visual impression of the city that looks familiar yet very differentrsquo
30perspectives
31perspectives
32perspectives
33perspectives
lsquoMarvel at the beauty of the Tuschinski Theaterrsquo
34perspectives
35perspectives
lsquoRotate 360 degrees to take it all inrsquo
36perspectives
lsquoRotate 360 degrees to take it all inrsquo
37perspectives
38perspectives
39perspectives
40
perspectives
41perspectives
42featureperspectives
feature4
3perspectives
44
featureperspectives
feature4
5perspectives
lsquoTake a closer look at the statue of former Queen Wilhelmina and her horsersquo
46
perspectives
lsquoThis is also where you can find me presenting a fine selection of my
photo printsrsquo
47perspectives
perspectives4
8
perspectives4
9
For complete and world class tours of Prague
Packages includebull Hidden and playful Prague (for families with young children)bull Literary Praguebull Prague Architecture through the agesbull Religion and the citybull The old city at night
These are detailed tours designed for visitors who wish to explore with great detail and not suitable for simply sight-seeing tourists
Day segments and ratesPR 0800-1230hrs AG 1330-1630hrs UE 1730-2130hrsAll sessions are priced at u 25 per single adult Group size upper limit = 8 Accompanied children under the age of five are gratis and school aged children pay 25 Family package rates are negotiable
ContactJaroslav Cernosek+420 602 228 797Mail jcernosekcentrumcz
wwwyourtuliptourcom
JC Tours
50classifieds
51classifieds
CafeacuteBar Review Van Mechelen
cafebar review52
Van MechelenSloterkade 96-97 Amsterdam
It may be the new hype in the city as far as grand cafeacute and restaurant concepts go but Van Mechelen is already approaching excellence Considering its handy location in another pretty neighbourhood of Amsterdam South it is almost a lsquomust visitrsquo place that has created a theme built on the Burgundian enjoyment of life good food complemented with top-class beer and wine If you want a taste of what it feels like to visit a cafeacute-restaurant in Mechelen Belgium Van Mechelen is an easy way for an Amsterdammer to savour this experience and is just a short cycle ride away
ambianceBurgundian Rating 5
StaffregularsMembers of staff are clearly very well trained and this adds to the light and airy atmosphere Having opened for business just three months ago those who have fallen in love with the place and its consumables have not yet had time to clock up the number of visits and connections to be considered lsquoregularsrsquo Rating 5
televised sportNo space within the design and layout for this form of distraction Rating 3
PricesSurprisingly these are within the lsquonormalrsquo range for this level and quality of fare Outstandingly fairly priced snacks and nibbles are also offered to help you along as you take on the fine (Mechelen brewery group Alken-Maes) beers and wines When did you last enjoy a generous portion of fresh olives for a mere euro250 Rating 5
MusicAt the time of review the establishment was fairly packed out The atmosphere is conducive to chats and hilarity and although the selection of tunes could be heard far in the background the sound system may well have more kick It should as the building is of such a solid constitution that it should contain noise and not easily upset the neighbours Rating 5
Smoking area provisionFortunately for puffers the originally industrial nature of the address means that the former loading bay and entranceexit areas have become two naturally covered terrace areas separated from the luscious interior by huge glass-panelled doors Rating 5
total rating 2830(Rating from 1-5 where 1 = Very poor and 5 = Excellent)
By Denson Pierre
lsquoThe new hype in the city as far as grand cafeacute and restaurant concepts gorsquo
cafebar review53
lsquoMembers of staff are clearly very well trainedrsquo
cafebar review54
cafebar review55
lsquoOutstandingly fairly priced snacks and nibbles are also offeredrsquo
cafebar review56
cafebar review57
lsquoThe atmosphere is conducive to chats and hilarityrsquo
cafebar review58
cafebar review59
scamsterdam
lifestyles60
By Valeria Scimia
Unemployed international and looking for a job in the Netherlands Not only must you face the everyday hell that is job-seeking but now you must also beware of scam companies Yes theyrsquove arrived here too
I was recently contacted by an ostensibly legitimate company that wanted to hire me The contact took the form of what appeared to be a genuine e-mail complete with website and logo from a company in Australia that seemed absolutely legitimate (I have since contacted the company to warn them that someone overseas is using their name and logo to scam people) The e-mail explained that the company was opening an office in Holland and was looking for people who would handle the back-office orders It contained a form to be filled in and returned if I was interested in the position the form asked for all my personal information including my bank details I had been looking for a job and was interested in the offer so I filled in and sent off the form and my CV Once they received my e-mail they asked me to start a trial period without practically explaining anything of what the job was actually about I didnrsquot immediately reply so they called me the next day asking me to start immediately with the trial period promising lots of benefits once the contract was signed I hadnrsquot met anyone at this point only telephone interviews and that already didnrsquot seem right to me I asked them to send me more information by e-mail about what I was meant to do and a few moments later I received a response asking me to make a bank transfer to show them I was trustworthy The lsquotrialrsquo implied that they would send me some money and I had to transfer half via GWK or MoneyTransfer to one of their clients and keep the other half This smelled very fishy to the Italian in me In reality they could be sending a cheque to the bank which would register an income that would later bounce after I had already made the payment to their lsquoclientrsquo On top of losing money the person that tried to lsquohirersquo meyou
would have been untraceable No one was even picking up the phone at the number given in the e-mail and the company they claimed to represent wasnrsquot even active in Europe
So I said no and told them I was no longer interested They even had the gumption to call me back and ask me why I wouldnrsquot do it I gave them a silly excuse so as not to give them any more information or tips on how to improve their scummy scam I am happy I started checking their contacts as soon as their promises seemed too good to be true even if I am still angry I allowed them to data-mine all of my information when I sent them my CV and filled in their form
It beggars belief that they set up an entire facade in these times of work despair and it really doesnrsquot feel right especially because therersquos not much I can do about it now apart from inform people I didnrsquot think this would ever happen here in this country where everything has to be or always seems to be so legitimate But I guess some things never change and a place doesnrsquot make the people and certainly doesnrsquot influence the choices they make I just wanted to share my experience to alert everyone to the possible scam If a company contacts you and asks you to return a form including your bank details when you have never met anyone face-to-face it should make your antennas extend and remember to double-check their credibility Apparently it is illegal to ask such questions of someone here so donrsquot fall for it as I did As I am still waiting to hear from the company in Australia I didnrsquot feel it was proper to disclose its name publicly just yet plus I am not sure the scammers always use the same company as a fake front But what they ask you to do is more or less always the same so keep your eyes open to the little details
lsquoYou face the everyday hell that is job-seeking but now you must also beware of scam companiesrsquo
lsquoThis smelled very fishy to the Italian in mersquo
lsquoThe form asked for all my personal informationrsquo
lifestyles6
1
Je moet er geweest zijn
62classifieds
MechelenAuthentic and full of surprises Thatrsquos Mechelen Hospitable and honourable Thatrsquos the people of Mechelen Come and experience the cityrsquos urban charms for yourself Mechelen
Authentic and full of surprises Thatrsquos Mechelen Hospitable and honourable Thatrsquos the people of Mechelen Come and experience the cityrsquos urban charms for yourself
photography copy Milo Profi
classifieds63
classifieds
How to hang out in
Amsterdam
By ER Muntrem
perspectives
It is not against the rules for babies to cry in cafeacutes It happens Mostly they sleep or sit in someonersquos lap with commendable decorum Otherwise kids in cafeacutes tend to nosh a little less than their elders and handle crayons a little more And while anyone who toddles behind the bar will certainly get caught they can always claim they were encouraged to toddle there in the first place
Dutch parents and I realise this is hard to prove seem to let their kids wander a metre or two further away from them than parents from other developed countries that universal ldquowhere is sherdquo look delayed five or ten seconds If this extra distance is a sign of perceived safety cafeacute culture must help teach it
Except for chefs all cafeacute workers do more or less all the jobs required to run a cafeacute They all wait on tables
serve hot and cold drinks set up outdoor furniture load and retrieve supplies take the garbage out wash glasses light candles arrange flowers unfurl the awning and ring up the bill When the young guy or girl greets you you may know they are not the owner but for the moment they are the face of the establishment It may as well be their place
Admittedly I am seduced by places where waiters donrsquot work for tips where the rushed pace of eating in a restaurant in America does not exist In a cafeacute you can do what you want for as long as you want and get food and drink while you do it Pretty cool and as much a baseline for how to hang out in Amsterdam as cycling is for how to get around
Places to eat and drink owned by corporations have to package experience to deliver it Whatrsquos our brand How can our managers and servers be most efficient How ultimately can we be number one Not something most cafeacutes seem to be worried about and where the universal signs for lsquowe are having a good time togetherrsquo
lsquoCafeacute culture must help teachrsquo lsquoI am seduced by places where waiters donrsquot work for tipsrsquo
64
perspectives
or lsquoI am happy here by myselfrsquo (clinked glasses or absorption in a newspaper say) are routinely in evidence This is one true grace of democracy the average worth smiling about
At cafeacutes co-workers have a beer before or after their shift friends drop by or a regular pops in with some news The stream of customers they donrsquot have to woo and donrsquot have to lsquoworkrsquo gives the whole thing a slightly familial living room perfectly public feel that makes the work far less of a personality crimp than working at Starbucks Or so it seems I do not mean to pretend carrying drinks across the street to the canal side seating or giving obvious directions yet again is always glorious but most people who work in cafeacutersquos laugh and smile a fair bit almost as much as the patrons
And when the owner of a cafeacute is of a generation older than those working there as is usually the case it lends a wise uncle or mother hen feel to the proceedings In the daytime no one is ever too caught up in his or her designated title to ignore a baby on the move And at
night the crowd of drinkers may as well be at a party hosted by their parents or kids or both
Itrsquos not all about money cafeacute culture churns towards the civilised without grinding anyone too far down As well as pleasure there is power in this The best distillation I know of what democracy should be came from a young woman working at Cafeacute Captein With our meal in front of us my friend noticed he was missing his salad Flagged down the young woman went to investigate ldquoItrsquos on its wayrdquo she said ldquoI told my boss to do itrdquo
Imagine we told Putin to do it We told Obama to do it We told the bankers to do it
lsquoMost people who work in cafeacutersquos laugh and smile a fair bitrsquo
lsquoCafeacute culture churns towards the civilised without grinding anyone too far downrsquo
65
66
featurecity gem
lsquoThe last of the large independent music stores left standing in Amsterdamrsquo
CITY GEM
67
Concerto
By Denson Pierre
ConcertoUtrechtsestraat 60 1017 VP Amsterdam
it is a rush when on a full stomach you can make an instant decision on where your next city-centre lunch will be taken it is almost ecstasy when the venue is situated in a music shop which for decades has been defined by its exceptional range and quality of music available in amsterdam Concerto is the last of the large independent music stores left standing in amsterdam all the others have long since been killed off by everything from the advance in recording and playback technologies to habitual illegal downloaders only now realising that their behaviour has an impact right back down to street level despite what they might think about the giant studios and recording companies
Concerto has not stuck but has twisted Since September it has incorporated a cute cafeacute
and lunch area within its premises as well as introducing a bookshop and lounge area making it possible to spend an almost nostalgic time there over several hours It still has a vast range of the very best music in vinyl (both new and second-hand) and CD form DVDs DJ equipment and even gear used for live musical performances Itrsquos a gold mine
If it has taken this clever adaptation in space utilisation to keep this institution viable and available to Amsterdam-based music lovers then I personally wish to support this venture and help mean this type of music retailer to remain part of the city scene For people of a certain age there is something infinitely more appealing about physically handling recorded material appreciating the artwork in its packaging having a listen and then deciding if it is a purchase you would like to make Even though non-digital stockpiling has become rather passeacute I challenge you to visit Concerto and its new cafeacute and bookshop concept and not end up spending more time in this true city gem than you had anticipated
lsquoIt has incorporated a cute cafeacute and lunch area within its premises as well as introducing a bookshop and lounge arearsquo
city gem
68
city gem
69city gem
city gem70
city gem71
72city gem
lsquoThere is something infinitely more appealing about physically
handling recorded material appreciating the artwork in its
packagingrsquo
73city gem
74classifi eds
75classifi eds
classifi edsclassifi eds76
amsterdam city life
BrinG BaCK
Something that seems to have been watered down considerably in Amsterdamrsquos hospitality industry in recent years is independence of thought styling and designAll you have to do is walk around the city to note that way too many coffeesoup houses and cafeacutes are more or less identikit This also applies to many cafeacutes with unimaginative business leaders who open unoriginal looking spaces and hope that the use of white paint purple or blue lights and house music is all it takes
Luckily there is something brewing to save our days and nights I have come across cafeacute owners who are now seriously considering ending the arrangements they have with the giant drink suppliers There are actually no good arguments left for continuing with these huge multinationals as they are frankly more expensive at wholesale for the same A-class products than the supermarkets on every Amsterdammerrsquos street corner
It looks like space is being created for the smaller brewers to take up the supply of A-class beer to smaller establishments throughout the city The giants can keep their character-free tourist traps and those bars still able to benefit purely from their unbeatable locations throughout the city
The Sentinel says bring back better and more original businesses of scale within the local hospitality industry which will help more cafeacutes and bars not only to become distinguishable by the interior designs they will need to conjure but also through the variety of local and regional beers that could become part of their coherent identity The overriding benefit of such courageous thinking and action would be an immediate return to realistic and reasonable pricing for A-class beer in Amsterdam which remains the staple of the easy consumables as this recession drones on
By Denson Pierre
INDEPENDENT CAFeacuteSBARS
77
78star beer guide
Star Beer
The SentinelStar beer guide
lsquoDifferent beers can seem to weigh on the conscience as much as on the taste budsrsquo
Just like the changing of the seasons different beers can seem to weigh on the conscience as much as on the taste buds Ciney blond is a lovely almost effeminate tasting beer All light smooth fruitiness bolstered by substantial alcohol content
As the temperature increases it can even feel like a thirst quencher A nice session beer and one that could function as an entrance-level quality beer in terms of its complexity For advanced samplers it is a great lower platform to descend to after cruising the space occupied by the 8-plus percentage alcoholic beauties
Ciney blond is brewed by Alken-Maes Mechelen Belgium
By Denson Pierre
CINEY BLOND (7 ABV)
79star beer guide
We find the best most fun most typical exciting or local favourite restaurants etcetera in Amsterdam and bring them to you an easy way to feel like a local
Cafe Kostverloren 040606
Recommended
80recommended
EUROGIFTSXenonweg 9 3812 SZ Amersfoort
Tel 033 - 454 35 75 - Fax 033 - 454 35 79E-mail lmproefeurogiftsnl
Website wwweurogiftsnl
FILMPROEF
ORDERNUMMER 6021022ARTIKELNUMMER 65123
Ware grootte (indien uitgeprint)Kleur opdruk Wit
Mulligans Irish Music BarAmsterdamrsquos best address for live Irish music Five (5) nights a week Check our agenda for upcoming sessions Amstel 100 1017 AC Amsterdamwwwmulligansnl
Cafeacute KostverlorenCafeacute Kostverloren is a contemporary cafe offering the cosiness of a saloon an open kitchen and the intimacy of a living room The large terras is great for sunny days2e Kostverlorenkade 70 Amsterdamwwwcafekostverlorennl
ZestZest is fi ne food warm atmosphere and classy drinks with regular semi-acoustic (live) music and DJs (Thursday to Sunday) Amsterdamrsquos newest and freshestBilderdijkstraat 188 Amsterdamwwwfacebookcomclubzestnl
GollemGollemrsquos Proefl okaal Gollem and Gollem II represent the best addresses serving the fullest range of top Belgian Dutch and international beers in AmsterdamOvertoom 160-161wwwcafegollemnl
IncantoA restaurant with a classic Italian kitchen Venetian chef Simone Ambrosin is known for his pure and simple style of cooking with great feeling for nuanceAmstel 2 Amsterdamwwwrestaurant-incantonl
Planet RoseThe fi rst Caribbean restaurant in the Netherlands specialised in Jamaican cuisine The menu features a daily changing selectionNicolaas Beetsstraat 47 Amsterdamwwwplanetroseinfo
Cafe restaurant EdelCafe restaurant Edel is the perfect place for lunch dinner or to simply enjoy a drink Edel is a unique place in AmsterdamPostjesweg 1 1057 DT Amsterdamwwwedelamsterdamnl
Cafeacute OportoCafeacute Oporto is a traditional Amsterdam lsquobrown cafersquo Welcoming tourists and regular customers alike they offer televised sports wifi and a wide range of reasonably priced beers and spiritsZoutsteeg 1 1012 LX Amsterdamwwwcafeoportonet
BaxA cosy and friendly local cafeacute with a focus on special or interesting beers and good quality food Open 7 days a week with a professional kitchen offering a lunch and dinner serviceTen Katestraat 119 Amsterdamwwwcafebaxnl
To be seen and tasted Fun Drinking amp Music
To Be Seen and Tasted
Fun Drinking amp Music
Fun Drinking amp Music
Connoisseurs Delight
Connoisseurs Delight
Connoisseurs Delight
To Be Seen and Tasted
Neighbourhood cosy
Fun drinking and music
ParckGreat fun beautiful people and simply the best bar food in townOvertoom 428 Amsterdamwwwcafeparcknl
To be seen and tasted
Cafe de Toog1890rsquos grandeur fashioned into Amsterdam-West grand brown cafe-restaurant-cool Classy drinks and mealsNicolaas Beetsstraat 142 hs Amsterdam wwwcafedetoogcom
Opera Prima - Patisserie Bistro TraiteurThe best place in town for lunch exquisite high teas or brunches and all of your luxury catering both private and corporateKinkerstraat 228 Amsterdamwwwoperaprimanl
Recommended
81
Where is this inAmsterdamAnswer to sentinelpostgmailcom
82spotted
Room 2cfilm
ldquoCome on in boys the waterrsquos finerdquo This is arguably the best all-round and funny musical to come out of Hollywood in a generation and certainly one of the best three soundtracks of the same period George Clooney will never be as good or charming as he is here playing the accidental leader of a trio of chain gang escapees in the US south of the 1930s Spirituality meets the Ku Klux Klan all coloured by Virginia bluegrass
ldquoCall me Snakerdquo The coolest handle for a leading man (Kurt Russell) in any movie to date Here he is sent in on a heroic lsquoat all costrsquo one-man mission to rescue the president of the United States from the prison island Manhattan has become in a lsquofuturersquo representation of 1997 Air Force One has crashed there and the countdown is on Classic 1980s turn of the millennium dystopian vision with style pace and gadgetry
By dpmotions
By dpmotions
o Brother Where Art Thou (2000)
escape from new York (1981)
room2c83
84trends
lsquoTrends are great to join and surf like a once in a lifetime tsunamirsquo
By Dirkje Bakker-Pierre
Each and every micro-world has its own specific trends Take the fashion world for example where one day you have to wear high heels and round noses and the next itrsquos flat hairy elephant feet-like boots that must hug your feet Or take the automotive world where once upon a time you could never have enough chrome on your car or the food world where we have quietly moved from fast to green and wholesome or the TV world which used to be about fiction and is now more real than reality Some of these trends are great to join and surf like a once in a lifetime tsunami others can slip by unnoticed and others still keep bugging and bugging you even if you try to avoid them like the plague
The online world and specifically the social media universe eats through trends like a fat chick after a hunger strike Facebook in particular seems to move seamlessly from one hype to the next one day itrsquos pictures with fuzzy edges or a bit of a 1970s filter the next itrsquos a profile picture with you very consciously not looking into the camera (very spontaneously and naturally non-posing you might say) These are mostly harmless things if Irsquom honest and when everyone
stops liking them they fade away as quickly as the sun in our small wet country There is one trend however that has festered within Facebook from the very beginning and which seems to be gradually growing and growing without anyone ever liking the postshellip and I mean EVER
Yes I am talking about daily quotes words of wisdom holy quotes mesmerizingly philosophical quotes cheesy quotes religious quoteshellip How can I describe all of them in one easy sentence pieces of text from (famous) people (it can never be something you thought of yourself) that lsquodisclosersquo previously secret information about being happy in life (or at least previously secret to the person doing the posting I presume) In short texts that belong on tiles hanging on the wall in old Dutch peoplersquos toilets
Why
Here are a few I found in my news feed this week
ldquoA mind is like a parachute It doesnrsquot work if it is not openrdquo ndash Frank Zappa
ldquoIt is not because things are difficult that we do not dare it is because we do not dare that things are difficultrdquo ndash Seneca
ldquoIf you donrsquot take what you are doing seriously then nobody else willrdquo ndash Darryl Dlt Thomson
Bad trends would be good if they werenrsquot so bad
85trends
86classifi eds
87classifieds
One of my personal favourite gemstones is moonstone Itlsquos been around for centuries and is used in many cultures As suggested by its name the stone is highly associated with the moon and moon goddess Diana It brings calm peace and love and is said to become more powerful when the moon is full so thatlsquos the best time to wear it One proverb even claims that moonstone can bring you love that will fly you to the moon Spiritually this amazing stone is said to enhance intuition and is always associated with the self It is a very powerful personal stone which doesnlsquot add or remove any aspects of the personality but merely reflects the person wearing it It is said to be very
MoonstoneBy Evelina Kvartunaite
ndash
lsquoThe stone is highly associated with the moon and moon goddess Dianarsquo
ndash
helpful for people who are very sensitive and it is also used in meditation for reflecting oneself Itlsquos always best to charge your gem when the moon is shining at night either while wearing it or by leaving it on a windowsill that receives moonlight Moonstone is also used in healing and is known for balancing the internal organ systems enabling them to work in stable cycles Itlsquos usually more associated with women but is also known to help men embrace their more emotional side soft creative energies and optimism Perhaps understandably moonstone should have limited exposure to strong direct sunlight
ndash
lsquoIt is said to be very helpful for people who are very sensitiversquo
ndash
88
health amp well-being
ndash
lsquoMore associated with women but is also known to help men embrace their more emotional sidersquo
ndash
89health amp well-being
In his article Batin shows how learning how to use complex products is like learning a computer game Just like the challenges in video games match the skills of the user so should TV interactions or any UI interactions for that matter For reference Batin used the four levels described in the Dreyfus model of skill acquisition
Level 1 novicebullRigid adherence to taught rules or plansbullNo exercise of lsquodiscretionary judgmentrsquo
Level 2 Advanced beginnerbullLimited lsquosituational perceptionrsquobullAll aspects of work treated separately with equal importance
Philip Batin wrote an article a couple of months ago about the next big idea in User Interaction gadgets that adapt to your skills As gadgets become more complicated UIs must be able to teach their users over time Apparently more and more interactive products are being returned In 2002 48 of all returned products were technically fully functional but were rejected for failing to satisfy user needs 20 purely due to customer remorse Even though a product may have all the features one can hope for complexity and bad user experience can prevent users from integrating it into their lives
UserInterfaceThe next big thing in UX
lsquoUIs must be able to teach their users over timersquo
By Andrei Barburas
lsquoComplexity and bad user experience can prevent users from
integrating it into their livesrsquo
90
technology
book the majority of which you probably skipped through
Personally I believe that there are certain end users most likely the majority that use only a limited set of features from any device they buy Mobile phones have become indispensable tools in our daily activities yet the average Joe has no idea about the full potential of a smart phone The same applies to Smart TVs they can do lots of things yet the only thing that we do with them is flip channels and complain how bad the shows are
The bottom line is that itrsquos definitely something worth thinking about not only from an operating system perspective but also from the perspective of applications developers
Level 3 competentbulllsquoCoping with crowdednessrsquo (multiple activities accumulation of information)bullSome perception of actions in relation to goalsbullDeliberate planningbullFormulates routines
Level 4 ProficientbullHolistic view of situationbullPrioritizes importance of aspectsbulllsquoPerceives deviations from the normal patternrsquobullEmploys maxim for guidance with meanings that adapt to the situation at hand
Now just imagine a User Interface that adapts based on what you can do and the abilities you have As you learn new things new levels of complexity are unlocked opening the door to fully knowing your device because you learned by doing and not by reading a complicated
lsquoThe average Joe has no idea about the full potential of a
smart phonersquo
91technology
92classifi eds
93classifi eds
Not knowing what was happening in football was extremely annoying to put it mildly and it wasnrsquot just my own self-denial and avoidance of all things football that was a hindrance the extent to which I had to ask others to go in order to remain ignorant was much more excruciating than Irsquod ever imagined There may even be some damage done to football-related friendships that is irreparable I now feel as though Irsquom walking through an empty stadium after everyone else has gone home
So what now and where to next The season is well and truly over and Irsquom free to do whatever I want I could read the back-dated sports pages check all the stats and find out all the facts if I wanted to I could spend hours catching up on last season and speculating on the next with the friends Irsquove still got left down the pub if I wanted to I can follow all the transfer gossip watch pre-season friendlies and build up all my hopes But as with most addictions that would simply be falling back into a previous state of dependence and everything Irsquove just put myself through wouldrsquove been for nothing So how do I go back to an old habit without a total relapse or would it be better to keep abstaining
All my questions seem to be met with other questions and no solutions On the other hand if you ask me what
Someone once said that insanity is when you keep repeating the same behaviour and expect a different outcome most likely a psychologist aimed at his or her ailing patients But for me these words are more reminiscent of my own conduct over the course of a regular football season Week in week out season after season I would expect Tottenham to win something and more often than not Irsquod be left disappointed So I decided to stop No more football ndash at least not for one full season
The season 201213 is now over and during the whole nine months I didnrsquot watch a single moment of football or read a single article on the subject That was my challenge and I was committed to it What is more despite all the warning signs I didnrsquot relapse After a year of structured punishment I didnrsquot have a clue about what was going on in the English Premier League (or any other league) Only having picked up bits and pieces of information that somehow slipped through the net the past season was like a book with most of its pages missing
By Simon Joseph
On The Volley
The Return of the Repressed or the Point of No Return
lsquoInsanity is when you keep repeating the same behaviour and expect a different outcomersquo
sport
lsquoThe past season was like a book with most of its pages missingrsquo
94
lsquoThere may even be some damage done to football-related friendshipsrsquo
lsquoHas abstaining for a season changed mersquo
it until the cows come home but it was us who made those changes or at least allowed them to happen and those changes will continue to happen with or without me Perhaps then the questions I should be asking are has abstaining for a season changed me Am I still obsessed or have I broken the habit of a lifetime Is following football really that terrible or even a real addiction
One thing is certain this lack of resolution is not completely without satisfaction because like all forms of fixation or obsession therersquos comfort and familiarity to be found in repetition as Tottenham miss out on Championrsquos League football by a single point again The repressed will always return to haunt us or so it seems and before we know it the start of next season will be upon us There will be more pain no doubt and more joy This time however it will take more than a boot camp approach to keep me away and who knows Tottenham might even win the league Come on you Spurs
Tottenham Hotspur means I would still tell you that itrsquos not just a pretty football package itrsquos about kith and kin not just where I came from but how I relate to others around me in the here and now Whatrsquos more millions of people are attracted to football they hunger for it and yearn to connect with it even though I still believe itrsquos a form of ineffective escape from one unsatisfying reality to another Following football is a classic example of cognitive dissonance ndash when you simultaneously entertain two opposing thoughts that appear to cancel each other out Before the start of each season for example we all want our club to win everything or to be taken over by billionaires but know that itrsquos impossible or in the latter case controversial and even undesirable So we invent ways to cope We develop a so-called lsquosiege mentalityrsquo or other harmful patterns of behaviour to relieve the discomfort of incongruity With this in mind the past year was supposed to be an exercise in behaviour modification ndash to discover the root of the problem and treat it effectively But one year on have I really discovered anything at all
The English Premier League whether you watch it or not is still probably the most exciting football league in the world We can complain about the changes made to
sport9
5
By Denson Pierre
The Gold Room
Fantasy Football Gold ndash Champions League 2012-2013 winner Denson Pierre and his prizes
The season petered out in an all-German Champions League Final which did nothing to dispel the record that this was a season of too few new stars or regular spectacle We look forward to the next season as it ought not be too difficult to create more excitement than in the one just pastWe did have the opportunity to hand over the envelopes and trophies to the Sentinel Fantasy Football game winners This year all the major winners from the Sentinel Fantasy Football League were unable to be present for the physical prize giving but the winner of the Gold Game and focus of this column was there to receive his prize for winning the master game in styleSo we retire the Gold Room until the beginning of the new football season See you all again then
96
sport
Matt Parker receives his third place and Manager of the Month prizes for the Sentinel Fantasy Football League
Charles Conneely Sentinel Fantasy Football League 2012-2013 Champion
97sport
wwwczechtourismcom
CZECH REPUBLIC - STUNNINGLY DIFFERENT
98
classifi eds
feature13
feature14
feature15
lsquoSuch a natural and effortless trip to makersquo
16feature
feature17
18feature
feature19
feature20
feature21
feature22
feature
feature
lsquoJopen its beer and its people are so well worked out and presented
that it should be on every Amsterdammerrsquos radarrsquo
feature23
Get advice on housing rental contracts and apartments in Amsterdam
wwwwswonennlenglish
wwwconsultancymarketmediacom
- Account Manager Market Media- (Internship) International Marketing Executive
we are looking for
24classifieds
artist thinker
Here are some of our local partners
Enter (click) to learn why they work with us
demerkplaatsnl
25classifieds
Dam in 60 minutes
By Sam van Dam
perspectives
Rembrandtplein26
perspectives
Last time out I took you up North to the beautiful island of Marken Since that was a somewhat longer trip than some readers might want to take by bike this time our journey is a short one that can even be done on foot to Rembrandtplein The adventure starts at Central Station turn your back on the visually pleasing building that facilitates the arrival of visitors to our hometown and head towards Damrak Amsterdamrsquos lsquoRed Carpetrsquo and home these days to gazillions of restaurants shops bars cafeacutes and of course the nearby world-famous Red Light District all of which wersquoll simply ignore This is easier said than done as there is so much to see so many temptations that demand your attention and try to make you spend your euros before you have even entered the actual city As you walk down Damrak you start to see the buildings situated around Dam Square the central point of Amsterdam offering such delights as the Royal Palace Madame Tussauds the Nieuwekerk the war memorial and other landmarks that define this famous square Rotate 360 degrees to take it all in and then move toward Rokin or if you are in mood for some shopping walk down Kalverstraat instead Yoursquore bound to find something you like in the hundreds of shops lining one of Amsterdamrsquos two main shopping streets Keep walking straight on and just to your right yoursquoll find Spui a lovely square that is regularly home to art and book markets if you have the time You can find a multitude of interesting and inspiring items there or just grab a coffee and sit on one of the benches taking in the scene Once you are done enjoying Spui itrsquos time to get back on track so return to the RokinKalverstraat and head to the right (south) not forgetting to take a closer look
at the statue of former Queen Wilhelmina and her horse standing proudly at the bridge opposite This is also the starting point for boat tours if you want to take a little time out from your stroll to Rembrandtplein get a ticket and hop on one of the very typical 70s-style boats that constantly criss-cross the watery arteries of Amsterdam These typical 1970s-style barges provide a visual impression of the city that looks familiar yet very different a pleasure that locals and visitors alike appreciate very much every time
When you have returned from the water tour return to Rokin and keep walking towards Munt which is easily recognisable by its old-style tower featuring a clockwork chime that marks the hour and enhances the scenery in this part of town along with the Hotel De LrsquoEurope just across the way You could also take a pit-stop there while enjoying the view over the Amstel and the hundreds of little boats filled with chillaxing people at least on sunny days You can dwell on the fact that life in Amsterdam often seems so easy and beautiful that it entices visitors to return again and again You are now very close to your final destination so cross the road and enter the Reguliersbreestraat Marvel at the beauty of the Tuschinski Theater as you continue towards the wide open square that is our last stop Grab a drink or some ice-cream while you find yourself a nice spot on the grassy circular central area of the Rembrandtplein where you can spend hours looking at the beautiful buildings the relaxing people and the artists selling their work This is also where you can find me presenting a fine selection of my photo prints of what to me is the best city in the world So if itrsquos not raining come by and enjoy my photographic impressions of Amsterdam they make awesome souvenirs to take home with you Irsquom looking forward to meeting you on lsquomyrsquo square
lsquoOur journey is a short one that can even be done on footrsquo
27
28perspectives
29perspectives
lsquo1970s-style barges provide a visual impression of the city that looks familiar yet very differentrsquo
30perspectives
31perspectives
32perspectives
33perspectives
lsquoMarvel at the beauty of the Tuschinski Theaterrsquo
34perspectives
35perspectives
lsquoRotate 360 degrees to take it all inrsquo
36perspectives
lsquoRotate 360 degrees to take it all inrsquo
37perspectives
38perspectives
39perspectives
40
perspectives
41perspectives
42featureperspectives
feature4
3perspectives
44
featureperspectives
feature4
5perspectives
lsquoTake a closer look at the statue of former Queen Wilhelmina and her horsersquo
46
perspectives
lsquoThis is also where you can find me presenting a fine selection of my
photo printsrsquo
47perspectives
perspectives4
8
perspectives4
9
For complete and world class tours of Prague
Packages includebull Hidden and playful Prague (for families with young children)bull Literary Praguebull Prague Architecture through the agesbull Religion and the citybull The old city at night
These are detailed tours designed for visitors who wish to explore with great detail and not suitable for simply sight-seeing tourists
Day segments and ratesPR 0800-1230hrs AG 1330-1630hrs UE 1730-2130hrsAll sessions are priced at u 25 per single adult Group size upper limit = 8 Accompanied children under the age of five are gratis and school aged children pay 25 Family package rates are negotiable
ContactJaroslav Cernosek+420 602 228 797Mail jcernosekcentrumcz
wwwyourtuliptourcom
JC Tours
50classifieds
51classifieds
CafeacuteBar Review Van Mechelen
cafebar review52
Van MechelenSloterkade 96-97 Amsterdam
It may be the new hype in the city as far as grand cafeacute and restaurant concepts go but Van Mechelen is already approaching excellence Considering its handy location in another pretty neighbourhood of Amsterdam South it is almost a lsquomust visitrsquo place that has created a theme built on the Burgundian enjoyment of life good food complemented with top-class beer and wine If you want a taste of what it feels like to visit a cafeacute-restaurant in Mechelen Belgium Van Mechelen is an easy way for an Amsterdammer to savour this experience and is just a short cycle ride away
ambianceBurgundian Rating 5
StaffregularsMembers of staff are clearly very well trained and this adds to the light and airy atmosphere Having opened for business just three months ago those who have fallen in love with the place and its consumables have not yet had time to clock up the number of visits and connections to be considered lsquoregularsrsquo Rating 5
televised sportNo space within the design and layout for this form of distraction Rating 3
PricesSurprisingly these are within the lsquonormalrsquo range for this level and quality of fare Outstandingly fairly priced snacks and nibbles are also offered to help you along as you take on the fine (Mechelen brewery group Alken-Maes) beers and wines When did you last enjoy a generous portion of fresh olives for a mere euro250 Rating 5
MusicAt the time of review the establishment was fairly packed out The atmosphere is conducive to chats and hilarity and although the selection of tunes could be heard far in the background the sound system may well have more kick It should as the building is of such a solid constitution that it should contain noise and not easily upset the neighbours Rating 5
Smoking area provisionFortunately for puffers the originally industrial nature of the address means that the former loading bay and entranceexit areas have become two naturally covered terrace areas separated from the luscious interior by huge glass-panelled doors Rating 5
total rating 2830(Rating from 1-5 where 1 = Very poor and 5 = Excellent)
By Denson Pierre
lsquoThe new hype in the city as far as grand cafeacute and restaurant concepts gorsquo
cafebar review53
lsquoMembers of staff are clearly very well trainedrsquo
cafebar review54
cafebar review55
lsquoOutstandingly fairly priced snacks and nibbles are also offeredrsquo
cafebar review56
cafebar review57
lsquoThe atmosphere is conducive to chats and hilarityrsquo
cafebar review58
cafebar review59
scamsterdam
lifestyles60
By Valeria Scimia
Unemployed international and looking for a job in the Netherlands Not only must you face the everyday hell that is job-seeking but now you must also beware of scam companies Yes theyrsquove arrived here too
I was recently contacted by an ostensibly legitimate company that wanted to hire me The contact took the form of what appeared to be a genuine e-mail complete with website and logo from a company in Australia that seemed absolutely legitimate (I have since contacted the company to warn them that someone overseas is using their name and logo to scam people) The e-mail explained that the company was opening an office in Holland and was looking for people who would handle the back-office orders It contained a form to be filled in and returned if I was interested in the position the form asked for all my personal information including my bank details I had been looking for a job and was interested in the offer so I filled in and sent off the form and my CV Once they received my e-mail they asked me to start a trial period without practically explaining anything of what the job was actually about I didnrsquot immediately reply so they called me the next day asking me to start immediately with the trial period promising lots of benefits once the contract was signed I hadnrsquot met anyone at this point only telephone interviews and that already didnrsquot seem right to me I asked them to send me more information by e-mail about what I was meant to do and a few moments later I received a response asking me to make a bank transfer to show them I was trustworthy The lsquotrialrsquo implied that they would send me some money and I had to transfer half via GWK or MoneyTransfer to one of their clients and keep the other half This smelled very fishy to the Italian in me In reality they could be sending a cheque to the bank which would register an income that would later bounce after I had already made the payment to their lsquoclientrsquo On top of losing money the person that tried to lsquohirersquo meyou
would have been untraceable No one was even picking up the phone at the number given in the e-mail and the company they claimed to represent wasnrsquot even active in Europe
So I said no and told them I was no longer interested They even had the gumption to call me back and ask me why I wouldnrsquot do it I gave them a silly excuse so as not to give them any more information or tips on how to improve their scummy scam I am happy I started checking their contacts as soon as their promises seemed too good to be true even if I am still angry I allowed them to data-mine all of my information when I sent them my CV and filled in their form
It beggars belief that they set up an entire facade in these times of work despair and it really doesnrsquot feel right especially because therersquos not much I can do about it now apart from inform people I didnrsquot think this would ever happen here in this country where everything has to be or always seems to be so legitimate But I guess some things never change and a place doesnrsquot make the people and certainly doesnrsquot influence the choices they make I just wanted to share my experience to alert everyone to the possible scam If a company contacts you and asks you to return a form including your bank details when you have never met anyone face-to-face it should make your antennas extend and remember to double-check their credibility Apparently it is illegal to ask such questions of someone here so donrsquot fall for it as I did As I am still waiting to hear from the company in Australia I didnrsquot feel it was proper to disclose its name publicly just yet plus I am not sure the scammers always use the same company as a fake front But what they ask you to do is more or less always the same so keep your eyes open to the little details
lsquoYou face the everyday hell that is job-seeking but now you must also beware of scam companiesrsquo
lsquoThis smelled very fishy to the Italian in mersquo
lsquoThe form asked for all my personal informationrsquo
lifestyles6
1
Je moet er geweest zijn
62classifieds
MechelenAuthentic and full of surprises Thatrsquos Mechelen Hospitable and honourable Thatrsquos the people of Mechelen Come and experience the cityrsquos urban charms for yourself Mechelen
Authentic and full of surprises Thatrsquos Mechelen Hospitable and honourable Thatrsquos the people of Mechelen Come and experience the cityrsquos urban charms for yourself
photography copy Milo Profi
classifieds63
classifieds
How to hang out in
Amsterdam
By ER Muntrem
perspectives
It is not against the rules for babies to cry in cafeacutes It happens Mostly they sleep or sit in someonersquos lap with commendable decorum Otherwise kids in cafeacutes tend to nosh a little less than their elders and handle crayons a little more And while anyone who toddles behind the bar will certainly get caught they can always claim they were encouraged to toddle there in the first place
Dutch parents and I realise this is hard to prove seem to let their kids wander a metre or two further away from them than parents from other developed countries that universal ldquowhere is sherdquo look delayed five or ten seconds If this extra distance is a sign of perceived safety cafeacute culture must help teach it
Except for chefs all cafeacute workers do more or less all the jobs required to run a cafeacute They all wait on tables
serve hot and cold drinks set up outdoor furniture load and retrieve supplies take the garbage out wash glasses light candles arrange flowers unfurl the awning and ring up the bill When the young guy or girl greets you you may know they are not the owner but for the moment they are the face of the establishment It may as well be their place
Admittedly I am seduced by places where waiters donrsquot work for tips where the rushed pace of eating in a restaurant in America does not exist In a cafeacute you can do what you want for as long as you want and get food and drink while you do it Pretty cool and as much a baseline for how to hang out in Amsterdam as cycling is for how to get around
Places to eat and drink owned by corporations have to package experience to deliver it Whatrsquos our brand How can our managers and servers be most efficient How ultimately can we be number one Not something most cafeacutes seem to be worried about and where the universal signs for lsquowe are having a good time togetherrsquo
lsquoCafeacute culture must help teachrsquo lsquoI am seduced by places where waiters donrsquot work for tipsrsquo
64
perspectives
or lsquoI am happy here by myselfrsquo (clinked glasses or absorption in a newspaper say) are routinely in evidence This is one true grace of democracy the average worth smiling about
At cafeacutes co-workers have a beer before or after their shift friends drop by or a regular pops in with some news The stream of customers they donrsquot have to woo and donrsquot have to lsquoworkrsquo gives the whole thing a slightly familial living room perfectly public feel that makes the work far less of a personality crimp than working at Starbucks Or so it seems I do not mean to pretend carrying drinks across the street to the canal side seating or giving obvious directions yet again is always glorious but most people who work in cafeacutersquos laugh and smile a fair bit almost as much as the patrons
And when the owner of a cafeacute is of a generation older than those working there as is usually the case it lends a wise uncle or mother hen feel to the proceedings In the daytime no one is ever too caught up in his or her designated title to ignore a baby on the move And at
night the crowd of drinkers may as well be at a party hosted by their parents or kids or both
Itrsquos not all about money cafeacute culture churns towards the civilised without grinding anyone too far down As well as pleasure there is power in this The best distillation I know of what democracy should be came from a young woman working at Cafeacute Captein With our meal in front of us my friend noticed he was missing his salad Flagged down the young woman went to investigate ldquoItrsquos on its wayrdquo she said ldquoI told my boss to do itrdquo
Imagine we told Putin to do it We told Obama to do it We told the bankers to do it
lsquoMost people who work in cafeacutersquos laugh and smile a fair bitrsquo
lsquoCafeacute culture churns towards the civilised without grinding anyone too far downrsquo
65
66
featurecity gem
lsquoThe last of the large independent music stores left standing in Amsterdamrsquo
CITY GEM
67
Concerto
By Denson Pierre
ConcertoUtrechtsestraat 60 1017 VP Amsterdam
it is a rush when on a full stomach you can make an instant decision on where your next city-centre lunch will be taken it is almost ecstasy when the venue is situated in a music shop which for decades has been defined by its exceptional range and quality of music available in amsterdam Concerto is the last of the large independent music stores left standing in amsterdam all the others have long since been killed off by everything from the advance in recording and playback technologies to habitual illegal downloaders only now realising that their behaviour has an impact right back down to street level despite what they might think about the giant studios and recording companies
Concerto has not stuck but has twisted Since September it has incorporated a cute cafeacute
and lunch area within its premises as well as introducing a bookshop and lounge area making it possible to spend an almost nostalgic time there over several hours It still has a vast range of the very best music in vinyl (both new and second-hand) and CD form DVDs DJ equipment and even gear used for live musical performances Itrsquos a gold mine
If it has taken this clever adaptation in space utilisation to keep this institution viable and available to Amsterdam-based music lovers then I personally wish to support this venture and help mean this type of music retailer to remain part of the city scene For people of a certain age there is something infinitely more appealing about physically handling recorded material appreciating the artwork in its packaging having a listen and then deciding if it is a purchase you would like to make Even though non-digital stockpiling has become rather passeacute I challenge you to visit Concerto and its new cafeacute and bookshop concept and not end up spending more time in this true city gem than you had anticipated
lsquoIt has incorporated a cute cafeacute and lunch area within its premises as well as introducing a bookshop and lounge arearsquo
city gem
68
city gem
69city gem
city gem70
city gem71
72city gem
lsquoThere is something infinitely more appealing about physically
handling recorded material appreciating the artwork in its
packagingrsquo
73city gem
74classifi eds
75classifi eds
classifi edsclassifi eds76
amsterdam city life
BrinG BaCK
Something that seems to have been watered down considerably in Amsterdamrsquos hospitality industry in recent years is independence of thought styling and designAll you have to do is walk around the city to note that way too many coffeesoup houses and cafeacutes are more or less identikit This also applies to many cafeacutes with unimaginative business leaders who open unoriginal looking spaces and hope that the use of white paint purple or blue lights and house music is all it takes
Luckily there is something brewing to save our days and nights I have come across cafeacute owners who are now seriously considering ending the arrangements they have with the giant drink suppliers There are actually no good arguments left for continuing with these huge multinationals as they are frankly more expensive at wholesale for the same A-class products than the supermarkets on every Amsterdammerrsquos street corner
It looks like space is being created for the smaller brewers to take up the supply of A-class beer to smaller establishments throughout the city The giants can keep their character-free tourist traps and those bars still able to benefit purely from their unbeatable locations throughout the city
The Sentinel says bring back better and more original businesses of scale within the local hospitality industry which will help more cafeacutes and bars not only to become distinguishable by the interior designs they will need to conjure but also through the variety of local and regional beers that could become part of their coherent identity The overriding benefit of such courageous thinking and action would be an immediate return to realistic and reasonable pricing for A-class beer in Amsterdam which remains the staple of the easy consumables as this recession drones on
By Denson Pierre
INDEPENDENT CAFeacuteSBARS
77
78star beer guide
Star Beer
The SentinelStar beer guide
lsquoDifferent beers can seem to weigh on the conscience as much as on the taste budsrsquo
Just like the changing of the seasons different beers can seem to weigh on the conscience as much as on the taste buds Ciney blond is a lovely almost effeminate tasting beer All light smooth fruitiness bolstered by substantial alcohol content
As the temperature increases it can even feel like a thirst quencher A nice session beer and one that could function as an entrance-level quality beer in terms of its complexity For advanced samplers it is a great lower platform to descend to after cruising the space occupied by the 8-plus percentage alcoholic beauties
Ciney blond is brewed by Alken-Maes Mechelen Belgium
By Denson Pierre
CINEY BLOND (7 ABV)
79star beer guide
We find the best most fun most typical exciting or local favourite restaurants etcetera in Amsterdam and bring them to you an easy way to feel like a local
Cafe Kostverloren 040606
Recommended
80recommended
EUROGIFTSXenonweg 9 3812 SZ Amersfoort
Tel 033 - 454 35 75 - Fax 033 - 454 35 79E-mail lmproefeurogiftsnl
Website wwweurogiftsnl
FILMPROEF
ORDERNUMMER 6021022ARTIKELNUMMER 65123
Ware grootte (indien uitgeprint)Kleur opdruk Wit
Mulligans Irish Music BarAmsterdamrsquos best address for live Irish music Five (5) nights a week Check our agenda for upcoming sessions Amstel 100 1017 AC Amsterdamwwwmulligansnl
Cafeacute KostverlorenCafeacute Kostverloren is a contemporary cafe offering the cosiness of a saloon an open kitchen and the intimacy of a living room The large terras is great for sunny days2e Kostverlorenkade 70 Amsterdamwwwcafekostverlorennl
ZestZest is fi ne food warm atmosphere and classy drinks with regular semi-acoustic (live) music and DJs (Thursday to Sunday) Amsterdamrsquos newest and freshestBilderdijkstraat 188 Amsterdamwwwfacebookcomclubzestnl
GollemGollemrsquos Proefl okaal Gollem and Gollem II represent the best addresses serving the fullest range of top Belgian Dutch and international beers in AmsterdamOvertoom 160-161wwwcafegollemnl
IncantoA restaurant with a classic Italian kitchen Venetian chef Simone Ambrosin is known for his pure and simple style of cooking with great feeling for nuanceAmstel 2 Amsterdamwwwrestaurant-incantonl
Planet RoseThe fi rst Caribbean restaurant in the Netherlands specialised in Jamaican cuisine The menu features a daily changing selectionNicolaas Beetsstraat 47 Amsterdamwwwplanetroseinfo
Cafe restaurant EdelCafe restaurant Edel is the perfect place for lunch dinner or to simply enjoy a drink Edel is a unique place in AmsterdamPostjesweg 1 1057 DT Amsterdamwwwedelamsterdamnl
Cafeacute OportoCafeacute Oporto is a traditional Amsterdam lsquobrown cafersquo Welcoming tourists and regular customers alike they offer televised sports wifi and a wide range of reasonably priced beers and spiritsZoutsteeg 1 1012 LX Amsterdamwwwcafeoportonet
BaxA cosy and friendly local cafeacute with a focus on special or interesting beers and good quality food Open 7 days a week with a professional kitchen offering a lunch and dinner serviceTen Katestraat 119 Amsterdamwwwcafebaxnl
To be seen and tasted Fun Drinking amp Music
To Be Seen and Tasted
Fun Drinking amp Music
Fun Drinking amp Music
Connoisseurs Delight
Connoisseurs Delight
Connoisseurs Delight
To Be Seen and Tasted
Neighbourhood cosy
Fun drinking and music
ParckGreat fun beautiful people and simply the best bar food in townOvertoom 428 Amsterdamwwwcafeparcknl
To be seen and tasted
Cafe de Toog1890rsquos grandeur fashioned into Amsterdam-West grand brown cafe-restaurant-cool Classy drinks and mealsNicolaas Beetsstraat 142 hs Amsterdam wwwcafedetoogcom
Opera Prima - Patisserie Bistro TraiteurThe best place in town for lunch exquisite high teas or brunches and all of your luxury catering both private and corporateKinkerstraat 228 Amsterdamwwwoperaprimanl
Recommended
81
Where is this inAmsterdamAnswer to sentinelpostgmailcom
82spotted
Room 2cfilm
ldquoCome on in boys the waterrsquos finerdquo This is arguably the best all-round and funny musical to come out of Hollywood in a generation and certainly one of the best three soundtracks of the same period George Clooney will never be as good or charming as he is here playing the accidental leader of a trio of chain gang escapees in the US south of the 1930s Spirituality meets the Ku Klux Klan all coloured by Virginia bluegrass
ldquoCall me Snakerdquo The coolest handle for a leading man (Kurt Russell) in any movie to date Here he is sent in on a heroic lsquoat all costrsquo one-man mission to rescue the president of the United States from the prison island Manhattan has become in a lsquofuturersquo representation of 1997 Air Force One has crashed there and the countdown is on Classic 1980s turn of the millennium dystopian vision with style pace and gadgetry
By dpmotions
By dpmotions
o Brother Where Art Thou (2000)
escape from new York (1981)
room2c83
84trends
lsquoTrends are great to join and surf like a once in a lifetime tsunamirsquo
By Dirkje Bakker-Pierre
Each and every micro-world has its own specific trends Take the fashion world for example where one day you have to wear high heels and round noses and the next itrsquos flat hairy elephant feet-like boots that must hug your feet Or take the automotive world where once upon a time you could never have enough chrome on your car or the food world where we have quietly moved from fast to green and wholesome or the TV world which used to be about fiction and is now more real than reality Some of these trends are great to join and surf like a once in a lifetime tsunami others can slip by unnoticed and others still keep bugging and bugging you even if you try to avoid them like the plague
The online world and specifically the social media universe eats through trends like a fat chick after a hunger strike Facebook in particular seems to move seamlessly from one hype to the next one day itrsquos pictures with fuzzy edges or a bit of a 1970s filter the next itrsquos a profile picture with you very consciously not looking into the camera (very spontaneously and naturally non-posing you might say) These are mostly harmless things if Irsquom honest and when everyone
stops liking them they fade away as quickly as the sun in our small wet country There is one trend however that has festered within Facebook from the very beginning and which seems to be gradually growing and growing without anyone ever liking the postshellip and I mean EVER
Yes I am talking about daily quotes words of wisdom holy quotes mesmerizingly philosophical quotes cheesy quotes religious quoteshellip How can I describe all of them in one easy sentence pieces of text from (famous) people (it can never be something you thought of yourself) that lsquodisclosersquo previously secret information about being happy in life (or at least previously secret to the person doing the posting I presume) In short texts that belong on tiles hanging on the wall in old Dutch peoplersquos toilets
Why
Here are a few I found in my news feed this week
ldquoA mind is like a parachute It doesnrsquot work if it is not openrdquo ndash Frank Zappa
ldquoIt is not because things are difficult that we do not dare it is because we do not dare that things are difficultrdquo ndash Seneca
ldquoIf you donrsquot take what you are doing seriously then nobody else willrdquo ndash Darryl Dlt Thomson
Bad trends would be good if they werenrsquot so bad
85trends
86classifi eds
87classifieds
One of my personal favourite gemstones is moonstone Itlsquos been around for centuries and is used in many cultures As suggested by its name the stone is highly associated with the moon and moon goddess Diana It brings calm peace and love and is said to become more powerful when the moon is full so thatlsquos the best time to wear it One proverb even claims that moonstone can bring you love that will fly you to the moon Spiritually this amazing stone is said to enhance intuition and is always associated with the self It is a very powerful personal stone which doesnlsquot add or remove any aspects of the personality but merely reflects the person wearing it It is said to be very
MoonstoneBy Evelina Kvartunaite
ndash
lsquoThe stone is highly associated with the moon and moon goddess Dianarsquo
ndash
helpful for people who are very sensitive and it is also used in meditation for reflecting oneself Itlsquos always best to charge your gem when the moon is shining at night either while wearing it or by leaving it on a windowsill that receives moonlight Moonstone is also used in healing and is known for balancing the internal organ systems enabling them to work in stable cycles Itlsquos usually more associated with women but is also known to help men embrace their more emotional side soft creative energies and optimism Perhaps understandably moonstone should have limited exposure to strong direct sunlight
ndash
lsquoIt is said to be very helpful for people who are very sensitiversquo
ndash
88
health amp well-being
ndash
lsquoMore associated with women but is also known to help men embrace their more emotional sidersquo
ndash
89health amp well-being
In his article Batin shows how learning how to use complex products is like learning a computer game Just like the challenges in video games match the skills of the user so should TV interactions or any UI interactions for that matter For reference Batin used the four levels described in the Dreyfus model of skill acquisition
Level 1 novicebullRigid adherence to taught rules or plansbullNo exercise of lsquodiscretionary judgmentrsquo
Level 2 Advanced beginnerbullLimited lsquosituational perceptionrsquobullAll aspects of work treated separately with equal importance
Philip Batin wrote an article a couple of months ago about the next big idea in User Interaction gadgets that adapt to your skills As gadgets become more complicated UIs must be able to teach their users over time Apparently more and more interactive products are being returned In 2002 48 of all returned products were technically fully functional but were rejected for failing to satisfy user needs 20 purely due to customer remorse Even though a product may have all the features one can hope for complexity and bad user experience can prevent users from integrating it into their lives
UserInterfaceThe next big thing in UX
lsquoUIs must be able to teach their users over timersquo
By Andrei Barburas
lsquoComplexity and bad user experience can prevent users from
integrating it into their livesrsquo
90
technology
book the majority of which you probably skipped through
Personally I believe that there are certain end users most likely the majority that use only a limited set of features from any device they buy Mobile phones have become indispensable tools in our daily activities yet the average Joe has no idea about the full potential of a smart phone The same applies to Smart TVs they can do lots of things yet the only thing that we do with them is flip channels and complain how bad the shows are
The bottom line is that itrsquos definitely something worth thinking about not only from an operating system perspective but also from the perspective of applications developers
Level 3 competentbulllsquoCoping with crowdednessrsquo (multiple activities accumulation of information)bullSome perception of actions in relation to goalsbullDeliberate planningbullFormulates routines
Level 4 ProficientbullHolistic view of situationbullPrioritizes importance of aspectsbulllsquoPerceives deviations from the normal patternrsquobullEmploys maxim for guidance with meanings that adapt to the situation at hand
Now just imagine a User Interface that adapts based on what you can do and the abilities you have As you learn new things new levels of complexity are unlocked opening the door to fully knowing your device because you learned by doing and not by reading a complicated
lsquoThe average Joe has no idea about the full potential of a
smart phonersquo
91technology
92classifi eds
93classifi eds
Not knowing what was happening in football was extremely annoying to put it mildly and it wasnrsquot just my own self-denial and avoidance of all things football that was a hindrance the extent to which I had to ask others to go in order to remain ignorant was much more excruciating than Irsquod ever imagined There may even be some damage done to football-related friendships that is irreparable I now feel as though Irsquom walking through an empty stadium after everyone else has gone home
So what now and where to next The season is well and truly over and Irsquom free to do whatever I want I could read the back-dated sports pages check all the stats and find out all the facts if I wanted to I could spend hours catching up on last season and speculating on the next with the friends Irsquove still got left down the pub if I wanted to I can follow all the transfer gossip watch pre-season friendlies and build up all my hopes But as with most addictions that would simply be falling back into a previous state of dependence and everything Irsquove just put myself through wouldrsquove been for nothing So how do I go back to an old habit without a total relapse or would it be better to keep abstaining
All my questions seem to be met with other questions and no solutions On the other hand if you ask me what
Someone once said that insanity is when you keep repeating the same behaviour and expect a different outcome most likely a psychologist aimed at his or her ailing patients But for me these words are more reminiscent of my own conduct over the course of a regular football season Week in week out season after season I would expect Tottenham to win something and more often than not Irsquod be left disappointed So I decided to stop No more football ndash at least not for one full season
The season 201213 is now over and during the whole nine months I didnrsquot watch a single moment of football or read a single article on the subject That was my challenge and I was committed to it What is more despite all the warning signs I didnrsquot relapse After a year of structured punishment I didnrsquot have a clue about what was going on in the English Premier League (or any other league) Only having picked up bits and pieces of information that somehow slipped through the net the past season was like a book with most of its pages missing
By Simon Joseph
On The Volley
The Return of the Repressed or the Point of No Return
lsquoInsanity is when you keep repeating the same behaviour and expect a different outcomersquo
sport
lsquoThe past season was like a book with most of its pages missingrsquo
94
lsquoThere may even be some damage done to football-related friendshipsrsquo
lsquoHas abstaining for a season changed mersquo
it until the cows come home but it was us who made those changes or at least allowed them to happen and those changes will continue to happen with or without me Perhaps then the questions I should be asking are has abstaining for a season changed me Am I still obsessed or have I broken the habit of a lifetime Is following football really that terrible or even a real addiction
One thing is certain this lack of resolution is not completely without satisfaction because like all forms of fixation or obsession therersquos comfort and familiarity to be found in repetition as Tottenham miss out on Championrsquos League football by a single point again The repressed will always return to haunt us or so it seems and before we know it the start of next season will be upon us There will be more pain no doubt and more joy This time however it will take more than a boot camp approach to keep me away and who knows Tottenham might even win the league Come on you Spurs
Tottenham Hotspur means I would still tell you that itrsquos not just a pretty football package itrsquos about kith and kin not just where I came from but how I relate to others around me in the here and now Whatrsquos more millions of people are attracted to football they hunger for it and yearn to connect with it even though I still believe itrsquos a form of ineffective escape from one unsatisfying reality to another Following football is a classic example of cognitive dissonance ndash when you simultaneously entertain two opposing thoughts that appear to cancel each other out Before the start of each season for example we all want our club to win everything or to be taken over by billionaires but know that itrsquos impossible or in the latter case controversial and even undesirable So we invent ways to cope We develop a so-called lsquosiege mentalityrsquo or other harmful patterns of behaviour to relieve the discomfort of incongruity With this in mind the past year was supposed to be an exercise in behaviour modification ndash to discover the root of the problem and treat it effectively But one year on have I really discovered anything at all
The English Premier League whether you watch it or not is still probably the most exciting football league in the world We can complain about the changes made to
sport9
5
By Denson Pierre
The Gold Room
Fantasy Football Gold ndash Champions League 2012-2013 winner Denson Pierre and his prizes
The season petered out in an all-German Champions League Final which did nothing to dispel the record that this was a season of too few new stars or regular spectacle We look forward to the next season as it ought not be too difficult to create more excitement than in the one just pastWe did have the opportunity to hand over the envelopes and trophies to the Sentinel Fantasy Football game winners This year all the major winners from the Sentinel Fantasy Football League were unable to be present for the physical prize giving but the winner of the Gold Game and focus of this column was there to receive his prize for winning the master game in styleSo we retire the Gold Room until the beginning of the new football season See you all again then
96
sport
Matt Parker receives his third place and Manager of the Month prizes for the Sentinel Fantasy Football League
Charles Conneely Sentinel Fantasy Football League 2012-2013 Champion
97sport
wwwczechtourismcom
CZECH REPUBLIC - STUNNINGLY DIFFERENT
98
classifi eds
feature14
feature15
lsquoSuch a natural and effortless trip to makersquo
16feature
feature17
18feature
feature19
feature20
feature21
feature22
feature
feature
lsquoJopen its beer and its people are so well worked out and presented
that it should be on every Amsterdammerrsquos radarrsquo
feature23
Get advice on housing rental contracts and apartments in Amsterdam
wwwwswonennlenglish
wwwconsultancymarketmediacom
- Account Manager Market Media- (Internship) International Marketing Executive
we are looking for
24classifieds
artist thinker
Here are some of our local partners
Enter (click) to learn why they work with us
demerkplaatsnl
25classifieds
Dam in 60 minutes
By Sam van Dam
perspectives
Rembrandtplein26
perspectives
Last time out I took you up North to the beautiful island of Marken Since that was a somewhat longer trip than some readers might want to take by bike this time our journey is a short one that can even be done on foot to Rembrandtplein The adventure starts at Central Station turn your back on the visually pleasing building that facilitates the arrival of visitors to our hometown and head towards Damrak Amsterdamrsquos lsquoRed Carpetrsquo and home these days to gazillions of restaurants shops bars cafeacutes and of course the nearby world-famous Red Light District all of which wersquoll simply ignore This is easier said than done as there is so much to see so many temptations that demand your attention and try to make you spend your euros before you have even entered the actual city As you walk down Damrak you start to see the buildings situated around Dam Square the central point of Amsterdam offering such delights as the Royal Palace Madame Tussauds the Nieuwekerk the war memorial and other landmarks that define this famous square Rotate 360 degrees to take it all in and then move toward Rokin or if you are in mood for some shopping walk down Kalverstraat instead Yoursquore bound to find something you like in the hundreds of shops lining one of Amsterdamrsquos two main shopping streets Keep walking straight on and just to your right yoursquoll find Spui a lovely square that is regularly home to art and book markets if you have the time You can find a multitude of interesting and inspiring items there or just grab a coffee and sit on one of the benches taking in the scene Once you are done enjoying Spui itrsquos time to get back on track so return to the RokinKalverstraat and head to the right (south) not forgetting to take a closer look
at the statue of former Queen Wilhelmina and her horse standing proudly at the bridge opposite This is also the starting point for boat tours if you want to take a little time out from your stroll to Rembrandtplein get a ticket and hop on one of the very typical 70s-style boats that constantly criss-cross the watery arteries of Amsterdam These typical 1970s-style barges provide a visual impression of the city that looks familiar yet very different a pleasure that locals and visitors alike appreciate very much every time
When you have returned from the water tour return to Rokin and keep walking towards Munt which is easily recognisable by its old-style tower featuring a clockwork chime that marks the hour and enhances the scenery in this part of town along with the Hotel De LrsquoEurope just across the way You could also take a pit-stop there while enjoying the view over the Amstel and the hundreds of little boats filled with chillaxing people at least on sunny days You can dwell on the fact that life in Amsterdam often seems so easy and beautiful that it entices visitors to return again and again You are now very close to your final destination so cross the road and enter the Reguliersbreestraat Marvel at the beauty of the Tuschinski Theater as you continue towards the wide open square that is our last stop Grab a drink or some ice-cream while you find yourself a nice spot on the grassy circular central area of the Rembrandtplein where you can spend hours looking at the beautiful buildings the relaxing people and the artists selling their work This is also where you can find me presenting a fine selection of my photo prints of what to me is the best city in the world So if itrsquos not raining come by and enjoy my photographic impressions of Amsterdam they make awesome souvenirs to take home with you Irsquom looking forward to meeting you on lsquomyrsquo square
lsquoOur journey is a short one that can even be done on footrsquo
27
28perspectives
29perspectives
lsquo1970s-style barges provide a visual impression of the city that looks familiar yet very differentrsquo
30perspectives
31perspectives
32perspectives
33perspectives
lsquoMarvel at the beauty of the Tuschinski Theaterrsquo
34perspectives
35perspectives
lsquoRotate 360 degrees to take it all inrsquo
36perspectives
lsquoRotate 360 degrees to take it all inrsquo
37perspectives
38perspectives
39perspectives
40
perspectives
41perspectives
42featureperspectives
feature4
3perspectives
44
featureperspectives
feature4
5perspectives
lsquoTake a closer look at the statue of former Queen Wilhelmina and her horsersquo
46
perspectives
lsquoThis is also where you can find me presenting a fine selection of my
photo printsrsquo
47perspectives
perspectives4
8
perspectives4
9
For complete and world class tours of Prague
Packages includebull Hidden and playful Prague (for families with young children)bull Literary Praguebull Prague Architecture through the agesbull Religion and the citybull The old city at night
These are detailed tours designed for visitors who wish to explore with great detail and not suitable for simply sight-seeing tourists
Day segments and ratesPR 0800-1230hrs AG 1330-1630hrs UE 1730-2130hrsAll sessions are priced at u 25 per single adult Group size upper limit = 8 Accompanied children under the age of five are gratis and school aged children pay 25 Family package rates are negotiable
ContactJaroslav Cernosek+420 602 228 797Mail jcernosekcentrumcz
wwwyourtuliptourcom
JC Tours
50classifieds
51classifieds
CafeacuteBar Review Van Mechelen
cafebar review52
Van MechelenSloterkade 96-97 Amsterdam
It may be the new hype in the city as far as grand cafeacute and restaurant concepts go but Van Mechelen is already approaching excellence Considering its handy location in another pretty neighbourhood of Amsterdam South it is almost a lsquomust visitrsquo place that has created a theme built on the Burgundian enjoyment of life good food complemented with top-class beer and wine If you want a taste of what it feels like to visit a cafeacute-restaurant in Mechelen Belgium Van Mechelen is an easy way for an Amsterdammer to savour this experience and is just a short cycle ride away
ambianceBurgundian Rating 5
StaffregularsMembers of staff are clearly very well trained and this adds to the light and airy atmosphere Having opened for business just three months ago those who have fallen in love with the place and its consumables have not yet had time to clock up the number of visits and connections to be considered lsquoregularsrsquo Rating 5
televised sportNo space within the design and layout for this form of distraction Rating 3
PricesSurprisingly these are within the lsquonormalrsquo range for this level and quality of fare Outstandingly fairly priced snacks and nibbles are also offered to help you along as you take on the fine (Mechelen brewery group Alken-Maes) beers and wines When did you last enjoy a generous portion of fresh olives for a mere euro250 Rating 5
MusicAt the time of review the establishment was fairly packed out The atmosphere is conducive to chats and hilarity and although the selection of tunes could be heard far in the background the sound system may well have more kick It should as the building is of such a solid constitution that it should contain noise and not easily upset the neighbours Rating 5
Smoking area provisionFortunately for puffers the originally industrial nature of the address means that the former loading bay and entranceexit areas have become two naturally covered terrace areas separated from the luscious interior by huge glass-panelled doors Rating 5
total rating 2830(Rating from 1-5 where 1 = Very poor and 5 = Excellent)
By Denson Pierre
lsquoThe new hype in the city as far as grand cafeacute and restaurant concepts gorsquo
cafebar review53
lsquoMembers of staff are clearly very well trainedrsquo
cafebar review54
cafebar review55
lsquoOutstandingly fairly priced snacks and nibbles are also offeredrsquo
cafebar review56
cafebar review57
lsquoThe atmosphere is conducive to chats and hilarityrsquo
cafebar review58
cafebar review59
scamsterdam
lifestyles60
By Valeria Scimia
Unemployed international and looking for a job in the Netherlands Not only must you face the everyday hell that is job-seeking but now you must also beware of scam companies Yes theyrsquove arrived here too
I was recently contacted by an ostensibly legitimate company that wanted to hire me The contact took the form of what appeared to be a genuine e-mail complete with website and logo from a company in Australia that seemed absolutely legitimate (I have since contacted the company to warn them that someone overseas is using their name and logo to scam people) The e-mail explained that the company was opening an office in Holland and was looking for people who would handle the back-office orders It contained a form to be filled in and returned if I was interested in the position the form asked for all my personal information including my bank details I had been looking for a job and was interested in the offer so I filled in and sent off the form and my CV Once they received my e-mail they asked me to start a trial period without practically explaining anything of what the job was actually about I didnrsquot immediately reply so they called me the next day asking me to start immediately with the trial period promising lots of benefits once the contract was signed I hadnrsquot met anyone at this point only telephone interviews and that already didnrsquot seem right to me I asked them to send me more information by e-mail about what I was meant to do and a few moments later I received a response asking me to make a bank transfer to show them I was trustworthy The lsquotrialrsquo implied that they would send me some money and I had to transfer half via GWK or MoneyTransfer to one of their clients and keep the other half This smelled very fishy to the Italian in me In reality they could be sending a cheque to the bank which would register an income that would later bounce after I had already made the payment to their lsquoclientrsquo On top of losing money the person that tried to lsquohirersquo meyou
would have been untraceable No one was even picking up the phone at the number given in the e-mail and the company they claimed to represent wasnrsquot even active in Europe
So I said no and told them I was no longer interested They even had the gumption to call me back and ask me why I wouldnrsquot do it I gave them a silly excuse so as not to give them any more information or tips on how to improve their scummy scam I am happy I started checking their contacts as soon as their promises seemed too good to be true even if I am still angry I allowed them to data-mine all of my information when I sent them my CV and filled in their form
It beggars belief that they set up an entire facade in these times of work despair and it really doesnrsquot feel right especially because therersquos not much I can do about it now apart from inform people I didnrsquot think this would ever happen here in this country where everything has to be or always seems to be so legitimate But I guess some things never change and a place doesnrsquot make the people and certainly doesnrsquot influence the choices they make I just wanted to share my experience to alert everyone to the possible scam If a company contacts you and asks you to return a form including your bank details when you have never met anyone face-to-face it should make your antennas extend and remember to double-check their credibility Apparently it is illegal to ask such questions of someone here so donrsquot fall for it as I did As I am still waiting to hear from the company in Australia I didnrsquot feel it was proper to disclose its name publicly just yet plus I am not sure the scammers always use the same company as a fake front But what they ask you to do is more or less always the same so keep your eyes open to the little details
lsquoYou face the everyday hell that is job-seeking but now you must also beware of scam companiesrsquo
lsquoThis smelled very fishy to the Italian in mersquo
lsquoThe form asked for all my personal informationrsquo
lifestyles6
1
Je moet er geweest zijn
62classifieds
MechelenAuthentic and full of surprises Thatrsquos Mechelen Hospitable and honourable Thatrsquos the people of Mechelen Come and experience the cityrsquos urban charms for yourself Mechelen
Authentic and full of surprises Thatrsquos Mechelen Hospitable and honourable Thatrsquos the people of Mechelen Come and experience the cityrsquos urban charms for yourself
photography copy Milo Profi
classifieds63
classifieds
How to hang out in
Amsterdam
By ER Muntrem
perspectives
It is not against the rules for babies to cry in cafeacutes It happens Mostly they sleep or sit in someonersquos lap with commendable decorum Otherwise kids in cafeacutes tend to nosh a little less than their elders and handle crayons a little more And while anyone who toddles behind the bar will certainly get caught they can always claim they were encouraged to toddle there in the first place
Dutch parents and I realise this is hard to prove seem to let their kids wander a metre or two further away from them than parents from other developed countries that universal ldquowhere is sherdquo look delayed five or ten seconds If this extra distance is a sign of perceived safety cafeacute culture must help teach it
Except for chefs all cafeacute workers do more or less all the jobs required to run a cafeacute They all wait on tables
serve hot and cold drinks set up outdoor furniture load and retrieve supplies take the garbage out wash glasses light candles arrange flowers unfurl the awning and ring up the bill When the young guy or girl greets you you may know they are not the owner but for the moment they are the face of the establishment It may as well be their place
Admittedly I am seduced by places where waiters donrsquot work for tips where the rushed pace of eating in a restaurant in America does not exist In a cafeacute you can do what you want for as long as you want and get food and drink while you do it Pretty cool and as much a baseline for how to hang out in Amsterdam as cycling is for how to get around
Places to eat and drink owned by corporations have to package experience to deliver it Whatrsquos our brand How can our managers and servers be most efficient How ultimately can we be number one Not something most cafeacutes seem to be worried about and where the universal signs for lsquowe are having a good time togetherrsquo
lsquoCafeacute culture must help teachrsquo lsquoI am seduced by places where waiters donrsquot work for tipsrsquo
64
perspectives
or lsquoI am happy here by myselfrsquo (clinked glasses or absorption in a newspaper say) are routinely in evidence This is one true grace of democracy the average worth smiling about
At cafeacutes co-workers have a beer before or after their shift friends drop by or a regular pops in with some news The stream of customers they donrsquot have to woo and donrsquot have to lsquoworkrsquo gives the whole thing a slightly familial living room perfectly public feel that makes the work far less of a personality crimp than working at Starbucks Or so it seems I do not mean to pretend carrying drinks across the street to the canal side seating or giving obvious directions yet again is always glorious but most people who work in cafeacutersquos laugh and smile a fair bit almost as much as the patrons
And when the owner of a cafeacute is of a generation older than those working there as is usually the case it lends a wise uncle or mother hen feel to the proceedings In the daytime no one is ever too caught up in his or her designated title to ignore a baby on the move And at
night the crowd of drinkers may as well be at a party hosted by their parents or kids or both
Itrsquos not all about money cafeacute culture churns towards the civilised without grinding anyone too far down As well as pleasure there is power in this The best distillation I know of what democracy should be came from a young woman working at Cafeacute Captein With our meal in front of us my friend noticed he was missing his salad Flagged down the young woman went to investigate ldquoItrsquos on its wayrdquo she said ldquoI told my boss to do itrdquo
Imagine we told Putin to do it We told Obama to do it We told the bankers to do it
lsquoMost people who work in cafeacutersquos laugh and smile a fair bitrsquo
lsquoCafeacute culture churns towards the civilised without grinding anyone too far downrsquo
65
66
featurecity gem
lsquoThe last of the large independent music stores left standing in Amsterdamrsquo
CITY GEM
67
Concerto
By Denson Pierre
ConcertoUtrechtsestraat 60 1017 VP Amsterdam
it is a rush when on a full stomach you can make an instant decision on where your next city-centre lunch will be taken it is almost ecstasy when the venue is situated in a music shop which for decades has been defined by its exceptional range and quality of music available in amsterdam Concerto is the last of the large independent music stores left standing in amsterdam all the others have long since been killed off by everything from the advance in recording and playback technologies to habitual illegal downloaders only now realising that their behaviour has an impact right back down to street level despite what they might think about the giant studios and recording companies
Concerto has not stuck but has twisted Since September it has incorporated a cute cafeacute
and lunch area within its premises as well as introducing a bookshop and lounge area making it possible to spend an almost nostalgic time there over several hours It still has a vast range of the very best music in vinyl (both new and second-hand) and CD form DVDs DJ equipment and even gear used for live musical performances Itrsquos a gold mine
If it has taken this clever adaptation in space utilisation to keep this institution viable and available to Amsterdam-based music lovers then I personally wish to support this venture and help mean this type of music retailer to remain part of the city scene For people of a certain age there is something infinitely more appealing about physically handling recorded material appreciating the artwork in its packaging having a listen and then deciding if it is a purchase you would like to make Even though non-digital stockpiling has become rather passeacute I challenge you to visit Concerto and its new cafeacute and bookshop concept and not end up spending more time in this true city gem than you had anticipated
lsquoIt has incorporated a cute cafeacute and lunch area within its premises as well as introducing a bookshop and lounge arearsquo
city gem
68
city gem
69city gem
city gem70
city gem71
72city gem
lsquoThere is something infinitely more appealing about physically
handling recorded material appreciating the artwork in its
packagingrsquo
73city gem
74classifi eds
75classifi eds
classifi edsclassifi eds76
amsterdam city life
BrinG BaCK
Something that seems to have been watered down considerably in Amsterdamrsquos hospitality industry in recent years is independence of thought styling and designAll you have to do is walk around the city to note that way too many coffeesoup houses and cafeacutes are more or less identikit This also applies to many cafeacutes with unimaginative business leaders who open unoriginal looking spaces and hope that the use of white paint purple or blue lights and house music is all it takes
Luckily there is something brewing to save our days and nights I have come across cafeacute owners who are now seriously considering ending the arrangements they have with the giant drink suppliers There are actually no good arguments left for continuing with these huge multinationals as they are frankly more expensive at wholesale for the same A-class products than the supermarkets on every Amsterdammerrsquos street corner
It looks like space is being created for the smaller brewers to take up the supply of A-class beer to smaller establishments throughout the city The giants can keep their character-free tourist traps and those bars still able to benefit purely from their unbeatable locations throughout the city
The Sentinel says bring back better and more original businesses of scale within the local hospitality industry which will help more cafeacutes and bars not only to become distinguishable by the interior designs they will need to conjure but also through the variety of local and regional beers that could become part of their coherent identity The overriding benefit of such courageous thinking and action would be an immediate return to realistic and reasonable pricing for A-class beer in Amsterdam which remains the staple of the easy consumables as this recession drones on
By Denson Pierre
INDEPENDENT CAFeacuteSBARS
77
78star beer guide
Star Beer
The SentinelStar beer guide
lsquoDifferent beers can seem to weigh on the conscience as much as on the taste budsrsquo
Just like the changing of the seasons different beers can seem to weigh on the conscience as much as on the taste buds Ciney blond is a lovely almost effeminate tasting beer All light smooth fruitiness bolstered by substantial alcohol content
As the temperature increases it can even feel like a thirst quencher A nice session beer and one that could function as an entrance-level quality beer in terms of its complexity For advanced samplers it is a great lower platform to descend to after cruising the space occupied by the 8-plus percentage alcoholic beauties
Ciney blond is brewed by Alken-Maes Mechelen Belgium
By Denson Pierre
CINEY BLOND (7 ABV)
79star beer guide
We find the best most fun most typical exciting or local favourite restaurants etcetera in Amsterdam and bring them to you an easy way to feel like a local
Cafe Kostverloren 040606
Recommended
80recommended
EUROGIFTSXenonweg 9 3812 SZ Amersfoort
Tel 033 - 454 35 75 - Fax 033 - 454 35 79E-mail lmproefeurogiftsnl
Website wwweurogiftsnl
FILMPROEF
ORDERNUMMER 6021022ARTIKELNUMMER 65123
Ware grootte (indien uitgeprint)Kleur opdruk Wit
Mulligans Irish Music BarAmsterdamrsquos best address for live Irish music Five (5) nights a week Check our agenda for upcoming sessions Amstel 100 1017 AC Amsterdamwwwmulligansnl
Cafeacute KostverlorenCafeacute Kostverloren is a contemporary cafe offering the cosiness of a saloon an open kitchen and the intimacy of a living room The large terras is great for sunny days2e Kostverlorenkade 70 Amsterdamwwwcafekostverlorennl
ZestZest is fi ne food warm atmosphere and classy drinks with regular semi-acoustic (live) music and DJs (Thursday to Sunday) Amsterdamrsquos newest and freshestBilderdijkstraat 188 Amsterdamwwwfacebookcomclubzestnl
GollemGollemrsquos Proefl okaal Gollem and Gollem II represent the best addresses serving the fullest range of top Belgian Dutch and international beers in AmsterdamOvertoom 160-161wwwcafegollemnl
IncantoA restaurant with a classic Italian kitchen Venetian chef Simone Ambrosin is known for his pure and simple style of cooking with great feeling for nuanceAmstel 2 Amsterdamwwwrestaurant-incantonl
Planet RoseThe fi rst Caribbean restaurant in the Netherlands specialised in Jamaican cuisine The menu features a daily changing selectionNicolaas Beetsstraat 47 Amsterdamwwwplanetroseinfo
Cafe restaurant EdelCafe restaurant Edel is the perfect place for lunch dinner or to simply enjoy a drink Edel is a unique place in AmsterdamPostjesweg 1 1057 DT Amsterdamwwwedelamsterdamnl
Cafeacute OportoCafeacute Oporto is a traditional Amsterdam lsquobrown cafersquo Welcoming tourists and regular customers alike they offer televised sports wifi and a wide range of reasonably priced beers and spiritsZoutsteeg 1 1012 LX Amsterdamwwwcafeoportonet
BaxA cosy and friendly local cafeacute with a focus on special or interesting beers and good quality food Open 7 days a week with a professional kitchen offering a lunch and dinner serviceTen Katestraat 119 Amsterdamwwwcafebaxnl
To be seen and tasted Fun Drinking amp Music
To Be Seen and Tasted
Fun Drinking amp Music
Fun Drinking amp Music
Connoisseurs Delight
Connoisseurs Delight
Connoisseurs Delight
To Be Seen and Tasted
Neighbourhood cosy
Fun drinking and music
ParckGreat fun beautiful people and simply the best bar food in townOvertoom 428 Amsterdamwwwcafeparcknl
To be seen and tasted
Cafe de Toog1890rsquos grandeur fashioned into Amsterdam-West grand brown cafe-restaurant-cool Classy drinks and mealsNicolaas Beetsstraat 142 hs Amsterdam wwwcafedetoogcom
Opera Prima - Patisserie Bistro TraiteurThe best place in town for lunch exquisite high teas or brunches and all of your luxury catering both private and corporateKinkerstraat 228 Amsterdamwwwoperaprimanl
Recommended
81
Where is this inAmsterdamAnswer to sentinelpostgmailcom
82spotted
Room 2cfilm
ldquoCome on in boys the waterrsquos finerdquo This is arguably the best all-round and funny musical to come out of Hollywood in a generation and certainly one of the best three soundtracks of the same period George Clooney will never be as good or charming as he is here playing the accidental leader of a trio of chain gang escapees in the US south of the 1930s Spirituality meets the Ku Klux Klan all coloured by Virginia bluegrass
ldquoCall me Snakerdquo The coolest handle for a leading man (Kurt Russell) in any movie to date Here he is sent in on a heroic lsquoat all costrsquo one-man mission to rescue the president of the United States from the prison island Manhattan has become in a lsquofuturersquo representation of 1997 Air Force One has crashed there and the countdown is on Classic 1980s turn of the millennium dystopian vision with style pace and gadgetry
By dpmotions
By dpmotions
o Brother Where Art Thou (2000)
escape from new York (1981)
room2c83
84trends
lsquoTrends are great to join and surf like a once in a lifetime tsunamirsquo
By Dirkje Bakker-Pierre
Each and every micro-world has its own specific trends Take the fashion world for example where one day you have to wear high heels and round noses and the next itrsquos flat hairy elephant feet-like boots that must hug your feet Or take the automotive world where once upon a time you could never have enough chrome on your car or the food world where we have quietly moved from fast to green and wholesome or the TV world which used to be about fiction and is now more real than reality Some of these trends are great to join and surf like a once in a lifetime tsunami others can slip by unnoticed and others still keep bugging and bugging you even if you try to avoid them like the plague
The online world and specifically the social media universe eats through trends like a fat chick after a hunger strike Facebook in particular seems to move seamlessly from one hype to the next one day itrsquos pictures with fuzzy edges or a bit of a 1970s filter the next itrsquos a profile picture with you very consciously not looking into the camera (very spontaneously and naturally non-posing you might say) These are mostly harmless things if Irsquom honest and when everyone
stops liking them they fade away as quickly as the sun in our small wet country There is one trend however that has festered within Facebook from the very beginning and which seems to be gradually growing and growing without anyone ever liking the postshellip and I mean EVER
Yes I am talking about daily quotes words of wisdom holy quotes mesmerizingly philosophical quotes cheesy quotes religious quoteshellip How can I describe all of them in one easy sentence pieces of text from (famous) people (it can never be something you thought of yourself) that lsquodisclosersquo previously secret information about being happy in life (or at least previously secret to the person doing the posting I presume) In short texts that belong on tiles hanging on the wall in old Dutch peoplersquos toilets
Why
Here are a few I found in my news feed this week
ldquoA mind is like a parachute It doesnrsquot work if it is not openrdquo ndash Frank Zappa
ldquoIt is not because things are difficult that we do not dare it is because we do not dare that things are difficultrdquo ndash Seneca
ldquoIf you donrsquot take what you are doing seriously then nobody else willrdquo ndash Darryl Dlt Thomson
Bad trends would be good if they werenrsquot so bad
85trends
86classifi eds
87classifieds
One of my personal favourite gemstones is moonstone Itlsquos been around for centuries and is used in many cultures As suggested by its name the stone is highly associated with the moon and moon goddess Diana It brings calm peace and love and is said to become more powerful when the moon is full so thatlsquos the best time to wear it One proverb even claims that moonstone can bring you love that will fly you to the moon Spiritually this amazing stone is said to enhance intuition and is always associated with the self It is a very powerful personal stone which doesnlsquot add or remove any aspects of the personality but merely reflects the person wearing it It is said to be very
MoonstoneBy Evelina Kvartunaite
ndash
lsquoThe stone is highly associated with the moon and moon goddess Dianarsquo
ndash
helpful for people who are very sensitive and it is also used in meditation for reflecting oneself Itlsquos always best to charge your gem when the moon is shining at night either while wearing it or by leaving it on a windowsill that receives moonlight Moonstone is also used in healing and is known for balancing the internal organ systems enabling them to work in stable cycles Itlsquos usually more associated with women but is also known to help men embrace their more emotional side soft creative energies and optimism Perhaps understandably moonstone should have limited exposure to strong direct sunlight
ndash
lsquoIt is said to be very helpful for people who are very sensitiversquo
ndash
88
health amp well-being
ndash
lsquoMore associated with women but is also known to help men embrace their more emotional sidersquo
ndash
89health amp well-being
In his article Batin shows how learning how to use complex products is like learning a computer game Just like the challenges in video games match the skills of the user so should TV interactions or any UI interactions for that matter For reference Batin used the four levels described in the Dreyfus model of skill acquisition
Level 1 novicebullRigid adherence to taught rules or plansbullNo exercise of lsquodiscretionary judgmentrsquo
Level 2 Advanced beginnerbullLimited lsquosituational perceptionrsquobullAll aspects of work treated separately with equal importance
Philip Batin wrote an article a couple of months ago about the next big idea in User Interaction gadgets that adapt to your skills As gadgets become more complicated UIs must be able to teach their users over time Apparently more and more interactive products are being returned In 2002 48 of all returned products were technically fully functional but were rejected for failing to satisfy user needs 20 purely due to customer remorse Even though a product may have all the features one can hope for complexity and bad user experience can prevent users from integrating it into their lives
UserInterfaceThe next big thing in UX
lsquoUIs must be able to teach their users over timersquo
By Andrei Barburas
lsquoComplexity and bad user experience can prevent users from
integrating it into their livesrsquo
90
technology
book the majority of which you probably skipped through
Personally I believe that there are certain end users most likely the majority that use only a limited set of features from any device they buy Mobile phones have become indispensable tools in our daily activities yet the average Joe has no idea about the full potential of a smart phone The same applies to Smart TVs they can do lots of things yet the only thing that we do with them is flip channels and complain how bad the shows are
The bottom line is that itrsquos definitely something worth thinking about not only from an operating system perspective but also from the perspective of applications developers
Level 3 competentbulllsquoCoping with crowdednessrsquo (multiple activities accumulation of information)bullSome perception of actions in relation to goalsbullDeliberate planningbullFormulates routines
Level 4 ProficientbullHolistic view of situationbullPrioritizes importance of aspectsbulllsquoPerceives deviations from the normal patternrsquobullEmploys maxim for guidance with meanings that adapt to the situation at hand
Now just imagine a User Interface that adapts based on what you can do and the abilities you have As you learn new things new levels of complexity are unlocked opening the door to fully knowing your device because you learned by doing and not by reading a complicated
lsquoThe average Joe has no idea about the full potential of a
smart phonersquo
91technology
92classifi eds
93classifi eds
Not knowing what was happening in football was extremely annoying to put it mildly and it wasnrsquot just my own self-denial and avoidance of all things football that was a hindrance the extent to which I had to ask others to go in order to remain ignorant was much more excruciating than Irsquod ever imagined There may even be some damage done to football-related friendships that is irreparable I now feel as though Irsquom walking through an empty stadium after everyone else has gone home
So what now and where to next The season is well and truly over and Irsquom free to do whatever I want I could read the back-dated sports pages check all the stats and find out all the facts if I wanted to I could spend hours catching up on last season and speculating on the next with the friends Irsquove still got left down the pub if I wanted to I can follow all the transfer gossip watch pre-season friendlies and build up all my hopes But as with most addictions that would simply be falling back into a previous state of dependence and everything Irsquove just put myself through wouldrsquove been for nothing So how do I go back to an old habit without a total relapse or would it be better to keep abstaining
All my questions seem to be met with other questions and no solutions On the other hand if you ask me what
Someone once said that insanity is when you keep repeating the same behaviour and expect a different outcome most likely a psychologist aimed at his or her ailing patients But for me these words are more reminiscent of my own conduct over the course of a regular football season Week in week out season after season I would expect Tottenham to win something and more often than not Irsquod be left disappointed So I decided to stop No more football ndash at least not for one full season
The season 201213 is now over and during the whole nine months I didnrsquot watch a single moment of football or read a single article on the subject That was my challenge and I was committed to it What is more despite all the warning signs I didnrsquot relapse After a year of structured punishment I didnrsquot have a clue about what was going on in the English Premier League (or any other league) Only having picked up bits and pieces of information that somehow slipped through the net the past season was like a book with most of its pages missing
By Simon Joseph
On The Volley
The Return of the Repressed or the Point of No Return
lsquoInsanity is when you keep repeating the same behaviour and expect a different outcomersquo
sport
lsquoThe past season was like a book with most of its pages missingrsquo
94
lsquoThere may even be some damage done to football-related friendshipsrsquo
lsquoHas abstaining for a season changed mersquo
it until the cows come home but it was us who made those changes or at least allowed them to happen and those changes will continue to happen with or without me Perhaps then the questions I should be asking are has abstaining for a season changed me Am I still obsessed or have I broken the habit of a lifetime Is following football really that terrible or even a real addiction
One thing is certain this lack of resolution is not completely without satisfaction because like all forms of fixation or obsession therersquos comfort and familiarity to be found in repetition as Tottenham miss out on Championrsquos League football by a single point again The repressed will always return to haunt us or so it seems and before we know it the start of next season will be upon us There will be more pain no doubt and more joy This time however it will take more than a boot camp approach to keep me away and who knows Tottenham might even win the league Come on you Spurs
Tottenham Hotspur means I would still tell you that itrsquos not just a pretty football package itrsquos about kith and kin not just where I came from but how I relate to others around me in the here and now Whatrsquos more millions of people are attracted to football they hunger for it and yearn to connect with it even though I still believe itrsquos a form of ineffective escape from one unsatisfying reality to another Following football is a classic example of cognitive dissonance ndash when you simultaneously entertain two opposing thoughts that appear to cancel each other out Before the start of each season for example we all want our club to win everything or to be taken over by billionaires but know that itrsquos impossible or in the latter case controversial and even undesirable So we invent ways to cope We develop a so-called lsquosiege mentalityrsquo or other harmful patterns of behaviour to relieve the discomfort of incongruity With this in mind the past year was supposed to be an exercise in behaviour modification ndash to discover the root of the problem and treat it effectively But one year on have I really discovered anything at all
The English Premier League whether you watch it or not is still probably the most exciting football league in the world We can complain about the changes made to
sport9
5
By Denson Pierre
The Gold Room
Fantasy Football Gold ndash Champions League 2012-2013 winner Denson Pierre and his prizes
The season petered out in an all-German Champions League Final which did nothing to dispel the record that this was a season of too few new stars or regular spectacle We look forward to the next season as it ought not be too difficult to create more excitement than in the one just pastWe did have the opportunity to hand over the envelopes and trophies to the Sentinel Fantasy Football game winners This year all the major winners from the Sentinel Fantasy Football League were unable to be present for the physical prize giving but the winner of the Gold Game and focus of this column was there to receive his prize for winning the master game in styleSo we retire the Gold Room until the beginning of the new football season See you all again then
96
sport
Matt Parker receives his third place and Manager of the Month prizes for the Sentinel Fantasy Football League
Charles Conneely Sentinel Fantasy Football League 2012-2013 Champion
97sport
wwwczechtourismcom
CZECH REPUBLIC - STUNNINGLY DIFFERENT
98
classifi eds
feature15
lsquoSuch a natural and effortless trip to makersquo
16feature
feature17
18feature
feature19
feature20
feature21
feature22
feature
feature
lsquoJopen its beer and its people are so well worked out and presented
that it should be on every Amsterdammerrsquos radarrsquo
feature23
Get advice on housing rental contracts and apartments in Amsterdam
wwwwswonennlenglish
wwwconsultancymarketmediacom
- Account Manager Market Media- (Internship) International Marketing Executive
we are looking for
24classifieds
artist thinker
Here are some of our local partners
Enter (click) to learn why they work with us
demerkplaatsnl
25classifieds
Dam in 60 minutes
By Sam van Dam
perspectives
Rembrandtplein26
perspectives
Last time out I took you up North to the beautiful island of Marken Since that was a somewhat longer trip than some readers might want to take by bike this time our journey is a short one that can even be done on foot to Rembrandtplein The adventure starts at Central Station turn your back on the visually pleasing building that facilitates the arrival of visitors to our hometown and head towards Damrak Amsterdamrsquos lsquoRed Carpetrsquo and home these days to gazillions of restaurants shops bars cafeacutes and of course the nearby world-famous Red Light District all of which wersquoll simply ignore This is easier said than done as there is so much to see so many temptations that demand your attention and try to make you spend your euros before you have even entered the actual city As you walk down Damrak you start to see the buildings situated around Dam Square the central point of Amsterdam offering such delights as the Royal Palace Madame Tussauds the Nieuwekerk the war memorial and other landmarks that define this famous square Rotate 360 degrees to take it all in and then move toward Rokin or if you are in mood for some shopping walk down Kalverstraat instead Yoursquore bound to find something you like in the hundreds of shops lining one of Amsterdamrsquos two main shopping streets Keep walking straight on and just to your right yoursquoll find Spui a lovely square that is regularly home to art and book markets if you have the time You can find a multitude of interesting and inspiring items there or just grab a coffee and sit on one of the benches taking in the scene Once you are done enjoying Spui itrsquos time to get back on track so return to the RokinKalverstraat and head to the right (south) not forgetting to take a closer look
at the statue of former Queen Wilhelmina and her horse standing proudly at the bridge opposite This is also the starting point for boat tours if you want to take a little time out from your stroll to Rembrandtplein get a ticket and hop on one of the very typical 70s-style boats that constantly criss-cross the watery arteries of Amsterdam These typical 1970s-style barges provide a visual impression of the city that looks familiar yet very different a pleasure that locals and visitors alike appreciate very much every time
When you have returned from the water tour return to Rokin and keep walking towards Munt which is easily recognisable by its old-style tower featuring a clockwork chime that marks the hour and enhances the scenery in this part of town along with the Hotel De LrsquoEurope just across the way You could also take a pit-stop there while enjoying the view over the Amstel and the hundreds of little boats filled with chillaxing people at least on sunny days You can dwell on the fact that life in Amsterdam often seems so easy and beautiful that it entices visitors to return again and again You are now very close to your final destination so cross the road and enter the Reguliersbreestraat Marvel at the beauty of the Tuschinski Theater as you continue towards the wide open square that is our last stop Grab a drink or some ice-cream while you find yourself a nice spot on the grassy circular central area of the Rembrandtplein where you can spend hours looking at the beautiful buildings the relaxing people and the artists selling their work This is also where you can find me presenting a fine selection of my photo prints of what to me is the best city in the world So if itrsquos not raining come by and enjoy my photographic impressions of Amsterdam they make awesome souvenirs to take home with you Irsquom looking forward to meeting you on lsquomyrsquo square
lsquoOur journey is a short one that can even be done on footrsquo
27
28perspectives
29perspectives
lsquo1970s-style barges provide a visual impression of the city that looks familiar yet very differentrsquo
30perspectives
31perspectives
32perspectives
33perspectives
lsquoMarvel at the beauty of the Tuschinski Theaterrsquo
34perspectives
35perspectives
lsquoRotate 360 degrees to take it all inrsquo
36perspectives
lsquoRotate 360 degrees to take it all inrsquo
37perspectives
38perspectives
39perspectives
40
perspectives
41perspectives
42featureperspectives
feature4
3perspectives
44
featureperspectives
feature4
5perspectives
lsquoTake a closer look at the statue of former Queen Wilhelmina and her horsersquo
46
perspectives
lsquoThis is also where you can find me presenting a fine selection of my
photo printsrsquo
47perspectives
perspectives4
8
perspectives4
9
For complete and world class tours of Prague
Packages includebull Hidden and playful Prague (for families with young children)bull Literary Praguebull Prague Architecture through the agesbull Religion and the citybull The old city at night
These are detailed tours designed for visitors who wish to explore with great detail and not suitable for simply sight-seeing tourists
Day segments and ratesPR 0800-1230hrs AG 1330-1630hrs UE 1730-2130hrsAll sessions are priced at u 25 per single adult Group size upper limit = 8 Accompanied children under the age of five are gratis and school aged children pay 25 Family package rates are negotiable
ContactJaroslav Cernosek+420 602 228 797Mail jcernosekcentrumcz
wwwyourtuliptourcom
JC Tours
50classifieds
51classifieds
CafeacuteBar Review Van Mechelen
cafebar review52
Van MechelenSloterkade 96-97 Amsterdam
It may be the new hype in the city as far as grand cafeacute and restaurant concepts go but Van Mechelen is already approaching excellence Considering its handy location in another pretty neighbourhood of Amsterdam South it is almost a lsquomust visitrsquo place that has created a theme built on the Burgundian enjoyment of life good food complemented with top-class beer and wine If you want a taste of what it feels like to visit a cafeacute-restaurant in Mechelen Belgium Van Mechelen is an easy way for an Amsterdammer to savour this experience and is just a short cycle ride away
ambianceBurgundian Rating 5
StaffregularsMembers of staff are clearly very well trained and this adds to the light and airy atmosphere Having opened for business just three months ago those who have fallen in love with the place and its consumables have not yet had time to clock up the number of visits and connections to be considered lsquoregularsrsquo Rating 5
televised sportNo space within the design and layout for this form of distraction Rating 3
PricesSurprisingly these are within the lsquonormalrsquo range for this level and quality of fare Outstandingly fairly priced snacks and nibbles are also offered to help you along as you take on the fine (Mechelen brewery group Alken-Maes) beers and wines When did you last enjoy a generous portion of fresh olives for a mere euro250 Rating 5
MusicAt the time of review the establishment was fairly packed out The atmosphere is conducive to chats and hilarity and although the selection of tunes could be heard far in the background the sound system may well have more kick It should as the building is of such a solid constitution that it should contain noise and not easily upset the neighbours Rating 5
Smoking area provisionFortunately for puffers the originally industrial nature of the address means that the former loading bay and entranceexit areas have become two naturally covered terrace areas separated from the luscious interior by huge glass-panelled doors Rating 5
total rating 2830(Rating from 1-5 where 1 = Very poor and 5 = Excellent)
By Denson Pierre
lsquoThe new hype in the city as far as grand cafeacute and restaurant concepts gorsquo
cafebar review53
lsquoMembers of staff are clearly very well trainedrsquo
cafebar review54
cafebar review55
lsquoOutstandingly fairly priced snacks and nibbles are also offeredrsquo
cafebar review56
cafebar review57
lsquoThe atmosphere is conducive to chats and hilarityrsquo
cafebar review58
cafebar review59
scamsterdam
lifestyles60
By Valeria Scimia
Unemployed international and looking for a job in the Netherlands Not only must you face the everyday hell that is job-seeking but now you must also beware of scam companies Yes theyrsquove arrived here too
I was recently contacted by an ostensibly legitimate company that wanted to hire me The contact took the form of what appeared to be a genuine e-mail complete with website and logo from a company in Australia that seemed absolutely legitimate (I have since contacted the company to warn them that someone overseas is using their name and logo to scam people) The e-mail explained that the company was opening an office in Holland and was looking for people who would handle the back-office orders It contained a form to be filled in and returned if I was interested in the position the form asked for all my personal information including my bank details I had been looking for a job and was interested in the offer so I filled in and sent off the form and my CV Once they received my e-mail they asked me to start a trial period without practically explaining anything of what the job was actually about I didnrsquot immediately reply so they called me the next day asking me to start immediately with the trial period promising lots of benefits once the contract was signed I hadnrsquot met anyone at this point only telephone interviews and that already didnrsquot seem right to me I asked them to send me more information by e-mail about what I was meant to do and a few moments later I received a response asking me to make a bank transfer to show them I was trustworthy The lsquotrialrsquo implied that they would send me some money and I had to transfer half via GWK or MoneyTransfer to one of their clients and keep the other half This smelled very fishy to the Italian in me In reality they could be sending a cheque to the bank which would register an income that would later bounce after I had already made the payment to their lsquoclientrsquo On top of losing money the person that tried to lsquohirersquo meyou
would have been untraceable No one was even picking up the phone at the number given in the e-mail and the company they claimed to represent wasnrsquot even active in Europe
So I said no and told them I was no longer interested They even had the gumption to call me back and ask me why I wouldnrsquot do it I gave them a silly excuse so as not to give them any more information or tips on how to improve their scummy scam I am happy I started checking their contacts as soon as their promises seemed too good to be true even if I am still angry I allowed them to data-mine all of my information when I sent them my CV and filled in their form
It beggars belief that they set up an entire facade in these times of work despair and it really doesnrsquot feel right especially because therersquos not much I can do about it now apart from inform people I didnrsquot think this would ever happen here in this country where everything has to be or always seems to be so legitimate But I guess some things never change and a place doesnrsquot make the people and certainly doesnrsquot influence the choices they make I just wanted to share my experience to alert everyone to the possible scam If a company contacts you and asks you to return a form including your bank details when you have never met anyone face-to-face it should make your antennas extend and remember to double-check their credibility Apparently it is illegal to ask such questions of someone here so donrsquot fall for it as I did As I am still waiting to hear from the company in Australia I didnrsquot feel it was proper to disclose its name publicly just yet plus I am not sure the scammers always use the same company as a fake front But what they ask you to do is more or less always the same so keep your eyes open to the little details
lsquoYou face the everyday hell that is job-seeking but now you must also beware of scam companiesrsquo
lsquoThis smelled very fishy to the Italian in mersquo
lsquoThe form asked for all my personal informationrsquo
lifestyles6
1
Je moet er geweest zijn
62classifieds
MechelenAuthentic and full of surprises Thatrsquos Mechelen Hospitable and honourable Thatrsquos the people of Mechelen Come and experience the cityrsquos urban charms for yourself Mechelen
Authentic and full of surprises Thatrsquos Mechelen Hospitable and honourable Thatrsquos the people of Mechelen Come and experience the cityrsquos urban charms for yourself
photography copy Milo Profi
classifieds63
classifieds
How to hang out in
Amsterdam
By ER Muntrem
perspectives
It is not against the rules for babies to cry in cafeacutes It happens Mostly they sleep or sit in someonersquos lap with commendable decorum Otherwise kids in cafeacutes tend to nosh a little less than their elders and handle crayons a little more And while anyone who toddles behind the bar will certainly get caught they can always claim they were encouraged to toddle there in the first place
Dutch parents and I realise this is hard to prove seem to let their kids wander a metre or two further away from them than parents from other developed countries that universal ldquowhere is sherdquo look delayed five or ten seconds If this extra distance is a sign of perceived safety cafeacute culture must help teach it
Except for chefs all cafeacute workers do more or less all the jobs required to run a cafeacute They all wait on tables
serve hot and cold drinks set up outdoor furniture load and retrieve supplies take the garbage out wash glasses light candles arrange flowers unfurl the awning and ring up the bill When the young guy or girl greets you you may know they are not the owner but for the moment they are the face of the establishment It may as well be their place
Admittedly I am seduced by places where waiters donrsquot work for tips where the rushed pace of eating in a restaurant in America does not exist In a cafeacute you can do what you want for as long as you want and get food and drink while you do it Pretty cool and as much a baseline for how to hang out in Amsterdam as cycling is for how to get around
Places to eat and drink owned by corporations have to package experience to deliver it Whatrsquos our brand How can our managers and servers be most efficient How ultimately can we be number one Not something most cafeacutes seem to be worried about and where the universal signs for lsquowe are having a good time togetherrsquo
lsquoCafeacute culture must help teachrsquo lsquoI am seduced by places where waiters donrsquot work for tipsrsquo
64
perspectives
or lsquoI am happy here by myselfrsquo (clinked glasses or absorption in a newspaper say) are routinely in evidence This is one true grace of democracy the average worth smiling about
At cafeacutes co-workers have a beer before or after their shift friends drop by or a regular pops in with some news The stream of customers they donrsquot have to woo and donrsquot have to lsquoworkrsquo gives the whole thing a slightly familial living room perfectly public feel that makes the work far less of a personality crimp than working at Starbucks Or so it seems I do not mean to pretend carrying drinks across the street to the canal side seating or giving obvious directions yet again is always glorious but most people who work in cafeacutersquos laugh and smile a fair bit almost as much as the patrons
And when the owner of a cafeacute is of a generation older than those working there as is usually the case it lends a wise uncle or mother hen feel to the proceedings In the daytime no one is ever too caught up in his or her designated title to ignore a baby on the move And at
night the crowd of drinkers may as well be at a party hosted by their parents or kids or both
Itrsquos not all about money cafeacute culture churns towards the civilised without grinding anyone too far down As well as pleasure there is power in this The best distillation I know of what democracy should be came from a young woman working at Cafeacute Captein With our meal in front of us my friend noticed he was missing his salad Flagged down the young woman went to investigate ldquoItrsquos on its wayrdquo she said ldquoI told my boss to do itrdquo
Imagine we told Putin to do it We told Obama to do it We told the bankers to do it
lsquoMost people who work in cafeacutersquos laugh and smile a fair bitrsquo
lsquoCafeacute culture churns towards the civilised without grinding anyone too far downrsquo
65
66
featurecity gem
lsquoThe last of the large independent music stores left standing in Amsterdamrsquo
CITY GEM
67
Concerto
By Denson Pierre
ConcertoUtrechtsestraat 60 1017 VP Amsterdam
it is a rush when on a full stomach you can make an instant decision on where your next city-centre lunch will be taken it is almost ecstasy when the venue is situated in a music shop which for decades has been defined by its exceptional range and quality of music available in amsterdam Concerto is the last of the large independent music stores left standing in amsterdam all the others have long since been killed off by everything from the advance in recording and playback technologies to habitual illegal downloaders only now realising that their behaviour has an impact right back down to street level despite what they might think about the giant studios and recording companies
Concerto has not stuck but has twisted Since September it has incorporated a cute cafeacute
and lunch area within its premises as well as introducing a bookshop and lounge area making it possible to spend an almost nostalgic time there over several hours It still has a vast range of the very best music in vinyl (both new and second-hand) and CD form DVDs DJ equipment and even gear used for live musical performances Itrsquos a gold mine
If it has taken this clever adaptation in space utilisation to keep this institution viable and available to Amsterdam-based music lovers then I personally wish to support this venture and help mean this type of music retailer to remain part of the city scene For people of a certain age there is something infinitely more appealing about physically handling recorded material appreciating the artwork in its packaging having a listen and then deciding if it is a purchase you would like to make Even though non-digital stockpiling has become rather passeacute I challenge you to visit Concerto and its new cafeacute and bookshop concept and not end up spending more time in this true city gem than you had anticipated
lsquoIt has incorporated a cute cafeacute and lunch area within its premises as well as introducing a bookshop and lounge arearsquo
city gem
68
city gem
69city gem
city gem70
city gem71
72city gem
lsquoThere is something infinitely more appealing about physically
handling recorded material appreciating the artwork in its
packagingrsquo
73city gem
74classifi eds
75classifi eds
classifi edsclassifi eds76
amsterdam city life
BrinG BaCK
Something that seems to have been watered down considerably in Amsterdamrsquos hospitality industry in recent years is independence of thought styling and designAll you have to do is walk around the city to note that way too many coffeesoup houses and cafeacutes are more or less identikit This also applies to many cafeacutes with unimaginative business leaders who open unoriginal looking spaces and hope that the use of white paint purple or blue lights and house music is all it takes
Luckily there is something brewing to save our days and nights I have come across cafeacute owners who are now seriously considering ending the arrangements they have with the giant drink suppliers There are actually no good arguments left for continuing with these huge multinationals as they are frankly more expensive at wholesale for the same A-class products than the supermarkets on every Amsterdammerrsquos street corner
It looks like space is being created for the smaller brewers to take up the supply of A-class beer to smaller establishments throughout the city The giants can keep their character-free tourist traps and those bars still able to benefit purely from their unbeatable locations throughout the city
The Sentinel says bring back better and more original businesses of scale within the local hospitality industry which will help more cafeacutes and bars not only to become distinguishable by the interior designs they will need to conjure but also through the variety of local and regional beers that could become part of their coherent identity The overriding benefit of such courageous thinking and action would be an immediate return to realistic and reasonable pricing for A-class beer in Amsterdam which remains the staple of the easy consumables as this recession drones on
By Denson Pierre
INDEPENDENT CAFeacuteSBARS
77
78star beer guide
Star Beer
The SentinelStar beer guide
lsquoDifferent beers can seem to weigh on the conscience as much as on the taste budsrsquo
Just like the changing of the seasons different beers can seem to weigh on the conscience as much as on the taste buds Ciney blond is a lovely almost effeminate tasting beer All light smooth fruitiness bolstered by substantial alcohol content
As the temperature increases it can even feel like a thirst quencher A nice session beer and one that could function as an entrance-level quality beer in terms of its complexity For advanced samplers it is a great lower platform to descend to after cruising the space occupied by the 8-plus percentage alcoholic beauties
Ciney blond is brewed by Alken-Maes Mechelen Belgium
By Denson Pierre
CINEY BLOND (7 ABV)
79star beer guide
We find the best most fun most typical exciting or local favourite restaurants etcetera in Amsterdam and bring them to you an easy way to feel like a local
Cafe Kostverloren 040606
Recommended
80recommended
EUROGIFTSXenonweg 9 3812 SZ Amersfoort
Tel 033 - 454 35 75 - Fax 033 - 454 35 79E-mail lmproefeurogiftsnl
Website wwweurogiftsnl
FILMPROEF
ORDERNUMMER 6021022ARTIKELNUMMER 65123
Ware grootte (indien uitgeprint)Kleur opdruk Wit
Mulligans Irish Music BarAmsterdamrsquos best address for live Irish music Five (5) nights a week Check our agenda for upcoming sessions Amstel 100 1017 AC Amsterdamwwwmulligansnl
Cafeacute KostverlorenCafeacute Kostverloren is a contemporary cafe offering the cosiness of a saloon an open kitchen and the intimacy of a living room The large terras is great for sunny days2e Kostverlorenkade 70 Amsterdamwwwcafekostverlorennl
ZestZest is fi ne food warm atmosphere and classy drinks with regular semi-acoustic (live) music and DJs (Thursday to Sunday) Amsterdamrsquos newest and freshestBilderdijkstraat 188 Amsterdamwwwfacebookcomclubzestnl
GollemGollemrsquos Proefl okaal Gollem and Gollem II represent the best addresses serving the fullest range of top Belgian Dutch and international beers in AmsterdamOvertoom 160-161wwwcafegollemnl
IncantoA restaurant with a classic Italian kitchen Venetian chef Simone Ambrosin is known for his pure and simple style of cooking with great feeling for nuanceAmstel 2 Amsterdamwwwrestaurant-incantonl
Planet RoseThe fi rst Caribbean restaurant in the Netherlands specialised in Jamaican cuisine The menu features a daily changing selectionNicolaas Beetsstraat 47 Amsterdamwwwplanetroseinfo
Cafe restaurant EdelCafe restaurant Edel is the perfect place for lunch dinner or to simply enjoy a drink Edel is a unique place in AmsterdamPostjesweg 1 1057 DT Amsterdamwwwedelamsterdamnl
Cafeacute OportoCafeacute Oporto is a traditional Amsterdam lsquobrown cafersquo Welcoming tourists and regular customers alike they offer televised sports wifi and a wide range of reasonably priced beers and spiritsZoutsteeg 1 1012 LX Amsterdamwwwcafeoportonet
BaxA cosy and friendly local cafeacute with a focus on special or interesting beers and good quality food Open 7 days a week with a professional kitchen offering a lunch and dinner serviceTen Katestraat 119 Amsterdamwwwcafebaxnl
To be seen and tasted Fun Drinking amp Music
To Be Seen and Tasted
Fun Drinking amp Music
Fun Drinking amp Music
Connoisseurs Delight
Connoisseurs Delight
Connoisseurs Delight
To Be Seen and Tasted
Neighbourhood cosy
Fun drinking and music
ParckGreat fun beautiful people and simply the best bar food in townOvertoom 428 Amsterdamwwwcafeparcknl
To be seen and tasted
Cafe de Toog1890rsquos grandeur fashioned into Amsterdam-West grand brown cafe-restaurant-cool Classy drinks and mealsNicolaas Beetsstraat 142 hs Amsterdam wwwcafedetoogcom
Opera Prima - Patisserie Bistro TraiteurThe best place in town for lunch exquisite high teas or brunches and all of your luxury catering both private and corporateKinkerstraat 228 Amsterdamwwwoperaprimanl
Recommended
81
Where is this inAmsterdamAnswer to sentinelpostgmailcom
82spotted
Room 2cfilm
ldquoCome on in boys the waterrsquos finerdquo This is arguably the best all-round and funny musical to come out of Hollywood in a generation and certainly one of the best three soundtracks of the same period George Clooney will never be as good or charming as he is here playing the accidental leader of a trio of chain gang escapees in the US south of the 1930s Spirituality meets the Ku Klux Klan all coloured by Virginia bluegrass
ldquoCall me Snakerdquo The coolest handle for a leading man (Kurt Russell) in any movie to date Here he is sent in on a heroic lsquoat all costrsquo one-man mission to rescue the president of the United States from the prison island Manhattan has become in a lsquofuturersquo representation of 1997 Air Force One has crashed there and the countdown is on Classic 1980s turn of the millennium dystopian vision with style pace and gadgetry
By dpmotions
By dpmotions
o Brother Where Art Thou (2000)
escape from new York (1981)
room2c83
84trends
lsquoTrends are great to join and surf like a once in a lifetime tsunamirsquo
By Dirkje Bakker-Pierre
Each and every micro-world has its own specific trends Take the fashion world for example where one day you have to wear high heels and round noses and the next itrsquos flat hairy elephant feet-like boots that must hug your feet Or take the automotive world where once upon a time you could never have enough chrome on your car or the food world where we have quietly moved from fast to green and wholesome or the TV world which used to be about fiction and is now more real than reality Some of these trends are great to join and surf like a once in a lifetime tsunami others can slip by unnoticed and others still keep bugging and bugging you even if you try to avoid them like the plague
The online world and specifically the social media universe eats through trends like a fat chick after a hunger strike Facebook in particular seems to move seamlessly from one hype to the next one day itrsquos pictures with fuzzy edges or a bit of a 1970s filter the next itrsquos a profile picture with you very consciously not looking into the camera (very spontaneously and naturally non-posing you might say) These are mostly harmless things if Irsquom honest and when everyone
stops liking them they fade away as quickly as the sun in our small wet country There is one trend however that has festered within Facebook from the very beginning and which seems to be gradually growing and growing without anyone ever liking the postshellip and I mean EVER
Yes I am talking about daily quotes words of wisdom holy quotes mesmerizingly philosophical quotes cheesy quotes religious quoteshellip How can I describe all of them in one easy sentence pieces of text from (famous) people (it can never be something you thought of yourself) that lsquodisclosersquo previously secret information about being happy in life (or at least previously secret to the person doing the posting I presume) In short texts that belong on tiles hanging on the wall in old Dutch peoplersquos toilets
Why
Here are a few I found in my news feed this week
ldquoA mind is like a parachute It doesnrsquot work if it is not openrdquo ndash Frank Zappa
ldquoIt is not because things are difficult that we do not dare it is because we do not dare that things are difficultrdquo ndash Seneca
ldquoIf you donrsquot take what you are doing seriously then nobody else willrdquo ndash Darryl Dlt Thomson
Bad trends would be good if they werenrsquot so bad
85trends
86classifi eds
87classifieds
One of my personal favourite gemstones is moonstone Itlsquos been around for centuries and is used in many cultures As suggested by its name the stone is highly associated with the moon and moon goddess Diana It brings calm peace and love and is said to become more powerful when the moon is full so thatlsquos the best time to wear it One proverb even claims that moonstone can bring you love that will fly you to the moon Spiritually this amazing stone is said to enhance intuition and is always associated with the self It is a very powerful personal stone which doesnlsquot add or remove any aspects of the personality but merely reflects the person wearing it It is said to be very
MoonstoneBy Evelina Kvartunaite
ndash
lsquoThe stone is highly associated with the moon and moon goddess Dianarsquo
ndash
helpful for people who are very sensitive and it is also used in meditation for reflecting oneself Itlsquos always best to charge your gem when the moon is shining at night either while wearing it or by leaving it on a windowsill that receives moonlight Moonstone is also used in healing and is known for balancing the internal organ systems enabling them to work in stable cycles Itlsquos usually more associated with women but is also known to help men embrace their more emotional side soft creative energies and optimism Perhaps understandably moonstone should have limited exposure to strong direct sunlight
ndash
lsquoIt is said to be very helpful for people who are very sensitiversquo
ndash
88
health amp well-being
ndash
lsquoMore associated with women but is also known to help men embrace their more emotional sidersquo
ndash
89health amp well-being
In his article Batin shows how learning how to use complex products is like learning a computer game Just like the challenges in video games match the skills of the user so should TV interactions or any UI interactions for that matter For reference Batin used the four levels described in the Dreyfus model of skill acquisition
Level 1 novicebullRigid adherence to taught rules or plansbullNo exercise of lsquodiscretionary judgmentrsquo
Level 2 Advanced beginnerbullLimited lsquosituational perceptionrsquobullAll aspects of work treated separately with equal importance
Philip Batin wrote an article a couple of months ago about the next big idea in User Interaction gadgets that adapt to your skills As gadgets become more complicated UIs must be able to teach their users over time Apparently more and more interactive products are being returned In 2002 48 of all returned products were technically fully functional but were rejected for failing to satisfy user needs 20 purely due to customer remorse Even though a product may have all the features one can hope for complexity and bad user experience can prevent users from integrating it into their lives
UserInterfaceThe next big thing in UX
lsquoUIs must be able to teach their users over timersquo
By Andrei Barburas
lsquoComplexity and bad user experience can prevent users from
integrating it into their livesrsquo
90
technology
book the majority of which you probably skipped through
Personally I believe that there are certain end users most likely the majority that use only a limited set of features from any device they buy Mobile phones have become indispensable tools in our daily activities yet the average Joe has no idea about the full potential of a smart phone The same applies to Smart TVs they can do lots of things yet the only thing that we do with them is flip channels and complain how bad the shows are
The bottom line is that itrsquos definitely something worth thinking about not only from an operating system perspective but also from the perspective of applications developers
Level 3 competentbulllsquoCoping with crowdednessrsquo (multiple activities accumulation of information)bullSome perception of actions in relation to goalsbullDeliberate planningbullFormulates routines
Level 4 ProficientbullHolistic view of situationbullPrioritizes importance of aspectsbulllsquoPerceives deviations from the normal patternrsquobullEmploys maxim for guidance with meanings that adapt to the situation at hand
Now just imagine a User Interface that adapts based on what you can do and the abilities you have As you learn new things new levels of complexity are unlocked opening the door to fully knowing your device because you learned by doing and not by reading a complicated
lsquoThe average Joe has no idea about the full potential of a
smart phonersquo
91technology
92classifi eds
93classifi eds
Not knowing what was happening in football was extremely annoying to put it mildly and it wasnrsquot just my own self-denial and avoidance of all things football that was a hindrance the extent to which I had to ask others to go in order to remain ignorant was much more excruciating than Irsquod ever imagined There may even be some damage done to football-related friendships that is irreparable I now feel as though Irsquom walking through an empty stadium after everyone else has gone home
So what now and where to next The season is well and truly over and Irsquom free to do whatever I want I could read the back-dated sports pages check all the stats and find out all the facts if I wanted to I could spend hours catching up on last season and speculating on the next with the friends Irsquove still got left down the pub if I wanted to I can follow all the transfer gossip watch pre-season friendlies and build up all my hopes But as with most addictions that would simply be falling back into a previous state of dependence and everything Irsquove just put myself through wouldrsquove been for nothing So how do I go back to an old habit without a total relapse or would it be better to keep abstaining
All my questions seem to be met with other questions and no solutions On the other hand if you ask me what
Someone once said that insanity is when you keep repeating the same behaviour and expect a different outcome most likely a psychologist aimed at his or her ailing patients But for me these words are more reminiscent of my own conduct over the course of a regular football season Week in week out season after season I would expect Tottenham to win something and more often than not Irsquod be left disappointed So I decided to stop No more football ndash at least not for one full season
The season 201213 is now over and during the whole nine months I didnrsquot watch a single moment of football or read a single article on the subject That was my challenge and I was committed to it What is more despite all the warning signs I didnrsquot relapse After a year of structured punishment I didnrsquot have a clue about what was going on in the English Premier League (or any other league) Only having picked up bits and pieces of information that somehow slipped through the net the past season was like a book with most of its pages missing
By Simon Joseph
On The Volley
The Return of the Repressed or the Point of No Return
lsquoInsanity is when you keep repeating the same behaviour and expect a different outcomersquo
sport
lsquoThe past season was like a book with most of its pages missingrsquo
94
lsquoThere may even be some damage done to football-related friendshipsrsquo
lsquoHas abstaining for a season changed mersquo
it until the cows come home but it was us who made those changes or at least allowed them to happen and those changes will continue to happen with or without me Perhaps then the questions I should be asking are has abstaining for a season changed me Am I still obsessed or have I broken the habit of a lifetime Is following football really that terrible or even a real addiction
One thing is certain this lack of resolution is not completely without satisfaction because like all forms of fixation or obsession therersquos comfort and familiarity to be found in repetition as Tottenham miss out on Championrsquos League football by a single point again The repressed will always return to haunt us or so it seems and before we know it the start of next season will be upon us There will be more pain no doubt and more joy This time however it will take more than a boot camp approach to keep me away and who knows Tottenham might even win the league Come on you Spurs
Tottenham Hotspur means I would still tell you that itrsquos not just a pretty football package itrsquos about kith and kin not just where I came from but how I relate to others around me in the here and now Whatrsquos more millions of people are attracted to football they hunger for it and yearn to connect with it even though I still believe itrsquos a form of ineffective escape from one unsatisfying reality to another Following football is a classic example of cognitive dissonance ndash when you simultaneously entertain two opposing thoughts that appear to cancel each other out Before the start of each season for example we all want our club to win everything or to be taken over by billionaires but know that itrsquos impossible or in the latter case controversial and even undesirable So we invent ways to cope We develop a so-called lsquosiege mentalityrsquo or other harmful patterns of behaviour to relieve the discomfort of incongruity With this in mind the past year was supposed to be an exercise in behaviour modification ndash to discover the root of the problem and treat it effectively But one year on have I really discovered anything at all
The English Premier League whether you watch it or not is still probably the most exciting football league in the world We can complain about the changes made to
sport9
5
By Denson Pierre
The Gold Room
Fantasy Football Gold ndash Champions League 2012-2013 winner Denson Pierre and his prizes
The season petered out in an all-German Champions League Final which did nothing to dispel the record that this was a season of too few new stars or regular spectacle We look forward to the next season as it ought not be too difficult to create more excitement than in the one just pastWe did have the opportunity to hand over the envelopes and trophies to the Sentinel Fantasy Football game winners This year all the major winners from the Sentinel Fantasy Football League were unable to be present for the physical prize giving but the winner of the Gold Game and focus of this column was there to receive his prize for winning the master game in styleSo we retire the Gold Room until the beginning of the new football season See you all again then
96
sport
Matt Parker receives his third place and Manager of the Month prizes for the Sentinel Fantasy Football League
Charles Conneely Sentinel Fantasy Football League 2012-2013 Champion
97sport
wwwczechtourismcom
CZECH REPUBLIC - STUNNINGLY DIFFERENT
98
classifi eds
lsquoSuch a natural and effortless trip to makersquo
16feature
feature17
18feature
feature19
feature20
feature21
feature22
feature
feature
lsquoJopen its beer and its people are so well worked out and presented
that it should be on every Amsterdammerrsquos radarrsquo
feature23
Get advice on housing rental contracts and apartments in Amsterdam
wwwwswonennlenglish
wwwconsultancymarketmediacom
- Account Manager Market Media- (Internship) International Marketing Executive
we are looking for
24classifieds
artist thinker
Here are some of our local partners
Enter (click) to learn why they work with us
demerkplaatsnl
25classifieds
Dam in 60 minutes
By Sam van Dam
perspectives
Rembrandtplein26
perspectives
Last time out I took you up North to the beautiful island of Marken Since that was a somewhat longer trip than some readers might want to take by bike this time our journey is a short one that can even be done on foot to Rembrandtplein The adventure starts at Central Station turn your back on the visually pleasing building that facilitates the arrival of visitors to our hometown and head towards Damrak Amsterdamrsquos lsquoRed Carpetrsquo and home these days to gazillions of restaurants shops bars cafeacutes and of course the nearby world-famous Red Light District all of which wersquoll simply ignore This is easier said than done as there is so much to see so many temptations that demand your attention and try to make you spend your euros before you have even entered the actual city As you walk down Damrak you start to see the buildings situated around Dam Square the central point of Amsterdam offering such delights as the Royal Palace Madame Tussauds the Nieuwekerk the war memorial and other landmarks that define this famous square Rotate 360 degrees to take it all in and then move toward Rokin or if you are in mood for some shopping walk down Kalverstraat instead Yoursquore bound to find something you like in the hundreds of shops lining one of Amsterdamrsquos two main shopping streets Keep walking straight on and just to your right yoursquoll find Spui a lovely square that is regularly home to art and book markets if you have the time You can find a multitude of interesting and inspiring items there or just grab a coffee and sit on one of the benches taking in the scene Once you are done enjoying Spui itrsquos time to get back on track so return to the RokinKalverstraat and head to the right (south) not forgetting to take a closer look
at the statue of former Queen Wilhelmina and her horse standing proudly at the bridge opposite This is also the starting point for boat tours if you want to take a little time out from your stroll to Rembrandtplein get a ticket and hop on one of the very typical 70s-style boats that constantly criss-cross the watery arteries of Amsterdam These typical 1970s-style barges provide a visual impression of the city that looks familiar yet very different a pleasure that locals and visitors alike appreciate very much every time
When you have returned from the water tour return to Rokin and keep walking towards Munt which is easily recognisable by its old-style tower featuring a clockwork chime that marks the hour and enhances the scenery in this part of town along with the Hotel De LrsquoEurope just across the way You could also take a pit-stop there while enjoying the view over the Amstel and the hundreds of little boats filled with chillaxing people at least on sunny days You can dwell on the fact that life in Amsterdam often seems so easy and beautiful that it entices visitors to return again and again You are now very close to your final destination so cross the road and enter the Reguliersbreestraat Marvel at the beauty of the Tuschinski Theater as you continue towards the wide open square that is our last stop Grab a drink or some ice-cream while you find yourself a nice spot on the grassy circular central area of the Rembrandtplein where you can spend hours looking at the beautiful buildings the relaxing people and the artists selling their work This is also where you can find me presenting a fine selection of my photo prints of what to me is the best city in the world So if itrsquos not raining come by and enjoy my photographic impressions of Amsterdam they make awesome souvenirs to take home with you Irsquom looking forward to meeting you on lsquomyrsquo square
lsquoOur journey is a short one that can even be done on footrsquo
27
28perspectives
29perspectives
lsquo1970s-style barges provide a visual impression of the city that looks familiar yet very differentrsquo
30perspectives
31perspectives
32perspectives
33perspectives
lsquoMarvel at the beauty of the Tuschinski Theaterrsquo
34perspectives
35perspectives
lsquoRotate 360 degrees to take it all inrsquo
36perspectives
lsquoRotate 360 degrees to take it all inrsquo
37perspectives
38perspectives
39perspectives
40
perspectives
41perspectives
42featureperspectives
feature4
3perspectives
44
featureperspectives
feature4
5perspectives
lsquoTake a closer look at the statue of former Queen Wilhelmina and her horsersquo
46
perspectives
lsquoThis is also where you can find me presenting a fine selection of my
photo printsrsquo
47perspectives
perspectives4
8
perspectives4
9
For complete and world class tours of Prague
Packages includebull Hidden and playful Prague (for families with young children)bull Literary Praguebull Prague Architecture through the agesbull Religion and the citybull The old city at night
These are detailed tours designed for visitors who wish to explore with great detail and not suitable for simply sight-seeing tourists
Day segments and ratesPR 0800-1230hrs AG 1330-1630hrs UE 1730-2130hrsAll sessions are priced at u 25 per single adult Group size upper limit = 8 Accompanied children under the age of five are gratis and school aged children pay 25 Family package rates are negotiable
ContactJaroslav Cernosek+420 602 228 797Mail jcernosekcentrumcz
wwwyourtuliptourcom
JC Tours
50classifieds
51classifieds
CafeacuteBar Review Van Mechelen
cafebar review52
Van MechelenSloterkade 96-97 Amsterdam
It may be the new hype in the city as far as grand cafeacute and restaurant concepts go but Van Mechelen is already approaching excellence Considering its handy location in another pretty neighbourhood of Amsterdam South it is almost a lsquomust visitrsquo place that has created a theme built on the Burgundian enjoyment of life good food complemented with top-class beer and wine If you want a taste of what it feels like to visit a cafeacute-restaurant in Mechelen Belgium Van Mechelen is an easy way for an Amsterdammer to savour this experience and is just a short cycle ride away
ambianceBurgundian Rating 5
StaffregularsMembers of staff are clearly very well trained and this adds to the light and airy atmosphere Having opened for business just three months ago those who have fallen in love with the place and its consumables have not yet had time to clock up the number of visits and connections to be considered lsquoregularsrsquo Rating 5
televised sportNo space within the design and layout for this form of distraction Rating 3
PricesSurprisingly these are within the lsquonormalrsquo range for this level and quality of fare Outstandingly fairly priced snacks and nibbles are also offered to help you along as you take on the fine (Mechelen brewery group Alken-Maes) beers and wines When did you last enjoy a generous portion of fresh olives for a mere euro250 Rating 5
MusicAt the time of review the establishment was fairly packed out The atmosphere is conducive to chats and hilarity and although the selection of tunes could be heard far in the background the sound system may well have more kick It should as the building is of such a solid constitution that it should contain noise and not easily upset the neighbours Rating 5
Smoking area provisionFortunately for puffers the originally industrial nature of the address means that the former loading bay and entranceexit areas have become two naturally covered terrace areas separated from the luscious interior by huge glass-panelled doors Rating 5
total rating 2830(Rating from 1-5 where 1 = Very poor and 5 = Excellent)
By Denson Pierre
lsquoThe new hype in the city as far as grand cafeacute and restaurant concepts gorsquo
cafebar review53
lsquoMembers of staff are clearly very well trainedrsquo
cafebar review54
cafebar review55
lsquoOutstandingly fairly priced snacks and nibbles are also offeredrsquo
cafebar review56
cafebar review57
lsquoThe atmosphere is conducive to chats and hilarityrsquo
cafebar review58
cafebar review59
scamsterdam
lifestyles60
By Valeria Scimia
Unemployed international and looking for a job in the Netherlands Not only must you face the everyday hell that is job-seeking but now you must also beware of scam companies Yes theyrsquove arrived here too
I was recently contacted by an ostensibly legitimate company that wanted to hire me The contact took the form of what appeared to be a genuine e-mail complete with website and logo from a company in Australia that seemed absolutely legitimate (I have since contacted the company to warn them that someone overseas is using their name and logo to scam people) The e-mail explained that the company was opening an office in Holland and was looking for people who would handle the back-office orders It contained a form to be filled in and returned if I was interested in the position the form asked for all my personal information including my bank details I had been looking for a job and was interested in the offer so I filled in and sent off the form and my CV Once they received my e-mail they asked me to start a trial period without practically explaining anything of what the job was actually about I didnrsquot immediately reply so they called me the next day asking me to start immediately with the trial period promising lots of benefits once the contract was signed I hadnrsquot met anyone at this point only telephone interviews and that already didnrsquot seem right to me I asked them to send me more information by e-mail about what I was meant to do and a few moments later I received a response asking me to make a bank transfer to show them I was trustworthy The lsquotrialrsquo implied that they would send me some money and I had to transfer half via GWK or MoneyTransfer to one of their clients and keep the other half This smelled very fishy to the Italian in me In reality they could be sending a cheque to the bank which would register an income that would later bounce after I had already made the payment to their lsquoclientrsquo On top of losing money the person that tried to lsquohirersquo meyou
would have been untraceable No one was even picking up the phone at the number given in the e-mail and the company they claimed to represent wasnrsquot even active in Europe
So I said no and told them I was no longer interested They even had the gumption to call me back and ask me why I wouldnrsquot do it I gave them a silly excuse so as not to give them any more information or tips on how to improve their scummy scam I am happy I started checking their contacts as soon as their promises seemed too good to be true even if I am still angry I allowed them to data-mine all of my information when I sent them my CV and filled in their form
It beggars belief that they set up an entire facade in these times of work despair and it really doesnrsquot feel right especially because therersquos not much I can do about it now apart from inform people I didnrsquot think this would ever happen here in this country where everything has to be or always seems to be so legitimate But I guess some things never change and a place doesnrsquot make the people and certainly doesnrsquot influence the choices they make I just wanted to share my experience to alert everyone to the possible scam If a company contacts you and asks you to return a form including your bank details when you have never met anyone face-to-face it should make your antennas extend and remember to double-check their credibility Apparently it is illegal to ask such questions of someone here so donrsquot fall for it as I did As I am still waiting to hear from the company in Australia I didnrsquot feel it was proper to disclose its name publicly just yet plus I am not sure the scammers always use the same company as a fake front But what they ask you to do is more or less always the same so keep your eyes open to the little details
lsquoYou face the everyday hell that is job-seeking but now you must also beware of scam companiesrsquo
lsquoThis smelled very fishy to the Italian in mersquo
lsquoThe form asked for all my personal informationrsquo
lifestyles6
1
Je moet er geweest zijn
62classifieds
MechelenAuthentic and full of surprises Thatrsquos Mechelen Hospitable and honourable Thatrsquos the people of Mechelen Come and experience the cityrsquos urban charms for yourself Mechelen
Authentic and full of surprises Thatrsquos Mechelen Hospitable and honourable Thatrsquos the people of Mechelen Come and experience the cityrsquos urban charms for yourself
photography copy Milo Profi
classifieds63
classifieds
How to hang out in
Amsterdam
By ER Muntrem
perspectives
It is not against the rules for babies to cry in cafeacutes It happens Mostly they sleep or sit in someonersquos lap with commendable decorum Otherwise kids in cafeacutes tend to nosh a little less than their elders and handle crayons a little more And while anyone who toddles behind the bar will certainly get caught they can always claim they were encouraged to toddle there in the first place
Dutch parents and I realise this is hard to prove seem to let their kids wander a metre or two further away from them than parents from other developed countries that universal ldquowhere is sherdquo look delayed five or ten seconds If this extra distance is a sign of perceived safety cafeacute culture must help teach it
Except for chefs all cafeacute workers do more or less all the jobs required to run a cafeacute They all wait on tables
serve hot and cold drinks set up outdoor furniture load and retrieve supplies take the garbage out wash glasses light candles arrange flowers unfurl the awning and ring up the bill When the young guy or girl greets you you may know they are not the owner but for the moment they are the face of the establishment It may as well be their place
Admittedly I am seduced by places where waiters donrsquot work for tips where the rushed pace of eating in a restaurant in America does not exist In a cafeacute you can do what you want for as long as you want and get food and drink while you do it Pretty cool and as much a baseline for how to hang out in Amsterdam as cycling is for how to get around
Places to eat and drink owned by corporations have to package experience to deliver it Whatrsquos our brand How can our managers and servers be most efficient How ultimately can we be number one Not something most cafeacutes seem to be worried about and where the universal signs for lsquowe are having a good time togetherrsquo
lsquoCafeacute culture must help teachrsquo lsquoI am seduced by places where waiters donrsquot work for tipsrsquo
64
perspectives
or lsquoI am happy here by myselfrsquo (clinked glasses or absorption in a newspaper say) are routinely in evidence This is one true grace of democracy the average worth smiling about
At cafeacutes co-workers have a beer before or after their shift friends drop by or a regular pops in with some news The stream of customers they donrsquot have to woo and donrsquot have to lsquoworkrsquo gives the whole thing a slightly familial living room perfectly public feel that makes the work far less of a personality crimp than working at Starbucks Or so it seems I do not mean to pretend carrying drinks across the street to the canal side seating or giving obvious directions yet again is always glorious but most people who work in cafeacutersquos laugh and smile a fair bit almost as much as the patrons
And when the owner of a cafeacute is of a generation older than those working there as is usually the case it lends a wise uncle or mother hen feel to the proceedings In the daytime no one is ever too caught up in his or her designated title to ignore a baby on the move And at
night the crowd of drinkers may as well be at a party hosted by their parents or kids or both
Itrsquos not all about money cafeacute culture churns towards the civilised without grinding anyone too far down As well as pleasure there is power in this The best distillation I know of what democracy should be came from a young woman working at Cafeacute Captein With our meal in front of us my friend noticed he was missing his salad Flagged down the young woman went to investigate ldquoItrsquos on its wayrdquo she said ldquoI told my boss to do itrdquo
Imagine we told Putin to do it We told Obama to do it We told the bankers to do it
lsquoMost people who work in cafeacutersquos laugh and smile a fair bitrsquo
lsquoCafeacute culture churns towards the civilised without grinding anyone too far downrsquo
65
66
featurecity gem
lsquoThe last of the large independent music stores left standing in Amsterdamrsquo
CITY GEM
67
Concerto
By Denson Pierre
ConcertoUtrechtsestraat 60 1017 VP Amsterdam
it is a rush when on a full stomach you can make an instant decision on where your next city-centre lunch will be taken it is almost ecstasy when the venue is situated in a music shop which for decades has been defined by its exceptional range and quality of music available in amsterdam Concerto is the last of the large independent music stores left standing in amsterdam all the others have long since been killed off by everything from the advance in recording and playback technologies to habitual illegal downloaders only now realising that their behaviour has an impact right back down to street level despite what they might think about the giant studios and recording companies
Concerto has not stuck but has twisted Since September it has incorporated a cute cafeacute
and lunch area within its premises as well as introducing a bookshop and lounge area making it possible to spend an almost nostalgic time there over several hours It still has a vast range of the very best music in vinyl (both new and second-hand) and CD form DVDs DJ equipment and even gear used for live musical performances Itrsquos a gold mine
If it has taken this clever adaptation in space utilisation to keep this institution viable and available to Amsterdam-based music lovers then I personally wish to support this venture and help mean this type of music retailer to remain part of the city scene For people of a certain age there is something infinitely more appealing about physically handling recorded material appreciating the artwork in its packaging having a listen and then deciding if it is a purchase you would like to make Even though non-digital stockpiling has become rather passeacute I challenge you to visit Concerto and its new cafeacute and bookshop concept and not end up spending more time in this true city gem than you had anticipated
lsquoIt has incorporated a cute cafeacute and lunch area within its premises as well as introducing a bookshop and lounge arearsquo
city gem
68
city gem
69city gem
city gem70
city gem71
72city gem
lsquoThere is something infinitely more appealing about physically
handling recorded material appreciating the artwork in its
packagingrsquo
73city gem
74classifi eds
75classifi eds
classifi edsclassifi eds76
amsterdam city life
BrinG BaCK
Something that seems to have been watered down considerably in Amsterdamrsquos hospitality industry in recent years is independence of thought styling and designAll you have to do is walk around the city to note that way too many coffeesoup houses and cafeacutes are more or less identikit This also applies to many cafeacutes with unimaginative business leaders who open unoriginal looking spaces and hope that the use of white paint purple or blue lights and house music is all it takes
Luckily there is something brewing to save our days and nights I have come across cafeacute owners who are now seriously considering ending the arrangements they have with the giant drink suppliers There are actually no good arguments left for continuing with these huge multinationals as they are frankly more expensive at wholesale for the same A-class products than the supermarkets on every Amsterdammerrsquos street corner
It looks like space is being created for the smaller brewers to take up the supply of A-class beer to smaller establishments throughout the city The giants can keep their character-free tourist traps and those bars still able to benefit purely from their unbeatable locations throughout the city
The Sentinel says bring back better and more original businesses of scale within the local hospitality industry which will help more cafeacutes and bars not only to become distinguishable by the interior designs they will need to conjure but also through the variety of local and regional beers that could become part of their coherent identity The overriding benefit of such courageous thinking and action would be an immediate return to realistic and reasonable pricing for A-class beer in Amsterdam which remains the staple of the easy consumables as this recession drones on
By Denson Pierre
INDEPENDENT CAFeacuteSBARS
77
78star beer guide
Star Beer
The SentinelStar beer guide
lsquoDifferent beers can seem to weigh on the conscience as much as on the taste budsrsquo
Just like the changing of the seasons different beers can seem to weigh on the conscience as much as on the taste buds Ciney blond is a lovely almost effeminate tasting beer All light smooth fruitiness bolstered by substantial alcohol content
As the temperature increases it can even feel like a thirst quencher A nice session beer and one that could function as an entrance-level quality beer in terms of its complexity For advanced samplers it is a great lower platform to descend to after cruising the space occupied by the 8-plus percentage alcoholic beauties
Ciney blond is brewed by Alken-Maes Mechelen Belgium
By Denson Pierre
CINEY BLOND (7 ABV)
79star beer guide
We find the best most fun most typical exciting or local favourite restaurants etcetera in Amsterdam and bring them to you an easy way to feel like a local
Cafe Kostverloren 040606
Recommended
80recommended
EUROGIFTSXenonweg 9 3812 SZ Amersfoort
Tel 033 - 454 35 75 - Fax 033 - 454 35 79E-mail lmproefeurogiftsnl
Website wwweurogiftsnl
FILMPROEF
ORDERNUMMER 6021022ARTIKELNUMMER 65123
Ware grootte (indien uitgeprint)Kleur opdruk Wit
Mulligans Irish Music BarAmsterdamrsquos best address for live Irish music Five (5) nights a week Check our agenda for upcoming sessions Amstel 100 1017 AC Amsterdamwwwmulligansnl
Cafeacute KostverlorenCafeacute Kostverloren is a contemporary cafe offering the cosiness of a saloon an open kitchen and the intimacy of a living room The large terras is great for sunny days2e Kostverlorenkade 70 Amsterdamwwwcafekostverlorennl
ZestZest is fi ne food warm atmosphere and classy drinks with regular semi-acoustic (live) music and DJs (Thursday to Sunday) Amsterdamrsquos newest and freshestBilderdijkstraat 188 Amsterdamwwwfacebookcomclubzestnl
GollemGollemrsquos Proefl okaal Gollem and Gollem II represent the best addresses serving the fullest range of top Belgian Dutch and international beers in AmsterdamOvertoom 160-161wwwcafegollemnl
IncantoA restaurant with a classic Italian kitchen Venetian chef Simone Ambrosin is known for his pure and simple style of cooking with great feeling for nuanceAmstel 2 Amsterdamwwwrestaurant-incantonl
Planet RoseThe fi rst Caribbean restaurant in the Netherlands specialised in Jamaican cuisine The menu features a daily changing selectionNicolaas Beetsstraat 47 Amsterdamwwwplanetroseinfo
Cafe restaurant EdelCafe restaurant Edel is the perfect place for lunch dinner or to simply enjoy a drink Edel is a unique place in AmsterdamPostjesweg 1 1057 DT Amsterdamwwwedelamsterdamnl
Cafeacute OportoCafeacute Oporto is a traditional Amsterdam lsquobrown cafersquo Welcoming tourists and regular customers alike they offer televised sports wifi and a wide range of reasonably priced beers and spiritsZoutsteeg 1 1012 LX Amsterdamwwwcafeoportonet
BaxA cosy and friendly local cafeacute with a focus on special or interesting beers and good quality food Open 7 days a week with a professional kitchen offering a lunch and dinner serviceTen Katestraat 119 Amsterdamwwwcafebaxnl
To be seen and tasted Fun Drinking amp Music
To Be Seen and Tasted
Fun Drinking amp Music
Fun Drinking amp Music
Connoisseurs Delight
Connoisseurs Delight
Connoisseurs Delight
To Be Seen and Tasted
Neighbourhood cosy
Fun drinking and music
ParckGreat fun beautiful people and simply the best bar food in townOvertoom 428 Amsterdamwwwcafeparcknl
To be seen and tasted
Cafe de Toog1890rsquos grandeur fashioned into Amsterdam-West grand brown cafe-restaurant-cool Classy drinks and mealsNicolaas Beetsstraat 142 hs Amsterdam wwwcafedetoogcom
Opera Prima - Patisserie Bistro TraiteurThe best place in town for lunch exquisite high teas or brunches and all of your luxury catering both private and corporateKinkerstraat 228 Amsterdamwwwoperaprimanl
Recommended
81
Where is this inAmsterdamAnswer to sentinelpostgmailcom
82spotted
Room 2cfilm
ldquoCome on in boys the waterrsquos finerdquo This is arguably the best all-round and funny musical to come out of Hollywood in a generation and certainly one of the best three soundtracks of the same period George Clooney will never be as good or charming as he is here playing the accidental leader of a trio of chain gang escapees in the US south of the 1930s Spirituality meets the Ku Klux Klan all coloured by Virginia bluegrass
ldquoCall me Snakerdquo The coolest handle for a leading man (Kurt Russell) in any movie to date Here he is sent in on a heroic lsquoat all costrsquo one-man mission to rescue the president of the United States from the prison island Manhattan has become in a lsquofuturersquo representation of 1997 Air Force One has crashed there and the countdown is on Classic 1980s turn of the millennium dystopian vision with style pace and gadgetry
By dpmotions
By dpmotions
o Brother Where Art Thou (2000)
escape from new York (1981)
room2c83
84trends
lsquoTrends are great to join and surf like a once in a lifetime tsunamirsquo
By Dirkje Bakker-Pierre
Each and every micro-world has its own specific trends Take the fashion world for example where one day you have to wear high heels and round noses and the next itrsquos flat hairy elephant feet-like boots that must hug your feet Or take the automotive world where once upon a time you could never have enough chrome on your car or the food world where we have quietly moved from fast to green and wholesome or the TV world which used to be about fiction and is now more real than reality Some of these trends are great to join and surf like a once in a lifetime tsunami others can slip by unnoticed and others still keep bugging and bugging you even if you try to avoid them like the plague
The online world and specifically the social media universe eats through trends like a fat chick after a hunger strike Facebook in particular seems to move seamlessly from one hype to the next one day itrsquos pictures with fuzzy edges or a bit of a 1970s filter the next itrsquos a profile picture with you very consciously not looking into the camera (very spontaneously and naturally non-posing you might say) These are mostly harmless things if Irsquom honest and when everyone
stops liking them they fade away as quickly as the sun in our small wet country There is one trend however that has festered within Facebook from the very beginning and which seems to be gradually growing and growing without anyone ever liking the postshellip and I mean EVER
Yes I am talking about daily quotes words of wisdom holy quotes mesmerizingly philosophical quotes cheesy quotes religious quoteshellip How can I describe all of them in one easy sentence pieces of text from (famous) people (it can never be something you thought of yourself) that lsquodisclosersquo previously secret information about being happy in life (or at least previously secret to the person doing the posting I presume) In short texts that belong on tiles hanging on the wall in old Dutch peoplersquos toilets
Why
Here are a few I found in my news feed this week
ldquoA mind is like a parachute It doesnrsquot work if it is not openrdquo ndash Frank Zappa
ldquoIt is not because things are difficult that we do not dare it is because we do not dare that things are difficultrdquo ndash Seneca
ldquoIf you donrsquot take what you are doing seriously then nobody else willrdquo ndash Darryl Dlt Thomson
Bad trends would be good if they werenrsquot so bad
85trends
86classifi eds
87classifieds
One of my personal favourite gemstones is moonstone Itlsquos been around for centuries and is used in many cultures As suggested by its name the stone is highly associated with the moon and moon goddess Diana It brings calm peace and love and is said to become more powerful when the moon is full so thatlsquos the best time to wear it One proverb even claims that moonstone can bring you love that will fly you to the moon Spiritually this amazing stone is said to enhance intuition and is always associated with the self It is a very powerful personal stone which doesnlsquot add or remove any aspects of the personality but merely reflects the person wearing it It is said to be very
MoonstoneBy Evelina Kvartunaite
ndash
lsquoThe stone is highly associated with the moon and moon goddess Dianarsquo
ndash
helpful for people who are very sensitive and it is also used in meditation for reflecting oneself Itlsquos always best to charge your gem when the moon is shining at night either while wearing it or by leaving it on a windowsill that receives moonlight Moonstone is also used in healing and is known for balancing the internal organ systems enabling them to work in stable cycles Itlsquos usually more associated with women but is also known to help men embrace their more emotional side soft creative energies and optimism Perhaps understandably moonstone should have limited exposure to strong direct sunlight
ndash
lsquoIt is said to be very helpful for people who are very sensitiversquo
ndash
88
health amp well-being
ndash
lsquoMore associated with women but is also known to help men embrace their more emotional sidersquo
ndash
89health amp well-being
In his article Batin shows how learning how to use complex products is like learning a computer game Just like the challenges in video games match the skills of the user so should TV interactions or any UI interactions for that matter For reference Batin used the four levels described in the Dreyfus model of skill acquisition
Level 1 novicebullRigid adherence to taught rules or plansbullNo exercise of lsquodiscretionary judgmentrsquo
Level 2 Advanced beginnerbullLimited lsquosituational perceptionrsquobullAll aspects of work treated separately with equal importance
Philip Batin wrote an article a couple of months ago about the next big idea in User Interaction gadgets that adapt to your skills As gadgets become more complicated UIs must be able to teach their users over time Apparently more and more interactive products are being returned In 2002 48 of all returned products were technically fully functional but were rejected for failing to satisfy user needs 20 purely due to customer remorse Even though a product may have all the features one can hope for complexity and bad user experience can prevent users from integrating it into their lives
UserInterfaceThe next big thing in UX
lsquoUIs must be able to teach their users over timersquo
By Andrei Barburas
lsquoComplexity and bad user experience can prevent users from
integrating it into their livesrsquo
90
technology
book the majority of which you probably skipped through
Personally I believe that there are certain end users most likely the majority that use only a limited set of features from any device they buy Mobile phones have become indispensable tools in our daily activities yet the average Joe has no idea about the full potential of a smart phone The same applies to Smart TVs they can do lots of things yet the only thing that we do with them is flip channels and complain how bad the shows are
The bottom line is that itrsquos definitely something worth thinking about not only from an operating system perspective but also from the perspective of applications developers
Level 3 competentbulllsquoCoping with crowdednessrsquo (multiple activities accumulation of information)bullSome perception of actions in relation to goalsbullDeliberate planningbullFormulates routines
Level 4 ProficientbullHolistic view of situationbullPrioritizes importance of aspectsbulllsquoPerceives deviations from the normal patternrsquobullEmploys maxim for guidance with meanings that adapt to the situation at hand
Now just imagine a User Interface that adapts based on what you can do and the abilities you have As you learn new things new levels of complexity are unlocked opening the door to fully knowing your device because you learned by doing and not by reading a complicated
lsquoThe average Joe has no idea about the full potential of a
smart phonersquo
91technology
92classifi eds
93classifi eds
Not knowing what was happening in football was extremely annoying to put it mildly and it wasnrsquot just my own self-denial and avoidance of all things football that was a hindrance the extent to which I had to ask others to go in order to remain ignorant was much more excruciating than Irsquod ever imagined There may even be some damage done to football-related friendships that is irreparable I now feel as though Irsquom walking through an empty stadium after everyone else has gone home
So what now and where to next The season is well and truly over and Irsquom free to do whatever I want I could read the back-dated sports pages check all the stats and find out all the facts if I wanted to I could spend hours catching up on last season and speculating on the next with the friends Irsquove still got left down the pub if I wanted to I can follow all the transfer gossip watch pre-season friendlies and build up all my hopes But as with most addictions that would simply be falling back into a previous state of dependence and everything Irsquove just put myself through wouldrsquove been for nothing So how do I go back to an old habit without a total relapse or would it be better to keep abstaining
All my questions seem to be met with other questions and no solutions On the other hand if you ask me what
Someone once said that insanity is when you keep repeating the same behaviour and expect a different outcome most likely a psychologist aimed at his or her ailing patients But for me these words are more reminiscent of my own conduct over the course of a regular football season Week in week out season after season I would expect Tottenham to win something and more often than not Irsquod be left disappointed So I decided to stop No more football ndash at least not for one full season
The season 201213 is now over and during the whole nine months I didnrsquot watch a single moment of football or read a single article on the subject That was my challenge and I was committed to it What is more despite all the warning signs I didnrsquot relapse After a year of structured punishment I didnrsquot have a clue about what was going on in the English Premier League (or any other league) Only having picked up bits and pieces of information that somehow slipped through the net the past season was like a book with most of its pages missing
By Simon Joseph
On The Volley
The Return of the Repressed or the Point of No Return
lsquoInsanity is when you keep repeating the same behaviour and expect a different outcomersquo
sport
lsquoThe past season was like a book with most of its pages missingrsquo
94
lsquoThere may even be some damage done to football-related friendshipsrsquo
lsquoHas abstaining for a season changed mersquo
it until the cows come home but it was us who made those changes or at least allowed them to happen and those changes will continue to happen with or without me Perhaps then the questions I should be asking are has abstaining for a season changed me Am I still obsessed or have I broken the habit of a lifetime Is following football really that terrible or even a real addiction
One thing is certain this lack of resolution is not completely without satisfaction because like all forms of fixation or obsession therersquos comfort and familiarity to be found in repetition as Tottenham miss out on Championrsquos League football by a single point again The repressed will always return to haunt us or so it seems and before we know it the start of next season will be upon us There will be more pain no doubt and more joy This time however it will take more than a boot camp approach to keep me away and who knows Tottenham might even win the league Come on you Spurs
Tottenham Hotspur means I would still tell you that itrsquos not just a pretty football package itrsquos about kith and kin not just where I came from but how I relate to others around me in the here and now Whatrsquos more millions of people are attracted to football they hunger for it and yearn to connect with it even though I still believe itrsquos a form of ineffective escape from one unsatisfying reality to another Following football is a classic example of cognitive dissonance ndash when you simultaneously entertain two opposing thoughts that appear to cancel each other out Before the start of each season for example we all want our club to win everything or to be taken over by billionaires but know that itrsquos impossible or in the latter case controversial and even undesirable So we invent ways to cope We develop a so-called lsquosiege mentalityrsquo or other harmful patterns of behaviour to relieve the discomfort of incongruity With this in mind the past year was supposed to be an exercise in behaviour modification ndash to discover the root of the problem and treat it effectively But one year on have I really discovered anything at all
The English Premier League whether you watch it or not is still probably the most exciting football league in the world We can complain about the changes made to
sport9
5
By Denson Pierre
The Gold Room
Fantasy Football Gold ndash Champions League 2012-2013 winner Denson Pierre and his prizes
The season petered out in an all-German Champions League Final which did nothing to dispel the record that this was a season of too few new stars or regular spectacle We look forward to the next season as it ought not be too difficult to create more excitement than in the one just pastWe did have the opportunity to hand over the envelopes and trophies to the Sentinel Fantasy Football game winners This year all the major winners from the Sentinel Fantasy Football League were unable to be present for the physical prize giving but the winner of the Gold Game and focus of this column was there to receive his prize for winning the master game in styleSo we retire the Gold Room until the beginning of the new football season See you all again then
96
sport
Matt Parker receives his third place and Manager of the Month prizes for the Sentinel Fantasy Football League
Charles Conneely Sentinel Fantasy Football League 2012-2013 Champion
97sport
wwwczechtourismcom
CZECH REPUBLIC - STUNNINGLY DIFFERENT
98
classifi eds
feature17
18feature
feature19
feature20
feature21
feature22
feature
feature
lsquoJopen its beer and its people are so well worked out and presented
that it should be on every Amsterdammerrsquos radarrsquo
feature23
Get advice on housing rental contracts and apartments in Amsterdam
wwwwswonennlenglish
wwwconsultancymarketmediacom
- Account Manager Market Media- (Internship) International Marketing Executive
we are looking for
24classifieds
artist thinker
Here are some of our local partners
Enter (click) to learn why they work with us
demerkplaatsnl
25classifieds
Dam in 60 minutes
By Sam van Dam
perspectives
Rembrandtplein26
perspectives
Last time out I took you up North to the beautiful island of Marken Since that was a somewhat longer trip than some readers might want to take by bike this time our journey is a short one that can even be done on foot to Rembrandtplein The adventure starts at Central Station turn your back on the visually pleasing building that facilitates the arrival of visitors to our hometown and head towards Damrak Amsterdamrsquos lsquoRed Carpetrsquo and home these days to gazillions of restaurants shops bars cafeacutes and of course the nearby world-famous Red Light District all of which wersquoll simply ignore This is easier said than done as there is so much to see so many temptations that demand your attention and try to make you spend your euros before you have even entered the actual city As you walk down Damrak you start to see the buildings situated around Dam Square the central point of Amsterdam offering such delights as the Royal Palace Madame Tussauds the Nieuwekerk the war memorial and other landmarks that define this famous square Rotate 360 degrees to take it all in and then move toward Rokin or if you are in mood for some shopping walk down Kalverstraat instead Yoursquore bound to find something you like in the hundreds of shops lining one of Amsterdamrsquos two main shopping streets Keep walking straight on and just to your right yoursquoll find Spui a lovely square that is regularly home to art and book markets if you have the time You can find a multitude of interesting and inspiring items there or just grab a coffee and sit on one of the benches taking in the scene Once you are done enjoying Spui itrsquos time to get back on track so return to the RokinKalverstraat and head to the right (south) not forgetting to take a closer look
at the statue of former Queen Wilhelmina and her horse standing proudly at the bridge opposite This is also the starting point for boat tours if you want to take a little time out from your stroll to Rembrandtplein get a ticket and hop on one of the very typical 70s-style boats that constantly criss-cross the watery arteries of Amsterdam These typical 1970s-style barges provide a visual impression of the city that looks familiar yet very different a pleasure that locals and visitors alike appreciate very much every time
When you have returned from the water tour return to Rokin and keep walking towards Munt which is easily recognisable by its old-style tower featuring a clockwork chime that marks the hour and enhances the scenery in this part of town along with the Hotel De LrsquoEurope just across the way You could also take a pit-stop there while enjoying the view over the Amstel and the hundreds of little boats filled with chillaxing people at least on sunny days You can dwell on the fact that life in Amsterdam often seems so easy and beautiful that it entices visitors to return again and again You are now very close to your final destination so cross the road and enter the Reguliersbreestraat Marvel at the beauty of the Tuschinski Theater as you continue towards the wide open square that is our last stop Grab a drink or some ice-cream while you find yourself a nice spot on the grassy circular central area of the Rembrandtplein where you can spend hours looking at the beautiful buildings the relaxing people and the artists selling their work This is also where you can find me presenting a fine selection of my photo prints of what to me is the best city in the world So if itrsquos not raining come by and enjoy my photographic impressions of Amsterdam they make awesome souvenirs to take home with you Irsquom looking forward to meeting you on lsquomyrsquo square
lsquoOur journey is a short one that can even be done on footrsquo
27
28perspectives
29perspectives
lsquo1970s-style barges provide a visual impression of the city that looks familiar yet very differentrsquo
30perspectives
31perspectives
32perspectives
33perspectives
lsquoMarvel at the beauty of the Tuschinski Theaterrsquo
34perspectives
35perspectives
lsquoRotate 360 degrees to take it all inrsquo
36perspectives
lsquoRotate 360 degrees to take it all inrsquo
37perspectives
38perspectives
39perspectives
40
perspectives
41perspectives
42featureperspectives
feature4
3perspectives
44
featureperspectives
feature4
5perspectives
lsquoTake a closer look at the statue of former Queen Wilhelmina and her horsersquo
46
perspectives
lsquoThis is also where you can find me presenting a fine selection of my
photo printsrsquo
47perspectives
perspectives4
8
perspectives4
9
For complete and world class tours of Prague
Packages includebull Hidden and playful Prague (for families with young children)bull Literary Praguebull Prague Architecture through the agesbull Religion and the citybull The old city at night
These are detailed tours designed for visitors who wish to explore with great detail and not suitable for simply sight-seeing tourists
Day segments and ratesPR 0800-1230hrs AG 1330-1630hrs UE 1730-2130hrsAll sessions are priced at u 25 per single adult Group size upper limit = 8 Accompanied children under the age of five are gratis and school aged children pay 25 Family package rates are negotiable
ContactJaroslav Cernosek+420 602 228 797Mail jcernosekcentrumcz
wwwyourtuliptourcom
JC Tours
50classifieds
51classifieds
CafeacuteBar Review Van Mechelen
cafebar review52
Van MechelenSloterkade 96-97 Amsterdam
It may be the new hype in the city as far as grand cafeacute and restaurant concepts go but Van Mechelen is already approaching excellence Considering its handy location in another pretty neighbourhood of Amsterdam South it is almost a lsquomust visitrsquo place that has created a theme built on the Burgundian enjoyment of life good food complemented with top-class beer and wine If you want a taste of what it feels like to visit a cafeacute-restaurant in Mechelen Belgium Van Mechelen is an easy way for an Amsterdammer to savour this experience and is just a short cycle ride away
ambianceBurgundian Rating 5
StaffregularsMembers of staff are clearly very well trained and this adds to the light and airy atmosphere Having opened for business just three months ago those who have fallen in love with the place and its consumables have not yet had time to clock up the number of visits and connections to be considered lsquoregularsrsquo Rating 5
televised sportNo space within the design and layout for this form of distraction Rating 3
PricesSurprisingly these are within the lsquonormalrsquo range for this level and quality of fare Outstandingly fairly priced snacks and nibbles are also offered to help you along as you take on the fine (Mechelen brewery group Alken-Maes) beers and wines When did you last enjoy a generous portion of fresh olives for a mere euro250 Rating 5
MusicAt the time of review the establishment was fairly packed out The atmosphere is conducive to chats and hilarity and although the selection of tunes could be heard far in the background the sound system may well have more kick It should as the building is of such a solid constitution that it should contain noise and not easily upset the neighbours Rating 5
Smoking area provisionFortunately for puffers the originally industrial nature of the address means that the former loading bay and entranceexit areas have become two naturally covered terrace areas separated from the luscious interior by huge glass-panelled doors Rating 5
total rating 2830(Rating from 1-5 where 1 = Very poor and 5 = Excellent)
By Denson Pierre
lsquoThe new hype in the city as far as grand cafeacute and restaurant concepts gorsquo
cafebar review53
lsquoMembers of staff are clearly very well trainedrsquo
cafebar review54
cafebar review55
lsquoOutstandingly fairly priced snacks and nibbles are also offeredrsquo
cafebar review56
cafebar review57
lsquoThe atmosphere is conducive to chats and hilarityrsquo
cafebar review58
cafebar review59
scamsterdam
lifestyles60
By Valeria Scimia
Unemployed international and looking for a job in the Netherlands Not only must you face the everyday hell that is job-seeking but now you must also beware of scam companies Yes theyrsquove arrived here too
I was recently contacted by an ostensibly legitimate company that wanted to hire me The contact took the form of what appeared to be a genuine e-mail complete with website and logo from a company in Australia that seemed absolutely legitimate (I have since contacted the company to warn them that someone overseas is using their name and logo to scam people) The e-mail explained that the company was opening an office in Holland and was looking for people who would handle the back-office orders It contained a form to be filled in and returned if I was interested in the position the form asked for all my personal information including my bank details I had been looking for a job and was interested in the offer so I filled in and sent off the form and my CV Once they received my e-mail they asked me to start a trial period without practically explaining anything of what the job was actually about I didnrsquot immediately reply so they called me the next day asking me to start immediately with the trial period promising lots of benefits once the contract was signed I hadnrsquot met anyone at this point only telephone interviews and that already didnrsquot seem right to me I asked them to send me more information by e-mail about what I was meant to do and a few moments later I received a response asking me to make a bank transfer to show them I was trustworthy The lsquotrialrsquo implied that they would send me some money and I had to transfer half via GWK or MoneyTransfer to one of their clients and keep the other half This smelled very fishy to the Italian in me In reality they could be sending a cheque to the bank which would register an income that would later bounce after I had already made the payment to their lsquoclientrsquo On top of losing money the person that tried to lsquohirersquo meyou
would have been untraceable No one was even picking up the phone at the number given in the e-mail and the company they claimed to represent wasnrsquot even active in Europe
So I said no and told them I was no longer interested They even had the gumption to call me back and ask me why I wouldnrsquot do it I gave them a silly excuse so as not to give them any more information or tips on how to improve their scummy scam I am happy I started checking their contacts as soon as their promises seemed too good to be true even if I am still angry I allowed them to data-mine all of my information when I sent them my CV and filled in their form
It beggars belief that they set up an entire facade in these times of work despair and it really doesnrsquot feel right especially because therersquos not much I can do about it now apart from inform people I didnrsquot think this would ever happen here in this country where everything has to be or always seems to be so legitimate But I guess some things never change and a place doesnrsquot make the people and certainly doesnrsquot influence the choices they make I just wanted to share my experience to alert everyone to the possible scam If a company contacts you and asks you to return a form including your bank details when you have never met anyone face-to-face it should make your antennas extend and remember to double-check their credibility Apparently it is illegal to ask such questions of someone here so donrsquot fall for it as I did As I am still waiting to hear from the company in Australia I didnrsquot feel it was proper to disclose its name publicly just yet plus I am not sure the scammers always use the same company as a fake front But what they ask you to do is more or less always the same so keep your eyes open to the little details
lsquoYou face the everyday hell that is job-seeking but now you must also beware of scam companiesrsquo
lsquoThis smelled very fishy to the Italian in mersquo
lsquoThe form asked for all my personal informationrsquo
lifestyles6
1
Je moet er geweest zijn
62classifieds
MechelenAuthentic and full of surprises Thatrsquos Mechelen Hospitable and honourable Thatrsquos the people of Mechelen Come and experience the cityrsquos urban charms for yourself Mechelen
Authentic and full of surprises Thatrsquos Mechelen Hospitable and honourable Thatrsquos the people of Mechelen Come and experience the cityrsquos urban charms for yourself
photography copy Milo Profi
classifieds63
classifieds
How to hang out in
Amsterdam
By ER Muntrem
perspectives
It is not against the rules for babies to cry in cafeacutes It happens Mostly they sleep or sit in someonersquos lap with commendable decorum Otherwise kids in cafeacutes tend to nosh a little less than their elders and handle crayons a little more And while anyone who toddles behind the bar will certainly get caught they can always claim they were encouraged to toddle there in the first place
Dutch parents and I realise this is hard to prove seem to let their kids wander a metre or two further away from them than parents from other developed countries that universal ldquowhere is sherdquo look delayed five or ten seconds If this extra distance is a sign of perceived safety cafeacute culture must help teach it
Except for chefs all cafeacute workers do more or less all the jobs required to run a cafeacute They all wait on tables
serve hot and cold drinks set up outdoor furniture load and retrieve supplies take the garbage out wash glasses light candles arrange flowers unfurl the awning and ring up the bill When the young guy or girl greets you you may know they are not the owner but for the moment they are the face of the establishment It may as well be their place
Admittedly I am seduced by places where waiters donrsquot work for tips where the rushed pace of eating in a restaurant in America does not exist In a cafeacute you can do what you want for as long as you want and get food and drink while you do it Pretty cool and as much a baseline for how to hang out in Amsterdam as cycling is for how to get around
Places to eat and drink owned by corporations have to package experience to deliver it Whatrsquos our brand How can our managers and servers be most efficient How ultimately can we be number one Not something most cafeacutes seem to be worried about and where the universal signs for lsquowe are having a good time togetherrsquo
lsquoCafeacute culture must help teachrsquo lsquoI am seduced by places where waiters donrsquot work for tipsrsquo
64
perspectives
or lsquoI am happy here by myselfrsquo (clinked glasses or absorption in a newspaper say) are routinely in evidence This is one true grace of democracy the average worth smiling about
At cafeacutes co-workers have a beer before or after their shift friends drop by or a regular pops in with some news The stream of customers they donrsquot have to woo and donrsquot have to lsquoworkrsquo gives the whole thing a slightly familial living room perfectly public feel that makes the work far less of a personality crimp than working at Starbucks Or so it seems I do not mean to pretend carrying drinks across the street to the canal side seating or giving obvious directions yet again is always glorious but most people who work in cafeacutersquos laugh and smile a fair bit almost as much as the patrons
And when the owner of a cafeacute is of a generation older than those working there as is usually the case it lends a wise uncle or mother hen feel to the proceedings In the daytime no one is ever too caught up in his or her designated title to ignore a baby on the move And at
night the crowd of drinkers may as well be at a party hosted by their parents or kids or both
Itrsquos not all about money cafeacute culture churns towards the civilised without grinding anyone too far down As well as pleasure there is power in this The best distillation I know of what democracy should be came from a young woman working at Cafeacute Captein With our meal in front of us my friend noticed he was missing his salad Flagged down the young woman went to investigate ldquoItrsquos on its wayrdquo she said ldquoI told my boss to do itrdquo
Imagine we told Putin to do it We told Obama to do it We told the bankers to do it
lsquoMost people who work in cafeacutersquos laugh and smile a fair bitrsquo
lsquoCafeacute culture churns towards the civilised without grinding anyone too far downrsquo
65
66
featurecity gem
lsquoThe last of the large independent music stores left standing in Amsterdamrsquo
CITY GEM
67
Concerto
By Denson Pierre
ConcertoUtrechtsestraat 60 1017 VP Amsterdam
it is a rush when on a full stomach you can make an instant decision on where your next city-centre lunch will be taken it is almost ecstasy when the venue is situated in a music shop which for decades has been defined by its exceptional range and quality of music available in amsterdam Concerto is the last of the large independent music stores left standing in amsterdam all the others have long since been killed off by everything from the advance in recording and playback technologies to habitual illegal downloaders only now realising that their behaviour has an impact right back down to street level despite what they might think about the giant studios and recording companies
Concerto has not stuck but has twisted Since September it has incorporated a cute cafeacute
and lunch area within its premises as well as introducing a bookshop and lounge area making it possible to spend an almost nostalgic time there over several hours It still has a vast range of the very best music in vinyl (both new and second-hand) and CD form DVDs DJ equipment and even gear used for live musical performances Itrsquos a gold mine
If it has taken this clever adaptation in space utilisation to keep this institution viable and available to Amsterdam-based music lovers then I personally wish to support this venture and help mean this type of music retailer to remain part of the city scene For people of a certain age there is something infinitely more appealing about physically handling recorded material appreciating the artwork in its packaging having a listen and then deciding if it is a purchase you would like to make Even though non-digital stockpiling has become rather passeacute I challenge you to visit Concerto and its new cafeacute and bookshop concept and not end up spending more time in this true city gem than you had anticipated
lsquoIt has incorporated a cute cafeacute and lunch area within its premises as well as introducing a bookshop and lounge arearsquo
city gem
68
city gem
69city gem
city gem70
city gem71
72city gem
lsquoThere is something infinitely more appealing about physically
handling recorded material appreciating the artwork in its
packagingrsquo
73city gem
74classifi eds
75classifi eds
classifi edsclassifi eds76
amsterdam city life
BrinG BaCK
Something that seems to have been watered down considerably in Amsterdamrsquos hospitality industry in recent years is independence of thought styling and designAll you have to do is walk around the city to note that way too many coffeesoup houses and cafeacutes are more or less identikit This also applies to many cafeacutes with unimaginative business leaders who open unoriginal looking spaces and hope that the use of white paint purple or blue lights and house music is all it takes
Luckily there is something brewing to save our days and nights I have come across cafeacute owners who are now seriously considering ending the arrangements they have with the giant drink suppliers There are actually no good arguments left for continuing with these huge multinationals as they are frankly more expensive at wholesale for the same A-class products than the supermarkets on every Amsterdammerrsquos street corner
It looks like space is being created for the smaller brewers to take up the supply of A-class beer to smaller establishments throughout the city The giants can keep their character-free tourist traps and those bars still able to benefit purely from their unbeatable locations throughout the city
The Sentinel says bring back better and more original businesses of scale within the local hospitality industry which will help more cafeacutes and bars not only to become distinguishable by the interior designs they will need to conjure but also through the variety of local and regional beers that could become part of their coherent identity The overriding benefit of such courageous thinking and action would be an immediate return to realistic and reasonable pricing for A-class beer in Amsterdam which remains the staple of the easy consumables as this recession drones on
By Denson Pierre
INDEPENDENT CAFeacuteSBARS
77
78star beer guide
Star Beer
The SentinelStar beer guide
lsquoDifferent beers can seem to weigh on the conscience as much as on the taste budsrsquo
Just like the changing of the seasons different beers can seem to weigh on the conscience as much as on the taste buds Ciney blond is a lovely almost effeminate tasting beer All light smooth fruitiness bolstered by substantial alcohol content
As the temperature increases it can even feel like a thirst quencher A nice session beer and one that could function as an entrance-level quality beer in terms of its complexity For advanced samplers it is a great lower platform to descend to after cruising the space occupied by the 8-plus percentage alcoholic beauties
Ciney blond is brewed by Alken-Maes Mechelen Belgium
By Denson Pierre
CINEY BLOND (7 ABV)
79star beer guide
We find the best most fun most typical exciting or local favourite restaurants etcetera in Amsterdam and bring them to you an easy way to feel like a local
Cafe Kostverloren 040606
Recommended
80recommended
EUROGIFTSXenonweg 9 3812 SZ Amersfoort
Tel 033 - 454 35 75 - Fax 033 - 454 35 79E-mail lmproefeurogiftsnl
Website wwweurogiftsnl
FILMPROEF
ORDERNUMMER 6021022ARTIKELNUMMER 65123
Ware grootte (indien uitgeprint)Kleur opdruk Wit
Mulligans Irish Music BarAmsterdamrsquos best address for live Irish music Five (5) nights a week Check our agenda for upcoming sessions Amstel 100 1017 AC Amsterdamwwwmulligansnl
Cafeacute KostverlorenCafeacute Kostverloren is a contemporary cafe offering the cosiness of a saloon an open kitchen and the intimacy of a living room The large terras is great for sunny days2e Kostverlorenkade 70 Amsterdamwwwcafekostverlorennl
ZestZest is fi ne food warm atmosphere and classy drinks with regular semi-acoustic (live) music and DJs (Thursday to Sunday) Amsterdamrsquos newest and freshestBilderdijkstraat 188 Amsterdamwwwfacebookcomclubzestnl
GollemGollemrsquos Proefl okaal Gollem and Gollem II represent the best addresses serving the fullest range of top Belgian Dutch and international beers in AmsterdamOvertoom 160-161wwwcafegollemnl
IncantoA restaurant with a classic Italian kitchen Venetian chef Simone Ambrosin is known for his pure and simple style of cooking with great feeling for nuanceAmstel 2 Amsterdamwwwrestaurant-incantonl
Planet RoseThe fi rst Caribbean restaurant in the Netherlands specialised in Jamaican cuisine The menu features a daily changing selectionNicolaas Beetsstraat 47 Amsterdamwwwplanetroseinfo
Cafe restaurant EdelCafe restaurant Edel is the perfect place for lunch dinner or to simply enjoy a drink Edel is a unique place in AmsterdamPostjesweg 1 1057 DT Amsterdamwwwedelamsterdamnl
Cafeacute OportoCafeacute Oporto is a traditional Amsterdam lsquobrown cafersquo Welcoming tourists and regular customers alike they offer televised sports wifi and a wide range of reasonably priced beers and spiritsZoutsteeg 1 1012 LX Amsterdamwwwcafeoportonet
BaxA cosy and friendly local cafeacute with a focus on special or interesting beers and good quality food Open 7 days a week with a professional kitchen offering a lunch and dinner serviceTen Katestraat 119 Amsterdamwwwcafebaxnl
To be seen and tasted Fun Drinking amp Music
To Be Seen and Tasted
Fun Drinking amp Music
Fun Drinking amp Music
Connoisseurs Delight
Connoisseurs Delight
Connoisseurs Delight
To Be Seen and Tasted
Neighbourhood cosy
Fun drinking and music
ParckGreat fun beautiful people and simply the best bar food in townOvertoom 428 Amsterdamwwwcafeparcknl
To be seen and tasted
Cafe de Toog1890rsquos grandeur fashioned into Amsterdam-West grand brown cafe-restaurant-cool Classy drinks and mealsNicolaas Beetsstraat 142 hs Amsterdam wwwcafedetoogcom
Opera Prima - Patisserie Bistro TraiteurThe best place in town for lunch exquisite high teas or brunches and all of your luxury catering both private and corporateKinkerstraat 228 Amsterdamwwwoperaprimanl
Recommended
81
Where is this inAmsterdamAnswer to sentinelpostgmailcom
82spotted
Room 2cfilm
ldquoCome on in boys the waterrsquos finerdquo This is arguably the best all-round and funny musical to come out of Hollywood in a generation and certainly one of the best three soundtracks of the same period George Clooney will never be as good or charming as he is here playing the accidental leader of a trio of chain gang escapees in the US south of the 1930s Spirituality meets the Ku Klux Klan all coloured by Virginia bluegrass
ldquoCall me Snakerdquo The coolest handle for a leading man (Kurt Russell) in any movie to date Here he is sent in on a heroic lsquoat all costrsquo one-man mission to rescue the president of the United States from the prison island Manhattan has become in a lsquofuturersquo representation of 1997 Air Force One has crashed there and the countdown is on Classic 1980s turn of the millennium dystopian vision with style pace and gadgetry
By dpmotions
By dpmotions
o Brother Where Art Thou (2000)
escape from new York (1981)
room2c83
84trends
lsquoTrends are great to join and surf like a once in a lifetime tsunamirsquo
By Dirkje Bakker-Pierre
Each and every micro-world has its own specific trends Take the fashion world for example where one day you have to wear high heels and round noses and the next itrsquos flat hairy elephant feet-like boots that must hug your feet Or take the automotive world where once upon a time you could never have enough chrome on your car or the food world where we have quietly moved from fast to green and wholesome or the TV world which used to be about fiction and is now more real than reality Some of these trends are great to join and surf like a once in a lifetime tsunami others can slip by unnoticed and others still keep bugging and bugging you even if you try to avoid them like the plague
The online world and specifically the social media universe eats through trends like a fat chick after a hunger strike Facebook in particular seems to move seamlessly from one hype to the next one day itrsquos pictures with fuzzy edges or a bit of a 1970s filter the next itrsquos a profile picture with you very consciously not looking into the camera (very spontaneously and naturally non-posing you might say) These are mostly harmless things if Irsquom honest and when everyone
stops liking them they fade away as quickly as the sun in our small wet country There is one trend however that has festered within Facebook from the very beginning and which seems to be gradually growing and growing without anyone ever liking the postshellip and I mean EVER
Yes I am talking about daily quotes words of wisdom holy quotes mesmerizingly philosophical quotes cheesy quotes religious quoteshellip How can I describe all of them in one easy sentence pieces of text from (famous) people (it can never be something you thought of yourself) that lsquodisclosersquo previously secret information about being happy in life (or at least previously secret to the person doing the posting I presume) In short texts that belong on tiles hanging on the wall in old Dutch peoplersquos toilets
Why
Here are a few I found in my news feed this week
ldquoA mind is like a parachute It doesnrsquot work if it is not openrdquo ndash Frank Zappa
ldquoIt is not because things are difficult that we do not dare it is because we do not dare that things are difficultrdquo ndash Seneca
ldquoIf you donrsquot take what you are doing seriously then nobody else willrdquo ndash Darryl Dlt Thomson
Bad trends would be good if they werenrsquot so bad
85trends
86classifi eds
87classifieds
One of my personal favourite gemstones is moonstone Itlsquos been around for centuries and is used in many cultures As suggested by its name the stone is highly associated with the moon and moon goddess Diana It brings calm peace and love and is said to become more powerful when the moon is full so thatlsquos the best time to wear it One proverb even claims that moonstone can bring you love that will fly you to the moon Spiritually this amazing stone is said to enhance intuition and is always associated with the self It is a very powerful personal stone which doesnlsquot add or remove any aspects of the personality but merely reflects the person wearing it It is said to be very
MoonstoneBy Evelina Kvartunaite
ndash
lsquoThe stone is highly associated with the moon and moon goddess Dianarsquo
ndash
helpful for people who are very sensitive and it is also used in meditation for reflecting oneself Itlsquos always best to charge your gem when the moon is shining at night either while wearing it or by leaving it on a windowsill that receives moonlight Moonstone is also used in healing and is known for balancing the internal organ systems enabling them to work in stable cycles Itlsquos usually more associated with women but is also known to help men embrace their more emotional side soft creative energies and optimism Perhaps understandably moonstone should have limited exposure to strong direct sunlight
ndash
lsquoIt is said to be very helpful for people who are very sensitiversquo
ndash
88
health amp well-being
ndash
lsquoMore associated with women but is also known to help men embrace their more emotional sidersquo
ndash
89health amp well-being
In his article Batin shows how learning how to use complex products is like learning a computer game Just like the challenges in video games match the skills of the user so should TV interactions or any UI interactions for that matter For reference Batin used the four levels described in the Dreyfus model of skill acquisition
Level 1 novicebullRigid adherence to taught rules or plansbullNo exercise of lsquodiscretionary judgmentrsquo
Level 2 Advanced beginnerbullLimited lsquosituational perceptionrsquobullAll aspects of work treated separately with equal importance
Philip Batin wrote an article a couple of months ago about the next big idea in User Interaction gadgets that adapt to your skills As gadgets become more complicated UIs must be able to teach their users over time Apparently more and more interactive products are being returned In 2002 48 of all returned products were technically fully functional but were rejected for failing to satisfy user needs 20 purely due to customer remorse Even though a product may have all the features one can hope for complexity and bad user experience can prevent users from integrating it into their lives
UserInterfaceThe next big thing in UX
lsquoUIs must be able to teach their users over timersquo
By Andrei Barburas
lsquoComplexity and bad user experience can prevent users from
integrating it into their livesrsquo
90
technology
book the majority of which you probably skipped through
Personally I believe that there are certain end users most likely the majority that use only a limited set of features from any device they buy Mobile phones have become indispensable tools in our daily activities yet the average Joe has no idea about the full potential of a smart phone The same applies to Smart TVs they can do lots of things yet the only thing that we do with them is flip channels and complain how bad the shows are
The bottom line is that itrsquos definitely something worth thinking about not only from an operating system perspective but also from the perspective of applications developers
Level 3 competentbulllsquoCoping with crowdednessrsquo (multiple activities accumulation of information)bullSome perception of actions in relation to goalsbullDeliberate planningbullFormulates routines
Level 4 ProficientbullHolistic view of situationbullPrioritizes importance of aspectsbulllsquoPerceives deviations from the normal patternrsquobullEmploys maxim for guidance with meanings that adapt to the situation at hand
Now just imagine a User Interface that adapts based on what you can do and the abilities you have As you learn new things new levels of complexity are unlocked opening the door to fully knowing your device because you learned by doing and not by reading a complicated
lsquoThe average Joe has no idea about the full potential of a
smart phonersquo
91technology
92classifi eds
93classifi eds
Not knowing what was happening in football was extremely annoying to put it mildly and it wasnrsquot just my own self-denial and avoidance of all things football that was a hindrance the extent to which I had to ask others to go in order to remain ignorant was much more excruciating than Irsquod ever imagined There may even be some damage done to football-related friendships that is irreparable I now feel as though Irsquom walking through an empty stadium after everyone else has gone home
So what now and where to next The season is well and truly over and Irsquom free to do whatever I want I could read the back-dated sports pages check all the stats and find out all the facts if I wanted to I could spend hours catching up on last season and speculating on the next with the friends Irsquove still got left down the pub if I wanted to I can follow all the transfer gossip watch pre-season friendlies and build up all my hopes But as with most addictions that would simply be falling back into a previous state of dependence and everything Irsquove just put myself through wouldrsquove been for nothing So how do I go back to an old habit without a total relapse or would it be better to keep abstaining
All my questions seem to be met with other questions and no solutions On the other hand if you ask me what
Someone once said that insanity is when you keep repeating the same behaviour and expect a different outcome most likely a psychologist aimed at his or her ailing patients But for me these words are more reminiscent of my own conduct over the course of a regular football season Week in week out season after season I would expect Tottenham to win something and more often than not Irsquod be left disappointed So I decided to stop No more football ndash at least not for one full season
The season 201213 is now over and during the whole nine months I didnrsquot watch a single moment of football or read a single article on the subject That was my challenge and I was committed to it What is more despite all the warning signs I didnrsquot relapse After a year of structured punishment I didnrsquot have a clue about what was going on in the English Premier League (or any other league) Only having picked up bits and pieces of information that somehow slipped through the net the past season was like a book with most of its pages missing
By Simon Joseph
On The Volley
The Return of the Repressed or the Point of No Return
lsquoInsanity is when you keep repeating the same behaviour and expect a different outcomersquo
sport
lsquoThe past season was like a book with most of its pages missingrsquo
94
lsquoThere may even be some damage done to football-related friendshipsrsquo
lsquoHas abstaining for a season changed mersquo
it until the cows come home but it was us who made those changes or at least allowed them to happen and those changes will continue to happen with or without me Perhaps then the questions I should be asking are has abstaining for a season changed me Am I still obsessed or have I broken the habit of a lifetime Is following football really that terrible or even a real addiction
One thing is certain this lack of resolution is not completely without satisfaction because like all forms of fixation or obsession therersquos comfort and familiarity to be found in repetition as Tottenham miss out on Championrsquos League football by a single point again The repressed will always return to haunt us or so it seems and before we know it the start of next season will be upon us There will be more pain no doubt and more joy This time however it will take more than a boot camp approach to keep me away and who knows Tottenham might even win the league Come on you Spurs
Tottenham Hotspur means I would still tell you that itrsquos not just a pretty football package itrsquos about kith and kin not just where I came from but how I relate to others around me in the here and now Whatrsquos more millions of people are attracted to football they hunger for it and yearn to connect with it even though I still believe itrsquos a form of ineffective escape from one unsatisfying reality to another Following football is a classic example of cognitive dissonance ndash when you simultaneously entertain two opposing thoughts that appear to cancel each other out Before the start of each season for example we all want our club to win everything or to be taken over by billionaires but know that itrsquos impossible or in the latter case controversial and even undesirable So we invent ways to cope We develop a so-called lsquosiege mentalityrsquo or other harmful patterns of behaviour to relieve the discomfort of incongruity With this in mind the past year was supposed to be an exercise in behaviour modification ndash to discover the root of the problem and treat it effectively But one year on have I really discovered anything at all
The English Premier League whether you watch it or not is still probably the most exciting football league in the world We can complain about the changes made to
sport9
5
By Denson Pierre
The Gold Room
Fantasy Football Gold ndash Champions League 2012-2013 winner Denson Pierre and his prizes
The season petered out in an all-German Champions League Final which did nothing to dispel the record that this was a season of too few new stars or regular spectacle We look forward to the next season as it ought not be too difficult to create more excitement than in the one just pastWe did have the opportunity to hand over the envelopes and trophies to the Sentinel Fantasy Football game winners This year all the major winners from the Sentinel Fantasy Football League were unable to be present for the physical prize giving but the winner of the Gold Game and focus of this column was there to receive his prize for winning the master game in styleSo we retire the Gold Room until the beginning of the new football season See you all again then
96
sport
Matt Parker receives his third place and Manager of the Month prizes for the Sentinel Fantasy Football League
Charles Conneely Sentinel Fantasy Football League 2012-2013 Champion
97sport
wwwczechtourismcom
CZECH REPUBLIC - STUNNINGLY DIFFERENT
98
classifi eds
18feature
feature19
feature20
feature21
feature22
feature
feature
lsquoJopen its beer and its people are so well worked out and presented
that it should be on every Amsterdammerrsquos radarrsquo
feature23
Get advice on housing rental contracts and apartments in Amsterdam
wwwwswonennlenglish
wwwconsultancymarketmediacom
- Account Manager Market Media- (Internship) International Marketing Executive
we are looking for
24classifieds
artist thinker
Here are some of our local partners
Enter (click) to learn why they work with us
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25classifieds
Dam in 60 minutes
By Sam van Dam
perspectives
Rembrandtplein26
perspectives
Last time out I took you up North to the beautiful island of Marken Since that was a somewhat longer trip than some readers might want to take by bike this time our journey is a short one that can even be done on foot to Rembrandtplein The adventure starts at Central Station turn your back on the visually pleasing building that facilitates the arrival of visitors to our hometown and head towards Damrak Amsterdamrsquos lsquoRed Carpetrsquo and home these days to gazillions of restaurants shops bars cafeacutes and of course the nearby world-famous Red Light District all of which wersquoll simply ignore This is easier said than done as there is so much to see so many temptations that demand your attention and try to make you spend your euros before you have even entered the actual city As you walk down Damrak you start to see the buildings situated around Dam Square the central point of Amsterdam offering such delights as the Royal Palace Madame Tussauds the Nieuwekerk the war memorial and other landmarks that define this famous square Rotate 360 degrees to take it all in and then move toward Rokin or if you are in mood for some shopping walk down Kalverstraat instead Yoursquore bound to find something you like in the hundreds of shops lining one of Amsterdamrsquos two main shopping streets Keep walking straight on and just to your right yoursquoll find Spui a lovely square that is regularly home to art and book markets if you have the time You can find a multitude of interesting and inspiring items there or just grab a coffee and sit on one of the benches taking in the scene Once you are done enjoying Spui itrsquos time to get back on track so return to the RokinKalverstraat and head to the right (south) not forgetting to take a closer look
at the statue of former Queen Wilhelmina and her horse standing proudly at the bridge opposite This is also the starting point for boat tours if you want to take a little time out from your stroll to Rembrandtplein get a ticket and hop on one of the very typical 70s-style boats that constantly criss-cross the watery arteries of Amsterdam These typical 1970s-style barges provide a visual impression of the city that looks familiar yet very different a pleasure that locals and visitors alike appreciate very much every time
When you have returned from the water tour return to Rokin and keep walking towards Munt which is easily recognisable by its old-style tower featuring a clockwork chime that marks the hour and enhances the scenery in this part of town along with the Hotel De LrsquoEurope just across the way You could also take a pit-stop there while enjoying the view over the Amstel and the hundreds of little boats filled with chillaxing people at least on sunny days You can dwell on the fact that life in Amsterdam often seems so easy and beautiful that it entices visitors to return again and again You are now very close to your final destination so cross the road and enter the Reguliersbreestraat Marvel at the beauty of the Tuschinski Theater as you continue towards the wide open square that is our last stop Grab a drink or some ice-cream while you find yourself a nice spot on the grassy circular central area of the Rembrandtplein where you can spend hours looking at the beautiful buildings the relaxing people and the artists selling their work This is also where you can find me presenting a fine selection of my photo prints of what to me is the best city in the world So if itrsquos not raining come by and enjoy my photographic impressions of Amsterdam they make awesome souvenirs to take home with you Irsquom looking forward to meeting you on lsquomyrsquo square
lsquoOur journey is a short one that can even be done on footrsquo
27
28perspectives
29perspectives
lsquo1970s-style barges provide a visual impression of the city that looks familiar yet very differentrsquo
30perspectives
31perspectives
32perspectives
33perspectives
lsquoMarvel at the beauty of the Tuschinski Theaterrsquo
34perspectives
35perspectives
lsquoRotate 360 degrees to take it all inrsquo
36perspectives
lsquoRotate 360 degrees to take it all inrsquo
37perspectives
38perspectives
39perspectives
40
perspectives
41perspectives
42featureperspectives
feature4
3perspectives
44
featureperspectives
feature4
5perspectives
lsquoTake a closer look at the statue of former Queen Wilhelmina and her horsersquo
46
perspectives
lsquoThis is also where you can find me presenting a fine selection of my
photo printsrsquo
47perspectives
perspectives4
8
perspectives4
9
For complete and world class tours of Prague
Packages includebull Hidden and playful Prague (for families with young children)bull Literary Praguebull Prague Architecture through the agesbull Religion and the citybull The old city at night
These are detailed tours designed for visitors who wish to explore with great detail and not suitable for simply sight-seeing tourists
Day segments and ratesPR 0800-1230hrs AG 1330-1630hrs UE 1730-2130hrsAll sessions are priced at u 25 per single adult Group size upper limit = 8 Accompanied children under the age of five are gratis and school aged children pay 25 Family package rates are negotiable
ContactJaroslav Cernosek+420 602 228 797Mail jcernosekcentrumcz
wwwyourtuliptourcom
JC Tours
50classifieds
51classifieds
CafeacuteBar Review Van Mechelen
cafebar review52
Van MechelenSloterkade 96-97 Amsterdam
It may be the new hype in the city as far as grand cafeacute and restaurant concepts go but Van Mechelen is already approaching excellence Considering its handy location in another pretty neighbourhood of Amsterdam South it is almost a lsquomust visitrsquo place that has created a theme built on the Burgundian enjoyment of life good food complemented with top-class beer and wine If you want a taste of what it feels like to visit a cafeacute-restaurant in Mechelen Belgium Van Mechelen is an easy way for an Amsterdammer to savour this experience and is just a short cycle ride away
ambianceBurgundian Rating 5
StaffregularsMembers of staff are clearly very well trained and this adds to the light and airy atmosphere Having opened for business just three months ago those who have fallen in love with the place and its consumables have not yet had time to clock up the number of visits and connections to be considered lsquoregularsrsquo Rating 5
televised sportNo space within the design and layout for this form of distraction Rating 3
PricesSurprisingly these are within the lsquonormalrsquo range for this level and quality of fare Outstandingly fairly priced snacks and nibbles are also offered to help you along as you take on the fine (Mechelen brewery group Alken-Maes) beers and wines When did you last enjoy a generous portion of fresh olives for a mere euro250 Rating 5
MusicAt the time of review the establishment was fairly packed out The atmosphere is conducive to chats and hilarity and although the selection of tunes could be heard far in the background the sound system may well have more kick It should as the building is of such a solid constitution that it should contain noise and not easily upset the neighbours Rating 5
Smoking area provisionFortunately for puffers the originally industrial nature of the address means that the former loading bay and entranceexit areas have become two naturally covered terrace areas separated from the luscious interior by huge glass-panelled doors Rating 5
total rating 2830(Rating from 1-5 where 1 = Very poor and 5 = Excellent)
By Denson Pierre
lsquoThe new hype in the city as far as grand cafeacute and restaurant concepts gorsquo
cafebar review53
lsquoMembers of staff are clearly very well trainedrsquo
cafebar review54
cafebar review55
lsquoOutstandingly fairly priced snacks and nibbles are also offeredrsquo
cafebar review56
cafebar review57
lsquoThe atmosphere is conducive to chats and hilarityrsquo
cafebar review58
cafebar review59
scamsterdam
lifestyles60
By Valeria Scimia
Unemployed international and looking for a job in the Netherlands Not only must you face the everyday hell that is job-seeking but now you must also beware of scam companies Yes theyrsquove arrived here too
I was recently contacted by an ostensibly legitimate company that wanted to hire me The contact took the form of what appeared to be a genuine e-mail complete with website and logo from a company in Australia that seemed absolutely legitimate (I have since contacted the company to warn them that someone overseas is using their name and logo to scam people) The e-mail explained that the company was opening an office in Holland and was looking for people who would handle the back-office orders It contained a form to be filled in and returned if I was interested in the position the form asked for all my personal information including my bank details I had been looking for a job and was interested in the offer so I filled in and sent off the form and my CV Once they received my e-mail they asked me to start a trial period without practically explaining anything of what the job was actually about I didnrsquot immediately reply so they called me the next day asking me to start immediately with the trial period promising lots of benefits once the contract was signed I hadnrsquot met anyone at this point only telephone interviews and that already didnrsquot seem right to me I asked them to send me more information by e-mail about what I was meant to do and a few moments later I received a response asking me to make a bank transfer to show them I was trustworthy The lsquotrialrsquo implied that they would send me some money and I had to transfer half via GWK or MoneyTransfer to one of their clients and keep the other half This smelled very fishy to the Italian in me In reality they could be sending a cheque to the bank which would register an income that would later bounce after I had already made the payment to their lsquoclientrsquo On top of losing money the person that tried to lsquohirersquo meyou
would have been untraceable No one was even picking up the phone at the number given in the e-mail and the company they claimed to represent wasnrsquot even active in Europe
So I said no and told them I was no longer interested They even had the gumption to call me back and ask me why I wouldnrsquot do it I gave them a silly excuse so as not to give them any more information or tips on how to improve their scummy scam I am happy I started checking their contacts as soon as their promises seemed too good to be true even if I am still angry I allowed them to data-mine all of my information when I sent them my CV and filled in their form
It beggars belief that they set up an entire facade in these times of work despair and it really doesnrsquot feel right especially because therersquos not much I can do about it now apart from inform people I didnrsquot think this would ever happen here in this country where everything has to be or always seems to be so legitimate But I guess some things never change and a place doesnrsquot make the people and certainly doesnrsquot influence the choices they make I just wanted to share my experience to alert everyone to the possible scam If a company contacts you and asks you to return a form including your bank details when you have never met anyone face-to-face it should make your antennas extend and remember to double-check their credibility Apparently it is illegal to ask such questions of someone here so donrsquot fall for it as I did As I am still waiting to hear from the company in Australia I didnrsquot feel it was proper to disclose its name publicly just yet plus I am not sure the scammers always use the same company as a fake front But what they ask you to do is more or less always the same so keep your eyes open to the little details
lsquoYou face the everyday hell that is job-seeking but now you must also beware of scam companiesrsquo
lsquoThis smelled very fishy to the Italian in mersquo
lsquoThe form asked for all my personal informationrsquo
lifestyles6
1
Je moet er geweest zijn
62classifieds
MechelenAuthentic and full of surprises Thatrsquos Mechelen Hospitable and honourable Thatrsquos the people of Mechelen Come and experience the cityrsquos urban charms for yourself Mechelen
Authentic and full of surprises Thatrsquos Mechelen Hospitable and honourable Thatrsquos the people of Mechelen Come and experience the cityrsquos urban charms for yourself
photography copy Milo Profi
classifieds63
classifieds
How to hang out in
Amsterdam
By ER Muntrem
perspectives
It is not against the rules for babies to cry in cafeacutes It happens Mostly they sleep or sit in someonersquos lap with commendable decorum Otherwise kids in cafeacutes tend to nosh a little less than their elders and handle crayons a little more And while anyone who toddles behind the bar will certainly get caught they can always claim they were encouraged to toddle there in the first place
Dutch parents and I realise this is hard to prove seem to let their kids wander a metre or two further away from them than parents from other developed countries that universal ldquowhere is sherdquo look delayed five or ten seconds If this extra distance is a sign of perceived safety cafeacute culture must help teach it
Except for chefs all cafeacute workers do more or less all the jobs required to run a cafeacute They all wait on tables
serve hot and cold drinks set up outdoor furniture load and retrieve supplies take the garbage out wash glasses light candles arrange flowers unfurl the awning and ring up the bill When the young guy or girl greets you you may know they are not the owner but for the moment they are the face of the establishment It may as well be their place
Admittedly I am seduced by places where waiters donrsquot work for tips where the rushed pace of eating in a restaurant in America does not exist In a cafeacute you can do what you want for as long as you want and get food and drink while you do it Pretty cool and as much a baseline for how to hang out in Amsterdam as cycling is for how to get around
Places to eat and drink owned by corporations have to package experience to deliver it Whatrsquos our brand How can our managers and servers be most efficient How ultimately can we be number one Not something most cafeacutes seem to be worried about and where the universal signs for lsquowe are having a good time togetherrsquo
lsquoCafeacute culture must help teachrsquo lsquoI am seduced by places where waiters donrsquot work for tipsrsquo
64
perspectives
or lsquoI am happy here by myselfrsquo (clinked glasses or absorption in a newspaper say) are routinely in evidence This is one true grace of democracy the average worth smiling about
At cafeacutes co-workers have a beer before or after their shift friends drop by or a regular pops in with some news The stream of customers they donrsquot have to woo and donrsquot have to lsquoworkrsquo gives the whole thing a slightly familial living room perfectly public feel that makes the work far less of a personality crimp than working at Starbucks Or so it seems I do not mean to pretend carrying drinks across the street to the canal side seating or giving obvious directions yet again is always glorious but most people who work in cafeacutersquos laugh and smile a fair bit almost as much as the patrons
And when the owner of a cafeacute is of a generation older than those working there as is usually the case it lends a wise uncle or mother hen feel to the proceedings In the daytime no one is ever too caught up in his or her designated title to ignore a baby on the move And at
night the crowd of drinkers may as well be at a party hosted by their parents or kids or both
Itrsquos not all about money cafeacute culture churns towards the civilised without grinding anyone too far down As well as pleasure there is power in this The best distillation I know of what democracy should be came from a young woman working at Cafeacute Captein With our meal in front of us my friend noticed he was missing his salad Flagged down the young woman went to investigate ldquoItrsquos on its wayrdquo she said ldquoI told my boss to do itrdquo
Imagine we told Putin to do it We told Obama to do it We told the bankers to do it
lsquoMost people who work in cafeacutersquos laugh and smile a fair bitrsquo
lsquoCafeacute culture churns towards the civilised without grinding anyone too far downrsquo
65
66
featurecity gem
lsquoThe last of the large independent music stores left standing in Amsterdamrsquo
CITY GEM
67
Concerto
By Denson Pierre
ConcertoUtrechtsestraat 60 1017 VP Amsterdam
it is a rush when on a full stomach you can make an instant decision on where your next city-centre lunch will be taken it is almost ecstasy when the venue is situated in a music shop which for decades has been defined by its exceptional range and quality of music available in amsterdam Concerto is the last of the large independent music stores left standing in amsterdam all the others have long since been killed off by everything from the advance in recording and playback technologies to habitual illegal downloaders only now realising that their behaviour has an impact right back down to street level despite what they might think about the giant studios and recording companies
Concerto has not stuck but has twisted Since September it has incorporated a cute cafeacute
and lunch area within its premises as well as introducing a bookshop and lounge area making it possible to spend an almost nostalgic time there over several hours It still has a vast range of the very best music in vinyl (both new and second-hand) and CD form DVDs DJ equipment and even gear used for live musical performances Itrsquos a gold mine
If it has taken this clever adaptation in space utilisation to keep this institution viable and available to Amsterdam-based music lovers then I personally wish to support this venture and help mean this type of music retailer to remain part of the city scene For people of a certain age there is something infinitely more appealing about physically handling recorded material appreciating the artwork in its packaging having a listen and then deciding if it is a purchase you would like to make Even though non-digital stockpiling has become rather passeacute I challenge you to visit Concerto and its new cafeacute and bookshop concept and not end up spending more time in this true city gem than you had anticipated
lsquoIt has incorporated a cute cafeacute and lunch area within its premises as well as introducing a bookshop and lounge arearsquo
city gem
68
city gem
69city gem
city gem70
city gem71
72city gem
lsquoThere is something infinitely more appealing about physically
handling recorded material appreciating the artwork in its
packagingrsquo
73city gem
74classifi eds
75classifi eds
classifi edsclassifi eds76
amsterdam city life
BrinG BaCK
Something that seems to have been watered down considerably in Amsterdamrsquos hospitality industry in recent years is independence of thought styling and designAll you have to do is walk around the city to note that way too many coffeesoup houses and cafeacutes are more or less identikit This also applies to many cafeacutes with unimaginative business leaders who open unoriginal looking spaces and hope that the use of white paint purple or blue lights and house music is all it takes
Luckily there is something brewing to save our days and nights I have come across cafeacute owners who are now seriously considering ending the arrangements they have with the giant drink suppliers There are actually no good arguments left for continuing with these huge multinationals as they are frankly more expensive at wholesale for the same A-class products than the supermarkets on every Amsterdammerrsquos street corner
It looks like space is being created for the smaller brewers to take up the supply of A-class beer to smaller establishments throughout the city The giants can keep their character-free tourist traps and those bars still able to benefit purely from their unbeatable locations throughout the city
The Sentinel says bring back better and more original businesses of scale within the local hospitality industry which will help more cafeacutes and bars not only to become distinguishable by the interior designs they will need to conjure but also through the variety of local and regional beers that could become part of their coherent identity The overriding benefit of such courageous thinking and action would be an immediate return to realistic and reasonable pricing for A-class beer in Amsterdam which remains the staple of the easy consumables as this recession drones on
By Denson Pierre
INDEPENDENT CAFeacuteSBARS
77
78star beer guide
Star Beer
The SentinelStar beer guide
lsquoDifferent beers can seem to weigh on the conscience as much as on the taste budsrsquo
Just like the changing of the seasons different beers can seem to weigh on the conscience as much as on the taste buds Ciney blond is a lovely almost effeminate tasting beer All light smooth fruitiness bolstered by substantial alcohol content
As the temperature increases it can even feel like a thirst quencher A nice session beer and one that could function as an entrance-level quality beer in terms of its complexity For advanced samplers it is a great lower platform to descend to after cruising the space occupied by the 8-plus percentage alcoholic beauties
Ciney blond is brewed by Alken-Maes Mechelen Belgium
By Denson Pierre
CINEY BLOND (7 ABV)
79star beer guide
We find the best most fun most typical exciting or local favourite restaurants etcetera in Amsterdam and bring them to you an easy way to feel like a local
Cafe Kostverloren 040606
Recommended
80recommended
EUROGIFTSXenonweg 9 3812 SZ Amersfoort
Tel 033 - 454 35 75 - Fax 033 - 454 35 79E-mail lmproefeurogiftsnl
Website wwweurogiftsnl
FILMPROEF
ORDERNUMMER 6021022ARTIKELNUMMER 65123
Ware grootte (indien uitgeprint)Kleur opdruk Wit
Mulligans Irish Music BarAmsterdamrsquos best address for live Irish music Five (5) nights a week Check our agenda for upcoming sessions Amstel 100 1017 AC Amsterdamwwwmulligansnl
Cafeacute KostverlorenCafeacute Kostverloren is a contemporary cafe offering the cosiness of a saloon an open kitchen and the intimacy of a living room The large terras is great for sunny days2e Kostverlorenkade 70 Amsterdamwwwcafekostverlorennl
ZestZest is fi ne food warm atmosphere and classy drinks with regular semi-acoustic (live) music and DJs (Thursday to Sunday) Amsterdamrsquos newest and freshestBilderdijkstraat 188 Amsterdamwwwfacebookcomclubzestnl
GollemGollemrsquos Proefl okaal Gollem and Gollem II represent the best addresses serving the fullest range of top Belgian Dutch and international beers in AmsterdamOvertoom 160-161wwwcafegollemnl
IncantoA restaurant with a classic Italian kitchen Venetian chef Simone Ambrosin is known for his pure and simple style of cooking with great feeling for nuanceAmstel 2 Amsterdamwwwrestaurant-incantonl
Planet RoseThe fi rst Caribbean restaurant in the Netherlands specialised in Jamaican cuisine The menu features a daily changing selectionNicolaas Beetsstraat 47 Amsterdamwwwplanetroseinfo
Cafe restaurant EdelCafe restaurant Edel is the perfect place for lunch dinner or to simply enjoy a drink Edel is a unique place in AmsterdamPostjesweg 1 1057 DT Amsterdamwwwedelamsterdamnl
Cafeacute OportoCafeacute Oporto is a traditional Amsterdam lsquobrown cafersquo Welcoming tourists and regular customers alike they offer televised sports wifi and a wide range of reasonably priced beers and spiritsZoutsteeg 1 1012 LX Amsterdamwwwcafeoportonet
BaxA cosy and friendly local cafeacute with a focus on special or interesting beers and good quality food Open 7 days a week with a professional kitchen offering a lunch and dinner serviceTen Katestraat 119 Amsterdamwwwcafebaxnl
To be seen and tasted Fun Drinking amp Music
To Be Seen and Tasted
Fun Drinking amp Music
Fun Drinking amp Music
Connoisseurs Delight
Connoisseurs Delight
Connoisseurs Delight
To Be Seen and Tasted
Neighbourhood cosy
Fun drinking and music
ParckGreat fun beautiful people and simply the best bar food in townOvertoom 428 Amsterdamwwwcafeparcknl
To be seen and tasted
Cafe de Toog1890rsquos grandeur fashioned into Amsterdam-West grand brown cafe-restaurant-cool Classy drinks and mealsNicolaas Beetsstraat 142 hs Amsterdam wwwcafedetoogcom
Opera Prima - Patisserie Bistro TraiteurThe best place in town for lunch exquisite high teas or brunches and all of your luxury catering both private and corporateKinkerstraat 228 Amsterdamwwwoperaprimanl
Recommended
81
Where is this inAmsterdamAnswer to sentinelpostgmailcom
82spotted
Room 2cfilm
ldquoCome on in boys the waterrsquos finerdquo This is arguably the best all-round and funny musical to come out of Hollywood in a generation and certainly one of the best three soundtracks of the same period George Clooney will never be as good or charming as he is here playing the accidental leader of a trio of chain gang escapees in the US south of the 1930s Spirituality meets the Ku Klux Klan all coloured by Virginia bluegrass
ldquoCall me Snakerdquo The coolest handle for a leading man (Kurt Russell) in any movie to date Here he is sent in on a heroic lsquoat all costrsquo one-man mission to rescue the president of the United States from the prison island Manhattan has become in a lsquofuturersquo representation of 1997 Air Force One has crashed there and the countdown is on Classic 1980s turn of the millennium dystopian vision with style pace and gadgetry
By dpmotions
By dpmotions
o Brother Where Art Thou (2000)
escape from new York (1981)
room2c83
84trends
lsquoTrends are great to join and surf like a once in a lifetime tsunamirsquo
By Dirkje Bakker-Pierre
Each and every micro-world has its own specific trends Take the fashion world for example where one day you have to wear high heels and round noses and the next itrsquos flat hairy elephant feet-like boots that must hug your feet Or take the automotive world where once upon a time you could never have enough chrome on your car or the food world where we have quietly moved from fast to green and wholesome or the TV world which used to be about fiction and is now more real than reality Some of these trends are great to join and surf like a once in a lifetime tsunami others can slip by unnoticed and others still keep bugging and bugging you even if you try to avoid them like the plague
The online world and specifically the social media universe eats through trends like a fat chick after a hunger strike Facebook in particular seems to move seamlessly from one hype to the next one day itrsquos pictures with fuzzy edges or a bit of a 1970s filter the next itrsquos a profile picture with you very consciously not looking into the camera (very spontaneously and naturally non-posing you might say) These are mostly harmless things if Irsquom honest and when everyone
stops liking them they fade away as quickly as the sun in our small wet country There is one trend however that has festered within Facebook from the very beginning and which seems to be gradually growing and growing without anyone ever liking the postshellip and I mean EVER
Yes I am talking about daily quotes words of wisdom holy quotes mesmerizingly philosophical quotes cheesy quotes religious quoteshellip How can I describe all of them in one easy sentence pieces of text from (famous) people (it can never be something you thought of yourself) that lsquodisclosersquo previously secret information about being happy in life (or at least previously secret to the person doing the posting I presume) In short texts that belong on tiles hanging on the wall in old Dutch peoplersquos toilets
Why
Here are a few I found in my news feed this week
ldquoA mind is like a parachute It doesnrsquot work if it is not openrdquo ndash Frank Zappa
ldquoIt is not because things are difficult that we do not dare it is because we do not dare that things are difficultrdquo ndash Seneca
ldquoIf you donrsquot take what you are doing seriously then nobody else willrdquo ndash Darryl Dlt Thomson
Bad trends would be good if they werenrsquot so bad
85trends
86classifi eds
87classifieds
One of my personal favourite gemstones is moonstone Itlsquos been around for centuries and is used in many cultures As suggested by its name the stone is highly associated with the moon and moon goddess Diana It brings calm peace and love and is said to become more powerful when the moon is full so thatlsquos the best time to wear it One proverb even claims that moonstone can bring you love that will fly you to the moon Spiritually this amazing stone is said to enhance intuition and is always associated with the self It is a very powerful personal stone which doesnlsquot add or remove any aspects of the personality but merely reflects the person wearing it It is said to be very
MoonstoneBy Evelina Kvartunaite
ndash
lsquoThe stone is highly associated with the moon and moon goddess Dianarsquo
ndash
helpful for people who are very sensitive and it is also used in meditation for reflecting oneself Itlsquos always best to charge your gem when the moon is shining at night either while wearing it or by leaving it on a windowsill that receives moonlight Moonstone is also used in healing and is known for balancing the internal organ systems enabling them to work in stable cycles Itlsquos usually more associated with women but is also known to help men embrace their more emotional side soft creative energies and optimism Perhaps understandably moonstone should have limited exposure to strong direct sunlight
ndash
lsquoIt is said to be very helpful for people who are very sensitiversquo
ndash
88
health amp well-being
ndash
lsquoMore associated with women but is also known to help men embrace their more emotional sidersquo
ndash
89health amp well-being
In his article Batin shows how learning how to use complex products is like learning a computer game Just like the challenges in video games match the skills of the user so should TV interactions or any UI interactions for that matter For reference Batin used the four levels described in the Dreyfus model of skill acquisition
Level 1 novicebullRigid adherence to taught rules or plansbullNo exercise of lsquodiscretionary judgmentrsquo
Level 2 Advanced beginnerbullLimited lsquosituational perceptionrsquobullAll aspects of work treated separately with equal importance
Philip Batin wrote an article a couple of months ago about the next big idea in User Interaction gadgets that adapt to your skills As gadgets become more complicated UIs must be able to teach their users over time Apparently more and more interactive products are being returned In 2002 48 of all returned products were technically fully functional but were rejected for failing to satisfy user needs 20 purely due to customer remorse Even though a product may have all the features one can hope for complexity and bad user experience can prevent users from integrating it into their lives
UserInterfaceThe next big thing in UX
lsquoUIs must be able to teach their users over timersquo
By Andrei Barburas
lsquoComplexity and bad user experience can prevent users from
integrating it into their livesrsquo
90
technology
book the majority of which you probably skipped through
Personally I believe that there are certain end users most likely the majority that use only a limited set of features from any device they buy Mobile phones have become indispensable tools in our daily activities yet the average Joe has no idea about the full potential of a smart phone The same applies to Smart TVs they can do lots of things yet the only thing that we do with them is flip channels and complain how bad the shows are
The bottom line is that itrsquos definitely something worth thinking about not only from an operating system perspective but also from the perspective of applications developers
Level 3 competentbulllsquoCoping with crowdednessrsquo (multiple activities accumulation of information)bullSome perception of actions in relation to goalsbullDeliberate planningbullFormulates routines
Level 4 ProficientbullHolistic view of situationbullPrioritizes importance of aspectsbulllsquoPerceives deviations from the normal patternrsquobullEmploys maxim for guidance with meanings that adapt to the situation at hand
Now just imagine a User Interface that adapts based on what you can do and the abilities you have As you learn new things new levels of complexity are unlocked opening the door to fully knowing your device because you learned by doing and not by reading a complicated
lsquoThe average Joe has no idea about the full potential of a
smart phonersquo
91technology
92classifi eds
93classifi eds
Not knowing what was happening in football was extremely annoying to put it mildly and it wasnrsquot just my own self-denial and avoidance of all things football that was a hindrance the extent to which I had to ask others to go in order to remain ignorant was much more excruciating than Irsquod ever imagined There may even be some damage done to football-related friendships that is irreparable I now feel as though Irsquom walking through an empty stadium after everyone else has gone home
So what now and where to next The season is well and truly over and Irsquom free to do whatever I want I could read the back-dated sports pages check all the stats and find out all the facts if I wanted to I could spend hours catching up on last season and speculating on the next with the friends Irsquove still got left down the pub if I wanted to I can follow all the transfer gossip watch pre-season friendlies and build up all my hopes But as with most addictions that would simply be falling back into a previous state of dependence and everything Irsquove just put myself through wouldrsquove been for nothing So how do I go back to an old habit without a total relapse or would it be better to keep abstaining
All my questions seem to be met with other questions and no solutions On the other hand if you ask me what
Someone once said that insanity is when you keep repeating the same behaviour and expect a different outcome most likely a psychologist aimed at his or her ailing patients But for me these words are more reminiscent of my own conduct over the course of a regular football season Week in week out season after season I would expect Tottenham to win something and more often than not Irsquod be left disappointed So I decided to stop No more football ndash at least not for one full season
The season 201213 is now over and during the whole nine months I didnrsquot watch a single moment of football or read a single article on the subject That was my challenge and I was committed to it What is more despite all the warning signs I didnrsquot relapse After a year of structured punishment I didnrsquot have a clue about what was going on in the English Premier League (or any other league) Only having picked up bits and pieces of information that somehow slipped through the net the past season was like a book with most of its pages missing
By Simon Joseph
On The Volley
The Return of the Repressed or the Point of No Return
lsquoInsanity is when you keep repeating the same behaviour and expect a different outcomersquo
sport
lsquoThe past season was like a book with most of its pages missingrsquo
94
lsquoThere may even be some damage done to football-related friendshipsrsquo
lsquoHas abstaining for a season changed mersquo
it until the cows come home but it was us who made those changes or at least allowed them to happen and those changes will continue to happen with or without me Perhaps then the questions I should be asking are has abstaining for a season changed me Am I still obsessed or have I broken the habit of a lifetime Is following football really that terrible or even a real addiction
One thing is certain this lack of resolution is not completely without satisfaction because like all forms of fixation or obsession therersquos comfort and familiarity to be found in repetition as Tottenham miss out on Championrsquos League football by a single point again The repressed will always return to haunt us or so it seems and before we know it the start of next season will be upon us There will be more pain no doubt and more joy This time however it will take more than a boot camp approach to keep me away and who knows Tottenham might even win the league Come on you Spurs
Tottenham Hotspur means I would still tell you that itrsquos not just a pretty football package itrsquos about kith and kin not just where I came from but how I relate to others around me in the here and now Whatrsquos more millions of people are attracted to football they hunger for it and yearn to connect with it even though I still believe itrsquos a form of ineffective escape from one unsatisfying reality to another Following football is a classic example of cognitive dissonance ndash when you simultaneously entertain two opposing thoughts that appear to cancel each other out Before the start of each season for example we all want our club to win everything or to be taken over by billionaires but know that itrsquos impossible or in the latter case controversial and even undesirable So we invent ways to cope We develop a so-called lsquosiege mentalityrsquo or other harmful patterns of behaviour to relieve the discomfort of incongruity With this in mind the past year was supposed to be an exercise in behaviour modification ndash to discover the root of the problem and treat it effectively But one year on have I really discovered anything at all
The English Premier League whether you watch it or not is still probably the most exciting football league in the world We can complain about the changes made to
sport9
5
By Denson Pierre
The Gold Room
Fantasy Football Gold ndash Champions League 2012-2013 winner Denson Pierre and his prizes
The season petered out in an all-German Champions League Final which did nothing to dispel the record that this was a season of too few new stars or regular spectacle We look forward to the next season as it ought not be too difficult to create more excitement than in the one just pastWe did have the opportunity to hand over the envelopes and trophies to the Sentinel Fantasy Football game winners This year all the major winners from the Sentinel Fantasy Football League were unable to be present for the physical prize giving but the winner of the Gold Game and focus of this column was there to receive his prize for winning the master game in styleSo we retire the Gold Room until the beginning of the new football season See you all again then
96
sport
Matt Parker receives his third place and Manager of the Month prizes for the Sentinel Fantasy Football League
Charles Conneely Sentinel Fantasy Football League 2012-2013 Champion
97sport
wwwczechtourismcom
CZECH REPUBLIC - STUNNINGLY DIFFERENT
98
classifi eds
feature19
feature20
feature21
feature22
feature
feature
lsquoJopen its beer and its people are so well worked out and presented
that it should be on every Amsterdammerrsquos radarrsquo
feature23
Get advice on housing rental contracts and apartments in Amsterdam
wwwwswonennlenglish
wwwconsultancymarketmediacom
- Account Manager Market Media- (Internship) International Marketing Executive
we are looking for
24classifieds
artist thinker
Here are some of our local partners
Enter (click) to learn why they work with us
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25classifieds
Dam in 60 minutes
By Sam van Dam
perspectives
Rembrandtplein26
perspectives
Last time out I took you up North to the beautiful island of Marken Since that was a somewhat longer trip than some readers might want to take by bike this time our journey is a short one that can even be done on foot to Rembrandtplein The adventure starts at Central Station turn your back on the visually pleasing building that facilitates the arrival of visitors to our hometown and head towards Damrak Amsterdamrsquos lsquoRed Carpetrsquo and home these days to gazillions of restaurants shops bars cafeacutes and of course the nearby world-famous Red Light District all of which wersquoll simply ignore This is easier said than done as there is so much to see so many temptations that demand your attention and try to make you spend your euros before you have even entered the actual city As you walk down Damrak you start to see the buildings situated around Dam Square the central point of Amsterdam offering such delights as the Royal Palace Madame Tussauds the Nieuwekerk the war memorial and other landmarks that define this famous square Rotate 360 degrees to take it all in and then move toward Rokin or if you are in mood for some shopping walk down Kalverstraat instead Yoursquore bound to find something you like in the hundreds of shops lining one of Amsterdamrsquos two main shopping streets Keep walking straight on and just to your right yoursquoll find Spui a lovely square that is regularly home to art and book markets if you have the time You can find a multitude of interesting and inspiring items there or just grab a coffee and sit on one of the benches taking in the scene Once you are done enjoying Spui itrsquos time to get back on track so return to the RokinKalverstraat and head to the right (south) not forgetting to take a closer look
at the statue of former Queen Wilhelmina and her horse standing proudly at the bridge opposite This is also the starting point for boat tours if you want to take a little time out from your stroll to Rembrandtplein get a ticket and hop on one of the very typical 70s-style boats that constantly criss-cross the watery arteries of Amsterdam These typical 1970s-style barges provide a visual impression of the city that looks familiar yet very different a pleasure that locals and visitors alike appreciate very much every time
When you have returned from the water tour return to Rokin and keep walking towards Munt which is easily recognisable by its old-style tower featuring a clockwork chime that marks the hour and enhances the scenery in this part of town along with the Hotel De LrsquoEurope just across the way You could also take a pit-stop there while enjoying the view over the Amstel and the hundreds of little boats filled with chillaxing people at least on sunny days You can dwell on the fact that life in Amsterdam often seems so easy and beautiful that it entices visitors to return again and again You are now very close to your final destination so cross the road and enter the Reguliersbreestraat Marvel at the beauty of the Tuschinski Theater as you continue towards the wide open square that is our last stop Grab a drink or some ice-cream while you find yourself a nice spot on the grassy circular central area of the Rembrandtplein where you can spend hours looking at the beautiful buildings the relaxing people and the artists selling their work This is also where you can find me presenting a fine selection of my photo prints of what to me is the best city in the world So if itrsquos not raining come by and enjoy my photographic impressions of Amsterdam they make awesome souvenirs to take home with you Irsquom looking forward to meeting you on lsquomyrsquo square
lsquoOur journey is a short one that can even be done on footrsquo
27
28perspectives
29perspectives
lsquo1970s-style barges provide a visual impression of the city that looks familiar yet very differentrsquo
30perspectives
31perspectives
32perspectives
33perspectives
lsquoMarvel at the beauty of the Tuschinski Theaterrsquo
34perspectives
35perspectives
lsquoRotate 360 degrees to take it all inrsquo
36perspectives
lsquoRotate 360 degrees to take it all inrsquo
37perspectives
38perspectives
39perspectives
40
perspectives
41perspectives
42featureperspectives
feature4
3perspectives
44
featureperspectives
feature4
5perspectives
lsquoTake a closer look at the statue of former Queen Wilhelmina and her horsersquo
46
perspectives
lsquoThis is also where you can find me presenting a fine selection of my
photo printsrsquo
47perspectives
perspectives4
8
perspectives4
9
For complete and world class tours of Prague
Packages includebull Hidden and playful Prague (for families with young children)bull Literary Praguebull Prague Architecture through the agesbull Religion and the citybull The old city at night
These are detailed tours designed for visitors who wish to explore with great detail and not suitable for simply sight-seeing tourists
Day segments and ratesPR 0800-1230hrs AG 1330-1630hrs UE 1730-2130hrsAll sessions are priced at u 25 per single adult Group size upper limit = 8 Accompanied children under the age of five are gratis and school aged children pay 25 Family package rates are negotiable
ContactJaroslav Cernosek+420 602 228 797Mail jcernosekcentrumcz
wwwyourtuliptourcom
JC Tours
50classifieds
51classifieds
CafeacuteBar Review Van Mechelen
cafebar review52
Van MechelenSloterkade 96-97 Amsterdam
It may be the new hype in the city as far as grand cafeacute and restaurant concepts go but Van Mechelen is already approaching excellence Considering its handy location in another pretty neighbourhood of Amsterdam South it is almost a lsquomust visitrsquo place that has created a theme built on the Burgundian enjoyment of life good food complemented with top-class beer and wine If you want a taste of what it feels like to visit a cafeacute-restaurant in Mechelen Belgium Van Mechelen is an easy way for an Amsterdammer to savour this experience and is just a short cycle ride away
ambianceBurgundian Rating 5
StaffregularsMembers of staff are clearly very well trained and this adds to the light and airy atmosphere Having opened for business just three months ago those who have fallen in love with the place and its consumables have not yet had time to clock up the number of visits and connections to be considered lsquoregularsrsquo Rating 5
televised sportNo space within the design and layout for this form of distraction Rating 3
PricesSurprisingly these are within the lsquonormalrsquo range for this level and quality of fare Outstandingly fairly priced snacks and nibbles are also offered to help you along as you take on the fine (Mechelen brewery group Alken-Maes) beers and wines When did you last enjoy a generous portion of fresh olives for a mere euro250 Rating 5
MusicAt the time of review the establishment was fairly packed out The atmosphere is conducive to chats and hilarity and although the selection of tunes could be heard far in the background the sound system may well have more kick It should as the building is of such a solid constitution that it should contain noise and not easily upset the neighbours Rating 5
Smoking area provisionFortunately for puffers the originally industrial nature of the address means that the former loading bay and entranceexit areas have become two naturally covered terrace areas separated from the luscious interior by huge glass-panelled doors Rating 5
total rating 2830(Rating from 1-5 where 1 = Very poor and 5 = Excellent)
By Denson Pierre
lsquoThe new hype in the city as far as grand cafeacute and restaurant concepts gorsquo
cafebar review53
lsquoMembers of staff are clearly very well trainedrsquo
cafebar review54
cafebar review55
lsquoOutstandingly fairly priced snacks and nibbles are also offeredrsquo
cafebar review56
cafebar review57
lsquoThe atmosphere is conducive to chats and hilarityrsquo
cafebar review58
cafebar review59
scamsterdam
lifestyles60
By Valeria Scimia
Unemployed international and looking for a job in the Netherlands Not only must you face the everyday hell that is job-seeking but now you must also beware of scam companies Yes theyrsquove arrived here too
I was recently contacted by an ostensibly legitimate company that wanted to hire me The contact took the form of what appeared to be a genuine e-mail complete with website and logo from a company in Australia that seemed absolutely legitimate (I have since contacted the company to warn them that someone overseas is using their name and logo to scam people) The e-mail explained that the company was opening an office in Holland and was looking for people who would handle the back-office orders It contained a form to be filled in and returned if I was interested in the position the form asked for all my personal information including my bank details I had been looking for a job and was interested in the offer so I filled in and sent off the form and my CV Once they received my e-mail they asked me to start a trial period without practically explaining anything of what the job was actually about I didnrsquot immediately reply so they called me the next day asking me to start immediately with the trial period promising lots of benefits once the contract was signed I hadnrsquot met anyone at this point only telephone interviews and that already didnrsquot seem right to me I asked them to send me more information by e-mail about what I was meant to do and a few moments later I received a response asking me to make a bank transfer to show them I was trustworthy The lsquotrialrsquo implied that they would send me some money and I had to transfer half via GWK or MoneyTransfer to one of their clients and keep the other half This smelled very fishy to the Italian in me In reality they could be sending a cheque to the bank which would register an income that would later bounce after I had already made the payment to their lsquoclientrsquo On top of losing money the person that tried to lsquohirersquo meyou
would have been untraceable No one was even picking up the phone at the number given in the e-mail and the company they claimed to represent wasnrsquot even active in Europe
So I said no and told them I was no longer interested They even had the gumption to call me back and ask me why I wouldnrsquot do it I gave them a silly excuse so as not to give them any more information or tips on how to improve their scummy scam I am happy I started checking their contacts as soon as their promises seemed too good to be true even if I am still angry I allowed them to data-mine all of my information when I sent them my CV and filled in their form
It beggars belief that they set up an entire facade in these times of work despair and it really doesnrsquot feel right especially because therersquos not much I can do about it now apart from inform people I didnrsquot think this would ever happen here in this country where everything has to be or always seems to be so legitimate But I guess some things never change and a place doesnrsquot make the people and certainly doesnrsquot influence the choices they make I just wanted to share my experience to alert everyone to the possible scam If a company contacts you and asks you to return a form including your bank details when you have never met anyone face-to-face it should make your antennas extend and remember to double-check their credibility Apparently it is illegal to ask such questions of someone here so donrsquot fall for it as I did As I am still waiting to hear from the company in Australia I didnrsquot feel it was proper to disclose its name publicly just yet plus I am not sure the scammers always use the same company as a fake front But what they ask you to do is more or less always the same so keep your eyes open to the little details
lsquoYou face the everyday hell that is job-seeking but now you must also beware of scam companiesrsquo
lsquoThis smelled very fishy to the Italian in mersquo
lsquoThe form asked for all my personal informationrsquo
lifestyles6
1
Je moet er geweest zijn
62classifieds
MechelenAuthentic and full of surprises Thatrsquos Mechelen Hospitable and honourable Thatrsquos the people of Mechelen Come and experience the cityrsquos urban charms for yourself Mechelen
Authentic and full of surprises Thatrsquos Mechelen Hospitable and honourable Thatrsquos the people of Mechelen Come and experience the cityrsquos urban charms for yourself
photography copy Milo Profi
classifieds63
classifieds
How to hang out in
Amsterdam
By ER Muntrem
perspectives
It is not against the rules for babies to cry in cafeacutes It happens Mostly they sleep or sit in someonersquos lap with commendable decorum Otherwise kids in cafeacutes tend to nosh a little less than their elders and handle crayons a little more And while anyone who toddles behind the bar will certainly get caught they can always claim they were encouraged to toddle there in the first place
Dutch parents and I realise this is hard to prove seem to let their kids wander a metre or two further away from them than parents from other developed countries that universal ldquowhere is sherdquo look delayed five or ten seconds If this extra distance is a sign of perceived safety cafeacute culture must help teach it
Except for chefs all cafeacute workers do more or less all the jobs required to run a cafeacute They all wait on tables
serve hot and cold drinks set up outdoor furniture load and retrieve supplies take the garbage out wash glasses light candles arrange flowers unfurl the awning and ring up the bill When the young guy or girl greets you you may know they are not the owner but for the moment they are the face of the establishment It may as well be their place
Admittedly I am seduced by places where waiters donrsquot work for tips where the rushed pace of eating in a restaurant in America does not exist In a cafeacute you can do what you want for as long as you want and get food and drink while you do it Pretty cool and as much a baseline for how to hang out in Amsterdam as cycling is for how to get around
Places to eat and drink owned by corporations have to package experience to deliver it Whatrsquos our brand How can our managers and servers be most efficient How ultimately can we be number one Not something most cafeacutes seem to be worried about and where the universal signs for lsquowe are having a good time togetherrsquo
lsquoCafeacute culture must help teachrsquo lsquoI am seduced by places where waiters donrsquot work for tipsrsquo
64
perspectives
or lsquoI am happy here by myselfrsquo (clinked glasses or absorption in a newspaper say) are routinely in evidence This is one true grace of democracy the average worth smiling about
At cafeacutes co-workers have a beer before or after their shift friends drop by or a regular pops in with some news The stream of customers they donrsquot have to woo and donrsquot have to lsquoworkrsquo gives the whole thing a slightly familial living room perfectly public feel that makes the work far less of a personality crimp than working at Starbucks Or so it seems I do not mean to pretend carrying drinks across the street to the canal side seating or giving obvious directions yet again is always glorious but most people who work in cafeacutersquos laugh and smile a fair bit almost as much as the patrons
And when the owner of a cafeacute is of a generation older than those working there as is usually the case it lends a wise uncle or mother hen feel to the proceedings In the daytime no one is ever too caught up in his or her designated title to ignore a baby on the move And at
night the crowd of drinkers may as well be at a party hosted by their parents or kids or both
Itrsquos not all about money cafeacute culture churns towards the civilised without grinding anyone too far down As well as pleasure there is power in this The best distillation I know of what democracy should be came from a young woman working at Cafeacute Captein With our meal in front of us my friend noticed he was missing his salad Flagged down the young woman went to investigate ldquoItrsquos on its wayrdquo she said ldquoI told my boss to do itrdquo
Imagine we told Putin to do it We told Obama to do it We told the bankers to do it
lsquoMost people who work in cafeacutersquos laugh and smile a fair bitrsquo
lsquoCafeacute culture churns towards the civilised without grinding anyone too far downrsquo
65
66
featurecity gem
lsquoThe last of the large independent music stores left standing in Amsterdamrsquo
CITY GEM
67
Concerto
By Denson Pierre
ConcertoUtrechtsestraat 60 1017 VP Amsterdam
it is a rush when on a full stomach you can make an instant decision on where your next city-centre lunch will be taken it is almost ecstasy when the venue is situated in a music shop which for decades has been defined by its exceptional range and quality of music available in amsterdam Concerto is the last of the large independent music stores left standing in amsterdam all the others have long since been killed off by everything from the advance in recording and playback technologies to habitual illegal downloaders only now realising that their behaviour has an impact right back down to street level despite what they might think about the giant studios and recording companies
Concerto has not stuck but has twisted Since September it has incorporated a cute cafeacute
and lunch area within its premises as well as introducing a bookshop and lounge area making it possible to spend an almost nostalgic time there over several hours It still has a vast range of the very best music in vinyl (both new and second-hand) and CD form DVDs DJ equipment and even gear used for live musical performances Itrsquos a gold mine
If it has taken this clever adaptation in space utilisation to keep this institution viable and available to Amsterdam-based music lovers then I personally wish to support this venture and help mean this type of music retailer to remain part of the city scene For people of a certain age there is something infinitely more appealing about physically handling recorded material appreciating the artwork in its packaging having a listen and then deciding if it is a purchase you would like to make Even though non-digital stockpiling has become rather passeacute I challenge you to visit Concerto and its new cafeacute and bookshop concept and not end up spending more time in this true city gem than you had anticipated
lsquoIt has incorporated a cute cafeacute and lunch area within its premises as well as introducing a bookshop and lounge arearsquo
city gem
68
city gem
69city gem
city gem70
city gem71
72city gem
lsquoThere is something infinitely more appealing about physically
handling recorded material appreciating the artwork in its
packagingrsquo
73city gem
74classifi eds
75classifi eds
classifi edsclassifi eds76
amsterdam city life
BrinG BaCK
Something that seems to have been watered down considerably in Amsterdamrsquos hospitality industry in recent years is independence of thought styling and designAll you have to do is walk around the city to note that way too many coffeesoup houses and cafeacutes are more or less identikit This also applies to many cafeacutes with unimaginative business leaders who open unoriginal looking spaces and hope that the use of white paint purple or blue lights and house music is all it takes
Luckily there is something brewing to save our days and nights I have come across cafeacute owners who are now seriously considering ending the arrangements they have with the giant drink suppliers There are actually no good arguments left for continuing with these huge multinationals as they are frankly more expensive at wholesale for the same A-class products than the supermarkets on every Amsterdammerrsquos street corner
It looks like space is being created for the smaller brewers to take up the supply of A-class beer to smaller establishments throughout the city The giants can keep their character-free tourist traps and those bars still able to benefit purely from their unbeatable locations throughout the city
The Sentinel says bring back better and more original businesses of scale within the local hospitality industry which will help more cafeacutes and bars not only to become distinguishable by the interior designs they will need to conjure but also through the variety of local and regional beers that could become part of their coherent identity The overriding benefit of such courageous thinking and action would be an immediate return to realistic and reasonable pricing for A-class beer in Amsterdam which remains the staple of the easy consumables as this recession drones on
By Denson Pierre
INDEPENDENT CAFeacuteSBARS
77
78star beer guide
Star Beer
The SentinelStar beer guide
lsquoDifferent beers can seem to weigh on the conscience as much as on the taste budsrsquo
Just like the changing of the seasons different beers can seem to weigh on the conscience as much as on the taste buds Ciney blond is a lovely almost effeminate tasting beer All light smooth fruitiness bolstered by substantial alcohol content
As the temperature increases it can even feel like a thirst quencher A nice session beer and one that could function as an entrance-level quality beer in terms of its complexity For advanced samplers it is a great lower platform to descend to after cruising the space occupied by the 8-plus percentage alcoholic beauties
Ciney blond is brewed by Alken-Maes Mechelen Belgium
By Denson Pierre
CINEY BLOND (7 ABV)
79star beer guide
We find the best most fun most typical exciting or local favourite restaurants etcetera in Amsterdam and bring them to you an easy way to feel like a local
Cafe Kostverloren 040606
Recommended
80recommended
EUROGIFTSXenonweg 9 3812 SZ Amersfoort
Tel 033 - 454 35 75 - Fax 033 - 454 35 79E-mail lmproefeurogiftsnl
Website wwweurogiftsnl
FILMPROEF
ORDERNUMMER 6021022ARTIKELNUMMER 65123
Ware grootte (indien uitgeprint)Kleur opdruk Wit
Mulligans Irish Music BarAmsterdamrsquos best address for live Irish music Five (5) nights a week Check our agenda for upcoming sessions Amstel 100 1017 AC Amsterdamwwwmulligansnl
Cafeacute KostverlorenCafeacute Kostverloren is a contemporary cafe offering the cosiness of a saloon an open kitchen and the intimacy of a living room The large terras is great for sunny days2e Kostverlorenkade 70 Amsterdamwwwcafekostverlorennl
ZestZest is fi ne food warm atmosphere and classy drinks with regular semi-acoustic (live) music and DJs (Thursday to Sunday) Amsterdamrsquos newest and freshestBilderdijkstraat 188 Amsterdamwwwfacebookcomclubzestnl
GollemGollemrsquos Proefl okaal Gollem and Gollem II represent the best addresses serving the fullest range of top Belgian Dutch and international beers in AmsterdamOvertoom 160-161wwwcafegollemnl
IncantoA restaurant with a classic Italian kitchen Venetian chef Simone Ambrosin is known for his pure and simple style of cooking with great feeling for nuanceAmstel 2 Amsterdamwwwrestaurant-incantonl
Planet RoseThe fi rst Caribbean restaurant in the Netherlands specialised in Jamaican cuisine The menu features a daily changing selectionNicolaas Beetsstraat 47 Amsterdamwwwplanetroseinfo
Cafe restaurant EdelCafe restaurant Edel is the perfect place for lunch dinner or to simply enjoy a drink Edel is a unique place in AmsterdamPostjesweg 1 1057 DT Amsterdamwwwedelamsterdamnl
Cafeacute OportoCafeacute Oporto is a traditional Amsterdam lsquobrown cafersquo Welcoming tourists and regular customers alike they offer televised sports wifi and a wide range of reasonably priced beers and spiritsZoutsteeg 1 1012 LX Amsterdamwwwcafeoportonet
BaxA cosy and friendly local cafeacute with a focus on special or interesting beers and good quality food Open 7 days a week with a professional kitchen offering a lunch and dinner serviceTen Katestraat 119 Amsterdamwwwcafebaxnl
To be seen and tasted Fun Drinking amp Music
To Be Seen and Tasted
Fun Drinking amp Music
Fun Drinking amp Music
Connoisseurs Delight
Connoisseurs Delight
Connoisseurs Delight
To Be Seen and Tasted
Neighbourhood cosy
Fun drinking and music
ParckGreat fun beautiful people and simply the best bar food in townOvertoom 428 Amsterdamwwwcafeparcknl
To be seen and tasted
Cafe de Toog1890rsquos grandeur fashioned into Amsterdam-West grand brown cafe-restaurant-cool Classy drinks and mealsNicolaas Beetsstraat 142 hs Amsterdam wwwcafedetoogcom
Opera Prima - Patisserie Bistro TraiteurThe best place in town for lunch exquisite high teas or brunches and all of your luxury catering both private and corporateKinkerstraat 228 Amsterdamwwwoperaprimanl
Recommended
81
Where is this inAmsterdamAnswer to sentinelpostgmailcom
82spotted
Room 2cfilm
ldquoCome on in boys the waterrsquos finerdquo This is arguably the best all-round and funny musical to come out of Hollywood in a generation and certainly one of the best three soundtracks of the same period George Clooney will never be as good or charming as he is here playing the accidental leader of a trio of chain gang escapees in the US south of the 1930s Spirituality meets the Ku Klux Klan all coloured by Virginia bluegrass
ldquoCall me Snakerdquo The coolest handle for a leading man (Kurt Russell) in any movie to date Here he is sent in on a heroic lsquoat all costrsquo one-man mission to rescue the president of the United States from the prison island Manhattan has become in a lsquofuturersquo representation of 1997 Air Force One has crashed there and the countdown is on Classic 1980s turn of the millennium dystopian vision with style pace and gadgetry
By dpmotions
By dpmotions
o Brother Where Art Thou (2000)
escape from new York (1981)
room2c83
84trends
lsquoTrends are great to join and surf like a once in a lifetime tsunamirsquo
By Dirkje Bakker-Pierre
Each and every micro-world has its own specific trends Take the fashion world for example where one day you have to wear high heels and round noses and the next itrsquos flat hairy elephant feet-like boots that must hug your feet Or take the automotive world where once upon a time you could never have enough chrome on your car or the food world where we have quietly moved from fast to green and wholesome or the TV world which used to be about fiction and is now more real than reality Some of these trends are great to join and surf like a once in a lifetime tsunami others can slip by unnoticed and others still keep bugging and bugging you even if you try to avoid them like the plague
The online world and specifically the social media universe eats through trends like a fat chick after a hunger strike Facebook in particular seems to move seamlessly from one hype to the next one day itrsquos pictures with fuzzy edges or a bit of a 1970s filter the next itrsquos a profile picture with you very consciously not looking into the camera (very spontaneously and naturally non-posing you might say) These are mostly harmless things if Irsquom honest and when everyone
stops liking them they fade away as quickly as the sun in our small wet country There is one trend however that has festered within Facebook from the very beginning and which seems to be gradually growing and growing without anyone ever liking the postshellip and I mean EVER
Yes I am talking about daily quotes words of wisdom holy quotes mesmerizingly philosophical quotes cheesy quotes religious quoteshellip How can I describe all of them in one easy sentence pieces of text from (famous) people (it can never be something you thought of yourself) that lsquodisclosersquo previously secret information about being happy in life (or at least previously secret to the person doing the posting I presume) In short texts that belong on tiles hanging on the wall in old Dutch peoplersquos toilets
Why
Here are a few I found in my news feed this week
ldquoA mind is like a parachute It doesnrsquot work if it is not openrdquo ndash Frank Zappa
ldquoIt is not because things are difficult that we do not dare it is because we do not dare that things are difficultrdquo ndash Seneca
ldquoIf you donrsquot take what you are doing seriously then nobody else willrdquo ndash Darryl Dlt Thomson
Bad trends would be good if they werenrsquot so bad
85trends
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One of my personal favourite gemstones is moonstone Itlsquos been around for centuries and is used in many cultures As suggested by its name the stone is highly associated with the moon and moon goddess Diana It brings calm peace and love and is said to become more powerful when the moon is full so thatlsquos the best time to wear it One proverb even claims that moonstone can bring you love that will fly you to the moon Spiritually this amazing stone is said to enhance intuition and is always associated with the self It is a very powerful personal stone which doesnlsquot add or remove any aspects of the personality but merely reflects the person wearing it It is said to be very
MoonstoneBy Evelina Kvartunaite
ndash
lsquoThe stone is highly associated with the moon and moon goddess Dianarsquo
ndash
helpful for people who are very sensitive and it is also used in meditation for reflecting oneself Itlsquos always best to charge your gem when the moon is shining at night either while wearing it or by leaving it on a windowsill that receives moonlight Moonstone is also used in healing and is known for balancing the internal organ systems enabling them to work in stable cycles Itlsquos usually more associated with women but is also known to help men embrace their more emotional side soft creative energies and optimism Perhaps understandably moonstone should have limited exposure to strong direct sunlight
ndash
lsquoIt is said to be very helpful for people who are very sensitiversquo
ndash
88
health amp well-being
ndash
lsquoMore associated with women but is also known to help men embrace their more emotional sidersquo
ndash
89health amp well-being
In his article Batin shows how learning how to use complex products is like learning a computer game Just like the challenges in video games match the skills of the user so should TV interactions or any UI interactions for that matter For reference Batin used the four levels described in the Dreyfus model of skill acquisition
Level 1 novicebullRigid adherence to taught rules or plansbullNo exercise of lsquodiscretionary judgmentrsquo
Level 2 Advanced beginnerbullLimited lsquosituational perceptionrsquobullAll aspects of work treated separately with equal importance
Philip Batin wrote an article a couple of months ago about the next big idea in User Interaction gadgets that adapt to your skills As gadgets become more complicated UIs must be able to teach their users over time Apparently more and more interactive products are being returned In 2002 48 of all returned products were technically fully functional but were rejected for failing to satisfy user needs 20 purely due to customer remorse Even though a product may have all the features one can hope for complexity and bad user experience can prevent users from integrating it into their lives
UserInterfaceThe next big thing in UX
lsquoUIs must be able to teach their users over timersquo
By Andrei Barburas
lsquoComplexity and bad user experience can prevent users from
integrating it into their livesrsquo
90
technology
book the majority of which you probably skipped through
Personally I believe that there are certain end users most likely the majority that use only a limited set of features from any device they buy Mobile phones have become indispensable tools in our daily activities yet the average Joe has no idea about the full potential of a smart phone The same applies to Smart TVs they can do lots of things yet the only thing that we do with them is flip channels and complain how bad the shows are
The bottom line is that itrsquos definitely something worth thinking about not only from an operating system perspective but also from the perspective of applications developers
Level 3 competentbulllsquoCoping with crowdednessrsquo (multiple activities accumulation of information)bullSome perception of actions in relation to goalsbullDeliberate planningbullFormulates routines
Level 4 ProficientbullHolistic view of situationbullPrioritizes importance of aspectsbulllsquoPerceives deviations from the normal patternrsquobullEmploys maxim for guidance with meanings that adapt to the situation at hand
Now just imagine a User Interface that adapts based on what you can do and the abilities you have As you learn new things new levels of complexity are unlocked opening the door to fully knowing your device because you learned by doing and not by reading a complicated
lsquoThe average Joe has no idea about the full potential of a
smart phonersquo
91technology
92classifi eds
93classifi eds
Not knowing what was happening in football was extremely annoying to put it mildly and it wasnrsquot just my own self-denial and avoidance of all things football that was a hindrance the extent to which I had to ask others to go in order to remain ignorant was much more excruciating than Irsquod ever imagined There may even be some damage done to football-related friendships that is irreparable I now feel as though Irsquom walking through an empty stadium after everyone else has gone home
So what now and where to next The season is well and truly over and Irsquom free to do whatever I want I could read the back-dated sports pages check all the stats and find out all the facts if I wanted to I could spend hours catching up on last season and speculating on the next with the friends Irsquove still got left down the pub if I wanted to I can follow all the transfer gossip watch pre-season friendlies and build up all my hopes But as with most addictions that would simply be falling back into a previous state of dependence and everything Irsquove just put myself through wouldrsquove been for nothing So how do I go back to an old habit without a total relapse or would it be better to keep abstaining
All my questions seem to be met with other questions and no solutions On the other hand if you ask me what
Someone once said that insanity is when you keep repeating the same behaviour and expect a different outcome most likely a psychologist aimed at his or her ailing patients But for me these words are more reminiscent of my own conduct over the course of a regular football season Week in week out season after season I would expect Tottenham to win something and more often than not Irsquod be left disappointed So I decided to stop No more football ndash at least not for one full season
The season 201213 is now over and during the whole nine months I didnrsquot watch a single moment of football or read a single article on the subject That was my challenge and I was committed to it What is more despite all the warning signs I didnrsquot relapse After a year of structured punishment I didnrsquot have a clue about what was going on in the English Premier League (or any other league) Only having picked up bits and pieces of information that somehow slipped through the net the past season was like a book with most of its pages missing
By Simon Joseph
On The Volley
The Return of the Repressed or the Point of No Return
lsquoInsanity is when you keep repeating the same behaviour and expect a different outcomersquo
sport
lsquoThe past season was like a book with most of its pages missingrsquo
94
lsquoThere may even be some damage done to football-related friendshipsrsquo
lsquoHas abstaining for a season changed mersquo
it until the cows come home but it was us who made those changes or at least allowed them to happen and those changes will continue to happen with or without me Perhaps then the questions I should be asking are has abstaining for a season changed me Am I still obsessed or have I broken the habit of a lifetime Is following football really that terrible or even a real addiction
One thing is certain this lack of resolution is not completely without satisfaction because like all forms of fixation or obsession therersquos comfort and familiarity to be found in repetition as Tottenham miss out on Championrsquos League football by a single point again The repressed will always return to haunt us or so it seems and before we know it the start of next season will be upon us There will be more pain no doubt and more joy This time however it will take more than a boot camp approach to keep me away and who knows Tottenham might even win the league Come on you Spurs
Tottenham Hotspur means I would still tell you that itrsquos not just a pretty football package itrsquos about kith and kin not just where I came from but how I relate to others around me in the here and now Whatrsquos more millions of people are attracted to football they hunger for it and yearn to connect with it even though I still believe itrsquos a form of ineffective escape from one unsatisfying reality to another Following football is a classic example of cognitive dissonance ndash when you simultaneously entertain two opposing thoughts that appear to cancel each other out Before the start of each season for example we all want our club to win everything or to be taken over by billionaires but know that itrsquos impossible or in the latter case controversial and even undesirable So we invent ways to cope We develop a so-called lsquosiege mentalityrsquo or other harmful patterns of behaviour to relieve the discomfort of incongruity With this in mind the past year was supposed to be an exercise in behaviour modification ndash to discover the root of the problem and treat it effectively But one year on have I really discovered anything at all
The English Premier League whether you watch it or not is still probably the most exciting football league in the world We can complain about the changes made to
sport9
5
By Denson Pierre
The Gold Room
Fantasy Football Gold ndash Champions League 2012-2013 winner Denson Pierre and his prizes
The season petered out in an all-German Champions League Final which did nothing to dispel the record that this was a season of too few new stars or regular spectacle We look forward to the next season as it ought not be too difficult to create more excitement than in the one just pastWe did have the opportunity to hand over the envelopes and trophies to the Sentinel Fantasy Football game winners This year all the major winners from the Sentinel Fantasy Football League were unable to be present for the physical prize giving but the winner of the Gold Game and focus of this column was there to receive his prize for winning the master game in styleSo we retire the Gold Room until the beginning of the new football season See you all again then
96
sport
Matt Parker receives his third place and Manager of the Month prizes for the Sentinel Fantasy Football League
Charles Conneely Sentinel Fantasy Football League 2012-2013 Champion
97sport
wwwczechtourismcom
CZECH REPUBLIC - STUNNINGLY DIFFERENT
98
classifi eds
feature20
feature21
feature22
feature
feature
lsquoJopen its beer and its people are so well worked out and presented
that it should be on every Amsterdammerrsquos radarrsquo
feature23
Get advice on housing rental contracts and apartments in Amsterdam
wwwwswonennlenglish
wwwconsultancymarketmediacom
- Account Manager Market Media- (Internship) International Marketing Executive
we are looking for
24classifieds
artist thinker
Here are some of our local partners
Enter (click) to learn why they work with us
demerkplaatsnl
25classifieds
Dam in 60 minutes
By Sam van Dam
perspectives
Rembrandtplein26
perspectives
Last time out I took you up North to the beautiful island of Marken Since that was a somewhat longer trip than some readers might want to take by bike this time our journey is a short one that can even be done on foot to Rembrandtplein The adventure starts at Central Station turn your back on the visually pleasing building that facilitates the arrival of visitors to our hometown and head towards Damrak Amsterdamrsquos lsquoRed Carpetrsquo and home these days to gazillions of restaurants shops bars cafeacutes and of course the nearby world-famous Red Light District all of which wersquoll simply ignore This is easier said than done as there is so much to see so many temptations that demand your attention and try to make you spend your euros before you have even entered the actual city As you walk down Damrak you start to see the buildings situated around Dam Square the central point of Amsterdam offering such delights as the Royal Palace Madame Tussauds the Nieuwekerk the war memorial and other landmarks that define this famous square Rotate 360 degrees to take it all in and then move toward Rokin or if you are in mood for some shopping walk down Kalverstraat instead Yoursquore bound to find something you like in the hundreds of shops lining one of Amsterdamrsquos two main shopping streets Keep walking straight on and just to your right yoursquoll find Spui a lovely square that is regularly home to art and book markets if you have the time You can find a multitude of interesting and inspiring items there or just grab a coffee and sit on one of the benches taking in the scene Once you are done enjoying Spui itrsquos time to get back on track so return to the RokinKalverstraat and head to the right (south) not forgetting to take a closer look
at the statue of former Queen Wilhelmina and her horse standing proudly at the bridge opposite This is also the starting point for boat tours if you want to take a little time out from your stroll to Rembrandtplein get a ticket and hop on one of the very typical 70s-style boats that constantly criss-cross the watery arteries of Amsterdam These typical 1970s-style barges provide a visual impression of the city that looks familiar yet very different a pleasure that locals and visitors alike appreciate very much every time
When you have returned from the water tour return to Rokin and keep walking towards Munt which is easily recognisable by its old-style tower featuring a clockwork chime that marks the hour and enhances the scenery in this part of town along with the Hotel De LrsquoEurope just across the way You could also take a pit-stop there while enjoying the view over the Amstel and the hundreds of little boats filled with chillaxing people at least on sunny days You can dwell on the fact that life in Amsterdam often seems so easy and beautiful that it entices visitors to return again and again You are now very close to your final destination so cross the road and enter the Reguliersbreestraat Marvel at the beauty of the Tuschinski Theater as you continue towards the wide open square that is our last stop Grab a drink or some ice-cream while you find yourself a nice spot on the grassy circular central area of the Rembrandtplein where you can spend hours looking at the beautiful buildings the relaxing people and the artists selling their work This is also where you can find me presenting a fine selection of my photo prints of what to me is the best city in the world So if itrsquos not raining come by and enjoy my photographic impressions of Amsterdam they make awesome souvenirs to take home with you Irsquom looking forward to meeting you on lsquomyrsquo square
lsquoOur journey is a short one that can even be done on footrsquo
27
28perspectives
29perspectives
lsquo1970s-style barges provide a visual impression of the city that looks familiar yet very differentrsquo
30perspectives
31perspectives
32perspectives
33perspectives
lsquoMarvel at the beauty of the Tuschinski Theaterrsquo
34perspectives
35perspectives
lsquoRotate 360 degrees to take it all inrsquo
36perspectives
lsquoRotate 360 degrees to take it all inrsquo
37perspectives
38perspectives
39perspectives
40
perspectives
41perspectives
42featureperspectives
feature4
3perspectives
44
featureperspectives
feature4
5perspectives
lsquoTake a closer look at the statue of former Queen Wilhelmina and her horsersquo
46
perspectives
lsquoThis is also where you can find me presenting a fine selection of my
photo printsrsquo
47perspectives
perspectives4
8
perspectives4
9
For complete and world class tours of Prague
Packages includebull Hidden and playful Prague (for families with young children)bull Literary Praguebull Prague Architecture through the agesbull Religion and the citybull The old city at night
These are detailed tours designed for visitors who wish to explore with great detail and not suitable for simply sight-seeing tourists
Day segments and ratesPR 0800-1230hrs AG 1330-1630hrs UE 1730-2130hrsAll sessions are priced at u 25 per single adult Group size upper limit = 8 Accompanied children under the age of five are gratis and school aged children pay 25 Family package rates are negotiable
ContactJaroslav Cernosek+420 602 228 797Mail jcernosekcentrumcz
wwwyourtuliptourcom
JC Tours
50classifieds
51classifieds
CafeacuteBar Review Van Mechelen
cafebar review52
Van MechelenSloterkade 96-97 Amsterdam
It may be the new hype in the city as far as grand cafeacute and restaurant concepts go but Van Mechelen is already approaching excellence Considering its handy location in another pretty neighbourhood of Amsterdam South it is almost a lsquomust visitrsquo place that has created a theme built on the Burgundian enjoyment of life good food complemented with top-class beer and wine If you want a taste of what it feels like to visit a cafeacute-restaurant in Mechelen Belgium Van Mechelen is an easy way for an Amsterdammer to savour this experience and is just a short cycle ride away
ambianceBurgundian Rating 5
StaffregularsMembers of staff are clearly very well trained and this adds to the light and airy atmosphere Having opened for business just three months ago those who have fallen in love with the place and its consumables have not yet had time to clock up the number of visits and connections to be considered lsquoregularsrsquo Rating 5
televised sportNo space within the design and layout for this form of distraction Rating 3
PricesSurprisingly these are within the lsquonormalrsquo range for this level and quality of fare Outstandingly fairly priced snacks and nibbles are also offered to help you along as you take on the fine (Mechelen brewery group Alken-Maes) beers and wines When did you last enjoy a generous portion of fresh olives for a mere euro250 Rating 5
MusicAt the time of review the establishment was fairly packed out The atmosphere is conducive to chats and hilarity and although the selection of tunes could be heard far in the background the sound system may well have more kick It should as the building is of such a solid constitution that it should contain noise and not easily upset the neighbours Rating 5
Smoking area provisionFortunately for puffers the originally industrial nature of the address means that the former loading bay and entranceexit areas have become two naturally covered terrace areas separated from the luscious interior by huge glass-panelled doors Rating 5
total rating 2830(Rating from 1-5 where 1 = Very poor and 5 = Excellent)
By Denson Pierre
lsquoThe new hype in the city as far as grand cafeacute and restaurant concepts gorsquo
cafebar review53
lsquoMembers of staff are clearly very well trainedrsquo
cafebar review54
cafebar review55
lsquoOutstandingly fairly priced snacks and nibbles are also offeredrsquo
cafebar review56
cafebar review57
lsquoThe atmosphere is conducive to chats and hilarityrsquo
cafebar review58
cafebar review59
scamsterdam
lifestyles60
By Valeria Scimia
Unemployed international and looking for a job in the Netherlands Not only must you face the everyday hell that is job-seeking but now you must also beware of scam companies Yes theyrsquove arrived here too
I was recently contacted by an ostensibly legitimate company that wanted to hire me The contact took the form of what appeared to be a genuine e-mail complete with website and logo from a company in Australia that seemed absolutely legitimate (I have since contacted the company to warn them that someone overseas is using their name and logo to scam people) The e-mail explained that the company was opening an office in Holland and was looking for people who would handle the back-office orders It contained a form to be filled in and returned if I was interested in the position the form asked for all my personal information including my bank details I had been looking for a job and was interested in the offer so I filled in and sent off the form and my CV Once they received my e-mail they asked me to start a trial period without practically explaining anything of what the job was actually about I didnrsquot immediately reply so they called me the next day asking me to start immediately with the trial period promising lots of benefits once the contract was signed I hadnrsquot met anyone at this point only telephone interviews and that already didnrsquot seem right to me I asked them to send me more information by e-mail about what I was meant to do and a few moments later I received a response asking me to make a bank transfer to show them I was trustworthy The lsquotrialrsquo implied that they would send me some money and I had to transfer half via GWK or MoneyTransfer to one of their clients and keep the other half This smelled very fishy to the Italian in me In reality they could be sending a cheque to the bank which would register an income that would later bounce after I had already made the payment to their lsquoclientrsquo On top of losing money the person that tried to lsquohirersquo meyou
would have been untraceable No one was even picking up the phone at the number given in the e-mail and the company they claimed to represent wasnrsquot even active in Europe
So I said no and told them I was no longer interested They even had the gumption to call me back and ask me why I wouldnrsquot do it I gave them a silly excuse so as not to give them any more information or tips on how to improve their scummy scam I am happy I started checking their contacts as soon as their promises seemed too good to be true even if I am still angry I allowed them to data-mine all of my information when I sent them my CV and filled in their form
It beggars belief that they set up an entire facade in these times of work despair and it really doesnrsquot feel right especially because therersquos not much I can do about it now apart from inform people I didnrsquot think this would ever happen here in this country where everything has to be or always seems to be so legitimate But I guess some things never change and a place doesnrsquot make the people and certainly doesnrsquot influence the choices they make I just wanted to share my experience to alert everyone to the possible scam If a company contacts you and asks you to return a form including your bank details when you have never met anyone face-to-face it should make your antennas extend and remember to double-check their credibility Apparently it is illegal to ask such questions of someone here so donrsquot fall for it as I did As I am still waiting to hear from the company in Australia I didnrsquot feel it was proper to disclose its name publicly just yet plus I am not sure the scammers always use the same company as a fake front But what they ask you to do is more or less always the same so keep your eyes open to the little details
lsquoYou face the everyday hell that is job-seeking but now you must also beware of scam companiesrsquo
lsquoThis smelled very fishy to the Italian in mersquo
lsquoThe form asked for all my personal informationrsquo
lifestyles6
1
Je moet er geweest zijn
62classifieds
MechelenAuthentic and full of surprises Thatrsquos Mechelen Hospitable and honourable Thatrsquos the people of Mechelen Come and experience the cityrsquos urban charms for yourself Mechelen
Authentic and full of surprises Thatrsquos Mechelen Hospitable and honourable Thatrsquos the people of Mechelen Come and experience the cityrsquos urban charms for yourself
photography copy Milo Profi
classifieds63
classifieds
How to hang out in
Amsterdam
By ER Muntrem
perspectives
It is not against the rules for babies to cry in cafeacutes It happens Mostly they sleep or sit in someonersquos lap with commendable decorum Otherwise kids in cafeacutes tend to nosh a little less than their elders and handle crayons a little more And while anyone who toddles behind the bar will certainly get caught they can always claim they were encouraged to toddle there in the first place
Dutch parents and I realise this is hard to prove seem to let their kids wander a metre or two further away from them than parents from other developed countries that universal ldquowhere is sherdquo look delayed five or ten seconds If this extra distance is a sign of perceived safety cafeacute culture must help teach it
Except for chefs all cafeacute workers do more or less all the jobs required to run a cafeacute They all wait on tables
serve hot and cold drinks set up outdoor furniture load and retrieve supplies take the garbage out wash glasses light candles arrange flowers unfurl the awning and ring up the bill When the young guy or girl greets you you may know they are not the owner but for the moment they are the face of the establishment It may as well be their place
Admittedly I am seduced by places where waiters donrsquot work for tips where the rushed pace of eating in a restaurant in America does not exist In a cafeacute you can do what you want for as long as you want and get food and drink while you do it Pretty cool and as much a baseline for how to hang out in Amsterdam as cycling is for how to get around
Places to eat and drink owned by corporations have to package experience to deliver it Whatrsquos our brand How can our managers and servers be most efficient How ultimately can we be number one Not something most cafeacutes seem to be worried about and where the universal signs for lsquowe are having a good time togetherrsquo
lsquoCafeacute culture must help teachrsquo lsquoI am seduced by places where waiters donrsquot work for tipsrsquo
64
perspectives
or lsquoI am happy here by myselfrsquo (clinked glasses or absorption in a newspaper say) are routinely in evidence This is one true grace of democracy the average worth smiling about
At cafeacutes co-workers have a beer before or after their shift friends drop by or a regular pops in with some news The stream of customers they donrsquot have to woo and donrsquot have to lsquoworkrsquo gives the whole thing a slightly familial living room perfectly public feel that makes the work far less of a personality crimp than working at Starbucks Or so it seems I do not mean to pretend carrying drinks across the street to the canal side seating or giving obvious directions yet again is always glorious but most people who work in cafeacutersquos laugh and smile a fair bit almost as much as the patrons
And when the owner of a cafeacute is of a generation older than those working there as is usually the case it lends a wise uncle or mother hen feel to the proceedings In the daytime no one is ever too caught up in his or her designated title to ignore a baby on the move And at
night the crowd of drinkers may as well be at a party hosted by their parents or kids or both
Itrsquos not all about money cafeacute culture churns towards the civilised without grinding anyone too far down As well as pleasure there is power in this The best distillation I know of what democracy should be came from a young woman working at Cafeacute Captein With our meal in front of us my friend noticed he was missing his salad Flagged down the young woman went to investigate ldquoItrsquos on its wayrdquo she said ldquoI told my boss to do itrdquo
Imagine we told Putin to do it We told Obama to do it We told the bankers to do it
lsquoMost people who work in cafeacutersquos laugh and smile a fair bitrsquo
lsquoCafeacute culture churns towards the civilised without grinding anyone too far downrsquo
65
66
featurecity gem
lsquoThe last of the large independent music stores left standing in Amsterdamrsquo
CITY GEM
67
Concerto
By Denson Pierre
ConcertoUtrechtsestraat 60 1017 VP Amsterdam
it is a rush when on a full stomach you can make an instant decision on where your next city-centre lunch will be taken it is almost ecstasy when the venue is situated in a music shop which for decades has been defined by its exceptional range and quality of music available in amsterdam Concerto is the last of the large independent music stores left standing in amsterdam all the others have long since been killed off by everything from the advance in recording and playback technologies to habitual illegal downloaders only now realising that their behaviour has an impact right back down to street level despite what they might think about the giant studios and recording companies
Concerto has not stuck but has twisted Since September it has incorporated a cute cafeacute
and lunch area within its premises as well as introducing a bookshop and lounge area making it possible to spend an almost nostalgic time there over several hours It still has a vast range of the very best music in vinyl (both new and second-hand) and CD form DVDs DJ equipment and even gear used for live musical performances Itrsquos a gold mine
If it has taken this clever adaptation in space utilisation to keep this institution viable and available to Amsterdam-based music lovers then I personally wish to support this venture and help mean this type of music retailer to remain part of the city scene For people of a certain age there is something infinitely more appealing about physically handling recorded material appreciating the artwork in its packaging having a listen and then deciding if it is a purchase you would like to make Even though non-digital stockpiling has become rather passeacute I challenge you to visit Concerto and its new cafeacute and bookshop concept and not end up spending more time in this true city gem than you had anticipated
lsquoIt has incorporated a cute cafeacute and lunch area within its premises as well as introducing a bookshop and lounge arearsquo
city gem
68
city gem
69city gem
city gem70
city gem71
72city gem
lsquoThere is something infinitely more appealing about physically
handling recorded material appreciating the artwork in its
packagingrsquo
73city gem
74classifi eds
75classifi eds
classifi edsclassifi eds76
amsterdam city life
BrinG BaCK
Something that seems to have been watered down considerably in Amsterdamrsquos hospitality industry in recent years is independence of thought styling and designAll you have to do is walk around the city to note that way too many coffeesoup houses and cafeacutes are more or less identikit This also applies to many cafeacutes with unimaginative business leaders who open unoriginal looking spaces and hope that the use of white paint purple or blue lights and house music is all it takes
Luckily there is something brewing to save our days and nights I have come across cafeacute owners who are now seriously considering ending the arrangements they have with the giant drink suppliers There are actually no good arguments left for continuing with these huge multinationals as they are frankly more expensive at wholesale for the same A-class products than the supermarkets on every Amsterdammerrsquos street corner
It looks like space is being created for the smaller brewers to take up the supply of A-class beer to smaller establishments throughout the city The giants can keep their character-free tourist traps and those bars still able to benefit purely from their unbeatable locations throughout the city
The Sentinel says bring back better and more original businesses of scale within the local hospitality industry which will help more cafeacutes and bars not only to become distinguishable by the interior designs they will need to conjure but also through the variety of local and regional beers that could become part of their coherent identity The overriding benefit of such courageous thinking and action would be an immediate return to realistic and reasonable pricing for A-class beer in Amsterdam which remains the staple of the easy consumables as this recession drones on
By Denson Pierre
INDEPENDENT CAFeacuteSBARS
77
78star beer guide
Star Beer
The SentinelStar beer guide
lsquoDifferent beers can seem to weigh on the conscience as much as on the taste budsrsquo
Just like the changing of the seasons different beers can seem to weigh on the conscience as much as on the taste buds Ciney blond is a lovely almost effeminate tasting beer All light smooth fruitiness bolstered by substantial alcohol content
As the temperature increases it can even feel like a thirst quencher A nice session beer and one that could function as an entrance-level quality beer in terms of its complexity For advanced samplers it is a great lower platform to descend to after cruising the space occupied by the 8-plus percentage alcoholic beauties
Ciney blond is brewed by Alken-Maes Mechelen Belgium
By Denson Pierre
CINEY BLOND (7 ABV)
79star beer guide
We find the best most fun most typical exciting or local favourite restaurants etcetera in Amsterdam and bring them to you an easy way to feel like a local
Cafe Kostverloren 040606
Recommended
80recommended
EUROGIFTSXenonweg 9 3812 SZ Amersfoort
Tel 033 - 454 35 75 - Fax 033 - 454 35 79E-mail lmproefeurogiftsnl
Website wwweurogiftsnl
FILMPROEF
ORDERNUMMER 6021022ARTIKELNUMMER 65123
Ware grootte (indien uitgeprint)Kleur opdruk Wit
Mulligans Irish Music BarAmsterdamrsquos best address for live Irish music Five (5) nights a week Check our agenda for upcoming sessions Amstel 100 1017 AC Amsterdamwwwmulligansnl
Cafeacute KostverlorenCafeacute Kostverloren is a contemporary cafe offering the cosiness of a saloon an open kitchen and the intimacy of a living room The large terras is great for sunny days2e Kostverlorenkade 70 Amsterdamwwwcafekostverlorennl
ZestZest is fi ne food warm atmosphere and classy drinks with regular semi-acoustic (live) music and DJs (Thursday to Sunday) Amsterdamrsquos newest and freshestBilderdijkstraat 188 Amsterdamwwwfacebookcomclubzestnl
GollemGollemrsquos Proefl okaal Gollem and Gollem II represent the best addresses serving the fullest range of top Belgian Dutch and international beers in AmsterdamOvertoom 160-161wwwcafegollemnl
IncantoA restaurant with a classic Italian kitchen Venetian chef Simone Ambrosin is known for his pure and simple style of cooking with great feeling for nuanceAmstel 2 Amsterdamwwwrestaurant-incantonl
Planet RoseThe fi rst Caribbean restaurant in the Netherlands specialised in Jamaican cuisine The menu features a daily changing selectionNicolaas Beetsstraat 47 Amsterdamwwwplanetroseinfo
Cafe restaurant EdelCafe restaurant Edel is the perfect place for lunch dinner or to simply enjoy a drink Edel is a unique place in AmsterdamPostjesweg 1 1057 DT Amsterdamwwwedelamsterdamnl
Cafeacute OportoCafeacute Oporto is a traditional Amsterdam lsquobrown cafersquo Welcoming tourists and regular customers alike they offer televised sports wifi and a wide range of reasonably priced beers and spiritsZoutsteeg 1 1012 LX Amsterdamwwwcafeoportonet
BaxA cosy and friendly local cafeacute with a focus on special or interesting beers and good quality food Open 7 days a week with a professional kitchen offering a lunch and dinner serviceTen Katestraat 119 Amsterdamwwwcafebaxnl
To be seen and tasted Fun Drinking amp Music
To Be Seen and Tasted
Fun Drinking amp Music
Fun Drinking amp Music
Connoisseurs Delight
Connoisseurs Delight
Connoisseurs Delight
To Be Seen and Tasted
Neighbourhood cosy
Fun drinking and music
ParckGreat fun beautiful people and simply the best bar food in townOvertoom 428 Amsterdamwwwcafeparcknl
To be seen and tasted
Cafe de Toog1890rsquos grandeur fashioned into Amsterdam-West grand brown cafe-restaurant-cool Classy drinks and mealsNicolaas Beetsstraat 142 hs Amsterdam wwwcafedetoogcom
Opera Prima - Patisserie Bistro TraiteurThe best place in town for lunch exquisite high teas or brunches and all of your luxury catering both private and corporateKinkerstraat 228 Amsterdamwwwoperaprimanl
Recommended
81
Where is this inAmsterdamAnswer to sentinelpostgmailcom
82spotted
Room 2cfilm
ldquoCome on in boys the waterrsquos finerdquo This is arguably the best all-round and funny musical to come out of Hollywood in a generation and certainly one of the best three soundtracks of the same period George Clooney will never be as good or charming as he is here playing the accidental leader of a trio of chain gang escapees in the US south of the 1930s Spirituality meets the Ku Klux Klan all coloured by Virginia bluegrass
ldquoCall me Snakerdquo The coolest handle for a leading man (Kurt Russell) in any movie to date Here he is sent in on a heroic lsquoat all costrsquo one-man mission to rescue the president of the United States from the prison island Manhattan has become in a lsquofuturersquo representation of 1997 Air Force One has crashed there and the countdown is on Classic 1980s turn of the millennium dystopian vision with style pace and gadgetry
By dpmotions
By dpmotions
o Brother Where Art Thou (2000)
escape from new York (1981)
room2c83
84trends
lsquoTrends are great to join and surf like a once in a lifetime tsunamirsquo
By Dirkje Bakker-Pierre
Each and every micro-world has its own specific trends Take the fashion world for example where one day you have to wear high heels and round noses and the next itrsquos flat hairy elephant feet-like boots that must hug your feet Or take the automotive world where once upon a time you could never have enough chrome on your car or the food world where we have quietly moved from fast to green and wholesome or the TV world which used to be about fiction and is now more real than reality Some of these trends are great to join and surf like a once in a lifetime tsunami others can slip by unnoticed and others still keep bugging and bugging you even if you try to avoid them like the plague
The online world and specifically the social media universe eats through trends like a fat chick after a hunger strike Facebook in particular seems to move seamlessly from one hype to the next one day itrsquos pictures with fuzzy edges or a bit of a 1970s filter the next itrsquos a profile picture with you very consciously not looking into the camera (very spontaneously and naturally non-posing you might say) These are mostly harmless things if Irsquom honest and when everyone
stops liking them they fade away as quickly as the sun in our small wet country There is one trend however that has festered within Facebook from the very beginning and which seems to be gradually growing and growing without anyone ever liking the postshellip and I mean EVER
Yes I am talking about daily quotes words of wisdom holy quotes mesmerizingly philosophical quotes cheesy quotes religious quoteshellip How can I describe all of them in one easy sentence pieces of text from (famous) people (it can never be something you thought of yourself) that lsquodisclosersquo previously secret information about being happy in life (or at least previously secret to the person doing the posting I presume) In short texts that belong on tiles hanging on the wall in old Dutch peoplersquos toilets
Why
Here are a few I found in my news feed this week
ldquoA mind is like a parachute It doesnrsquot work if it is not openrdquo ndash Frank Zappa
ldquoIt is not because things are difficult that we do not dare it is because we do not dare that things are difficultrdquo ndash Seneca
ldquoIf you donrsquot take what you are doing seriously then nobody else willrdquo ndash Darryl Dlt Thomson
Bad trends would be good if they werenrsquot so bad
85trends
86classifi eds
87classifieds
One of my personal favourite gemstones is moonstone Itlsquos been around for centuries and is used in many cultures As suggested by its name the stone is highly associated with the moon and moon goddess Diana It brings calm peace and love and is said to become more powerful when the moon is full so thatlsquos the best time to wear it One proverb even claims that moonstone can bring you love that will fly you to the moon Spiritually this amazing stone is said to enhance intuition and is always associated with the self It is a very powerful personal stone which doesnlsquot add or remove any aspects of the personality but merely reflects the person wearing it It is said to be very
MoonstoneBy Evelina Kvartunaite
ndash
lsquoThe stone is highly associated with the moon and moon goddess Dianarsquo
ndash
helpful for people who are very sensitive and it is also used in meditation for reflecting oneself Itlsquos always best to charge your gem when the moon is shining at night either while wearing it or by leaving it on a windowsill that receives moonlight Moonstone is also used in healing and is known for balancing the internal organ systems enabling them to work in stable cycles Itlsquos usually more associated with women but is also known to help men embrace their more emotional side soft creative energies and optimism Perhaps understandably moonstone should have limited exposure to strong direct sunlight
ndash
lsquoIt is said to be very helpful for people who are very sensitiversquo
ndash
88
health amp well-being
ndash
lsquoMore associated with women but is also known to help men embrace their more emotional sidersquo
ndash
89health amp well-being
In his article Batin shows how learning how to use complex products is like learning a computer game Just like the challenges in video games match the skills of the user so should TV interactions or any UI interactions for that matter For reference Batin used the four levels described in the Dreyfus model of skill acquisition
Level 1 novicebullRigid adherence to taught rules or plansbullNo exercise of lsquodiscretionary judgmentrsquo
Level 2 Advanced beginnerbullLimited lsquosituational perceptionrsquobullAll aspects of work treated separately with equal importance
Philip Batin wrote an article a couple of months ago about the next big idea in User Interaction gadgets that adapt to your skills As gadgets become more complicated UIs must be able to teach their users over time Apparently more and more interactive products are being returned In 2002 48 of all returned products were technically fully functional but were rejected for failing to satisfy user needs 20 purely due to customer remorse Even though a product may have all the features one can hope for complexity and bad user experience can prevent users from integrating it into their lives
UserInterfaceThe next big thing in UX
lsquoUIs must be able to teach their users over timersquo
By Andrei Barburas
lsquoComplexity and bad user experience can prevent users from
integrating it into their livesrsquo
90
technology
book the majority of which you probably skipped through
Personally I believe that there are certain end users most likely the majority that use only a limited set of features from any device they buy Mobile phones have become indispensable tools in our daily activities yet the average Joe has no idea about the full potential of a smart phone The same applies to Smart TVs they can do lots of things yet the only thing that we do with them is flip channels and complain how bad the shows are
The bottom line is that itrsquos definitely something worth thinking about not only from an operating system perspective but also from the perspective of applications developers
Level 3 competentbulllsquoCoping with crowdednessrsquo (multiple activities accumulation of information)bullSome perception of actions in relation to goalsbullDeliberate planningbullFormulates routines
Level 4 ProficientbullHolistic view of situationbullPrioritizes importance of aspectsbulllsquoPerceives deviations from the normal patternrsquobullEmploys maxim for guidance with meanings that adapt to the situation at hand
Now just imagine a User Interface that adapts based on what you can do and the abilities you have As you learn new things new levels of complexity are unlocked opening the door to fully knowing your device because you learned by doing and not by reading a complicated
lsquoThe average Joe has no idea about the full potential of a
smart phonersquo
91technology
92classifi eds
93classifi eds
Not knowing what was happening in football was extremely annoying to put it mildly and it wasnrsquot just my own self-denial and avoidance of all things football that was a hindrance the extent to which I had to ask others to go in order to remain ignorant was much more excruciating than Irsquod ever imagined There may even be some damage done to football-related friendships that is irreparable I now feel as though Irsquom walking through an empty stadium after everyone else has gone home
So what now and where to next The season is well and truly over and Irsquom free to do whatever I want I could read the back-dated sports pages check all the stats and find out all the facts if I wanted to I could spend hours catching up on last season and speculating on the next with the friends Irsquove still got left down the pub if I wanted to I can follow all the transfer gossip watch pre-season friendlies and build up all my hopes But as with most addictions that would simply be falling back into a previous state of dependence and everything Irsquove just put myself through wouldrsquove been for nothing So how do I go back to an old habit without a total relapse or would it be better to keep abstaining
All my questions seem to be met with other questions and no solutions On the other hand if you ask me what
Someone once said that insanity is when you keep repeating the same behaviour and expect a different outcome most likely a psychologist aimed at his or her ailing patients But for me these words are more reminiscent of my own conduct over the course of a regular football season Week in week out season after season I would expect Tottenham to win something and more often than not Irsquod be left disappointed So I decided to stop No more football ndash at least not for one full season
The season 201213 is now over and during the whole nine months I didnrsquot watch a single moment of football or read a single article on the subject That was my challenge and I was committed to it What is more despite all the warning signs I didnrsquot relapse After a year of structured punishment I didnrsquot have a clue about what was going on in the English Premier League (or any other league) Only having picked up bits and pieces of information that somehow slipped through the net the past season was like a book with most of its pages missing
By Simon Joseph
On The Volley
The Return of the Repressed or the Point of No Return
lsquoInsanity is when you keep repeating the same behaviour and expect a different outcomersquo
sport
lsquoThe past season was like a book with most of its pages missingrsquo
94
lsquoThere may even be some damage done to football-related friendshipsrsquo
lsquoHas abstaining for a season changed mersquo
it until the cows come home but it was us who made those changes or at least allowed them to happen and those changes will continue to happen with or without me Perhaps then the questions I should be asking are has abstaining for a season changed me Am I still obsessed or have I broken the habit of a lifetime Is following football really that terrible or even a real addiction
One thing is certain this lack of resolution is not completely without satisfaction because like all forms of fixation or obsession therersquos comfort and familiarity to be found in repetition as Tottenham miss out on Championrsquos League football by a single point again The repressed will always return to haunt us or so it seems and before we know it the start of next season will be upon us There will be more pain no doubt and more joy This time however it will take more than a boot camp approach to keep me away and who knows Tottenham might even win the league Come on you Spurs
Tottenham Hotspur means I would still tell you that itrsquos not just a pretty football package itrsquos about kith and kin not just where I came from but how I relate to others around me in the here and now Whatrsquos more millions of people are attracted to football they hunger for it and yearn to connect with it even though I still believe itrsquos a form of ineffective escape from one unsatisfying reality to another Following football is a classic example of cognitive dissonance ndash when you simultaneously entertain two opposing thoughts that appear to cancel each other out Before the start of each season for example we all want our club to win everything or to be taken over by billionaires but know that itrsquos impossible or in the latter case controversial and even undesirable So we invent ways to cope We develop a so-called lsquosiege mentalityrsquo or other harmful patterns of behaviour to relieve the discomfort of incongruity With this in mind the past year was supposed to be an exercise in behaviour modification ndash to discover the root of the problem and treat it effectively But one year on have I really discovered anything at all
The English Premier League whether you watch it or not is still probably the most exciting football league in the world We can complain about the changes made to
sport9
5
By Denson Pierre
The Gold Room
Fantasy Football Gold ndash Champions League 2012-2013 winner Denson Pierre and his prizes
The season petered out in an all-German Champions League Final which did nothing to dispel the record that this was a season of too few new stars or regular spectacle We look forward to the next season as it ought not be too difficult to create more excitement than in the one just pastWe did have the opportunity to hand over the envelopes and trophies to the Sentinel Fantasy Football game winners This year all the major winners from the Sentinel Fantasy Football League were unable to be present for the physical prize giving but the winner of the Gold Game and focus of this column was there to receive his prize for winning the master game in styleSo we retire the Gold Room until the beginning of the new football season See you all again then
96
sport
Matt Parker receives his third place and Manager of the Month prizes for the Sentinel Fantasy Football League
Charles Conneely Sentinel Fantasy Football League 2012-2013 Champion
97sport
wwwczechtourismcom
CZECH REPUBLIC - STUNNINGLY DIFFERENT
98
classifi eds
feature21
feature22
feature
feature
lsquoJopen its beer and its people are so well worked out and presented
that it should be on every Amsterdammerrsquos radarrsquo
feature23
Get advice on housing rental contracts and apartments in Amsterdam
wwwwswonennlenglish
wwwconsultancymarketmediacom
- Account Manager Market Media- (Internship) International Marketing Executive
we are looking for
24classifieds
artist thinker
Here are some of our local partners
Enter (click) to learn why they work with us
demerkplaatsnl
25classifieds
Dam in 60 minutes
By Sam van Dam
perspectives
Rembrandtplein26
perspectives
Last time out I took you up North to the beautiful island of Marken Since that was a somewhat longer trip than some readers might want to take by bike this time our journey is a short one that can even be done on foot to Rembrandtplein The adventure starts at Central Station turn your back on the visually pleasing building that facilitates the arrival of visitors to our hometown and head towards Damrak Amsterdamrsquos lsquoRed Carpetrsquo and home these days to gazillions of restaurants shops bars cafeacutes and of course the nearby world-famous Red Light District all of which wersquoll simply ignore This is easier said than done as there is so much to see so many temptations that demand your attention and try to make you spend your euros before you have even entered the actual city As you walk down Damrak you start to see the buildings situated around Dam Square the central point of Amsterdam offering such delights as the Royal Palace Madame Tussauds the Nieuwekerk the war memorial and other landmarks that define this famous square Rotate 360 degrees to take it all in and then move toward Rokin or if you are in mood for some shopping walk down Kalverstraat instead Yoursquore bound to find something you like in the hundreds of shops lining one of Amsterdamrsquos two main shopping streets Keep walking straight on and just to your right yoursquoll find Spui a lovely square that is regularly home to art and book markets if you have the time You can find a multitude of interesting and inspiring items there or just grab a coffee and sit on one of the benches taking in the scene Once you are done enjoying Spui itrsquos time to get back on track so return to the RokinKalverstraat and head to the right (south) not forgetting to take a closer look
at the statue of former Queen Wilhelmina and her horse standing proudly at the bridge opposite This is also the starting point for boat tours if you want to take a little time out from your stroll to Rembrandtplein get a ticket and hop on one of the very typical 70s-style boats that constantly criss-cross the watery arteries of Amsterdam These typical 1970s-style barges provide a visual impression of the city that looks familiar yet very different a pleasure that locals and visitors alike appreciate very much every time
When you have returned from the water tour return to Rokin and keep walking towards Munt which is easily recognisable by its old-style tower featuring a clockwork chime that marks the hour and enhances the scenery in this part of town along with the Hotel De LrsquoEurope just across the way You could also take a pit-stop there while enjoying the view over the Amstel and the hundreds of little boats filled with chillaxing people at least on sunny days You can dwell on the fact that life in Amsterdam often seems so easy and beautiful that it entices visitors to return again and again You are now very close to your final destination so cross the road and enter the Reguliersbreestraat Marvel at the beauty of the Tuschinski Theater as you continue towards the wide open square that is our last stop Grab a drink or some ice-cream while you find yourself a nice spot on the grassy circular central area of the Rembrandtplein where you can spend hours looking at the beautiful buildings the relaxing people and the artists selling their work This is also where you can find me presenting a fine selection of my photo prints of what to me is the best city in the world So if itrsquos not raining come by and enjoy my photographic impressions of Amsterdam they make awesome souvenirs to take home with you Irsquom looking forward to meeting you on lsquomyrsquo square
lsquoOur journey is a short one that can even be done on footrsquo
27
28perspectives
29perspectives
lsquo1970s-style barges provide a visual impression of the city that looks familiar yet very differentrsquo
30perspectives
31perspectives
32perspectives
33perspectives
lsquoMarvel at the beauty of the Tuschinski Theaterrsquo
34perspectives
35perspectives
lsquoRotate 360 degrees to take it all inrsquo
36perspectives
lsquoRotate 360 degrees to take it all inrsquo
37perspectives
38perspectives
39perspectives
40
perspectives
41perspectives
42featureperspectives
feature4
3perspectives
44
featureperspectives
feature4
5perspectives
lsquoTake a closer look at the statue of former Queen Wilhelmina and her horsersquo
46
perspectives
lsquoThis is also where you can find me presenting a fine selection of my
photo printsrsquo
47perspectives
perspectives4
8
perspectives4
9
For complete and world class tours of Prague
Packages includebull Hidden and playful Prague (for families with young children)bull Literary Praguebull Prague Architecture through the agesbull Religion and the citybull The old city at night
These are detailed tours designed for visitors who wish to explore with great detail and not suitable for simply sight-seeing tourists
Day segments and ratesPR 0800-1230hrs AG 1330-1630hrs UE 1730-2130hrsAll sessions are priced at u 25 per single adult Group size upper limit = 8 Accompanied children under the age of five are gratis and school aged children pay 25 Family package rates are negotiable
ContactJaroslav Cernosek+420 602 228 797Mail jcernosekcentrumcz
wwwyourtuliptourcom
JC Tours
50classifieds
51classifieds
CafeacuteBar Review Van Mechelen
cafebar review52
Van MechelenSloterkade 96-97 Amsterdam
It may be the new hype in the city as far as grand cafeacute and restaurant concepts go but Van Mechelen is already approaching excellence Considering its handy location in another pretty neighbourhood of Amsterdam South it is almost a lsquomust visitrsquo place that has created a theme built on the Burgundian enjoyment of life good food complemented with top-class beer and wine If you want a taste of what it feels like to visit a cafeacute-restaurant in Mechelen Belgium Van Mechelen is an easy way for an Amsterdammer to savour this experience and is just a short cycle ride away
ambianceBurgundian Rating 5
StaffregularsMembers of staff are clearly very well trained and this adds to the light and airy atmosphere Having opened for business just three months ago those who have fallen in love with the place and its consumables have not yet had time to clock up the number of visits and connections to be considered lsquoregularsrsquo Rating 5
televised sportNo space within the design and layout for this form of distraction Rating 3
PricesSurprisingly these are within the lsquonormalrsquo range for this level and quality of fare Outstandingly fairly priced snacks and nibbles are also offered to help you along as you take on the fine (Mechelen brewery group Alken-Maes) beers and wines When did you last enjoy a generous portion of fresh olives for a mere euro250 Rating 5
MusicAt the time of review the establishment was fairly packed out The atmosphere is conducive to chats and hilarity and although the selection of tunes could be heard far in the background the sound system may well have more kick It should as the building is of such a solid constitution that it should contain noise and not easily upset the neighbours Rating 5
Smoking area provisionFortunately for puffers the originally industrial nature of the address means that the former loading bay and entranceexit areas have become two naturally covered terrace areas separated from the luscious interior by huge glass-panelled doors Rating 5
total rating 2830(Rating from 1-5 where 1 = Very poor and 5 = Excellent)
By Denson Pierre
lsquoThe new hype in the city as far as grand cafeacute and restaurant concepts gorsquo
cafebar review53
lsquoMembers of staff are clearly very well trainedrsquo
cafebar review54
cafebar review55
lsquoOutstandingly fairly priced snacks and nibbles are also offeredrsquo
cafebar review56
cafebar review57
lsquoThe atmosphere is conducive to chats and hilarityrsquo
cafebar review58
cafebar review59
scamsterdam
lifestyles60
By Valeria Scimia
Unemployed international and looking for a job in the Netherlands Not only must you face the everyday hell that is job-seeking but now you must also beware of scam companies Yes theyrsquove arrived here too
I was recently contacted by an ostensibly legitimate company that wanted to hire me The contact took the form of what appeared to be a genuine e-mail complete with website and logo from a company in Australia that seemed absolutely legitimate (I have since contacted the company to warn them that someone overseas is using their name and logo to scam people) The e-mail explained that the company was opening an office in Holland and was looking for people who would handle the back-office orders It contained a form to be filled in and returned if I was interested in the position the form asked for all my personal information including my bank details I had been looking for a job and was interested in the offer so I filled in and sent off the form and my CV Once they received my e-mail they asked me to start a trial period without practically explaining anything of what the job was actually about I didnrsquot immediately reply so they called me the next day asking me to start immediately with the trial period promising lots of benefits once the contract was signed I hadnrsquot met anyone at this point only telephone interviews and that already didnrsquot seem right to me I asked them to send me more information by e-mail about what I was meant to do and a few moments later I received a response asking me to make a bank transfer to show them I was trustworthy The lsquotrialrsquo implied that they would send me some money and I had to transfer half via GWK or MoneyTransfer to one of their clients and keep the other half This smelled very fishy to the Italian in me In reality they could be sending a cheque to the bank which would register an income that would later bounce after I had already made the payment to their lsquoclientrsquo On top of losing money the person that tried to lsquohirersquo meyou
would have been untraceable No one was even picking up the phone at the number given in the e-mail and the company they claimed to represent wasnrsquot even active in Europe
So I said no and told them I was no longer interested They even had the gumption to call me back and ask me why I wouldnrsquot do it I gave them a silly excuse so as not to give them any more information or tips on how to improve their scummy scam I am happy I started checking their contacts as soon as their promises seemed too good to be true even if I am still angry I allowed them to data-mine all of my information when I sent them my CV and filled in their form
It beggars belief that they set up an entire facade in these times of work despair and it really doesnrsquot feel right especially because therersquos not much I can do about it now apart from inform people I didnrsquot think this would ever happen here in this country where everything has to be or always seems to be so legitimate But I guess some things never change and a place doesnrsquot make the people and certainly doesnrsquot influence the choices they make I just wanted to share my experience to alert everyone to the possible scam If a company contacts you and asks you to return a form including your bank details when you have never met anyone face-to-face it should make your antennas extend and remember to double-check their credibility Apparently it is illegal to ask such questions of someone here so donrsquot fall for it as I did As I am still waiting to hear from the company in Australia I didnrsquot feel it was proper to disclose its name publicly just yet plus I am not sure the scammers always use the same company as a fake front But what they ask you to do is more or less always the same so keep your eyes open to the little details
lsquoYou face the everyday hell that is job-seeking but now you must also beware of scam companiesrsquo
lsquoThis smelled very fishy to the Italian in mersquo
lsquoThe form asked for all my personal informationrsquo
lifestyles6
1
Je moet er geweest zijn
62classifieds
MechelenAuthentic and full of surprises Thatrsquos Mechelen Hospitable and honourable Thatrsquos the people of Mechelen Come and experience the cityrsquos urban charms for yourself Mechelen
Authentic and full of surprises Thatrsquos Mechelen Hospitable and honourable Thatrsquos the people of Mechelen Come and experience the cityrsquos urban charms for yourself
photography copy Milo Profi
classifieds63
classifieds
How to hang out in
Amsterdam
By ER Muntrem
perspectives
It is not against the rules for babies to cry in cafeacutes It happens Mostly they sleep or sit in someonersquos lap with commendable decorum Otherwise kids in cafeacutes tend to nosh a little less than their elders and handle crayons a little more And while anyone who toddles behind the bar will certainly get caught they can always claim they were encouraged to toddle there in the first place
Dutch parents and I realise this is hard to prove seem to let their kids wander a metre or two further away from them than parents from other developed countries that universal ldquowhere is sherdquo look delayed five or ten seconds If this extra distance is a sign of perceived safety cafeacute culture must help teach it
Except for chefs all cafeacute workers do more or less all the jobs required to run a cafeacute They all wait on tables
serve hot and cold drinks set up outdoor furniture load and retrieve supplies take the garbage out wash glasses light candles arrange flowers unfurl the awning and ring up the bill When the young guy or girl greets you you may know they are not the owner but for the moment they are the face of the establishment It may as well be their place
Admittedly I am seduced by places where waiters donrsquot work for tips where the rushed pace of eating in a restaurant in America does not exist In a cafeacute you can do what you want for as long as you want and get food and drink while you do it Pretty cool and as much a baseline for how to hang out in Amsterdam as cycling is for how to get around
Places to eat and drink owned by corporations have to package experience to deliver it Whatrsquos our brand How can our managers and servers be most efficient How ultimately can we be number one Not something most cafeacutes seem to be worried about and where the universal signs for lsquowe are having a good time togetherrsquo
lsquoCafeacute culture must help teachrsquo lsquoI am seduced by places where waiters donrsquot work for tipsrsquo
64
perspectives
or lsquoI am happy here by myselfrsquo (clinked glasses or absorption in a newspaper say) are routinely in evidence This is one true grace of democracy the average worth smiling about
At cafeacutes co-workers have a beer before or after their shift friends drop by or a regular pops in with some news The stream of customers they donrsquot have to woo and donrsquot have to lsquoworkrsquo gives the whole thing a slightly familial living room perfectly public feel that makes the work far less of a personality crimp than working at Starbucks Or so it seems I do not mean to pretend carrying drinks across the street to the canal side seating or giving obvious directions yet again is always glorious but most people who work in cafeacutersquos laugh and smile a fair bit almost as much as the patrons
And when the owner of a cafeacute is of a generation older than those working there as is usually the case it lends a wise uncle or mother hen feel to the proceedings In the daytime no one is ever too caught up in his or her designated title to ignore a baby on the move And at
night the crowd of drinkers may as well be at a party hosted by their parents or kids or both
Itrsquos not all about money cafeacute culture churns towards the civilised without grinding anyone too far down As well as pleasure there is power in this The best distillation I know of what democracy should be came from a young woman working at Cafeacute Captein With our meal in front of us my friend noticed he was missing his salad Flagged down the young woman went to investigate ldquoItrsquos on its wayrdquo she said ldquoI told my boss to do itrdquo
Imagine we told Putin to do it We told Obama to do it We told the bankers to do it
lsquoMost people who work in cafeacutersquos laugh and smile a fair bitrsquo
lsquoCafeacute culture churns towards the civilised without grinding anyone too far downrsquo
65
66
featurecity gem
lsquoThe last of the large independent music stores left standing in Amsterdamrsquo
CITY GEM
67
Concerto
By Denson Pierre
ConcertoUtrechtsestraat 60 1017 VP Amsterdam
it is a rush when on a full stomach you can make an instant decision on where your next city-centre lunch will be taken it is almost ecstasy when the venue is situated in a music shop which for decades has been defined by its exceptional range and quality of music available in amsterdam Concerto is the last of the large independent music stores left standing in amsterdam all the others have long since been killed off by everything from the advance in recording and playback technologies to habitual illegal downloaders only now realising that their behaviour has an impact right back down to street level despite what they might think about the giant studios and recording companies
Concerto has not stuck but has twisted Since September it has incorporated a cute cafeacute
and lunch area within its premises as well as introducing a bookshop and lounge area making it possible to spend an almost nostalgic time there over several hours It still has a vast range of the very best music in vinyl (both new and second-hand) and CD form DVDs DJ equipment and even gear used for live musical performances Itrsquos a gold mine
If it has taken this clever adaptation in space utilisation to keep this institution viable and available to Amsterdam-based music lovers then I personally wish to support this venture and help mean this type of music retailer to remain part of the city scene For people of a certain age there is something infinitely more appealing about physically handling recorded material appreciating the artwork in its packaging having a listen and then deciding if it is a purchase you would like to make Even though non-digital stockpiling has become rather passeacute I challenge you to visit Concerto and its new cafeacute and bookshop concept and not end up spending more time in this true city gem than you had anticipated
lsquoIt has incorporated a cute cafeacute and lunch area within its premises as well as introducing a bookshop and lounge arearsquo
city gem
68
city gem
69city gem
city gem70
city gem71
72city gem
lsquoThere is something infinitely more appealing about physically
handling recorded material appreciating the artwork in its
packagingrsquo
73city gem
74classifi eds
75classifi eds
classifi edsclassifi eds76
amsterdam city life
BrinG BaCK
Something that seems to have been watered down considerably in Amsterdamrsquos hospitality industry in recent years is independence of thought styling and designAll you have to do is walk around the city to note that way too many coffeesoup houses and cafeacutes are more or less identikit This also applies to many cafeacutes with unimaginative business leaders who open unoriginal looking spaces and hope that the use of white paint purple or blue lights and house music is all it takes
Luckily there is something brewing to save our days and nights I have come across cafeacute owners who are now seriously considering ending the arrangements they have with the giant drink suppliers There are actually no good arguments left for continuing with these huge multinationals as they are frankly more expensive at wholesale for the same A-class products than the supermarkets on every Amsterdammerrsquos street corner
It looks like space is being created for the smaller brewers to take up the supply of A-class beer to smaller establishments throughout the city The giants can keep their character-free tourist traps and those bars still able to benefit purely from their unbeatable locations throughout the city
The Sentinel says bring back better and more original businesses of scale within the local hospitality industry which will help more cafeacutes and bars not only to become distinguishable by the interior designs they will need to conjure but also through the variety of local and regional beers that could become part of their coherent identity The overriding benefit of such courageous thinking and action would be an immediate return to realistic and reasonable pricing for A-class beer in Amsterdam which remains the staple of the easy consumables as this recession drones on
By Denson Pierre
INDEPENDENT CAFeacuteSBARS
77
78star beer guide
Star Beer
The SentinelStar beer guide
lsquoDifferent beers can seem to weigh on the conscience as much as on the taste budsrsquo
Just like the changing of the seasons different beers can seem to weigh on the conscience as much as on the taste buds Ciney blond is a lovely almost effeminate tasting beer All light smooth fruitiness bolstered by substantial alcohol content
As the temperature increases it can even feel like a thirst quencher A nice session beer and one that could function as an entrance-level quality beer in terms of its complexity For advanced samplers it is a great lower platform to descend to after cruising the space occupied by the 8-plus percentage alcoholic beauties
Ciney blond is brewed by Alken-Maes Mechelen Belgium
By Denson Pierre
CINEY BLOND (7 ABV)
79star beer guide
We find the best most fun most typical exciting or local favourite restaurants etcetera in Amsterdam and bring them to you an easy way to feel like a local
Cafe Kostverloren 040606
Recommended
80recommended
EUROGIFTSXenonweg 9 3812 SZ Amersfoort
Tel 033 - 454 35 75 - Fax 033 - 454 35 79E-mail lmproefeurogiftsnl
Website wwweurogiftsnl
FILMPROEF
ORDERNUMMER 6021022ARTIKELNUMMER 65123
Ware grootte (indien uitgeprint)Kleur opdruk Wit
Mulligans Irish Music BarAmsterdamrsquos best address for live Irish music Five (5) nights a week Check our agenda for upcoming sessions Amstel 100 1017 AC Amsterdamwwwmulligansnl
Cafeacute KostverlorenCafeacute Kostverloren is a contemporary cafe offering the cosiness of a saloon an open kitchen and the intimacy of a living room The large terras is great for sunny days2e Kostverlorenkade 70 Amsterdamwwwcafekostverlorennl
ZestZest is fi ne food warm atmosphere and classy drinks with regular semi-acoustic (live) music and DJs (Thursday to Sunday) Amsterdamrsquos newest and freshestBilderdijkstraat 188 Amsterdamwwwfacebookcomclubzestnl
GollemGollemrsquos Proefl okaal Gollem and Gollem II represent the best addresses serving the fullest range of top Belgian Dutch and international beers in AmsterdamOvertoom 160-161wwwcafegollemnl
IncantoA restaurant with a classic Italian kitchen Venetian chef Simone Ambrosin is known for his pure and simple style of cooking with great feeling for nuanceAmstel 2 Amsterdamwwwrestaurant-incantonl
Planet RoseThe fi rst Caribbean restaurant in the Netherlands specialised in Jamaican cuisine The menu features a daily changing selectionNicolaas Beetsstraat 47 Amsterdamwwwplanetroseinfo
Cafe restaurant EdelCafe restaurant Edel is the perfect place for lunch dinner or to simply enjoy a drink Edel is a unique place in AmsterdamPostjesweg 1 1057 DT Amsterdamwwwedelamsterdamnl
Cafeacute OportoCafeacute Oporto is a traditional Amsterdam lsquobrown cafersquo Welcoming tourists and regular customers alike they offer televised sports wifi and a wide range of reasonably priced beers and spiritsZoutsteeg 1 1012 LX Amsterdamwwwcafeoportonet
BaxA cosy and friendly local cafeacute with a focus on special or interesting beers and good quality food Open 7 days a week with a professional kitchen offering a lunch and dinner serviceTen Katestraat 119 Amsterdamwwwcafebaxnl
To be seen and tasted Fun Drinking amp Music
To Be Seen and Tasted
Fun Drinking amp Music
Fun Drinking amp Music
Connoisseurs Delight
Connoisseurs Delight
Connoisseurs Delight
To Be Seen and Tasted
Neighbourhood cosy
Fun drinking and music
ParckGreat fun beautiful people and simply the best bar food in townOvertoom 428 Amsterdamwwwcafeparcknl
To be seen and tasted
Cafe de Toog1890rsquos grandeur fashioned into Amsterdam-West grand brown cafe-restaurant-cool Classy drinks and mealsNicolaas Beetsstraat 142 hs Amsterdam wwwcafedetoogcom
Opera Prima - Patisserie Bistro TraiteurThe best place in town for lunch exquisite high teas or brunches and all of your luxury catering both private and corporateKinkerstraat 228 Amsterdamwwwoperaprimanl
Recommended
81
Where is this inAmsterdamAnswer to sentinelpostgmailcom
82spotted
Room 2cfilm
ldquoCome on in boys the waterrsquos finerdquo This is arguably the best all-round and funny musical to come out of Hollywood in a generation and certainly one of the best three soundtracks of the same period George Clooney will never be as good or charming as he is here playing the accidental leader of a trio of chain gang escapees in the US south of the 1930s Spirituality meets the Ku Klux Klan all coloured by Virginia bluegrass
ldquoCall me Snakerdquo The coolest handle for a leading man (Kurt Russell) in any movie to date Here he is sent in on a heroic lsquoat all costrsquo one-man mission to rescue the president of the United States from the prison island Manhattan has become in a lsquofuturersquo representation of 1997 Air Force One has crashed there and the countdown is on Classic 1980s turn of the millennium dystopian vision with style pace and gadgetry
By dpmotions
By dpmotions
o Brother Where Art Thou (2000)
escape from new York (1981)
room2c83
84trends
lsquoTrends are great to join and surf like a once in a lifetime tsunamirsquo
By Dirkje Bakker-Pierre
Each and every micro-world has its own specific trends Take the fashion world for example where one day you have to wear high heels and round noses and the next itrsquos flat hairy elephant feet-like boots that must hug your feet Or take the automotive world where once upon a time you could never have enough chrome on your car or the food world where we have quietly moved from fast to green and wholesome or the TV world which used to be about fiction and is now more real than reality Some of these trends are great to join and surf like a once in a lifetime tsunami others can slip by unnoticed and others still keep bugging and bugging you even if you try to avoid them like the plague
The online world and specifically the social media universe eats through trends like a fat chick after a hunger strike Facebook in particular seems to move seamlessly from one hype to the next one day itrsquos pictures with fuzzy edges or a bit of a 1970s filter the next itrsquos a profile picture with you very consciously not looking into the camera (very spontaneously and naturally non-posing you might say) These are mostly harmless things if Irsquom honest and when everyone
stops liking them they fade away as quickly as the sun in our small wet country There is one trend however that has festered within Facebook from the very beginning and which seems to be gradually growing and growing without anyone ever liking the postshellip and I mean EVER
Yes I am talking about daily quotes words of wisdom holy quotes mesmerizingly philosophical quotes cheesy quotes religious quoteshellip How can I describe all of them in one easy sentence pieces of text from (famous) people (it can never be something you thought of yourself) that lsquodisclosersquo previously secret information about being happy in life (or at least previously secret to the person doing the posting I presume) In short texts that belong on tiles hanging on the wall in old Dutch peoplersquos toilets
Why
Here are a few I found in my news feed this week
ldquoA mind is like a parachute It doesnrsquot work if it is not openrdquo ndash Frank Zappa
ldquoIt is not because things are difficult that we do not dare it is because we do not dare that things are difficultrdquo ndash Seneca
ldquoIf you donrsquot take what you are doing seriously then nobody else willrdquo ndash Darryl Dlt Thomson
Bad trends would be good if they werenrsquot so bad
85trends
86classifi eds
87classifieds
One of my personal favourite gemstones is moonstone Itlsquos been around for centuries and is used in many cultures As suggested by its name the stone is highly associated with the moon and moon goddess Diana It brings calm peace and love and is said to become more powerful when the moon is full so thatlsquos the best time to wear it One proverb even claims that moonstone can bring you love that will fly you to the moon Spiritually this amazing stone is said to enhance intuition and is always associated with the self It is a very powerful personal stone which doesnlsquot add or remove any aspects of the personality but merely reflects the person wearing it It is said to be very
MoonstoneBy Evelina Kvartunaite
ndash
lsquoThe stone is highly associated with the moon and moon goddess Dianarsquo
ndash
helpful for people who are very sensitive and it is also used in meditation for reflecting oneself Itlsquos always best to charge your gem when the moon is shining at night either while wearing it or by leaving it on a windowsill that receives moonlight Moonstone is also used in healing and is known for balancing the internal organ systems enabling them to work in stable cycles Itlsquos usually more associated with women but is also known to help men embrace their more emotional side soft creative energies and optimism Perhaps understandably moonstone should have limited exposure to strong direct sunlight
ndash
lsquoIt is said to be very helpful for people who are very sensitiversquo
ndash
88
health amp well-being
ndash
lsquoMore associated with women but is also known to help men embrace their more emotional sidersquo
ndash
89health amp well-being
In his article Batin shows how learning how to use complex products is like learning a computer game Just like the challenges in video games match the skills of the user so should TV interactions or any UI interactions for that matter For reference Batin used the four levels described in the Dreyfus model of skill acquisition
Level 1 novicebullRigid adherence to taught rules or plansbullNo exercise of lsquodiscretionary judgmentrsquo
Level 2 Advanced beginnerbullLimited lsquosituational perceptionrsquobullAll aspects of work treated separately with equal importance
Philip Batin wrote an article a couple of months ago about the next big idea in User Interaction gadgets that adapt to your skills As gadgets become more complicated UIs must be able to teach their users over time Apparently more and more interactive products are being returned In 2002 48 of all returned products were technically fully functional but were rejected for failing to satisfy user needs 20 purely due to customer remorse Even though a product may have all the features one can hope for complexity and bad user experience can prevent users from integrating it into their lives
UserInterfaceThe next big thing in UX
lsquoUIs must be able to teach their users over timersquo
By Andrei Barburas
lsquoComplexity and bad user experience can prevent users from
integrating it into their livesrsquo
90
technology
book the majority of which you probably skipped through
Personally I believe that there are certain end users most likely the majority that use only a limited set of features from any device they buy Mobile phones have become indispensable tools in our daily activities yet the average Joe has no idea about the full potential of a smart phone The same applies to Smart TVs they can do lots of things yet the only thing that we do with them is flip channels and complain how bad the shows are
The bottom line is that itrsquos definitely something worth thinking about not only from an operating system perspective but also from the perspective of applications developers
Level 3 competentbulllsquoCoping with crowdednessrsquo (multiple activities accumulation of information)bullSome perception of actions in relation to goalsbullDeliberate planningbullFormulates routines
Level 4 ProficientbullHolistic view of situationbullPrioritizes importance of aspectsbulllsquoPerceives deviations from the normal patternrsquobullEmploys maxim for guidance with meanings that adapt to the situation at hand
Now just imagine a User Interface that adapts based on what you can do and the abilities you have As you learn new things new levels of complexity are unlocked opening the door to fully knowing your device because you learned by doing and not by reading a complicated
lsquoThe average Joe has no idea about the full potential of a
smart phonersquo
91technology
92classifi eds
93classifi eds
Not knowing what was happening in football was extremely annoying to put it mildly and it wasnrsquot just my own self-denial and avoidance of all things football that was a hindrance the extent to which I had to ask others to go in order to remain ignorant was much more excruciating than Irsquod ever imagined There may even be some damage done to football-related friendships that is irreparable I now feel as though Irsquom walking through an empty stadium after everyone else has gone home
So what now and where to next The season is well and truly over and Irsquom free to do whatever I want I could read the back-dated sports pages check all the stats and find out all the facts if I wanted to I could spend hours catching up on last season and speculating on the next with the friends Irsquove still got left down the pub if I wanted to I can follow all the transfer gossip watch pre-season friendlies and build up all my hopes But as with most addictions that would simply be falling back into a previous state of dependence and everything Irsquove just put myself through wouldrsquove been for nothing So how do I go back to an old habit without a total relapse or would it be better to keep abstaining
All my questions seem to be met with other questions and no solutions On the other hand if you ask me what
Someone once said that insanity is when you keep repeating the same behaviour and expect a different outcome most likely a psychologist aimed at his or her ailing patients But for me these words are more reminiscent of my own conduct over the course of a regular football season Week in week out season after season I would expect Tottenham to win something and more often than not Irsquod be left disappointed So I decided to stop No more football ndash at least not for one full season
The season 201213 is now over and during the whole nine months I didnrsquot watch a single moment of football or read a single article on the subject That was my challenge and I was committed to it What is more despite all the warning signs I didnrsquot relapse After a year of structured punishment I didnrsquot have a clue about what was going on in the English Premier League (or any other league) Only having picked up bits and pieces of information that somehow slipped through the net the past season was like a book with most of its pages missing
By Simon Joseph
On The Volley
The Return of the Repressed or the Point of No Return
lsquoInsanity is when you keep repeating the same behaviour and expect a different outcomersquo
sport
lsquoThe past season was like a book with most of its pages missingrsquo
94
lsquoThere may even be some damage done to football-related friendshipsrsquo
lsquoHas abstaining for a season changed mersquo
it until the cows come home but it was us who made those changes or at least allowed them to happen and those changes will continue to happen with or without me Perhaps then the questions I should be asking are has abstaining for a season changed me Am I still obsessed or have I broken the habit of a lifetime Is following football really that terrible or even a real addiction
One thing is certain this lack of resolution is not completely without satisfaction because like all forms of fixation or obsession therersquos comfort and familiarity to be found in repetition as Tottenham miss out on Championrsquos League football by a single point again The repressed will always return to haunt us or so it seems and before we know it the start of next season will be upon us There will be more pain no doubt and more joy This time however it will take more than a boot camp approach to keep me away and who knows Tottenham might even win the league Come on you Spurs
Tottenham Hotspur means I would still tell you that itrsquos not just a pretty football package itrsquos about kith and kin not just where I came from but how I relate to others around me in the here and now Whatrsquos more millions of people are attracted to football they hunger for it and yearn to connect with it even though I still believe itrsquos a form of ineffective escape from one unsatisfying reality to another Following football is a classic example of cognitive dissonance ndash when you simultaneously entertain two opposing thoughts that appear to cancel each other out Before the start of each season for example we all want our club to win everything or to be taken over by billionaires but know that itrsquos impossible or in the latter case controversial and even undesirable So we invent ways to cope We develop a so-called lsquosiege mentalityrsquo or other harmful patterns of behaviour to relieve the discomfort of incongruity With this in mind the past year was supposed to be an exercise in behaviour modification ndash to discover the root of the problem and treat it effectively But one year on have I really discovered anything at all
The English Premier League whether you watch it or not is still probably the most exciting football league in the world We can complain about the changes made to
sport9
5
By Denson Pierre
The Gold Room
Fantasy Football Gold ndash Champions League 2012-2013 winner Denson Pierre and his prizes
The season petered out in an all-German Champions League Final which did nothing to dispel the record that this was a season of too few new stars or regular spectacle We look forward to the next season as it ought not be too difficult to create more excitement than in the one just pastWe did have the opportunity to hand over the envelopes and trophies to the Sentinel Fantasy Football game winners This year all the major winners from the Sentinel Fantasy Football League were unable to be present for the physical prize giving but the winner of the Gold Game and focus of this column was there to receive his prize for winning the master game in styleSo we retire the Gold Room until the beginning of the new football season See you all again then
96
sport
Matt Parker receives his third place and Manager of the Month prizes for the Sentinel Fantasy Football League
Charles Conneely Sentinel Fantasy Football League 2012-2013 Champion
97sport
wwwczechtourismcom
CZECH REPUBLIC - STUNNINGLY DIFFERENT
98
classifi eds
feature22
feature
feature
lsquoJopen its beer and its people are so well worked out and presented
that it should be on every Amsterdammerrsquos radarrsquo
feature23
Get advice on housing rental contracts and apartments in Amsterdam
wwwwswonennlenglish
wwwconsultancymarketmediacom
- Account Manager Market Media- (Internship) International Marketing Executive
we are looking for
24classifieds
artist thinker
Here are some of our local partners
Enter (click) to learn why they work with us
demerkplaatsnl
25classifieds
Dam in 60 minutes
By Sam van Dam
perspectives
Rembrandtplein26
perspectives
Last time out I took you up North to the beautiful island of Marken Since that was a somewhat longer trip than some readers might want to take by bike this time our journey is a short one that can even be done on foot to Rembrandtplein The adventure starts at Central Station turn your back on the visually pleasing building that facilitates the arrival of visitors to our hometown and head towards Damrak Amsterdamrsquos lsquoRed Carpetrsquo and home these days to gazillions of restaurants shops bars cafeacutes and of course the nearby world-famous Red Light District all of which wersquoll simply ignore This is easier said than done as there is so much to see so many temptations that demand your attention and try to make you spend your euros before you have even entered the actual city As you walk down Damrak you start to see the buildings situated around Dam Square the central point of Amsterdam offering such delights as the Royal Palace Madame Tussauds the Nieuwekerk the war memorial and other landmarks that define this famous square Rotate 360 degrees to take it all in and then move toward Rokin or if you are in mood for some shopping walk down Kalverstraat instead Yoursquore bound to find something you like in the hundreds of shops lining one of Amsterdamrsquos two main shopping streets Keep walking straight on and just to your right yoursquoll find Spui a lovely square that is regularly home to art and book markets if you have the time You can find a multitude of interesting and inspiring items there or just grab a coffee and sit on one of the benches taking in the scene Once you are done enjoying Spui itrsquos time to get back on track so return to the RokinKalverstraat and head to the right (south) not forgetting to take a closer look
at the statue of former Queen Wilhelmina and her horse standing proudly at the bridge opposite This is also the starting point for boat tours if you want to take a little time out from your stroll to Rembrandtplein get a ticket and hop on one of the very typical 70s-style boats that constantly criss-cross the watery arteries of Amsterdam These typical 1970s-style barges provide a visual impression of the city that looks familiar yet very different a pleasure that locals and visitors alike appreciate very much every time
When you have returned from the water tour return to Rokin and keep walking towards Munt which is easily recognisable by its old-style tower featuring a clockwork chime that marks the hour and enhances the scenery in this part of town along with the Hotel De LrsquoEurope just across the way You could also take a pit-stop there while enjoying the view over the Amstel and the hundreds of little boats filled with chillaxing people at least on sunny days You can dwell on the fact that life in Amsterdam often seems so easy and beautiful that it entices visitors to return again and again You are now very close to your final destination so cross the road and enter the Reguliersbreestraat Marvel at the beauty of the Tuschinski Theater as you continue towards the wide open square that is our last stop Grab a drink or some ice-cream while you find yourself a nice spot on the grassy circular central area of the Rembrandtplein where you can spend hours looking at the beautiful buildings the relaxing people and the artists selling their work This is also where you can find me presenting a fine selection of my photo prints of what to me is the best city in the world So if itrsquos not raining come by and enjoy my photographic impressions of Amsterdam they make awesome souvenirs to take home with you Irsquom looking forward to meeting you on lsquomyrsquo square
lsquoOur journey is a short one that can even be done on footrsquo
27
28perspectives
29perspectives
lsquo1970s-style barges provide a visual impression of the city that looks familiar yet very differentrsquo
30perspectives
31perspectives
32perspectives
33perspectives
lsquoMarvel at the beauty of the Tuschinski Theaterrsquo
34perspectives
35perspectives
lsquoRotate 360 degrees to take it all inrsquo
36perspectives
lsquoRotate 360 degrees to take it all inrsquo
37perspectives
38perspectives
39perspectives
40
perspectives
41perspectives
42featureperspectives
feature4
3perspectives
44
featureperspectives
feature4
5perspectives
lsquoTake a closer look at the statue of former Queen Wilhelmina and her horsersquo
46
perspectives
lsquoThis is also where you can find me presenting a fine selection of my
photo printsrsquo
47perspectives
perspectives4
8
perspectives4
9
For complete and world class tours of Prague
Packages includebull Hidden and playful Prague (for families with young children)bull Literary Praguebull Prague Architecture through the agesbull Religion and the citybull The old city at night
These are detailed tours designed for visitors who wish to explore with great detail and not suitable for simply sight-seeing tourists
Day segments and ratesPR 0800-1230hrs AG 1330-1630hrs UE 1730-2130hrsAll sessions are priced at u 25 per single adult Group size upper limit = 8 Accompanied children under the age of five are gratis and school aged children pay 25 Family package rates are negotiable
ContactJaroslav Cernosek+420 602 228 797Mail jcernosekcentrumcz
wwwyourtuliptourcom
JC Tours
50classifieds
51classifieds
CafeacuteBar Review Van Mechelen
cafebar review52
Van MechelenSloterkade 96-97 Amsterdam
It may be the new hype in the city as far as grand cafeacute and restaurant concepts go but Van Mechelen is already approaching excellence Considering its handy location in another pretty neighbourhood of Amsterdam South it is almost a lsquomust visitrsquo place that has created a theme built on the Burgundian enjoyment of life good food complemented with top-class beer and wine If you want a taste of what it feels like to visit a cafeacute-restaurant in Mechelen Belgium Van Mechelen is an easy way for an Amsterdammer to savour this experience and is just a short cycle ride away
ambianceBurgundian Rating 5
StaffregularsMembers of staff are clearly very well trained and this adds to the light and airy atmosphere Having opened for business just three months ago those who have fallen in love with the place and its consumables have not yet had time to clock up the number of visits and connections to be considered lsquoregularsrsquo Rating 5
televised sportNo space within the design and layout for this form of distraction Rating 3
PricesSurprisingly these are within the lsquonormalrsquo range for this level and quality of fare Outstandingly fairly priced snacks and nibbles are also offered to help you along as you take on the fine (Mechelen brewery group Alken-Maes) beers and wines When did you last enjoy a generous portion of fresh olives for a mere euro250 Rating 5
MusicAt the time of review the establishment was fairly packed out The atmosphere is conducive to chats and hilarity and although the selection of tunes could be heard far in the background the sound system may well have more kick It should as the building is of such a solid constitution that it should contain noise and not easily upset the neighbours Rating 5
Smoking area provisionFortunately for puffers the originally industrial nature of the address means that the former loading bay and entranceexit areas have become two naturally covered terrace areas separated from the luscious interior by huge glass-panelled doors Rating 5
total rating 2830(Rating from 1-5 where 1 = Very poor and 5 = Excellent)
By Denson Pierre
lsquoThe new hype in the city as far as grand cafeacute and restaurant concepts gorsquo
cafebar review53
lsquoMembers of staff are clearly very well trainedrsquo
cafebar review54
cafebar review55
lsquoOutstandingly fairly priced snacks and nibbles are also offeredrsquo
cafebar review56
cafebar review57
lsquoThe atmosphere is conducive to chats and hilarityrsquo
cafebar review58
cafebar review59
scamsterdam
lifestyles60
By Valeria Scimia
Unemployed international and looking for a job in the Netherlands Not only must you face the everyday hell that is job-seeking but now you must also beware of scam companies Yes theyrsquove arrived here too
I was recently contacted by an ostensibly legitimate company that wanted to hire me The contact took the form of what appeared to be a genuine e-mail complete with website and logo from a company in Australia that seemed absolutely legitimate (I have since contacted the company to warn them that someone overseas is using their name and logo to scam people) The e-mail explained that the company was opening an office in Holland and was looking for people who would handle the back-office orders It contained a form to be filled in and returned if I was interested in the position the form asked for all my personal information including my bank details I had been looking for a job and was interested in the offer so I filled in and sent off the form and my CV Once they received my e-mail they asked me to start a trial period without practically explaining anything of what the job was actually about I didnrsquot immediately reply so they called me the next day asking me to start immediately with the trial period promising lots of benefits once the contract was signed I hadnrsquot met anyone at this point only telephone interviews and that already didnrsquot seem right to me I asked them to send me more information by e-mail about what I was meant to do and a few moments later I received a response asking me to make a bank transfer to show them I was trustworthy The lsquotrialrsquo implied that they would send me some money and I had to transfer half via GWK or MoneyTransfer to one of their clients and keep the other half This smelled very fishy to the Italian in me In reality they could be sending a cheque to the bank which would register an income that would later bounce after I had already made the payment to their lsquoclientrsquo On top of losing money the person that tried to lsquohirersquo meyou
would have been untraceable No one was even picking up the phone at the number given in the e-mail and the company they claimed to represent wasnrsquot even active in Europe
So I said no and told them I was no longer interested They even had the gumption to call me back and ask me why I wouldnrsquot do it I gave them a silly excuse so as not to give them any more information or tips on how to improve their scummy scam I am happy I started checking their contacts as soon as their promises seemed too good to be true even if I am still angry I allowed them to data-mine all of my information when I sent them my CV and filled in their form
It beggars belief that they set up an entire facade in these times of work despair and it really doesnrsquot feel right especially because therersquos not much I can do about it now apart from inform people I didnrsquot think this would ever happen here in this country where everything has to be or always seems to be so legitimate But I guess some things never change and a place doesnrsquot make the people and certainly doesnrsquot influence the choices they make I just wanted to share my experience to alert everyone to the possible scam If a company contacts you and asks you to return a form including your bank details when you have never met anyone face-to-face it should make your antennas extend and remember to double-check their credibility Apparently it is illegal to ask such questions of someone here so donrsquot fall for it as I did As I am still waiting to hear from the company in Australia I didnrsquot feel it was proper to disclose its name publicly just yet plus I am not sure the scammers always use the same company as a fake front But what they ask you to do is more or less always the same so keep your eyes open to the little details
lsquoYou face the everyday hell that is job-seeking but now you must also beware of scam companiesrsquo
lsquoThis smelled very fishy to the Italian in mersquo
lsquoThe form asked for all my personal informationrsquo
lifestyles6
1
Je moet er geweest zijn
62classifieds
MechelenAuthentic and full of surprises Thatrsquos Mechelen Hospitable and honourable Thatrsquos the people of Mechelen Come and experience the cityrsquos urban charms for yourself Mechelen
Authentic and full of surprises Thatrsquos Mechelen Hospitable and honourable Thatrsquos the people of Mechelen Come and experience the cityrsquos urban charms for yourself
photography copy Milo Profi
classifieds63
classifieds
How to hang out in
Amsterdam
By ER Muntrem
perspectives
It is not against the rules for babies to cry in cafeacutes It happens Mostly they sleep or sit in someonersquos lap with commendable decorum Otherwise kids in cafeacutes tend to nosh a little less than their elders and handle crayons a little more And while anyone who toddles behind the bar will certainly get caught they can always claim they were encouraged to toddle there in the first place
Dutch parents and I realise this is hard to prove seem to let their kids wander a metre or two further away from them than parents from other developed countries that universal ldquowhere is sherdquo look delayed five or ten seconds If this extra distance is a sign of perceived safety cafeacute culture must help teach it
Except for chefs all cafeacute workers do more or less all the jobs required to run a cafeacute They all wait on tables
serve hot and cold drinks set up outdoor furniture load and retrieve supplies take the garbage out wash glasses light candles arrange flowers unfurl the awning and ring up the bill When the young guy or girl greets you you may know they are not the owner but for the moment they are the face of the establishment It may as well be their place
Admittedly I am seduced by places where waiters donrsquot work for tips where the rushed pace of eating in a restaurant in America does not exist In a cafeacute you can do what you want for as long as you want and get food and drink while you do it Pretty cool and as much a baseline for how to hang out in Amsterdam as cycling is for how to get around
Places to eat and drink owned by corporations have to package experience to deliver it Whatrsquos our brand How can our managers and servers be most efficient How ultimately can we be number one Not something most cafeacutes seem to be worried about and where the universal signs for lsquowe are having a good time togetherrsquo
lsquoCafeacute culture must help teachrsquo lsquoI am seduced by places where waiters donrsquot work for tipsrsquo
64
perspectives
or lsquoI am happy here by myselfrsquo (clinked glasses or absorption in a newspaper say) are routinely in evidence This is one true grace of democracy the average worth smiling about
At cafeacutes co-workers have a beer before or after their shift friends drop by or a regular pops in with some news The stream of customers they donrsquot have to woo and donrsquot have to lsquoworkrsquo gives the whole thing a slightly familial living room perfectly public feel that makes the work far less of a personality crimp than working at Starbucks Or so it seems I do not mean to pretend carrying drinks across the street to the canal side seating or giving obvious directions yet again is always glorious but most people who work in cafeacutersquos laugh and smile a fair bit almost as much as the patrons
And when the owner of a cafeacute is of a generation older than those working there as is usually the case it lends a wise uncle or mother hen feel to the proceedings In the daytime no one is ever too caught up in his or her designated title to ignore a baby on the move And at
night the crowd of drinkers may as well be at a party hosted by their parents or kids or both
Itrsquos not all about money cafeacute culture churns towards the civilised without grinding anyone too far down As well as pleasure there is power in this The best distillation I know of what democracy should be came from a young woman working at Cafeacute Captein With our meal in front of us my friend noticed he was missing his salad Flagged down the young woman went to investigate ldquoItrsquos on its wayrdquo she said ldquoI told my boss to do itrdquo
Imagine we told Putin to do it We told Obama to do it We told the bankers to do it
lsquoMost people who work in cafeacutersquos laugh and smile a fair bitrsquo
lsquoCafeacute culture churns towards the civilised without grinding anyone too far downrsquo
65
66
featurecity gem
lsquoThe last of the large independent music stores left standing in Amsterdamrsquo
CITY GEM
67
Concerto
By Denson Pierre
ConcertoUtrechtsestraat 60 1017 VP Amsterdam
it is a rush when on a full stomach you can make an instant decision on where your next city-centre lunch will be taken it is almost ecstasy when the venue is situated in a music shop which for decades has been defined by its exceptional range and quality of music available in amsterdam Concerto is the last of the large independent music stores left standing in amsterdam all the others have long since been killed off by everything from the advance in recording and playback technologies to habitual illegal downloaders only now realising that their behaviour has an impact right back down to street level despite what they might think about the giant studios and recording companies
Concerto has not stuck but has twisted Since September it has incorporated a cute cafeacute
and lunch area within its premises as well as introducing a bookshop and lounge area making it possible to spend an almost nostalgic time there over several hours It still has a vast range of the very best music in vinyl (both new and second-hand) and CD form DVDs DJ equipment and even gear used for live musical performances Itrsquos a gold mine
If it has taken this clever adaptation in space utilisation to keep this institution viable and available to Amsterdam-based music lovers then I personally wish to support this venture and help mean this type of music retailer to remain part of the city scene For people of a certain age there is something infinitely more appealing about physically handling recorded material appreciating the artwork in its packaging having a listen and then deciding if it is a purchase you would like to make Even though non-digital stockpiling has become rather passeacute I challenge you to visit Concerto and its new cafeacute and bookshop concept and not end up spending more time in this true city gem than you had anticipated
lsquoIt has incorporated a cute cafeacute and lunch area within its premises as well as introducing a bookshop and lounge arearsquo
city gem
68
city gem
69city gem
city gem70
city gem71
72city gem
lsquoThere is something infinitely more appealing about physically
handling recorded material appreciating the artwork in its
packagingrsquo
73city gem
74classifi eds
75classifi eds
classifi edsclassifi eds76
amsterdam city life
BrinG BaCK
Something that seems to have been watered down considerably in Amsterdamrsquos hospitality industry in recent years is independence of thought styling and designAll you have to do is walk around the city to note that way too many coffeesoup houses and cafeacutes are more or less identikit This also applies to many cafeacutes with unimaginative business leaders who open unoriginal looking spaces and hope that the use of white paint purple or blue lights and house music is all it takes
Luckily there is something brewing to save our days and nights I have come across cafeacute owners who are now seriously considering ending the arrangements they have with the giant drink suppliers There are actually no good arguments left for continuing with these huge multinationals as they are frankly more expensive at wholesale for the same A-class products than the supermarkets on every Amsterdammerrsquos street corner
It looks like space is being created for the smaller brewers to take up the supply of A-class beer to smaller establishments throughout the city The giants can keep their character-free tourist traps and those bars still able to benefit purely from their unbeatable locations throughout the city
The Sentinel says bring back better and more original businesses of scale within the local hospitality industry which will help more cafeacutes and bars not only to become distinguishable by the interior designs they will need to conjure but also through the variety of local and regional beers that could become part of their coherent identity The overriding benefit of such courageous thinking and action would be an immediate return to realistic and reasonable pricing for A-class beer in Amsterdam which remains the staple of the easy consumables as this recession drones on
By Denson Pierre
INDEPENDENT CAFeacuteSBARS
77
78star beer guide
Star Beer
The SentinelStar beer guide
lsquoDifferent beers can seem to weigh on the conscience as much as on the taste budsrsquo
Just like the changing of the seasons different beers can seem to weigh on the conscience as much as on the taste buds Ciney blond is a lovely almost effeminate tasting beer All light smooth fruitiness bolstered by substantial alcohol content
As the temperature increases it can even feel like a thirst quencher A nice session beer and one that could function as an entrance-level quality beer in terms of its complexity For advanced samplers it is a great lower platform to descend to after cruising the space occupied by the 8-plus percentage alcoholic beauties
Ciney blond is brewed by Alken-Maes Mechelen Belgium
By Denson Pierre
CINEY BLOND (7 ABV)
79star beer guide
We find the best most fun most typical exciting or local favourite restaurants etcetera in Amsterdam and bring them to you an easy way to feel like a local
Cafe Kostverloren 040606
Recommended
80recommended
EUROGIFTSXenonweg 9 3812 SZ Amersfoort
Tel 033 - 454 35 75 - Fax 033 - 454 35 79E-mail lmproefeurogiftsnl
Website wwweurogiftsnl
FILMPROEF
ORDERNUMMER 6021022ARTIKELNUMMER 65123
Ware grootte (indien uitgeprint)Kleur opdruk Wit
Mulligans Irish Music BarAmsterdamrsquos best address for live Irish music Five (5) nights a week Check our agenda for upcoming sessions Amstel 100 1017 AC Amsterdamwwwmulligansnl
Cafeacute KostverlorenCafeacute Kostverloren is a contemporary cafe offering the cosiness of a saloon an open kitchen and the intimacy of a living room The large terras is great for sunny days2e Kostverlorenkade 70 Amsterdamwwwcafekostverlorennl
ZestZest is fi ne food warm atmosphere and classy drinks with regular semi-acoustic (live) music and DJs (Thursday to Sunday) Amsterdamrsquos newest and freshestBilderdijkstraat 188 Amsterdamwwwfacebookcomclubzestnl
GollemGollemrsquos Proefl okaal Gollem and Gollem II represent the best addresses serving the fullest range of top Belgian Dutch and international beers in AmsterdamOvertoom 160-161wwwcafegollemnl
IncantoA restaurant with a classic Italian kitchen Venetian chef Simone Ambrosin is known for his pure and simple style of cooking with great feeling for nuanceAmstel 2 Amsterdamwwwrestaurant-incantonl
Planet RoseThe fi rst Caribbean restaurant in the Netherlands specialised in Jamaican cuisine The menu features a daily changing selectionNicolaas Beetsstraat 47 Amsterdamwwwplanetroseinfo
Cafe restaurant EdelCafe restaurant Edel is the perfect place for lunch dinner or to simply enjoy a drink Edel is a unique place in AmsterdamPostjesweg 1 1057 DT Amsterdamwwwedelamsterdamnl
Cafeacute OportoCafeacute Oporto is a traditional Amsterdam lsquobrown cafersquo Welcoming tourists and regular customers alike they offer televised sports wifi and a wide range of reasonably priced beers and spiritsZoutsteeg 1 1012 LX Amsterdamwwwcafeoportonet
BaxA cosy and friendly local cafeacute with a focus on special or interesting beers and good quality food Open 7 days a week with a professional kitchen offering a lunch and dinner serviceTen Katestraat 119 Amsterdamwwwcafebaxnl
To be seen and tasted Fun Drinking amp Music
To Be Seen and Tasted
Fun Drinking amp Music
Fun Drinking amp Music
Connoisseurs Delight
Connoisseurs Delight
Connoisseurs Delight
To Be Seen and Tasted
Neighbourhood cosy
Fun drinking and music
ParckGreat fun beautiful people and simply the best bar food in townOvertoom 428 Amsterdamwwwcafeparcknl
To be seen and tasted
Cafe de Toog1890rsquos grandeur fashioned into Amsterdam-West grand brown cafe-restaurant-cool Classy drinks and mealsNicolaas Beetsstraat 142 hs Amsterdam wwwcafedetoogcom
Opera Prima - Patisserie Bistro TraiteurThe best place in town for lunch exquisite high teas or brunches and all of your luxury catering both private and corporateKinkerstraat 228 Amsterdamwwwoperaprimanl
Recommended
81
Where is this inAmsterdamAnswer to sentinelpostgmailcom
82spotted
Room 2cfilm
ldquoCome on in boys the waterrsquos finerdquo This is arguably the best all-round and funny musical to come out of Hollywood in a generation and certainly one of the best three soundtracks of the same period George Clooney will never be as good or charming as he is here playing the accidental leader of a trio of chain gang escapees in the US south of the 1930s Spirituality meets the Ku Klux Klan all coloured by Virginia bluegrass
ldquoCall me Snakerdquo The coolest handle for a leading man (Kurt Russell) in any movie to date Here he is sent in on a heroic lsquoat all costrsquo one-man mission to rescue the president of the United States from the prison island Manhattan has become in a lsquofuturersquo representation of 1997 Air Force One has crashed there and the countdown is on Classic 1980s turn of the millennium dystopian vision with style pace and gadgetry
By dpmotions
By dpmotions
o Brother Where Art Thou (2000)
escape from new York (1981)
room2c83
84trends
lsquoTrends are great to join and surf like a once in a lifetime tsunamirsquo
By Dirkje Bakker-Pierre
Each and every micro-world has its own specific trends Take the fashion world for example where one day you have to wear high heels and round noses and the next itrsquos flat hairy elephant feet-like boots that must hug your feet Or take the automotive world where once upon a time you could never have enough chrome on your car or the food world where we have quietly moved from fast to green and wholesome or the TV world which used to be about fiction and is now more real than reality Some of these trends are great to join and surf like a once in a lifetime tsunami others can slip by unnoticed and others still keep bugging and bugging you even if you try to avoid them like the plague
The online world and specifically the social media universe eats through trends like a fat chick after a hunger strike Facebook in particular seems to move seamlessly from one hype to the next one day itrsquos pictures with fuzzy edges or a bit of a 1970s filter the next itrsquos a profile picture with you very consciously not looking into the camera (very spontaneously and naturally non-posing you might say) These are mostly harmless things if Irsquom honest and when everyone
stops liking them they fade away as quickly as the sun in our small wet country There is one trend however that has festered within Facebook from the very beginning and which seems to be gradually growing and growing without anyone ever liking the postshellip and I mean EVER
Yes I am talking about daily quotes words of wisdom holy quotes mesmerizingly philosophical quotes cheesy quotes religious quoteshellip How can I describe all of them in one easy sentence pieces of text from (famous) people (it can never be something you thought of yourself) that lsquodisclosersquo previously secret information about being happy in life (or at least previously secret to the person doing the posting I presume) In short texts that belong on tiles hanging on the wall in old Dutch peoplersquos toilets
Why
Here are a few I found in my news feed this week
ldquoA mind is like a parachute It doesnrsquot work if it is not openrdquo ndash Frank Zappa
ldquoIt is not because things are difficult that we do not dare it is because we do not dare that things are difficultrdquo ndash Seneca
ldquoIf you donrsquot take what you are doing seriously then nobody else willrdquo ndash Darryl Dlt Thomson
Bad trends would be good if they werenrsquot so bad
85trends
86classifi eds
87classifieds
One of my personal favourite gemstones is moonstone Itlsquos been around for centuries and is used in many cultures As suggested by its name the stone is highly associated with the moon and moon goddess Diana It brings calm peace and love and is said to become more powerful when the moon is full so thatlsquos the best time to wear it One proverb even claims that moonstone can bring you love that will fly you to the moon Spiritually this amazing stone is said to enhance intuition and is always associated with the self It is a very powerful personal stone which doesnlsquot add or remove any aspects of the personality but merely reflects the person wearing it It is said to be very
MoonstoneBy Evelina Kvartunaite
ndash
lsquoThe stone is highly associated with the moon and moon goddess Dianarsquo
ndash
helpful for people who are very sensitive and it is also used in meditation for reflecting oneself Itlsquos always best to charge your gem when the moon is shining at night either while wearing it or by leaving it on a windowsill that receives moonlight Moonstone is also used in healing and is known for balancing the internal organ systems enabling them to work in stable cycles Itlsquos usually more associated with women but is also known to help men embrace their more emotional side soft creative energies and optimism Perhaps understandably moonstone should have limited exposure to strong direct sunlight
ndash
lsquoIt is said to be very helpful for people who are very sensitiversquo
ndash
88
health amp well-being
ndash
lsquoMore associated with women but is also known to help men embrace their more emotional sidersquo
ndash
89health amp well-being
In his article Batin shows how learning how to use complex products is like learning a computer game Just like the challenges in video games match the skills of the user so should TV interactions or any UI interactions for that matter For reference Batin used the four levels described in the Dreyfus model of skill acquisition
Level 1 novicebullRigid adherence to taught rules or plansbullNo exercise of lsquodiscretionary judgmentrsquo
Level 2 Advanced beginnerbullLimited lsquosituational perceptionrsquobullAll aspects of work treated separately with equal importance
Philip Batin wrote an article a couple of months ago about the next big idea in User Interaction gadgets that adapt to your skills As gadgets become more complicated UIs must be able to teach their users over time Apparently more and more interactive products are being returned In 2002 48 of all returned products were technically fully functional but were rejected for failing to satisfy user needs 20 purely due to customer remorse Even though a product may have all the features one can hope for complexity and bad user experience can prevent users from integrating it into their lives
UserInterfaceThe next big thing in UX
lsquoUIs must be able to teach their users over timersquo
By Andrei Barburas
lsquoComplexity and bad user experience can prevent users from
integrating it into their livesrsquo
90
technology
book the majority of which you probably skipped through
Personally I believe that there are certain end users most likely the majority that use only a limited set of features from any device they buy Mobile phones have become indispensable tools in our daily activities yet the average Joe has no idea about the full potential of a smart phone The same applies to Smart TVs they can do lots of things yet the only thing that we do with them is flip channels and complain how bad the shows are
The bottom line is that itrsquos definitely something worth thinking about not only from an operating system perspective but also from the perspective of applications developers
Level 3 competentbulllsquoCoping with crowdednessrsquo (multiple activities accumulation of information)bullSome perception of actions in relation to goalsbullDeliberate planningbullFormulates routines
Level 4 ProficientbullHolistic view of situationbullPrioritizes importance of aspectsbulllsquoPerceives deviations from the normal patternrsquobullEmploys maxim for guidance with meanings that adapt to the situation at hand
Now just imagine a User Interface that adapts based on what you can do and the abilities you have As you learn new things new levels of complexity are unlocked opening the door to fully knowing your device because you learned by doing and not by reading a complicated
lsquoThe average Joe has no idea about the full potential of a
smart phonersquo
91technology
92classifi eds
93classifi eds
Not knowing what was happening in football was extremely annoying to put it mildly and it wasnrsquot just my own self-denial and avoidance of all things football that was a hindrance the extent to which I had to ask others to go in order to remain ignorant was much more excruciating than Irsquod ever imagined There may even be some damage done to football-related friendships that is irreparable I now feel as though Irsquom walking through an empty stadium after everyone else has gone home
So what now and where to next The season is well and truly over and Irsquom free to do whatever I want I could read the back-dated sports pages check all the stats and find out all the facts if I wanted to I could spend hours catching up on last season and speculating on the next with the friends Irsquove still got left down the pub if I wanted to I can follow all the transfer gossip watch pre-season friendlies and build up all my hopes But as with most addictions that would simply be falling back into a previous state of dependence and everything Irsquove just put myself through wouldrsquove been for nothing So how do I go back to an old habit without a total relapse or would it be better to keep abstaining
All my questions seem to be met with other questions and no solutions On the other hand if you ask me what
Someone once said that insanity is when you keep repeating the same behaviour and expect a different outcome most likely a psychologist aimed at his or her ailing patients But for me these words are more reminiscent of my own conduct over the course of a regular football season Week in week out season after season I would expect Tottenham to win something and more often than not Irsquod be left disappointed So I decided to stop No more football ndash at least not for one full season
The season 201213 is now over and during the whole nine months I didnrsquot watch a single moment of football or read a single article on the subject That was my challenge and I was committed to it What is more despite all the warning signs I didnrsquot relapse After a year of structured punishment I didnrsquot have a clue about what was going on in the English Premier League (or any other league) Only having picked up bits and pieces of information that somehow slipped through the net the past season was like a book with most of its pages missing
By Simon Joseph
On The Volley
The Return of the Repressed or the Point of No Return
lsquoInsanity is when you keep repeating the same behaviour and expect a different outcomersquo
sport
lsquoThe past season was like a book with most of its pages missingrsquo
94
lsquoThere may even be some damage done to football-related friendshipsrsquo
lsquoHas abstaining for a season changed mersquo
it until the cows come home but it was us who made those changes or at least allowed them to happen and those changes will continue to happen with or without me Perhaps then the questions I should be asking are has abstaining for a season changed me Am I still obsessed or have I broken the habit of a lifetime Is following football really that terrible or even a real addiction
One thing is certain this lack of resolution is not completely without satisfaction because like all forms of fixation or obsession therersquos comfort and familiarity to be found in repetition as Tottenham miss out on Championrsquos League football by a single point again The repressed will always return to haunt us or so it seems and before we know it the start of next season will be upon us There will be more pain no doubt and more joy This time however it will take more than a boot camp approach to keep me away and who knows Tottenham might even win the league Come on you Spurs
Tottenham Hotspur means I would still tell you that itrsquos not just a pretty football package itrsquos about kith and kin not just where I came from but how I relate to others around me in the here and now Whatrsquos more millions of people are attracted to football they hunger for it and yearn to connect with it even though I still believe itrsquos a form of ineffective escape from one unsatisfying reality to another Following football is a classic example of cognitive dissonance ndash when you simultaneously entertain two opposing thoughts that appear to cancel each other out Before the start of each season for example we all want our club to win everything or to be taken over by billionaires but know that itrsquos impossible or in the latter case controversial and even undesirable So we invent ways to cope We develop a so-called lsquosiege mentalityrsquo or other harmful patterns of behaviour to relieve the discomfort of incongruity With this in mind the past year was supposed to be an exercise in behaviour modification ndash to discover the root of the problem and treat it effectively But one year on have I really discovered anything at all
The English Premier League whether you watch it or not is still probably the most exciting football league in the world We can complain about the changes made to
sport9
5
By Denson Pierre
The Gold Room
Fantasy Football Gold ndash Champions League 2012-2013 winner Denson Pierre and his prizes
The season petered out in an all-German Champions League Final which did nothing to dispel the record that this was a season of too few new stars or regular spectacle We look forward to the next season as it ought not be too difficult to create more excitement than in the one just pastWe did have the opportunity to hand over the envelopes and trophies to the Sentinel Fantasy Football game winners This year all the major winners from the Sentinel Fantasy Football League were unable to be present for the physical prize giving but the winner of the Gold Game and focus of this column was there to receive his prize for winning the master game in styleSo we retire the Gold Room until the beginning of the new football season See you all again then
96
sport
Matt Parker receives his third place and Manager of the Month prizes for the Sentinel Fantasy Football League
Charles Conneely Sentinel Fantasy Football League 2012-2013 Champion
97sport
wwwczechtourismcom
CZECH REPUBLIC - STUNNINGLY DIFFERENT
98
classifi eds
feature
lsquoJopen its beer and its people are so well worked out and presented
that it should be on every Amsterdammerrsquos radarrsquo
feature23
Get advice on housing rental contracts and apartments in Amsterdam
wwwwswonennlenglish
wwwconsultancymarketmediacom
- Account Manager Market Media- (Internship) International Marketing Executive
we are looking for
24classifieds
artist thinker
Here are some of our local partners
Enter (click) to learn why they work with us
demerkplaatsnl
25classifieds
Dam in 60 minutes
By Sam van Dam
perspectives
Rembrandtplein26
perspectives
Last time out I took you up North to the beautiful island of Marken Since that was a somewhat longer trip than some readers might want to take by bike this time our journey is a short one that can even be done on foot to Rembrandtplein The adventure starts at Central Station turn your back on the visually pleasing building that facilitates the arrival of visitors to our hometown and head towards Damrak Amsterdamrsquos lsquoRed Carpetrsquo and home these days to gazillions of restaurants shops bars cafeacutes and of course the nearby world-famous Red Light District all of which wersquoll simply ignore This is easier said than done as there is so much to see so many temptations that demand your attention and try to make you spend your euros before you have even entered the actual city As you walk down Damrak you start to see the buildings situated around Dam Square the central point of Amsterdam offering such delights as the Royal Palace Madame Tussauds the Nieuwekerk the war memorial and other landmarks that define this famous square Rotate 360 degrees to take it all in and then move toward Rokin or if you are in mood for some shopping walk down Kalverstraat instead Yoursquore bound to find something you like in the hundreds of shops lining one of Amsterdamrsquos two main shopping streets Keep walking straight on and just to your right yoursquoll find Spui a lovely square that is regularly home to art and book markets if you have the time You can find a multitude of interesting and inspiring items there or just grab a coffee and sit on one of the benches taking in the scene Once you are done enjoying Spui itrsquos time to get back on track so return to the RokinKalverstraat and head to the right (south) not forgetting to take a closer look
at the statue of former Queen Wilhelmina and her horse standing proudly at the bridge opposite This is also the starting point for boat tours if you want to take a little time out from your stroll to Rembrandtplein get a ticket and hop on one of the very typical 70s-style boats that constantly criss-cross the watery arteries of Amsterdam These typical 1970s-style barges provide a visual impression of the city that looks familiar yet very different a pleasure that locals and visitors alike appreciate very much every time
When you have returned from the water tour return to Rokin and keep walking towards Munt which is easily recognisable by its old-style tower featuring a clockwork chime that marks the hour and enhances the scenery in this part of town along with the Hotel De LrsquoEurope just across the way You could also take a pit-stop there while enjoying the view over the Amstel and the hundreds of little boats filled with chillaxing people at least on sunny days You can dwell on the fact that life in Amsterdam often seems so easy and beautiful that it entices visitors to return again and again You are now very close to your final destination so cross the road and enter the Reguliersbreestraat Marvel at the beauty of the Tuschinski Theater as you continue towards the wide open square that is our last stop Grab a drink or some ice-cream while you find yourself a nice spot on the grassy circular central area of the Rembrandtplein where you can spend hours looking at the beautiful buildings the relaxing people and the artists selling their work This is also where you can find me presenting a fine selection of my photo prints of what to me is the best city in the world So if itrsquos not raining come by and enjoy my photographic impressions of Amsterdam they make awesome souvenirs to take home with you Irsquom looking forward to meeting you on lsquomyrsquo square
lsquoOur journey is a short one that can even be done on footrsquo
27
28perspectives
29perspectives
lsquo1970s-style barges provide a visual impression of the city that looks familiar yet very differentrsquo
30perspectives
31perspectives
32perspectives
33perspectives
lsquoMarvel at the beauty of the Tuschinski Theaterrsquo
34perspectives
35perspectives
lsquoRotate 360 degrees to take it all inrsquo
36perspectives
lsquoRotate 360 degrees to take it all inrsquo
37perspectives
38perspectives
39perspectives
40
perspectives
41perspectives
42featureperspectives
feature4
3perspectives
44
featureperspectives
feature4
5perspectives
lsquoTake a closer look at the statue of former Queen Wilhelmina and her horsersquo
46
perspectives
lsquoThis is also where you can find me presenting a fine selection of my
photo printsrsquo
47perspectives
perspectives4
8
perspectives4
9
For complete and world class tours of Prague
Packages includebull Hidden and playful Prague (for families with young children)bull Literary Praguebull Prague Architecture through the agesbull Religion and the citybull The old city at night
These are detailed tours designed for visitors who wish to explore with great detail and not suitable for simply sight-seeing tourists
Day segments and ratesPR 0800-1230hrs AG 1330-1630hrs UE 1730-2130hrsAll sessions are priced at u 25 per single adult Group size upper limit = 8 Accompanied children under the age of five are gratis and school aged children pay 25 Family package rates are negotiable
ContactJaroslav Cernosek+420 602 228 797Mail jcernosekcentrumcz
wwwyourtuliptourcom
JC Tours
50classifieds
51classifieds
CafeacuteBar Review Van Mechelen
cafebar review52
Van MechelenSloterkade 96-97 Amsterdam
It may be the new hype in the city as far as grand cafeacute and restaurant concepts go but Van Mechelen is already approaching excellence Considering its handy location in another pretty neighbourhood of Amsterdam South it is almost a lsquomust visitrsquo place that has created a theme built on the Burgundian enjoyment of life good food complemented with top-class beer and wine If you want a taste of what it feels like to visit a cafeacute-restaurant in Mechelen Belgium Van Mechelen is an easy way for an Amsterdammer to savour this experience and is just a short cycle ride away
ambianceBurgundian Rating 5
StaffregularsMembers of staff are clearly very well trained and this adds to the light and airy atmosphere Having opened for business just three months ago those who have fallen in love with the place and its consumables have not yet had time to clock up the number of visits and connections to be considered lsquoregularsrsquo Rating 5
televised sportNo space within the design and layout for this form of distraction Rating 3
PricesSurprisingly these are within the lsquonormalrsquo range for this level and quality of fare Outstandingly fairly priced snacks and nibbles are also offered to help you along as you take on the fine (Mechelen brewery group Alken-Maes) beers and wines When did you last enjoy a generous portion of fresh olives for a mere euro250 Rating 5
MusicAt the time of review the establishment was fairly packed out The atmosphere is conducive to chats and hilarity and although the selection of tunes could be heard far in the background the sound system may well have more kick It should as the building is of such a solid constitution that it should contain noise and not easily upset the neighbours Rating 5
Smoking area provisionFortunately for puffers the originally industrial nature of the address means that the former loading bay and entranceexit areas have become two naturally covered terrace areas separated from the luscious interior by huge glass-panelled doors Rating 5
total rating 2830(Rating from 1-5 where 1 = Very poor and 5 = Excellent)
By Denson Pierre
lsquoThe new hype in the city as far as grand cafeacute and restaurant concepts gorsquo
cafebar review53
lsquoMembers of staff are clearly very well trainedrsquo
cafebar review54
cafebar review55
lsquoOutstandingly fairly priced snacks and nibbles are also offeredrsquo
cafebar review56
cafebar review57
lsquoThe atmosphere is conducive to chats and hilarityrsquo
cafebar review58
cafebar review59
scamsterdam
lifestyles60
By Valeria Scimia
Unemployed international and looking for a job in the Netherlands Not only must you face the everyday hell that is job-seeking but now you must also beware of scam companies Yes theyrsquove arrived here too
I was recently contacted by an ostensibly legitimate company that wanted to hire me The contact took the form of what appeared to be a genuine e-mail complete with website and logo from a company in Australia that seemed absolutely legitimate (I have since contacted the company to warn them that someone overseas is using their name and logo to scam people) The e-mail explained that the company was opening an office in Holland and was looking for people who would handle the back-office orders It contained a form to be filled in and returned if I was interested in the position the form asked for all my personal information including my bank details I had been looking for a job and was interested in the offer so I filled in and sent off the form and my CV Once they received my e-mail they asked me to start a trial period without practically explaining anything of what the job was actually about I didnrsquot immediately reply so they called me the next day asking me to start immediately with the trial period promising lots of benefits once the contract was signed I hadnrsquot met anyone at this point only telephone interviews and that already didnrsquot seem right to me I asked them to send me more information by e-mail about what I was meant to do and a few moments later I received a response asking me to make a bank transfer to show them I was trustworthy The lsquotrialrsquo implied that they would send me some money and I had to transfer half via GWK or MoneyTransfer to one of their clients and keep the other half This smelled very fishy to the Italian in me In reality they could be sending a cheque to the bank which would register an income that would later bounce after I had already made the payment to their lsquoclientrsquo On top of losing money the person that tried to lsquohirersquo meyou
would have been untraceable No one was even picking up the phone at the number given in the e-mail and the company they claimed to represent wasnrsquot even active in Europe
So I said no and told them I was no longer interested They even had the gumption to call me back and ask me why I wouldnrsquot do it I gave them a silly excuse so as not to give them any more information or tips on how to improve their scummy scam I am happy I started checking their contacts as soon as their promises seemed too good to be true even if I am still angry I allowed them to data-mine all of my information when I sent them my CV and filled in their form
It beggars belief that they set up an entire facade in these times of work despair and it really doesnrsquot feel right especially because therersquos not much I can do about it now apart from inform people I didnrsquot think this would ever happen here in this country where everything has to be or always seems to be so legitimate But I guess some things never change and a place doesnrsquot make the people and certainly doesnrsquot influence the choices they make I just wanted to share my experience to alert everyone to the possible scam If a company contacts you and asks you to return a form including your bank details when you have never met anyone face-to-face it should make your antennas extend and remember to double-check their credibility Apparently it is illegal to ask such questions of someone here so donrsquot fall for it as I did As I am still waiting to hear from the company in Australia I didnrsquot feel it was proper to disclose its name publicly just yet plus I am not sure the scammers always use the same company as a fake front But what they ask you to do is more or less always the same so keep your eyes open to the little details
lsquoYou face the everyday hell that is job-seeking but now you must also beware of scam companiesrsquo
lsquoThis smelled very fishy to the Italian in mersquo
lsquoThe form asked for all my personal informationrsquo
lifestyles6
1
Je moet er geweest zijn
62classifieds
MechelenAuthentic and full of surprises Thatrsquos Mechelen Hospitable and honourable Thatrsquos the people of Mechelen Come and experience the cityrsquos urban charms for yourself Mechelen
Authentic and full of surprises Thatrsquos Mechelen Hospitable and honourable Thatrsquos the people of Mechelen Come and experience the cityrsquos urban charms for yourself
photography copy Milo Profi
classifieds63
classifieds
How to hang out in
Amsterdam
By ER Muntrem
perspectives
It is not against the rules for babies to cry in cafeacutes It happens Mostly they sleep or sit in someonersquos lap with commendable decorum Otherwise kids in cafeacutes tend to nosh a little less than their elders and handle crayons a little more And while anyone who toddles behind the bar will certainly get caught they can always claim they were encouraged to toddle there in the first place
Dutch parents and I realise this is hard to prove seem to let their kids wander a metre or two further away from them than parents from other developed countries that universal ldquowhere is sherdquo look delayed five or ten seconds If this extra distance is a sign of perceived safety cafeacute culture must help teach it
Except for chefs all cafeacute workers do more or less all the jobs required to run a cafeacute They all wait on tables
serve hot and cold drinks set up outdoor furniture load and retrieve supplies take the garbage out wash glasses light candles arrange flowers unfurl the awning and ring up the bill When the young guy or girl greets you you may know they are not the owner but for the moment they are the face of the establishment It may as well be their place
Admittedly I am seduced by places where waiters donrsquot work for tips where the rushed pace of eating in a restaurant in America does not exist In a cafeacute you can do what you want for as long as you want and get food and drink while you do it Pretty cool and as much a baseline for how to hang out in Amsterdam as cycling is for how to get around
Places to eat and drink owned by corporations have to package experience to deliver it Whatrsquos our brand How can our managers and servers be most efficient How ultimately can we be number one Not something most cafeacutes seem to be worried about and where the universal signs for lsquowe are having a good time togetherrsquo
lsquoCafeacute culture must help teachrsquo lsquoI am seduced by places where waiters donrsquot work for tipsrsquo
64
perspectives
or lsquoI am happy here by myselfrsquo (clinked glasses or absorption in a newspaper say) are routinely in evidence This is one true grace of democracy the average worth smiling about
At cafeacutes co-workers have a beer before or after their shift friends drop by or a regular pops in with some news The stream of customers they donrsquot have to woo and donrsquot have to lsquoworkrsquo gives the whole thing a slightly familial living room perfectly public feel that makes the work far less of a personality crimp than working at Starbucks Or so it seems I do not mean to pretend carrying drinks across the street to the canal side seating or giving obvious directions yet again is always glorious but most people who work in cafeacutersquos laugh and smile a fair bit almost as much as the patrons
And when the owner of a cafeacute is of a generation older than those working there as is usually the case it lends a wise uncle or mother hen feel to the proceedings In the daytime no one is ever too caught up in his or her designated title to ignore a baby on the move And at
night the crowd of drinkers may as well be at a party hosted by their parents or kids or both
Itrsquos not all about money cafeacute culture churns towards the civilised without grinding anyone too far down As well as pleasure there is power in this The best distillation I know of what democracy should be came from a young woman working at Cafeacute Captein With our meal in front of us my friend noticed he was missing his salad Flagged down the young woman went to investigate ldquoItrsquos on its wayrdquo she said ldquoI told my boss to do itrdquo
Imagine we told Putin to do it We told Obama to do it We told the bankers to do it
lsquoMost people who work in cafeacutersquos laugh and smile a fair bitrsquo
lsquoCafeacute culture churns towards the civilised without grinding anyone too far downrsquo
65
66
featurecity gem
lsquoThe last of the large independent music stores left standing in Amsterdamrsquo
CITY GEM
67
Concerto
By Denson Pierre
ConcertoUtrechtsestraat 60 1017 VP Amsterdam
it is a rush when on a full stomach you can make an instant decision on where your next city-centre lunch will be taken it is almost ecstasy when the venue is situated in a music shop which for decades has been defined by its exceptional range and quality of music available in amsterdam Concerto is the last of the large independent music stores left standing in amsterdam all the others have long since been killed off by everything from the advance in recording and playback technologies to habitual illegal downloaders only now realising that their behaviour has an impact right back down to street level despite what they might think about the giant studios and recording companies
Concerto has not stuck but has twisted Since September it has incorporated a cute cafeacute
and lunch area within its premises as well as introducing a bookshop and lounge area making it possible to spend an almost nostalgic time there over several hours It still has a vast range of the very best music in vinyl (both new and second-hand) and CD form DVDs DJ equipment and even gear used for live musical performances Itrsquos a gold mine
If it has taken this clever adaptation in space utilisation to keep this institution viable and available to Amsterdam-based music lovers then I personally wish to support this venture and help mean this type of music retailer to remain part of the city scene For people of a certain age there is something infinitely more appealing about physically handling recorded material appreciating the artwork in its packaging having a listen and then deciding if it is a purchase you would like to make Even though non-digital stockpiling has become rather passeacute I challenge you to visit Concerto and its new cafeacute and bookshop concept and not end up spending more time in this true city gem than you had anticipated
lsquoIt has incorporated a cute cafeacute and lunch area within its premises as well as introducing a bookshop and lounge arearsquo
city gem
68
city gem
69city gem
city gem70
city gem71
72city gem
lsquoThere is something infinitely more appealing about physically
handling recorded material appreciating the artwork in its
packagingrsquo
73city gem
74classifi eds
75classifi eds
classifi edsclassifi eds76
amsterdam city life
BrinG BaCK
Something that seems to have been watered down considerably in Amsterdamrsquos hospitality industry in recent years is independence of thought styling and designAll you have to do is walk around the city to note that way too many coffeesoup houses and cafeacutes are more or less identikit This also applies to many cafeacutes with unimaginative business leaders who open unoriginal looking spaces and hope that the use of white paint purple or blue lights and house music is all it takes
Luckily there is something brewing to save our days and nights I have come across cafeacute owners who are now seriously considering ending the arrangements they have with the giant drink suppliers There are actually no good arguments left for continuing with these huge multinationals as they are frankly more expensive at wholesale for the same A-class products than the supermarkets on every Amsterdammerrsquos street corner
It looks like space is being created for the smaller brewers to take up the supply of A-class beer to smaller establishments throughout the city The giants can keep their character-free tourist traps and those bars still able to benefit purely from their unbeatable locations throughout the city
The Sentinel says bring back better and more original businesses of scale within the local hospitality industry which will help more cafeacutes and bars not only to become distinguishable by the interior designs they will need to conjure but also through the variety of local and regional beers that could become part of their coherent identity The overriding benefit of such courageous thinking and action would be an immediate return to realistic and reasonable pricing for A-class beer in Amsterdam which remains the staple of the easy consumables as this recession drones on
By Denson Pierre
INDEPENDENT CAFeacuteSBARS
77
78star beer guide
Star Beer
The SentinelStar beer guide
lsquoDifferent beers can seem to weigh on the conscience as much as on the taste budsrsquo
Just like the changing of the seasons different beers can seem to weigh on the conscience as much as on the taste buds Ciney blond is a lovely almost effeminate tasting beer All light smooth fruitiness bolstered by substantial alcohol content
As the temperature increases it can even feel like a thirst quencher A nice session beer and one that could function as an entrance-level quality beer in terms of its complexity For advanced samplers it is a great lower platform to descend to after cruising the space occupied by the 8-plus percentage alcoholic beauties
Ciney blond is brewed by Alken-Maes Mechelen Belgium
By Denson Pierre
CINEY BLOND (7 ABV)
79star beer guide
We find the best most fun most typical exciting or local favourite restaurants etcetera in Amsterdam and bring them to you an easy way to feel like a local
Cafe Kostverloren 040606
Recommended
80recommended
EUROGIFTSXenonweg 9 3812 SZ Amersfoort
Tel 033 - 454 35 75 - Fax 033 - 454 35 79E-mail lmproefeurogiftsnl
Website wwweurogiftsnl
FILMPROEF
ORDERNUMMER 6021022ARTIKELNUMMER 65123
Ware grootte (indien uitgeprint)Kleur opdruk Wit
Mulligans Irish Music BarAmsterdamrsquos best address for live Irish music Five (5) nights a week Check our agenda for upcoming sessions Amstel 100 1017 AC Amsterdamwwwmulligansnl
Cafeacute KostverlorenCafeacute Kostverloren is a contemporary cafe offering the cosiness of a saloon an open kitchen and the intimacy of a living room The large terras is great for sunny days2e Kostverlorenkade 70 Amsterdamwwwcafekostverlorennl
ZestZest is fi ne food warm atmosphere and classy drinks with regular semi-acoustic (live) music and DJs (Thursday to Sunday) Amsterdamrsquos newest and freshestBilderdijkstraat 188 Amsterdamwwwfacebookcomclubzestnl
GollemGollemrsquos Proefl okaal Gollem and Gollem II represent the best addresses serving the fullest range of top Belgian Dutch and international beers in AmsterdamOvertoom 160-161wwwcafegollemnl
IncantoA restaurant with a classic Italian kitchen Venetian chef Simone Ambrosin is known for his pure and simple style of cooking with great feeling for nuanceAmstel 2 Amsterdamwwwrestaurant-incantonl
Planet RoseThe fi rst Caribbean restaurant in the Netherlands specialised in Jamaican cuisine The menu features a daily changing selectionNicolaas Beetsstraat 47 Amsterdamwwwplanetroseinfo
Cafe restaurant EdelCafe restaurant Edel is the perfect place for lunch dinner or to simply enjoy a drink Edel is a unique place in AmsterdamPostjesweg 1 1057 DT Amsterdamwwwedelamsterdamnl
Cafeacute OportoCafeacute Oporto is a traditional Amsterdam lsquobrown cafersquo Welcoming tourists and regular customers alike they offer televised sports wifi and a wide range of reasonably priced beers and spiritsZoutsteeg 1 1012 LX Amsterdamwwwcafeoportonet
BaxA cosy and friendly local cafeacute with a focus on special or interesting beers and good quality food Open 7 days a week with a professional kitchen offering a lunch and dinner serviceTen Katestraat 119 Amsterdamwwwcafebaxnl
To be seen and tasted Fun Drinking amp Music
To Be Seen and Tasted
Fun Drinking amp Music
Fun Drinking amp Music
Connoisseurs Delight
Connoisseurs Delight
Connoisseurs Delight
To Be Seen and Tasted
Neighbourhood cosy
Fun drinking and music
ParckGreat fun beautiful people and simply the best bar food in townOvertoom 428 Amsterdamwwwcafeparcknl
To be seen and tasted
Cafe de Toog1890rsquos grandeur fashioned into Amsterdam-West grand brown cafe-restaurant-cool Classy drinks and mealsNicolaas Beetsstraat 142 hs Amsterdam wwwcafedetoogcom
Opera Prima - Patisserie Bistro TraiteurThe best place in town for lunch exquisite high teas or brunches and all of your luxury catering both private and corporateKinkerstraat 228 Amsterdamwwwoperaprimanl
Recommended
81
Where is this inAmsterdamAnswer to sentinelpostgmailcom
82spotted
Room 2cfilm
ldquoCome on in boys the waterrsquos finerdquo This is arguably the best all-round and funny musical to come out of Hollywood in a generation and certainly one of the best three soundtracks of the same period George Clooney will never be as good or charming as he is here playing the accidental leader of a trio of chain gang escapees in the US south of the 1930s Spirituality meets the Ku Klux Klan all coloured by Virginia bluegrass
ldquoCall me Snakerdquo The coolest handle for a leading man (Kurt Russell) in any movie to date Here he is sent in on a heroic lsquoat all costrsquo one-man mission to rescue the president of the United States from the prison island Manhattan has become in a lsquofuturersquo representation of 1997 Air Force One has crashed there and the countdown is on Classic 1980s turn of the millennium dystopian vision with style pace and gadgetry
By dpmotions
By dpmotions
o Brother Where Art Thou (2000)
escape from new York (1981)
room2c83
84trends
lsquoTrends are great to join and surf like a once in a lifetime tsunamirsquo
By Dirkje Bakker-Pierre
Each and every micro-world has its own specific trends Take the fashion world for example where one day you have to wear high heels and round noses and the next itrsquos flat hairy elephant feet-like boots that must hug your feet Or take the automotive world where once upon a time you could never have enough chrome on your car or the food world where we have quietly moved from fast to green and wholesome or the TV world which used to be about fiction and is now more real than reality Some of these trends are great to join and surf like a once in a lifetime tsunami others can slip by unnoticed and others still keep bugging and bugging you even if you try to avoid them like the plague
The online world and specifically the social media universe eats through trends like a fat chick after a hunger strike Facebook in particular seems to move seamlessly from one hype to the next one day itrsquos pictures with fuzzy edges or a bit of a 1970s filter the next itrsquos a profile picture with you very consciously not looking into the camera (very spontaneously and naturally non-posing you might say) These are mostly harmless things if Irsquom honest and when everyone
stops liking them they fade away as quickly as the sun in our small wet country There is one trend however that has festered within Facebook from the very beginning and which seems to be gradually growing and growing without anyone ever liking the postshellip and I mean EVER
Yes I am talking about daily quotes words of wisdom holy quotes mesmerizingly philosophical quotes cheesy quotes religious quoteshellip How can I describe all of them in one easy sentence pieces of text from (famous) people (it can never be something you thought of yourself) that lsquodisclosersquo previously secret information about being happy in life (or at least previously secret to the person doing the posting I presume) In short texts that belong on tiles hanging on the wall in old Dutch peoplersquos toilets
Why
Here are a few I found in my news feed this week
ldquoA mind is like a parachute It doesnrsquot work if it is not openrdquo ndash Frank Zappa
ldquoIt is not because things are difficult that we do not dare it is because we do not dare that things are difficultrdquo ndash Seneca
ldquoIf you donrsquot take what you are doing seriously then nobody else willrdquo ndash Darryl Dlt Thomson
Bad trends would be good if they werenrsquot so bad
85trends
86classifi eds
87classifieds
One of my personal favourite gemstones is moonstone Itlsquos been around for centuries and is used in many cultures As suggested by its name the stone is highly associated with the moon and moon goddess Diana It brings calm peace and love and is said to become more powerful when the moon is full so thatlsquos the best time to wear it One proverb even claims that moonstone can bring you love that will fly you to the moon Spiritually this amazing stone is said to enhance intuition and is always associated with the self It is a very powerful personal stone which doesnlsquot add or remove any aspects of the personality but merely reflects the person wearing it It is said to be very
MoonstoneBy Evelina Kvartunaite
ndash
lsquoThe stone is highly associated with the moon and moon goddess Dianarsquo
ndash
helpful for people who are very sensitive and it is also used in meditation for reflecting oneself Itlsquos always best to charge your gem when the moon is shining at night either while wearing it or by leaving it on a windowsill that receives moonlight Moonstone is also used in healing and is known for balancing the internal organ systems enabling them to work in stable cycles Itlsquos usually more associated with women but is also known to help men embrace their more emotional side soft creative energies and optimism Perhaps understandably moonstone should have limited exposure to strong direct sunlight
ndash
lsquoIt is said to be very helpful for people who are very sensitiversquo
ndash
88
health amp well-being
ndash
lsquoMore associated with women but is also known to help men embrace their more emotional sidersquo
ndash
89health amp well-being
In his article Batin shows how learning how to use complex products is like learning a computer game Just like the challenges in video games match the skills of the user so should TV interactions or any UI interactions for that matter For reference Batin used the four levels described in the Dreyfus model of skill acquisition
Level 1 novicebullRigid adherence to taught rules or plansbullNo exercise of lsquodiscretionary judgmentrsquo
Level 2 Advanced beginnerbullLimited lsquosituational perceptionrsquobullAll aspects of work treated separately with equal importance
Philip Batin wrote an article a couple of months ago about the next big idea in User Interaction gadgets that adapt to your skills As gadgets become more complicated UIs must be able to teach their users over time Apparently more and more interactive products are being returned In 2002 48 of all returned products were technically fully functional but were rejected for failing to satisfy user needs 20 purely due to customer remorse Even though a product may have all the features one can hope for complexity and bad user experience can prevent users from integrating it into their lives
UserInterfaceThe next big thing in UX
lsquoUIs must be able to teach their users over timersquo
By Andrei Barburas
lsquoComplexity and bad user experience can prevent users from
integrating it into their livesrsquo
90
technology
book the majority of which you probably skipped through
Personally I believe that there are certain end users most likely the majority that use only a limited set of features from any device they buy Mobile phones have become indispensable tools in our daily activities yet the average Joe has no idea about the full potential of a smart phone The same applies to Smart TVs they can do lots of things yet the only thing that we do with them is flip channels and complain how bad the shows are
The bottom line is that itrsquos definitely something worth thinking about not only from an operating system perspective but also from the perspective of applications developers
Level 3 competentbulllsquoCoping with crowdednessrsquo (multiple activities accumulation of information)bullSome perception of actions in relation to goalsbullDeliberate planningbullFormulates routines
Level 4 ProficientbullHolistic view of situationbullPrioritizes importance of aspectsbulllsquoPerceives deviations from the normal patternrsquobullEmploys maxim for guidance with meanings that adapt to the situation at hand
Now just imagine a User Interface that adapts based on what you can do and the abilities you have As you learn new things new levels of complexity are unlocked opening the door to fully knowing your device because you learned by doing and not by reading a complicated
lsquoThe average Joe has no idea about the full potential of a
smart phonersquo
91technology
92classifi eds
93classifi eds
Not knowing what was happening in football was extremely annoying to put it mildly and it wasnrsquot just my own self-denial and avoidance of all things football that was a hindrance the extent to which I had to ask others to go in order to remain ignorant was much more excruciating than Irsquod ever imagined There may even be some damage done to football-related friendships that is irreparable I now feel as though Irsquom walking through an empty stadium after everyone else has gone home
So what now and where to next The season is well and truly over and Irsquom free to do whatever I want I could read the back-dated sports pages check all the stats and find out all the facts if I wanted to I could spend hours catching up on last season and speculating on the next with the friends Irsquove still got left down the pub if I wanted to I can follow all the transfer gossip watch pre-season friendlies and build up all my hopes But as with most addictions that would simply be falling back into a previous state of dependence and everything Irsquove just put myself through wouldrsquove been for nothing So how do I go back to an old habit without a total relapse or would it be better to keep abstaining
All my questions seem to be met with other questions and no solutions On the other hand if you ask me what
Someone once said that insanity is when you keep repeating the same behaviour and expect a different outcome most likely a psychologist aimed at his or her ailing patients But for me these words are more reminiscent of my own conduct over the course of a regular football season Week in week out season after season I would expect Tottenham to win something and more often than not Irsquod be left disappointed So I decided to stop No more football ndash at least not for one full season
The season 201213 is now over and during the whole nine months I didnrsquot watch a single moment of football or read a single article on the subject That was my challenge and I was committed to it What is more despite all the warning signs I didnrsquot relapse After a year of structured punishment I didnrsquot have a clue about what was going on in the English Premier League (or any other league) Only having picked up bits and pieces of information that somehow slipped through the net the past season was like a book with most of its pages missing
By Simon Joseph
On The Volley
The Return of the Repressed or the Point of No Return
lsquoInsanity is when you keep repeating the same behaviour and expect a different outcomersquo
sport
lsquoThe past season was like a book with most of its pages missingrsquo
94
lsquoThere may even be some damage done to football-related friendshipsrsquo
lsquoHas abstaining for a season changed mersquo
it until the cows come home but it was us who made those changes or at least allowed them to happen and those changes will continue to happen with or without me Perhaps then the questions I should be asking are has abstaining for a season changed me Am I still obsessed or have I broken the habit of a lifetime Is following football really that terrible or even a real addiction
One thing is certain this lack of resolution is not completely without satisfaction because like all forms of fixation or obsession therersquos comfort and familiarity to be found in repetition as Tottenham miss out on Championrsquos League football by a single point again The repressed will always return to haunt us or so it seems and before we know it the start of next season will be upon us There will be more pain no doubt and more joy This time however it will take more than a boot camp approach to keep me away and who knows Tottenham might even win the league Come on you Spurs
Tottenham Hotspur means I would still tell you that itrsquos not just a pretty football package itrsquos about kith and kin not just where I came from but how I relate to others around me in the here and now Whatrsquos more millions of people are attracted to football they hunger for it and yearn to connect with it even though I still believe itrsquos a form of ineffective escape from one unsatisfying reality to another Following football is a classic example of cognitive dissonance ndash when you simultaneously entertain two opposing thoughts that appear to cancel each other out Before the start of each season for example we all want our club to win everything or to be taken over by billionaires but know that itrsquos impossible or in the latter case controversial and even undesirable So we invent ways to cope We develop a so-called lsquosiege mentalityrsquo or other harmful patterns of behaviour to relieve the discomfort of incongruity With this in mind the past year was supposed to be an exercise in behaviour modification ndash to discover the root of the problem and treat it effectively But one year on have I really discovered anything at all
The English Premier League whether you watch it or not is still probably the most exciting football league in the world We can complain about the changes made to
sport9
5
By Denson Pierre
The Gold Room
Fantasy Football Gold ndash Champions League 2012-2013 winner Denson Pierre and his prizes
The season petered out in an all-German Champions League Final which did nothing to dispel the record that this was a season of too few new stars or regular spectacle We look forward to the next season as it ought not be too difficult to create more excitement than in the one just pastWe did have the opportunity to hand over the envelopes and trophies to the Sentinel Fantasy Football game winners This year all the major winners from the Sentinel Fantasy Football League were unable to be present for the physical prize giving but the winner of the Gold Game and focus of this column was there to receive his prize for winning the master game in styleSo we retire the Gold Room until the beginning of the new football season See you all again then
96
sport
Matt Parker receives his third place and Manager of the Month prizes for the Sentinel Fantasy Football League
Charles Conneely Sentinel Fantasy Football League 2012-2013 Champion
97sport
wwwczechtourismcom
CZECH REPUBLIC - STUNNINGLY DIFFERENT
98
classifi eds
Get advice on housing rental contracts and apartments in Amsterdam
wwwwswonennlenglish
wwwconsultancymarketmediacom
- Account Manager Market Media- (Internship) International Marketing Executive
we are looking for
24classifieds
artist thinker
Here are some of our local partners
Enter (click) to learn why they work with us
demerkplaatsnl
25classifieds
Dam in 60 minutes
By Sam van Dam
perspectives
Rembrandtplein26
perspectives
Last time out I took you up North to the beautiful island of Marken Since that was a somewhat longer trip than some readers might want to take by bike this time our journey is a short one that can even be done on foot to Rembrandtplein The adventure starts at Central Station turn your back on the visually pleasing building that facilitates the arrival of visitors to our hometown and head towards Damrak Amsterdamrsquos lsquoRed Carpetrsquo and home these days to gazillions of restaurants shops bars cafeacutes and of course the nearby world-famous Red Light District all of which wersquoll simply ignore This is easier said than done as there is so much to see so many temptations that demand your attention and try to make you spend your euros before you have even entered the actual city As you walk down Damrak you start to see the buildings situated around Dam Square the central point of Amsterdam offering such delights as the Royal Palace Madame Tussauds the Nieuwekerk the war memorial and other landmarks that define this famous square Rotate 360 degrees to take it all in and then move toward Rokin or if you are in mood for some shopping walk down Kalverstraat instead Yoursquore bound to find something you like in the hundreds of shops lining one of Amsterdamrsquos two main shopping streets Keep walking straight on and just to your right yoursquoll find Spui a lovely square that is regularly home to art and book markets if you have the time You can find a multitude of interesting and inspiring items there or just grab a coffee and sit on one of the benches taking in the scene Once you are done enjoying Spui itrsquos time to get back on track so return to the RokinKalverstraat and head to the right (south) not forgetting to take a closer look
at the statue of former Queen Wilhelmina and her horse standing proudly at the bridge opposite This is also the starting point for boat tours if you want to take a little time out from your stroll to Rembrandtplein get a ticket and hop on one of the very typical 70s-style boats that constantly criss-cross the watery arteries of Amsterdam These typical 1970s-style barges provide a visual impression of the city that looks familiar yet very different a pleasure that locals and visitors alike appreciate very much every time
When you have returned from the water tour return to Rokin and keep walking towards Munt which is easily recognisable by its old-style tower featuring a clockwork chime that marks the hour and enhances the scenery in this part of town along with the Hotel De LrsquoEurope just across the way You could also take a pit-stop there while enjoying the view over the Amstel and the hundreds of little boats filled with chillaxing people at least on sunny days You can dwell on the fact that life in Amsterdam often seems so easy and beautiful that it entices visitors to return again and again You are now very close to your final destination so cross the road and enter the Reguliersbreestraat Marvel at the beauty of the Tuschinski Theater as you continue towards the wide open square that is our last stop Grab a drink or some ice-cream while you find yourself a nice spot on the grassy circular central area of the Rembrandtplein where you can spend hours looking at the beautiful buildings the relaxing people and the artists selling their work This is also where you can find me presenting a fine selection of my photo prints of what to me is the best city in the world So if itrsquos not raining come by and enjoy my photographic impressions of Amsterdam they make awesome souvenirs to take home with you Irsquom looking forward to meeting you on lsquomyrsquo square
lsquoOur journey is a short one that can even be done on footrsquo
27
28perspectives
29perspectives
lsquo1970s-style barges provide a visual impression of the city that looks familiar yet very differentrsquo
30perspectives
31perspectives
32perspectives
33perspectives
lsquoMarvel at the beauty of the Tuschinski Theaterrsquo
34perspectives
35perspectives
lsquoRotate 360 degrees to take it all inrsquo
36perspectives
lsquoRotate 360 degrees to take it all inrsquo
37perspectives
38perspectives
39perspectives
40
perspectives
41perspectives
42featureperspectives
feature4
3perspectives
44
featureperspectives
feature4
5perspectives
lsquoTake a closer look at the statue of former Queen Wilhelmina and her horsersquo
46
perspectives
lsquoThis is also where you can find me presenting a fine selection of my
photo printsrsquo
47perspectives
perspectives4
8
perspectives4
9
For complete and world class tours of Prague
Packages includebull Hidden and playful Prague (for families with young children)bull Literary Praguebull Prague Architecture through the agesbull Religion and the citybull The old city at night
These are detailed tours designed for visitors who wish to explore with great detail and not suitable for simply sight-seeing tourists
Day segments and ratesPR 0800-1230hrs AG 1330-1630hrs UE 1730-2130hrsAll sessions are priced at u 25 per single adult Group size upper limit = 8 Accompanied children under the age of five are gratis and school aged children pay 25 Family package rates are negotiable
ContactJaroslav Cernosek+420 602 228 797Mail jcernosekcentrumcz
wwwyourtuliptourcom
JC Tours
50classifieds
51classifieds
CafeacuteBar Review Van Mechelen
cafebar review52
Van MechelenSloterkade 96-97 Amsterdam
It may be the new hype in the city as far as grand cafeacute and restaurant concepts go but Van Mechelen is already approaching excellence Considering its handy location in another pretty neighbourhood of Amsterdam South it is almost a lsquomust visitrsquo place that has created a theme built on the Burgundian enjoyment of life good food complemented with top-class beer and wine If you want a taste of what it feels like to visit a cafeacute-restaurant in Mechelen Belgium Van Mechelen is an easy way for an Amsterdammer to savour this experience and is just a short cycle ride away
ambianceBurgundian Rating 5
StaffregularsMembers of staff are clearly very well trained and this adds to the light and airy atmosphere Having opened for business just three months ago those who have fallen in love with the place and its consumables have not yet had time to clock up the number of visits and connections to be considered lsquoregularsrsquo Rating 5
televised sportNo space within the design and layout for this form of distraction Rating 3
PricesSurprisingly these are within the lsquonormalrsquo range for this level and quality of fare Outstandingly fairly priced snacks and nibbles are also offered to help you along as you take on the fine (Mechelen brewery group Alken-Maes) beers and wines When did you last enjoy a generous portion of fresh olives for a mere euro250 Rating 5
MusicAt the time of review the establishment was fairly packed out The atmosphere is conducive to chats and hilarity and although the selection of tunes could be heard far in the background the sound system may well have more kick It should as the building is of such a solid constitution that it should contain noise and not easily upset the neighbours Rating 5
Smoking area provisionFortunately for puffers the originally industrial nature of the address means that the former loading bay and entranceexit areas have become two naturally covered terrace areas separated from the luscious interior by huge glass-panelled doors Rating 5
total rating 2830(Rating from 1-5 where 1 = Very poor and 5 = Excellent)
By Denson Pierre
lsquoThe new hype in the city as far as grand cafeacute and restaurant concepts gorsquo
cafebar review53
lsquoMembers of staff are clearly very well trainedrsquo
cafebar review54
cafebar review55
lsquoOutstandingly fairly priced snacks and nibbles are also offeredrsquo
cafebar review56
cafebar review57
lsquoThe atmosphere is conducive to chats and hilarityrsquo
cafebar review58
cafebar review59
scamsterdam
lifestyles60
By Valeria Scimia
Unemployed international and looking for a job in the Netherlands Not only must you face the everyday hell that is job-seeking but now you must also beware of scam companies Yes theyrsquove arrived here too
I was recently contacted by an ostensibly legitimate company that wanted to hire me The contact took the form of what appeared to be a genuine e-mail complete with website and logo from a company in Australia that seemed absolutely legitimate (I have since contacted the company to warn them that someone overseas is using their name and logo to scam people) The e-mail explained that the company was opening an office in Holland and was looking for people who would handle the back-office orders It contained a form to be filled in and returned if I was interested in the position the form asked for all my personal information including my bank details I had been looking for a job and was interested in the offer so I filled in and sent off the form and my CV Once they received my e-mail they asked me to start a trial period without practically explaining anything of what the job was actually about I didnrsquot immediately reply so they called me the next day asking me to start immediately with the trial period promising lots of benefits once the contract was signed I hadnrsquot met anyone at this point only telephone interviews and that already didnrsquot seem right to me I asked them to send me more information by e-mail about what I was meant to do and a few moments later I received a response asking me to make a bank transfer to show them I was trustworthy The lsquotrialrsquo implied that they would send me some money and I had to transfer half via GWK or MoneyTransfer to one of their clients and keep the other half This smelled very fishy to the Italian in me In reality they could be sending a cheque to the bank which would register an income that would later bounce after I had already made the payment to their lsquoclientrsquo On top of losing money the person that tried to lsquohirersquo meyou
would have been untraceable No one was even picking up the phone at the number given in the e-mail and the company they claimed to represent wasnrsquot even active in Europe
So I said no and told them I was no longer interested They even had the gumption to call me back and ask me why I wouldnrsquot do it I gave them a silly excuse so as not to give them any more information or tips on how to improve their scummy scam I am happy I started checking their contacts as soon as their promises seemed too good to be true even if I am still angry I allowed them to data-mine all of my information when I sent them my CV and filled in their form
It beggars belief that they set up an entire facade in these times of work despair and it really doesnrsquot feel right especially because therersquos not much I can do about it now apart from inform people I didnrsquot think this would ever happen here in this country where everything has to be or always seems to be so legitimate But I guess some things never change and a place doesnrsquot make the people and certainly doesnrsquot influence the choices they make I just wanted to share my experience to alert everyone to the possible scam If a company contacts you and asks you to return a form including your bank details when you have never met anyone face-to-face it should make your antennas extend and remember to double-check their credibility Apparently it is illegal to ask such questions of someone here so donrsquot fall for it as I did As I am still waiting to hear from the company in Australia I didnrsquot feel it was proper to disclose its name publicly just yet plus I am not sure the scammers always use the same company as a fake front But what they ask you to do is more or less always the same so keep your eyes open to the little details
lsquoYou face the everyday hell that is job-seeking but now you must also beware of scam companiesrsquo
lsquoThis smelled very fishy to the Italian in mersquo
lsquoThe form asked for all my personal informationrsquo
lifestyles6
1
Je moet er geweest zijn
62classifieds
MechelenAuthentic and full of surprises Thatrsquos Mechelen Hospitable and honourable Thatrsquos the people of Mechelen Come and experience the cityrsquos urban charms for yourself Mechelen
Authentic and full of surprises Thatrsquos Mechelen Hospitable and honourable Thatrsquos the people of Mechelen Come and experience the cityrsquos urban charms for yourself
photography copy Milo Profi
classifieds63
classifieds
How to hang out in
Amsterdam
By ER Muntrem
perspectives
It is not against the rules for babies to cry in cafeacutes It happens Mostly they sleep or sit in someonersquos lap with commendable decorum Otherwise kids in cafeacutes tend to nosh a little less than their elders and handle crayons a little more And while anyone who toddles behind the bar will certainly get caught they can always claim they were encouraged to toddle there in the first place
Dutch parents and I realise this is hard to prove seem to let their kids wander a metre or two further away from them than parents from other developed countries that universal ldquowhere is sherdquo look delayed five or ten seconds If this extra distance is a sign of perceived safety cafeacute culture must help teach it
Except for chefs all cafeacute workers do more or less all the jobs required to run a cafeacute They all wait on tables
serve hot and cold drinks set up outdoor furniture load and retrieve supplies take the garbage out wash glasses light candles arrange flowers unfurl the awning and ring up the bill When the young guy or girl greets you you may know they are not the owner but for the moment they are the face of the establishment It may as well be their place
Admittedly I am seduced by places where waiters donrsquot work for tips where the rushed pace of eating in a restaurant in America does not exist In a cafeacute you can do what you want for as long as you want and get food and drink while you do it Pretty cool and as much a baseline for how to hang out in Amsterdam as cycling is for how to get around
Places to eat and drink owned by corporations have to package experience to deliver it Whatrsquos our brand How can our managers and servers be most efficient How ultimately can we be number one Not something most cafeacutes seem to be worried about and where the universal signs for lsquowe are having a good time togetherrsquo
lsquoCafeacute culture must help teachrsquo lsquoI am seduced by places where waiters donrsquot work for tipsrsquo
64
perspectives
or lsquoI am happy here by myselfrsquo (clinked glasses or absorption in a newspaper say) are routinely in evidence This is one true grace of democracy the average worth smiling about
At cafeacutes co-workers have a beer before or after their shift friends drop by or a regular pops in with some news The stream of customers they donrsquot have to woo and donrsquot have to lsquoworkrsquo gives the whole thing a slightly familial living room perfectly public feel that makes the work far less of a personality crimp than working at Starbucks Or so it seems I do not mean to pretend carrying drinks across the street to the canal side seating or giving obvious directions yet again is always glorious but most people who work in cafeacutersquos laugh and smile a fair bit almost as much as the patrons
And when the owner of a cafeacute is of a generation older than those working there as is usually the case it lends a wise uncle or mother hen feel to the proceedings In the daytime no one is ever too caught up in his or her designated title to ignore a baby on the move And at
night the crowd of drinkers may as well be at a party hosted by their parents or kids or both
Itrsquos not all about money cafeacute culture churns towards the civilised without grinding anyone too far down As well as pleasure there is power in this The best distillation I know of what democracy should be came from a young woman working at Cafeacute Captein With our meal in front of us my friend noticed he was missing his salad Flagged down the young woman went to investigate ldquoItrsquos on its wayrdquo she said ldquoI told my boss to do itrdquo
Imagine we told Putin to do it We told Obama to do it We told the bankers to do it
lsquoMost people who work in cafeacutersquos laugh and smile a fair bitrsquo
lsquoCafeacute culture churns towards the civilised without grinding anyone too far downrsquo
65
66
featurecity gem
lsquoThe last of the large independent music stores left standing in Amsterdamrsquo
CITY GEM
67
Concerto
By Denson Pierre
ConcertoUtrechtsestraat 60 1017 VP Amsterdam
it is a rush when on a full stomach you can make an instant decision on where your next city-centre lunch will be taken it is almost ecstasy when the venue is situated in a music shop which for decades has been defined by its exceptional range and quality of music available in amsterdam Concerto is the last of the large independent music stores left standing in amsterdam all the others have long since been killed off by everything from the advance in recording and playback technologies to habitual illegal downloaders only now realising that their behaviour has an impact right back down to street level despite what they might think about the giant studios and recording companies
Concerto has not stuck but has twisted Since September it has incorporated a cute cafeacute
and lunch area within its premises as well as introducing a bookshop and lounge area making it possible to spend an almost nostalgic time there over several hours It still has a vast range of the very best music in vinyl (both new and second-hand) and CD form DVDs DJ equipment and even gear used for live musical performances Itrsquos a gold mine
If it has taken this clever adaptation in space utilisation to keep this institution viable and available to Amsterdam-based music lovers then I personally wish to support this venture and help mean this type of music retailer to remain part of the city scene For people of a certain age there is something infinitely more appealing about physically handling recorded material appreciating the artwork in its packaging having a listen and then deciding if it is a purchase you would like to make Even though non-digital stockpiling has become rather passeacute I challenge you to visit Concerto and its new cafeacute and bookshop concept and not end up spending more time in this true city gem than you had anticipated
lsquoIt has incorporated a cute cafeacute and lunch area within its premises as well as introducing a bookshop and lounge arearsquo
city gem
68
city gem
69city gem
city gem70
city gem71
72city gem
lsquoThere is something infinitely more appealing about physically
handling recorded material appreciating the artwork in its
packagingrsquo
73city gem
74classifi eds
75classifi eds
classifi edsclassifi eds76
amsterdam city life
BrinG BaCK
Something that seems to have been watered down considerably in Amsterdamrsquos hospitality industry in recent years is independence of thought styling and designAll you have to do is walk around the city to note that way too many coffeesoup houses and cafeacutes are more or less identikit This also applies to many cafeacutes with unimaginative business leaders who open unoriginal looking spaces and hope that the use of white paint purple or blue lights and house music is all it takes
Luckily there is something brewing to save our days and nights I have come across cafeacute owners who are now seriously considering ending the arrangements they have with the giant drink suppliers There are actually no good arguments left for continuing with these huge multinationals as they are frankly more expensive at wholesale for the same A-class products than the supermarkets on every Amsterdammerrsquos street corner
It looks like space is being created for the smaller brewers to take up the supply of A-class beer to smaller establishments throughout the city The giants can keep their character-free tourist traps and those bars still able to benefit purely from their unbeatable locations throughout the city
The Sentinel says bring back better and more original businesses of scale within the local hospitality industry which will help more cafeacutes and bars not only to become distinguishable by the interior designs they will need to conjure but also through the variety of local and regional beers that could become part of their coherent identity The overriding benefit of such courageous thinking and action would be an immediate return to realistic and reasonable pricing for A-class beer in Amsterdam which remains the staple of the easy consumables as this recession drones on
By Denson Pierre
INDEPENDENT CAFeacuteSBARS
77
78star beer guide
Star Beer
The SentinelStar beer guide
lsquoDifferent beers can seem to weigh on the conscience as much as on the taste budsrsquo
Just like the changing of the seasons different beers can seem to weigh on the conscience as much as on the taste buds Ciney blond is a lovely almost effeminate tasting beer All light smooth fruitiness bolstered by substantial alcohol content
As the temperature increases it can even feel like a thirst quencher A nice session beer and one that could function as an entrance-level quality beer in terms of its complexity For advanced samplers it is a great lower platform to descend to after cruising the space occupied by the 8-plus percentage alcoholic beauties
Ciney blond is brewed by Alken-Maes Mechelen Belgium
By Denson Pierre
CINEY BLOND (7 ABV)
79star beer guide
We find the best most fun most typical exciting or local favourite restaurants etcetera in Amsterdam and bring them to you an easy way to feel like a local
Cafe Kostverloren 040606
Recommended
80recommended
EUROGIFTSXenonweg 9 3812 SZ Amersfoort
Tel 033 - 454 35 75 - Fax 033 - 454 35 79E-mail lmproefeurogiftsnl
Website wwweurogiftsnl
FILMPROEF
ORDERNUMMER 6021022ARTIKELNUMMER 65123
Ware grootte (indien uitgeprint)Kleur opdruk Wit
Mulligans Irish Music BarAmsterdamrsquos best address for live Irish music Five (5) nights a week Check our agenda for upcoming sessions Amstel 100 1017 AC Amsterdamwwwmulligansnl
Cafeacute KostverlorenCafeacute Kostverloren is a contemporary cafe offering the cosiness of a saloon an open kitchen and the intimacy of a living room The large terras is great for sunny days2e Kostverlorenkade 70 Amsterdamwwwcafekostverlorennl
ZestZest is fi ne food warm atmosphere and classy drinks with regular semi-acoustic (live) music and DJs (Thursday to Sunday) Amsterdamrsquos newest and freshestBilderdijkstraat 188 Amsterdamwwwfacebookcomclubzestnl
GollemGollemrsquos Proefl okaal Gollem and Gollem II represent the best addresses serving the fullest range of top Belgian Dutch and international beers in AmsterdamOvertoom 160-161wwwcafegollemnl
IncantoA restaurant with a classic Italian kitchen Venetian chef Simone Ambrosin is known for his pure and simple style of cooking with great feeling for nuanceAmstel 2 Amsterdamwwwrestaurant-incantonl
Planet RoseThe fi rst Caribbean restaurant in the Netherlands specialised in Jamaican cuisine The menu features a daily changing selectionNicolaas Beetsstraat 47 Amsterdamwwwplanetroseinfo
Cafe restaurant EdelCafe restaurant Edel is the perfect place for lunch dinner or to simply enjoy a drink Edel is a unique place in AmsterdamPostjesweg 1 1057 DT Amsterdamwwwedelamsterdamnl
Cafeacute OportoCafeacute Oporto is a traditional Amsterdam lsquobrown cafersquo Welcoming tourists and regular customers alike they offer televised sports wifi and a wide range of reasonably priced beers and spiritsZoutsteeg 1 1012 LX Amsterdamwwwcafeoportonet
BaxA cosy and friendly local cafeacute with a focus on special or interesting beers and good quality food Open 7 days a week with a professional kitchen offering a lunch and dinner serviceTen Katestraat 119 Amsterdamwwwcafebaxnl
To be seen and tasted Fun Drinking amp Music
To Be Seen and Tasted
Fun Drinking amp Music
Fun Drinking amp Music
Connoisseurs Delight
Connoisseurs Delight
Connoisseurs Delight
To Be Seen and Tasted
Neighbourhood cosy
Fun drinking and music
ParckGreat fun beautiful people and simply the best bar food in townOvertoom 428 Amsterdamwwwcafeparcknl
To be seen and tasted
Cafe de Toog1890rsquos grandeur fashioned into Amsterdam-West grand brown cafe-restaurant-cool Classy drinks and mealsNicolaas Beetsstraat 142 hs Amsterdam wwwcafedetoogcom
Opera Prima - Patisserie Bistro TraiteurThe best place in town for lunch exquisite high teas or brunches and all of your luxury catering both private and corporateKinkerstraat 228 Amsterdamwwwoperaprimanl
Recommended
81
Where is this inAmsterdamAnswer to sentinelpostgmailcom
82spotted
Room 2cfilm
ldquoCome on in boys the waterrsquos finerdquo This is arguably the best all-round and funny musical to come out of Hollywood in a generation and certainly one of the best three soundtracks of the same period George Clooney will never be as good or charming as he is here playing the accidental leader of a trio of chain gang escapees in the US south of the 1930s Spirituality meets the Ku Klux Klan all coloured by Virginia bluegrass
ldquoCall me Snakerdquo The coolest handle for a leading man (Kurt Russell) in any movie to date Here he is sent in on a heroic lsquoat all costrsquo one-man mission to rescue the president of the United States from the prison island Manhattan has become in a lsquofuturersquo representation of 1997 Air Force One has crashed there and the countdown is on Classic 1980s turn of the millennium dystopian vision with style pace and gadgetry
By dpmotions
By dpmotions
o Brother Where Art Thou (2000)
escape from new York (1981)
room2c83
84trends
lsquoTrends are great to join and surf like a once in a lifetime tsunamirsquo
By Dirkje Bakker-Pierre
Each and every micro-world has its own specific trends Take the fashion world for example where one day you have to wear high heels and round noses and the next itrsquos flat hairy elephant feet-like boots that must hug your feet Or take the automotive world where once upon a time you could never have enough chrome on your car or the food world where we have quietly moved from fast to green and wholesome or the TV world which used to be about fiction and is now more real than reality Some of these trends are great to join and surf like a once in a lifetime tsunami others can slip by unnoticed and others still keep bugging and bugging you even if you try to avoid them like the plague
The online world and specifically the social media universe eats through trends like a fat chick after a hunger strike Facebook in particular seems to move seamlessly from one hype to the next one day itrsquos pictures with fuzzy edges or a bit of a 1970s filter the next itrsquos a profile picture with you very consciously not looking into the camera (very spontaneously and naturally non-posing you might say) These are mostly harmless things if Irsquom honest and when everyone
stops liking them they fade away as quickly as the sun in our small wet country There is one trend however that has festered within Facebook from the very beginning and which seems to be gradually growing and growing without anyone ever liking the postshellip and I mean EVER
Yes I am talking about daily quotes words of wisdom holy quotes mesmerizingly philosophical quotes cheesy quotes religious quoteshellip How can I describe all of them in one easy sentence pieces of text from (famous) people (it can never be something you thought of yourself) that lsquodisclosersquo previously secret information about being happy in life (or at least previously secret to the person doing the posting I presume) In short texts that belong on tiles hanging on the wall in old Dutch peoplersquos toilets
Why
Here are a few I found in my news feed this week
ldquoA mind is like a parachute It doesnrsquot work if it is not openrdquo ndash Frank Zappa
ldquoIt is not because things are difficult that we do not dare it is because we do not dare that things are difficultrdquo ndash Seneca
ldquoIf you donrsquot take what you are doing seriously then nobody else willrdquo ndash Darryl Dlt Thomson
Bad trends would be good if they werenrsquot so bad
85trends
86classifi eds
87classifieds
One of my personal favourite gemstones is moonstone Itlsquos been around for centuries and is used in many cultures As suggested by its name the stone is highly associated with the moon and moon goddess Diana It brings calm peace and love and is said to become more powerful when the moon is full so thatlsquos the best time to wear it One proverb even claims that moonstone can bring you love that will fly you to the moon Spiritually this amazing stone is said to enhance intuition and is always associated with the self It is a very powerful personal stone which doesnlsquot add or remove any aspects of the personality but merely reflects the person wearing it It is said to be very
MoonstoneBy Evelina Kvartunaite
ndash
lsquoThe stone is highly associated with the moon and moon goddess Dianarsquo
ndash
helpful for people who are very sensitive and it is also used in meditation for reflecting oneself Itlsquos always best to charge your gem when the moon is shining at night either while wearing it or by leaving it on a windowsill that receives moonlight Moonstone is also used in healing and is known for balancing the internal organ systems enabling them to work in stable cycles Itlsquos usually more associated with women but is also known to help men embrace their more emotional side soft creative energies and optimism Perhaps understandably moonstone should have limited exposure to strong direct sunlight
ndash
lsquoIt is said to be very helpful for people who are very sensitiversquo
ndash
88
health amp well-being
ndash
lsquoMore associated with women but is also known to help men embrace their more emotional sidersquo
ndash
89health amp well-being
In his article Batin shows how learning how to use complex products is like learning a computer game Just like the challenges in video games match the skills of the user so should TV interactions or any UI interactions for that matter For reference Batin used the four levels described in the Dreyfus model of skill acquisition
Level 1 novicebullRigid adherence to taught rules or plansbullNo exercise of lsquodiscretionary judgmentrsquo
Level 2 Advanced beginnerbullLimited lsquosituational perceptionrsquobullAll aspects of work treated separately with equal importance
Philip Batin wrote an article a couple of months ago about the next big idea in User Interaction gadgets that adapt to your skills As gadgets become more complicated UIs must be able to teach their users over time Apparently more and more interactive products are being returned In 2002 48 of all returned products were technically fully functional but were rejected for failing to satisfy user needs 20 purely due to customer remorse Even though a product may have all the features one can hope for complexity and bad user experience can prevent users from integrating it into their lives
UserInterfaceThe next big thing in UX
lsquoUIs must be able to teach their users over timersquo
By Andrei Barburas
lsquoComplexity and bad user experience can prevent users from
integrating it into their livesrsquo
90
technology
book the majority of which you probably skipped through
Personally I believe that there are certain end users most likely the majority that use only a limited set of features from any device they buy Mobile phones have become indispensable tools in our daily activities yet the average Joe has no idea about the full potential of a smart phone The same applies to Smart TVs they can do lots of things yet the only thing that we do with them is flip channels and complain how bad the shows are
The bottom line is that itrsquos definitely something worth thinking about not only from an operating system perspective but also from the perspective of applications developers
Level 3 competentbulllsquoCoping with crowdednessrsquo (multiple activities accumulation of information)bullSome perception of actions in relation to goalsbullDeliberate planningbullFormulates routines
Level 4 ProficientbullHolistic view of situationbullPrioritizes importance of aspectsbulllsquoPerceives deviations from the normal patternrsquobullEmploys maxim for guidance with meanings that adapt to the situation at hand
Now just imagine a User Interface that adapts based on what you can do and the abilities you have As you learn new things new levels of complexity are unlocked opening the door to fully knowing your device because you learned by doing and not by reading a complicated
lsquoThe average Joe has no idea about the full potential of a
smart phonersquo
91technology
92classifi eds
93classifi eds
Not knowing what was happening in football was extremely annoying to put it mildly and it wasnrsquot just my own self-denial and avoidance of all things football that was a hindrance the extent to which I had to ask others to go in order to remain ignorant was much more excruciating than Irsquod ever imagined There may even be some damage done to football-related friendships that is irreparable I now feel as though Irsquom walking through an empty stadium after everyone else has gone home
So what now and where to next The season is well and truly over and Irsquom free to do whatever I want I could read the back-dated sports pages check all the stats and find out all the facts if I wanted to I could spend hours catching up on last season and speculating on the next with the friends Irsquove still got left down the pub if I wanted to I can follow all the transfer gossip watch pre-season friendlies and build up all my hopes But as with most addictions that would simply be falling back into a previous state of dependence and everything Irsquove just put myself through wouldrsquove been for nothing So how do I go back to an old habit without a total relapse or would it be better to keep abstaining
All my questions seem to be met with other questions and no solutions On the other hand if you ask me what
Someone once said that insanity is when you keep repeating the same behaviour and expect a different outcome most likely a psychologist aimed at his or her ailing patients But for me these words are more reminiscent of my own conduct over the course of a regular football season Week in week out season after season I would expect Tottenham to win something and more often than not Irsquod be left disappointed So I decided to stop No more football ndash at least not for one full season
The season 201213 is now over and during the whole nine months I didnrsquot watch a single moment of football or read a single article on the subject That was my challenge and I was committed to it What is more despite all the warning signs I didnrsquot relapse After a year of structured punishment I didnrsquot have a clue about what was going on in the English Premier League (or any other league) Only having picked up bits and pieces of information that somehow slipped through the net the past season was like a book with most of its pages missing
By Simon Joseph
On The Volley
The Return of the Repressed or the Point of No Return
lsquoInsanity is when you keep repeating the same behaviour and expect a different outcomersquo
sport
lsquoThe past season was like a book with most of its pages missingrsquo
94
lsquoThere may even be some damage done to football-related friendshipsrsquo
lsquoHas abstaining for a season changed mersquo
it until the cows come home but it was us who made those changes or at least allowed them to happen and those changes will continue to happen with or without me Perhaps then the questions I should be asking are has abstaining for a season changed me Am I still obsessed or have I broken the habit of a lifetime Is following football really that terrible or even a real addiction
One thing is certain this lack of resolution is not completely without satisfaction because like all forms of fixation or obsession therersquos comfort and familiarity to be found in repetition as Tottenham miss out on Championrsquos League football by a single point again The repressed will always return to haunt us or so it seems and before we know it the start of next season will be upon us There will be more pain no doubt and more joy This time however it will take more than a boot camp approach to keep me away and who knows Tottenham might even win the league Come on you Spurs
Tottenham Hotspur means I would still tell you that itrsquos not just a pretty football package itrsquos about kith and kin not just where I came from but how I relate to others around me in the here and now Whatrsquos more millions of people are attracted to football they hunger for it and yearn to connect with it even though I still believe itrsquos a form of ineffective escape from one unsatisfying reality to another Following football is a classic example of cognitive dissonance ndash when you simultaneously entertain two opposing thoughts that appear to cancel each other out Before the start of each season for example we all want our club to win everything or to be taken over by billionaires but know that itrsquos impossible or in the latter case controversial and even undesirable So we invent ways to cope We develop a so-called lsquosiege mentalityrsquo or other harmful patterns of behaviour to relieve the discomfort of incongruity With this in mind the past year was supposed to be an exercise in behaviour modification ndash to discover the root of the problem and treat it effectively But one year on have I really discovered anything at all
The English Premier League whether you watch it or not is still probably the most exciting football league in the world We can complain about the changes made to
sport9
5
By Denson Pierre
The Gold Room
Fantasy Football Gold ndash Champions League 2012-2013 winner Denson Pierre and his prizes
The season petered out in an all-German Champions League Final which did nothing to dispel the record that this was a season of too few new stars or regular spectacle We look forward to the next season as it ought not be too difficult to create more excitement than in the one just pastWe did have the opportunity to hand over the envelopes and trophies to the Sentinel Fantasy Football game winners This year all the major winners from the Sentinel Fantasy Football League were unable to be present for the physical prize giving but the winner of the Gold Game and focus of this column was there to receive his prize for winning the master game in styleSo we retire the Gold Room until the beginning of the new football season See you all again then
96
sport
Matt Parker receives his third place and Manager of the Month prizes for the Sentinel Fantasy Football League
Charles Conneely Sentinel Fantasy Football League 2012-2013 Champion
97sport
wwwczechtourismcom
CZECH REPUBLIC - STUNNINGLY DIFFERENT
98
classifi eds
artist thinker
Here are some of our local partners
Enter (click) to learn why they work with us
demerkplaatsnl
25classifieds
Dam in 60 minutes
By Sam van Dam
perspectives
Rembrandtplein26
perspectives
Last time out I took you up North to the beautiful island of Marken Since that was a somewhat longer trip than some readers might want to take by bike this time our journey is a short one that can even be done on foot to Rembrandtplein The adventure starts at Central Station turn your back on the visually pleasing building that facilitates the arrival of visitors to our hometown and head towards Damrak Amsterdamrsquos lsquoRed Carpetrsquo and home these days to gazillions of restaurants shops bars cafeacutes and of course the nearby world-famous Red Light District all of which wersquoll simply ignore This is easier said than done as there is so much to see so many temptations that demand your attention and try to make you spend your euros before you have even entered the actual city As you walk down Damrak you start to see the buildings situated around Dam Square the central point of Amsterdam offering such delights as the Royal Palace Madame Tussauds the Nieuwekerk the war memorial and other landmarks that define this famous square Rotate 360 degrees to take it all in and then move toward Rokin or if you are in mood for some shopping walk down Kalverstraat instead Yoursquore bound to find something you like in the hundreds of shops lining one of Amsterdamrsquos two main shopping streets Keep walking straight on and just to your right yoursquoll find Spui a lovely square that is regularly home to art and book markets if you have the time You can find a multitude of interesting and inspiring items there or just grab a coffee and sit on one of the benches taking in the scene Once you are done enjoying Spui itrsquos time to get back on track so return to the RokinKalverstraat and head to the right (south) not forgetting to take a closer look
at the statue of former Queen Wilhelmina and her horse standing proudly at the bridge opposite This is also the starting point for boat tours if you want to take a little time out from your stroll to Rembrandtplein get a ticket and hop on one of the very typical 70s-style boats that constantly criss-cross the watery arteries of Amsterdam These typical 1970s-style barges provide a visual impression of the city that looks familiar yet very different a pleasure that locals and visitors alike appreciate very much every time
When you have returned from the water tour return to Rokin and keep walking towards Munt which is easily recognisable by its old-style tower featuring a clockwork chime that marks the hour and enhances the scenery in this part of town along with the Hotel De LrsquoEurope just across the way You could also take a pit-stop there while enjoying the view over the Amstel and the hundreds of little boats filled with chillaxing people at least on sunny days You can dwell on the fact that life in Amsterdam often seems so easy and beautiful that it entices visitors to return again and again You are now very close to your final destination so cross the road and enter the Reguliersbreestraat Marvel at the beauty of the Tuschinski Theater as you continue towards the wide open square that is our last stop Grab a drink or some ice-cream while you find yourself a nice spot on the grassy circular central area of the Rembrandtplein where you can spend hours looking at the beautiful buildings the relaxing people and the artists selling their work This is also where you can find me presenting a fine selection of my photo prints of what to me is the best city in the world So if itrsquos not raining come by and enjoy my photographic impressions of Amsterdam they make awesome souvenirs to take home with you Irsquom looking forward to meeting you on lsquomyrsquo square
lsquoOur journey is a short one that can even be done on footrsquo
27
28perspectives
29perspectives
lsquo1970s-style barges provide a visual impression of the city that looks familiar yet very differentrsquo
30perspectives
31perspectives
32perspectives
33perspectives
lsquoMarvel at the beauty of the Tuschinski Theaterrsquo
34perspectives
35perspectives
lsquoRotate 360 degrees to take it all inrsquo
36perspectives
lsquoRotate 360 degrees to take it all inrsquo
37perspectives
38perspectives
39perspectives
40
perspectives
41perspectives
42featureperspectives
feature4
3perspectives
44
featureperspectives
feature4
5perspectives
lsquoTake a closer look at the statue of former Queen Wilhelmina and her horsersquo
46
perspectives
lsquoThis is also where you can find me presenting a fine selection of my
photo printsrsquo
47perspectives
perspectives4
8
perspectives4
9
For complete and world class tours of Prague
Packages includebull Hidden and playful Prague (for families with young children)bull Literary Praguebull Prague Architecture through the agesbull Religion and the citybull The old city at night
These are detailed tours designed for visitors who wish to explore with great detail and not suitable for simply sight-seeing tourists
Day segments and ratesPR 0800-1230hrs AG 1330-1630hrs UE 1730-2130hrsAll sessions are priced at u 25 per single adult Group size upper limit = 8 Accompanied children under the age of five are gratis and school aged children pay 25 Family package rates are negotiable
ContactJaroslav Cernosek+420 602 228 797Mail jcernosekcentrumcz
wwwyourtuliptourcom
JC Tours
50classifieds
51classifieds
CafeacuteBar Review Van Mechelen
cafebar review52
Van MechelenSloterkade 96-97 Amsterdam
It may be the new hype in the city as far as grand cafeacute and restaurant concepts go but Van Mechelen is already approaching excellence Considering its handy location in another pretty neighbourhood of Amsterdam South it is almost a lsquomust visitrsquo place that has created a theme built on the Burgundian enjoyment of life good food complemented with top-class beer and wine If you want a taste of what it feels like to visit a cafeacute-restaurant in Mechelen Belgium Van Mechelen is an easy way for an Amsterdammer to savour this experience and is just a short cycle ride away
ambianceBurgundian Rating 5
StaffregularsMembers of staff are clearly very well trained and this adds to the light and airy atmosphere Having opened for business just three months ago those who have fallen in love with the place and its consumables have not yet had time to clock up the number of visits and connections to be considered lsquoregularsrsquo Rating 5
televised sportNo space within the design and layout for this form of distraction Rating 3
PricesSurprisingly these are within the lsquonormalrsquo range for this level and quality of fare Outstandingly fairly priced snacks and nibbles are also offered to help you along as you take on the fine (Mechelen brewery group Alken-Maes) beers and wines When did you last enjoy a generous portion of fresh olives for a mere euro250 Rating 5
MusicAt the time of review the establishment was fairly packed out The atmosphere is conducive to chats and hilarity and although the selection of tunes could be heard far in the background the sound system may well have more kick It should as the building is of such a solid constitution that it should contain noise and not easily upset the neighbours Rating 5
Smoking area provisionFortunately for puffers the originally industrial nature of the address means that the former loading bay and entranceexit areas have become two naturally covered terrace areas separated from the luscious interior by huge glass-panelled doors Rating 5
total rating 2830(Rating from 1-5 where 1 = Very poor and 5 = Excellent)
By Denson Pierre
lsquoThe new hype in the city as far as grand cafeacute and restaurant concepts gorsquo
cafebar review53
lsquoMembers of staff are clearly very well trainedrsquo
cafebar review54
cafebar review55
lsquoOutstandingly fairly priced snacks and nibbles are also offeredrsquo
cafebar review56
cafebar review57
lsquoThe atmosphere is conducive to chats and hilarityrsquo
cafebar review58
cafebar review59
scamsterdam
lifestyles60
By Valeria Scimia
Unemployed international and looking for a job in the Netherlands Not only must you face the everyday hell that is job-seeking but now you must also beware of scam companies Yes theyrsquove arrived here too
I was recently contacted by an ostensibly legitimate company that wanted to hire me The contact took the form of what appeared to be a genuine e-mail complete with website and logo from a company in Australia that seemed absolutely legitimate (I have since contacted the company to warn them that someone overseas is using their name and logo to scam people) The e-mail explained that the company was opening an office in Holland and was looking for people who would handle the back-office orders It contained a form to be filled in and returned if I was interested in the position the form asked for all my personal information including my bank details I had been looking for a job and was interested in the offer so I filled in and sent off the form and my CV Once they received my e-mail they asked me to start a trial period without practically explaining anything of what the job was actually about I didnrsquot immediately reply so they called me the next day asking me to start immediately with the trial period promising lots of benefits once the contract was signed I hadnrsquot met anyone at this point only telephone interviews and that already didnrsquot seem right to me I asked them to send me more information by e-mail about what I was meant to do and a few moments later I received a response asking me to make a bank transfer to show them I was trustworthy The lsquotrialrsquo implied that they would send me some money and I had to transfer half via GWK or MoneyTransfer to one of their clients and keep the other half This smelled very fishy to the Italian in me In reality they could be sending a cheque to the bank which would register an income that would later bounce after I had already made the payment to their lsquoclientrsquo On top of losing money the person that tried to lsquohirersquo meyou
would have been untraceable No one was even picking up the phone at the number given in the e-mail and the company they claimed to represent wasnrsquot even active in Europe
So I said no and told them I was no longer interested They even had the gumption to call me back and ask me why I wouldnrsquot do it I gave them a silly excuse so as not to give them any more information or tips on how to improve their scummy scam I am happy I started checking their contacts as soon as their promises seemed too good to be true even if I am still angry I allowed them to data-mine all of my information when I sent them my CV and filled in their form
It beggars belief that they set up an entire facade in these times of work despair and it really doesnrsquot feel right especially because therersquos not much I can do about it now apart from inform people I didnrsquot think this would ever happen here in this country where everything has to be or always seems to be so legitimate But I guess some things never change and a place doesnrsquot make the people and certainly doesnrsquot influence the choices they make I just wanted to share my experience to alert everyone to the possible scam If a company contacts you and asks you to return a form including your bank details when you have never met anyone face-to-face it should make your antennas extend and remember to double-check their credibility Apparently it is illegal to ask such questions of someone here so donrsquot fall for it as I did As I am still waiting to hear from the company in Australia I didnrsquot feel it was proper to disclose its name publicly just yet plus I am not sure the scammers always use the same company as a fake front But what they ask you to do is more or less always the same so keep your eyes open to the little details
lsquoYou face the everyday hell that is job-seeking but now you must also beware of scam companiesrsquo
lsquoThis smelled very fishy to the Italian in mersquo
lsquoThe form asked for all my personal informationrsquo
lifestyles6
1
Je moet er geweest zijn
62classifieds
MechelenAuthentic and full of surprises Thatrsquos Mechelen Hospitable and honourable Thatrsquos the people of Mechelen Come and experience the cityrsquos urban charms for yourself Mechelen
Authentic and full of surprises Thatrsquos Mechelen Hospitable and honourable Thatrsquos the people of Mechelen Come and experience the cityrsquos urban charms for yourself
photography copy Milo Profi
classifieds63
classifieds
How to hang out in
Amsterdam
By ER Muntrem
perspectives
It is not against the rules for babies to cry in cafeacutes It happens Mostly they sleep or sit in someonersquos lap with commendable decorum Otherwise kids in cafeacutes tend to nosh a little less than their elders and handle crayons a little more And while anyone who toddles behind the bar will certainly get caught they can always claim they were encouraged to toddle there in the first place
Dutch parents and I realise this is hard to prove seem to let their kids wander a metre or two further away from them than parents from other developed countries that universal ldquowhere is sherdquo look delayed five or ten seconds If this extra distance is a sign of perceived safety cafeacute culture must help teach it
Except for chefs all cafeacute workers do more or less all the jobs required to run a cafeacute They all wait on tables
serve hot and cold drinks set up outdoor furniture load and retrieve supplies take the garbage out wash glasses light candles arrange flowers unfurl the awning and ring up the bill When the young guy or girl greets you you may know they are not the owner but for the moment they are the face of the establishment It may as well be their place
Admittedly I am seduced by places where waiters donrsquot work for tips where the rushed pace of eating in a restaurant in America does not exist In a cafeacute you can do what you want for as long as you want and get food and drink while you do it Pretty cool and as much a baseline for how to hang out in Amsterdam as cycling is for how to get around
Places to eat and drink owned by corporations have to package experience to deliver it Whatrsquos our brand How can our managers and servers be most efficient How ultimately can we be number one Not something most cafeacutes seem to be worried about and where the universal signs for lsquowe are having a good time togetherrsquo
lsquoCafeacute culture must help teachrsquo lsquoI am seduced by places where waiters donrsquot work for tipsrsquo
64
perspectives
or lsquoI am happy here by myselfrsquo (clinked glasses or absorption in a newspaper say) are routinely in evidence This is one true grace of democracy the average worth smiling about
At cafeacutes co-workers have a beer before or after their shift friends drop by or a regular pops in with some news The stream of customers they donrsquot have to woo and donrsquot have to lsquoworkrsquo gives the whole thing a slightly familial living room perfectly public feel that makes the work far less of a personality crimp than working at Starbucks Or so it seems I do not mean to pretend carrying drinks across the street to the canal side seating or giving obvious directions yet again is always glorious but most people who work in cafeacutersquos laugh and smile a fair bit almost as much as the patrons
And when the owner of a cafeacute is of a generation older than those working there as is usually the case it lends a wise uncle or mother hen feel to the proceedings In the daytime no one is ever too caught up in his or her designated title to ignore a baby on the move And at
night the crowd of drinkers may as well be at a party hosted by their parents or kids or both
Itrsquos not all about money cafeacute culture churns towards the civilised without grinding anyone too far down As well as pleasure there is power in this The best distillation I know of what democracy should be came from a young woman working at Cafeacute Captein With our meal in front of us my friend noticed he was missing his salad Flagged down the young woman went to investigate ldquoItrsquos on its wayrdquo she said ldquoI told my boss to do itrdquo
Imagine we told Putin to do it We told Obama to do it We told the bankers to do it
lsquoMost people who work in cafeacutersquos laugh and smile a fair bitrsquo
lsquoCafeacute culture churns towards the civilised without grinding anyone too far downrsquo
65
66
featurecity gem
lsquoThe last of the large independent music stores left standing in Amsterdamrsquo
CITY GEM
67
Concerto
By Denson Pierre
ConcertoUtrechtsestraat 60 1017 VP Amsterdam
it is a rush when on a full stomach you can make an instant decision on where your next city-centre lunch will be taken it is almost ecstasy when the venue is situated in a music shop which for decades has been defined by its exceptional range and quality of music available in amsterdam Concerto is the last of the large independent music stores left standing in amsterdam all the others have long since been killed off by everything from the advance in recording and playback technologies to habitual illegal downloaders only now realising that their behaviour has an impact right back down to street level despite what they might think about the giant studios and recording companies
Concerto has not stuck but has twisted Since September it has incorporated a cute cafeacute
and lunch area within its premises as well as introducing a bookshop and lounge area making it possible to spend an almost nostalgic time there over several hours It still has a vast range of the very best music in vinyl (both new and second-hand) and CD form DVDs DJ equipment and even gear used for live musical performances Itrsquos a gold mine
If it has taken this clever adaptation in space utilisation to keep this institution viable and available to Amsterdam-based music lovers then I personally wish to support this venture and help mean this type of music retailer to remain part of the city scene For people of a certain age there is something infinitely more appealing about physically handling recorded material appreciating the artwork in its packaging having a listen and then deciding if it is a purchase you would like to make Even though non-digital stockpiling has become rather passeacute I challenge you to visit Concerto and its new cafeacute and bookshop concept and not end up spending more time in this true city gem than you had anticipated
lsquoIt has incorporated a cute cafeacute and lunch area within its premises as well as introducing a bookshop and lounge arearsquo
city gem
68
city gem
69city gem
city gem70
city gem71
72city gem
lsquoThere is something infinitely more appealing about physically
handling recorded material appreciating the artwork in its
packagingrsquo
73city gem
74classifi eds
75classifi eds
classifi edsclassifi eds76
amsterdam city life
BrinG BaCK
Something that seems to have been watered down considerably in Amsterdamrsquos hospitality industry in recent years is independence of thought styling and designAll you have to do is walk around the city to note that way too many coffeesoup houses and cafeacutes are more or less identikit This also applies to many cafeacutes with unimaginative business leaders who open unoriginal looking spaces and hope that the use of white paint purple or blue lights and house music is all it takes
Luckily there is something brewing to save our days and nights I have come across cafeacute owners who are now seriously considering ending the arrangements they have with the giant drink suppliers There are actually no good arguments left for continuing with these huge multinationals as they are frankly more expensive at wholesale for the same A-class products than the supermarkets on every Amsterdammerrsquos street corner
It looks like space is being created for the smaller brewers to take up the supply of A-class beer to smaller establishments throughout the city The giants can keep their character-free tourist traps and those bars still able to benefit purely from their unbeatable locations throughout the city
The Sentinel says bring back better and more original businesses of scale within the local hospitality industry which will help more cafeacutes and bars not only to become distinguishable by the interior designs they will need to conjure but also through the variety of local and regional beers that could become part of their coherent identity The overriding benefit of such courageous thinking and action would be an immediate return to realistic and reasonable pricing for A-class beer in Amsterdam which remains the staple of the easy consumables as this recession drones on
By Denson Pierre
INDEPENDENT CAFeacuteSBARS
77
78star beer guide
Star Beer
The SentinelStar beer guide
lsquoDifferent beers can seem to weigh on the conscience as much as on the taste budsrsquo
Just like the changing of the seasons different beers can seem to weigh on the conscience as much as on the taste buds Ciney blond is a lovely almost effeminate tasting beer All light smooth fruitiness bolstered by substantial alcohol content
As the temperature increases it can even feel like a thirst quencher A nice session beer and one that could function as an entrance-level quality beer in terms of its complexity For advanced samplers it is a great lower platform to descend to after cruising the space occupied by the 8-plus percentage alcoholic beauties
Ciney blond is brewed by Alken-Maes Mechelen Belgium
By Denson Pierre
CINEY BLOND (7 ABV)
79star beer guide
We find the best most fun most typical exciting or local favourite restaurants etcetera in Amsterdam and bring them to you an easy way to feel like a local
Cafe Kostverloren 040606
Recommended
80recommended
EUROGIFTSXenonweg 9 3812 SZ Amersfoort
Tel 033 - 454 35 75 - Fax 033 - 454 35 79E-mail lmproefeurogiftsnl
Website wwweurogiftsnl
FILMPROEF
ORDERNUMMER 6021022ARTIKELNUMMER 65123
Ware grootte (indien uitgeprint)Kleur opdruk Wit
Mulligans Irish Music BarAmsterdamrsquos best address for live Irish music Five (5) nights a week Check our agenda for upcoming sessions Amstel 100 1017 AC Amsterdamwwwmulligansnl
Cafeacute KostverlorenCafeacute Kostverloren is a contemporary cafe offering the cosiness of a saloon an open kitchen and the intimacy of a living room The large terras is great for sunny days2e Kostverlorenkade 70 Amsterdamwwwcafekostverlorennl
ZestZest is fi ne food warm atmosphere and classy drinks with regular semi-acoustic (live) music and DJs (Thursday to Sunday) Amsterdamrsquos newest and freshestBilderdijkstraat 188 Amsterdamwwwfacebookcomclubzestnl
GollemGollemrsquos Proefl okaal Gollem and Gollem II represent the best addresses serving the fullest range of top Belgian Dutch and international beers in AmsterdamOvertoom 160-161wwwcafegollemnl
IncantoA restaurant with a classic Italian kitchen Venetian chef Simone Ambrosin is known for his pure and simple style of cooking with great feeling for nuanceAmstel 2 Amsterdamwwwrestaurant-incantonl
Planet RoseThe fi rst Caribbean restaurant in the Netherlands specialised in Jamaican cuisine The menu features a daily changing selectionNicolaas Beetsstraat 47 Amsterdamwwwplanetroseinfo
Cafe restaurant EdelCafe restaurant Edel is the perfect place for lunch dinner or to simply enjoy a drink Edel is a unique place in AmsterdamPostjesweg 1 1057 DT Amsterdamwwwedelamsterdamnl
Cafeacute OportoCafeacute Oporto is a traditional Amsterdam lsquobrown cafersquo Welcoming tourists and regular customers alike they offer televised sports wifi and a wide range of reasonably priced beers and spiritsZoutsteeg 1 1012 LX Amsterdamwwwcafeoportonet
BaxA cosy and friendly local cafeacute with a focus on special or interesting beers and good quality food Open 7 days a week with a professional kitchen offering a lunch and dinner serviceTen Katestraat 119 Amsterdamwwwcafebaxnl
To be seen and tasted Fun Drinking amp Music
To Be Seen and Tasted
Fun Drinking amp Music
Fun Drinking amp Music
Connoisseurs Delight
Connoisseurs Delight
Connoisseurs Delight
To Be Seen and Tasted
Neighbourhood cosy
Fun drinking and music
ParckGreat fun beautiful people and simply the best bar food in townOvertoom 428 Amsterdamwwwcafeparcknl
To be seen and tasted
Cafe de Toog1890rsquos grandeur fashioned into Amsterdam-West grand brown cafe-restaurant-cool Classy drinks and mealsNicolaas Beetsstraat 142 hs Amsterdam wwwcafedetoogcom
Opera Prima - Patisserie Bistro TraiteurThe best place in town for lunch exquisite high teas or brunches and all of your luxury catering both private and corporateKinkerstraat 228 Amsterdamwwwoperaprimanl
Recommended
81
Where is this inAmsterdamAnswer to sentinelpostgmailcom
82spotted
Room 2cfilm
ldquoCome on in boys the waterrsquos finerdquo This is arguably the best all-round and funny musical to come out of Hollywood in a generation and certainly one of the best three soundtracks of the same period George Clooney will never be as good or charming as he is here playing the accidental leader of a trio of chain gang escapees in the US south of the 1930s Spirituality meets the Ku Klux Klan all coloured by Virginia bluegrass
ldquoCall me Snakerdquo The coolest handle for a leading man (Kurt Russell) in any movie to date Here he is sent in on a heroic lsquoat all costrsquo one-man mission to rescue the president of the United States from the prison island Manhattan has become in a lsquofuturersquo representation of 1997 Air Force One has crashed there and the countdown is on Classic 1980s turn of the millennium dystopian vision with style pace and gadgetry
By dpmotions
By dpmotions
o Brother Where Art Thou (2000)
escape from new York (1981)
room2c83
84trends
lsquoTrends are great to join and surf like a once in a lifetime tsunamirsquo
By Dirkje Bakker-Pierre
Each and every micro-world has its own specific trends Take the fashion world for example where one day you have to wear high heels and round noses and the next itrsquos flat hairy elephant feet-like boots that must hug your feet Or take the automotive world where once upon a time you could never have enough chrome on your car or the food world where we have quietly moved from fast to green and wholesome or the TV world which used to be about fiction and is now more real than reality Some of these trends are great to join and surf like a once in a lifetime tsunami others can slip by unnoticed and others still keep bugging and bugging you even if you try to avoid them like the plague
The online world and specifically the social media universe eats through trends like a fat chick after a hunger strike Facebook in particular seems to move seamlessly from one hype to the next one day itrsquos pictures with fuzzy edges or a bit of a 1970s filter the next itrsquos a profile picture with you very consciously not looking into the camera (very spontaneously and naturally non-posing you might say) These are mostly harmless things if Irsquom honest and when everyone
stops liking them they fade away as quickly as the sun in our small wet country There is one trend however that has festered within Facebook from the very beginning and which seems to be gradually growing and growing without anyone ever liking the postshellip and I mean EVER
Yes I am talking about daily quotes words of wisdom holy quotes mesmerizingly philosophical quotes cheesy quotes religious quoteshellip How can I describe all of them in one easy sentence pieces of text from (famous) people (it can never be something you thought of yourself) that lsquodisclosersquo previously secret information about being happy in life (or at least previously secret to the person doing the posting I presume) In short texts that belong on tiles hanging on the wall in old Dutch peoplersquos toilets
Why
Here are a few I found in my news feed this week
ldquoA mind is like a parachute It doesnrsquot work if it is not openrdquo ndash Frank Zappa
ldquoIt is not because things are difficult that we do not dare it is because we do not dare that things are difficultrdquo ndash Seneca
ldquoIf you donrsquot take what you are doing seriously then nobody else willrdquo ndash Darryl Dlt Thomson
Bad trends would be good if they werenrsquot so bad
85trends
86classifi eds
87classifieds
One of my personal favourite gemstones is moonstone Itlsquos been around for centuries and is used in many cultures As suggested by its name the stone is highly associated with the moon and moon goddess Diana It brings calm peace and love and is said to become more powerful when the moon is full so thatlsquos the best time to wear it One proverb even claims that moonstone can bring you love that will fly you to the moon Spiritually this amazing stone is said to enhance intuition and is always associated with the self It is a very powerful personal stone which doesnlsquot add or remove any aspects of the personality but merely reflects the person wearing it It is said to be very
MoonstoneBy Evelina Kvartunaite
ndash
lsquoThe stone is highly associated with the moon and moon goddess Dianarsquo
ndash
helpful for people who are very sensitive and it is also used in meditation for reflecting oneself Itlsquos always best to charge your gem when the moon is shining at night either while wearing it or by leaving it on a windowsill that receives moonlight Moonstone is also used in healing and is known for balancing the internal organ systems enabling them to work in stable cycles Itlsquos usually more associated with women but is also known to help men embrace their more emotional side soft creative energies and optimism Perhaps understandably moonstone should have limited exposure to strong direct sunlight
ndash
lsquoIt is said to be very helpful for people who are very sensitiversquo
ndash
88
health amp well-being
ndash
lsquoMore associated with women but is also known to help men embrace their more emotional sidersquo
ndash
89health amp well-being
In his article Batin shows how learning how to use complex products is like learning a computer game Just like the challenges in video games match the skills of the user so should TV interactions or any UI interactions for that matter For reference Batin used the four levels described in the Dreyfus model of skill acquisition
Level 1 novicebullRigid adherence to taught rules or plansbullNo exercise of lsquodiscretionary judgmentrsquo
Level 2 Advanced beginnerbullLimited lsquosituational perceptionrsquobullAll aspects of work treated separately with equal importance
Philip Batin wrote an article a couple of months ago about the next big idea in User Interaction gadgets that adapt to your skills As gadgets become more complicated UIs must be able to teach their users over time Apparently more and more interactive products are being returned In 2002 48 of all returned products were technically fully functional but were rejected for failing to satisfy user needs 20 purely due to customer remorse Even though a product may have all the features one can hope for complexity and bad user experience can prevent users from integrating it into their lives
UserInterfaceThe next big thing in UX
lsquoUIs must be able to teach their users over timersquo
By Andrei Barburas
lsquoComplexity and bad user experience can prevent users from
integrating it into their livesrsquo
90
technology
book the majority of which you probably skipped through
Personally I believe that there are certain end users most likely the majority that use only a limited set of features from any device they buy Mobile phones have become indispensable tools in our daily activities yet the average Joe has no idea about the full potential of a smart phone The same applies to Smart TVs they can do lots of things yet the only thing that we do with them is flip channels and complain how bad the shows are
The bottom line is that itrsquos definitely something worth thinking about not only from an operating system perspective but also from the perspective of applications developers
Level 3 competentbulllsquoCoping with crowdednessrsquo (multiple activities accumulation of information)bullSome perception of actions in relation to goalsbullDeliberate planningbullFormulates routines
Level 4 ProficientbullHolistic view of situationbullPrioritizes importance of aspectsbulllsquoPerceives deviations from the normal patternrsquobullEmploys maxim for guidance with meanings that adapt to the situation at hand
Now just imagine a User Interface that adapts based on what you can do and the abilities you have As you learn new things new levels of complexity are unlocked opening the door to fully knowing your device because you learned by doing and not by reading a complicated
lsquoThe average Joe has no idea about the full potential of a
smart phonersquo
91technology
92classifi eds
93classifi eds
Not knowing what was happening in football was extremely annoying to put it mildly and it wasnrsquot just my own self-denial and avoidance of all things football that was a hindrance the extent to which I had to ask others to go in order to remain ignorant was much more excruciating than Irsquod ever imagined There may even be some damage done to football-related friendships that is irreparable I now feel as though Irsquom walking through an empty stadium after everyone else has gone home
So what now and where to next The season is well and truly over and Irsquom free to do whatever I want I could read the back-dated sports pages check all the stats and find out all the facts if I wanted to I could spend hours catching up on last season and speculating on the next with the friends Irsquove still got left down the pub if I wanted to I can follow all the transfer gossip watch pre-season friendlies and build up all my hopes But as with most addictions that would simply be falling back into a previous state of dependence and everything Irsquove just put myself through wouldrsquove been for nothing So how do I go back to an old habit without a total relapse or would it be better to keep abstaining
All my questions seem to be met with other questions and no solutions On the other hand if you ask me what
Someone once said that insanity is when you keep repeating the same behaviour and expect a different outcome most likely a psychologist aimed at his or her ailing patients But for me these words are more reminiscent of my own conduct over the course of a regular football season Week in week out season after season I would expect Tottenham to win something and more often than not Irsquod be left disappointed So I decided to stop No more football ndash at least not for one full season
The season 201213 is now over and during the whole nine months I didnrsquot watch a single moment of football or read a single article on the subject That was my challenge and I was committed to it What is more despite all the warning signs I didnrsquot relapse After a year of structured punishment I didnrsquot have a clue about what was going on in the English Premier League (or any other league) Only having picked up bits and pieces of information that somehow slipped through the net the past season was like a book with most of its pages missing
By Simon Joseph
On The Volley
The Return of the Repressed or the Point of No Return
lsquoInsanity is when you keep repeating the same behaviour and expect a different outcomersquo
sport
lsquoThe past season was like a book with most of its pages missingrsquo
94
lsquoThere may even be some damage done to football-related friendshipsrsquo
lsquoHas abstaining for a season changed mersquo
it until the cows come home but it was us who made those changes or at least allowed them to happen and those changes will continue to happen with or without me Perhaps then the questions I should be asking are has abstaining for a season changed me Am I still obsessed or have I broken the habit of a lifetime Is following football really that terrible or even a real addiction
One thing is certain this lack of resolution is not completely without satisfaction because like all forms of fixation or obsession therersquos comfort and familiarity to be found in repetition as Tottenham miss out on Championrsquos League football by a single point again The repressed will always return to haunt us or so it seems and before we know it the start of next season will be upon us There will be more pain no doubt and more joy This time however it will take more than a boot camp approach to keep me away and who knows Tottenham might even win the league Come on you Spurs
Tottenham Hotspur means I would still tell you that itrsquos not just a pretty football package itrsquos about kith and kin not just where I came from but how I relate to others around me in the here and now Whatrsquos more millions of people are attracted to football they hunger for it and yearn to connect with it even though I still believe itrsquos a form of ineffective escape from one unsatisfying reality to another Following football is a classic example of cognitive dissonance ndash when you simultaneously entertain two opposing thoughts that appear to cancel each other out Before the start of each season for example we all want our club to win everything or to be taken over by billionaires but know that itrsquos impossible or in the latter case controversial and even undesirable So we invent ways to cope We develop a so-called lsquosiege mentalityrsquo or other harmful patterns of behaviour to relieve the discomfort of incongruity With this in mind the past year was supposed to be an exercise in behaviour modification ndash to discover the root of the problem and treat it effectively But one year on have I really discovered anything at all
The English Premier League whether you watch it or not is still probably the most exciting football league in the world We can complain about the changes made to
sport9
5
By Denson Pierre
The Gold Room
Fantasy Football Gold ndash Champions League 2012-2013 winner Denson Pierre and his prizes
The season petered out in an all-German Champions League Final which did nothing to dispel the record that this was a season of too few new stars or regular spectacle We look forward to the next season as it ought not be too difficult to create more excitement than in the one just pastWe did have the opportunity to hand over the envelopes and trophies to the Sentinel Fantasy Football game winners This year all the major winners from the Sentinel Fantasy Football League were unable to be present for the physical prize giving but the winner of the Gold Game and focus of this column was there to receive his prize for winning the master game in styleSo we retire the Gold Room until the beginning of the new football season See you all again then
96
sport
Matt Parker receives his third place and Manager of the Month prizes for the Sentinel Fantasy Football League
Charles Conneely Sentinel Fantasy Football League 2012-2013 Champion
97sport
wwwczechtourismcom
CZECH REPUBLIC - STUNNINGLY DIFFERENT
98
classifi eds
Dam in 60 minutes
By Sam van Dam
perspectives
Rembrandtplein26
perspectives
Last time out I took you up North to the beautiful island of Marken Since that was a somewhat longer trip than some readers might want to take by bike this time our journey is a short one that can even be done on foot to Rembrandtplein The adventure starts at Central Station turn your back on the visually pleasing building that facilitates the arrival of visitors to our hometown and head towards Damrak Amsterdamrsquos lsquoRed Carpetrsquo and home these days to gazillions of restaurants shops bars cafeacutes and of course the nearby world-famous Red Light District all of which wersquoll simply ignore This is easier said than done as there is so much to see so many temptations that demand your attention and try to make you spend your euros before you have even entered the actual city As you walk down Damrak you start to see the buildings situated around Dam Square the central point of Amsterdam offering such delights as the Royal Palace Madame Tussauds the Nieuwekerk the war memorial and other landmarks that define this famous square Rotate 360 degrees to take it all in and then move toward Rokin or if you are in mood for some shopping walk down Kalverstraat instead Yoursquore bound to find something you like in the hundreds of shops lining one of Amsterdamrsquos two main shopping streets Keep walking straight on and just to your right yoursquoll find Spui a lovely square that is regularly home to art and book markets if you have the time You can find a multitude of interesting and inspiring items there or just grab a coffee and sit on one of the benches taking in the scene Once you are done enjoying Spui itrsquos time to get back on track so return to the RokinKalverstraat and head to the right (south) not forgetting to take a closer look
at the statue of former Queen Wilhelmina and her horse standing proudly at the bridge opposite This is also the starting point for boat tours if you want to take a little time out from your stroll to Rembrandtplein get a ticket and hop on one of the very typical 70s-style boats that constantly criss-cross the watery arteries of Amsterdam These typical 1970s-style barges provide a visual impression of the city that looks familiar yet very different a pleasure that locals and visitors alike appreciate very much every time
When you have returned from the water tour return to Rokin and keep walking towards Munt which is easily recognisable by its old-style tower featuring a clockwork chime that marks the hour and enhances the scenery in this part of town along with the Hotel De LrsquoEurope just across the way You could also take a pit-stop there while enjoying the view over the Amstel and the hundreds of little boats filled with chillaxing people at least on sunny days You can dwell on the fact that life in Amsterdam often seems so easy and beautiful that it entices visitors to return again and again You are now very close to your final destination so cross the road and enter the Reguliersbreestraat Marvel at the beauty of the Tuschinski Theater as you continue towards the wide open square that is our last stop Grab a drink or some ice-cream while you find yourself a nice spot on the grassy circular central area of the Rembrandtplein where you can spend hours looking at the beautiful buildings the relaxing people and the artists selling their work This is also where you can find me presenting a fine selection of my photo prints of what to me is the best city in the world So if itrsquos not raining come by and enjoy my photographic impressions of Amsterdam they make awesome souvenirs to take home with you Irsquom looking forward to meeting you on lsquomyrsquo square
lsquoOur journey is a short one that can even be done on footrsquo
27
28perspectives
29perspectives
lsquo1970s-style barges provide a visual impression of the city that looks familiar yet very differentrsquo
30perspectives
31perspectives
32perspectives
33perspectives
lsquoMarvel at the beauty of the Tuschinski Theaterrsquo
34perspectives
35perspectives
lsquoRotate 360 degrees to take it all inrsquo
36perspectives
lsquoRotate 360 degrees to take it all inrsquo
37perspectives
38perspectives
39perspectives
40
perspectives
41perspectives
42featureperspectives
feature4
3perspectives
44
featureperspectives
feature4
5perspectives
lsquoTake a closer look at the statue of former Queen Wilhelmina and her horsersquo
46
perspectives
lsquoThis is also where you can find me presenting a fine selection of my
photo printsrsquo
47perspectives
perspectives4
8
perspectives4
9
For complete and world class tours of Prague
Packages includebull Hidden and playful Prague (for families with young children)bull Literary Praguebull Prague Architecture through the agesbull Religion and the citybull The old city at night
These are detailed tours designed for visitors who wish to explore with great detail and not suitable for simply sight-seeing tourists
Day segments and ratesPR 0800-1230hrs AG 1330-1630hrs UE 1730-2130hrsAll sessions are priced at u 25 per single adult Group size upper limit = 8 Accompanied children under the age of five are gratis and school aged children pay 25 Family package rates are negotiable
ContactJaroslav Cernosek+420 602 228 797Mail jcernosekcentrumcz
wwwyourtuliptourcom
JC Tours
50classifieds
51classifieds
CafeacuteBar Review Van Mechelen
cafebar review52
Van MechelenSloterkade 96-97 Amsterdam
It may be the new hype in the city as far as grand cafeacute and restaurant concepts go but Van Mechelen is already approaching excellence Considering its handy location in another pretty neighbourhood of Amsterdam South it is almost a lsquomust visitrsquo place that has created a theme built on the Burgundian enjoyment of life good food complemented with top-class beer and wine If you want a taste of what it feels like to visit a cafeacute-restaurant in Mechelen Belgium Van Mechelen is an easy way for an Amsterdammer to savour this experience and is just a short cycle ride away
ambianceBurgundian Rating 5
StaffregularsMembers of staff are clearly very well trained and this adds to the light and airy atmosphere Having opened for business just three months ago those who have fallen in love with the place and its consumables have not yet had time to clock up the number of visits and connections to be considered lsquoregularsrsquo Rating 5
televised sportNo space within the design and layout for this form of distraction Rating 3
PricesSurprisingly these are within the lsquonormalrsquo range for this level and quality of fare Outstandingly fairly priced snacks and nibbles are also offered to help you along as you take on the fine (Mechelen brewery group Alken-Maes) beers and wines When did you last enjoy a generous portion of fresh olives for a mere euro250 Rating 5
MusicAt the time of review the establishment was fairly packed out The atmosphere is conducive to chats and hilarity and although the selection of tunes could be heard far in the background the sound system may well have more kick It should as the building is of such a solid constitution that it should contain noise and not easily upset the neighbours Rating 5
Smoking area provisionFortunately for puffers the originally industrial nature of the address means that the former loading bay and entranceexit areas have become two naturally covered terrace areas separated from the luscious interior by huge glass-panelled doors Rating 5
total rating 2830(Rating from 1-5 where 1 = Very poor and 5 = Excellent)
By Denson Pierre
lsquoThe new hype in the city as far as grand cafeacute and restaurant concepts gorsquo
cafebar review53
lsquoMembers of staff are clearly very well trainedrsquo
cafebar review54
cafebar review55
lsquoOutstandingly fairly priced snacks and nibbles are also offeredrsquo
cafebar review56
cafebar review57
lsquoThe atmosphere is conducive to chats and hilarityrsquo
cafebar review58
cafebar review59
scamsterdam
lifestyles60
By Valeria Scimia
Unemployed international and looking for a job in the Netherlands Not only must you face the everyday hell that is job-seeking but now you must also beware of scam companies Yes theyrsquove arrived here too
I was recently contacted by an ostensibly legitimate company that wanted to hire me The contact took the form of what appeared to be a genuine e-mail complete with website and logo from a company in Australia that seemed absolutely legitimate (I have since contacted the company to warn them that someone overseas is using their name and logo to scam people) The e-mail explained that the company was opening an office in Holland and was looking for people who would handle the back-office orders It contained a form to be filled in and returned if I was interested in the position the form asked for all my personal information including my bank details I had been looking for a job and was interested in the offer so I filled in and sent off the form and my CV Once they received my e-mail they asked me to start a trial period without practically explaining anything of what the job was actually about I didnrsquot immediately reply so they called me the next day asking me to start immediately with the trial period promising lots of benefits once the contract was signed I hadnrsquot met anyone at this point only telephone interviews and that already didnrsquot seem right to me I asked them to send me more information by e-mail about what I was meant to do and a few moments later I received a response asking me to make a bank transfer to show them I was trustworthy The lsquotrialrsquo implied that they would send me some money and I had to transfer half via GWK or MoneyTransfer to one of their clients and keep the other half This smelled very fishy to the Italian in me In reality they could be sending a cheque to the bank which would register an income that would later bounce after I had already made the payment to their lsquoclientrsquo On top of losing money the person that tried to lsquohirersquo meyou
would have been untraceable No one was even picking up the phone at the number given in the e-mail and the company they claimed to represent wasnrsquot even active in Europe
So I said no and told them I was no longer interested They even had the gumption to call me back and ask me why I wouldnrsquot do it I gave them a silly excuse so as not to give them any more information or tips on how to improve their scummy scam I am happy I started checking their contacts as soon as their promises seemed too good to be true even if I am still angry I allowed them to data-mine all of my information when I sent them my CV and filled in their form
It beggars belief that they set up an entire facade in these times of work despair and it really doesnrsquot feel right especially because therersquos not much I can do about it now apart from inform people I didnrsquot think this would ever happen here in this country where everything has to be or always seems to be so legitimate But I guess some things never change and a place doesnrsquot make the people and certainly doesnrsquot influence the choices they make I just wanted to share my experience to alert everyone to the possible scam If a company contacts you and asks you to return a form including your bank details when you have never met anyone face-to-face it should make your antennas extend and remember to double-check their credibility Apparently it is illegal to ask such questions of someone here so donrsquot fall for it as I did As I am still waiting to hear from the company in Australia I didnrsquot feel it was proper to disclose its name publicly just yet plus I am not sure the scammers always use the same company as a fake front But what they ask you to do is more or less always the same so keep your eyes open to the little details
lsquoYou face the everyday hell that is job-seeking but now you must also beware of scam companiesrsquo
lsquoThis smelled very fishy to the Italian in mersquo
lsquoThe form asked for all my personal informationrsquo
lifestyles6
1
Je moet er geweest zijn
62classifieds
MechelenAuthentic and full of surprises Thatrsquos Mechelen Hospitable and honourable Thatrsquos the people of Mechelen Come and experience the cityrsquos urban charms for yourself Mechelen
Authentic and full of surprises Thatrsquos Mechelen Hospitable and honourable Thatrsquos the people of Mechelen Come and experience the cityrsquos urban charms for yourself
photography copy Milo Profi
classifieds63
classifieds
How to hang out in
Amsterdam
By ER Muntrem
perspectives
It is not against the rules for babies to cry in cafeacutes It happens Mostly they sleep or sit in someonersquos lap with commendable decorum Otherwise kids in cafeacutes tend to nosh a little less than their elders and handle crayons a little more And while anyone who toddles behind the bar will certainly get caught they can always claim they were encouraged to toddle there in the first place
Dutch parents and I realise this is hard to prove seem to let their kids wander a metre or two further away from them than parents from other developed countries that universal ldquowhere is sherdquo look delayed five or ten seconds If this extra distance is a sign of perceived safety cafeacute culture must help teach it
Except for chefs all cafeacute workers do more or less all the jobs required to run a cafeacute They all wait on tables
serve hot and cold drinks set up outdoor furniture load and retrieve supplies take the garbage out wash glasses light candles arrange flowers unfurl the awning and ring up the bill When the young guy or girl greets you you may know they are not the owner but for the moment they are the face of the establishment It may as well be their place
Admittedly I am seduced by places where waiters donrsquot work for tips where the rushed pace of eating in a restaurant in America does not exist In a cafeacute you can do what you want for as long as you want and get food and drink while you do it Pretty cool and as much a baseline for how to hang out in Amsterdam as cycling is for how to get around
Places to eat and drink owned by corporations have to package experience to deliver it Whatrsquos our brand How can our managers and servers be most efficient How ultimately can we be number one Not something most cafeacutes seem to be worried about and where the universal signs for lsquowe are having a good time togetherrsquo
lsquoCafeacute culture must help teachrsquo lsquoI am seduced by places where waiters donrsquot work for tipsrsquo
64
perspectives
or lsquoI am happy here by myselfrsquo (clinked glasses or absorption in a newspaper say) are routinely in evidence This is one true grace of democracy the average worth smiling about
At cafeacutes co-workers have a beer before or after their shift friends drop by or a regular pops in with some news The stream of customers they donrsquot have to woo and donrsquot have to lsquoworkrsquo gives the whole thing a slightly familial living room perfectly public feel that makes the work far less of a personality crimp than working at Starbucks Or so it seems I do not mean to pretend carrying drinks across the street to the canal side seating or giving obvious directions yet again is always glorious but most people who work in cafeacutersquos laugh and smile a fair bit almost as much as the patrons
And when the owner of a cafeacute is of a generation older than those working there as is usually the case it lends a wise uncle or mother hen feel to the proceedings In the daytime no one is ever too caught up in his or her designated title to ignore a baby on the move And at
night the crowd of drinkers may as well be at a party hosted by their parents or kids or both
Itrsquos not all about money cafeacute culture churns towards the civilised without grinding anyone too far down As well as pleasure there is power in this The best distillation I know of what democracy should be came from a young woman working at Cafeacute Captein With our meal in front of us my friend noticed he was missing his salad Flagged down the young woman went to investigate ldquoItrsquos on its wayrdquo she said ldquoI told my boss to do itrdquo
Imagine we told Putin to do it We told Obama to do it We told the bankers to do it
lsquoMost people who work in cafeacutersquos laugh and smile a fair bitrsquo
lsquoCafeacute culture churns towards the civilised without grinding anyone too far downrsquo
65
66
featurecity gem
lsquoThe last of the large independent music stores left standing in Amsterdamrsquo
CITY GEM
67
Concerto
By Denson Pierre
ConcertoUtrechtsestraat 60 1017 VP Amsterdam
it is a rush when on a full stomach you can make an instant decision on where your next city-centre lunch will be taken it is almost ecstasy when the venue is situated in a music shop which for decades has been defined by its exceptional range and quality of music available in amsterdam Concerto is the last of the large independent music stores left standing in amsterdam all the others have long since been killed off by everything from the advance in recording and playback technologies to habitual illegal downloaders only now realising that their behaviour has an impact right back down to street level despite what they might think about the giant studios and recording companies
Concerto has not stuck but has twisted Since September it has incorporated a cute cafeacute
and lunch area within its premises as well as introducing a bookshop and lounge area making it possible to spend an almost nostalgic time there over several hours It still has a vast range of the very best music in vinyl (both new and second-hand) and CD form DVDs DJ equipment and even gear used for live musical performances Itrsquos a gold mine
If it has taken this clever adaptation in space utilisation to keep this institution viable and available to Amsterdam-based music lovers then I personally wish to support this venture and help mean this type of music retailer to remain part of the city scene For people of a certain age there is something infinitely more appealing about physically handling recorded material appreciating the artwork in its packaging having a listen and then deciding if it is a purchase you would like to make Even though non-digital stockpiling has become rather passeacute I challenge you to visit Concerto and its new cafeacute and bookshop concept and not end up spending more time in this true city gem than you had anticipated
lsquoIt has incorporated a cute cafeacute and lunch area within its premises as well as introducing a bookshop and lounge arearsquo
city gem
68
city gem
69city gem
city gem70
city gem71
72city gem
lsquoThere is something infinitely more appealing about physically
handling recorded material appreciating the artwork in its
packagingrsquo
73city gem
74classifi eds
75classifi eds
classifi edsclassifi eds76
amsterdam city life
BrinG BaCK
Something that seems to have been watered down considerably in Amsterdamrsquos hospitality industry in recent years is independence of thought styling and designAll you have to do is walk around the city to note that way too many coffeesoup houses and cafeacutes are more or less identikit This also applies to many cafeacutes with unimaginative business leaders who open unoriginal looking spaces and hope that the use of white paint purple or blue lights and house music is all it takes
Luckily there is something brewing to save our days and nights I have come across cafeacute owners who are now seriously considering ending the arrangements they have with the giant drink suppliers There are actually no good arguments left for continuing with these huge multinationals as they are frankly more expensive at wholesale for the same A-class products than the supermarkets on every Amsterdammerrsquos street corner
It looks like space is being created for the smaller brewers to take up the supply of A-class beer to smaller establishments throughout the city The giants can keep their character-free tourist traps and those bars still able to benefit purely from their unbeatable locations throughout the city
The Sentinel says bring back better and more original businesses of scale within the local hospitality industry which will help more cafeacutes and bars not only to become distinguishable by the interior designs they will need to conjure but also through the variety of local and regional beers that could become part of their coherent identity The overriding benefit of such courageous thinking and action would be an immediate return to realistic and reasonable pricing for A-class beer in Amsterdam which remains the staple of the easy consumables as this recession drones on
By Denson Pierre
INDEPENDENT CAFeacuteSBARS
77
78star beer guide
Star Beer
The SentinelStar beer guide
lsquoDifferent beers can seem to weigh on the conscience as much as on the taste budsrsquo
Just like the changing of the seasons different beers can seem to weigh on the conscience as much as on the taste buds Ciney blond is a lovely almost effeminate tasting beer All light smooth fruitiness bolstered by substantial alcohol content
As the temperature increases it can even feel like a thirst quencher A nice session beer and one that could function as an entrance-level quality beer in terms of its complexity For advanced samplers it is a great lower platform to descend to after cruising the space occupied by the 8-plus percentage alcoholic beauties
Ciney blond is brewed by Alken-Maes Mechelen Belgium
By Denson Pierre
CINEY BLOND (7 ABV)
79star beer guide
We find the best most fun most typical exciting or local favourite restaurants etcetera in Amsterdam and bring them to you an easy way to feel like a local
Cafe Kostverloren 040606
Recommended
80recommended
EUROGIFTSXenonweg 9 3812 SZ Amersfoort
Tel 033 - 454 35 75 - Fax 033 - 454 35 79E-mail lmproefeurogiftsnl
Website wwweurogiftsnl
FILMPROEF
ORDERNUMMER 6021022ARTIKELNUMMER 65123
Ware grootte (indien uitgeprint)Kleur opdruk Wit
Mulligans Irish Music BarAmsterdamrsquos best address for live Irish music Five (5) nights a week Check our agenda for upcoming sessions Amstel 100 1017 AC Amsterdamwwwmulligansnl
Cafeacute KostverlorenCafeacute Kostverloren is a contemporary cafe offering the cosiness of a saloon an open kitchen and the intimacy of a living room The large terras is great for sunny days2e Kostverlorenkade 70 Amsterdamwwwcafekostverlorennl
ZestZest is fi ne food warm atmosphere and classy drinks with regular semi-acoustic (live) music and DJs (Thursday to Sunday) Amsterdamrsquos newest and freshestBilderdijkstraat 188 Amsterdamwwwfacebookcomclubzestnl
GollemGollemrsquos Proefl okaal Gollem and Gollem II represent the best addresses serving the fullest range of top Belgian Dutch and international beers in AmsterdamOvertoom 160-161wwwcafegollemnl
IncantoA restaurant with a classic Italian kitchen Venetian chef Simone Ambrosin is known for his pure and simple style of cooking with great feeling for nuanceAmstel 2 Amsterdamwwwrestaurant-incantonl
Planet RoseThe fi rst Caribbean restaurant in the Netherlands specialised in Jamaican cuisine The menu features a daily changing selectionNicolaas Beetsstraat 47 Amsterdamwwwplanetroseinfo
Cafe restaurant EdelCafe restaurant Edel is the perfect place for lunch dinner or to simply enjoy a drink Edel is a unique place in AmsterdamPostjesweg 1 1057 DT Amsterdamwwwedelamsterdamnl
Cafeacute OportoCafeacute Oporto is a traditional Amsterdam lsquobrown cafersquo Welcoming tourists and regular customers alike they offer televised sports wifi and a wide range of reasonably priced beers and spiritsZoutsteeg 1 1012 LX Amsterdamwwwcafeoportonet
BaxA cosy and friendly local cafeacute with a focus on special or interesting beers and good quality food Open 7 days a week with a professional kitchen offering a lunch and dinner serviceTen Katestraat 119 Amsterdamwwwcafebaxnl
To be seen and tasted Fun Drinking amp Music
To Be Seen and Tasted
Fun Drinking amp Music
Fun Drinking amp Music
Connoisseurs Delight
Connoisseurs Delight
Connoisseurs Delight
To Be Seen and Tasted
Neighbourhood cosy
Fun drinking and music
ParckGreat fun beautiful people and simply the best bar food in townOvertoom 428 Amsterdamwwwcafeparcknl
To be seen and tasted
Cafe de Toog1890rsquos grandeur fashioned into Amsterdam-West grand brown cafe-restaurant-cool Classy drinks and mealsNicolaas Beetsstraat 142 hs Amsterdam wwwcafedetoogcom
Opera Prima - Patisserie Bistro TraiteurThe best place in town for lunch exquisite high teas or brunches and all of your luxury catering both private and corporateKinkerstraat 228 Amsterdamwwwoperaprimanl
Recommended
81
Where is this inAmsterdamAnswer to sentinelpostgmailcom
82spotted
Room 2cfilm
ldquoCome on in boys the waterrsquos finerdquo This is arguably the best all-round and funny musical to come out of Hollywood in a generation and certainly one of the best three soundtracks of the same period George Clooney will never be as good or charming as he is here playing the accidental leader of a trio of chain gang escapees in the US south of the 1930s Spirituality meets the Ku Klux Klan all coloured by Virginia bluegrass
ldquoCall me Snakerdquo The coolest handle for a leading man (Kurt Russell) in any movie to date Here he is sent in on a heroic lsquoat all costrsquo one-man mission to rescue the president of the United States from the prison island Manhattan has become in a lsquofuturersquo representation of 1997 Air Force One has crashed there and the countdown is on Classic 1980s turn of the millennium dystopian vision with style pace and gadgetry
By dpmotions
By dpmotions
o Brother Where Art Thou (2000)
escape from new York (1981)
room2c83
84trends
lsquoTrends are great to join and surf like a once in a lifetime tsunamirsquo
By Dirkje Bakker-Pierre
Each and every micro-world has its own specific trends Take the fashion world for example where one day you have to wear high heels and round noses and the next itrsquos flat hairy elephant feet-like boots that must hug your feet Or take the automotive world where once upon a time you could never have enough chrome on your car or the food world where we have quietly moved from fast to green and wholesome or the TV world which used to be about fiction and is now more real than reality Some of these trends are great to join and surf like a once in a lifetime tsunami others can slip by unnoticed and others still keep bugging and bugging you even if you try to avoid them like the plague
The online world and specifically the social media universe eats through trends like a fat chick after a hunger strike Facebook in particular seems to move seamlessly from one hype to the next one day itrsquos pictures with fuzzy edges or a bit of a 1970s filter the next itrsquos a profile picture with you very consciously not looking into the camera (very spontaneously and naturally non-posing you might say) These are mostly harmless things if Irsquom honest and when everyone
stops liking them they fade away as quickly as the sun in our small wet country There is one trend however that has festered within Facebook from the very beginning and which seems to be gradually growing and growing without anyone ever liking the postshellip and I mean EVER
Yes I am talking about daily quotes words of wisdom holy quotes mesmerizingly philosophical quotes cheesy quotes religious quoteshellip How can I describe all of them in one easy sentence pieces of text from (famous) people (it can never be something you thought of yourself) that lsquodisclosersquo previously secret information about being happy in life (or at least previously secret to the person doing the posting I presume) In short texts that belong on tiles hanging on the wall in old Dutch peoplersquos toilets
Why
Here are a few I found in my news feed this week
ldquoA mind is like a parachute It doesnrsquot work if it is not openrdquo ndash Frank Zappa
ldquoIt is not because things are difficult that we do not dare it is because we do not dare that things are difficultrdquo ndash Seneca
ldquoIf you donrsquot take what you are doing seriously then nobody else willrdquo ndash Darryl Dlt Thomson
Bad trends would be good if they werenrsquot so bad
85trends
86classifi eds
87classifieds
One of my personal favourite gemstones is moonstone Itlsquos been around for centuries and is used in many cultures As suggested by its name the stone is highly associated with the moon and moon goddess Diana It brings calm peace and love and is said to become more powerful when the moon is full so thatlsquos the best time to wear it One proverb even claims that moonstone can bring you love that will fly you to the moon Spiritually this amazing stone is said to enhance intuition and is always associated with the self It is a very powerful personal stone which doesnlsquot add or remove any aspects of the personality but merely reflects the person wearing it It is said to be very
MoonstoneBy Evelina Kvartunaite
ndash
lsquoThe stone is highly associated with the moon and moon goddess Dianarsquo
ndash
helpful for people who are very sensitive and it is also used in meditation for reflecting oneself Itlsquos always best to charge your gem when the moon is shining at night either while wearing it or by leaving it on a windowsill that receives moonlight Moonstone is also used in healing and is known for balancing the internal organ systems enabling them to work in stable cycles Itlsquos usually more associated with women but is also known to help men embrace their more emotional side soft creative energies and optimism Perhaps understandably moonstone should have limited exposure to strong direct sunlight
ndash
lsquoIt is said to be very helpful for people who are very sensitiversquo
ndash
88
health amp well-being
ndash
lsquoMore associated with women but is also known to help men embrace their more emotional sidersquo
ndash
89health amp well-being
In his article Batin shows how learning how to use complex products is like learning a computer game Just like the challenges in video games match the skills of the user so should TV interactions or any UI interactions for that matter For reference Batin used the four levels described in the Dreyfus model of skill acquisition
Level 1 novicebullRigid adherence to taught rules or plansbullNo exercise of lsquodiscretionary judgmentrsquo
Level 2 Advanced beginnerbullLimited lsquosituational perceptionrsquobullAll aspects of work treated separately with equal importance
Philip Batin wrote an article a couple of months ago about the next big idea in User Interaction gadgets that adapt to your skills As gadgets become more complicated UIs must be able to teach their users over time Apparently more and more interactive products are being returned In 2002 48 of all returned products were technically fully functional but were rejected for failing to satisfy user needs 20 purely due to customer remorse Even though a product may have all the features one can hope for complexity and bad user experience can prevent users from integrating it into their lives
UserInterfaceThe next big thing in UX
lsquoUIs must be able to teach their users over timersquo
By Andrei Barburas
lsquoComplexity and bad user experience can prevent users from
integrating it into their livesrsquo
90
technology
book the majority of which you probably skipped through
Personally I believe that there are certain end users most likely the majority that use only a limited set of features from any device they buy Mobile phones have become indispensable tools in our daily activities yet the average Joe has no idea about the full potential of a smart phone The same applies to Smart TVs they can do lots of things yet the only thing that we do with them is flip channels and complain how bad the shows are
The bottom line is that itrsquos definitely something worth thinking about not only from an operating system perspective but also from the perspective of applications developers
Level 3 competentbulllsquoCoping with crowdednessrsquo (multiple activities accumulation of information)bullSome perception of actions in relation to goalsbullDeliberate planningbullFormulates routines
Level 4 ProficientbullHolistic view of situationbullPrioritizes importance of aspectsbulllsquoPerceives deviations from the normal patternrsquobullEmploys maxim for guidance with meanings that adapt to the situation at hand
Now just imagine a User Interface that adapts based on what you can do and the abilities you have As you learn new things new levels of complexity are unlocked opening the door to fully knowing your device because you learned by doing and not by reading a complicated
lsquoThe average Joe has no idea about the full potential of a
smart phonersquo
91technology
92classifi eds
93classifi eds
Not knowing what was happening in football was extremely annoying to put it mildly and it wasnrsquot just my own self-denial and avoidance of all things football that was a hindrance the extent to which I had to ask others to go in order to remain ignorant was much more excruciating than Irsquod ever imagined There may even be some damage done to football-related friendships that is irreparable I now feel as though Irsquom walking through an empty stadium after everyone else has gone home
So what now and where to next The season is well and truly over and Irsquom free to do whatever I want I could read the back-dated sports pages check all the stats and find out all the facts if I wanted to I could spend hours catching up on last season and speculating on the next with the friends Irsquove still got left down the pub if I wanted to I can follow all the transfer gossip watch pre-season friendlies and build up all my hopes But as with most addictions that would simply be falling back into a previous state of dependence and everything Irsquove just put myself through wouldrsquove been for nothing So how do I go back to an old habit without a total relapse or would it be better to keep abstaining
All my questions seem to be met with other questions and no solutions On the other hand if you ask me what
Someone once said that insanity is when you keep repeating the same behaviour and expect a different outcome most likely a psychologist aimed at his or her ailing patients But for me these words are more reminiscent of my own conduct over the course of a regular football season Week in week out season after season I would expect Tottenham to win something and more often than not Irsquod be left disappointed So I decided to stop No more football ndash at least not for one full season
The season 201213 is now over and during the whole nine months I didnrsquot watch a single moment of football or read a single article on the subject That was my challenge and I was committed to it What is more despite all the warning signs I didnrsquot relapse After a year of structured punishment I didnrsquot have a clue about what was going on in the English Premier League (or any other league) Only having picked up bits and pieces of information that somehow slipped through the net the past season was like a book with most of its pages missing
By Simon Joseph
On The Volley
The Return of the Repressed or the Point of No Return
lsquoInsanity is when you keep repeating the same behaviour and expect a different outcomersquo
sport
lsquoThe past season was like a book with most of its pages missingrsquo
94
lsquoThere may even be some damage done to football-related friendshipsrsquo
lsquoHas abstaining for a season changed mersquo
it until the cows come home but it was us who made those changes or at least allowed them to happen and those changes will continue to happen with or without me Perhaps then the questions I should be asking are has abstaining for a season changed me Am I still obsessed or have I broken the habit of a lifetime Is following football really that terrible or even a real addiction
One thing is certain this lack of resolution is not completely without satisfaction because like all forms of fixation or obsession therersquos comfort and familiarity to be found in repetition as Tottenham miss out on Championrsquos League football by a single point again The repressed will always return to haunt us or so it seems and before we know it the start of next season will be upon us There will be more pain no doubt and more joy This time however it will take more than a boot camp approach to keep me away and who knows Tottenham might even win the league Come on you Spurs
Tottenham Hotspur means I would still tell you that itrsquos not just a pretty football package itrsquos about kith and kin not just where I came from but how I relate to others around me in the here and now Whatrsquos more millions of people are attracted to football they hunger for it and yearn to connect with it even though I still believe itrsquos a form of ineffective escape from one unsatisfying reality to another Following football is a classic example of cognitive dissonance ndash when you simultaneously entertain two opposing thoughts that appear to cancel each other out Before the start of each season for example we all want our club to win everything or to be taken over by billionaires but know that itrsquos impossible or in the latter case controversial and even undesirable So we invent ways to cope We develop a so-called lsquosiege mentalityrsquo or other harmful patterns of behaviour to relieve the discomfort of incongruity With this in mind the past year was supposed to be an exercise in behaviour modification ndash to discover the root of the problem and treat it effectively But one year on have I really discovered anything at all
The English Premier League whether you watch it or not is still probably the most exciting football league in the world We can complain about the changes made to
sport9
5
By Denson Pierre
The Gold Room
Fantasy Football Gold ndash Champions League 2012-2013 winner Denson Pierre and his prizes
The season petered out in an all-German Champions League Final which did nothing to dispel the record that this was a season of too few new stars or regular spectacle We look forward to the next season as it ought not be too difficult to create more excitement than in the one just pastWe did have the opportunity to hand over the envelopes and trophies to the Sentinel Fantasy Football game winners This year all the major winners from the Sentinel Fantasy Football League were unable to be present for the physical prize giving but the winner of the Gold Game and focus of this column was there to receive his prize for winning the master game in styleSo we retire the Gold Room until the beginning of the new football season See you all again then
96
sport
Matt Parker receives his third place and Manager of the Month prizes for the Sentinel Fantasy Football League
Charles Conneely Sentinel Fantasy Football League 2012-2013 Champion
97sport
wwwczechtourismcom
CZECH REPUBLIC - STUNNINGLY DIFFERENT
98
classifi eds
perspectives
Last time out I took you up North to the beautiful island of Marken Since that was a somewhat longer trip than some readers might want to take by bike this time our journey is a short one that can even be done on foot to Rembrandtplein The adventure starts at Central Station turn your back on the visually pleasing building that facilitates the arrival of visitors to our hometown and head towards Damrak Amsterdamrsquos lsquoRed Carpetrsquo and home these days to gazillions of restaurants shops bars cafeacutes and of course the nearby world-famous Red Light District all of which wersquoll simply ignore This is easier said than done as there is so much to see so many temptations that demand your attention and try to make you spend your euros before you have even entered the actual city As you walk down Damrak you start to see the buildings situated around Dam Square the central point of Amsterdam offering such delights as the Royal Palace Madame Tussauds the Nieuwekerk the war memorial and other landmarks that define this famous square Rotate 360 degrees to take it all in and then move toward Rokin or if you are in mood for some shopping walk down Kalverstraat instead Yoursquore bound to find something you like in the hundreds of shops lining one of Amsterdamrsquos two main shopping streets Keep walking straight on and just to your right yoursquoll find Spui a lovely square that is regularly home to art and book markets if you have the time You can find a multitude of interesting and inspiring items there or just grab a coffee and sit on one of the benches taking in the scene Once you are done enjoying Spui itrsquos time to get back on track so return to the RokinKalverstraat and head to the right (south) not forgetting to take a closer look
at the statue of former Queen Wilhelmina and her horse standing proudly at the bridge opposite This is also the starting point for boat tours if you want to take a little time out from your stroll to Rembrandtplein get a ticket and hop on one of the very typical 70s-style boats that constantly criss-cross the watery arteries of Amsterdam These typical 1970s-style barges provide a visual impression of the city that looks familiar yet very different a pleasure that locals and visitors alike appreciate very much every time
When you have returned from the water tour return to Rokin and keep walking towards Munt which is easily recognisable by its old-style tower featuring a clockwork chime that marks the hour and enhances the scenery in this part of town along with the Hotel De LrsquoEurope just across the way You could also take a pit-stop there while enjoying the view over the Amstel and the hundreds of little boats filled with chillaxing people at least on sunny days You can dwell on the fact that life in Amsterdam often seems so easy and beautiful that it entices visitors to return again and again You are now very close to your final destination so cross the road and enter the Reguliersbreestraat Marvel at the beauty of the Tuschinski Theater as you continue towards the wide open square that is our last stop Grab a drink or some ice-cream while you find yourself a nice spot on the grassy circular central area of the Rembrandtplein where you can spend hours looking at the beautiful buildings the relaxing people and the artists selling their work This is also where you can find me presenting a fine selection of my photo prints of what to me is the best city in the world So if itrsquos not raining come by and enjoy my photographic impressions of Amsterdam they make awesome souvenirs to take home with you Irsquom looking forward to meeting you on lsquomyrsquo square
lsquoOur journey is a short one that can even be done on footrsquo
27
28perspectives
29perspectives
lsquo1970s-style barges provide a visual impression of the city that looks familiar yet very differentrsquo
30perspectives
31perspectives
32perspectives
33perspectives
lsquoMarvel at the beauty of the Tuschinski Theaterrsquo
34perspectives
35perspectives
lsquoRotate 360 degrees to take it all inrsquo
36perspectives
lsquoRotate 360 degrees to take it all inrsquo
37perspectives
38perspectives
39perspectives
40
perspectives
41perspectives
42featureperspectives
feature4
3perspectives
44
featureperspectives
feature4
5perspectives
lsquoTake a closer look at the statue of former Queen Wilhelmina and her horsersquo
46
perspectives
lsquoThis is also where you can find me presenting a fine selection of my
photo printsrsquo
47perspectives
perspectives4
8
perspectives4
9
For complete and world class tours of Prague
Packages includebull Hidden and playful Prague (for families with young children)bull Literary Praguebull Prague Architecture through the agesbull Religion and the citybull The old city at night
These are detailed tours designed for visitors who wish to explore with great detail and not suitable for simply sight-seeing tourists
Day segments and ratesPR 0800-1230hrs AG 1330-1630hrs UE 1730-2130hrsAll sessions are priced at u 25 per single adult Group size upper limit = 8 Accompanied children under the age of five are gratis and school aged children pay 25 Family package rates are negotiable
ContactJaroslav Cernosek+420 602 228 797Mail jcernosekcentrumcz
wwwyourtuliptourcom
JC Tours
50classifieds
51classifieds
CafeacuteBar Review Van Mechelen
cafebar review52
Van MechelenSloterkade 96-97 Amsterdam
It may be the new hype in the city as far as grand cafeacute and restaurant concepts go but Van Mechelen is already approaching excellence Considering its handy location in another pretty neighbourhood of Amsterdam South it is almost a lsquomust visitrsquo place that has created a theme built on the Burgundian enjoyment of life good food complemented with top-class beer and wine If you want a taste of what it feels like to visit a cafeacute-restaurant in Mechelen Belgium Van Mechelen is an easy way for an Amsterdammer to savour this experience and is just a short cycle ride away
ambianceBurgundian Rating 5
StaffregularsMembers of staff are clearly very well trained and this adds to the light and airy atmosphere Having opened for business just three months ago those who have fallen in love with the place and its consumables have not yet had time to clock up the number of visits and connections to be considered lsquoregularsrsquo Rating 5
televised sportNo space within the design and layout for this form of distraction Rating 3
PricesSurprisingly these are within the lsquonormalrsquo range for this level and quality of fare Outstandingly fairly priced snacks and nibbles are also offered to help you along as you take on the fine (Mechelen brewery group Alken-Maes) beers and wines When did you last enjoy a generous portion of fresh olives for a mere euro250 Rating 5
MusicAt the time of review the establishment was fairly packed out The atmosphere is conducive to chats and hilarity and although the selection of tunes could be heard far in the background the sound system may well have more kick It should as the building is of such a solid constitution that it should contain noise and not easily upset the neighbours Rating 5
Smoking area provisionFortunately for puffers the originally industrial nature of the address means that the former loading bay and entranceexit areas have become two naturally covered terrace areas separated from the luscious interior by huge glass-panelled doors Rating 5
total rating 2830(Rating from 1-5 where 1 = Very poor and 5 = Excellent)
By Denson Pierre
lsquoThe new hype in the city as far as grand cafeacute and restaurant concepts gorsquo
cafebar review53
lsquoMembers of staff are clearly very well trainedrsquo
cafebar review54
cafebar review55
lsquoOutstandingly fairly priced snacks and nibbles are also offeredrsquo
cafebar review56
cafebar review57
lsquoThe atmosphere is conducive to chats and hilarityrsquo
cafebar review58
cafebar review59
scamsterdam
lifestyles60
By Valeria Scimia
Unemployed international and looking for a job in the Netherlands Not only must you face the everyday hell that is job-seeking but now you must also beware of scam companies Yes theyrsquove arrived here too
I was recently contacted by an ostensibly legitimate company that wanted to hire me The contact took the form of what appeared to be a genuine e-mail complete with website and logo from a company in Australia that seemed absolutely legitimate (I have since contacted the company to warn them that someone overseas is using their name and logo to scam people) The e-mail explained that the company was opening an office in Holland and was looking for people who would handle the back-office orders It contained a form to be filled in and returned if I was interested in the position the form asked for all my personal information including my bank details I had been looking for a job and was interested in the offer so I filled in and sent off the form and my CV Once they received my e-mail they asked me to start a trial period without practically explaining anything of what the job was actually about I didnrsquot immediately reply so they called me the next day asking me to start immediately with the trial period promising lots of benefits once the contract was signed I hadnrsquot met anyone at this point only telephone interviews and that already didnrsquot seem right to me I asked them to send me more information by e-mail about what I was meant to do and a few moments later I received a response asking me to make a bank transfer to show them I was trustworthy The lsquotrialrsquo implied that they would send me some money and I had to transfer half via GWK or MoneyTransfer to one of their clients and keep the other half This smelled very fishy to the Italian in me In reality they could be sending a cheque to the bank which would register an income that would later bounce after I had already made the payment to their lsquoclientrsquo On top of losing money the person that tried to lsquohirersquo meyou
would have been untraceable No one was even picking up the phone at the number given in the e-mail and the company they claimed to represent wasnrsquot even active in Europe
So I said no and told them I was no longer interested They even had the gumption to call me back and ask me why I wouldnrsquot do it I gave them a silly excuse so as not to give them any more information or tips on how to improve their scummy scam I am happy I started checking their contacts as soon as their promises seemed too good to be true even if I am still angry I allowed them to data-mine all of my information when I sent them my CV and filled in their form
It beggars belief that they set up an entire facade in these times of work despair and it really doesnrsquot feel right especially because therersquos not much I can do about it now apart from inform people I didnrsquot think this would ever happen here in this country where everything has to be or always seems to be so legitimate But I guess some things never change and a place doesnrsquot make the people and certainly doesnrsquot influence the choices they make I just wanted to share my experience to alert everyone to the possible scam If a company contacts you and asks you to return a form including your bank details when you have never met anyone face-to-face it should make your antennas extend and remember to double-check their credibility Apparently it is illegal to ask such questions of someone here so donrsquot fall for it as I did As I am still waiting to hear from the company in Australia I didnrsquot feel it was proper to disclose its name publicly just yet plus I am not sure the scammers always use the same company as a fake front But what they ask you to do is more or less always the same so keep your eyes open to the little details
lsquoYou face the everyday hell that is job-seeking but now you must also beware of scam companiesrsquo
lsquoThis smelled very fishy to the Italian in mersquo
lsquoThe form asked for all my personal informationrsquo
lifestyles6
1
Je moet er geweest zijn
62classifieds
MechelenAuthentic and full of surprises Thatrsquos Mechelen Hospitable and honourable Thatrsquos the people of Mechelen Come and experience the cityrsquos urban charms for yourself Mechelen
Authentic and full of surprises Thatrsquos Mechelen Hospitable and honourable Thatrsquos the people of Mechelen Come and experience the cityrsquos urban charms for yourself
photography copy Milo Profi
classifieds63
classifieds
How to hang out in
Amsterdam
By ER Muntrem
perspectives
It is not against the rules for babies to cry in cafeacutes It happens Mostly they sleep or sit in someonersquos lap with commendable decorum Otherwise kids in cafeacutes tend to nosh a little less than their elders and handle crayons a little more And while anyone who toddles behind the bar will certainly get caught they can always claim they were encouraged to toddle there in the first place
Dutch parents and I realise this is hard to prove seem to let their kids wander a metre or two further away from them than parents from other developed countries that universal ldquowhere is sherdquo look delayed five or ten seconds If this extra distance is a sign of perceived safety cafeacute culture must help teach it
Except for chefs all cafeacute workers do more or less all the jobs required to run a cafeacute They all wait on tables
serve hot and cold drinks set up outdoor furniture load and retrieve supplies take the garbage out wash glasses light candles arrange flowers unfurl the awning and ring up the bill When the young guy or girl greets you you may know they are not the owner but for the moment they are the face of the establishment It may as well be their place
Admittedly I am seduced by places where waiters donrsquot work for tips where the rushed pace of eating in a restaurant in America does not exist In a cafeacute you can do what you want for as long as you want and get food and drink while you do it Pretty cool and as much a baseline for how to hang out in Amsterdam as cycling is for how to get around
Places to eat and drink owned by corporations have to package experience to deliver it Whatrsquos our brand How can our managers and servers be most efficient How ultimately can we be number one Not something most cafeacutes seem to be worried about and where the universal signs for lsquowe are having a good time togetherrsquo
lsquoCafeacute culture must help teachrsquo lsquoI am seduced by places where waiters donrsquot work for tipsrsquo
64
perspectives
or lsquoI am happy here by myselfrsquo (clinked glasses or absorption in a newspaper say) are routinely in evidence This is one true grace of democracy the average worth smiling about
At cafeacutes co-workers have a beer before or after their shift friends drop by or a regular pops in with some news The stream of customers they donrsquot have to woo and donrsquot have to lsquoworkrsquo gives the whole thing a slightly familial living room perfectly public feel that makes the work far less of a personality crimp than working at Starbucks Or so it seems I do not mean to pretend carrying drinks across the street to the canal side seating or giving obvious directions yet again is always glorious but most people who work in cafeacutersquos laugh and smile a fair bit almost as much as the patrons
And when the owner of a cafeacute is of a generation older than those working there as is usually the case it lends a wise uncle or mother hen feel to the proceedings In the daytime no one is ever too caught up in his or her designated title to ignore a baby on the move And at
night the crowd of drinkers may as well be at a party hosted by their parents or kids or both
Itrsquos not all about money cafeacute culture churns towards the civilised without grinding anyone too far down As well as pleasure there is power in this The best distillation I know of what democracy should be came from a young woman working at Cafeacute Captein With our meal in front of us my friend noticed he was missing his salad Flagged down the young woman went to investigate ldquoItrsquos on its wayrdquo she said ldquoI told my boss to do itrdquo
Imagine we told Putin to do it We told Obama to do it We told the bankers to do it
lsquoMost people who work in cafeacutersquos laugh and smile a fair bitrsquo
lsquoCafeacute culture churns towards the civilised without grinding anyone too far downrsquo
65
66
featurecity gem
lsquoThe last of the large independent music stores left standing in Amsterdamrsquo
CITY GEM
67
Concerto
By Denson Pierre
ConcertoUtrechtsestraat 60 1017 VP Amsterdam
it is a rush when on a full stomach you can make an instant decision on where your next city-centre lunch will be taken it is almost ecstasy when the venue is situated in a music shop which for decades has been defined by its exceptional range and quality of music available in amsterdam Concerto is the last of the large independent music stores left standing in amsterdam all the others have long since been killed off by everything from the advance in recording and playback technologies to habitual illegal downloaders only now realising that their behaviour has an impact right back down to street level despite what they might think about the giant studios and recording companies
Concerto has not stuck but has twisted Since September it has incorporated a cute cafeacute
and lunch area within its premises as well as introducing a bookshop and lounge area making it possible to spend an almost nostalgic time there over several hours It still has a vast range of the very best music in vinyl (both new and second-hand) and CD form DVDs DJ equipment and even gear used for live musical performances Itrsquos a gold mine
If it has taken this clever adaptation in space utilisation to keep this institution viable and available to Amsterdam-based music lovers then I personally wish to support this venture and help mean this type of music retailer to remain part of the city scene For people of a certain age there is something infinitely more appealing about physically handling recorded material appreciating the artwork in its packaging having a listen and then deciding if it is a purchase you would like to make Even though non-digital stockpiling has become rather passeacute I challenge you to visit Concerto and its new cafeacute and bookshop concept and not end up spending more time in this true city gem than you had anticipated
lsquoIt has incorporated a cute cafeacute and lunch area within its premises as well as introducing a bookshop and lounge arearsquo
city gem
68
city gem
69city gem
city gem70
city gem71
72city gem
lsquoThere is something infinitely more appealing about physically
handling recorded material appreciating the artwork in its
packagingrsquo
73city gem
74classifi eds
75classifi eds
classifi edsclassifi eds76
amsterdam city life
BrinG BaCK
Something that seems to have been watered down considerably in Amsterdamrsquos hospitality industry in recent years is independence of thought styling and designAll you have to do is walk around the city to note that way too many coffeesoup houses and cafeacutes are more or less identikit This also applies to many cafeacutes with unimaginative business leaders who open unoriginal looking spaces and hope that the use of white paint purple or blue lights and house music is all it takes
Luckily there is something brewing to save our days and nights I have come across cafeacute owners who are now seriously considering ending the arrangements they have with the giant drink suppliers There are actually no good arguments left for continuing with these huge multinationals as they are frankly more expensive at wholesale for the same A-class products than the supermarkets on every Amsterdammerrsquos street corner
It looks like space is being created for the smaller brewers to take up the supply of A-class beer to smaller establishments throughout the city The giants can keep their character-free tourist traps and those bars still able to benefit purely from their unbeatable locations throughout the city
The Sentinel says bring back better and more original businesses of scale within the local hospitality industry which will help more cafeacutes and bars not only to become distinguishable by the interior designs they will need to conjure but also through the variety of local and regional beers that could become part of their coherent identity The overriding benefit of such courageous thinking and action would be an immediate return to realistic and reasonable pricing for A-class beer in Amsterdam which remains the staple of the easy consumables as this recession drones on
By Denson Pierre
INDEPENDENT CAFeacuteSBARS
77
78star beer guide
Star Beer
The SentinelStar beer guide
lsquoDifferent beers can seem to weigh on the conscience as much as on the taste budsrsquo
Just like the changing of the seasons different beers can seem to weigh on the conscience as much as on the taste buds Ciney blond is a lovely almost effeminate tasting beer All light smooth fruitiness bolstered by substantial alcohol content
As the temperature increases it can even feel like a thirst quencher A nice session beer and one that could function as an entrance-level quality beer in terms of its complexity For advanced samplers it is a great lower platform to descend to after cruising the space occupied by the 8-plus percentage alcoholic beauties
Ciney blond is brewed by Alken-Maes Mechelen Belgium
By Denson Pierre
CINEY BLOND (7 ABV)
79star beer guide
We find the best most fun most typical exciting or local favourite restaurants etcetera in Amsterdam and bring them to you an easy way to feel like a local
Cafe Kostverloren 040606
Recommended
80recommended
EUROGIFTSXenonweg 9 3812 SZ Amersfoort
Tel 033 - 454 35 75 - Fax 033 - 454 35 79E-mail lmproefeurogiftsnl
Website wwweurogiftsnl
FILMPROEF
ORDERNUMMER 6021022ARTIKELNUMMER 65123
Ware grootte (indien uitgeprint)Kleur opdruk Wit
Mulligans Irish Music BarAmsterdamrsquos best address for live Irish music Five (5) nights a week Check our agenda for upcoming sessions Amstel 100 1017 AC Amsterdamwwwmulligansnl
Cafeacute KostverlorenCafeacute Kostverloren is a contemporary cafe offering the cosiness of a saloon an open kitchen and the intimacy of a living room The large terras is great for sunny days2e Kostverlorenkade 70 Amsterdamwwwcafekostverlorennl
ZestZest is fi ne food warm atmosphere and classy drinks with regular semi-acoustic (live) music and DJs (Thursday to Sunday) Amsterdamrsquos newest and freshestBilderdijkstraat 188 Amsterdamwwwfacebookcomclubzestnl
GollemGollemrsquos Proefl okaal Gollem and Gollem II represent the best addresses serving the fullest range of top Belgian Dutch and international beers in AmsterdamOvertoom 160-161wwwcafegollemnl
IncantoA restaurant with a classic Italian kitchen Venetian chef Simone Ambrosin is known for his pure and simple style of cooking with great feeling for nuanceAmstel 2 Amsterdamwwwrestaurant-incantonl
Planet RoseThe fi rst Caribbean restaurant in the Netherlands specialised in Jamaican cuisine The menu features a daily changing selectionNicolaas Beetsstraat 47 Amsterdamwwwplanetroseinfo
Cafe restaurant EdelCafe restaurant Edel is the perfect place for lunch dinner or to simply enjoy a drink Edel is a unique place in AmsterdamPostjesweg 1 1057 DT Amsterdamwwwedelamsterdamnl
Cafeacute OportoCafeacute Oporto is a traditional Amsterdam lsquobrown cafersquo Welcoming tourists and regular customers alike they offer televised sports wifi and a wide range of reasonably priced beers and spiritsZoutsteeg 1 1012 LX Amsterdamwwwcafeoportonet
BaxA cosy and friendly local cafeacute with a focus on special or interesting beers and good quality food Open 7 days a week with a professional kitchen offering a lunch and dinner serviceTen Katestraat 119 Amsterdamwwwcafebaxnl
To be seen and tasted Fun Drinking amp Music
To Be Seen and Tasted
Fun Drinking amp Music
Fun Drinking amp Music
Connoisseurs Delight
Connoisseurs Delight
Connoisseurs Delight
To Be Seen and Tasted
Neighbourhood cosy
Fun drinking and music
ParckGreat fun beautiful people and simply the best bar food in townOvertoom 428 Amsterdamwwwcafeparcknl
To be seen and tasted
Cafe de Toog1890rsquos grandeur fashioned into Amsterdam-West grand brown cafe-restaurant-cool Classy drinks and mealsNicolaas Beetsstraat 142 hs Amsterdam wwwcafedetoogcom
Opera Prima - Patisserie Bistro TraiteurThe best place in town for lunch exquisite high teas or brunches and all of your luxury catering both private and corporateKinkerstraat 228 Amsterdamwwwoperaprimanl
Recommended
81
Where is this inAmsterdamAnswer to sentinelpostgmailcom
82spotted
Room 2cfilm
ldquoCome on in boys the waterrsquos finerdquo This is arguably the best all-round and funny musical to come out of Hollywood in a generation and certainly one of the best three soundtracks of the same period George Clooney will never be as good or charming as he is here playing the accidental leader of a trio of chain gang escapees in the US south of the 1930s Spirituality meets the Ku Klux Klan all coloured by Virginia bluegrass
ldquoCall me Snakerdquo The coolest handle for a leading man (Kurt Russell) in any movie to date Here he is sent in on a heroic lsquoat all costrsquo one-man mission to rescue the president of the United States from the prison island Manhattan has become in a lsquofuturersquo representation of 1997 Air Force One has crashed there and the countdown is on Classic 1980s turn of the millennium dystopian vision with style pace and gadgetry
By dpmotions
By dpmotions
o Brother Where Art Thou (2000)
escape from new York (1981)
room2c83
84trends
lsquoTrends are great to join and surf like a once in a lifetime tsunamirsquo
By Dirkje Bakker-Pierre
Each and every micro-world has its own specific trends Take the fashion world for example where one day you have to wear high heels and round noses and the next itrsquos flat hairy elephant feet-like boots that must hug your feet Or take the automotive world where once upon a time you could never have enough chrome on your car or the food world where we have quietly moved from fast to green and wholesome or the TV world which used to be about fiction and is now more real than reality Some of these trends are great to join and surf like a once in a lifetime tsunami others can slip by unnoticed and others still keep bugging and bugging you even if you try to avoid them like the plague
The online world and specifically the social media universe eats through trends like a fat chick after a hunger strike Facebook in particular seems to move seamlessly from one hype to the next one day itrsquos pictures with fuzzy edges or a bit of a 1970s filter the next itrsquos a profile picture with you very consciously not looking into the camera (very spontaneously and naturally non-posing you might say) These are mostly harmless things if Irsquom honest and when everyone
stops liking them they fade away as quickly as the sun in our small wet country There is one trend however that has festered within Facebook from the very beginning and which seems to be gradually growing and growing without anyone ever liking the postshellip and I mean EVER
Yes I am talking about daily quotes words of wisdom holy quotes mesmerizingly philosophical quotes cheesy quotes religious quoteshellip How can I describe all of them in one easy sentence pieces of text from (famous) people (it can never be something you thought of yourself) that lsquodisclosersquo previously secret information about being happy in life (or at least previously secret to the person doing the posting I presume) In short texts that belong on tiles hanging on the wall in old Dutch peoplersquos toilets
Why
Here are a few I found in my news feed this week
ldquoA mind is like a parachute It doesnrsquot work if it is not openrdquo ndash Frank Zappa
ldquoIt is not because things are difficult that we do not dare it is because we do not dare that things are difficultrdquo ndash Seneca
ldquoIf you donrsquot take what you are doing seriously then nobody else willrdquo ndash Darryl Dlt Thomson
Bad trends would be good if they werenrsquot so bad
85trends
86classifi eds
87classifieds
One of my personal favourite gemstones is moonstone Itlsquos been around for centuries and is used in many cultures As suggested by its name the stone is highly associated with the moon and moon goddess Diana It brings calm peace and love and is said to become more powerful when the moon is full so thatlsquos the best time to wear it One proverb even claims that moonstone can bring you love that will fly you to the moon Spiritually this amazing stone is said to enhance intuition and is always associated with the self It is a very powerful personal stone which doesnlsquot add or remove any aspects of the personality but merely reflects the person wearing it It is said to be very
MoonstoneBy Evelina Kvartunaite
ndash
lsquoThe stone is highly associated with the moon and moon goddess Dianarsquo
ndash
helpful for people who are very sensitive and it is also used in meditation for reflecting oneself Itlsquos always best to charge your gem when the moon is shining at night either while wearing it or by leaving it on a windowsill that receives moonlight Moonstone is also used in healing and is known for balancing the internal organ systems enabling them to work in stable cycles Itlsquos usually more associated with women but is also known to help men embrace their more emotional side soft creative energies and optimism Perhaps understandably moonstone should have limited exposure to strong direct sunlight
ndash
lsquoIt is said to be very helpful for people who are very sensitiversquo
ndash
88
health amp well-being
ndash
lsquoMore associated with women but is also known to help men embrace their more emotional sidersquo
ndash
89health amp well-being
In his article Batin shows how learning how to use complex products is like learning a computer game Just like the challenges in video games match the skills of the user so should TV interactions or any UI interactions for that matter For reference Batin used the four levels described in the Dreyfus model of skill acquisition
Level 1 novicebullRigid adherence to taught rules or plansbullNo exercise of lsquodiscretionary judgmentrsquo
Level 2 Advanced beginnerbullLimited lsquosituational perceptionrsquobullAll aspects of work treated separately with equal importance
Philip Batin wrote an article a couple of months ago about the next big idea in User Interaction gadgets that adapt to your skills As gadgets become more complicated UIs must be able to teach their users over time Apparently more and more interactive products are being returned In 2002 48 of all returned products were technically fully functional but were rejected for failing to satisfy user needs 20 purely due to customer remorse Even though a product may have all the features one can hope for complexity and bad user experience can prevent users from integrating it into their lives
UserInterfaceThe next big thing in UX
lsquoUIs must be able to teach their users over timersquo
By Andrei Barburas
lsquoComplexity and bad user experience can prevent users from
integrating it into their livesrsquo
90
technology
book the majority of which you probably skipped through
Personally I believe that there are certain end users most likely the majority that use only a limited set of features from any device they buy Mobile phones have become indispensable tools in our daily activities yet the average Joe has no idea about the full potential of a smart phone The same applies to Smart TVs they can do lots of things yet the only thing that we do with them is flip channels and complain how bad the shows are
The bottom line is that itrsquos definitely something worth thinking about not only from an operating system perspective but also from the perspective of applications developers
Level 3 competentbulllsquoCoping with crowdednessrsquo (multiple activities accumulation of information)bullSome perception of actions in relation to goalsbullDeliberate planningbullFormulates routines
Level 4 ProficientbullHolistic view of situationbullPrioritizes importance of aspectsbulllsquoPerceives deviations from the normal patternrsquobullEmploys maxim for guidance with meanings that adapt to the situation at hand
Now just imagine a User Interface that adapts based on what you can do and the abilities you have As you learn new things new levels of complexity are unlocked opening the door to fully knowing your device because you learned by doing and not by reading a complicated
lsquoThe average Joe has no idea about the full potential of a
smart phonersquo
91technology
92classifi eds
93classifi eds
Not knowing what was happening in football was extremely annoying to put it mildly and it wasnrsquot just my own self-denial and avoidance of all things football that was a hindrance the extent to which I had to ask others to go in order to remain ignorant was much more excruciating than Irsquod ever imagined There may even be some damage done to football-related friendships that is irreparable I now feel as though Irsquom walking through an empty stadium after everyone else has gone home
So what now and where to next The season is well and truly over and Irsquom free to do whatever I want I could read the back-dated sports pages check all the stats and find out all the facts if I wanted to I could spend hours catching up on last season and speculating on the next with the friends Irsquove still got left down the pub if I wanted to I can follow all the transfer gossip watch pre-season friendlies and build up all my hopes But as with most addictions that would simply be falling back into a previous state of dependence and everything Irsquove just put myself through wouldrsquove been for nothing So how do I go back to an old habit without a total relapse or would it be better to keep abstaining
All my questions seem to be met with other questions and no solutions On the other hand if you ask me what
Someone once said that insanity is when you keep repeating the same behaviour and expect a different outcome most likely a psychologist aimed at his or her ailing patients But for me these words are more reminiscent of my own conduct over the course of a regular football season Week in week out season after season I would expect Tottenham to win something and more often than not Irsquod be left disappointed So I decided to stop No more football ndash at least not for one full season
The season 201213 is now over and during the whole nine months I didnrsquot watch a single moment of football or read a single article on the subject That was my challenge and I was committed to it What is more despite all the warning signs I didnrsquot relapse After a year of structured punishment I didnrsquot have a clue about what was going on in the English Premier League (or any other league) Only having picked up bits and pieces of information that somehow slipped through the net the past season was like a book with most of its pages missing
By Simon Joseph
On The Volley
The Return of the Repressed or the Point of No Return
lsquoInsanity is when you keep repeating the same behaviour and expect a different outcomersquo
sport
lsquoThe past season was like a book with most of its pages missingrsquo
94
lsquoThere may even be some damage done to football-related friendshipsrsquo
lsquoHas abstaining for a season changed mersquo
it until the cows come home but it was us who made those changes or at least allowed them to happen and those changes will continue to happen with or without me Perhaps then the questions I should be asking are has abstaining for a season changed me Am I still obsessed or have I broken the habit of a lifetime Is following football really that terrible or even a real addiction
One thing is certain this lack of resolution is not completely without satisfaction because like all forms of fixation or obsession therersquos comfort and familiarity to be found in repetition as Tottenham miss out on Championrsquos League football by a single point again The repressed will always return to haunt us or so it seems and before we know it the start of next season will be upon us There will be more pain no doubt and more joy This time however it will take more than a boot camp approach to keep me away and who knows Tottenham might even win the league Come on you Spurs
Tottenham Hotspur means I would still tell you that itrsquos not just a pretty football package itrsquos about kith and kin not just where I came from but how I relate to others around me in the here and now Whatrsquos more millions of people are attracted to football they hunger for it and yearn to connect with it even though I still believe itrsquos a form of ineffective escape from one unsatisfying reality to another Following football is a classic example of cognitive dissonance ndash when you simultaneously entertain two opposing thoughts that appear to cancel each other out Before the start of each season for example we all want our club to win everything or to be taken over by billionaires but know that itrsquos impossible or in the latter case controversial and even undesirable So we invent ways to cope We develop a so-called lsquosiege mentalityrsquo or other harmful patterns of behaviour to relieve the discomfort of incongruity With this in mind the past year was supposed to be an exercise in behaviour modification ndash to discover the root of the problem and treat it effectively But one year on have I really discovered anything at all
The English Premier League whether you watch it or not is still probably the most exciting football league in the world We can complain about the changes made to
sport9
5
By Denson Pierre
The Gold Room
Fantasy Football Gold ndash Champions League 2012-2013 winner Denson Pierre and his prizes
The season petered out in an all-German Champions League Final which did nothing to dispel the record that this was a season of too few new stars or regular spectacle We look forward to the next season as it ought not be too difficult to create more excitement than in the one just pastWe did have the opportunity to hand over the envelopes and trophies to the Sentinel Fantasy Football game winners This year all the major winners from the Sentinel Fantasy Football League were unable to be present for the physical prize giving but the winner of the Gold Game and focus of this column was there to receive his prize for winning the master game in styleSo we retire the Gold Room until the beginning of the new football season See you all again then
96
sport
Matt Parker receives his third place and Manager of the Month prizes for the Sentinel Fantasy Football League
Charles Conneely Sentinel Fantasy Football League 2012-2013 Champion
97sport
wwwczechtourismcom
CZECH REPUBLIC - STUNNINGLY DIFFERENT
98
classifi eds
28perspectives
29perspectives
lsquo1970s-style barges provide a visual impression of the city that looks familiar yet very differentrsquo
30perspectives
31perspectives
32perspectives
33perspectives
lsquoMarvel at the beauty of the Tuschinski Theaterrsquo
34perspectives
35perspectives
lsquoRotate 360 degrees to take it all inrsquo
36perspectives
lsquoRotate 360 degrees to take it all inrsquo
37perspectives
38perspectives
39perspectives
40
perspectives
41perspectives
42featureperspectives
feature4
3perspectives
44
featureperspectives
feature4
5perspectives
lsquoTake a closer look at the statue of former Queen Wilhelmina and her horsersquo
46
perspectives
lsquoThis is also where you can find me presenting a fine selection of my
photo printsrsquo
47perspectives
perspectives4
8
perspectives4
9
For complete and world class tours of Prague
Packages includebull Hidden and playful Prague (for families with young children)bull Literary Praguebull Prague Architecture through the agesbull Religion and the citybull The old city at night
These are detailed tours designed for visitors who wish to explore with great detail and not suitable for simply sight-seeing tourists
Day segments and ratesPR 0800-1230hrs AG 1330-1630hrs UE 1730-2130hrsAll sessions are priced at u 25 per single adult Group size upper limit = 8 Accompanied children under the age of five are gratis and school aged children pay 25 Family package rates are negotiable
ContactJaroslav Cernosek+420 602 228 797Mail jcernosekcentrumcz
wwwyourtuliptourcom
JC Tours
50classifieds
51classifieds
CafeacuteBar Review Van Mechelen
cafebar review52
Van MechelenSloterkade 96-97 Amsterdam
It may be the new hype in the city as far as grand cafeacute and restaurant concepts go but Van Mechelen is already approaching excellence Considering its handy location in another pretty neighbourhood of Amsterdam South it is almost a lsquomust visitrsquo place that has created a theme built on the Burgundian enjoyment of life good food complemented with top-class beer and wine If you want a taste of what it feels like to visit a cafeacute-restaurant in Mechelen Belgium Van Mechelen is an easy way for an Amsterdammer to savour this experience and is just a short cycle ride away
ambianceBurgundian Rating 5
StaffregularsMembers of staff are clearly very well trained and this adds to the light and airy atmosphere Having opened for business just three months ago those who have fallen in love with the place and its consumables have not yet had time to clock up the number of visits and connections to be considered lsquoregularsrsquo Rating 5
televised sportNo space within the design and layout for this form of distraction Rating 3
PricesSurprisingly these are within the lsquonormalrsquo range for this level and quality of fare Outstandingly fairly priced snacks and nibbles are also offered to help you along as you take on the fine (Mechelen brewery group Alken-Maes) beers and wines When did you last enjoy a generous portion of fresh olives for a mere euro250 Rating 5
MusicAt the time of review the establishment was fairly packed out The atmosphere is conducive to chats and hilarity and although the selection of tunes could be heard far in the background the sound system may well have more kick It should as the building is of such a solid constitution that it should contain noise and not easily upset the neighbours Rating 5
Smoking area provisionFortunately for puffers the originally industrial nature of the address means that the former loading bay and entranceexit areas have become two naturally covered terrace areas separated from the luscious interior by huge glass-panelled doors Rating 5
total rating 2830(Rating from 1-5 where 1 = Very poor and 5 = Excellent)
By Denson Pierre
lsquoThe new hype in the city as far as grand cafeacute and restaurant concepts gorsquo
cafebar review53
lsquoMembers of staff are clearly very well trainedrsquo
cafebar review54
cafebar review55
lsquoOutstandingly fairly priced snacks and nibbles are also offeredrsquo
cafebar review56
cafebar review57
lsquoThe atmosphere is conducive to chats and hilarityrsquo
cafebar review58
cafebar review59
scamsterdam
lifestyles60
By Valeria Scimia
Unemployed international and looking for a job in the Netherlands Not only must you face the everyday hell that is job-seeking but now you must also beware of scam companies Yes theyrsquove arrived here too
I was recently contacted by an ostensibly legitimate company that wanted to hire me The contact took the form of what appeared to be a genuine e-mail complete with website and logo from a company in Australia that seemed absolutely legitimate (I have since contacted the company to warn them that someone overseas is using their name and logo to scam people) The e-mail explained that the company was opening an office in Holland and was looking for people who would handle the back-office orders It contained a form to be filled in and returned if I was interested in the position the form asked for all my personal information including my bank details I had been looking for a job and was interested in the offer so I filled in and sent off the form and my CV Once they received my e-mail they asked me to start a trial period without practically explaining anything of what the job was actually about I didnrsquot immediately reply so they called me the next day asking me to start immediately with the trial period promising lots of benefits once the contract was signed I hadnrsquot met anyone at this point only telephone interviews and that already didnrsquot seem right to me I asked them to send me more information by e-mail about what I was meant to do and a few moments later I received a response asking me to make a bank transfer to show them I was trustworthy The lsquotrialrsquo implied that they would send me some money and I had to transfer half via GWK or MoneyTransfer to one of their clients and keep the other half This smelled very fishy to the Italian in me In reality they could be sending a cheque to the bank which would register an income that would later bounce after I had already made the payment to their lsquoclientrsquo On top of losing money the person that tried to lsquohirersquo meyou
would have been untraceable No one was even picking up the phone at the number given in the e-mail and the company they claimed to represent wasnrsquot even active in Europe
So I said no and told them I was no longer interested They even had the gumption to call me back and ask me why I wouldnrsquot do it I gave them a silly excuse so as not to give them any more information or tips on how to improve their scummy scam I am happy I started checking their contacts as soon as their promises seemed too good to be true even if I am still angry I allowed them to data-mine all of my information when I sent them my CV and filled in their form
It beggars belief that they set up an entire facade in these times of work despair and it really doesnrsquot feel right especially because therersquos not much I can do about it now apart from inform people I didnrsquot think this would ever happen here in this country where everything has to be or always seems to be so legitimate But I guess some things never change and a place doesnrsquot make the people and certainly doesnrsquot influence the choices they make I just wanted to share my experience to alert everyone to the possible scam If a company contacts you and asks you to return a form including your bank details when you have never met anyone face-to-face it should make your antennas extend and remember to double-check their credibility Apparently it is illegal to ask such questions of someone here so donrsquot fall for it as I did As I am still waiting to hear from the company in Australia I didnrsquot feel it was proper to disclose its name publicly just yet plus I am not sure the scammers always use the same company as a fake front But what they ask you to do is more or less always the same so keep your eyes open to the little details
lsquoYou face the everyday hell that is job-seeking but now you must also beware of scam companiesrsquo
lsquoThis smelled very fishy to the Italian in mersquo
lsquoThe form asked for all my personal informationrsquo
lifestyles6
1
Je moet er geweest zijn
62classifieds
MechelenAuthentic and full of surprises Thatrsquos Mechelen Hospitable and honourable Thatrsquos the people of Mechelen Come and experience the cityrsquos urban charms for yourself Mechelen
Authentic and full of surprises Thatrsquos Mechelen Hospitable and honourable Thatrsquos the people of Mechelen Come and experience the cityrsquos urban charms for yourself
photography copy Milo Profi
classifieds63
classifieds
How to hang out in
Amsterdam
By ER Muntrem
perspectives
It is not against the rules for babies to cry in cafeacutes It happens Mostly they sleep or sit in someonersquos lap with commendable decorum Otherwise kids in cafeacutes tend to nosh a little less than their elders and handle crayons a little more And while anyone who toddles behind the bar will certainly get caught they can always claim they were encouraged to toddle there in the first place
Dutch parents and I realise this is hard to prove seem to let their kids wander a metre or two further away from them than parents from other developed countries that universal ldquowhere is sherdquo look delayed five or ten seconds If this extra distance is a sign of perceived safety cafeacute culture must help teach it
Except for chefs all cafeacute workers do more or less all the jobs required to run a cafeacute They all wait on tables
serve hot and cold drinks set up outdoor furniture load and retrieve supplies take the garbage out wash glasses light candles arrange flowers unfurl the awning and ring up the bill When the young guy or girl greets you you may know they are not the owner but for the moment they are the face of the establishment It may as well be their place
Admittedly I am seduced by places where waiters donrsquot work for tips where the rushed pace of eating in a restaurant in America does not exist In a cafeacute you can do what you want for as long as you want and get food and drink while you do it Pretty cool and as much a baseline for how to hang out in Amsterdam as cycling is for how to get around
Places to eat and drink owned by corporations have to package experience to deliver it Whatrsquos our brand How can our managers and servers be most efficient How ultimately can we be number one Not something most cafeacutes seem to be worried about and where the universal signs for lsquowe are having a good time togetherrsquo
lsquoCafeacute culture must help teachrsquo lsquoI am seduced by places where waiters donrsquot work for tipsrsquo
64
perspectives
or lsquoI am happy here by myselfrsquo (clinked glasses or absorption in a newspaper say) are routinely in evidence This is one true grace of democracy the average worth smiling about
At cafeacutes co-workers have a beer before or after their shift friends drop by or a regular pops in with some news The stream of customers they donrsquot have to woo and donrsquot have to lsquoworkrsquo gives the whole thing a slightly familial living room perfectly public feel that makes the work far less of a personality crimp than working at Starbucks Or so it seems I do not mean to pretend carrying drinks across the street to the canal side seating or giving obvious directions yet again is always glorious but most people who work in cafeacutersquos laugh and smile a fair bit almost as much as the patrons
And when the owner of a cafeacute is of a generation older than those working there as is usually the case it lends a wise uncle or mother hen feel to the proceedings In the daytime no one is ever too caught up in his or her designated title to ignore a baby on the move And at
night the crowd of drinkers may as well be at a party hosted by their parents or kids or both
Itrsquos not all about money cafeacute culture churns towards the civilised without grinding anyone too far down As well as pleasure there is power in this The best distillation I know of what democracy should be came from a young woman working at Cafeacute Captein With our meal in front of us my friend noticed he was missing his salad Flagged down the young woman went to investigate ldquoItrsquos on its wayrdquo she said ldquoI told my boss to do itrdquo
Imagine we told Putin to do it We told Obama to do it We told the bankers to do it
lsquoMost people who work in cafeacutersquos laugh and smile a fair bitrsquo
lsquoCafeacute culture churns towards the civilised without grinding anyone too far downrsquo
65
66
featurecity gem
lsquoThe last of the large independent music stores left standing in Amsterdamrsquo
CITY GEM
67
Concerto
By Denson Pierre
ConcertoUtrechtsestraat 60 1017 VP Amsterdam
it is a rush when on a full stomach you can make an instant decision on where your next city-centre lunch will be taken it is almost ecstasy when the venue is situated in a music shop which for decades has been defined by its exceptional range and quality of music available in amsterdam Concerto is the last of the large independent music stores left standing in amsterdam all the others have long since been killed off by everything from the advance in recording and playback technologies to habitual illegal downloaders only now realising that their behaviour has an impact right back down to street level despite what they might think about the giant studios and recording companies
Concerto has not stuck but has twisted Since September it has incorporated a cute cafeacute
and lunch area within its premises as well as introducing a bookshop and lounge area making it possible to spend an almost nostalgic time there over several hours It still has a vast range of the very best music in vinyl (both new and second-hand) and CD form DVDs DJ equipment and even gear used for live musical performances Itrsquos a gold mine
If it has taken this clever adaptation in space utilisation to keep this institution viable and available to Amsterdam-based music lovers then I personally wish to support this venture and help mean this type of music retailer to remain part of the city scene For people of a certain age there is something infinitely more appealing about physically handling recorded material appreciating the artwork in its packaging having a listen and then deciding if it is a purchase you would like to make Even though non-digital stockpiling has become rather passeacute I challenge you to visit Concerto and its new cafeacute and bookshop concept and not end up spending more time in this true city gem than you had anticipated
lsquoIt has incorporated a cute cafeacute and lunch area within its premises as well as introducing a bookshop and lounge arearsquo
city gem
68
city gem
69city gem
city gem70
city gem71
72city gem
lsquoThere is something infinitely more appealing about physically
handling recorded material appreciating the artwork in its
packagingrsquo
73city gem
74classifi eds
75classifi eds
classifi edsclassifi eds76
amsterdam city life
BrinG BaCK
Something that seems to have been watered down considerably in Amsterdamrsquos hospitality industry in recent years is independence of thought styling and designAll you have to do is walk around the city to note that way too many coffeesoup houses and cafeacutes are more or less identikit This also applies to many cafeacutes with unimaginative business leaders who open unoriginal looking spaces and hope that the use of white paint purple or blue lights and house music is all it takes
Luckily there is something brewing to save our days and nights I have come across cafeacute owners who are now seriously considering ending the arrangements they have with the giant drink suppliers There are actually no good arguments left for continuing with these huge multinationals as they are frankly more expensive at wholesale for the same A-class products than the supermarkets on every Amsterdammerrsquos street corner
It looks like space is being created for the smaller brewers to take up the supply of A-class beer to smaller establishments throughout the city The giants can keep their character-free tourist traps and those bars still able to benefit purely from their unbeatable locations throughout the city
The Sentinel says bring back better and more original businesses of scale within the local hospitality industry which will help more cafeacutes and bars not only to become distinguishable by the interior designs they will need to conjure but also through the variety of local and regional beers that could become part of their coherent identity The overriding benefit of such courageous thinking and action would be an immediate return to realistic and reasonable pricing for A-class beer in Amsterdam which remains the staple of the easy consumables as this recession drones on
By Denson Pierre
INDEPENDENT CAFeacuteSBARS
77
78star beer guide
Star Beer
The SentinelStar beer guide
lsquoDifferent beers can seem to weigh on the conscience as much as on the taste budsrsquo
Just like the changing of the seasons different beers can seem to weigh on the conscience as much as on the taste buds Ciney blond is a lovely almost effeminate tasting beer All light smooth fruitiness bolstered by substantial alcohol content
As the temperature increases it can even feel like a thirst quencher A nice session beer and one that could function as an entrance-level quality beer in terms of its complexity For advanced samplers it is a great lower platform to descend to after cruising the space occupied by the 8-plus percentage alcoholic beauties
Ciney blond is brewed by Alken-Maes Mechelen Belgium
By Denson Pierre
CINEY BLOND (7 ABV)
79star beer guide
We find the best most fun most typical exciting or local favourite restaurants etcetera in Amsterdam and bring them to you an easy way to feel like a local
Cafe Kostverloren 040606
Recommended
80recommended
EUROGIFTSXenonweg 9 3812 SZ Amersfoort
Tel 033 - 454 35 75 - Fax 033 - 454 35 79E-mail lmproefeurogiftsnl
Website wwweurogiftsnl
FILMPROEF
ORDERNUMMER 6021022ARTIKELNUMMER 65123
Ware grootte (indien uitgeprint)Kleur opdruk Wit
Mulligans Irish Music BarAmsterdamrsquos best address for live Irish music Five (5) nights a week Check our agenda for upcoming sessions Amstel 100 1017 AC Amsterdamwwwmulligansnl
Cafeacute KostverlorenCafeacute Kostverloren is a contemporary cafe offering the cosiness of a saloon an open kitchen and the intimacy of a living room The large terras is great for sunny days2e Kostverlorenkade 70 Amsterdamwwwcafekostverlorennl
ZestZest is fi ne food warm atmosphere and classy drinks with regular semi-acoustic (live) music and DJs (Thursday to Sunday) Amsterdamrsquos newest and freshestBilderdijkstraat 188 Amsterdamwwwfacebookcomclubzestnl
GollemGollemrsquos Proefl okaal Gollem and Gollem II represent the best addresses serving the fullest range of top Belgian Dutch and international beers in AmsterdamOvertoom 160-161wwwcafegollemnl
IncantoA restaurant with a classic Italian kitchen Venetian chef Simone Ambrosin is known for his pure and simple style of cooking with great feeling for nuanceAmstel 2 Amsterdamwwwrestaurant-incantonl
Planet RoseThe fi rst Caribbean restaurant in the Netherlands specialised in Jamaican cuisine The menu features a daily changing selectionNicolaas Beetsstraat 47 Amsterdamwwwplanetroseinfo
Cafe restaurant EdelCafe restaurant Edel is the perfect place for lunch dinner or to simply enjoy a drink Edel is a unique place in AmsterdamPostjesweg 1 1057 DT Amsterdamwwwedelamsterdamnl
Cafeacute OportoCafeacute Oporto is a traditional Amsterdam lsquobrown cafersquo Welcoming tourists and regular customers alike they offer televised sports wifi and a wide range of reasonably priced beers and spiritsZoutsteeg 1 1012 LX Amsterdamwwwcafeoportonet
BaxA cosy and friendly local cafeacute with a focus on special or interesting beers and good quality food Open 7 days a week with a professional kitchen offering a lunch and dinner serviceTen Katestraat 119 Amsterdamwwwcafebaxnl
To be seen and tasted Fun Drinking amp Music
To Be Seen and Tasted
Fun Drinking amp Music
Fun Drinking amp Music
Connoisseurs Delight
Connoisseurs Delight
Connoisseurs Delight
To Be Seen and Tasted
Neighbourhood cosy
Fun drinking and music
ParckGreat fun beautiful people and simply the best bar food in townOvertoom 428 Amsterdamwwwcafeparcknl
To be seen and tasted
Cafe de Toog1890rsquos grandeur fashioned into Amsterdam-West grand brown cafe-restaurant-cool Classy drinks and mealsNicolaas Beetsstraat 142 hs Amsterdam wwwcafedetoogcom
Opera Prima - Patisserie Bistro TraiteurThe best place in town for lunch exquisite high teas or brunches and all of your luxury catering both private and corporateKinkerstraat 228 Amsterdamwwwoperaprimanl
Recommended
81
Where is this inAmsterdamAnswer to sentinelpostgmailcom
82spotted
Room 2cfilm
ldquoCome on in boys the waterrsquos finerdquo This is arguably the best all-round and funny musical to come out of Hollywood in a generation and certainly one of the best three soundtracks of the same period George Clooney will never be as good or charming as he is here playing the accidental leader of a trio of chain gang escapees in the US south of the 1930s Spirituality meets the Ku Klux Klan all coloured by Virginia bluegrass
ldquoCall me Snakerdquo The coolest handle for a leading man (Kurt Russell) in any movie to date Here he is sent in on a heroic lsquoat all costrsquo one-man mission to rescue the president of the United States from the prison island Manhattan has become in a lsquofuturersquo representation of 1997 Air Force One has crashed there and the countdown is on Classic 1980s turn of the millennium dystopian vision with style pace and gadgetry
By dpmotions
By dpmotions
o Brother Where Art Thou (2000)
escape from new York (1981)
room2c83
84trends
lsquoTrends are great to join and surf like a once in a lifetime tsunamirsquo
By Dirkje Bakker-Pierre
Each and every micro-world has its own specific trends Take the fashion world for example where one day you have to wear high heels and round noses and the next itrsquos flat hairy elephant feet-like boots that must hug your feet Or take the automotive world where once upon a time you could never have enough chrome on your car or the food world where we have quietly moved from fast to green and wholesome or the TV world which used to be about fiction and is now more real than reality Some of these trends are great to join and surf like a once in a lifetime tsunami others can slip by unnoticed and others still keep bugging and bugging you even if you try to avoid them like the plague
The online world and specifically the social media universe eats through trends like a fat chick after a hunger strike Facebook in particular seems to move seamlessly from one hype to the next one day itrsquos pictures with fuzzy edges or a bit of a 1970s filter the next itrsquos a profile picture with you very consciously not looking into the camera (very spontaneously and naturally non-posing you might say) These are mostly harmless things if Irsquom honest and when everyone
stops liking them they fade away as quickly as the sun in our small wet country There is one trend however that has festered within Facebook from the very beginning and which seems to be gradually growing and growing without anyone ever liking the postshellip and I mean EVER
Yes I am talking about daily quotes words of wisdom holy quotes mesmerizingly philosophical quotes cheesy quotes religious quoteshellip How can I describe all of them in one easy sentence pieces of text from (famous) people (it can never be something you thought of yourself) that lsquodisclosersquo previously secret information about being happy in life (or at least previously secret to the person doing the posting I presume) In short texts that belong on tiles hanging on the wall in old Dutch peoplersquos toilets
Why
Here are a few I found in my news feed this week
ldquoA mind is like a parachute It doesnrsquot work if it is not openrdquo ndash Frank Zappa
ldquoIt is not because things are difficult that we do not dare it is because we do not dare that things are difficultrdquo ndash Seneca
ldquoIf you donrsquot take what you are doing seriously then nobody else willrdquo ndash Darryl Dlt Thomson
Bad trends would be good if they werenrsquot so bad
85trends
86classifi eds
87classifieds
One of my personal favourite gemstones is moonstone Itlsquos been around for centuries and is used in many cultures As suggested by its name the stone is highly associated with the moon and moon goddess Diana It brings calm peace and love and is said to become more powerful when the moon is full so thatlsquos the best time to wear it One proverb even claims that moonstone can bring you love that will fly you to the moon Spiritually this amazing stone is said to enhance intuition and is always associated with the self It is a very powerful personal stone which doesnlsquot add or remove any aspects of the personality but merely reflects the person wearing it It is said to be very
MoonstoneBy Evelina Kvartunaite
ndash
lsquoThe stone is highly associated with the moon and moon goddess Dianarsquo
ndash
helpful for people who are very sensitive and it is also used in meditation for reflecting oneself Itlsquos always best to charge your gem when the moon is shining at night either while wearing it or by leaving it on a windowsill that receives moonlight Moonstone is also used in healing and is known for balancing the internal organ systems enabling them to work in stable cycles Itlsquos usually more associated with women but is also known to help men embrace their more emotional side soft creative energies and optimism Perhaps understandably moonstone should have limited exposure to strong direct sunlight
ndash
lsquoIt is said to be very helpful for people who are very sensitiversquo
ndash
88
health amp well-being
ndash
lsquoMore associated with women but is also known to help men embrace their more emotional sidersquo
ndash
89health amp well-being
In his article Batin shows how learning how to use complex products is like learning a computer game Just like the challenges in video games match the skills of the user so should TV interactions or any UI interactions for that matter For reference Batin used the four levels described in the Dreyfus model of skill acquisition
Level 1 novicebullRigid adherence to taught rules or plansbullNo exercise of lsquodiscretionary judgmentrsquo
Level 2 Advanced beginnerbullLimited lsquosituational perceptionrsquobullAll aspects of work treated separately with equal importance
Philip Batin wrote an article a couple of months ago about the next big idea in User Interaction gadgets that adapt to your skills As gadgets become more complicated UIs must be able to teach their users over time Apparently more and more interactive products are being returned In 2002 48 of all returned products were technically fully functional but were rejected for failing to satisfy user needs 20 purely due to customer remorse Even though a product may have all the features one can hope for complexity and bad user experience can prevent users from integrating it into their lives
UserInterfaceThe next big thing in UX
lsquoUIs must be able to teach their users over timersquo
By Andrei Barburas
lsquoComplexity and bad user experience can prevent users from
integrating it into their livesrsquo
90
technology
book the majority of which you probably skipped through
Personally I believe that there are certain end users most likely the majority that use only a limited set of features from any device they buy Mobile phones have become indispensable tools in our daily activities yet the average Joe has no idea about the full potential of a smart phone The same applies to Smart TVs they can do lots of things yet the only thing that we do with them is flip channels and complain how bad the shows are
The bottom line is that itrsquos definitely something worth thinking about not only from an operating system perspective but also from the perspective of applications developers
Level 3 competentbulllsquoCoping with crowdednessrsquo (multiple activities accumulation of information)bullSome perception of actions in relation to goalsbullDeliberate planningbullFormulates routines
Level 4 ProficientbullHolistic view of situationbullPrioritizes importance of aspectsbulllsquoPerceives deviations from the normal patternrsquobullEmploys maxim for guidance with meanings that adapt to the situation at hand
Now just imagine a User Interface that adapts based on what you can do and the abilities you have As you learn new things new levels of complexity are unlocked opening the door to fully knowing your device because you learned by doing and not by reading a complicated
lsquoThe average Joe has no idea about the full potential of a
smart phonersquo
91technology
92classifi eds
93classifi eds
Not knowing what was happening in football was extremely annoying to put it mildly and it wasnrsquot just my own self-denial and avoidance of all things football that was a hindrance the extent to which I had to ask others to go in order to remain ignorant was much more excruciating than Irsquod ever imagined There may even be some damage done to football-related friendships that is irreparable I now feel as though Irsquom walking through an empty stadium after everyone else has gone home
So what now and where to next The season is well and truly over and Irsquom free to do whatever I want I could read the back-dated sports pages check all the stats and find out all the facts if I wanted to I could spend hours catching up on last season and speculating on the next with the friends Irsquove still got left down the pub if I wanted to I can follow all the transfer gossip watch pre-season friendlies and build up all my hopes But as with most addictions that would simply be falling back into a previous state of dependence and everything Irsquove just put myself through wouldrsquove been for nothing So how do I go back to an old habit without a total relapse or would it be better to keep abstaining
All my questions seem to be met with other questions and no solutions On the other hand if you ask me what
Someone once said that insanity is when you keep repeating the same behaviour and expect a different outcome most likely a psychologist aimed at his or her ailing patients But for me these words are more reminiscent of my own conduct over the course of a regular football season Week in week out season after season I would expect Tottenham to win something and more often than not Irsquod be left disappointed So I decided to stop No more football ndash at least not for one full season
The season 201213 is now over and during the whole nine months I didnrsquot watch a single moment of football or read a single article on the subject That was my challenge and I was committed to it What is more despite all the warning signs I didnrsquot relapse After a year of structured punishment I didnrsquot have a clue about what was going on in the English Premier League (or any other league) Only having picked up bits and pieces of information that somehow slipped through the net the past season was like a book with most of its pages missing
By Simon Joseph
On The Volley
The Return of the Repressed or the Point of No Return
lsquoInsanity is when you keep repeating the same behaviour and expect a different outcomersquo
sport
lsquoThe past season was like a book with most of its pages missingrsquo
94
lsquoThere may even be some damage done to football-related friendshipsrsquo
lsquoHas abstaining for a season changed mersquo
it until the cows come home but it was us who made those changes or at least allowed them to happen and those changes will continue to happen with or without me Perhaps then the questions I should be asking are has abstaining for a season changed me Am I still obsessed or have I broken the habit of a lifetime Is following football really that terrible or even a real addiction
One thing is certain this lack of resolution is not completely without satisfaction because like all forms of fixation or obsession therersquos comfort and familiarity to be found in repetition as Tottenham miss out on Championrsquos League football by a single point again The repressed will always return to haunt us or so it seems and before we know it the start of next season will be upon us There will be more pain no doubt and more joy This time however it will take more than a boot camp approach to keep me away and who knows Tottenham might even win the league Come on you Spurs
Tottenham Hotspur means I would still tell you that itrsquos not just a pretty football package itrsquos about kith and kin not just where I came from but how I relate to others around me in the here and now Whatrsquos more millions of people are attracted to football they hunger for it and yearn to connect with it even though I still believe itrsquos a form of ineffective escape from one unsatisfying reality to another Following football is a classic example of cognitive dissonance ndash when you simultaneously entertain two opposing thoughts that appear to cancel each other out Before the start of each season for example we all want our club to win everything or to be taken over by billionaires but know that itrsquos impossible or in the latter case controversial and even undesirable So we invent ways to cope We develop a so-called lsquosiege mentalityrsquo or other harmful patterns of behaviour to relieve the discomfort of incongruity With this in mind the past year was supposed to be an exercise in behaviour modification ndash to discover the root of the problem and treat it effectively But one year on have I really discovered anything at all
The English Premier League whether you watch it or not is still probably the most exciting football league in the world We can complain about the changes made to
sport9
5
By Denson Pierre
The Gold Room
Fantasy Football Gold ndash Champions League 2012-2013 winner Denson Pierre and his prizes
The season petered out in an all-German Champions League Final which did nothing to dispel the record that this was a season of too few new stars or regular spectacle We look forward to the next season as it ought not be too difficult to create more excitement than in the one just pastWe did have the opportunity to hand over the envelopes and trophies to the Sentinel Fantasy Football game winners This year all the major winners from the Sentinel Fantasy Football League were unable to be present for the physical prize giving but the winner of the Gold Game and focus of this column was there to receive his prize for winning the master game in styleSo we retire the Gold Room until the beginning of the new football season See you all again then
96
sport
Matt Parker receives his third place and Manager of the Month prizes for the Sentinel Fantasy Football League
Charles Conneely Sentinel Fantasy Football League 2012-2013 Champion
97sport
wwwczechtourismcom
CZECH REPUBLIC - STUNNINGLY DIFFERENT
98
classifi eds
29perspectives
lsquo1970s-style barges provide a visual impression of the city that looks familiar yet very differentrsquo
30perspectives
31perspectives
32perspectives
33perspectives
lsquoMarvel at the beauty of the Tuschinski Theaterrsquo
34perspectives
35perspectives
lsquoRotate 360 degrees to take it all inrsquo
36perspectives
lsquoRotate 360 degrees to take it all inrsquo
37perspectives
38perspectives
39perspectives
40
perspectives
41perspectives
42featureperspectives
feature4
3perspectives
44
featureperspectives
feature4
5perspectives
lsquoTake a closer look at the statue of former Queen Wilhelmina and her horsersquo
46
perspectives
lsquoThis is also where you can find me presenting a fine selection of my
photo printsrsquo
47perspectives
perspectives4
8
perspectives4
9
For complete and world class tours of Prague
Packages includebull Hidden and playful Prague (for families with young children)bull Literary Praguebull Prague Architecture through the agesbull Religion and the citybull The old city at night
These are detailed tours designed for visitors who wish to explore with great detail and not suitable for simply sight-seeing tourists
Day segments and ratesPR 0800-1230hrs AG 1330-1630hrs UE 1730-2130hrsAll sessions are priced at u 25 per single adult Group size upper limit = 8 Accompanied children under the age of five are gratis and school aged children pay 25 Family package rates are negotiable
ContactJaroslav Cernosek+420 602 228 797Mail jcernosekcentrumcz
wwwyourtuliptourcom
JC Tours
50classifieds
51classifieds
CafeacuteBar Review Van Mechelen
cafebar review52
Van MechelenSloterkade 96-97 Amsterdam
It may be the new hype in the city as far as grand cafeacute and restaurant concepts go but Van Mechelen is already approaching excellence Considering its handy location in another pretty neighbourhood of Amsterdam South it is almost a lsquomust visitrsquo place that has created a theme built on the Burgundian enjoyment of life good food complemented with top-class beer and wine If you want a taste of what it feels like to visit a cafeacute-restaurant in Mechelen Belgium Van Mechelen is an easy way for an Amsterdammer to savour this experience and is just a short cycle ride away
ambianceBurgundian Rating 5
StaffregularsMembers of staff are clearly very well trained and this adds to the light and airy atmosphere Having opened for business just three months ago those who have fallen in love with the place and its consumables have not yet had time to clock up the number of visits and connections to be considered lsquoregularsrsquo Rating 5
televised sportNo space within the design and layout for this form of distraction Rating 3
PricesSurprisingly these are within the lsquonormalrsquo range for this level and quality of fare Outstandingly fairly priced snacks and nibbles are also offered to help you along as you take on the fine (Mechelen brewery group Alken-Maes) beers and wines When did you last enjoy a generous portion of fresh olives for a mere euro250 Rating 5
MusicAt the time of review the establishment was fairly packed out The atmosphere is conducive to chats and hilarity and although the selection of tunes could be heard far in the background the sound system may well have more kick It should as the building is of such a solid constitution that it should contain noise and not easily upset the neighbours Rating 5
Smoking area provisionFortunately for puffers the originally industrial nature of the address means that the former loading bay and entranceexit areas have become two naturally covered terrace areas separated from the luscious interior by huge glass-panelled doors Rating 5
total rating 2830(Rating from 1-5 where 1 = Very poor and 5 = Excellent)
By Denson Pierre
lsquoThe new hype in the city as far as grand cafeacute and restaurant concepts gorsquo
cafebar review53
lsquoMembers of staff are clearly very well trainedrsquo
cafebar review54
cafebar review55
lsquoOutstandingly fairly priced snacks and nibbles are also offeredrsquo
cafebar review56
cafebar review57
lsquoThe atmosphere is conducive to chats and hilarityrsquo
cafebar review58
cafebar review59
scamsterdam
lifestyles60
By Valeria Scimia
Unemployed international and looking for a job in the Netherlands Not only must you face the everyday hell that is job-seeking but now you must also beware of scam companies Yes theyrsquove arrived here too
I was recently contacted by an ostensibly legitimate company that wanted to hire me The contact took the form of what appeared to be a genuine e-mail complete with website and logo from a company in Australia that seemed absolutely legitimate (I have since contacted the company to warn them that someone overseas is using their name and logo to scam people) The e-mail explained that the company was opening an office in Holland and was looking for people who would handle the back-office orders It contained a form to be filled in and returned if I was interested in the position the form asked for all my personal information including my bank details I had been looking for a job and was interested in the offer so I filled in and sent off the form and my CV Once they received my e-mail they asked me to start a trial period without practically explaining anything of what the job was actually about I didnrsquot immediately reply so they called me the next day asking me to start immediately with the trial period promising lots of benefits once the contract was signed I hadnrsquot met anyone at this point only telephone interviews and that already didnrsquot seem right to me I asked them to send me more information by e-mail about what I was meant to do and a few moments later I received a response asking me to make a bank transfer to show them I was trustworthy The lsquotrialrsquo implied that they would send me some money and I had to transfer half via GWK or MoneyTransfer to one of their clients and keep the other half This smelled very fishy to the Italian in me In reality they could be sending a cheque to the bank which would register an income that would later bounce after I had already made the payment to their lsquoclientrsquo On top of losing money the person that tried to lsquohirersquo meyou
would have been untraceable No one was even picking up the phone at the number given in the e-mail and the company they claimed to represent wasnrsquot even active in Europe
So I said no and told them I was no longer interested They even had the gumption to call me back and ask me why I wouldnrsquot do it I gave them a silly excuse so as not to give them any more information or tips on how to improve their scummy scam I am happy I started checking their contacts as soon as their promises seemed too good to be true even if I am still angry I allowed them to data-mine all of my information when I sent them my CV and filled in their form
It beggars belief that they set up an entire facade in these times of work despair and it really doesnrsquot feel right especially because therersquos not much I can do about it now apart from inform people I didnrsquot think this would ever happen here in this country where everything has to be or always seems to be so legitimate But I guess some things never change and a place doesnrsquot make the people and certainly doesnrsquot influence the choices they make I just wanted to share my experience to alert everyone to the possible scam If a company contacts you and asks you to return a form including your bank details when you have never met anyone face-to-face it should make your antennas extend and remember to double-check their credibility Apparently it is illegal to ask such questions of someone here so donrsquot fall for it as I did As I am still waiting to hear from the company in Australia I didnrsquot feel it was proper to disclose its name publicly just yet plus I am not sure the scammers always use the same company as a fake front But what they ask you to do is more or less always the same so keep your eyes open to the little details
lsquoYou face the everyday hell that is job-seeking but now you must also beware of scam companiesrsquo
lsquoThis smelled very fishy to the Italian in mersquo
lsquoThe form asked for all my personal informationrsquo
lifestyles6
1
Je moet er geweest zijn
62classifieds
MechelenAuthentic and full of surprises Thatrsquos Mechelen Hospitable and honourable Thatrsquos the people of Mechelen Come and experience the cityrsquos urban charms for yourself Mechelen
Authentic and full of surprises Thatrsquos Mechelen Hospitable and honourable Thatrsquos the people of Mechelen Come and experience the cityrsquos urban charms for yourself
photography copy Milo Profi
classifieds63
classifieds
How to hang out in
Amsterdam
By ER Muntrem
perspectives
It is not against the rules for babies to cry in cafeacutes It happens Mostly they sleep or sit in someonersquos lap with commendable decorum Otherwise kids in cafeacutes tend to nosh a little less than their elders and handle crayons a little more And while anyone who toddles behind the bar will certainly get caught they can always claim they were encouraged to toddle there in the first place
Dutch parents and I realise this is hard to prove seem to let their kids wander a metre or two further away from them than parents from other developed countries that universal ldquowhere is sherdquo look delayed five or ten seconds If this extra distance is a sign of perceived safety cafeacute culture must help teach it
Except for chefs all cafeacute workers do more or less all the jobs required to run a cafeacute They all wait on tables
serve hot and cold drinks set up outdoor furniture load and retrieve supplies take the garbage out wash glasses light candles arrange flowers unfurl the awning and ring up the bill When the young guy or girl greets you you may know they are not the owner but for the moment they are the face of the establishment It may as well be their place
Admittedly I am seduced by places where waiters donrsquot work for tips where the rushed pace of eating in a restaurant in America does not exist In a cafeacute you can do what you want for as long as you want and get food and drink while you do it Pretty cool and as much a baseline for how to hang out in Amsterdam as cycling is for how to get around
Places to eat and drink owned by corporations have to package experience to deliver it Whatrsquos our brand How can our managers and servers be most efficient How ultimately can we be number one Not something most cafeacutes seem to be worried about and where the universal signs for lsquowe are having a good time togetherrsquo
lsquoCafeacute culture must help teachrsquo lsquoI am seduced by places where waiters donrsquot work for tipsrsquo
64
perspectives
or lsquoI am happy here by myselfrsquo (clinked glasses or absorption in a newspaper say) are routinely in evidence This is one true grace of democracy the average worth smiling about
At cafeacutes co-workers have a beer before or after their shift friends drop by or a regular pops in with some news The stream of customers they donrsquot have to woo and donrsquot have to lsquoworkrsquo gives the whole thing a slightly familial living room perfectly public feel that makes the work far less of a personality crimp than working at Starbucks Or so it seems I do not mean to pretend carrying drinks across the street to the canal side seating or giving obvious directions yet again is always glorious but most people who work in cafeacutersquos laugh and smile a fair bit almost as much as the patrons
And when the owner of a cafeacute is of a generation older than those working there as is usually the case it lends a wise uncle or mother hen feel to the proceedings In the daytime no one is ever too caught up in his or her designated title to ignore a baby on the move And at
night the crowd of drinkers may as well be at a party hosted by their parents or kids or both
Itrsquos not all about money cafeacute culture churns towards the civilised without grinding anyone too far down As well as pleasure there is power in this The best distillation I know of what democracy should be came from a young woman working at Cafeacute Captein With our meal in front of us my friend noticed he was missing his salad Flagged down the young woman went to investigate ldquoItrsquos on its wayrdquo she said ldquoI told my boss to do itrdquo
Imagine we told Putin to do it We told Obama to do it We told the bankers to do it
lsquoMost people who work in cafeacutersquos laugh and smile a fair bitrsquo
lsquoCafeacute culture churns towards the civilised without grinding anyone too far downrsquo
65
66
featurecity gem
lsquoThe last of the large independent music stores left standing in Amsterdamrsquo
CITY GEM
67
Concerto
By Denson Pierre
ConcertoUtrechtsestraat 60 1017 VP Amsterdam
it is a rush when on a full stomach you can make an instant decision on where your next city-centre lunch will be taken it is almost ecstasy when the venue is situated in a music shop which for decades has been defined by its exceptional range and quality of music available in amsterdam Concerto is the last of the large independent music stores left standing in amsterdam all the others have long since been killed off by everything from the advance in recording and playback technologies to habitual illegal downloaders only now realising that their behaviour has an impact right back down to street level despite what they might think about the giant studios and recording companies
Concerto has not stuck but has twisted Since September it has incorporated a cute cafeacute
and lunch area within its premises as well as introducing a bookshop and lounge area making it possible to spend an almost nostalgic time there over several hours It still has a vast range of the very best music in vinyl (both new and second-hand) and CD form DVDs DJ equipment and even gear used for live musical performances Itrsquos a gold mine
If it has taken this clever adaptation in space utilisation to keep this institution viable and available to Amsterdam-based music lovers then I personally wish to support this venture and help mean this type of music retailer to remain part of the city scene For people of a certain age there is something infinitely more appealing about physically handling recorded material appreciating the artwork in its packaging having a listen and then deciding if it is a purchase you would like to make Even though non-digital stockpiling has become rather passeacute I challenge you to visit Concerto and its new cafeacute and bookshop concept and not end up spending more time in this true city gem than you had anticipated
lsquoIt has incorporated a cute cafeacute and lunch area within its premises as well as introducing a bookshop and lounge arearsquo
city gem
68
city gem
69city gem
city gem70
city gem71
72city gem
lsquoThere is something infinitely more appealing about physically
handling recorded material appreciating the artwork in its
packagingrsquo
73city gem
74classifi eds
75classifi eds
classifi edsclassifi eds76
amsterdam city life
BrinG BaCK
Something that seems to have been watered down considerably in Amsterdamrsquos hospitality industry in recent years is independence of thought styling and designAll you have to do is walk around the city to note that way too many coffeesoup houses and cafeacutes are more or less identikit This also applies to many cafeacutes with unimaginative business leaders who open unoriginal looking spaces and hope that the use of white paint purple or blue lights and house music is all it takes
Luckily there is something brewing to save our days and nights I have come across cafeacute owners who are now seriously considering ending the arrangements they have with the giant drink suppliers There are actually no good arguments left for continuing with these huge multinationals as they are frankly more expensive at wholesale for the same A-class products than the supermarkets on every Amsterdammerrsquos street corner
It looks like space is being created for the smaller brewers to take up the supply of A-class beer to smaller establishments throughout the city The giants can keep their character-free tourist traps and those bars still able to benefit purely from their unbeatable locations throughout the city
The Sentinel says bring back better and more original businesses of scale within the local hospitality industry which will help more cafeacutes and bars not only to become distinguishable by the interior designs they will need to conjure but also through the variety of local and regional beers that could become part of their coherent identity The overriding benefit of such courageous thinking and action would be an immediate return to realistic and reasonable pricing for A-class beer in Amsterdam which remains the staple of the easy consumables as this recession drones on
By Denson Pierre
INDEPENDENT CAFeacuteSBARS
77
78star beer guide
Star Beer
The SentinelStar beer guide
lsquoDifferent beers can seem to weigh on the conscience as much as on the taste budsrsquo
Just like the changing of the seasons different beers can seem to weigh on the conscience as much as on the taste buds Ciney blond is a lovely almost effeminate tasting beer All light smooth fruitiness bolstered by substantial alcohol content
As the temperature increases it can even feel like a thirst quencher A nice session beer and one that could function as an entrance-level quality beer in terms of its complexity For advanced samplers it is a great lower platform to descend to after cruising the space occupied by the 8-plus percentage alcoholic beauties
Ciney blond is brewed by Alken-Maes Mechelen Belgium
By Denson Pierre
CINEY BLOND (7 ABV)
79star beer guide
We find the best most fun most typical exciting or local favourite restaurants etcetera in Amsterdam and bring them to you an easy way to feel like a local
Cafe Kostverloren 040606
Recommended
80recommended
EUROGIFTSXenonweg 9 3812 SZ Amersfoort
Tel 033 - 454 35 75 - Fax 033 - 454 35 79E-mail lmproefeurogiftsnl
Website wwweurogiftsnl
FILMPROEF
ORDERNUMMER 6021022ARTIKELNUMMER 65123
Ware grootte (indien uitgeprint)Kleur opdruk Wit
Mulligans Irish Music BarAmsterdamrsquos best address for live Irish music Five (5) nights a week Check our agenda for upcoming sessions Amstel 100 1017 AC Amsterdamwwwmulligansnl
Cafeacute KostverlorenCafeacute Kostverloren is a contemporary cafe offering the cosiness of a saloon an open kitchen and the intimacy of a living room The large terras is great for sunny days2e Kostverlorenkade 70 Amsterdamwwwcafekostverlorennl
ZestZest is fi ne food warm atmosphere and classy drinks with regular semi-acoustic (live) music and DJs (Thursday to Sunday) Amsterdamrsquos newest and freshestBilderdijkstraat 188 Amsterdamwwwfacebookcomclubzestnl
GollemGollemrsquos Proefl okaal Gollem and Gollem II represent the best addresses serving the fullest range of top Belgian Dutch and international beers in AmsterdamOvertoom 160-161wwwcafegollemnl
IncantoA restaurant with a classic Italian kitchen Venetian chef Simone Ambrosin is known for his pure and simple style of cooking with great feeling for nuanceAmstel 2 Amsterdamwwwrestaurant-incantonl
Planet RoseThe fi rst Caribbean restaurant in the Netherlands specialised in Jamaican cuisine The menu features a daily changing selectionNicolaas Beetsstraat 47 Amsterdamwwwplanetroseinfo
Cafe restaurant EdelCafe restaurant Edel is the perfect place for lunch dinner or to simply enjoy a drink Edel is a unique place in AmsterdamPostjesweg 1 1057 DT Amsterdamwwwedelamsterdamnl
Cafeacute OportoCafeacute Oporto is a traditional Amsterdam lsquobrown cafersquo Welcoming tourists and regular customers alike they offer televised sports wifi and a wide range of reasonably priced beers and spiritsZoutsteeg 1 1012 LX Amsterdamwwwcafeoportonet
BaxA cosy and friendly local cafeacute with a focus on special or interesting beers and good quality food Open 7 days a week with a professional kitchen offering a lunch and dinner serviceTen Katestraat 119 Amsterdamwwwcafebaxnl
To be seen and tasted Fun Drinking amp Music
To Be Seen and Tasted
Fun Drinking amp Music
Fun Drinking amp Music
Connoisseurs Delight
Connoisseurs Delight
Connoisseurs Delight
To Be Seen and Tasted
Neighbourhood cosy
Fun drinking and music
ParckGreat fun beautiful people and simply the best bar food in townOvertoom 428 Amsterdamwwwcafeparcknl
To be seen and tasted
Cafe de Toog1890rsquos grandeur fashioned into Amsterdam-West grand brown cafe-restaurant-cool Classy drinks and mealsNicolaas Beetsstraat 142 hs Amsterdam wwwcafedetoogcom
Opera Prima - Patisserie Bistro TraiteurThe best place in town for lunch exquisite high teas or brunches and all of your luxury catering both private and corporateKinkerstraat 228 Amsterdamwwwoperaprimanl
Recommended
81
Where is this inAmsterdamAnswer to sentinelpostgmailcom
82spotted
Room 2cfilm
ldquoCome on in boys the waterrsquos finerdquo This is arguably the best all-round and funny musical to come out of Hollywood in a generation and certainly one of the best three soundtracks of the same period George Clooney will never be as good or charming as he is here playing the accidental leader of a trio of chain gang escapees in the US south of the 1930s Spirituality meets the Ku Klux Klan all coloured by Virginia bluegrass
ldquoCall me Snakerdquo The coolest handle for a leading man (Kurt Russell) in any movie to date Here he is sent in on a heroic lsquoat all costrsquo one-man mission to rescue the president of the United States from the prison island Manhattan has become in a lsquofuturersquo representation of 1997 Air Force One has crashed there and the countdown is on Classic 1980s turn of the millennium dystopian vision with style pace and gadgetry
By dpmotions
By dpmotions
o Brother Where Art Thou (2000)
escape from new York (1981)
room2c83
84trends
lsquoTrends are great to join and surf like a once in a lifetime tsunamirsquo
By Dirkje Bakker-Pierre
Each and every micro-world has its own specific trends Take the fashion world for example where one day you have to wear high heels and round noses and the next itrsquos flat hairy elephant feet-like boots that must hug your feet Or take the automotive world where once upon a time you could never have enough chrome on your car or the food world where we have quietly moved from fast to green and wholesome or the TV world which used to be about fiction and is now more real than reality Some of these trends are great to join and surf like a once in a lifetime tsunami others can slip by unnoticed and others still keep bugging and bugging you even if you try to avoid them like the plague
The online world and specifically the social media universe eats through trends like a fat chick after a hunger strike Facebook in particular seems to move seamlessly from one hype to the next one day itrsquos pictures with fuzzy edges or a bit of a 1970s filter the next itrsquos a profile picture with you very consciously not looking into the camera (very spontaneously and naturally non-posing you might say) These are mostly harmless things if Irsquom honest and when everyone
stops liking them they fade away as quickly as the sun in our small wet country There is one trend however that has festered within Facebook from the very beginning and which seems to be gradually growing and growing without anyone ever liking the postshellip and I mean EVER
Yes I am talking about daily quotes words of wisdom holy quotes mesmerizingly philosophical quotes cheesy quotes religious quoteshellip How can I describe all of them in one easy sentence pieces of text from (famous) people (it can never be something you thought of yourself) that lsquodisclosersquo previously secret information about being happy in life (or at least previously secret to the person doing the posting I presume) In short texts that belong on tiles hanging on the wall in old Dutch peoplersquos toilets
Why
Here are a few I found in my news feed this week
ldquoA mind is like a parachute It doesnrsquot work if it is not openrdquo ndash Frank Zappa
ldquoIt is not because things are difficult that we do not dare it is because we do not dare that things are difficultrdquo ndash Seneca
ldquoIf you donrsquot take what you are doing seriously then nobody else willrdquo ndash Darryl Dlt Thomson
Bad trends would be good if they werenrsquot so bad
85trends
86classifi eds
87classifieds
One of my personal favourite gemstones is moonstone Itlsquos been around for centuries and is used in many cultures As suggested by its name the stone is highly associated with the moon and moon goddess Diana It brings calm peace and love and is said to become more powerful when the moon is full so thatlsquos the best time to wear it One proverb even claims that moonstone can bring you love that will fly you to the moon Spiritually this amazing stone is said to enhance intuition and is always associated with the self It is a very powerful personal stone which doesnlsquot add or remove any aspects of the personality but merely reflects the person wearing it It is said to be very
MoonstoneBy Evelina Kvartunaite
ndash
lsquoThe stone is highly associated with the moon and moon goddess Dianarsquo
ndash
helpful for people who are very sensitive and it is also used in meditation for reflecting oneself Itlsquos always best to charge your gem when the moon is shining at night either while wearing it or by leaving it on a windowsill that receives moonlight Moonstone is also used in healing and is known for balancing the internal organ systems enabling them to work in stable cycles Itlsquos usually more associated with women but is also known to help men embrace their more emotional side soft creative energies and optimism Perhaps understandably moonstone should have limited exposure to strong direct sunlight
ndash
lsquoIt is said to be very helpful for people who are very sensitiversquo
ndash
88
health amp well-being
ndash
lsquoMore associated with women but is also known to help men embrace their more emotional sidersquo
ndash
89health amp well-being
In his article Batin shows how learning how to use complex products is like learning a computer game Just like the challenges in video games match the skills of the user so should TV interactions or any UI interactions for that matter For reference Batin used the four levels described in the Dreyfus model of skill acquisition
Level 1 novicebullRigid adherence to taught rules or plansbullNo exercise of lsquodiscretionary judgmentrsquo
Level 2 Advanced beginnerbullLimited lsquosituational perceptionrsquobullAll aspects of work treated separately with equal importance
Philip Batin wrote an article a couple of months ago about the next big idea in User Interaction gadgets that adapt to your skills As gadgets become more complicated UIs must be able to teach their users over time Apparently more and more interactive products are being returned In 2002 48 of all returned products were technically fully functional but were rejected for failing to satisfy user needs 20 purely due to customer remorse Even though a product may have all the features one can hope for complexity and bad user experience can prevent users from integrating it into their lives
UserInterfaceThe next big thing in UX
lsquoUIs must be able to teach their users over timersquo
By Andrei Barburas
lsquoComplexity and bad user experience can prevent users from
integrating it into their livesrsquo
90
technology
book the majority of which you probably skipped through
Personally I believe that there are certain end users most likely the majority that use only a limited set of features from any device they buy Mobile phones have become indispensable tools in our daily activities yet the average Joe has no idea about the full potential of a smart phone The same applies to Smart TVs they can do lots of things yet the only thing that we do with them is flip channels and complain how bad the shows are
The bottom line is that itrsquos definitely something worth thinking about not only from an operating system perspective but also from the perspective of applications developers
Level 3 competentbulllsquoCoping with crowdednessrsquo (multiple activities accumulation of information)bullSome perception of actions in relation to goalsbullDeliberate planningbullFormulates routines
Level 4 ProficientbullHolistic view of situationbullPrioritizes importance of aspectsbulllsquoPerceives deviations from the normal patternrsquobullEmploys maxim for guidance with meanings that adapt to the situation at hand
Now just imagine a User Interface that adapts based on what you can do and the abilities you have As you learn new things new levels of complexity are unlocked opening the door to fully knowing your device because you learned by doing and not by reading a complicated
lsquoThe average Joe has no idea about the full potential of a
smart phonersquo
91technology
92classifi eds
93classifi eds
Not knowing what was happening in football was extremely annoying to put it mildly and it wasnrsquot just my own self-denial and avoidance of all things football that was a hindrance the extent to which I had to ask others to go in order to remain ignorant was much more excruciating than Irsquod ever imagined There may even be some damage done to football-related friendships that is irreparable I now feel as though Irsquom walking through an empty stadium after everyone else has gone home
So what now and where to next The season is well and truly over and Irsquom free to do whatever I want I could read the back-dated sports pages check all the stats and find out all the facts if I wanted to I could spend hours catching up on last season and speculating on the next with the friends Irsquove still got left down the pub if I wanted to I can follow all the transfer gossip watch pre-season friendlies and build up all my hopes But as with most addictions that would simply be falling back into a previous state of dependence and everything Irsquove just put myself through wouldrsquove been for nothing So how do I go back to an old habit without a total relapse or would it be better to keep abstaining
All my questions seem to be met with other questions and no solutions On the other hand if you ask me what
Someone once said that insanity is when you keep repeating the same behaviour and expect a different outcome most likely a psychologist aimed at his or her ailing patients But for me these words are more reminiscent of my own conduct over the course of a regular football season Week in week out season after season I would expect Tottenham to win something and more often than not Irsquod be left disappointed So I decided to stop No more football ndash at least not for one full season
The season 201213 is now over and during the whole nine months I didnrsquot watch a single moment of football or read a single article on the subject That was my challenge and I was committed to it What is more despite all the warning signs I didnrsquot relapse After a year of structured punishment I didnrsquot have a clue about what was going on in the English Premier League (or any other league) Only having picked up bits and pieces of information that somehow slipped through the net the past season was like a book with most of its pages missing
By Simon Joseph
On The Volley
The Return of the Repressed or the Point of No Return
lsquoInsanity is when you keep repeating the same behaviour and expect a different outcomersquo
sport
lsquoThe past season was like a book with most of its pages missingrsquo
94
lsquoThere may even be some damage done to football-related friendshipsrsquo
lsquoHas abstaining for a season changed mersquo
it until the cows come home but it was us who made those changes or at least allowed them to happen and those changes will continue to happen with or without me Perhaps then the questions I should be asking are has abstaining for a season changed me Am I still obsessed or have I broken the habit of a lifetime Is following football really that terrible or even a real addiction
One thing is certain this lack of resolution is not completely without satisfaction because like all forms of fixation or obsession therersquos comfort and familiarity to be found in repetition as Tottenham miss out on Championrsquos League football by a single point again The repressed will always return to haunt us or so it seems and before we know it the start of next season will be upon us There will be more pain no doubt and more joy This time however it will take more than a boot camp approach to keep me away and who knows Tottenham might even win the league Come on you Spurs
Tottenham Hotspur means I would still tell you that itrsquos not just a pretty football package itrsquos about kith and kin not just where I came from but how I relate to others around me in the here and now Whatrsquos more millions of people are attracted to football they hunger for it and yearn to connect with it even though I still believe itrsquos a form of ineffective escape from one unsatisfying reality to another Following football is a classic example of cognitive dissonance ndash when you simultaneously entertain two opposing thoughts that appear to cancel each other out Before the start of each season for example we all want our club to win everything or to be taken over by billionaires but know that itrsquos impossible or in the latter case controversial and even undesirable So we invent ways to cope We develop a so-called lsquosiege mentalityrsquo or other harmful patterns of behaviour to relieve the discomfort of incongruity With this in mind the past year was supposed to be an exercise in behaviour modification ndash to discover the root of the problem and treat it effectively But one year on have I really discovered anything at all
The English Premier League whether you watch it or not is still probably the most exciting football league in the world We can complain about the changes made to
sport9
5
By Denson Pierre
The Gold Room
Fantasy Football Gold ndash Champions League 2012-2013 winner Denson Pierre and his prizes
The season petered out in an all-German Champions League Final which did nothing to dispel the record that this was a season of too few new stars or regular spectacle We look forward to the next season as it ought not be too difficult to create more excitement than in the one just pastWe did have the opportunity to hand over the envelopes and trophies to the Sentinel Fantasy Football game winners This year all the major winners from the Sentinel Fantasy Football League were unable to be present for the physical prize giving but the winner of the Gold Game and focus of this column was there to receive his prize for winning the master game in styleSo we retire the Gold Room until the beginning of the new football season See you all again then
96
sport
Matt Parker receives his third place and Manager of the Month prizes for the Sentinel Fantasy Football League
Charles Conneely Sentinel Fantasy Football League 2012-2013 Champion
97sport
wwwczechtourismcom
CZECH REPUBLIC - STUNNINGLY DIFFERENT
98
classifi eds
30perspectives
31perspectives
32perspectives
33perspectives
lsquoMarvel at the beauty of the Tuschinski Theaterrsquo
34perspectives
35perspectives
lsquoRotate 360 degrees to take it all inrsquo
36perspectives
lsquoRotate 360 degrees to take it all inrsquo
37perspectives
38perspectives
39perspectives
40
perspectives
41perspectives
42featureperspectives
feature4
3perspectives
44
featureperspectives
feature4
5perspectives
lsquoTake a closer look at the statue of former Queen Wilhelmina and her horsersquo
46
perspectives
lsquoThis is also where you can find me presenting a fine selection of my
photo printsrsquo
47perspectives
perspectives4
8
perspectives4
9
For complete and world class tours of Prague
Packages includebull Hidden and playful Prague (for families with young children)bull Literary Praguebull Prague Architecture through the agesbull Religion and the citybull The old city at night
These are detailed tours designed for visitors who wish to explore with great detail and not suitable for simply sight-seeing tourists
Day segments and ratesPR 0800-1230hrs AG 1330-1630hrs UE 1730-2130hrsAll sessions are priced at u 25 per single adult Group size upper limit = 8 Accompanied children under the age of five are gratis and school aged children pay 25 Family package rates are negotiable
ContactJaroslav Cernosek+420 602 228 797Mail jcernosekcentrumcz
wwwyourtuliptourcom
JC Tours
50classifieds
51classifieds
CafeacuteBar Review Van Mechelen
cafebar review52
Van MechelenSloterkade 96-97 Amsterdam
It may be the new hype in the city as far as grand cafeacute and restaurant concepts go but Van Mechelen is already approaching excellence Considering its handy location in another pretty neighbourhood of Amsterdam South it is almost a lsquomust visitrsquo place that has created a theme built on the Burgundian enjoyment of life good food complemented with top-class beer and wine If you want a taste of what it feels like to visit a cafeacute-restaurant in Mechelen Belgium Van Mechelen is an easy way for an Amsterdammer to savour this experience and is just a short cycle ride away
ambianceBurgundian Rating 5
StaffregularsMembers of staff are clearly very well trained and this adds to the light and airy atmosphere Having opened for business just three months ago those who have fallen in love with the place and its consumables have not yet had time to clock up the number of visits and connections to be considered lsquoregularsrsquo Rating 5
televised sportNo space within the design and layout for this form of distraction Rating 3
PricesSurprisingly these are within the lsquonormalrsquo range for this level and quality of fare Outstandingly fairly priced snacks and nibbles are also offered to help you along as you take on the fine (Mechelen brewery group Alken-Maes) beers and wines When did you last enjoy a generous portion of fresh olives for a mere euro250 Rating 5
MusicAt the time of review the establishment was fairly packed out The atmosphere is conducive to chats and hilarity and although the selection of tunes could be heard far in the background the sound system may well have more kick It should as the building is of such a solid constitution that it should contain noise and not easily upset the neighbours Rating 5
Smoking area provisionFortunately for puffers the originally industrial nature of the address means that the former loading bay and entranceexit areas have become two naturally covered terrace areas separated from the luscious interior by huge glass-panelled doors Rating 5
total rating 2830(Rating from 1-5 where 1 = Very poor and 5 = Excellent)
By Denson Pierre
lsquoThe new hype in the city as far as grand cafeacute and restaurant concepts gorsquo
cafebar review53
lsquoMembers of staff are clearly very well trainedrsquo
cafebar review54
cafebar review55
lsquoOutstandingly fairly priced snacks and nibbles are also offeredrsquo
cafebar review56
cafebar review57
lsquoThe atmosphere is conducive to chats and hilarityrsquo
cafebar review58
cafebar review59
scamsterdam
lifestyles60
By Valeria Scimia
Unemployed international and looking for a job in the Netherlands Not only must you face the everyday hell that is job-seeking but now you must also beware of scam companies Yes theyrsquove arrived here too
I was recently contacted by an ostensibly legitimate company that wanted to hire me The contact took the form of what appeared to be a genuine e-mail complete with website and logo from a company in Australia that seemed absolutely legitimate (I have since contacted the company to warn them that someone overseas is using their name and logo to scam people) The e-mail explained that the company was opening an office in Holland and was looking for people who would handle the back-office orders It contained a form to be filled in and returned if I was interested in the position the form asked for all my personal information including my bank details I had been looking for a job and was interested in the offer so I filled in and sent off the form and my CV Once they received my e-mail they asked me to start a trial period without practically explaining anything of what the job was actually about I didnrsquot immediately reply so they called me the next day asking me to start immediately with the trial period promising lots of benefits once the contract was signed I hadnrsquot met anyone at this point only telephone interviews and that already didnrsquot seem right to me I asked them to send me more information by e-mail about what I was meant to do and a few moments later I received a response asking me to make a bank transfer to show them I was trustworthy The lsquotrialrsquo implied that they would send me some money and I had to transfer half via GWK or MoneyTransfer to one of their clients and keep the other half This smelled very fishy to the Italian in me In reality they could be sending a cheque to the bank which would register an income that would later bounce after I had already made the payment to their lsquoclientrsquo On top of losing money the person that tried to lsquohirersquo meyou
would have been untraceable No one was even picking up the phone at the number given in the e-mail and the company they claimed to represent wasnrsquot even active in Europe
So I said no and told them I was no longer interested They even had the gumption to call me back and ask me why I wouldnrsquot do it I gave them a silly excuse so as not to give them any more information or tips on how to improve their scummy scam I am happy I started checking their contacts as soon as their promises seemed too good to be true even if I am still angry I allowed them to data-mine all of my information when I sent them my CV and filled in their form
It beggars belief that they set up an entire facade in these times of work despair and it really doesnrsquot feel right especially because therersquos not much I can do about it now apart from inform people I didnrsquot think this would ever happen here in this country where everything has to be or always seems to be so legitimate But I guess some things never change and a place doesnrsquot make the people and certainly doesnrsquot influence the choices they make I just wanted to share my experience to alert everyone to the possible scam If a company contacts you and asks you to return a form including your bank details when you have never met anyone face-to-face it should make your antennas extend and remember to double-check their credibility Apparently it is illegal to ask such questions of someone here so donrsquot fall for it as I did As I am still waiting to hear from the company in Australia I didnrsquot feel it was proper to disclose its name publicly just yet plus I am not sure the scammers always use the same company as a fake front But what they ask you to do is more or less always the same so keep your eyes open to the little details
lsquoYou face the everyday hell that is job-seeking but now you must also beware of scam companiesrsquo
lsquoThis smelled very fishy to the Italian in mersquo
lsquoThe form asked for all my personal informationrsquo
lifestyles6
1
Je moet er geweest zijn
62classifieds
MechelenAuthentic and full of surprises Thatrsquos Mechelen Hospitable and honourable Thatrsquos the people of Mechelen Come and experience the cityrsquos urban charms for yourself Mechelen
Authentic and full of surprises Thatrsquos Mechelen Hospitable and honourable Thatrsquos the people of Mechelen Come and experience the cityrsquos urban charms for yourself
photography copy Milo Profi
classifieds63
classifieds
How to hang out in
Amsterdam
By ER Muntrem
perspectives
It is not against the rules for babies to cry in cafeacutes It happens Mostly they sleep or sit in someonersquos lap with commendable decorum Otherwise kids in cafeacutes tend to nosh a little less than their elders and handle crayons a little more And while anyone who toddles behind the bar will certainly get caught they can always claim they were encouraged to toddle there in the first place
Dutch parents and I realise this is hard to prove seem to let their kids wander a metre or two further away from them than parents from other developed countries that universal ldquowhere is sherdquo look delayed five or ten seconds If this extra distance is a sign of perceived safety cafeacute culture must help teach it
Except for chefs all cafeacute workers do more or less all the jobs required to run a cafeacute They all wait on tables
serve hot and cold drinks set up outdoor furniture load and retrieve supplies take the garbage out wash glasses light candles arrange flowers unfurl the awning and ring up the bill When the young guy or girl greets you you may know they are not the owner but for the moment they are the face of the establishment It may as well be their place
Admittedly I am seduced by places where waiters donrsquot work for tips where the rushed pace of eating in a restaurant in America does not exist In a cafeacute you can do what you want for as long as you want and get food and drink while you do it Pretty cool and as much a baseline for how to hang out in Amsterdam as cycling is for how to get around
Places to eat and drink owned by corporations have to package experience to deliver it Whatrsquos our brand How can our managers and servers be most efficient How ultimately can we be number one Not something most cafeacutes seem to be worried about and where the universal signs for lsquowe are having a good time togetherrsquo
lsquoCafeacute culture must help teachrsquo lsquoI am seduced by places where waiters donrsquot work for tipsrsquo
64
perspectives
or lsquoI am happy here by myselfrsquo (clinked glasses or absorption in a newspaper say) are routinely in evidence This is one true grace of democracy the average worth smiling about
At cafeacutes co-workers have a beer before or after their shift friends drop by or a regular pops in with some news The stream of customers they donrsquot have to woo and donrsquot have to lsquoworkrsquo gives the whole thing a slightly familial living room perfectly public feel that makes the work far less of a personality crimp than working at Starbucks Or so it seems I do not mean to pretend carrying drinks across the street to the canal side seating or giving obvious directions yet again is always glorious but most people who work in cafeacutersquos laugh and smile a fair bit almost as much as the patrons
And when the owner of a cafeacute is of a generation older than those working there as is usually the case it lends a wise uncle or mother hen feel to the proceedings In the daytime no one is ever too caught up in his or her designated title to ignore a baby on the move And at
night the crowd of drinkers may as well be at a party hosted by their parents or kids or both
Itrsquos not all about money cafeacute culture churns towards the civilised without grinding anyone too far down As well as pleasure there is power in this The best distillation I know of what democracy should be came from a young woman working at Cafeacute Captein With our meal in front of us my friend noticed he was missing his salad Flagged down the young woman went to investigate ldquoItrsquos on its wayrdquo she said ldquoI told my boss to do itrdquo
Imagine we told Putin to do it We told Obama to do it We told the bankers to do it
lsquoMost people who work in cafeacutersquos laugh and smile a fair bitrsquo
lsquoCafeacute culture churns towards the civilised without grinding anyone too far downrsquo
65
66
featurecity gem
lsquoThe last of the large independent music stores left standing in Amsterdamrsquo
CITY GEM
67
Concerto
By Denson Pierre
ConcertoUtrechtsestraat 60 1017 VP Amsterdam
it is a rush when on a full stomach you can make an instant decision on where your next city-centre lunch will be taken it is almost ecstasy when the venue is situated in a music shop which for decades has been defined by its exceptional range and quality of music available in amsterdam Concerto is the last of the large independent music stores left standing in amsterdam all the others have long since been killed off by everything from the advance in recording and playback technologies to habitual illegal downloaders only now realising that their behaviour has an impact right back down to street level despite what they might think about the giant studios and recording companies
Concerto has not stuck but has twisted Since September it has incorporated a cute cafeacute
and lunch area within its premises as well as introducing a bookshop and lounge area making it possible to spend an almost nostalgic time there over several hours It still has a vast range of the very best music in vinyl (both new and second-hand) and CD form DVDs DJ equipment and even gear used for live musical performances Itrsquos a gold mine
If it has taken this clever adaptation in space utilisation to keep this institution viable and available to Amsterdam-based music lovers then I personally wish to support this venture and help mean this type of music retailer to remain part of the city scene For people of a certain age there is something infinitely more appealing about physically handling recorded material appreciating the artwork in its packaging having a listen and then deciding if it is a purchase you would like to make Even though non-digital stockpiling has become rather passeacute I challenge you to visit Concerto and its new cafeacute and bookshop concept and not end up spending more time in this true city gem than you had anticipated
lsquoIt has incorporated a cute cafeacute and lunch area within its premises as well as introducing a bookshop and lounge arearsquo
city gem
68
city gem
69city gem
city gem70
city gem71
72city gem
lsquoThere is something infinitely more appealing about physically
handling recorded material appreciating the artwork in its
packagingrsquo
73city gem
74classifi eds
75classifi eds
classifi edsclassifi eds76
amsterdam city life
BrinG BaCK
Something that seems to have been watered down considerably in Amsterdamrsquos hospitality industry in recent years is independence of thought styling and designAll you have to do is walk around the city to note that way too many coffeesoup houses and cafeacutes are more or less identikit This also applies to many cafeacutes with unimaginative business leaders who open unoriginal looking spaces and hope that the use of white paint purple or blue lights and house music is all it takes
Luckily there is something brewing to save our days and nights I have come across cafeacute owners who are now seriously considering ending the arrangements they have with the giant drink suppliers There are actually no good arguments left for continuing with these huge multinationals as they are frankly more expensive at wholesale for the same A-class products than the supermarkets on every Amsterdammerrsquos street corner
It looks like space is being created for the smaller brewers to take up the supply of A-class beer to smaller establishments throughout the city The giants can keep their character-free tourist traps and those bars still able to benefit purely from their unbeatable locations throughout the city
The Sentinel says bring back better and more original businesses of scale within the local hospitality industry which will help more cafeacutes and bars not only to become distinguishable by the interior designs they will need to conjure but also through the variety of local and regional beers that could become part of their coherent identity The overriding benefit of such courageous thinking and action would be an immediate return to realistic and reasonable pricing for A-class beer in Amsterdam which remains the staple of the easy consumables as this recession drones on
By Denson Pierre
INDEPENDENT CAFeacuteSBARS
77
78star beer guide
Star Beer
The SentinelStar beer guide
lsquoDifferent beers can seem to weigh on the conscience as much as on the taste budsrsquo
Just like the changing of the seasons different beers can seem to weigh on the conscience as much as on the taste buds Ciney blond is a lovely almost effeminate tasting beer All light smooth fruitiness bolstered by substantial alcohol content
As the temperature increases it can even feel like a thirst quencher A nice session beer and one that could function as an entrance-level quality beer in terms of its complexity For advanced samplers it is a great lower platform to descend to after cruising the space occupied by the 8-plus percentage alcoholic beauties
Ciney blond is brewed by Alken-Maes Mechelen Belgium
By Denson Pierre
CINEY BLOND (7 ABV)
79star beer guide
We find the best most fun most typical exciting or local favourite restaurants etcetera in Amsterdam and bring them to you an easy way to feel like a local
Cafe Kostverloren 040606
Recommended
80recommended
EUROGIFTSXenonweg 9 3812 SZ Amersfoort
Tel 033 - 454 35 75 - Fax 033 - 454 35 79E-mail lmproefeurogiftsnl
Website wwweurogiftsnl
FILMPROEF
ORDERNUMMER 6021022ARTIKELNUMMER 65123
Ware grootte (indien uitgeprint)Kleur opdruk Wit
Mulligans Irish Music BarAmsterdamrsquos best address for live Irish music Five (5) nights a week Check our agenda for upcoming sessions Amstel 100 1017 AC Amsterdamwwwmulligansnl
Cafeacute KostverlorenCafeacute Kostverloren is a contemporary cafe offering the cosiness of a saloon an open kitchen and the intimacy of a living room The large terras is great for sunny days2e Kostverlorenkade 70 Amsterdamwwwcafekostverlorennl
ZestZest is fi ne food warm atmosphere and classy drinks with regular semi-acoustic (live) music and DJs (Thursday to Sunday) Amsterdamrsquos newest and freshestBilderdijkstraat 188 Amsterdamwwwfacebookcomclubzestnl
GollemGollemrsquos Proefl okaal Gollem and Gollem II represent the best addresses serving the fullest range of top Belgian Dutch and international beers in AmsterdamOvertoom 160-161wwwcafegollemnl
IncantoA restaurant with a classic Italian kitchen Venetian chef Simone Ambrosin is known for his pure and simple style of cooking with great feeling for nuanceAmstel 2 Amsterdamwwwrestaurant-incantonl
Planet RoseThe fi rst Caribbean restaurant in the Netherlands specialised in Jamaican cuisine The menu features a daily changing selectionNicolaas Beetsstraat 47 Amsterdamwwwplanetroseinfo
Cafe restaurant EdelCafe restaurant Edel is the perfect place for lunch dinner or to simply enjoy a drink Edel is a unique place in AmsterdamPostjesweg 1 1057 DT Amsterdamwwwedelamsterdamnl
Cafeacute OportoCafeacute Oporto is a traditional Amsterdam lsquobrown cafersquo Welcoming tourists and regular customers alike they offer televised sports wifi and a wide range of reasonably priced beers and spiritsZoutsteeg 1 1012 LX Amsterdamwwwcafeoportonet
BaxA cosy and friendly local cafeacute with a focus on special or interesting beers and good quality food Open 7 days a week with a professional kitchen offering a lunch and dinner serviceTen Katestraat 119 Amsterdamwwwcafebaxnl
To be seen and tasted Fun Drinking amp Music
To Be Seen and Tasted
Fun Drinking amp Music
Fun Drinking amp Music
Connoisseurs Delight
Connoisseurs Delight
Connoisseurs Delight
To Be Seen and Tasted
Neighbourhood cosy
Fun drinking and music
ParckGreat fun beautiful people and simply the best bar food in townOvertoom 428 Amsterdamwwwcafeparcknl
To be seen and tasted
Cafe de Toog1890rsquos grandeur fashioned into Amsterdam-West grand brown cafe-restaurant-cool Classy drinks and mealsNicolaas Beetsstraat 142 hs Amsterdam wwwcafedetoogcom
Opera Prima - Patisserie Bistro TraiteurThe best place in town for lunch exquisite high teas or brunches and all of your luxury catering both private and corporateKinkerstraat 228 Amsterdamwwwoperaprimanl
Recommended
81
Where is this inAmsterdamAnswer to sentinelpostgmailcom
82spotted
Room 2cfilm
ldquoCome on in boys the waterrsquos finerdquo This is arguably the best all-round and funny musical to come out of Hollywood in a generation and certainly one of the best three soundtracks of the same period George Clooney will never be as good or charming as he is here playing the accidental leader of a trio of chain gang escapees in the US south of the 1930s Spirituality meets the Ku Klux Klan all coloured by Virginia bluegrass
ldquoCall me Snakerdquo The coolest handle for a leading man (Kurt Russell) in any movie to date Here he is sent in on a heroic lsquoat all costrsquo one-man mission to rescue the president of the United States from the prison island Manhattan has become in a lsquofuturersquo representation of 1997 Air Force One has crashed there and the countdown is on Classic 1980s turn of the millennium dystopian vision with style pace and gadgetry
By dpmotions
By dpmotions
o Brother Where Art Thou (2000)
escape from new York (1981)
room2c83
84trends
lsquoTrends are great to join and surf like a once in a lifetime tsunamirsquo
By Dirkje Bakker-Pierre
Each and every micro-world has its own specific trends Take the fashion world for example where one day you have to wear high heels and round noses and the next itrsquos flat hairy elephant feet-like boots that must hug your feet Or take the automotive world where once upon a time you could never have enough chrome on your car or the food world where we have quietly moved from fast to green and wholesome or the TV world which used to be about fiction and is now more real than reality Some of these trends are great to join and surf like a once in a lifetime tsunami others can slip by unnoticed and others still keep bugging and bugging you even if you try to avoid them like the plague
The online world and specifically the social media universe eats through trends like a fat chick after a hunger strike Facebook in particular seems to move seamlessly from one hype to the next one day itrsquos pictures with fuzzy edges or a bit of a 1970s filter the next itrsquos a profile picture with you very consciously not looking into the camera (very spontaneously and naturally non-posing you might say) These are mostly harmless things if Irsquom honest and when everyone
stops liking them they fade away as quickly as the sun in our small wet country There is one trend however that has festered within Facebook from the very beginning and which seems to be gradually growing and growing without anyone ever liking the postshellip and I mean EVER
Yes I am talking about daily quotes words of wisdom holy quotes mesmerizingly philosophical quotes cheesy quotes religious quoteshellip How can I describe all of them in one easy sentence pieces of text from (famous) people (it can never be something you thought of yourself) that lsquodisclosersquo previously secret information about being happy in life (or at least previously secret to the person doing the posting I presume) In short texts that belong on tiles hanging on the wall in old Dutch peoplersquos toilets
Why
Here are a few I found in my news feed this week
ldquoA mind is like a parachute It doesnrsquot work if it is not openrdquo ndash Frank Zappa
ldquoIt is not because things are difficult that we do not dare it is because we do not dare that things are difficultrdquo ndash Seneca
ldquoIf you donrsquot take what you are doing seriously then nobody else willrdquo ndash Darryl Dlt Thomson
Bad trends would be good if they werenrsquot so bad
85trends
86classifi eds
87classifieds
One of my personal favourite gemstones is moonstone Itlsquos been around for centuries and is used in many cultures As suggested by its name the stone is highly associated with the moon and moon goddess Diana It brings calm peace and love and is said to become more powerful when the moon is full so thatlsquos the best time to wear it One proverb even claims that moonstone can bring you love that will fly you to the moon Spiritually this amazing stone is said to enhance intuition and is always associated with the self It is a very powerful personal stone which doesnlsquot add or remove any aspects of the personality but merely reflects the person wearing it It is said to be very
MoonstoneBy Evelina Kvartunaite
ndash
lsquoThe stone is highly associated with the moon and moon goddess Dianarsquo
ndash
helpful for people who are very sensitive and it is also used in meditation for reflecting oneself Itlsquos always best to charge your gem when the moon is shining at night either while wearing it or by leaving it on a windowsill that receives moonlight Moonstone is also used in healing and is known for balancing the internal organ systems enabling them to work in stable cycles Itlsquos usually more associated with women but is also known to help men embrace their more emotional side soft creative energies and optimism Perhaps understandably moonstone should have limited exposure to strong direct sunlight
ndash
lsquoIt is said to be very helpful for people who are very sensitiversquo
ndash
88
health amp well-being
ndash
lsquoMore associated with women but is also known to help men embrace their more emotional sidersquo
ndash
89health amp well-being
In his article Batin shows how learning how to use complex products is like learning a computer game Just like the challenges in video games match the skills of the user so should TV interactions or any UI interactions for that matter For reference Batin used the four levels described in the Dreyfus model of skill acquisition
Level 1 novicebullRigid adherence to taught rules or plansbullNo exercise of lsquodiscretionary judgmentrsquo
Level 2 Advanced beginnerbullLimited lsquosituational perceptionrsquobullAll aspects of work treated separately with equal importance
Philip Batin wrote an article a couple of months ago about the next big idea in User Interaction gadgets that adapt to your skills As gadgets become more complicated UIs must be able to teach their users over time Apparently more and more interactive products are being returned In 2002 48 of all returned products were technically fully functional but were rejected for failing to satisfy user needs 20 purely due to customer remorse Even though a product may have all the features one can hope for complexity and bad user experience can prevent users from integrating it into their lives
UserInterfaceThe next big thing in UX
lsquoUIs must be able to teach their users over timersquo
By Andrei Barburas
lsquoComplexity and bad user experience can prevent users from
integrating it into their livesrsquo
90
technology
book the majority of which you probably skipped through
Personally I believe that there are certain end users most likely the majority that use only a limited set of features from any device they buy Mobile phones have become indispensable tools in our daily activities yet the average Joe has no idea about the full potential of a smart phone The same applies to Smart TVs they can do lots of things yet the only thing that we do with them is flip channels and complain how bad the shows are
The bottom line is that itrsquos definitely something worth thinking about not only from an operating system perspective but also from the perspective of applications developers
Level 3 competentbulllsquoCoping with crowdednessrsquo (multiple activities accumulation of information)bullSome perception of actions in relation to goalsbullDeliberate planningbullFormulates routines
Level 4 ProficientbullHolistic view of situationbullPrioritizes importance of aspectsbulllsquoPerceives deviations from the normal patternrsquobullEmploys maxim for guidance with meanings that adapt to the situation at hand
Now just imagine a User Interface that adapts based on what you can do and the abilities you have As you learn new things new levels of complexity are unlocked opening the door to fully knowing your device because you learned by doing and not by reading a complicated
lsquoThe average Joe has no idea about the full potential of a
smart phonersquo
91technology
92classifi eds
93classifi eds
Not knowing what was happening in football was extremely annoying to put it mildly and it wasnrsquot just my own self-denial and avoidance of all things football that was a hindrance the extent to which I had to ask others to go in order to remain ignorant was much more excruciating than Irsquod ever imagined There may even be some damage done to football-related friendships that is irreparable I now feel as though Irsquom walking through an empty stadium after everyone else has gone home
So what now and where to next The season is well and truly over and Irsquom free to do whatever I want I could read the back-dated sports pages check all the stats and find out all the facts if I wanted to I could spend hours catching up on last season and speculating on the next with the friends Irsquove still got left down the pub if I wanted to I can follow all the transfer gossip watch pre-season friendlies and build up all my hopes But as with most addictions that would simply be falling back into a previous state of dependence and everything Irsquove just put myself through wouldrsquove been for nothing So how do I go back to an old habit without a total relapse or would it be better to keep abstaining
All my questions seem to be met with other questions and no solutions On the other hand if you ask me what
Someone once said that insanity is when you keep repeating the same behaviour and expect a different outcome most likely a psychologist aimed at his or her ailing patients But for me these words are more reminiscent of my own conduct over the course of a regular football season Week in week out season after season I would expect Tottenham to win something and more often than not Irsquod be left disappointed So I decided to stop No more football ndash at least not for one full season
The season 201213 is now over and during the whole nine months I didnrsquot watch a single moment of football or read a single article on the subject That was my challenge and I was committed to it What is more despite all the warning signs I didnrsquot relapse After a year of structured punishment I didnrsquot have a clue about what was going on in the English Premier League (or any other league) Only having picked up bits and pieces of information that somehow slipped through the net the past season was like a book with most of its pages missing
By Simon Joseph
On The Volley
The Return of the Repressed or the Point of No Return
lsquoInsanity is when you keep repeating the same behaviour and expect a different outcomersquo
sport
lsquoThe past season was like a book with most of its pages missingrsquo
94
lsquoThere may even be some damage done to football-related friendshipsrsquo
lsquoHas abstaining for a season changed mersquo
it until the cows come home but it was us who made those changes or at least allowed them to happen and those changes will continue to happen with or without me Perhaps then the questions I should be asking are has abstaining for a season changed me Am I still obsessed or have I broken the habit of a lifetime Is following football really that terrible or even a real addiction
One thing is certain this lack of resolution is not completely without satisfaction because like all forms of fixation or obsession therersquos comfort and familiarity to be found in repetition as Tottenham miss out on Championrsquos League football by a single point again The repressed will always return to haunt us or so it seems and before we know it the start of next season will be upon us There will be more pain no doubt and more joy This time however it will take more than a boot camp approach to keep me away and who knows Tottenham might even win the league Come on you Spurs
Tottenham Hotspur means I would still tell you that itrsquos not just a pretty football package itrsquos about kith and kin not just where I came from but how I relate to others around me in the here and now Whatrsquos more millions of people are attracted to football they hunger for it and yearn to connect with it even though I still believe itrsquos a form of ineffective escape from one unsatisfying reality to another Following football is a classic example of cognitive dissonance ndash when you simultaneously entertain two opposing thoughts that appear to cancel each other out Before the start of each season for example we all want our club to win everything or to be taken over by billionaires but know that itrsquos impossible or in the latter case controversial and even undesirable So we invent ways to cope We develop a so-called lsquosiege mentalityrsquo or other harmful patterns of behaviour to relieve the discomfort of incongruity With this in mind the past year was supposed to be an exercise in behaviour modification ndash to discover the root of the problem and treat it effectively But one year on have I really discovered anything at all
The English Premier League whether you watch it or not is still probably the most exciting football league in the world We can complain about the changes made to
sport9
5
By Denson Pierre
The Gold Room
Fantasy Football Gold ndash Champions League 2012-2013 winner Denson Pierre and his prizes
The season petered out in an all-German Champions League Final which did nothing to dispel the record that this was a season of too few new stars or regular spectacle We look forward to the next season as it ought not be too difficult to create more excitement than in the one just pastWe did have the opportunity to hand over the envelopes and trophies to the Sentinel Fantasy Football game winners This year all the major winners from the Sentinel Fantasy Football League were unable to be present for the physical prize giving but the winner of the Gold Game and focus of this column was there to receive his prize for winning the master game in styleSo we retire the Gold Room until the beginning of the new football season See you all again then
96
sport
Matt Parker receives his third place and Manager of the Month prizes for the Sentinel Fantasy Football League
Charles Conneely Sentinel Fantasy Football League 2012-2013 Champion
97sport
wwwczechtourismcom
CZECH REPUBLIC - STUNNINGLY DIFFERENT
98
classifi eds
31perspectives
32perspectives
33perspectives
lsquoMarvel at the beauty of the Tuschinski Theaterrsquo
34perspectives
35perspectives
lsquoRotate 360 degrees to take it all inrsquo
36perspectives
lsquoRotate 360 degrees to take it all inrsquo
37perspectives
38perspectives
39perspectives
40
perspectives
41perspectives
42featureperspectives
feature4
3perspectives
44
featureperspectives
feature4
5perspectives
lsquoTake a closer look at the statue of former Queen Wilhelmina and her horsersquo
46
perspectives
lsquoThis is also where you can find me presenting a fine selection of my
photo printsrsquo
47perspectives
perspectives4
8
perspectives4
9
For complete and world class tours of Prague
Packages includebull Hidden and playful Prague (for families with young children)bull Literary Praguebull Prague Architecture through the agesbull Religion and the citybull The old city at night
These are detailed tours designed for visitors who wish to explore with great detail and not suitable for simply sight-seeing tourists
Day segments and ratesPR 0800-1230hrs AG 1330-1630hrs UE 1730-2130hrsAll sessions are priced at u 25 per single adult Group size upper limit = 8 Accompanied children under the age of five are gratis and school aged children pay 25 Family package rates are negotiable
ContactJaroslav Cernosek+420 602 228 797Mail jcernosekcentrumcz
wwwyourtuliptourcom
JC Tours
50classifieds
51classifieds
CafeacuteBar Review Van Mechelen
cafebar review52
Van MechelenSloterkade 96-97 Amsterdam
It may be the new hype in the city as far as grand cafeacute and restaurant concepts go but Van Mechelen is already approaching excellence Considering its handy location in another pretty neighbourhood of Amsterdam South it is almost a lsquomust visitrsquo place that has created a theme built on the Burgundian enjoyment of life good food complemented with top-class beer and wine If you want a taste of what it feels like to visit a cafeacute-restaurant in Mechelen Belgium Van Mechelen is an easy way for an Amsterdammer to savour this experience and is just a short cycle ride away
ambianceBurgundian Rating 5
StaffregularsMembers of staff are clearly very well trained and this adds to the light and airy atmosphere Having opened for business just three months ago those who have fallen in love with the place and its consumables have not yet had time to clock up the number of visits and connections to be considered lsquoregularsrsquo Rating 5
televised sportNo space within the design and layout for this form of distraction Rating 3
PricesSurprisingly these are within the lsquonormalrsquo range for this level and quality of fare Outstandingly fairly priced snacks and nibbles are also offered to help you along as you take on the fine (Mechelen brewery group Alken-Maes) beers and wines When did you last enjoy a generous portion of fresh olives for a mere euro250 Rating 5
MusicAt the time of review the establishment was fairly packed out The atmosphere is conducive to chats and hilarity and although the selection of tunes could be heard far in the background the sound system may well have more kick It should as the building is of such a solid constitution that it should contain noise and not easily upset the neighbours Rating 5
Smoking area provisionFortunately for puffers the originally industrial nature of the address means that the former loading bay and entranceexit areas have become two naturally covered terrace areas separated from the luscious interior by huge glass-panelled doors Rating 5
total rating 2830(Rating from 1-5 where 1 = Very poor and 5 = Excellent)
By Denson Pierre
lsquoThe new hype in the city as far as grand cafeacute and restaurant concepts gorsquo
cafebar review53
lsquoMembers of staff are clearly very well trainedrsquo
cafebar review54
cafebar review55
lsquoOutstandingly fairly priced snacks and nibbles are also offeredrsquo
cafebar review56
cafebar review57
lsquoThe atmosphere is conducive to chats and hilarityrsquo
cafebar review58
cafebar review59
scamsterdam
lifestyles60
By Valeria Scimia
Unemployed international and looking for a job in the Netherlands Not only must you face the everyday hell that is job-seeking but now you must also beware of scam companies Yes theyrsquove arrived here too
I was recently contacted by an ostensibly legitimate company that wanted to hire me The contact took the form of what appeared to be a genuine e-mail complete with website and logo from a company in Australia that seemed absolutely legitimate (I have since contacted the company to warn them that someone overseas is using their name and logo to scam people) The e-mail explained that the company was opening an office in Holland and was looking for people who would handle the back-office orders It contained a form to be filled in and returned if I was interested in the position the form asked for all my personal information including my bank details I had been looking for a job and was interested in the offer so I filled in and sent off the form and my CV Once they received my e-mail they asked me to start a trial period without practically explaining anything of what the job was actually about I didnrsquot immediately reply so they called me the next day asking me to start immediately with the trial period promising lots of benefits once the contract was signed I hadnrsquot met anyone at this point only telephone interviews and that already didnrsquot seem right to me I asked them to send me more information by e-mail about what I was meant to do and a few moments later I received a response asking me to make a bank transfer to show them I was trustworthy The lsquotrialrsquo implied that they would send me some money and I had to transfer half via GWK or MoneyTransfer to one of their clients and keep the other half This smelled very fishy to the Italian in me In reality they could be sending a cheque to the bank which would register an income that would later bounce after I had already made the payment to their lsquoclientrsquo On top of losing money the person that tried to lsquohirersquo meyou
would have been untraceable No one was even picking up the phone at the number given in the e-mail and the company they claimed to represent wasnrsquot even active in Europe
So I said no and told them I was no longer interested They even had the gumption to call me back and ask me why I wouldnrsquot do it I gave them a silly excuse so as not to give them any more information or tips on how to improve their scummy scam I am happy I started checking their contacts as soon as their promises seemed too good to be true even if I am still angry I allowed them to data-mine all of my information when I sent them my CV and filled in their form
It beggars belief that they set up an entire facade in these times of work despair and it really doesnrsquot feel right especially because therersquos not much I can do about it now apart from inform people I didnrsquot think this would ever happen here in this country where everything has to be or always seems to be so legitimate But I guess some things never change and a place doesnrsquot make the people and certainly doesnrsquot influence the choices they make I just wanted to share my experience to alert everyone to the possible scam If a company contacts you and asks you to return a form including your bank details when you have never met anyone face-to-face it should make your antennas extend and remember to double-check their credibility Apparently it is illegal to ask such questions of someone here so donrsquot fall for it as I did As I am still waiting to hear from the company in Australia I didnrsquot feel it was proper to disclose its name publicly just yet plus I am not sure the scammers always use the same company as a fake front But what they ask you to do is more or less always the same so keep your eyes open to the little details
lsquoYou face the everyday hell that is job-seeking but now you must also beware of scam companiesrsquo
lsquoThis smelled very fishy to the Italian in mersquo
lsquoThe form asked for all my personal informationrsquo
lifestyles6
1
Je moet er geweest zijn
62classifieds
MechelenAuthentic and full of surprises Thatrsquos Mechelen Hospitable and honourable Thatrsquos the people of Mechelen Come and experience the cityrsquos urban charms for yourself Mechelen
Authentic and full of surprises Thatrsquos Mechelen Hospitable and honourable Thatrsquos the people of Mechelen Come and experience the cityrsquos urban charms for yourself
photography copy Milo Profi
classifieds63
classifieds
How to hang out in
Amsterdam
By ER Muntrem
perspectives
It is not against the rules for babies to cry in cafeacutes It happens Mostly they sleep or sit in someonersquos lap with commendable decorum Otherwise kids in cafeacutes tend to nosh a little less than their elders and handle crayons a little more And while anyone who toddles behind the bar will certainly get caught they can always claim they were encouraged to toddle there in the first place
Dutch parents and I realise this is hard to prove seem to let their kids wander a metre or two further away from them than parents from other developed countries that universal ldquowhere is sherdquo look delayed five or ten seconds If this extra distance is a sign of perceived safety cafeacute culture must help teach it
Except for chefs all cafeacute workers do more or less all the jobs required to run a cafeacute They all wait on tables
serve hot and cold drinks set up outdoor furniture load and retrieve supplies take the garbage out wash glasses light candles arrange flowers unfurl the awning and ring up the bill When the young guy or girl greets you you may know they are not the owner but for the moment they are the face of the establishment It may as well be their place
Admittedly I am seduced by places where waiters donrsquot work for tips where the rushed pace of eating in a restaurant in America does not exist In a cafeacute you can do what you want for as long as you want and get food and drink while you do it Pretty cool and as much a baseline for how to hang out in Amsterdam as cycling is for how to get around
Places to eat and drink owned by corporations have to package experience to deliver it Whatrsquos our brand How can our managers and servers be most efficient How ultimately can we be number one Not something most cafeacutes seem to be worried about and where the universal signs for lsquowe are having a good time togetherrsquo
lsquoCafeacute culture must help teachrsquo lsquoI am seduced by places where waiters donrsquot work for tipsrsquo
64
perspectives
or lsquoI am happy here by myselfrsquo (clinked glasses or absorption in a newspaper say) are routinely in evidence This is one true grace of democracy the average worth smiling about
At cafeacutes co-workers have a beer before or after their shift friends drop by or a regular pops in with some news The stream of customers they donrsquot have to woo and donrsquot have to lsquoworkrsquo gives the whole thing a slightly familial living room perfectly public feel that makes the work far less of a personality crimp than working at Starbucks Or so it seems I do not mean to pretend carrying drinks across the street to the canal side seating or giving obvious directions yet again is always glorious but most people who work in cafeacutersquos laugh and smile a fair bit almost as much as the patrons
And when the owner of a cafeacute is of a generation older than those working there as is usually the case it lends a wise uncle or mother hen feel to the proceedings In the daytime no one is ever too caught up in his or her designated title to ignore a baby on the move And at
night the crowd of drinkers may as well be at a party hosted by their parents or kids or both
Itrsquos not all about money cafeacute culture churns towards the civilised without grinding anyone too far down As well as pleasure there is power in this The best distillation I know of what democracy should be came from a young woman working at Cafeacute Captein With our meal in front of us my friend noticed he was missing his salad Flagged down the young woman went to investigate ldquoItrsquos on its wayrdquo she said ldquoI told my boss to do itrdquo
Imagine we told Putin to do it We told Obama to do it We told the bankers to do it
lsquoMost people who work in cafeacutersquos laugh and smile a fair bitrsquo
lsquoCafeacute culture churns towards the civilised without grinding anyone too far downrsquo
65
66
featurecity gem
lsquoThe last of the large independent music stores left standing in Amsterdamrsquo
CITY GEM
67
Concerto
By Denson Pierre
ConcertoUtrechtsestraat 60 1017 VP Amsterdam
it is a rush when on a full stomach you can make an instant decision on where your next city-centre lunch will be taken it is almost ecstasy when the venue is situated in a music shop which for decades has been defined by its exceptional range and quality of music available in amsterdam Concerto is the last of the large independent music stores left standing in amsterdam all the others have long since been killed off by everything from the advance in recording and playback technologies to habitual illegal downloaders only now realising that their behaviour has an impact right back down to street level despite what they might think about the giant studios and recording companies
Concerto has not stuck but has twisted Since September it has incorporated a cute cafeacute
and lunch area within its premises as well as introducing a bookshop and lounge area making it possible to spend an almost nostalgic time there over several hours It still has a vast range of the very best music in vinyl (both new and second-hand) and CD form DVDs DJ equipment and even gear used for live musical performances Itrsquos a gold mine
If it has taken this clever adaptation in space utilisation to keep this institution viable and available to Amsterdam-based music lovers then I personally wish to support this venture and help mean this type of music retailer to remain part of the city scene For people of a certain age there is something infinitely more appealing about physically handling recorded material appreciating the artwork in its packaging having a listen and then deciding if it is a purchase you would like to make Even though non-digital stockpiling has become rather passeacute I challenge you to visit Concerto and its new cafeacute and bookshop concept and not end up spending more time in this true city gem than you had anticipated
lsquoIt has incorporated a cute cafeacute and lunch area within its premises as well as introducing a bookshop and lounge arearsquo
city gem
68
city gem
69city gem
city gem70
city gem71
72city gem
lsquoThere is something infinitely more appealing about physically
handling recorded material appreciating the artwork in its
packagingrsquo
73city gem
74classifi eds
75classifi eds
classifi edsclassifi eds76
amsterdam city life
BrinG BaCK
Something that seems to have been watered down considerably in Amsterdamrsquos hospitality industry in recent years is independence of thought styling and designAll you have to do is walk around the city to note that way too many coffeesoup houses and cafeacutes are more or less identikit This also applies to many cafeacutes with unimaginative business leaders who open unoriginal looking spaces and hope that the use of white paint purple or blue lights and house music is all it takes
Luckily there is something brewing to save our days and nights I have come across cafeacute owners who are now seriously considering ending the arrangements they have with the giant drink suppliers There are actually no good arguments left for continuing with these huge multinationals as they are frankly more expensive at wholesale for the same A-class products than the supermarkets on every Amsterdammerrsquos street corner
It looks like space is being created for the smaller brewers to take up the supply of A-class beer to smaller establishments throughout the city The giants can keep their character-free tourist traps and those bars still able to benefit purely from their unbeatable locations throughout the city
The Sentinel says bring back better and more original businesses of scale within the local hospitality industry which will help more cafeacutes and bars not only to become distinguishable by the interior designs they will need to conjure but also through the variety of local and regional beers that could become part of their coherent identity The overriding benefit of such courageous thinking and action would be an immediate return to realistic and reasonable pricing for A-class beer in Amsterdam which remains the staple of the easy consumables as this recession drones on
By Denson Pierre
INDEPENDENT CAFeacuteSBARS
77
78star beer guide
Star Beer
The SentinelStar beer guide
lsquoDifferent beers can seem to weigh on the conscience as much as on the taste budsrsquo
Just like the changing of the seasons different beers can seem to weigh on the conscience as much as on the taste buds Ciney blond is a lovely almost effeminate tasting beer All light smooth fruitiness bolstered by substantial alcohol content
As the temperature increases it can even feel like a thirst quencher A nice session beer and one that could function as an entrance-level quality beer in terms of its complexity For advanced samplers it is a great lower platform to descend to after cruising the space occupied by the 8-plus percentage alcoholic beauties
Ciney blond is brewed by Alken-Maes Mechelen Belgium
By Denson Pierre
CINEY BLOND (7 ABV)
79star beer guide
We find the best most fun most typical exciting or local favourite restaurants etcetera in Amsterdam and bring them to you an easy way to feel like a local
Cafe Kostverloren 040606
Recommended
80recommended
EUROGIFTSXenonweg 9 3812 SZ Amersfoort
Tel 033 - 454 35 75 - Fax 033 - 454 35 79E-mail lmproefeurogiftsnl
Website wwweurogiftsnl
FILMPROEF
ORDERNUMMER 6021022ARTIKELNUMMER 65123
Ware grootte (indien uitgeprint)Kleur opdruk Wit
Mulligans Irish Music BarAmsterdamrsquos best address for live Irish music Five (5) nights a week Check our agenda for upcoming sessions Amstel 100 1017 AC Amsterdamwwwmulligansnl
Cafeacute KostverlorenCafeacute Kostverloren is a contemporary cafe offering the cosiness of a saloon an open kitchen and the intimacy of a living room The large terras is great for sunny days2e Kostverlorenkade 70 Amsterdamwwwcafekostverlorennl
ZestZest is fi ne food warm atmosphere and classy drinks with regular semi-acoustic (live) music and DJs (Thursday to Sunday) Amsterdamrsquos newest and freshestBilderdijkstraat 188 Amsterdamwwwfacebookcomclubzestnl
GollemGollemrsquos Proefl okaal Gollem and Gollem II represent the best addresses serving the fullest range of top Belgian Dutch and international beers in AmsterdamOvertoom 160-161wwwcafegollemnl
IncantoA restaurant with a classic Italian kitchen Venetian chef Simone Ambrosin is known for his pure and simple style of cooking with great feeling for nuanceAmstel 2 Amsterdamwwwrestaurant-incantonl
Planet RoseThe fi rst Caribbean restaurant in the Netherlands specialised in Jamaican cuisine The menu features a daily changing selectionNicolaas Beetsstraat 47 Amsterdamwwwplanetroseinfo
Cafe restaurant EdelCafe restaurant Edel is the perfect place for lunch dinner or to simply enjoy a drink Edel is a unique place in AmsterdamPostjesweg 1 1057 DT Amsterdamwwwedelamsterdamnl
Cafeacute OportoCafeacute Oporto is a traditional Amsterdam lsquobrown cafersquo Welcoming tourists and regular customers alike they offer televised sports wifi and a wide range of reasonably priced beers and spiritsZoutsteeg 1 1012 LX Amsterdamwwwcafeoportonet
BaxA cosy and friendly local cafeacute with a focus on special or interesting beers and good quality food Open 7 days a week with a professional kitchen offering a lunch and dinner serviceTen Katestraat 119 Amsterdamwwwcafebaxnl
To be seen and tasted Fun Drinking amp Music
To Be Seen and Tasted
Fun Drinking amp Music
Fun Drinking amp Music
Connoisseurs Delight
Connoisseurs Delight
Connoisseurs Delight
To Be Seen and Tasted
Neighbourhood cosy
Fun drinking and music
ParckGreat fun beautiful people and simply the best bar food in townOvertoom 428 Amsterdamwwwcafeparcknl
To be seen and tasted
Cafe de Toog1890rsquos grandeur fashioned into Amsterdam-West grand brown cafe-restaurant-cool Classy drinks and mealsNicolaas Beetsstraat 142 hs Amsterdam wwwcafedetoogcom
Opera Prima - Patisserie Bistro TraiteurThe best place in town for lunch exquisite high teas or brunches and all of your luxury catering both private and corporateKinkerstraat 228 Amsterdamwwwoperaprimanl
Recommended
81
Where is this inAmsterdamAnswer to sentinelpostgmailcom
82spotted
Room 2cfilm
ldquoCome on in boys the waterrsquos finerdquo This is arguably the best all-round and funny musical to come out of Hollywood in a generation and certainly one of the best three soundtracks of the same period George Clooney will never be as good or charming as he is here playing the accidental leader of a trio of chain gang escapees in the US south of the 1930s Spirituality meets the Ku Klux Klan all coloured by Virginia bluegrass
ldquoCall me Snakerdquo The coolest handle for a leading man (Kurt Russell) in any movie to date Here he is sent in on a heroic lsquoat all costrsquo one-man mission to rescue the president of the United States from the prison island Manhattan has become in a lsquofuturersquo representation of 1997 Air Force One has crashed there and the countdown is on Classic 1980s turn of the millennium dystopian vision with style pace and gadgetry
By dpmotions
By dpmotions
o Brother Where Art Thou (2000)
escape from new York (1981)
room2c83
84trends
lsquoTrends are great to join and surf like a once in a lifetime tsunamirsquo
By Dirkje Bakker-Pierre
Each and every micro-world has its own specific trends Take the fashion world for example where one day you have to wear high heels and round noses and the next itrsquos flat hairy elephant feet-like boots that must hug your feet Or take the automotive world where once upon a time you could never have enough chrome on your car or the food world where we have quietly moved from fast to green and wholesome or the TV world which used to be about fiction and is now more real than reality Some of these trends are great to join and surf like a once in a lifetime tsunami others can slip by unnoticed and others still keep bugging and bugging you even if you try to avoid them like the plague
The online world and specifically the social media universe eats through trends like a fat chick after a hunger strike Facebook in particular seems to move seamlessly from one hype to the next one day itrsquos pictures with fuzzy edges or a bit of a 1970s filter the next itrsquos a profile picture with you very consciously not looking into the camera (very spontaneously and naturally non-posing you might say) These are mostly harmless things if Irsquom honest and when everyone
stops liking them they fade away as quickly as the sun in our small wet country There is one trend however that has festered within Facebook from the very beginning and which seems to be gradually growing and growing without anyone ever liking the postshellip and I mean EVER
Yes I am talking about daily quotes words of wisdom holy quotes mesmerizingly philosophical quotes cheesy quotes religious quoteshellip How can I describe all of them in one easy sentence pieces of text from (famous) people (it can never be something you thought of yourself) that lsquodisclosersquo previously secret information about being happy in life (or at least previously secret to the person doing the posting I presume) In short texts that belong on tiles hanging on the wall in old Dutch peoplersquos toilets
Why
Here are a few I found in my news feed this week
ldquoA mind is like a parachute It doesnrsquot work if it is not openrdquo ndash Frank Zappa
ldquoIt is not because things are difficult that we do not dare it is because we do not dare that things are difficultrdquo ndash Seneca
ldquoIf you donrsquot take what you are doing seriously then nobody else willrdquo ndash Darryl Dlt Thomson
Bad trends would be good if they werenrsquot so bad
85trends
86classifi eds
87classifieds
One of my personal favourite gemstones is moonstone Itlsquos been around for centuries and is used in many cultures As suggested by its name the stone is highly associated with the moon and moon goddess Diana It brings calm peace and love and is said to become more powerful when the moon is full so thatlsquos the best time to wear it One proverb even claims that moonstone can bring you love that will fly you to the moon Spiritually this amazing stone is said to enhance intuition and is always associated with the self It is a very powerful personal stone which doesnlsquot add or remove any aspects of the personality but merely reflects the person wearing it It is said to be very
MoonstoneBy Evelina Kvartunaite
ndash
lsquoThe stone is highly associated with the moon and moon goddess Dianarsquo
ndash
helpful for people who are very sensitive and it is also used in meditation for reflecting oneself Itlsquos always best to charge your gem when the moon is shining at night either while wearing it or by leaving it on a windowsill that receives moonlight Moonstone is also used in healing and is known for balancing the internal organ systems enabling them to work in stable cycles Itlsquos usually more associated with women but is also known to help men embrace their more emotional side soft creative energies and optimism Perhaps understandably moonstone should have limited exposure to strong direct sunlight
ndash
lsquoIt is said to be very helpful for people who are very sensitiversquo
ndash
88
health amp well-being
ndash
lsquoMore associated with women but is also known to help men embrace their more emotional sidersquo
ndash
89health amp well-being
In his article Batin shows how learning how to use complex products is like learning a computer game Just like the challenges in video games match the skills of the user so should TV interactions or any UI interactions for that matter For reference Batin used the four levels described in the Dreyfus model of skill acquisition
Level 1 novicebullRigid adherence to taught rules or plansbullNo exercise of lsquodiscretionary judgmentrsquo
Level 2 Advanced beginnerbullLimited lsquosituational perceptionrsquobullAll aspects of work treated separately with equal importance
Philip Batin wrote an article a couple of months ago about the next big idea in User Interaction gadgets that adapt to your skills As gadgets become more complicated UIs must be able to teach their users over time Apparently more and more interactive products are being returned In 2002 48 of all returned products were technically fully functional but were rejected for failing to satisfy user needs 20 purely due to customer remorse Even though a product may have all the features one can hope for complexity and bad user experience can prevent users from integrating it into their lives
UserInterfaceThe next big thing in UX
lsquoUIs must be able to teach their users over timersquo
By Andrei Barburas
lsquoComplexity and bad user experience can prevent users from
integrating it into their livesrsquo
90
technology
book the majority of which you probably skipped through
Personally I believe that there are certain end users most likely the majority that use only a limited set of features from any device they buy Mobile phones have become indispensable tools in our daily activities yet the average Joe has no idea about the full potential of a smart phone The same applies to Smart TVs they can do lots of things yet the only thing that we do with them is flip channels and complain how bad the shows are
The bottom line is that itrsquos definitely something worth thinking about not only from an operating system perspective but also from the perspective of applications developers
Level 3 competentbulllsquoCoping with crowdednessrsquo (multiple activities accumulation of information)bullSome perception of actions in relation to goalsbullDeliberate planningbullFormulates routines
Level 4 ProficientbullHolistic view of situationbullPrioritizes importance of aspectsbulllsquoPerceives deviations from the normal patternrsquobullEmploys maxim for guidance with meanings that adapt to the situation at hand
Now just imagine a User Interface that adapts based on what you can do and the abilities you have As you learn new things new levels of complexity are unlocked opening the door to fully knowing your device because you learned by doing and not by reading a complicated
lsquoThe average Joe has no idea about the full potential of a
smart phonersquo
91technology
92classifi eds
93classifi eds
Not knowing what was happening in football was extremely annoying to put it mildly and it wasnrsquot just my own self-denial and avoidance of all things football that was a hindrance the extent to which I had to ask others to go in order to remain ignorant was much more excruciating than Irsquod ever imagined There may even be some damage done to football-related friendships that is irreparable I now feel as though Irsquom walking through an empty stadium after everyone else has gone home
So what now and where to next The season is well and truly over and Irsquom free to do whatever I want I could read the back-dated sports pages check all the stats and find out all the facts if I wanted to I could spend hours catching up on last season and speculating on the next with the friends Irsquove still got left down the pub if I wanted to I can follow all the transfer gossip watch pre-season friendlies and build up all my hopes But as with most addictions that would simply be falling back into a previous state of dependence and everything Irsquove just put myself through wouldrsquove been for nothing So how do I go back to an old habit without a total relapse or would it be better to keep abstaining
All my questions seem to be met with other questions and no solutions On the other hand if you ask me what
Someone once said that insanity is when you keep repeating the same behaviour and expect a different outcome most likely a psychologist aimed at his or her ailing patients But for me these words are more reminiscent of my own conduct over the course of a regular football season Week in week out season after season I would expect Tottenham to win something and more often than not Irsquod be left disappointed So I decided to stop No more football ndash at least not for one full season
The season 201213 is now over and during the whole nine months I didnrsquot watch a single moment of football or read a single article on the subject That was my challenge and I was committed to it What is more despite all the warning signs I didnrsquot relapse After a year of structured punishment I didnrsquot have a clue about what was going on in the English Premier League (or any other league) Only having picked up bits and pieces of information that somehow slipped through the net the past season was like a book with most of its pages missing
By Simon Joseph
On The Volley
The Return of the Repressed or the Point of No Return
lsquoInsanity is when you keep repeating the same behaviour and expect a different outcomersquo
sport
lsquoThe past season was like a book with most of its pages missingrsquo
94
lsquoThere may even be some damage done to football-related friendshipsrsquo
lsquoHas abstaining for a season changed mersquo
it until the cows come home but it was us who made those changes or at least allowed them to happen and those changes will continue to happen with or without me Perhaps then the questions I should be asking are has abstaining for a season changed me Am I still obsessed or have I broken the habit of a lifetime Is following football really that terrible or even a real addiction
One thing is certain this lack of resolution is not completely without satisfaction because like all forms of fixation or obsession therersquos comfort and familiarity to be found in repetition as Tottenham miss out on Championrsquos League football by a single point again The repressed will always return to haunt us or so it seems and before we know it the start of next season will be upon us There will be more pain no doubt and more joy This time however it will take more than a boot camp approach to keep me away and who knows Tottenham might even win the league Come on you Spurs
Tottenham Hotspur means I would still tell you that itrsquos not just a pretty football package itrsquos about kith and kin not just where I came from but how I relate to others around me in the here and now Whatrsquos more millions of people are attracted to football they hunger for it and yearn to connect with it even though I still believe itrsquos a form of ineffective escape from one unsatisfying reality to another Following football is a classic example of cognitive dissonance ndash when you simultaneously entertain two opposing thoughts that appear to cancel each other out Before the start of each season for example we all want our club to win everything or to be taken over by billionaires but know that itrsquos impossible or in the latter case controversial and even undesirable So we invent ways to cope We develop a so-called lsquosiege mentalityrsquo or other harmful patterns of behaviour to relieve the discomfort of incongruity With this in mind the past year was supposed to be an exercise in behaviour modification ndash to discover the root of the problem and treat it effectively But one year on have I really discovered anything at all
The English Premier League whether you watch it or not is still probably the most exciting football league in the world We can complain about the changes made to
sport9
5
By Denson Pierre
The Gold Room
Fantasy Football Gold ndash Champions League 2012-2013 winner Denson Pierre and his prizes
The season petered out in an all-German Champions League Final which did nothing to dispel the record that this was a season of too few new stars or regular spectacle We look forward to the next season as it ought not be too difficult to create more excitement than in the one just pastWe did have the opportunity to hand over the envelopes and trophies to the Sentinel Fantasy Football game winners This year all the major winners from the Sentinel Fantasy Football League were unable to be present for the physical prize giving but the winner of the Gold Game and focus of this column was there to receive his prize for winning the master game in styleSo we retire the Gold Room until the beginning of the new football season See you all again then
96
sport
Matt Parker receives his third place and Manager of the Month prizes for the Sentinel Fantasy Football League
Charles Conneely Sentinel Fantasy Football League 2012-2013 Champion
97sport
wwwczechtourismcom
CZECH REPUBLIC - STUNNINGLY DIFFERENT
98
classifi eds
32perspectives
33perspectives
lsquoMarvel at the beauty of the Tuschinski Theaterrsquo
34perspectives
35perspectives
lsquoRotate 360 degrees to take it all inrsquo
36perspectives
lsquoRotate 360 degrees to take it all inrsquo
37perspectives
38perspectives
39perspectives
40
perspectives
41perspectives
42featureperspectives
feature4
3perspectives
44
featureperspectives
feature4
5perspectives
lsquoTake a closer look at the statue of former Queen Wilhelmina and her horsersquo
46
perspectives
lsquoThis is also where you can find me presenting a fine selection of my
photo printsrsquo
47perspectives
perspectives4
8
perspectives4
9
For complete and world class tours of Prague
Packages includebull Hidden and playful Prague (for families with young children)bull Literary Praguebull Prague Architecture through the agesbull Religion and the citybull The old city at night
These are detailed tours designed for visitors who wish to explore with great detail and not suitable for simply sight-seeing tourists
Day segments and ratesPR 0800-1230hrs AG 1330-1630hrs UE 1730-2130hrsAll sessions are priced at u 25 per single adult Group size upper limit = 8 Accompanied children under the age of five are gratis and school aged children pay 25 Family package rates are negotiable
ContactJaroslav Cernosek+420 602 228 797Mail jcernosekcentrumcz
wwwyourtuliptourcom
JC Tours
50classifieds
51classifieds
CafeacuteBar Review Van Mechelen
cafebar review52
Van MechelenSloterkade 96-97 Amsterdam
It may be the new hype in the city as far as grand cafeacute and restaurant concepts go but Van Mechelen is already approaching excellence Considering its handy location in another pretty neighbourhood of Amsterdam South it is almost a lsquomust visitrsquo place that has created a theme built on the Burgundian enjoyment of life good food complemented with top-class beer and wine If you want a taste of what it feels like to visit a cafeacute-restaurant in Mechelen Belgium Van Mechelen is an easy way for an Amsterdammer to savour this experience and is just a short cycle ride away
ambianceBurgundian Rating 5
StaffregularsMembers of staff are clearly very well trained and this adds to the light and airy atmosphere Having opened for business just three months ago those who have fallen in love with the place and its consumables have not yet had time to clock up the number of visits and connections to be considered lsquoregularsrsquo Rating 5
televised sportNo space within the design and layout for this form of distraction Rating 3
PricesSurprisingly these are within the lsquonormalrsquo range for this level and quality of fare Outstandingly fairly priced snacks and nibbles are also offered to help you along as you take on the fine (Mechelen brewery group Alken-Maes) beers and wines When did you last enjoy a generous portion of fresh olives for a mere euro250 Rating 5
MusicAt the time of review the establishment was fairly packed out The atmosphere is conducive to chats and hilarity and although the selection of tunes could be heard far in the background the sound system may well have more kick It should as the building is of such a solid constitution that it should contain noise and not easily upset the neighbours Rating 5
Smoking area provisionFortunately for puffers the originally industrial nature of the address means that the former loading bay and entranceexit areas have become two naturally covered terrace areas separated from the luscious interior by huge glass-panelled doors Rating 5
total rating 2830(Rating from 1-5 where 1 = Very poor and 5 = Excellent)
By Denson Pierre
lsquoThe new hype in the city as far as grand cafeacute and restaurant concepts gorsquo
cafebar review53
lsquoMembers of staff are clearly very well trainedrsquo
cafebar review54
cafebar review55
lsquoOutstandingly fairly priced snacks and nibbles are also offeredrsquo
cafebar review56
cafebar review57
lsquoThe atmosphere is conducive to chats and hilarityrsquo
cafebar review58
cafebar review59
scamsterdam
lifestyles60
By Valeria Scimia
Unemployed international and looking for a job in the Netherlands Not only must you face the everyday hell that is job-seeking but now you must also beware of scam companies Yes theyrsquove arrived here too
I was recently contacted by an ostensibly legitimate company that wanted to hire me The contact took the form of what appeared to be a genuine e-mail complete with website and logo from a company in Australia that seemed absolutely legitimate (I have since contacted the company to warn them that someone overseas is using their name and logo to scam people) The e-mail explained that the company was opening an office in Holland and was looking for people who would handle the back-office orders It contained a form to be filled in and returned if I was interested in the position the form asked for all my personal information including my bank details I had been looking for a job and was interested in the offer so I filled in and sent off the form and my CV Once they received my e-mail they asked me to start a trial period without practically explaining anything of what the job was actually about I didnrsquot immediately reply so they called me the next day asking me to start immediately with the trial period promising lots of benefits once the contract was signed I hadnrsquot met anyone at this point only telephone interviews and that already didnrsquot seem right to me I asked them to send me more information by e-mail about what I was meant to do and a few moments later I received a response asking me to make a bank transfer to show them I was trustworthy The lsquotrialrsquo implied that they would send me some money and I had to transfer half via GWK or MoneyTransfer to one of their clients and keep the other half This smelled very fishy to the Italian in me In reality they could be sending a cheque to the bank which would register an income that would later bounce after I had already made the payment to their lsquoclientrsquo On top of losing money the person that tried to lsquohirersquo meyou
would have been untraceable No one was even picking up the phone at the number given in the e-mail and the company they claimed to represent wasnrsquot even active in Europe
So I said no and told them I was no longer interested They even had the gumption to call me back and ask me why I wouldnrsquot do it I gave them a silly excuse so as not to give them any more information or tips on how to improve their scummy scam I am happy I started checking their contacts as soon as their promises seemed too good to be true even if I am still angry I allowed them to data-mine all of my information when I sent them my CV and filled in their form
It beggars belief that they set up an entire facade in these times of work despair and it really doesnrsquot feel right especially because therersquos not much I can do about it now apart from inform people I didnrsquot think this would ever happen here in this country where everything has to be or always seems to be so legitimate But I guess some things never change and a place doesnrsquot make the people and certainly doesnrsquot influence the choices they make I just wanted to share my experience to alert everyone to the possible scam If a company contacts you and asks you to return a form including your bank details when you have never met anyone face-to-face it should make your antennas extend and remember to double-check their credibility Apparently it is illegal to ask such questions of someone here so donrsquot fall for it as I did As I am still waiting to hear from the company in Australia I didnrsquot feel it was proper to disclose its name publicly just yet plus I am not sure the scammers always use the same company as a fake front But what they ask you to do is more or less always the same so keep your eyes open to the little details
lsquoYou face the everyday hell that is job-seeking but now you must also beware of scam companiesrsquo
lsquoThis smelled very fishy to the Italian in mersquo
lsquoThe form asked for all my personal informationrsquo
lifestyles6
1
Je moet er geweest zijn
62classifieds
MechelenAuthentic and full of surprises Thatrsquos Mechelen Hospitable and honourable Thatrsquos the people of Mechelen Come and experience the cityrsquos urban charms for yourself Mechelen
Authentic and full of surprises Thatrsquos Mechelen Hospitable and honourable Thatrsquos the people of Mechelen Come and experience the cityrsquos urban charms for yourself
photography copy Milo Profi
classifieds63
classifieds
How to hang out in
Amsterdam
By ER Muntrem
perspectives
It is not against the rules for babies to cry in cafeacutes It happens Mostly they sleep or sit in someonersquos lap with commendable decorum Otherwise kids in cafeacutes tend to nosh a little less than their elders and handle crayons a little more And while anyone who toddles behind the bar will certainly get caught they can always claim they were encouraged to toddle there in the first place
Dutch parents and I realise this is hard to prove seem to let their kids wander a metre or two further away from them than parents from other developed countries that universal ldquowhere is sherdquo look delayed five or ten seconds If this extra distance is a sign of perceived safety cafeacute culture must help teach it
Except for chefs all cafeacute workers do more or less all the jobs required to run a cafeacute They all wait on tables
serve hot and cold drinks set up outdoor furniture load and retrieve supplies take the garbage out wash glasses light candles arrange flowers unfurl the awning and ring up the bill When the young guy or girl greets you you may know they are not the owner but for the moment they are the face of the establishment It may as well be their place
Admittedly I am seduced by places where waiters donrsquot work for tips where the rushed pace of eating in a restaurant in America does not exist In a cafeacute you can do what you want for as long as you want and get food and drink while you do it Pretty cool and as much a baseline for how to hang out in Amsterdam as cycling is for how to get around
Places to eat and drink owned by corporations have to package experience to deliver it Whatrsquos our brand How can our managers and servers be most efficient How ultimately can we be number one Not something most cafeacutes seem to be worried about and where the universal signs for lsquowe are having a good time togetherrsquo
lsquoCafeacute culture must help teachrsquo lsquoI am seduced by places where waiters donrsquot work for tipsrsquo
64
perspectives
or lsquoI am happy here by myselfrsquo (clinked glasses or absorption in a newspaper say) are routinely in evidence This is one true grace of democracy the average worth smiling about
At cafeacutes co-workers have a beer before or after their shift friends drop by or a regular pops in with some news The stream of customers they donrsquot have to woo and donrsquot have to lsquoworkrsquo gives the whole thing a slightly familial living room perfectly public feel that makes the work far less of a personality crimp than working at Starbucks Or so it seems I do not mean to pretend carrying drinks across the street to the canal side seating or giving obvious directions yet again is always glorious but most people who work in cafeacutersquos laugh and smile a fair bit almost as much as the patrons
And when the owner of a cafeacute is of a generation older than those working there as is usually the case it lends a wise uncle or mother hen feel to the proceedings In the daytime no one is ever too caught up in his or her designated title to ignore a baby on the move And at
night the crowd of drinkers may as well be at a party hosted by their parents or kids or both
Itrsquos not all about money cafeacute culture churns towards the civilised without grinding anyone too far down As well as pleasure there is power in this The best distillation I know of what democracy should be came from a young woman working at Cafeacute Captein With our meal in front of us my friend noticed he was missing his salad Flagged down the young woman went to investigate ldquoItrsquos on its wayrdquo she said ldquoI told my boss to do itrdquo
Imagine we told Putin to do it We told Obama to do it We told the bankers to do it
lsquoMost people who work in cafeacutersquos laugh and smile a fair bitrsquo
lsquoCafeacute culture churns towards the civilised without grinding anyone too far downrsquo
65
66
featurecity gem
lsquoThe last of the large independent music stores left standing in Amsterdamrsquo
CITY GEM
67
Concerto
By Denson Pierre
ConcertoUtrechtsestraat 60 1017 VP Amsterdam
it is a rush when on a full stomach you can make an instant decision on where your next city-centre lunch will be taken it is almost ecstasy when the venue is situated in a music shop which for decades has been defined by its exceptional range and quality of music available in amsterdam Concerto is the last of the large independent music stores left standing in amsterdam all the others have long since been killed off by everything from the advance in recording and playback technologies to habitual illegal downloaders only now realising that their behaviour has an impact right back down to street level despite what they might think about the giant studios and recording companies
Concerto has not stuck but has twisted Since September it has incorporated a cute cafeacute
and lunch area within its premises as well as introducing a bookshop and lounge area making it possible to spend an almost nostalgic time there over several hours It still has a vast range of the very best music in vinyl (both new and second-hand) and CD form DVDs DJ equipment and even gear used for live musical performances Itrsquos a gold mine
If it has taken this clever adaptation in space utilisation to keep this institution viable and available to Amsterdam-based music lovers then I personally wish to support this venture and help mean this type of music retailer to remain part of the city scene For people of a certain age there is something infinitely more appealing about physically handling recorded material appreciating the artwork in its packaging having a listen and then deciding if it is a purchase you would like to make Even though non-digital stockpiling has become rather passeacute I challenge you to visit Concerto and its new cafeacute and bookshop concept and not end up spending more time in this true city gem than you had anticipated
lsquoIt has incorporated a cute cafeacute and lunch area within its premises as well as introducing a bookshop and lounge arearsquo
city gem
68
city gem
69city gem
city gem70
city gem71
72city gem
lsquoThere is something infinitely more appealing about physically
handling recorded material appreciating the artwork in its
packagingrsquo
73city gem
74classifi eds
75classifi eds
classifi edsclassifi eds76
amsterdam city life
BrinG BaCK
Something that seems to have been watered down considerably in Amsterdamrsquos hospitality industry in recent years is independence of thought styling and designAll you have to do is walk around the city to note that way too many coffeesoup houses and cafeacutes are more or less identikit This also applies to many cafeacutes with unimaginative business leaders who open unoriginal looking spaces and hope that the use of white paint purple or blue lights and house music is all it takes
Luckily there is something brewing to save our days and nights I have come across cafeacute owners who are now seriously considering ending the arrangements they have with the giant drink suppliers There are actually no good arguments left for continuing with these huge multinationals as they are frankly more expensive at wholesale for the same A-class products than the supermarkets on every Amsterdammerrsquos street corner
It looks like space is being created for the smaller brewers to take up the supply of A-class beer to smaller establishments throughout the city The giants can keep their character-free tourist traps and those bars still able to benefit purely from their unbeatable locations throughout the city
The Sentinel says bring back better and more original businesses of scale within the local hospitality industry which will help more cafeacutes and bars not only to become distinguishable by the interior designs they will need to conjure but also through the variety of local and regional beers that could become part of their coherent identity The overriding benefit of such courageous thinking and action would be an immediate return to realistic and reasonable pricing for A-class beer in Amsterdam which remains the staple of the easy consumables as this recession drones on
By Denson Pierre
INDEPENDENT CAFeacuteSBARS
77
78star beer guide
Star Beer
The SentinelStar beer guide
lsquoDifferent beers can seem to weigh on the conscience as much as on the taste budsrsquo
Just like the changing of the seasons different beers can seem to weigh on the conscience as much as on the taste buds Ciney blond is a lovely almost effeminate tasting beer All light smooth fruitiness bolstered by substantial alcohol content
As the temperature increases it can even feel like a thirst quencher A nice session beer and one that could function as an entrance-level quality beer in terms of its complexity For advanced samplers it is a great lower platform to descend to after cruising the space occupied by the 8-plus percentage alcoholic beauties
Ciney blond is brewed by Alken-Maes Mechelen Belgium
By Denson Pierre
CINEY BLOND (7 ABV)
79star beer guide
We find the best most fun most typical exciting or local favourite restaurants etcetera in Amsterdam and bring them to you an easy way to feel like a local
Cafe Kostverloren 040606
Recommended
80recommended
EUROGIFTSXenonweg 9 3812 SZ Amersfoort
Tel 033 - 454 35 75 - Fax 033 - 454 35 79E-mail lmproefeurogiftsnl
Website wwweurogiftsnl
FILMPROEF
ORDERNUMMER 6021022ARTIKELNUMMER 65123
Ware grootte (indien uitgeprint)Kleur opdruk Wit
Mulligans Irish Music BarAmsterdamrsquos best address for live Irish music Five (5) nights a week Check our agenda for upcoming sessions Amstel 100 1017 AC Amsterdamwwwmulligansnl
Cafeacute KostverlorenCafeacute Kostverloren is a contemporary cafe offering the cosiness of a saloon an open kitchen and the intimacy of a living room The large terras is great for sunny days2e Kostverlorenkade 70 Amsterdamwwwcafekostverlorennl
ZestZest is fi ne food warm atmosphere and classy drinks with regular semi-acoustic (live) music and DJs (Thursday to Sunday) Amsterdamrsquos newest and freshestBilderdijkstraat 188 Amsterdamwwwfacebookcomclubzestnl
GollemGollemrsquos Proefl okaal Gollem and Gollem II represent the best addresses serving the fullest range of top Belgian Dutch and international beers in AmsterdamOvertoom 160-161wwwcafegollemnl
IncantoA restaurant with a classic Italian kitchen Venetian chef Simone Ambrosin is known for his pure and simple style of cooking with great feeling for nuanceAmstel 2 Amsterdamwwwrestaurant-incantonl
Planet RoseThe fi rst Caribbean restaurant in the Netherlands specialised in Jamaican cuisine The menu features a daily changing selectionNicolaas Beetsstraat 47 Amsterdamwwwplanetroseinfo
Cafe restaurant EdelCafe restaurant Edel is the perfect place for lunch dinner or to simply enjoy a drink Edel is a unique place in AmsterdamPostjesweg 1 1057 DT Amsterdamwwwedelamsterdamnl
Cafeacute OportoCafeacute Oporto is a traditional Amsterdam lsquobrown cafersquo Welcoming tourists and regular customers alike they offer televised sports wifi and a wide range of reasonably priced beers and spiritsZoutsteeg 1 1012 LX Amsterdamwwwcafeoportonet
BaxA cosy and friendly local cafeacute with a focus on special or interesting beers and good quality food Open 7 days a week with a professional kitchen offering a lunch and dinner serviceTen Katestraat 119 Amsterdamwwwcafebaxnl
To be seen and tasted Fun Drinking amp Music
To Be Seen and Tasted
Fun Drinking amp Music
Fun Drinking amp Music
Connoisseurs Delight
Connoisseurs Delight
Connoisseurs Delight
To Be Seen and Tasted
Neighbourhood cosy
Fun drinking and music
ParckGreat fun beautiful people and simply the best bar food in townOvertoom 428 Amsterdamwwwcafeparcknl
To be seen and tasted
Cafe de Toog1890rsquos grandeur fashioned into Amsterdam-West grand brown cafe-restaurant-cool Classy drinks and mealsNicolaas Beetsstraat 142 hs Amsterdam wwwcafedetoogcom
Opera Prima - Patisserie Bistro TraiteurThe best place in town for lunch exquisite high teas or brunches and all of your luxury catering both private and corporateKinkerstraat 228 Amsterdamwwwoperaprimanl
Recommended
81
Where is this inAmsterdamAnswer to sentinelpostgmailcom
82spotted
Room 2cfilm
ldquoCome on in boys the waterrsquos finerdquo This is arguably the best all-round and funny musical to come out of Hollywood in a generation and certainly one of the best three soundtracks of the same period George Clooney will never be as good or charming as he is here playing the accidental leader of a trio of chain gang escapees in the US south of the 1930s Spirituality meets the Ku Klux Klan all coloured by Virginia bluegrass
ldquoCall me Snakerdquo The coolest handle for a leading man (Kurt Russell) in any movie to date Here he is sent in on a heroic lsquoat all costrsquo one-man mission to rescue the president of the United States from the prison island Manhattan has become in a lsquofuturersquo representation of 1997 Air Force One has crashed there and the countdown is on Classic 1980s turn of the millennium dystopian vision with style pace and gadgetry
By dpmotions
By dpmotions
o Brother Where Art Thou (2000)
escape from new York (1981)
room2c83
84trends
lsquoTrends are great to join and surf like a once in a lifetime tsunamirsquo
By Dirkje Bakker-Pierre
Each and every micro-world has its own specific trends Take the fashion world for example where one day you have to wear high heels and round noses and the next itrsquos flat hairy elephant feet-like boots that must hug your feet Or take the automotive world where once upon a time you could never have enough chrome on your car or the food world where we have quietly moved from fast to green and wholesome or the TV world which used to be about fiction and is now more real than reality Some of these trends are great to join and surf like a once in a lifetime tsunami others can slip by unnoticed and others still keep bugging and bugging you even if you try to avoid them like the plague
The online world and specifically the social media universe eats through trends like a fat chick after a hunger strike Facebook in particular seems to move seamlessly from one hype to the next one day itrsquos pictures with fuzzy edges or a bit of a 1970s filter the next itrsquos a profile picture with you very consciously not looking into the camera (very spontaneously and naturally non-posing you might say) These are mostly harmless things if Irsquom honest and when everyone
stops liking them they fade away as quickly as the sun in our small wet country There is one trend however that has festered within Facebook from the very beginning and which seems to be gradually growing and growing without anyone ever liking the postshellip and I mean EVER
Yes I am talking about daily quotes words of wisdom holy quotes mesmerizingly philosophical quotes cheesy quotes religious quoteshellip How can I describe all of them in one easy sentence pieces of text from (famous) people (it can never be something you thought of yourself) that lsquodisclosersquo previously secret information about being happy in life (or at least previously secret to the person doing the posting I presume) In short texts that belong on tiles hanging on the wall in old Dutch peoplersquos toilets
Why
Here are a few I found in my news feed this week
ldquoA mind is like a parachute It doesnrsquot work if it is not openrdquo ndash Frank Zappa
ldquoIt is not because things are difficult that we do not dare it is because we do not dare that things are difficultrdquo ndash Seneca
ldquoIf you donrsquot take what you are doing seriously then nobody else willrdquo ndash Darryl Dlt Thomson
Bad trends would be good if they werenrsquot so bad
85trends
86classifi eds
87classifieds
One of my personal favourite gemstones is moonstone Itlsquos been around for centuries and is used in many cultures As suggested by its name the stone is highly associated with the moon and moon goddess Diana It brings calm peace and love and is said to become more powerful when the moon is full so thatlsquos the best time to wear it One proverb even claims that moonstone can bring you love that will fly you to the moon Spiritually this amazing stone is said to enhance intuition and is always associated with the self It is a very powerful personal stone which doesnlsquot add or remove any aspects of the personality but merely reflects the person wearing it It is said to be very
MoonstoneBy Evelina Kvartunaite
ndash
lsquoThe stone is highly associated with the moon and moon goddess Dianarsquo
ndash
helpful for people who are very sensitive and it is also used in meditation for reflecting oneself Itlsquos always best to charge your gem when the moon is shining at night either while wearing it or by leaving it on a windowsill that receives moonlight Moonstone is also used in healing and is known for balancing the internal organ systems enabling them to work in stable cycles Itlsquos usually more associated with women but is also known to help men embrace their more emotional side soft creative energies and optimism Perhaps understandably moonstone should have limited exposure to strong direct sunlight
ndash
lsquoIt is said to be very helpful for people who are very sensitiversquo
ndash
88
health amp well-being
ndash
lsquoMore associated with women but is also known to help men embrace their more emotional sidersquo
ndash
89health amp well-being
In his article Batin shows how learning how to use complex products is like learning a computer game Just like the challenges in video games match the skills of the user so should TV interactions or any UI interactions for that matter For reference Batin used the four levels described in the Dreyfus model of skill acquisition
Level 1 novicebullRigid adherence to taught rules or plansbullNo exercise of lsquodiscretionary judgmentrsquo
Level 2 Advanced beginnerbullLimited lsquosituational perceptionrsquobullAll aspects of work treated separately with equal importance
Philip Batin wrote an article a couple of months ago about the next big idea in User Interaction gadgets that adapt to your skills As gadgets become more complicated UIs must be able to teach their users over time Apparently more and more interactive products are being returned In 2002 48 of all returned products were technically fully functional but were rejected for failing to satisfy user needs 20 purely due to customer remorse Even though a product may have all the features one can hope for complexity and bad user experience can prevent users from integrating it into their lives
UserInterfaceThe next big thing in UX
lsquoUIs must be able to teach their users over timersquo
By Andrei Barburas
lsquoComplexity and bad user experience can prevent users from
integrating it into their livesrsquo
90
technology
book the majority of which you probably skipped through
Personally I believe that there are certain end users most likely the majority that use only a limited set of features from any device they buy Mobile phones have become indispensable tools in our daily activities yet the average Joe has no idea about the full potential of a smart phone The same applies to Smart TVs they can do lots of things yet the only thing that we do with them is flip channels and complain how bad the shows are
The bottom line is that itrsquos definitely something worth thinking about not only from an operating system perspective but also from the perspective of applications developers
Level 3 competentbulllsquoCoping with crowdednessrsquo (multiple activities accumulation of information)bullSome perception of actions in relation to goalsbullDeliberate planningbullFormulates routines
Level 4 ProficientbullHolistic view of situationbullPrioritizes importance of aspectsbulllsquoPerceives deviations from the normal patternrsquobullEmploys maxim for guidance with meanings that adapt to the situation at hand
Now just imagine a User Interface that adapts based on what you can do and the abilities you have As you learn new things new levels of complexity are unlocked opening the door to fully knowing your device because you learned by doing and not by reading a complicated
lsquoThe average Joe has no idea about the full potential of a
smart phonersquo
91technology
92classifi eds
93classifi eds
Not knowing what was happening in football was extremely annoying to put it mildly and it wasnrsquot just my own self-denial and avoidance of all things football that was a hindrance the extent to which I had to ask others to go in order to remain ignorant was much more excruciating than Irsquod ever imagined There may even be some damage done to football-related friendships that is irreparable I now feel as though Irsquom walking through an empty stadium after everyone else has gone home
So what now and where to next The season is well and truly over and Irsquom free to do whatever I want I could read the back-dated sports pages check all the stats and find out all the facts if I wanted to I could spend hours catching up on last season and speculating on the next with the friends Irsquove still got left down the pub if I wanted to I can follow all the transfer gossip watch pre-season friendlies and build up all my hopes But as with most addictions that would simply be falling back into a previous state of dependence and everything Irsquove just put myself through wouldrsquove been for nothing So how do I go back to an old habit without a total relapse or would it be better to keep abstaining
All my questions seem to be met with other questions and no solutions On the other hand if you ask me what
Someone once said that insanity is when you keep repeating the same behaviour and expect a different outcome most likely a psychologist aimed at his or her ailing patients But for me these words are more reminiscent of my own conduct over the course of a regular football season Week in week out season after season I would expect Tottenham to win something and more often than not Irsquod be left disappointed So I decided to stop No more football ndash at least not for one full season
The season 201213 is now over and during the whole nine months I didnrsquot watch a single moment of football or read a single article on the subject That was my challenge and I was committed to it What is more despite all the warning signs I didnrsquot relapse After a year of structured punishment I didnrsquot have a clue about what was going on in the English Premier League (or any other league) Only having picked up bits and pieces of information that somehow slipped through the net the past season was like a book with most of its pages missing
By Simon Joseph
On The Volley
The Return of the Repressed or the Point of No Return
lsquoInsanity is when you keep repeating the same behaviour and expect a different outcomersquo
sport
lsquoThe past season was like a book with most of its pages missingrsquo
94
lsquoThere may even be some damage done to football-related friendshipsrsquo
lsquoHas abstaining for a season changed mersquo
it until the cows come home but it was us who made those changes or at least allowed them to happen and those changes will continue to happen with or without me Perhaps then the questions I should be asking are has abstaining for a season changed me Am I still obsessed or have I broken the habit of a lifetime Is following football really that terrible or even a real addiction
One thing is certain this lack of resolution is not completely without satisfaction because like all forms of fixation or obsession therersquos comfort and familiarity to be found in repetition as Tottenham miss out on Championrsquos League football by a single point again The repressed will always return to haunt us or so it seems and before we know it the start of next season will be upon us There will be more pain no doubt and more joy This time however it will take more than a boot camp approach to keep me away and who knows Tottenham might even win the league Come on you Spurs
Tottenham Hotspur means I would still tell you that itrsquos not just a pretty football package itrsquos about kith and kin not just where I came from but how I relate to others around me in the here and now Whatrsquos more millions of people are attracted to football they hunger for it and yearn to connect with it even though I still believe itrsquos a form of ineffective escape from one unsatisfying reality to another Following football is a classic example of cognitive dissonance ndash when you simultaneously entertain two opposing thoughts that appear to cancel each other out Before the start of each season for example we all want our club to win everything or to be taken over by billionaires but know that itrsquos impossible or in the latter case controversial and even undesirable So we invent ways to cope We develop a so-called lsquosiege mentalityrsquo or other harmful patterns of behaviour to relieve the discomfort of incongruity With this in mind the past year was supposed to be an exercise in behaviour modification ndash to discover the root of the problem and treat it effectively But one year on have I really discovered anything at all
The English Premier League whether you watch it or not is still probably the most exciting football league in the world We can complain about the changes made to
sport9
5
By Denson Pierre
The Gold Room
Fantasy Football Gold ndash Champions League 2012-2013 winner Denson Pierre and his prizes
The season petered out in an all-German Champions League Final which did nothing to dispel the record that this was a season of too few new stars or regular spectacle We look forward to the next season as it ought not be too difficult to create more excitement than in the one just pastWe did have the opportunity to hand over the envelopes and trophies to the Sentinel Fantasy Football game winners This year all the major winners from the Sentinel Fantasy Football League were unable to be present for the physical prize giving but the winner of the Gold Game and focus of this column was there to receive his prize for winning the master game in styleSo we retire the Gold Room until the beginning of the new football season See you all again then
96
sport
Matt Parker receives his third place and Manager of the Month prizes for the Sentinel Fantasy Football League
Charles Conneely Sentinel Fantasy Football League 2012-2013 Champion
97sport
wwwczechtourismcom
CZECH REPUBLIC - STUNNINGLY DIFFERENT
98
classifi eds
33perspectives
lsquoMarvel at the beauty of the Tuschinski Theaterrsquo
34perspectives
35perspectives
lsquoRotate 360 degrees to take it all inrsquo
36perspectives
lsquoRotate 360 degrees to take it all inrsquo
37perspectives
38perspectives
39perspectives
40
perspectives
41perspectives
42featureperspectives
feature4
3perspectives
44
featureperspectives
feature4
5perspectives
lsquoTake a closer look at the statue of former Queen Wilhelmina and her horsersquo
46
perspectives
lsquoThis is also where you can find me presenting a fine selection of my
photo printsrsquo
47perspectives
perspectives4
8
perspectives4
9
For complete and world class tours of Prague
Packages includebull Hidden and playful Prague (for families with young children)bull Literary Praguebull Prague Architecture through the agesbull Religion and the citybull The old city at night
These are detailed tours designed for visitors who wish to explore with great detail and not suitable for simply sight-seeing tourists
Day segments and ratesPR 0800-1230hrs AG 1330-1630hrs UE 1730-2130hrsAll sessions are priced at u 25 per single adult Group size upper limit = 8 Accompanied children under the age of five are gratis and school aged children pay 25 Family package rates are negotiable
ContactJaroslav Cernosek+420 602 228 797Mail jcernosekcentrumcz
wwwyourtuliptourcom
JC Tours
50classifieds
51classifieds
CafeacuteBar Review Van Mechelen
cafebar review52
Van MechelenSloterkade 96-97 Amsterdam
It may be the new hype in the city as far as grand cafeacute and restaurant concepts go but Van Mechelen is already approaching excellence Considering its handy location in another pretty neighbourhood of Amsterdam South it is almost a lsquomust visitrsquo place that has created a theme built on the Burgundian enjoyment of life good food complemented with top-class beer and wine If you want a taste of what it feels like to visit a cafeacute-restaurant in Mechelen Belgium Van Mechelen is an easy way for an Amsterdammer to savour this experience and is just a short cycle ride away
ambianceBurgundian Rating 5
StaffregularsMembers of staff are clearly very well trained and this adds to the light and airy atmosphere Having opened for business just three months ago those who have fallen in love with the place and its consumables have not yet had time to clock up the number of visits and connections to be considered lsquoregularsrsquo Rating 5
televised sportNo space within the design and layout for this form of distraction Rating 3
PricesSurprisingly these are within the lsquonormalrsquo range for this level and quality of fare Outstandingly fairly priced snacks and nibbles are also offered to help you along as you take on the fine (Mechelen brewery group Alken-Maes) beers and wines When did you last enjoy a generous portion of fresh olives for a mere euro250 Rating 5
MusicAt the time of review the establishment was fairly packed out The atmosphere is conducive to chats and hilarity and although the selection of tunes could be heard far in the background the sound system may well have more kick It should as the building is of such a solid constitution that it should contain noise and not easily upset the neighbours Rating 5
Smoking area provisionFortunately for puffers the originally industrial nature of the address means that the former loading bay and entranceexit areas have become two naturally covered terrace areas separated from the luscious interior by huge glass-panelled doors Rating 5
total rating 2830(Rating from 1-5 where 1 = Very poor and 5 = Excellent)
By Denson Pierre
lsquoThe new hype in the city as far as grand cafeacute and restaurant concepts gorsquo
cafebar review53
lsquoMembers of staff are clearly very well trainedrsquo
cafebar review54
cafebar review55
lsquoOutstandingly fairly priced snacks and nibbles are also offeredrsquo
cafebar review56
cafebar review57
lsquoThe atmosphere is conducive to chats and hilarityrsquo
cafebar review58
cafebar review59
scamsterdam
lifestyles60
By Valeria Scimia
Unemployed international and looking for a job in the Netherlands Not only must you face the everyday hell that is job-seeking but now you must also beware of scam companies Yes theyrsquove arrived here too
I was recently contacted by an ostensibly legitimate company that wanted to hire me The contact took the form of what appeared to be a genuine e-mail complete with website and logo from a company in Australia that seemed absolutely legitimate (I have since contacted the company to warn them that someone overseas is using their name and logo to scam people) The e-mail explained that the company was opening an office in Holland and was looking for people who would handle the back-office orders It contained a form to be filled in and returned if I was interested in the position the form asked for all my personal information including my bank details I had been looking for a job and was interested in the offer so I filled in and sent off the form and my CV Once they received my e-mail they asked me to start a trial period without practically explaining anything of what the job was actually about I didnrsquot immediately reply so they called me the next day asking me to start immediately with the trial period promising lots of benefits once the contract was signed I hadnrsquot met anyone at this point only telephone interviews and that already didnrsquot seem right to me I asked them to send me more information by e-mail about what I was meant to do and a few moments later I received a response asking me to make a bank transfer to show them I was trustworthy The lsquotrialrsquo implied that they would send me some money and I had to transfer half via GWK or MoneyTransfer to one of their clients and keep the other half This smelled very fishy to the Italian in me In reality they could be sending a cheque to the bank which would register an income that would later bounce after I had already made the payment to their lsquoclientrsquo On top of losing money the person that tried to lsquohirersquo meyou
would have been untraceable No one was even picking up the phone at the number given in the e-mail and the company they claimed to represent wasnrsquot even active in Europe
So I said no and told them I was no longer interested They even had the gumption to call me back and ask me why I wouldnrsquot do it I gave them a silly excuse so as not to give them any more information or tips on how to improve their scummy scam I am happy I started checking their contacts as soon as their promises seemed too good to be true even if I am still angry I allowed them to data-mine all of my information when I sent them my CV and filled in their form
It beggars belief that they set up an entire facade in these times of work despair and it really doesnrsquot feel right especially because therersquos not much I can do about it now apart from inform people I didnrsquot think this would ever happen here in this country where everything has to be or always seems to be so legitimate But I guess some things never change and a place doesnrsquot make the people and certainly doesnrsquot influence the choices they make I just wanted to share my experience to alert everyone to the possible scam If a company contacts you and asks you to return a form including your bank details when you have never met anyone face-to-face it should make your antennas extend and remember to double-check their credibility Apparently it is illegal to ask such questions of someone here so donrsquot fall for it as I did As I am still waiting to hear from the company in Australia I didnrsquot feel it was proper to disclose its name publicly just yet plus I am not sure the scammers always use the same company as a fake front But what they ask you to do is more or less always the same so keep your eyes open to the little details
lsquoYou face the everyday hell that is job-seeking but now you must also beware of scam companiesrsquo
lsquoThis smelled very fishy to the Italian in mersquo
lsquoThe form asked for all my personal informationrsquo
lifestyles6
1
Je moet er geweest zijn
62classifieds
MechelenAuthentic and full of surprises Thatrsquos Mechelen Hospitable and honourable Thatrsquos the people of Mechelen Come and experience the cityrsquos urban charms for yourself Mechelen
Authentic and full of surprises Thatrsquos Mechelen Hospitable and honourable Thatrsquos the people of Mechelen Come and experience the cityrsquos urban charms for yourself
photography copy Milo Profi
classifieds63
classifieds
How to hang out in
Amsterdam
By ER Muntrem
perspectives
It is not against the rules for babies to cry in cafeacutes It happens Mostly they sleep or sit in someonersquos lap with commendable decorum Otherwise kids in cafeacutes tend to nosh a little less than their elders and handle crayons a little more And while anyone who toddles behind the bar will certainly get caught they can always claim they were encouraged to toddle there in the first place
Dutch parents and I realise this is hard to prove seem to let their kids wander a metre or two further away from them than parents from other developed countries that universal ldquowhere is sherdquo look delayed five or ten seconds If this extra distance is a sign of perceived safety cafeacute culture must help teach it
Except for chefs all cafeacute workers do more or less all the jobs required to run a cafeacute They all wait on tables
serve hot and cold drinks set up outdoor furniture load and retrieve supplies take the garbage out wash glasses light candles arrange flowers unfurl the awning and ring up the bill When the young guy or girl greets you you may know they are not the owner but for the moment they are the face of the establishment It may as well be their place
Admittedly I am seduced by places where waiters donrsquot work for tips where the rushed pace of eating in a restaurant in America does not exist In a cafeacute you can do what you want for as long as you want and get food and drink while you do it Pretty cool and as much a baseline for how to hang out in Amsterdam as cycling is for how to get around
Places to eat and drink owned by corporations have to package experience to deliver it Whatrsquos our brand How can our managers and servers be most efficient How ultimately can we be number one Not something most cafeacutes seem to be worried about and where the universal signs for lsquowe are having a good time togetherrsquo
lsquoCafeacute culture must help teachrsquo lsquoI am seduced by places where waiters donrsquot work for tipsrsquo
64
perspectives
or lsquoI am happy here by myselfrsquo (clinked glasses or absorption in a newspaper say) are routinely in evidence This is one true grace of democracy the average worth smiling about
At cafeacutes co-workers have a beer before or after their shift friends drop by or a regular pops in with some news The stream of customers they donrsquot have to woo and donrsquot have to lsquoworkrsquo gives the whole thing a slightly familial living room perfectly public feel that makes the work far less of a personality crimp than working at Starbucks Or so it seems I do not mean to pretend carrying drinks across the street to the canal side seating or giving obvious directions yet again is always glorious but most people who work in cafeacutersquos laugh and smile a fair bit almost as much as the patrons
And when the owner of a cafeacute is of a generation older than those working there as is usually the case it lends a wise uncle or mother hen feel to the proceedings In the daytime no one is ever too caught up in his or her designated title to ignore a baby on the move And at
night the crowd of drinkers may as well be at a party hosted by their parents or kids or both
Itrsquos not all about money cafeacute culture churns towards the civilised without grinding anyone too far down As well as pleasure there is power in this The best distillation I know of what democracy should be came from a young woman working at Cafeacute Captein With our meal in front of us my friend noticed he was missing his salad Flagged down the young woman went to investigate ldquoItrsquos on its wayrdquo she said ldquoI told my boss to do itrdquo
Imagine we told Putin to do it We told Obama to do it We told the bankers to do it
lsquoMost people who work in cafeacutersquos laugh and smile a fair bitrsquo
lsquoCafeacute culture churns towards the civilised without grinding anyone too far downrsquo
65
66
featurecity gem
lsquoThe last of the large independent music stores left standing in Amsterdamrsquo
CITY GEM
67
Concerto
By Denson Pierre
ConcertoUtrechtsestraat 60 1017 VP Amsterdam
it is a rush when on a full stomach you can make an instant decision on where your next city-centre lunch will be taken it is almost ecstasy when the venue is situated in a music shop which for decades has been defined by its exceptional range and quality of music available in amsterdam Concerto is the last of the large independent music stores left standing in amsterdam all the others have long since been killed off by everything from the advance in recording and playback technologies to habitual illegal downloaders only now realising that their behaviour has an impact right back down to street level despite what they might think about the giant studios and recording companies
Concerto has not stuck but has twisted Since September it has incorporated a cute cafeacute
and lunch area within its premises as well as introducing a bookshop and lounge area making it possible to spend an almost nostalgic time there over several hours It still has a vast range of the very best music in vinyl (both new and second-hand) and CD form DVDs DJ equipment and even gear used for live musical performances Itrsquos a gold mine
If it has taken this clever adaptation in space utilisation to keep this institution viable and available to Amsterdam-based music lovers then I personally wish to support this venture and help mean this type of music retailer to remain part of the city scene For people of a certain age there is something infinitely more appealing about physically handling recorded material appreciating the artwork in its packaging having a listen and then deciding if it is a purchase you would like to make Even though non-digital stockpiling has become rather passeacute I challenge you to visit Concerto and its new cafeacute and bookshop concept and not end up spending more time in this true city gem than you had anticipated
lsquoIt has incorporated a cute cafeacute and lunch area within its premises as well as introducing a bookshop and lounge arearsquo
city gem
68
city gem
69city gem
city gem70
city gem71
72city gem
lsquoThere is something infinitely more appealing about physically
handling recorded material appreciating the artwork in its
packagingrsquo
73city gem
74classifi eds
75classifi eds
classifi edsclassifi eds76
amsterdam city life
BrinG BaCK
Something that seems to have been watered down considerably in Amsterdamrsquos hospitality industry in recent years is independence of thought styling and designAll you have to do is walk around the city to note that way too many coffeesoup houses and cafeacutes are more or less identikit This also applies to many cafeacutes with unimaginative business leaders who open unoriginal looking spaces and hope that the use of white paint purple or blue lights and house music is all it takes
Luckily there is something brewing to save our days and nights I have come across cafeacute owners who are now seriously considering ending the arrangements they have with the giant drink suppliers There are actually no good arguments left for continuing with these huge multinationals as they are frankly more expensive at wholesale for the same A-class products than the supermarkets on every Amsterdammerrsquos street corner
It looks like space is being created for the smaller brewers to take up the supply of A-class beer to smaller establishments throughout the city The giants can keep their character-free tourist traps and those bars still able to benefit purely from their unbeatable locations throughout the city
The Sentinel says bring back better and more original businesses of scale within the local hospitality industry which will help more cafeacutes and bars not only to become distinguishable by the interior designs they will need to conjure but also through the variety of local and regional beers that could become part of their coherent identity The overriding benefit of such courageous thinking and action would be an immediate return to realistic and reasonable pricing for A-class beer in Amsterdam which remains the staple of the easy consumables as this recession drones on
By Denson Pierre
INDEPENDENT CAFeacuteSBARS
77
78star beer guide
Star Beer
The SentinelStar beer guide
lsquoDifferent beers can seem to weigh on the conscience as much as on the taste budsrsquo
Just like the changing of the seasons different beers can seem to weigh on the conscience as much as on the taste buds Ciney blond is a lovely almost effeminate tasting beer All light smooth fruitiness bolstered by substantial alcohol content
As the temperature increases it can even feel like a thirst quencher A nice session beer and one that could function as an entrance-level quality beer in terms of its complexity For advanced samplers it is a great lower platform to descend to after cruising the space occupied by the 8-plus percentage alcoholic beauties
Ciney blond is brewed by Alken-Maes Mechelen Belgium
By Denson Pierre
CINEY BLOND (7 ABV)
79star beer guide
We find the best most fun most typical exciting or local favourite restaurants etcetera in Amsterdam and bring them to you an easy way to feel like a local
Cafe Kostverloren 040606
Recommended
80recommended
EUROGIFTSXenonweg 9 3812 SZ Amersfoort
Tel 033 - 454 35 75 - Fax 033 - 454 35 79E-mail lmproefeurogiftsnl
Website wwweurogiftsnl
FILMPROEF
ORDERNUMMER 6021022ARTIKELNUMMER 65123
Ware grootte (indien uitgeprint)Kleur opdruk Wit
Mulligans Irish Music BarAmsterdamrsquos best address for live Irish music Five (5) nights a week Check our agenda for upcoming sessions Amstel 100 1017 AC Amsterdamwwwmulligansnl
Cafeacute KostverlorenCafeacute Kostverloren is a contemporary cafe offering the cosiness of a saloon an open kitchen and the intimacy of a living room The large terras is great for sunny days2e Kostverlorenkade 70 Amsterdamwwwcafekostverlorennl
ZestZest is fi ne food warm atmosphere and classy drinks with regular semi-acoustic (live) music and DJs (Thursday to Sunday) Amsterdamrsquos newest and freshestBilderdijkstraat 188 Amsterdamwwwfacebookcomclubzestnl
GollemGollemrsquos Proefl okaal Gollem and Gollem II represent the best addresses serving the fullest range of top Belgian Dutch and international beers in AmsterdamOvertoom 160-161wwwcafegollemnl
IncantoA restaurant with a classic Italian kitchen Venetian chef Simone Ambrosin is known for his pure and simple style of cooking with great feeling for nuanceAmstel 2 Amsterdamwwwrestaurant-incantonl
Planet RoseThe fi rst Caribbean restaurant in the Netherlands specialised in Jamaican cuisine The menu features a daily changing selectionNicolaas Beetsstraat 47 Amsterdamwwwplanetroseinfo
Cafe restaurant EdelCafe restaurant Edel is the perfect place for lunch dinner or to simply enjoy a drink Edel is a unique place in AmsterdamPostjesweg 1 1057 DT Amsterdamwwwedelamsterdamnl
Cafeacute OportoCafeacute Oporto is a traditional Amsterdam lsquobrown cafersquo Welcoming tourists and regular customers alike they offer televised sports wifi and a wide range of reasonably priced beers and spiritsZoutsteeg 1 1012 LX Amsterdamwwwcafeoportonet
BaxA cosy and friendly local cafeacute with a focus on special or interesting beers and good quality food Open 7 days a week with a professional kitchen offering a lunch and dinner serviceTen Katestraat 119 Amsterdamwwwcafebaxnl
To be seen and tasted Fun Drinking amp Music
To Be Seen and Tasted
Fun Drinking amp Music
Fun Drinking amp Music
Connoisseurs Delight
Connoisseurs Delight
Connoisseurs Delight
To Be Seen and Tasted
Neighbourhood cosy
Fun drinking and music
ParckGreat fun beautiful people and simply the best bar food in townOvertoom 428 Amsterdamwwwcafeparcknl
To be seen and tasted
Cafe de Toog1890rsquos grandeur fashioned into Amsterdam-West grand brown cafe-restaurant-cool Classy drinks and mealsNicolaas Beetsstraat 142 hs Amsterdam wwwcafedetoogcom
Opera Prima - Patisserie Bistro TraiteurThe best place in town for lunch exquisite high teas or brunches and all of your luxury catering both private and corporateKinkerstraat 228 Amsterdamwwwoperaprimanl
Recommended
81
Where is this inAmsterdamAnswer to sentinelpostgmailcom
82spotted
Room 2cfilm
ldquoCome on in boys the waterrsquos finerdquo This is arguably the best all-round and funny musical to come out of Hollywood in a generation and certainly one of the best three soundtracks of the same period George Clooney will never be as good or charming as he is here playing the accidental leader of a trio of chain gang escapees in the US south of the 1930s Spirituality meets the Ku Klux Klan all coloured by Virginia bluegrass
ldquoCall me Snakerdquo The coolest handle for a leading man (Kurt Russell) in any movie to date Here he is sent in on a heroic lsquoat all costrsquo one-man mission to rescue the president of the United States from the prison island Manhattan has become in a lsquofuturersquo representation of 1997 Air Force One has crashed there and the countdown is on Classic 1980s turn of the millennium dystopian vision with style pace and gadgetry
By dpmotions
By dpmotions
o Brother Where Art Thou (2000)
escape from new York (1981)
room2c83
84trends
lsquoTrends are great to join and surf like a once in a lifetime tsunamirsquo
By Dirkje Bakker-Pierre
Each and every micro-world has its own specific trends Take the fashion world for example where one day you have to wear high heels and round noses and the next itrsquos flat hairy elephant feet-like boots that must hug your feet Or take the automotive world where once upon a time you could never have enough chrome on your car or the food world where we have quietly moved from fast to green and wholesome or the TV world which used to be about fiction and is now more real than reality Some of these trends are great to join and surf like a once in a lifetime tsunami others can slip by unnoticed and others still keep bugging and bugging you even if you try to avoid them like the plague
The online world and specifically the social media universe eats through trends like a fat chick after a hunger strike Facebook in particular seems to move seamlessly from one hype to the next one day itrsquos pictures with fuzzy edges or a bit of a 1970s filter the next itrsquos a profile picture with you very consciously not looking into the camera (very spontaneously and naturally non-posing you might say) These are mostly harmless things if Irsquom honest and when everyone
stops liking them they fade away as quickly as the sun in our small wet country There is one trend however that has festered within Facebook from the very beginning and which seems to be gradually growing and growing without anyone ever liking the postshellip and I mean EVER
Yes I am talking about daily quotes words of wisdom holy quotes mesmerizingly philosophical quotes cheesy quotes religious quoteshellip How can I describe all of them in one easy sentence pieces of text from (famous) people (it can never be something you thought of yourself) that lsquodisclosersquo previously secret information about being happy in life (or at least previously secret to the person doing the posting I presume) In short texts that belong on tiles hanging on the wall in old Dutch peoplersquos toilets
Why
Here are a few I found in my news feed this week
ldquoA mind is like a parachute It doesnrsquot work if it is not openrdquo ndash Frank Zappa
ldquoIt is not because things are difficult that we do not dare it is because we do not dare that things are difficultrdquo ndash Seneca
ldquoIf you donrsquot take what you are doing seriously then nobody else willrdquo ndash Darryl Dlt Thomson
Bad trends would be good if they werenrsquot so bad
85trends
86classifi eds
87classifieds
One of my personal favourite gemstones is moonstone Itlsquos been around for centuries and is used in many cultures As suggested by its name the stone is highly associated with the moon and moon goddess Diana It brings calm peace and love and is said to become more powerful when the moon is full so thatlsquos the best time to wear it One proverb even claims that moonstone can bring you love that will fly you to the moon Spiritually this amazing stone is said to enhance intuition and is always associated with the self It is a very powerful personal stone which doesnlsquot add or remove any aspects of the personality but merely reflects the person wearing it It is said to be very
MoonstoneBy Evelina Kvartunaite
ndash
lsquoThe stone is highly associated with the moon and moon goddess Dianarsquo
ndash
helpful for people who are very sensitive and it is also used in meditation for reflecting oneself Itlsquos always best to charge your gem when the moon is shining at night either while wearing it or by leaving it on a windowsill that receives moonlight Moonstone is also used in healing and is known for balancing the internal organ systems enabling them to work in stable cycles Itlsquos usually more associated with women but is also known to help men embrace their more emotional side soft creative energies and optimism Perhaps understandably moonstone should have limited exposure to strong direct sunlight
ndash
lsquoIt is said to be very helpful for people who are very sensitiversquo
ndash
88
health amp well-being
ndash
lsquoMore associated with women but is also known to help men embrace their more emotional sidersquo
ndash
89health amp well-being
In his article Batin shows how learning how to use complex products is like learning a computer game Just like the challenges in video games match the skills of the user so should TV interactions or any UI interactions for that matter For reference Batin used the four levels described in the Dreyfus model of skill acquisition
Level 1 novicebullRigid adherence to taught rules or plansbullNo exercise of lsquodiscretionary judgmentrsquo
Level 2 Advanced beginnerbullLimited lsquosituational perceptionrsquobullAll aspects of work treated separately with equal importance
Philip Batin wrote an article a couple of months ago about the next big idea in User Interaction gadgets that adapt to your skills As gadgets become more complicated UIs must be able to teach their users over time Apparently more and more interactive products are being returned In 2002 48 of all returned products were technically fully functional but were rejected for failing to satisfy user needs 20 purely due to customer remorse Even though a product may have all the features one can hope for complexity and bad user experience can prevent users from integrating it into their lives
UserInterfaceThe next big thing in UX
lsquoUIs must be able to teach their users over timersquo
By Andrei Barburas
lsquoComplexity and bad user experience can prevent users from
integrating it into their livesrsquo
90
technology
book the majority of which you probably skipped through
Personally I believe that there are certain end users most likely the majority that use only a limited set of features from any device they buy Mobile phones have become indispensable tools in our daily activities yet the average Joe has no idea about the full potential of a smart phone The same applies to Smart TVs they can do lots of things yet the only thing that we do with them is flip channels and complain how bad the shows are
The bottom line is that itrsquos definitely something worth thinking about not only from an operating system perspective but also from the perspective of applications developers
Level 3 competentbulllsquoCoping with crowdednessrsquo (multiple activities accumulation of information)bullSome perception of actions in relation to goalsbullDeliberate planningbullFormulates routines
Level 4 ProficientbullHolistic view of situationbullPrioritizes importance of aspectsbulllsquoPerceives deviations from the normal patternrsquobullEmploys maxim for guidance with meanings that adapt to the situation at hand
Now just imagine a User Interface that adapts based on what you can do and the abilities you have As you learn new things new levels of complexity are unlocked opening the door to fully knowing your device because you learned by doing and not by reading a complicated
lsquoThe average Joe has no idea about the full potential of a
smart phonersquo
91technology
92classifi eds
93classifi eds
Not knowing what was happening in football was extremely annoying to put it mildly and it wasnrsquot just my own self-denial and avoidance of all things football that was a hindrance the extent to which I had to ask others to go in order to remain ignorant was much more excruciating than Irsquod ever imagined There may even be some damage done to football-related friendships that is irreparable I now feel as though Irsquom walking through an empty stadium after everyone else has gone home
So what now and where to next The season is well and truly over and Irsquom free to do whatever I want I could read the back-dated sports pages check all the stats and find out all the facts if I wanted to I could spend hours catching up on last season and speculating on the next with the friends Irsquove still got left down the pub if I wanted to I can follow all the transfer gossip watch pre-season friendlies and build up all my hopes But as with most addictions that would simply be falling back into a previous state of dependence and everything Irsquove just put myself through wouldrsquove been for nothing So how do I go back to an old habit without a total relapse or would it be better to keep abstaining
All my questions seem to be met with other questions and no solutions On the other hand if you ask me what
Someone once said that insanity is when you keep repeating the same behaviour and expect a different outcome most likely a psychologist aimed at his or her ailing patients But for me these words are more reminiscent of my own conduct over the course of a regular football season Week in week out season after season I would expect Tottenham to win something and more often than not Irsquod be left disappointed So I decided to stop No more football ndash at least not for one full season
The season 201213 is now over and during the whole nine months I didnrsquot watch a single moment of football or read a single article on the subject That was my challenge and I was committed to it What is more despite all the warning signs I didnrsquot relapse After a year of structured punishment I didnrsquot have a clue about what was going on in the English Premier League (or any other league) Only having picked up bits and pieces of information that somehow slipped through the net the past season was like a book with most of its pages missing
By Simon Joseph
On The Volley
The Return of the Repressed or the Point of No Return
lsquoInsanity is when you keep repeating the same behaviour and expect a different outcomersquo
sport
lsquoThe past season was like a book with most of its pages missingrsquo
94
lsquoThere may even be some damage done to football-related friendshipsrsquo
lsquoHas abstaining for a season changed mersquo
it until the cows come home but it was us who made those changes or at least allowed them to happen and those changes will continue to happen with or without me Perhaps then the questions I should be asking are has abstaining for a season changed me Am I still obsessed or have I broken the habit of a lifetime Is following football really that terrible or even a real addiction
One thing is certain this lack of resolution is not completely without satisfaction because like all forms of fixation or obsession therersquos comfort and familiarity to be found in repetition as Tottenham miss out on Championrsquos League football by a single point again The repressed will always return to haunt us or so it seems and before we know it the start of next season will be upon us There will be more pain no doubt and more joy This time however it will take more than a boot camp approach to keep me away and who knows Tottenham might even win the league Come on you Spurs
Tottenham Hotspur means I would still tell you that itrsquos not just a pretty football package itrsquos about kith and kin not just where I came from but how I relate to others around me in the here and now Whatrsquos more millions of people are attracted to football they hunger for it and yearn to connect with it even though I still believe itrsquos a form of ineffective escape from one unsatisfying reality to another Following football is a classic example of cognitive dissonance ndash when you simultaneously entertain two opposing thoughts that appear to cancel each other out Before the start of each season for example we all want our club to win everything or to be taken over by billionaires but know that itrsquos impossible or in the latter case controversial and even undesirable So we invent ways to cope We develop a so-called lsquosiege mentalityrsquo or other harmful patterns of behaviour to relieve the discomfort of incongruity With this in mind the past year was supposed to be an exercise in behaviour modification ndash to discover the root of the problem and treat it effectively But one year on have I really discovered anything at all
The English Premier League whether you watch it or not is still probably the most exciting football league in the world We can complain about the changes made to
sport9
5
By Denson Pierre
The Gold Room
Fantasy Football Gold ndash Champions League 2012-2013 winner Denson Pierre and his prizes
The season petered out in an all-German Champions League Final which did nothing to dispel the record that this was a season of too few new stars or regular spectacle We look forward to the next season as it ought not be too difficult to create more excitement than in the one just pastWe did have the opportunity to hand over the envelopes and trophies to the Sentinel Fantasy Football game winners This year all the major winners from the Sentinel Fantasy Football League were unable to be present for the physical prize giving but the winner of the Gold Game and focus of this column was there to receive his prize for winning the master game in styleSo we retire the Gold Room until the beginning of the new football season See you all again then
96
sport
Matt Parker receives his third place and Manager of the Month prizes for the Sentinel Fantasy Football League
Charles Conneely Sentinel Fantasy Football League 2012-2013 Champion
97sport
wwwczechtourismcom
CZECH REPUBLIC - STUNNINGLY DIFFERENT
98
classifi eds
34perspectives
35perspectives
lsquoRotate 360 degrees to take it all inrsquo
36perspectives
lsquoRotate 360 degrees to take it all inrsquo
37perspectives
38perspectives
39perspectives
40
perspectives
41perspectives
42featureperspectives
feature4
3perspectives
44
featureperspectives
feature4
5perspectives
lsquoTake a closer look at the statue of former Queen Wilhelmina and her horsersquo
46
perspectives
lsquoThis is also where you can find me presenting a fine selection of my
photo printsrsquo
47perspectives
perspectives4
8
perspectives4
9
For complete and world class tours of Prague
Packages includebull Hidden and playful Prague (for families with young children)bull Literary Praguebull Prague Architecture through the agesbull Religion and the citybull The old city at night
These are detailed tours designed for visitors who wish to explore with great detail and not suitable for simply sight-seeing tourists
Day segments and ratesPR 0800-1230hrs AG 1330-1630hrs UE 1730-2130hrsAll sessions are priced at u 25 per single adult Group size upper limit = 8 Accompanied children under the age of five are gratis and school aged children pay 25 Family package rates are negotiable
ContactJaroslav Cernosek+420 602 228 797Mail jcernosekcentrumcz
wwwyourtuliptourcom
JC Tours
50classifieds
51classifieds
CafeacuteBar Review Van Mechelen
cafebar review52
Van MechelenSloterkade 96-97 Amsterdam
It may be the new hype in the city as far as grand cafeacute and restaurant concepts go but Van Mechelen is already approaching excellence Considering its handy location in another pretty neighbourhood of Amsterdam South it is almost a lsquomust visitrsquo place that has created a theme built on the Burgundian enjoyment of life good food complemented with top-class beer and wine If you want a taste of what it feels like to visit a cafeacute-restaurant in Mechelen Belgium Van Mechelen is an easy way for an Amsterdammer to savour this experience and is just a short cycle ride away
ambianceBurgundian Rating 5
StaffregularsMembers of staff are clearly very well trained and this adds to the light and airy atmosphere Having opened for business just three months ago those who have fallen in love with the place and its consumables have not yet had time to clock up the number of visits and connections to be considered lsquoregularsrsquo Rating 5
televised sportNo space within the design and layout for this form of distraction Rating 3
PricesSurprisingly these are within the lsquonormalrsquo range for this level and quality of fare Outstandingly fairly priced snacks and nibbles are also offered to help you along as you take on the fine (Mechelen brewery group Alken-Maes) beers and wines When did you last enjoy a generous portion of fresh olives for a mere euro250 Rating 5
MusicAt the time of review the establishment was fairly packed out The atmosphere is conducive to chats and hilarity and although the selection of tunes could be heard far in the background the sound system may well have more kick It should as the building is of such a solid constitution that it should contain noise and not easily upset the neighbours Rating 5
Smoking area provisionFortunately for puffers the originally industrial nature of the address means that the former loading bay and entranceexit areas have become two naturally covered terrace areas separated from the luscious interior by huge glass-panelled doors Rating 5
total rating 2830(Rating from 1-5 where 1 = Very poor and 5 = Excellent)
By Denson Pierre
lsquoThe new hype in the city as far as grand cafeacute and restaurant concepts gorsquo
cafebar review53
lsquoMembers of staff are clearly very well trainedrsquo
cafebar review54
cafebar review55
lsquoOutstandingly fairly priced snacks and nibbles are also offeredrsquo
cafebar review56
cafebar review57
lsquoThe atmosphere is conducive to chats and hilarityrsquo
cafebar review58
cafebar review59
scamsterdam
lifestyles60
By Valeria Scimia
Unemployed international and looking for a job in the Netherlands Not only must you face the everyday hell that is job-seeking but now you must also beware of scam companies Yes theyrsquove arrived here too
I was recently contacted by an ostensibly legitimate company that wanted to hire me The contact took the form of what appeared to be a genuine e-mail complete with website and logo from a company in Australia that seemed absolutely legitimate (I have since contacted the company to warn them that someone overseas is using their name and logo to scam people) The e-mail explained that the company was opening an office in Holland and was looking for people who would handle the back-office orders It contained a form to be filled in and returned if I was interested in the position the form asked for all my personal information including my bank details I had been looking for a job and was interested in the offer so I filled in and sent off the form and my CV Once they received my e-mail they asked me to start a trial period without practically explaining anything of what the job was actually about I didnrsquot immediately reply so they called me the next day asking me to start immediately with the trial period promising lots of benefits once the contract was signed I hadnrsquot met anyone at this point only telephone interviews and that already didnrsquot seem right to me I asked them to send me more information by e-mail about what I was meant to do and a few moments later I received a response asking me to make a bank transfer to show them I was trustworthy The lsquotrialrsquo implied that they would send me some money and I had to transfer half via GWK or MoneyTransfer to one of their clients and keep the other half This smelled very fishy to the Italian in me In reality they could be sending a cheque to the bank which would register an income that would later bounce after I had already made the payment to their lsquoclientrsquo On top of losing money the person that tried to lsquohirersquo meyou
would have been untraceable No one was even picking up the phone at the number given in the e-mail and the company they claimed to represent wasnrsquot even active in Europe
So I said no and told them I was no longer interested They even had the gumption to call me back and ask me why I wouldnrsquot do it I gave them a silly excuse so as not to give them any more information or tips on how to improve their scummy scam I am happy I started checking their contacts as soon as their promises seemed too good to be true even if I am still angry I allowed them to data-mine all of my information when I sent them my CV and filled in their form
It beggars belief that they set up an entire facade in these times of work despair and it really doesnrsquot feel right especially because therersquos not much I can do about it now apart from inform people I didnrsquot think this would ever happen here in this country where everything has to be or always seems to be so legitimate But I guess some things never change and a place doesnrsquot make the people and certainly doesnrsquot influence the choices they make I just wanted to share my experience to alert everyone to the possible scam If a company contacts you and asks you to return a form including your bank details when you have never met anyone face-to-face it should make your antennas extend and remember to double-check their credibility Apparently it is illegal to ask such questions of someone here so donrsquot fall for it as I did As I am still waiting to hear from the company in Australia I didnrsquot feel it was proper to disclose its name publicly just yet plus I am not sure the scammers always use the same company as a fake front But what they ask you to do is more or less always the same so keep your eyes open to the little details
lsquoYou face the everyday hell that is job-seeking but now you must also beware of scam companiesrsquo
lsquoThis smelled very fishy to the Italian in mersquo
lsquoThe form asked for all my personal informationrsquo
lifestyles6
1
Je moet er geweest zijn
62classifieds
MechelenAuthentic and full of surprises Thatrsquos Mechelen Hospitable and honourable Thatrsquos the people of Mechelen Come and experience the cityrsquos urban charms for yourself Mechelen
Authentic and full of surprises Thatrsquos Mechelen Hospitable and honourable Thatrsquos the people of Mechelen Come and experience the cityrsquos urban charms for yourself
photography copy Milo Profi
classifieds63
classifieds
How to hang out in
Amsterdam
By ER Muntrem
perspectives
It is not against the rules for babies to cry in cafeacutes It happens Mostly they sleep or sit in someonersquos lap with commendable decorum Otherwise kids in cafeacutes tend to nosh a little less than their elders and handle crayons a little more And while anyone who toddles behind the bar will certainly get caught they can always claim they were encouraged to toddle there in the first place
Dutch parents and I realise this is hard to prove seem to let their kids wander a metre or two further away from them than parents from other developed countries that universal ldquowhere is sherdquo look delayed five or ten seconds If this extra distance is a sign of perceived safety cafeacute culture must help teach it
Except for chefs all cafeacute workers do more or less all the jobs required to run a cafeacute They all wait on tables
serve hot and cold drinks set up outdoor furniture load and retrieve supplies take the garbage out wash glasses light candles arrange flowers unfurl the awning and ring up the bill When the young guy or girl greets you you may know they are not the owner but for the moment they are the face of the establishment It may as well be their place
Admittedly I am seduced by places where waiters donrsquot work for tips where the rushed pace of eating in a restaurant in America does not exist In a cafeacute you can do what you want for as long as you want and get food and drink while you do it Pretty cool and as much a baseline for how to hang out in Amsterdam as cycling is for how to get around
Places to eat and drink owned by corporations have to package experience to deliver it Whatrsquos our brand How can our managers and servers be most efficient How ultimately can we be number one Not something most cafeacutes seem to be worried about and where the universal signs for lsquowe are having a good time togetherrsquo
lsquoCafeacute culture must help teachrsquo lsquoI am seduced by places where waiters donrsquot work for tipsrsquo
64
perspectives
or lsquoI am happy here by myselfrsquo (clinked glasses or absorption in a newspaper say) are routinely in evidence This is one true grace of democracy the average worth smiling about
At cafeacutes co-workers have a beer before or after their shift friends drop by or a regular pops in with some news The stream of customers they donrsquot have to woo and donrsquot have to lsquoworkrsquo gives the whole thing a slightly familial living room perfectly public feel that makes the work far less of a personality crimp than working at Starbucks Or so it seems I do not mean to pretend carrying drinks across the street to the canal side seating or giving obvious directions yet again is always glorious but most people who work in cafeacutersquos laugh and smile a fair bit almost as much as the patrons
And when the owner of a cafeacute is of a generation older than those working there as is usually the case it lends a wise uncle or mother hen feel to the proceedings In the daytime no one is ever too caught up in his or her designated title to ignore a baby on the move And at
night the crowd of drinkers may as well be at a party hosted by their parents or kids or both
Itrsquos not all about money cafeacute culture churns towards the civilised without grinding anyone too far down As well as pleasure there is power in this The best distillation I know of what democracy should be came from a young woman working at Cafeacute Captein With our meal in front of us my friend noticed he was missing his salad Flagged down the young woman went to investigate ldquoItrsquos on its wayrdquo she said ldquoI told my boss to do itrdquo
Imagine we told Putin to do it We told Obama to do it We told the bankers to do it
lsquoMost people who work in cafeacutersquos laugh and smile a fair bitrsquo
lsquoCafeacute culture churns towards the civilised without grinding anyone too far downrsquo
65
66
featurecity gem
lsquoThe last of the large independent music stores left standing in Amsterdamrsquo
CITY GEM
67
Concerto
By Denson Pierre
ConcertoUtrechtsestraat 60 1017 VP Amsterdam
it is a rush when on a full stomach you can make an instant decision on where your next city-centre lunch will be taken it is almost ecstasy when the venue is situated in a music shop which for decades has been defined by its exceptional range and quality of music available in amsterdam Concerto is the last of the large independent music stores left standing in amsterdam all the others have long since been killed off by everything from the advance in recording and playback technologies to habitual illegal downloaders only now realising that their behaviour has an impact right back down to street level despite what they might think about the giant studios and recording companies
Concerto has not stuck but has twisted Since September it has incorporated a cute cafeacute
and lunch area within its premises as well as introducing a bookshop and lounge area making it possible to spend an almost nostalgic time there over several hours It still has a vast range of the very best music in vinyl (both new and second-hand) and CD form DVDs DJ equipment and even gear used for live musical performances Itrsquos a gold mine
If it has taken this clever adaptation in space utilisation to keep this institution viable and available to Amsterdam-based music lovers then I personally wish to support this venture and help mean this type of music retailer to remain part of the city scene For people of a certain age there is something infinitely more appealing about physically handling recorded material appreciating the artwork in its packaging having a listen and then deciding if it is a purchase you would like to make Even though non-digital stockpiling has become rather passeacute I challenge you to visit Concerto and its new cafeacute and bookshop concept and not end up spending more time in this true city gem than you had anticipated
lsquoIt has incorporated a cute cafeacute and lunch area within its premises as well as introducing a bookshop and lounge arearsquo
city gem
68
city gem
69city gem
city gem70
city gem71
72city gem
lsquoThere is something infinitely more appealing about physically
handling recorded material appreciating the artwork in its
packagingrsquo
73city gem
74classifi eds
75classifi eds
classifi edsclassifi eds76
amsterdam city life
BrinG BaCK
Something that seems to have been watered down considerably in Amsterdamrsquos hospitality industry in recent years is independence of thought styling and designAll you have to do is walk around the city to note that way too many coffeesoup houses and cafeacutes are more or less identikit This also applies to many cafeacutes with unimaginative business leaders who open unoriginal looking spaces and hope that the use of white paint purple or blue lights and house music is all it takes
Luckily there is something brewing to save our days and nights I have come across cafeacute owners who are now seriously considering ending the arrangements they have with the giant drink suppliers There are actually no good arguments left for continuing with these huge multinationals as they are frankly more expensive at wholesale for the same A-class products than the supermarkets on every Amsterdammerrsquos street corner
It looks like space is being created for the smaller brewers to take up the supply of A-class beer to smaller establishments throughout the city The giants can keep their character-free tourist traps and those bars still able to benefit purely from their unbeatable locations throughout the city
The Sentinel says bring back better and more original businesses of scale within the local hospitality industry which will help more cafeacutes and bars not only to become distinguishable by the interior designs they will need to conjure but also through the variety of local and regional beers that could become part of their coherent identity The overriding benefit of such courageous thinking and action would be an immediate return to realistic and reasonable pricing for A-class beer in Amsterdam which remains the staple of the easy consumables as this recession drones on
By Denson Pierre
INDEPENDENT CAFeacuteSBARS
77
78star beer guide
Star Beer
The SentinelStar beer guide
lsquoDifferent beers can seem to weigh on the conscience as much as on the taste budsrsquo
Just like the changing of the seasons different beers can seem to weigh on the conscience as much as on the taste buds Ciney blond is a lovely almost effeminate tasting beer All light smooth fruitiness bolstered by substantial alcohol content
As the temperature increases it can even feel like a thirst quencher A nice session beer and one that could function as an entrance-level quality beer in terms of its complexity For advanced samplers it is a great lower platform to descend to after cruising the space occupied by the 8-plus percentage alcoholic beauties
Ciney blond is brewed by Alken-Maes Mechelen Belgium
By Denson Pierre
CINEY BLOND (7 ABV)
79star beer guide
We find the best most fun most typical exciting or local favourite restaurants etcetera in Amsterdam and bring them to you an easy way to feel like a local
Cafe Kostverloren 040606
Recommended
80recommended
EUROGIFTSXenonweg 9 3812 SZ Amersfoort
Tel 033 - 454 35 75 - Fax 033 - 454 35 79E-mail lmproefeurogiftsnl
Website wwweurogiftsnl
FILMPROEF
ORDERNUMMER 6021022ARTIKELNUMMER 65123
Ware grootte (indien uitgeprint)Kleur opdruk Wit
Mulligans Irish Music BarAmsterdamrsquos best address for live Irish music Five (5) nights a week Check our agenda for upcoming sessions Amstel 100 1017 AC Amsterdamwwwmulligansnl
Cafeacute KostverlorenCafeacute Kostverloren is a contemporary cafe offering the cosiness of a saloon an open kitchen and the intimacy of a living room The large terras is great for sunny days2e Kostverlorenkade 70 Amsterdamwwwcafekostverlorennl
ZestZest is fi ne food warm atmosphere and classy drinks with regular semi-acoustic (live) music and DJs (Thursday to Sunday) Amsterdamrsquos newest and freshestBilderdijkstraat 188 Amsterdamwwwfacebookcomclubzestnl
GollemGollemrsquos Proefl okaal Gollem and Gollem II represent the best addresses serving the fullest range of top Belgian Dutch and international beers in AmsterdamOvertoom 160-161wwwcafegollemnl
IncantoA restaurant with a classic Italian kitchen Venetian chef Simone Ambrosin is known for his pure and simple style of cooking with great feeling for nuanceAmstel 2 Amsterdamwwwrestaurant-incantonl
Planet RoseThe fi rst Caribbean restaurant in the Netherlands specialised in Jamaican cuisine The menu features a daily changing selectionNicolaas Beetsstraat 47 Amsterdamwwwplanetroseinfo
Cafe restaurant EdelCafe restaurant Edel is the perfect place for lunch dinner or to simply enjoy a drink Edel is a unique place in AmsterdamPostjesweg 1 1057 DT Amsterdamwwwedelamsterdamnl
Cafeacute OportoCafeacute Oporto is a traditional Amsterdam lsquobrown cafersquo Welcoming tourists and regular customers alike they offer televised sports wifi and a wide range of reasonably priced beers and spiritsZoutsteeg 1 1012 LX Amsterdamwwwcafeoportonet
BaxA cosy and friendly local cafeacute with a focus on special or interesting beers and good quality food Open 7 days a week with a professional kitchen offering a lunch and dinner serviceTen Katestraat 119 Amsterdamwwwcafebaxnl
To be seen and tasted Fun Drinking amp Music
To Be Seen and Tasted
Fun Drinking amp Music
Fun Drinking amp Music
Connoisseurs Delight
Connoisseurs Delight
Connoisseurs Delight
To Be Seen and Tasted
Neighbourhood cosy
Fun drinking and music
ParckGreat fun beautiful people and simply the best bar food in townOvertoom 428 Amsterdamwwwcafeparcknl
To be seen and tasted
Cafe de Toog1890rsquos grandeur fashioned into Amsterdam-West grand brown cafe-restaurant-cool Classy drinks and mealsNicolaas Beetsstraat 142 hs Amsterdam wwwcafedetoogcom
Opera Prima - Patisserie Bistro TraiteurThe best place in town for lunch exquisite high teas or brunches and all of your luxury catering both private and corporateKinkerstraat 228 Amsterdamwwwoperaprimanl
Recommended
81
Where is this inAmsterdamAnswer to sentinelpostgmailcom
82spotted
Room 2cfilm
ldquoCome on in boys the waterrsquos finerdquo This is arguably the best all-round and funny musical to come out of Hollywood in a generation and certainly one of the best three soundtracks of the same period George Clooney will never be as good or charming as he is here playing the accidental leader of a trio of chain gang escapees in the US south of the 1930s Spirituality meets the Ku Klux Klan all coloured by Virginia bluegrass
ldquoCall me Snakerdquo The coolest handle for a leading man (Kurt Russell) in any movie to date Here he is sent in on a heroic lsquoat all costrsquo one-man mission to rescue the president of the United States from the prison island Manhattan has become in a lsquofuturersquo representation of 1997 Air Force One has crashed there and the countdown is on Classic 1980s turn of the millennium dystopian vision with style pace and gadgetry
By dpmotions
By dpmotions
o Brother Where Art Thou (2000)
escape from new York (1981)
room2c83
84trends
lsquoTrends are great to join and surf like a once in a lifetime tsunamirsquo
By Dirkje Bakker-Pierre
Each and every micro-world has its own specific trends Take the fashion world for example where one day you have to wear high heels and round noses and the next itrsquos flat hairy elephant feet-like boots that must hug your feet Or take the automotive world where once upon a time you could never have enough chrome on your car or the food world where we have quietly moved from fast to green and wholesome or the TV world which used to be about fiction and is now more real than reality Some of these trends are great to join and surf like a once in a lifetime tsunami others can slip by unnoticed and others still keep bugging and bugging you even if you try to avoid them like the plague
The online world and specifically the social media universe eats through trends like a fat chick after a hunger strike Facebook in particular seems to move seamlessly from one hype to the next one day itrsquos pictures with fuzzy edges or a bit of a 1970s filter the next itrsquos a profile picture with you very consciously not looking into the camera (very spontaneously and naturally non-posing you might say) These are mostly harmless things if Irsquom honest and when everyone
stops liking them they fade away as quickly as the sun in our small wet country There is one trend however that has festered within Facebook from the very beginning and which seems to be gradually growing and growing without anyone ever liking the postshellip and I mean EVER
Yes I am talking about daily quotes words of wisdom holy quotes mesmerizingly philosophical quotes cheesy quotes religious quoteshellip How can I describe all of them in one easy sentence pieces of text from (famous) people (it can never be something you thought of yourself) that lsquodisclosersquo previously secret information about being happy in life (or at least previously secret to the person doing the posting I presume) In short texts that belong on tiles hanging on the wall in old Dutch peoplersquos toilets
Why
Here are a few I found in my news feed this week
ldquoA mind is like a parachute It doesnrsquot work if it is not openrdquo ndash Frank Zappa
ldquoIt is not because things are difficult that we do not dare it is because we do not dare that things are difficultrdquo ndash Seneca
ldquoIf you donrsquot take what you are doing seriously then nobody else willrdquo ndash Darryl Dlt Thomson
Bad trends would be good if they werenrsquot so bad
85trends
86classifi eds
87classifieds
One of my personal favourite gemstones is moonstone Itlsquos been around for centuries and is used in many cultures As suggested by its name the stone is highly associated with the moon and moon goddess Diana It brings calm peace and love and is said to become more powerful when the moon is full so thatlsquos the best time to wear it One proverb even claims that moonstone can bring you love that will fly you to the moon Spiritually this amazing stone is said to enhance intuition and is always associated with the self It is a very powerful personal stone which doesnlsquot add or remove any aspects of the personality but merely reflects the person wearing it It is said to be very
MoonstoneBy Evelina Kvartunaite
ndash
lsquoThe stone is highly associated with the moon and moon goddess Dianarsquo
ndash
helpful for people who are very sensitive and it is also used in meditation for reflecting oneself Itlsquos always best to charge your gem when the moon is shining at night either while wearing it or by leaving it on a windowsill that receives moonlight Moonstone is also used in healing and is known for balancing the internal organ systems enabling them to work in stable cycles Itlsquos usually more associated with women but is also known to help men embrace their more emotional side soft creative energies and optimism Perhaps understandably moonstone should have limited exposure to strong direct sunlight
ndash
lsquoIt is said to be very helpful for people who are very sensitiversquo
ndash
88
health amp well-being
ndash
lsquoMore associated with women but is also known to help men embrace their more emotional sidersquo
ndash
89health amp well-being
In his article Batin shows how learning how to use complex products is like learning a computer game Just like the challenges in video games match the skills of the user so should TV interactions or any UI interactions for that matter For reference Batin used the four levels described in the Dreyfus model of skill acquisition
Level 1 novicebullRigid adherence to taught rules or plansbullNo exercise of lsquodiscretionary judgmentrsquo
Level 2 Advanced beginnerbullLimited lsquosituational perceptionrsquobullAll aspects of work treated separately with equal importance
Philip Batin wrote an article a couple of months ago about the next big idea in User Interaction gadgets that adapt to your skills As gadgets become more complicated UIs must be able to teach their users over time Apparently more and more interactive products are being returned In 2002 48 of all returned products were technically fully functional but were rejected for failing to satisfy user needs 20 purely due to customer remorse Even though a product may have all the features one can hope for complexity and bad user experience can prevent users from integrating it into their lives
UserInterfaceThe next big thing in UX
lsquoUIs must be able to teach their users over timersquo
By Andrei Barburas
lsquoComplexity and bad user experience can prevent users from
integrating it into their livesrsquo
90
technology
book the majority of which you probably skipped through
Personally I believe that there are certain end users most likely the majority that use only a limited set of features from any device they buy Mobile phones have become indispensable tools in our daily activities yet the average Joe has no idea about the full potential of a smart phone The same applies to Smart TVs they can do lots of things yet the only thing that we do with them is flip channels and complain how bad the shows are
The bottom line is that itrsquos definitely something worth thinking about not only from an operating system perspective but also from the perspective of applications developers
Level 3 competentbulllsquoCoping with crowdednessrsquo (multiple activities accumulation of information)bullSome perception of actions in relation to goalsbullDeliberate planningbullFormulates routines
Level 4 ProficientbullHolistic view of situationbullPrioritizes importance of aspectsbulllsquoPerceives deviations from the normal patternrsquobullEmploys maxim for guidance with meanings that adapt to the situation at hand
Now just imagine a User Interface that adapts based on what you can do and the abilities you have As you learn new things new levels of complexity are unlocked opening the door to fully knowing your device because you learned by doing and not by reading a complicated
lsquoThe average Joe has no idea about the full potential of a
smart phonersquo
91technology
92classifi eds
93classifi eds
Not knowing what was happening in football was extremely annoying to put it mildly and it wasnrsquot just my own self-denial and avoidance of all things football that was a hindrance the extent to which I had to ask others to go in order to remain ignorant was much more excruciating than Irsquod ever imagined There may even be some damage done to football-related friendships that is irreparable I now feel as though Irsquom walking through an empty stadium after everyone else has gone home
So what now and where to next The season is well and truly over and Irsquom free to do whatever I want I could read the back-dated sports pages check all the stats and find out all the facts if I wanted to I could spend hours catching up on last season and speculating on the next with the friends Irsquove still got left down the pub if I wanted to I can follow all the transfer gossip watch pre-season friendlies and build up all my hopes But as with most addictions that would simply be falling back into a previous state of dependence and everything Irsquove just put myself through wouldrsquove been for nothing So how do I go back to an old habit without a total relapse or would it be better to keep abstaining
All my questions seem to be met with other questions and no solutions On the other hand if you ask me what
Someone once said that insanity is when you keep repeating the same behaviour and expect a different outcome most likely a psychologist aimed at his or her ailing patients But for me these words are more reminiscent of my own conduct over the course of a regular football season Week in week out season after season I would expect Tottenham to win something and more often than not Irsquod be left disappointed So I decided to stop No more football ndash at least not for one full season
The season 201213 is now over and during the whole nine months I didnrsquot watch a single moment of football or read a single article on the subject That was my challenge and I was committed to it What is more despite all the warning signs I didnrsquot relapse After a year of structured punishment I didnrsquot have a clue about what was going on in the English Premier League (or any other league) Only having picked up bits and pieces of information that somehow slipped through the net the past season was like a book with most of its pages missing
By Simon Joseph
On The Volley
The Return of the Repressed or the Point of No Return
lsquoInsanity is when you keep repeating the same behaviour and expect a different outcomersquo
sport
lsquoThe past season was like a book with most of its pages missingrsquo
94
lsquoThere may even be some damage done to football-related friendshipsrsquo
lsquoHas abstaining for a season changed mersquo
it until the cows come home but it was us who made those changes or at least allowed them to happen and those changes will continue to happen with or without me Perhaps then the questions I should be asking are has abstaining for a season changed me Am I still obsessed or have I broken the habit of a lifetime Is following football really that terrible or even a real addiction
One thing is certain this lack of resolution is not completely without satisfaction because like all forms of fixation or obsession therersquos comfort and familiarity to be found in repetition as Tottenham miss out on Championrsquos League football by a single point again The repressed will always return to haunt us or so it seems and before we know it the start of next season will be upon us There will be more pain no doubt and more joy This time however it will take more than a boot camp approach to keep me away and who knows Tottenham might even win the league Come on you Spurs
Tottenham Hotspur means I would still tell you that itrsquos not just a pretty football package itrsquos about kith and kin not just where I came from but how I relate to others around me in the here and now Whatrsquos more millions of people are attracted to football they hunger for it and yearn to connect with it even though I still believe itrsquos a form of ineffective escape from one unsatisfying reality to another Following football is a classic example of cognitive dissonance ndash when you simultaneously entertain two opposing thoughts that appear to cancel each other out Before the start of each season for example we all want our club to win everything or to be taken over by billionaires but know that itrsquos impossible or in the latter case controversial and even undesirable So we invent ways to cope We develop a so-called lsquosiege mentalityrsquo or other harmful patterns of behaviour to relieve the discomfort of incongruity With this in mind the past year was supposed to be an exercise in behaviour modification ndash to discover the root of the problem and treat it effectively But one year on have I really discovered anything at all
The English Premier League whether you watch it or not is still probably the most exciting football league in the world We can complain about the changes made to
sport9
5
By Denson Pierre
The Gold Room
Fantasy Football Gold ndash Champions League 2012-2013 winner Denson Pierre and his prizes
The season petered out in an all-German Champions League Final which did nothing to dispel the record that this was a season of too few new stars or regular spectacle We look forward to the next season as it ought not be too difficult to create more excitement than in the one just pastWe did have the opportunity to hand over the envelopes and trophies to the Sentinel Fantasy Football game winners This year all the major winners from the Sentinel Fantasy Football League were unable to be present for the physical prize giving but the winner of the Gold Game and focus of this column was there to receive his prize for winning the master game in styleSo we retire the Gold Room until the beginning of the new football season See you all again then
96
sport
Matt Parker receives his third place and Manager of the Month prizes for the Sentinel Fantasy Football League
Charles Conneely Sentinel Fantasy Football League 2012-2013 Champion
97sport
wwwczechtourismcom
CZECH REPUBLIC - STUNNINGLY DIFFERENT
98
classifi eds
35perspectives
lsquoRotate 360 degrees to take it all inrsquo
36perspectives
lsquoRotate 360 degrees to take it all inrsquo
37perspectives
38perspectives
39perspectives
40
perspectives
41perspectives
42featureperspectives
feature4
3perspectives
44
featureperspectives
feature4
5perspectives
lsquoTake a closer look at the statue of former Queen Wilhelmina and her horsersquo
46
perspectives
lsquoThis is also where you can find me presenting a fine selection of my
photo printsrsquo
47perspectives
perspectives4
8
perspectives4
9
For complete and world class tours of Prague
Packages includebull Hidden and playful Prague (for families with young children)bull Literary Praguebull Prague Architecture through the agesbull Religion and the citybull The old city at night
These are detailed tours designed for visitors who wish to explore with great detail and not suitable for simply sight-seeing tourists
Day segments and ratesPR 0800-1230hrs AG 1330-1630hrs UE 1730-2130hrsAll sessions are priced at u 25 per single adult Group size upper limit = 8 Accompanied children under the age of five are gratis and school aged children pay 25 Family package rates are negotiable
ContactJaroslav Cernosek+420 602 228 797Mail jcernosekcentrumcz
wwwyourtuliptourcom
JC Tours
50classifieds
51classifieds
CafeacuteBar Review Van Mechelen
cafebar review52
Van MechelenSloterkade 96-97 Amsterdam
It may be the new hype in the city as far as grand cafeacute and restaurant concepts go but Van Mechelen is already approaching excellence Considering its handy location in another pretty neighbourhood of Amsterdam South it is almost a lsquomust visitrsquo place that has created a theme built on the Burgundian enjoyment of life good food complemented with top-class beer and wine If you want a taste of what it feels like to visit a cafeacute-restaurant in Mechelen Belgium Van Mechelen is an easy way for an Amsterdammer to savour this experience and is just a short cycle ride away
ambianceBurgundian Rating 5
StaffregularsMembers of staff are clearly very well trained and this adds to the light and airy atmosphere Having opened for business just three months ago those who have fallen in love with the place and its consumables have not yet had time to clock up the number of visits and connections to be considered lsquoregularsrsquo Rating 5
televised sportNo space within the design and layout for this form of distraction Rating 3
PricesSurprisingly these are within the lsquonormalrsquo range for this level and quality of fare Outstandingly fairly priced snacks and nibbles are also offered to help you along as you take on the fine (Mechelen brewery group Alken-Maes) beers and wines When did you last enjoy a generous portion of fresh olives for a mere euro250 Rating 5
MusicAt the time of review the establishment was fairly packed out The atmosphere is conducive to chats and hilarity and although the selection of tunes could be heard far in the background the sound system may well have more kick It should as the building is of such a solid constitution that it should contain noise and not easily upset the neighbours Rating 5
Smoking area provisionFortunately for puffers the originally industrial nature of the address means that the former loading bay and entranceexit areas have become two naturally covered terrace areas separated from the luscious interior by huge glass-panelled doors Rating 5
total rating 2830(Rating from 1-5 where 1 = Very poor and 5 = Excellent)
By Denson Pierre
lsquoThe new hype in the city as far as grand cafeacute and restaurant concepts gorsquo
cafebar review53
lsquoMembers of staff are clearly very well trainedrsquo
cafebar review54
cafebar review55
lsquoOutstandingly fairly priced snacks and nibbles are also offeredrsquo
cafebar review56
cafebar review57
lsquoThe atmosphere is conducive to chats and hilarityrsquo
cafebar review58
cafebar review59
scamsterdam
lifestyles60
By Valeria Scimia
Unemployed international and looking for a job in the Netherlands Not only must you face the everyday hell that is job-seeking but now you must also beware of scam companies Yes theyrsquove arrived here too
I was recently contacted by an ostensibly legitimate company that wanted to hire me The contact took the form of what appeared to be a genuine e-mail complete with website and logo from a company in Australia that seemed absolutely legitimate (I have since contacted the company to warn them that someone overseas is using their name and logo to scam people) The e-mail explained that the company was opening an office in Holland and was looking for people who would handle the back-office orders It contained a form to be filled in and returned if I was interested in the position the form asked for all my personal information including my bank details I had been looking for a job and was interested in the offer so I filled in and sent off the form and my CV Once they received my e-mail they asked me to start a trial period without practically explaining anything of what the job was actually about I didnrsquot immediately reply so they called me the next day asking me to start immediately with the trial period promising lots of benefits once the contract was signed I hadnrsquot met anyone at this point only telephone interviews and that already didnrsquot seem right to me I asked them to send me more information by e-mail about what I was meant to do and a few moments later I received a response asking me to make a bank transfer to show them I was trustworthy The lsquotrialrsquo implied that they would send me some money and I had to transfer half via GWK or MoneyTransfer to one of their clients and keep the other half This smelled very fishy to the Italian in me In reality they could be sending a cheque to the bank which would register an income that would later bounce after I had already made the payment to their lsquoclientrsquo On top of losing money the person that tried to lsquohirersquo meyou
would have been untraceable No one was even picking up the phone at the number given in the e-mail and the company they claimed to represent wasnrsquot even active in Europe
So I said no and told them I was no longer interested They even had the gumption to call me back and ask me why I wouldnrsquot do it I gave them a silly excuse so as not to give them any more information or tips on how to improve their scummy scam I am happy I started checking their contacts as soon as their promises seemed too good to be true even if I am still angry I allowed them to data-mine all of my information when I sent them my CV and filled in their form
It beggars belief that they set up an entire facade in these times of work despair and it really doesnrsquot feel right especially because therersquos not much I can do about it now apart from inform people I didnrsquot think this would ever happen here in this country where everything has to be or always seems to be so legitimate But I guess some things never change and a place doesnrsquot make the people and certainly doesnrsquot influence the choices they make I just wanted to share my experience to alert everyone to the possible scam If a company contacts you and asks you to return a form including your bank details when you have never met anyone face-to-face it should make your antennas extend and remember to double-check their credibility Apparently it is illegal to ask such questions of someone here so donrsquot fall for it as I did As I am still waiting to hear from the company in Australia I didnrsquot feel it was proper to disclose its name publicly just yet plus I am not sure the scammers always use the same company as a fake front But what they ask you to do is more or less always the same so keep your eyes open to the little details
lsquoYou face the everyday hell that is job-seeking but now you must also beware of scam companiesrsquo
lsquoThis smelled very fishy to the Italian in mersquo
lsquoThe form asked for all my personal informationrsquo
lifestyles6
1
Je moet er geweest zijn
62classifieds
MechelenAuthentic and full of surprises Thatrsquos Mechelen Hospitable and honourable Thatrsquos the people of Mechelen Come and experience the cityrsquos urban charms for yourself Mechelen
Authentic and full of surprises Thatrsquos Mechelen Hospitable and honourable Thatrsquos the people of Mechelen Come and experience the cityrsquos urban charms for yourself
photography copy Milo Profi
classifieds63
classifieds
How to hang out in
Amsterdam
By ER Muntrem
perspectives
It is not against the rules for babies to cry in cafeacutes It happens Mostly they sleep or sit in someonersquos lap with commendable decorum Otherwise kids in cafeacutes tend to nosh a little less than their elders and handle crayons a little more And while anyone who toddles behind the bar will certainly get caught they can always claim they were encouraged to toddle there in the first place
Dutch parents and I realise this is hard to prove seem to let their kids wander a metre or two further away from them than parents from other developed countries that universal ldquowhere is sherdquo look delayed five or ten seconds If this extra distance is a sign of perceived safety cafeacute culture must help teach it
Except for chefs all cafeacute workers do more or less all the jobs required to run a cafeacute They all wait on tables
serve hot and cold drinks set up outdoor furniture load and retrieve supplies take the garbage out wash glasses light candles arrange flowers unfurl the awning and ring up the bill When the young guy or girl greets you you may know they are not the owner but for the moment they are the face of the establishment It may as well be their place
Admittedly I am seduced by places where waiters donrsquot work for tips where the rushed pace of eating in a restaurant in America does not exist In a cafeacute you can do what you want for as long as you want and get food and drink while you do it Pretty cool and as much a baseline for how to hang out in Amsterdam as cycling is for how to get around
Places to eat and drink owned by corporations have to package experience to deliver it Whatrsquos our brand How can our managers and servers be most efficient How ultimately can we be number one Not something most cafeacutes seem to be worried about and where the universal signs for lsquowe are having a good time togetherrsquo
lsquoCafeacute culture must help teachrsquo lsquoI am seduced by places where waiters donrsquot work for tipsrsquo
64
perspectives
or lsquoI am happy here by myselfrsquo (clinked glasses or absorption in a newspaper say) are routinely in evidence This is one true grace of democracy the average worth smiling about
At cafeacutes co-workers have a beer before or after their shift friends drop by or a regular pops in with some news The stream of customers they donrsquot have to woo and donrsquot have to lsquoworkrsquo gives the whole thing a slightly familial living room perfectly public feel that makes the work far less of a personality crimp than working at Starbucks Or so it seems I do not mean to pretend carrying drinks across the street to the canal side seating or giving obvious directions yet again is always glorious but most people who work in cafeacutersquos laugh and smile a fair bit almost as much as the patrons
And when the owner of a cafeacute is of a generation older than those working there as is usually the case it lends a wise uncle or mother hen feel to the proceedings In the daytime no one is ever too caught up in his or her designated title to ignore a baby on the move And at
night the crowd of drinkers may as well be at a party hosted by their parents or kids or both
Itrsquos not all about money cafeacute culture churns towards the civilised without grinding anyone too far down As well as pleasure there is power in this The best distillation I know of what democracy should be came from a young woman working at Cafeacute Captein With our meal in front of us my friend noticed he was missing his salad Flagged down the young woman went to investigate ldquoItrsquos on its wayrdquo she said ldquoI told my boss to do itrdquo
Imagine we told Putin to do it We told Obama to do it We told the bankers to do it
lsquoMost people who work in cafeacutersquos laugh and smile a fair bitrsquo
lsquoCafeacute culture churns towards the civilised without grinding anyone too far downrsquo
65
66
featurecity gem
lsquoThe last of the large independent music stores left standing in Amsterdamrsquo
CITY GEM
67
Concerto
By Denson Pierre
ConcertoUtrechtsestraat 60 1017 VP Amsterdam
it is a rush when on a full stomach you can make an instant decision on where your next city-centre lunch will be taken it is almost ecstasy when the venue is situated in a music shop which for decades has been defined by its exceptional range and quality of music available in amsterdam Concerto is the last of the large independent music stores left standing in amsterdam all the others have long since been killed off by everything from the advance in recording and playback technologies to habitual illegal downloaders only now realising that their behaviour has an impact right back down to street level despite what they might think about the giant studios and recording companies
Concerto has not stuck but has twisted Since September it has incorporated a cute cafeacute
and lunch area within its premises as well as introducing a bookshop and lounge area making it possible to spend an almost nostalgic time there over several hours It still has a vast range of the very best music in vinyl (both new and second-hand) and CD form DVDs DJ equipment and even gear used for live musical performances Itrsquos a gold mine
If it has taken this clever adaptation in space utilisation to keep this institution viable and available to Amsterdam-based music lovers then I personally wish to support this venture and help mean this type of music retailer to remain part of the city scene For people of a certain age there is something infinitely more appealing about physically handling recorded material appreciating the artwork in its packaging having a listen and then deciding if it is a purchase you would like to make Even though non-digital stockpiling has become rather passeacute I challenge you to visit Concerto and its new cafeacute and bookshop concept and not end up spending more time in this true city gem than you had anticipated
lsquoIt has incorporated a cute cafeacute and lunch area within its premises as well as introducing a bookshop and lounge arearsquo
city gem
68
city gem
69city gem
city gem70
city gem71
72city gem
lsquoThere is something infinitely more appealing about physically
handling recorded material appreciating the artwork in its
packagingrsquo
73city gem
74classifi eds
75classifi eds
classifi edsclassifi eds76
amsterdam city life
BrinG BaCK
Something that seems to have been watered down considerably in Amsterdamrsquos hospitality industry in recent years is independence of thought styling and designAll you have to do is walk around the city to note that way too many coffeesoup houses and cafeacutes are more or less identikit This also applies to many cafeacutes with unimaginative business leaders who open unoriginal looking spaces and hope that the use of white paint purple or blue lights and house music is all it takes
Luckily there is something brewing to save our days and nights I have come across cafeacute owners who are now seriously considering ending the arrangements they have with the giant drink suppliers There are actually no good arguments left for continuing with these huge multinationals as they are frankly more expensive at wholesale for the same A-class products than the supermarkets on every Amsterdammerrsquos street corner
It looks like space is being created for the smaller brewers to take up the supply of A-class beer to smaller establishments throughout the city The giants can keep their character-free tourist traps and those bars still able to benefit purely from their unbeatable locations throughout the city
The Sentinel says bring back better and more original businesses of scale within the local hospitality industry which will help more cafeacutes and bars not only to become distinguishable by the interior designs they will need to conjure but also through the variety of local and regional beers that could become part of their coherent identity The overriding benefit of such courageous thinking and action would be an immediate return to realistic and reasonable pricing for A-class beer in Amsterdam which remains the staple of the easy consumables as this recession drones on
By Denson Pierre
INDEPENDENT CAFeacuteSBARS
77
78star beer guide
Star Beer
The SentinelStar beer guide
lsquoDifferent beers can seem to weigh on the conscience as much as on the taste budsrsquo
Just like the changing of the seasons different beers can seem to weigh on the conscience as much as on the taste buds Ciney blond is a lovely almost effeminate tasting beer All light smooth fruitiness bolstered by substantial alcohol content
As the temperature increases it can even feel like a thirst quencher A nice session beer and one that could function as an entrance-level quality beer in terms of its complexity For advanced samplers it is a great lower platform to descend to after cruising the space occupied by the 8-plus percentage alcoholic beauties
Ciney blond is brewed by Alken-Maes Mechelen Belgium
By Denson Pierre
CINEY BLOND (7 ABV)
79star beer guide
We find the best most fun most typical exciting or local favourite restaurants etcetera in Amsterdam and bring them to you an easy way to feel like a local
Cafe Kostverloren 040606
Recommended
80recommended
EUROGIFTSXenonweg 9 3812 SZ Amersfoort
Tel 033 - 454 35 75 - Fax 033 - 454 35 79E-mail lmproefeurogiftsnl
Website wwweurogiftsnl
FILMPROEF
ORDERNUMMER 6021022ARTIKELNUMMER 65123
Ware grootte (indien uitgeprint)Kleur opdruk Wit
Mulligans Irish Music BarAmsterdamrsquos best address for live Irish music Five (5) nights a week Check our agenda for upcoming sessions Amstel 100 1017 AC Amsterdamwwwmulligansnl
Cafeacute KostverlorenCafeacute Kostverloren is a contemporary cafe offering the cosiness of a saloon an open kitchen and the intimacy of a living room The large terras is great for sunny days2e Kostverlorenkade 70 Amsterdamwwwcafekostverlorennl
ZestZest is fi ne food warm atmosphere and classy drinks with regular semi-acoustic (live) music and DJs (Thursday to Sunday) Amsterdamrsquos newest and freshestBilderdijkstraat 188 Amsterdamwwwfacebookcomclubzestnl
GollemGollemrsquos Proefl okaal Gollem and Gollem II represent the best addresses serving the fullest range of top Belgian Dutch and international beers in AmsterdamOvertoom 160-161wwwcafegollemnl
IncantoA restaurant with a classic Italian kitchen Venetian chef Simone Ambrosin is known for his pure and simple style of cooking with great feeling for nuanceAmstel 2 Amsterdamwwwrestaurant-incantonl
Planet RoseThe fi rst Caribbean restaurant in the Netherlands specialised in Jamaican cuisine The menu features a daily changing selectionNicolaas Beetsstraat 47 Amsterdamwwwplanetroseinfo
Cafe restaurant EdelCafe restaurant Edel is the perfect place for lunch dinner or to simply enjoy a drink Edel is a unique place in AmsterdamPostjesweg 1 1057 DT Amsterdamwwwedelamsterdamnl
Cafeacute OportoCafeacute Oporto is a traditional Amsterdam lsquobrown cafersquo Welcoming tourists and regular customers alike they offer televised sports wifi and a wide range of reasonably priced beers and spiritsZoutsteeg 1 1012 LX Amsterdamwwwcafeoportonet
BaxA cosy and friendly local cafeacute with a focus on special or interesting beers and good quality food Open 7 days a week with a professional kitchen offering a lunch and dinner serviceTen Katestraat 119 Amsterdamwwwcafebaxnl
To be seen and tasted Fun Drinking amp Music
To Be Seen and Tasted
Fun Drinking amp Music
Fun Drinking amp Music
Connoisseurs Delight
Connoisseurs Delight
Connoisseurs Delight
To Be Seen and Tasted
Neighbourhood cosy
Fun drinking and music
ParckGreat fun beautiful people and simply the best bar food in townOvertoom 428 Amsterdamwwwcafeparcknl
To be seen and tasted
Cafe de Toog1890rsquos grandeur fashioned into Amsterdam-West grand brown cafe-restaurant-cool Classy drinks and mealsNicolaas Beetsstraat 142 hs Amsterdam wwwcafedetoogcom
Opera Prima - Patisserie Bistro TraiteurThe best place in town for lunch exquisite high teas or brunches and all of your luxury catering both private and corporateKinkerstraat 228 Amsterdamwwwoperaprimanl
Recommended
81
Where is this inAmsterdamAnswer to sentinelpostgmailcom
82spotted
Room 2cfilm
ldquoCome on in boys the waterrsquos finerdquo This is arguably the best all-round and funny musical to come out of Hollywood in a generation and certainly one of the best three soundtracks of the same period George Clooney will never be as good or charming as he is here playing the accidental leader of a trio of chain gang escapees in the US south of the 1930s Spirituality meets the Ku Klux Klan all coloured by Virginia bluegrass
ldquoCall me Snakerdquo The coolest handle for a leading man (Kurt Russell) in any movie to date Here he is sent in on a heroic lsquoat all costrsquo one-man mission to rescue the president of the United States from the prison island Manhattan has become in a lsquofuturersquo representation of 1997 Air Force One has crashed there and the countdown is on Classic 1980s turn of the millennium dystopian vision with style pace and gadgetry
By dpmotions
By dpmotions
o Brother Where Art Thou (2000)
escape from new York (1981)
room2c83
84trends
lsquoTrends are great to join and surf like a once in a lifetime tsunamirsquo
By Dirkje Bakker-Pierre
Each and every micro-world has its own specific trends Take the fashion world for example where one day you have to wear high heels and round noses and the next itrsquos flat hairy elephant feet-like boots that must hug your feet Or take the automotive world where once upon a time you could never have enough chrome on your car or the food world where we have quietly moved from fast to green and wholesome or the TV world which used to be about fiction and is now more real than reality Some of these trends are great to join and surf like a once in a lifetime tsunami others can slip by unnoticed and others still keep bugging and bugging you even if you try to avoid them like the plague
The online world and specifically the social media universe eats through trends like a fat chick after a hunger strike Facebook in particular seems to move seamlessly from one hype to the next one day itrsquos pictures with fuzzy edges or a bit of a 1970s filter the next itrsquos a profile picture with you very consciously not looking into the camera (very spontaneously and naturally non-posing you might say) These are mostly harmless things if Irsquom honest and when everyone
stops liking them they fade away as quickly as the sun in our small wet country There is one trend however that has festered within Facebook from the very beginning and which seems to be gradually growing and growing without anyone ever liking the postshellip and I mean EVER
Yes I am talking about daily quotes words of wisdom holy quotes mesmerizingly philosophical quotes cheesy quotes religious quoteshellip How can I describe all of them in one easy sentence pieces of text from (famous) people (it can never be something you thought of yourself) that lsquodisclosersquo previously secret information about being happy in life (or at least previously secret to the person doing the posting I presume) In short texts that belong on tiles hanging on the wall in old Dutch peoplersquos toilets
Why
Here are a few I found in my news feed this week
ldquoA mind is like a parachute It doesnrsquot work if it is not openrdquo ndash Frank Zappa
ldquoIt is not because things are difficult that we do not dare it is because we do not dare that things are difficultrdquo ndash Seneca
ldquoIf you donrsquot take what you are doing seriously then nobody else willrdquo ndash Darryl Dlt Thomson
Bad trends would be good if they werenrsquot so bad
85trends
86classifi eds
87classifieds
One of my personal favourite gemstones is moonstone Itlsquos been around for centuries and is used in many cultures As suggested by its name the stone is highly associated with the moon and moon goddess Diana It brings calm peace and love and is said to become more powerful when the moon is full so thatlsquos the best time to wear it One proverb even claims that moonstone can bring you love that will fly you to the moon Spiritually this amazing stone is said to enhance intuition and is always associated with the self It is a very powerful personal stone which doesnlsquot add or remove any aspects of the personality but merely reflects the person wearing it It is said to be very
MoonstoneBy Evelina Kvartunaite
ndash
lsquoThe stone is highly associated with the moon and moon goddess Dianarsquo
ndash
helpful for people who are very sensitive and it is also used in meditation for reflecting oneself Itlsquos always best to charge your gem when the moon is shining at night either while wearing it or by leaving it on a windowsill that receives moonlight Moonstone is also used in healing and is known for balancing the internal organ systems enabling them to work in stable cycles Itlsquos usually more associated with women but is also known to help men embrace their more emotional side soft creative energies and optimism Perhaps understandably moonstone should have limited exposure to strong direct sunlight
ndash
lsquoIt is said to be very helpful for people who are very sensitiversquo
ndash
88
health amp well-being
ndash
lsquoMore associated with women but is also known to help men embrace their more emotional sidersquo
ndash
89health amp well-being
In his article Batin shows how learning how to use complex products is like learning a computer game Just like the challenges in video games match the skills of the user so should TV interactions or any UI interactions for that matter For reference Batin used the four levels described in the Dreyfus model of skill acquisition
Level 1 novicebullRigid adherence to taught rules or plansbullNo exercise of lsquodiscretionary judgmentrsquo
Level 2 Advanced beginnerbullLimited lsquosituational perceptionrsquobullAll aspects of work treated separately with equal importance
Philip Batin wrote an article a couple of months ago about the next big idea in User Interaction gadgets that adapt to your skills As gadgets become more complicated UIs must be able to teach their users over time Apparently more and more interactive products are being returned In 2002 48 of all returned products were technically fully functional but were rejected for failing to satisfy user needs 20 purely due to customer remorse Even though a product may have all the features one can hope for complexity and bad user experience can prevent users from integrating it into their lives
UserInterfaceThe next big thing in UX
lsquoUIs must be able to teach their users over timersquo
By Andrei Barburas
lsquoComplexity and bad user experience can prevent users from
integrating it into their livesrsquo
90
technology
book the majority of which you probably skipped through
Personally I believe that there are certain end users most likely the majority that use only a limited set of features from any device they buy Mobile phones have become indispensable tools in our daily activities yet the average Joe has no idea about the full potential of a smart phone The same applies to Smart TVs they can do lots of things yet the only thing that we do with them is flip channels and complain how bad the shows are
The bottom line is that itrsquos definitely something worth thinking about not only from an operating system perspective but also from the perspective of applications developers
Level 3 competentbulllsquoCoping with crowdednessrsquo (multiple activities accumulation of information)bullSome perception of actions in relation to goalsbullDeliberate planningbullFormulates routines
Level 4 ProficientbullHolistic view of situationbullPrioritizes importance of aspectsbulllsquoPerceives deviations from the normal patternrsquobullEmploys maxim for guidance with meanings that adapt to the situation at hand
Now just imagine a User Interface that adapts based on what you can do and the abilities you have As you learn new things new levels of complexity are unlocked opening the door to fully knowing your device because you learned by doing and not by reading a complicated
lsquoThe average Joe has no idea about the full potential of a
smart phonersquo
91technology
92classifi eds
93classifi eds
Not knowing what was happening in football was extremely annoying to put it mildly and it wasnrsquot just my own self-denial and avoidance of all things football that was a hindrance the extent to which I had to ask others to go in order to remain ignorant was much more excruciating than Irsquod ever imagined There may even be some damage done to football-related friendships that is irreparable I now feel as though Irsquom walking through an empty stadium after everyone else has gone home
So what now and where to next The season is well and truly over and Irsquom free to do whatever I want I could read the back-dated sports pages check all the stats and find out all the facts if I wanted to I could spend hours catching up on last season and speculating on the next with the friends Irsquove still got left down the pub if I wanted to I can follow all the transfer gossip watch pre-season friendlies and build up all my hopes But as with most addictions that would simply be falling back into a previous state of dependence and everything Irsquove just put myself through wouldrsquove been for nothing So how do I go back to an old habit without a total relapse or would it be better to keep abstaining
All my questions seem to be met with other questions and no solutions On the other hand if you ask me what
Someone once said that insanity is when you keep repeating the same behaviour and expect a different outcome most likely a psychologist aimed at his or her ailing patients But for me these words are more reminiscent of my own conduct over the course of a regular football season Week in week out season after season I would expect Tottenham to win something and more often than not Irsquod be left disappointed So I decided to stop No more football ndash at least not for one full season
The season 201213 is now over and during the whole nine months I didnrsquot watch a single moment of football or read a single article on the subject That was my challenge and I was committed to it What is more despite all the warning signs I didnrsquot relapse After a year of structured punishment I didnrsquot have a clue about what was going on in the English Premier League (or any other league) Only having picked up bits and pieces of information that somehow slipped through the net the past season was like a book with most of its pages missing
By Simon Joseph
On The Volley
The Return of the Repressed or the Point of No Return
lsquoInsanity is when you keep repeating the same behaviour and expect a different outcomersquo
sport
lsquoThe past season was like a book with most of its pages missingrsquo
94
lsquoThere may even be some damage done to football-related friendshipsrsquo
lsquoHas abstaining for a season changed mersquo
it until the cows come home but it was us who made those changes or at least allowed them to happen and those changes will continue to happen with or without me Perhaps then the questions I should be asking are has abstaining for a season changed me Am I still obsessed or have I broken the habit of a lifetime Is following football really that terrible or even a real addiction
One thing is certain this lack of resolution is not completely without satisfaction because like all forms of fixation or obsession therersquos comfort and familiarity to be found in repetition as Tottenham miss out on Championrsquos League football by a single point again The repressed will always return to haunt us or so it seems and before we know it the start of next season will be upon us There will be more pain no doubt and more joy This time however it will take more than a boot camp approach to keep me away and who knows Tottenham might even win the league Come on you Spurs
Tottenham Hotspur means I would still tell you that itrsquos not just a pretty football package itrsquos about kith and kin not just where I came from but how I relate to others around me in the here and now Whatrsquos more millions of people are attracted to football they hunger for it and yearn to connect with it even though I still believe itrsquos a form of ineffective escape from one unsatisfying reality to another Following football is a classic example of cognitive dissonance ndash when you simultaneously entertain two opposing thoughts that appear to cancel each other out Before the start of each season for example we all want our club to win everything or to be taken over by billionaires but know that itrsquos impossible or in the latter case controversial and even undesirable So we invent ways to cope We develop a so-called lsquosiege mentalityrsquo or other harmful patterns of behaviour to relieve the discomfort of incongruity With this in mind the past year was supposed to be an exercise in behaviour modification ndash to discover the root of the problem and treat it effectively But one year on have I really discovered anything at all
The English Premier League whether you watch it or not is still probably the most exciting football league in the world We can complain about the changes made to
sport9
5
By Denson Pierre
The Gold Room
Fantasy Football Gold ndash Champions League 2012-2013 winner Denson Pierre and his prizes
The season petered out in an all-German Champions League Final which did nothing to dispel the record that this was a season of too few new stars or regular spectacle We look forward to the next season as it ought not be too difficult to create more excitement than in the one just pastWe did have the opportunity to hand over the envelopes and trophies to the Sentinel Fantasy Football game winners This year all the major winners from the Sentinel Fantasy Football League were unable to be present for the physical prize giving but the winner of the Gold Game and focus of this column was there to receive his prize for winning the master game in styleSo we retire the Gold Room until the beginning of the new football season See you all again then
96
sport
Matt Parker receives his third place and Manager of the Month prizes for the Sentinel Fantasy Football League
Charles Conneely Sentinel Fantasy Football League 2012-2013 Champion
97sport
wwwczechtourismcom
CZECH REPUBLIC - STUNNINGLY DIFFERENT
98
classifi eds
lsquoRotate 360 degrees to take it all inrsquo
36perspectives
lsquoRotate 360 degrees to take it all inrsquo
37perspectives
38perspectives
39perspectives
40
perspectives
41perspectives
42featureperspectives
feature4
3perspectives
44
featureperspectives
feature4
5perspectives
lsquoTake a closer look at the statue of former Queen Wilhelmina and her horsersquo
46
perspectives
lsquoThis is also where you can find me presenting a fine selection of my
photo printsrsquo
47perspectives
perspectives4
8
perspectives4
9
For complete and world class tours of Prague
Packages includebull Hidden and playful Prague (for families with young children)bull Literary Praguebull Prague Architecture through the agesbull Religion and the citybull The old city at night
These are detailed tours designed for visitors who wish to explore with great detail and not suitable for simply sight-seeing tourists
Day segments and ratesPR 0800-1230hrs AG 1330-1630hrs UE 1730-2130hrsAll sessions are priced at u 25 per single adult Group size upper limit = 8 Accompanied children under the age of five are gratis and school aged children pay 25 Family package rates are negotiable
ContactJaroslav Cernosek+420 602 228 797Mail jcernosekcentrumcz
wwwyourtuliptourcom
JC Tours
50classifieds
51classifieds
CafeacuteBar Review Van Mechelen
cafebar review52
Van MechelenSloterkade 96-97 Amsterdam
It may be the new hype in the city as far as grand cafeacute and restaurant concepts go but Van Mechelen is already approaching excellence Considering its handy location in another pretty neighbourhood of Amsterdam South it is almost a lsquomust visitrsquo place that has created a theme built on the Burgundian enjoyment of life good food complemented with top-class beer and wine If you want a taste of what it feels like to visit a cafeacute-restaurant in Mechelen Belgium Van Mechelen is an easy way for an Amsterdammer to savour this experience and is just a short cycle ride away
ambianceBurgundian Rating 5
StaffregularsMembers of staff are clearly very well trained and this adds to the light and airy atmosphere Having opened for business just three months ago those who have fallen in love with the place and its consumables have not yet had time to clock up the number of visits and connections to be considered lsquoregularsrsquo Rating 5
televised sportNo space within the design and layout for this form of distraction Rating 3
PricesSurprisingly these are within the lsquonormalrsquo range for this level and quality of fare Outstandingly fairly priced snacks and nibbles are also offered to help you along as you take on the fine (Mechelen brewery group Alken-Maes) beers and wines When did you last enjoy a generous portion of fresh olives for a mere euro250 Rating 5
MusicAt the time of review the establishment was fairly packed out The atmosphere is conducive to chats and hilarity and although the selection of tunes could be heard far in the background the sound system may well have more kick It should as the building is of such a solid constitution that it should contain noise and not easily upset the neighbours Rating 5
Smoking area provisionFortunately for puffers the originally industrial nature of the address means that the former loading bay and entranceexit areas have become two naturally covered terrace areas separated from the luscious interior by huge glass-panelled doors Rating 5
total rating 2830(Rating from 1-5 where 1 = Very poor and 5 = Excellent)
By Denson Pierre
lsquoThe new hype in the city as far as grand cafeacute and restaurant concepts gorsquo
cafebar review53
lsquoMembers of staff are clearly very well trainedrsquo
cafebar review54
cafebar review55
lsquoOutstandingly fairly priced snacks and nibbles are also offeredrsquo
cafebar review56
cafebar review57
lsquoThe atmosphere is conducive to chats and hilarityrsquo
cafebar review58
cafebar review59
scamsterdam
lifestyles60
By Valeria Scimia
Unemployed international and looking for a job in the Netherlands Not only must you face the everyday hell that is job-seeking but now you must also beware of scam companies Yes theyrsquove arrived here too
I was recently contacted by an ostensibly legitimate company that wanted to hire me The contact took the form of what appeared to be a genuine e-mail complete with website and logo from a company in Australia that seemed absolutely legitimate (I have since contacted the company to warn them that someone overseas is using their name and logo to scam people) The e-mail explained that the company was opening an office in Holland and was looking for people who would handle the back-office orders It contained a form to be filled in and returned if I was interested in the position the form asked for all my personal information including my bank details I had been looking for a job and was interested in the offer so I filled in and sent off the form and my CV Once they received my e-mail they asked me to start a trial period without practically explaining anything of what the job was actually about I didnrsquot immediately reply so they called me the next day asking me to start immediately with the trial period promising lots of benefits once the contract was signed I hadnrsquot met anyone at this point only telephone interviews and that already didnrsquot seem right to me I asked them to send me more information by e-mail about what I was meant to do and a few moments later I received a response asking me to make a bank transfer to show them I was trustworthy The lsquotrialrsquo implied that they would send me some money and I had to transfer half via GWK or MoneyTransfer to one of their clients and keep the other half This smelled very fishy to the Italian in me In reality they could be sending a cheque to the bank which would register an income that would later bounce after I had already made the payment to their lsquoclientrsquo On top of losing money the person that tried to lsquohirersquo meyou
would have been untraceable No one was even picking up the phone at the number given in the e-mail and the company they claimed to represent wasnrsquot even active in Europe
So I said no and told them I was no longer interested They even had the gumption to call me back and ask me why I wouldnrsquot do it I gave them a silly excuse so as not to give them any more information or tips on how to improve their scummy scam I am happy I started checking their contacts as soon as their promises seemed too good to be true even if I am still angry I allowed them to data-mine all of my information when I sent them my CV and filled in their form
It beggars belief that they set up an entire facade in these times of work despair and it really doesnrsquot feel right especially because therersquos not much I can do about it now apart from inform people I didnrsquot think this would ever happen here in this country where everything has to be or always seems to be so legitimate But I guess some things never change and a place doesnrsquot make the people and certainly doesnrsquot influence the choices they make I just wanted to share my experience to alert everyone to the possible scam If a company contacts you and asks you to return a form including your bank details when you have never met anyone face-to-face it should make your antennas extend and remember to double-check their credibility Apparently it is illegal to ask such questions of someone here so donrsquot fall for it as I did As I am still waiting to hear from the company in Australia I didnrsquot feel it was proper to disclose its name publicly just yet plus I am not sure the scammers always use the same company as a fake front But what they ask you to do is more or less always the same so keep your eyes open to the little details
lsquoYou face the everyday hell that is job-seeking but now you must also beware of scam companiesrsquo
lsquoThis smelled very fishy to the Italian in mersquo
lsquoThe form asked for all my personal informationrsquo
lifestyles6
1
Je moet er geweest zijn
62classifieds
MechelenAuthentic and full of surprises Thatrsquos Mechelen Hospitable and honourable Thatrsquos the people of Mechelen Come and experience the cityrsquos urban charms for yourself Mechelen
Authentic and full of surprises Thatrsquos Mechelen Hospitable and honourable Thatrsquos the people of Mechelen Come and experience the cityrsquos urban charms for yourself
photography copy Milo Profi
classifieds63
classifieds
How to hang out in
Amsterdam
By ER Muntrem
perspectives
It is not against the rules for babies to cry in cafeacutes It happens Mostly they sleep or sit in someonersquos lap with commendable decorum Otherwise kids in cafeacutes tend to nosh a little less than their elders and handle crayons a little more And while anyone who toddles behind the bar will certainly get caught they can always claim they were encouraged to toddle there in the first place
Dutch parents and I realise this is hard to prove seem to let their kids wander a metre or two further away from them than parents from other developed countries that universal ldquowhere is sherdquo look delayed five or ten seconds If this extra distance is a sign of perceived safety cafeacute culture must help teach it
Except for chefs all cafeacute workers do more or less all the jobs required to run a cafeacute They all wait on tables
serve hot and cold drinks set up outdoor furniture load and retrieve supplies take the garbage out wash glasses light candles arrange flowers unfurl the awning and ring up the bill When the young guy or girl greets you you may know they are not the owner but for the moment they are the face of the establishment It may as well be their place
Admittedly I am seduced by places where waiters donrsquot work for tips where the rushed pace of eating in a restaurant in America does not exist In a cafeacute you can do what you want for as long as you want and get food and drink while you do it Pretty cool and as much a baseline for how to hang out in Amsterdam as cycling is for how to get around
Places to eat and drink owned by corporations have to package experience to deliver it Whatrsquos our brand How can our managers and servers be most efficient How ultimately can we be number one Not something most cafeacutes seem to be worried about and where the universal signs for lsquowe are having a good time togetherrsquo
lsquoCafeacute culture must help teachrsquo lsquoI am seduced by places where waiters donrsquot work for tipsrsquo
64
perspectives
or lsquoI am happy here by myselfrsquo (clinked glasses or absorption in a newspaper say) are routinely in evidence This is one true grace of democracy the average worth smiling about
At cafeacutes co-workers have a beer before or after their shift friends drop by or a regular pops in with some news The stream of customers they donrsquot have to woo and donrsquot have to lsquoworkrsquo gives the whole thing a slightly familial living room perfectly public feel that makes the work far less of a personality crimp than working at Starbucks Or so it seems I do not mean to pretend carrying drinks across the street to the canal side seating or giving obvious directions yet again is always glorious but most people who work in cafeacutersquos laugh and smile a fair bit almost as much as the patrons
And when the owner of a cafeacute is of a generation older than those working there as is usually the case it lends a wise uncle or mother hen feel to the proceedings In the daytime no one is ever too caught up in his or her designated title to ignore a baby on the move And at
night the crowd of drinkers may as well be at a party hosted by their parents or kids or both
Itrsquos not all about money cafeacute culture churns towards the civilised without grinding anyone too far down As well as pleasure there is power in this The best distillation I know of what democracy should be came from a young woman working at Cafeacute Captein With our meal in front of us my friend noticed he was missing his salad Flagged down the young woman went to investigate ldquoItrsquos on its wayrdquo she said ldquoI told my boss to do itrdquo
Imagine we told Putin to do it We told Obama to do it We told the bankers to do it
lsquoMost people who work in cafeacutersquos laugh and smile a fair bitrsquo
lsquoCafeacute culture churns towards the civilised without grinding anyone too far downrsquo
65
66
featurecity gem
lsquoThe last of the large independent music stores left standing in Amsterdamrsquo
CITY GEM
67
Concerto
By Denson Pierre
ConcertoUtrechtsestraat 60 1017 VP Amsterdam
it is a rush when on a full stomach you can make an instant decision on where your next city-centre lunch will be taken it is almost ecstasy when the venue is situated in a music shop which for decades has been defined by its exceptional range and quality of music available in amsterdam Concerto is the last of the large independent music stores left standing in amsterdam all the others have long since been killed off by everything from the advance in recording and playback technologies to habitual illegal downloaders only now realising that their behaviour has an impact right back down to street level despite what they might think about the giant studios and recording companies
Concerto has not stuck but has twisted Since September it has incorporated a cute cafeacute
and lunch area within its premises as well as introducing a bookshop and lounge area making it possible to spend an almost nostalgic time there over several hours It still has a vast range of the very best music in vinyl (both new and second-hand) and CD form DVDs DJ equipment and even gear used for live musical performances Itrsquos a gold mine
If it has taken this clever adaptation in space utilisation to keep this institution viable and available to Amsterdam-based music lovers then I personally wish to support this venture and help mean this type of music retailer to remain part of the city scene For people of a certain age there is something infinitely more appealing about physically handling recorded material appreciating the artwork in its packaging having a listen and then deciding if it is a purchase you would like to make Even though non-digital stockpiling has become rather passeacute I challenge you to visit Concerto and its new cafeacute and bookshop concept and not end up spending more time in this true city gem than you had anticipated
lsquoIt has incorporated a cute cafeacute and lunch area within its premises as well as introducing a bookshop and lounge arearsquo
city gem
68
city gem
69city gem
city gem70
city gem71
72city gem
lsquoThere is something infinitely more appealing about physically
handling recorded material appreciating the artwork in its
packagingrsquo
73city gem
74classifi eds
75classifi eds
classifi edsclassifi eds76
amsterdam city life
BrinG BaCK
Something that seems to have been watered down considerably in Amsterdamrsquos hospitality industry in recent years is independence of thought styling and designAll you have to do is walk around the city to note that way too many coffeesoup houses and cafeacutes are more or less identikit This also applies to many cafeacutes with unimaginative business leaders who open unoriginal looking spaces and hope that the use of white paint purple or blue lights and house music is all it takes
Luckily there is something brewing to save our days and nights I have come across cafeacute owners who are now seriously considering ending the arrangements they have with the giant drink suppliers There are actually no good arguments left for continuing with these huge multinationals as they are frankly more expensive at wholesale for the same A-class products than the supermarkets on every Amsterdammerrsquos street corner
It looks like space is being created for the smaller brewers to take up the supply of A-class beer to smaller establishments throughout the city The giants can keep their character-free tourist traps and those bars still able to benefit purely from their unbeatable locations throughout the city
The Sentinel says bring back better and more original businesses of scale within the local hospitality industry which will help more cafeacutes and bars not only to become distinguishable by the interior designs they will need to conjure but also through the variety of local and regional beers that could become part of their coherent identity The overriding benefit of such courageous thinking and action would be an immediate return to realistic and reasonable pricing for A-class beer in Amsterdam which remains the staple of the easy consumables as this recession drones on
By Denson Pierre
INDEPENDENT CAFeacuteSBARS
77
78star beer guide
Star Beer
The SentinelStar beer guide
lsquoDifferent beers can seem to weigh on the conscience as much as on the taste budsrsquo
Just like the changing of the seasons different beers can seem to weigh on the conscience as much as on the taste buds Ciney blond is a lovely almost effeminate tasting beer All light smooth fruitiness bolstered by substantial alcohol content
As the temperature increases it can even feel like a thirst quencher A nice session beer and one that could function as an entrance-level quality beer in terms of its complexity For advanced samplers it is a great lower platform to descend to after cruising the space occupied by the 8-plus percentage alcoholic beauties
Ciney blond is brewed by Alken-Maes Mechelen Belgium
By Denson Pierre
CINEY BLOND (7 ABV)
79star beer guide
We find the best most fun most typical exciting or local favourite restaurants etcetera in Amsterdam and bring them to you an easy way to feel like a local
Cafe Kostverloren 040606
Recommended
80recommended
EUROGIFTSXenonweg 9 3812 SZ Amersfoort
Tel 033 - 454 35 75 - Fax 033 - 454 35 79E-mail lmproefeurogiftsnl
Website wwweurogiftsnl
FILMPROEF
ORDERNUMMER 6021022ARTIKELNUMMER 65123
Ware grootte (indien uitgeprint)Kleur opdruk Wit
Mulligans Irish Music BarAmsterdamrsquos best address for live Irish music Five (5) nights a week Check our agenda for upcoming sessions Amstel 100 1017 AC Amsterdamwwwmulligansnl
Cafeacute KostverlorenCafeacute Kostverloren is a contemporary cafe offering the cosiness of a saloon an open kitchen and the intimacy of a living room The large terras is great for sunny days2e Kostverlorenkade 70 Amsterdamwwwcafekostverlorennl
ZestZest is fi ne food warm atmosphere and classy drinks with regular semi-acoustic (live) music and DJs (Thursday to Sunday) Amsterdamrsquos newest and freshestBilderdijkstraat 188 Amsterdamwwwfacebookcomclubzestnl
GollemGollemrsquos Proefl okaal Gollem and Gollem II represent the best addresses serving the fullest range of top Belgian Dutch and international beers in AmsterdamOvertoom 160-161wwwcafegollemnl
IncantoA restaurant with a classic Italian kitchen Venetian chef Simone Ambrosin is known for his pure and simple style of cooking with great feeling for nuanceAmstel 2 Amsterdamwwwrestaurant-incantonl
Planet RoseThe fi rst Caribbean restaurant in the Netherlands specialised in Jamaican cuisine The menu features a daily changing selectionNicolaas Beetsstraat 47 Amsterdamwwwplanetroseinfo
Cafe restaurant EdelCafe restaurant Edel is the perfect place for lunch dinner or to simply enjoy a drink Edel is a unique place in AmsterdamPostjesweg 1 1057 DT Amsterdamwwwedelamsterdamnl
Cafeacute OportoCafeacute Oporto is a traditional Amsterdam lsquobrown cafersquo Welcoming tourists and regular customers alike they offer televised sports wifi and a wide range of reasonably priced beers and spiritsZoutsteeg 1 1012 LX Amsterdamwwwcafeoportonet
BaxA cosy and friendly local cafeacute with a focus on special or interesting beers and good quality food Open 7 days a week with a professional kitchen offering a lunch and dinner serviceTen Katestraat 119 Amsterdamwwwcafebaxnl
To be seen and tasted Fun Drinking amp Music
To Be Seen and Tasted
Fun Drinking amp Music
Fun Drinking amp Music
Connoisseurs Delight
Connoisseurs Delight
Connoisseurs Delight
To Be Seen and Tasted
Neighbourhood cosy
Fun drinking and music
ParckGreat fun beautiful people and simply the best bar food in townOvertoom 428 Amsterdamwwwcafeparcknl
To be seen and tasted
Cafe de Toog1890rsquos grandeur fashioned into Amsterdam-West grand brown cafe-restaurant-cool Classy drinks and mealsNicolaas Beetsstraat 142 hs Amsterdam wwwcafedetoogcom
Opera Prima - Patisserie Bistro TraiteurThe best place in town for lunch exquisite high teas or brunches and all of your luxury catering both private and corporateKinkerstraat 228 Amsterdamwwwoperaprimanl
Recommended
81
Where is this inAmsterdamAnswer to sentinelpostgmailcom
82spotted
Room 2cfilm
ldquoCome on in boys the waterrsquos finerdquo This is arguably the best all-round and funny musical to come out of Hollywood in a generation and certainly one of the best three soundtracks of the same period George Clooney will never be as good or charming as he is here playing the accidental leader of a trio of chain gang escapees in the US south of the 1930s Spirituality meets the Ku Klux Klan all coloured by Virginia bluegrass
ldquoCall me Snakerdquo The coolest handle for a leading man (Kurt Russell) in any movie to date Here he is sent in on a heroic lsquoat all costrsquo one-man mission to rescue the president of the United States from the prison island Manhattan has become in a lsquofuturersquo representation of 1997 Air Force One has crashed there and the countdown is on Classic 1980s turn of the millennium dystopian vision with style pace and gadgetry
By dpmotions
By dpmotions
o Brother Where Art Thou (2000)
escape from new York (1981)
room2c83
84trends
lsquoTrends are great to join and surf like a once in a lifetime tsunamirsquo
By Dirkje Bakker-Pierre
Each and every micro-world has its own specific trends Take the fashion world for example where one day you have to wear high heels and round noses and the next itrsquos flat hairy elephant feet-like boots that must hug your feet Or take the automotive world where once upon a time you could never have enough chrome on your car or the food world where we have quietly moved from fast to green and wholesome or the TV world which used to be about fiction and is now more real than reality Some of these trends are great to join and surf like a once in a lifetime tsunami others can slip by unnoticed and others still keep bugging and bugging you even if you try to avoid them like the plague
The online world and specifically the social media universe eats through trends like a fat chick after a hunger strike Facebook in particular seems to move seamlessly from one hype to the next one day itrsquos pictures with fuzzy edges or a bit of a 1970s filter the next itrsquos a profile picture with you very consciously not looking into the camera (very spontaneously and naturally non-posing you might say) These are mostly harmless things if Irsquom honest and when everyone
stops liking them they fade away as quickly as the sun in our small wet country There is one trend however that has festered within Facebook from the very beginning and which seems to be gradually growing and growing without anyone ever liking the postshellip and I mean EVER
Yes I am talking about daily quotes words of wisdom holy quotes mesmerizingly philosophical quotes cheesy quotes religious quoteshellip How can I describe all of them in one easy sentence pieces of text from (famous) people (it can never be something you thought of yourself) that lsquodisclosersquo previously secret information about being happy in life (or at least previously secret to the person doing the posting I presume) In short texts that belong on tiles hanging on the wall in old Dutch peoplersquos toilets
Why
Here are a few I found in my news feed this week
ldquoA mind is like a parachute It doesnrsquot work if it is not openrdquo ndash Frank Zappa
ldquoIt is not because things are difficult that we do not dare it is because we do not dare that things are difficultrdquo ndash Seneca
ldquoIf you donrsquot take what you are doing seriously then nobody else willrdquo ndash Darryl Dlt Thomson
Bad trends would be good if they werenrsquot so bad
85trends
86classifi eds
87classifieds
One of my personal favourite gemstones is moonstone Itlsquos been around for centuries and is used in many cultures As suggested by its name the stone is highly associated with the moon and moon goddess Diana It brings calm peace and love and is said to become more powerful when the moon is full so thatlsquos the best time to wear it One proverb even claims that moonstone can bring you love that will fly you to the moon Spiritually this amazing stone is said to enhance intuition and is always associated with the self It is a very powerful personal stone which doesnlsquot add or remove any aspects of the personality but merely reflects the person wearing it It is said to be very
MoonstoneBy Evelina Kvartunaite
ndash
lsquoThe stone is highly associated with the moon and moon goddess Dianarsquo
ndash
helpful for people who are very sensitive and it is also used in meditation for reflecting oneself Itlsquos always best to charge your gem when the moon is shining at night either while wearing it or by leaving it on a windowsill that receives moonlight Moonstone is also used in healing and is known for balancing the internal organ systems enabling them to work in stable cycles Itlsquos usually more associated with women but is also known to help men embrace their more emotional side soft creative energies and optimism Perhaps understandably moonstone should have limited exposure to strong direct sunlight
ndash
lsquoIt is said to be very helpful for people who are very sensitiversquo
ndash
88
health amp well-being
ndash
lsquoMore associated with women but is also known to help men embrace their more emotional sidersquo
ndash
89health amp well-being
In his article Batin shows how learning how to use complex products is like learning a computer game Just like the challenges in video games match the skills of the user so should TV interactions or any UI interactions for that matter For reference Batin used the four levels described in the Dreyfus model of skill acquisition
Level 1 novicebullRigid adherence to taught rules or plansbullNo exercise of lsquodiscretionary judgmentrsquo
Level 2 Advanced beginnerbullLimited lsquosituational perceptionrsquobullAll aspects of work treated separately with equal importance
Philip Batin wrote an article a couple of months ago about the next big idea in User Interaction gadgets that adapt to your skills As gadgets become more complicated UIs must be able to teach their users over time Apparently more and more interactive products are being returned In 2002 48 of all returned products were technically fully functional but were rejected for failing to satisfy user needs 20 purely due to customer remorse Even though a product may have all the features one can hope for complexity and bad user experience can prevent users from integrating it into their lives
UserInterfaceThe next big thing in UX
lsquoUIs must be able to teach their users over timersquo
By Andrei Barburas
lsquoComplexity and bad user experience can prevent users from
integrating it into their livesrsquo
90
technology
book the majority of which you probably skipped through
Personally I believe that there are certain end users most likely the majority that use only a limited set of features from any device they buy Mobile phones have become indispensable tools in our daily activities yet the average Joe has no idea about the full potential of a smart phone The same applies to Smart TVs they can do lots of things yet the only thing that we do with them is flip channels and complain how bad the shows are
The bottom line is that itrsquos definitely something worth thinking about not only from an operating system perspective but also from the perspective of applications developers
Level 3 competentbulllsquoCoping with crowdednessrsquo (multiple activities accumulation of information)bullSome perception of actions in relation to goalsbullDeliberate planningbullFormulates routines
Level 4 ProficientbullHolistic view of situationbullPrioritizes importance of aspectsbulllsquoPerceives deviations from the normal patternrsquobullEmploys maxim for guidance with meanings that adapt to the situation at hand
Now just imagine a User Interface that adapts based on what you can do and the abilities you have As you learn new things new levels of complexity are unlocked opening the door to fully knowing your device because you learned by doing and not by reading a complicated
lsquoThe average Joe has no idea about the full potential of a
smart phonersquo
91technology
92classifi eds
93classifi eds
Not knowing what was happening in football was extremely annoying to put it mildly and it wasnrsquot just my own self-denial and avoidance of all things football that was a hindrance the extent to which I had to ask others to go in order to remain ignorant was much more excruciating than Irsquod ever imagined There may even be some damage done to football-related friendships that is irreparable I now feel as though Irsquom walking through an empty stadium after everyone else has gone home
So what now and where to next The season is well and truly over and Irsquom free to do whatever I want I could read the back-dated sports pages check all the stats and find out all the facts if I wanted to I could spend hours catching up on last season and speculating on the next with the friends Irsquove still got left down the pub if I wanted to I can follow all the transfer gossip watch pre-season friendlies and build up all my hopes But as with most addictions that would simply be falling back into a previous state of dependence and everything Irsquove just put myself through wouldrsquove been for nothing So how do I go back to an old habit without a total relapse or would it be better to keep abstaining
All my questions seem to be met with other questions and no solutions On the other hand if you ask me what
Someone once said that insanity is when you keep repeating the same behaviour and expect a different outcome most likely a psychologist aimed at his or her ailing patients But for me these words are more reminiscent of my own conduct over the course of a regular football season Week in week out season after season I would expect Tottenham to win something and more often than not Irsquod be left disappointed So I decided to stop No more football ndash at least not for one full season
The season 201213 is now over and during the whole nine months I didnrsquot watch a single moment of football or read a single article on the subject That was my challenge and I was committed to it What is more despite all the warning signs I didnrsquot relapse After a year of structured punishment I didnrsquot have a clue about what was going on in the English Premier League (or any other league) Only having picked up bits and pieces of information that somehow slipped through the net the past season was like a book with most of its pages missing
By Simon Joseph
On The Volley
The Return of the Repressed or the Point of No Return
lsquoInsanity is when you keep repeating the same behaviour and expect a different outcomersquo
sport
lsquoThe past season was like a book with most of its pages missingrsquo
94
lsquoThere may even be some damage done to football-related friendshipsrsquo
lsquoHas abstaining for a season changed mersquo
it until the cows come home but it was us who made those changes or at least allowed them to happen and those changes will continue to happen with or without me Perhaps then the questions I should be asking are has abstaining for a season changed me Am I still obsessed or have I broken the habit of a lifetime Is following football really that terrible or even a real addiction
One thing is certain this lack of resolution is not completely without satisfaction because like all forms of fixation or obsession therersquos comfort and familiarity to be found in repetition as Tottenham miss out on Championrsquos League football by a single point again The repressed will always return to haunt us or so it seems and before we know it the start of next season will be upon us There will be more pain no doubt and more joy This time however it will take more than a boot camp approach to keep me away and who knows Tottenham might even win the league Come on you Spurs
Tottenham Hotspur means I would still tell you that itrsquos not just a pretty football package itrsquos about kith and kin not just where I came from but how I relate to others around me in the here and now Whatrsquos more millions of people are attracted to football they hunger for it and yearn to connect with it even though I still believe itrsquos a form of ineffective escape from one unsatisfying reality to another Following football is a classic example of cognitive dissonance ndash when you simultaneously entertain two opposing thoughts that appear to cancel each other out Before the start of each season for example we all want our club to win everything or to be taken over by billionaires but know that itrsquos impossible or in the latter case controversial and even undesirable So we invent ways to cope We develop a so-called lsquosiege mentalityrsquo or other harmful patterns of behaviour to relieve the discomfort of incongruity With this in mind the past year was supposed to be an exercise in behaviour modification ndash to discover the root of the problem and treat it effectively But one year on have I really discovered anything at all
The English Premier League whether you watch it or not is still probably the most exciting football league in the world We can complain about the changes made to
sport9
5
By Denson Pierre
The Gold Room
Fantasy Football Gold ndash Champions League 2012-2013 winner Denson Pierre and his prizes
The season petered out in an all-German Champions League Final which did nothing to dispel the record that this was a season of too few new stars or regular spectacle We look forward to the next season as it ought not be too difficult to create more excitement than in the one just pastWe did have the opportunity to hand over the envelopes and trophies to the Sentinel Fantasy Football game winners This year all the major winners from the Sentinel Fantasy Football League were unable to be present for the physical prize giving but the winner of the Gold Game and focus of this column was there to receive his prize for winning the master game in styleSo we retire the Gold Room until the beginning of the new football season See you all again then
96
sport
Matt Parker receives his third place and Manager of the Month prizes for the Sentinel Fantasy Football League
Charles Conneely Sentinel Fantasy Football League 2012-2013 Champion
97sport
wwwczechtourismcom
CZECH REPUBLIC - STUNNINGLY DIFFERENT
98
classifi eds
37perspectives
38perspectives
39perspectives
40
perspectives
41perspectives
42featureperspectives
feature4
3perspectives
44
featureperspectives
feature4
5perspectives
lsquoTake a closer look at the statue of former Queen Wilhelmina and her horsersquo
46
perspectives
lsquoThis is also where you can find me presenting a fine selection of my
photo printsrsquo
47perspectives
perspectives4
8
perspectives4
9
For complete and world class tours of Prague
Packages includebull Hidden and playful Prague (for families with young children)bull Literary Praguebull Prague Architecture through the agesbull Religion and the citybull The old city at night
These are detailed tours designed for visitors who wish to explore with great detail and not suitable for simply sight-seeing tourists
Day segments and ratesPR 0800-1230hrs AG 1330-1630hrs UE 1730-2130hrsAll sessions are priced at u 25 per single adult Group size upper limit = 8 Accompanied children under the age of five are gratis and school aged children pay 25 Family package rates are negotiable
ContactJaroslav Cernosek+420 602 228 797Mail jcernosekcentrumcz
wwwyourtuliptourcom
JC Tours
50classifieds
51classifieds
CafeacuteBar Review Van Mechelen
cafebar review52
Van MechelenSloterkade 96-97 Amsterdam
It may be the new hype in the city as far as grand cafeacute and restaurant concepts go but Van Mechelen is already approaching excellence Considering its handy location in another pretty neighbourhood of Amsterdam South it is almost a lsquomust visitrsquo place that has created a theme built on the Burgundian enjoyment of life good food complemented with top-class beer and wine If you want a taste of what it feels like to visit a cafeacute-restaurant in Mechelen Belgium Van Mechelen is an easy way for an Amsterdammer to savour this experience and is just a short cycle ride away
ambianceBurgundian Rating 5
StaffregularsMembers of staff are clearly very well trained and this adds to the light and airy atmosphere Having opened for business just three months ago those who have fallen in love with the place and its consumables have not yet had time to clock up the number of visits and connections to be considered lsquoregularsrsquo Rating 5
televised sportNo space within the design and layout for this form of distraction Rating 3
PricesSurprisingly these are within the lsquonormalrsquo range for this level and quality of fare Outstandingly fairly priced snacks and nibbles are also offered to help you along as you take on the fine (Mechelen brewery group Alken-Maes) beers and wines When did you last enjoy a generous portion of fresh olives for a mere euro250 Rating 5
MusicAt the time of review the establishment was fairly packed out The atmosphere is conducive to chats and hilarity and although the selection of tunes could be heard far in the background the sound system may well have more kick It should as the building is of such a solid constitution that it should contain noise and not easily upset the neighbours Rating 5
Smoking area provisionFortunately for puffers the originally industrial nature of the address means that the former loading bay and entranceexit areas have become two naturally covered terrace areas separated from the luscious interior by huge glass-panelled doors Rating 5
total rating 2830(Rating from 1-5 where 1 = Very poor and 5 = Excellent)
By Denson Pierre
lsquoThe new hype in the city as far as grand cafeacute and restaurant concepts gorsquo
cafebar review53
lsquoMembers of staff are clearly very well trainedrsquo
cafebar review54
cafebar review55
lsquoOutstandingly fairly priced snacks and nibbles are also offeredrsquo
cafebar review56
cafebar review57
lsquoThe atmosphere is conducive to chats and hilarityrsquo
cafebar review58
cafebar review59
scamsterdam
lifestyles60
By Valeria Scimia
Unemployed international and looking for a job in the Netherlands Not only must you face the everyday hell that is job-seeking but now you must also beware of scam companies Yes theyrsquove arrived here too
I was recently contacted by an ostensibly legitimate company that wanted to hire me The contact took the form of what appeared to be a genuine e-mail complete with website and logo from a company in Australia that seemed absolutely legitimate (I have since contacted the company to warn them that someone overseas is using their name and logo to scam people) The e-mail explained that the company was opening an office in Holland and was looking for people who would handle the back-office orders It contained a form to be filled in and returned if I was interested in the position the form asked for all my personal information including my bank details I had been looking for a job and was interested in the offer so I filled in and sent off the form and my CV Once they received my e-mail they asked me to start a trial period without practically explaining anything of what the job was actually about I didnrsquot immediately reply so they called me the next day asking me to start immediately with the trial period promising lots of benefits once the contract was signed I hadnrsquot met anyone at this point only telephone interviews and that already didnrsquot seem right to me I asked them to send me more information by e-mail about what I was meant to do and a few moments later I received a response asking me to make a bank transfer to show them I was trustworthy The lsquotrialrsquo implied that they would send me some money and I had to transfer half via GWK or MoneyTransfer to one of their clients and keep the other half This smelled very fishy to the Italian in me In reality they could be sending a cheque to the bank which would register an income that would later bounce after I had already made the payment to their lsquoclientrsquo On top of losing money the person that tried to lsquohirersquo meyou
would have been untraceable No one was even picking up the phone at the number given in the e-mail and the company they claimed to represent wasnrsquot even active in Europe
So I said no and told them I was no longer interested They even had the gumption to call me back and ask me why I wouldnrsquot do it I gave them a silly excuse so as not to give them any more information or tips on how to improve their scummy scam I am happy I started checking their contacts as soon as their promises seemed too good to be true even if I am still angry I allowed them to data-mine all of my information when I sent them my CV and filled in their form
It beggars belief that they set up an entire facade in these times of work despair and it really doesnrsquot feel right especially because therersquos not much I can do about it now apart from inform people I didnrsquot think this would ever happen here in this country where everything has to be or always seems to be so legitimate But I guess some things never change and a place doesnrsquot make the people and certainly doesnrsquot influence the choices they make I just wanted to share my experience to alert everyone to the possible scam If a company contacts you and asks you to return a form including your bank details when you have never met anyone face-to-face it should make your antennas extend and remember to double-check their credibility Apparently it is illegal to ask such questions of someone here so donrsquot fall for it as I did As I am still waiting to hear from the company in Australia I didnrsquot feel it was proper to disclose its name publicly just yet plus I am not sure the scammers always use the same company as a fake front But what they ask you to do is more or less always the same so keep your eyes open to the little details
lsquoYou face the everyday hell that is job-seeking but now you must also beware of scam companiesrsquo
lsquoThis smelled very fishy to the Italian in mersquo
lsquoThe form asked for all my personal informationrsquo
lifestyles6
1
Je moet er geweest zijn
62classifieds
MechelenAuthentic and full of surprises Thatrsquos Mechelen Hospitable and honourable Thatrsquos the people of Mechelen Come and experience the cityrsquos urban charms for yourself Mechelen
Authentic and full of surprises Thatrsquos Mechelen Hospitable and honourable Thatrsquos the people of Mechelen Come and experience the cityrsquos urban charms for yourself
photography copy Milo Profi
classifieds63
classifieds
How to hang out in
Amsterdam
By ER Muntrem
perspectives
It is not against the rules for babies to cry in cafeacutes It happens Mostly they sleep or sit in someonersquos lap with commendable decorum Otherwise kids in cafeacutes tend to nosh a little less than their elders and handle crayons a little more And while anyone who toddles behind the bar will certainly get caught they can always claim they were encouraged to toddle there in the first place
Dutch parents and I realise this is hard to prove seem to let their kids wander a metre or two further away from them than parents from other developed countries that universal ldquowhere is sherdquo look delayed five or ten seconds If this extra distance is a sign of perceived safety cafeacute culture must help teach it
Except for chefs all cafeacute workers do more or less all the jobs required to run a cafeacute They all wait on tables
serve hot and cold drinks set up outdoor furniture load and retrieve supplies take the garbage out wash glasses light candles arrange flowers unfurl the awning and ring up the bill When the young guy or girl greets you you may know they are not the owner but for the moment they are the face of the establishment It may as well be their place
Admittedly I am seduced by places where waiters donrsquot work for tips where the rushed pace of eating in a restaurant in America does not exist In a cafeacute you can do what you want for as long as you want and get food and drink while you do it Pretty cool and as much a baseline for how to hang out in Amsterdam as cycling is for how to get around
Places to eat and drink owned by corporations have to package experience to deliver it Whatrsquos our brand How can our managers and servers be most efficient How ultimately can we be number one Not something most cafeacutes seem to be worried about and where the universal signs for lsquowe are having a good time togetherrsquo
lsquoCafeacute culture must help teachrsquo lsquoI am seduced by places where waiters donrsquot work for tipsrsquo
64
perspectives
or lsquoI am happy here by myselfrsquo (clinked glasses or absorption in a newspaper say) are routinely in evidence This is one true grace of democracy the average worth smiling about
At cafeacutes co-workers have a beer before or after their shift friends drop by or a regular pops in with some news The stream of customers they donrsquot have to woo and donrsquot have to lsquoworkrsquo gives the whole thing a slightly familial living room perfectly public feel that makes the work far less of a personality crimp than working at Starbucks Or so it seems I do not mean to pretend carrying drinks across the street to the canal side seating or giving obvious directions yet again is always glorious but most people who work in cafeacutersquos laugh and smile a fair bit almost as much as the patrons
And when the owner of a cafeacute is of a generation older than those working there as is usually the case it lends a wise uncle or mother hen feel to the proceedings In the daytime no one is ever too caught up in his or her designated title to ignore a baby on the move And at
night the crowd of drinkers may as well be at a party hosted by their parents or kids or both
Itrsquos not all about money cafeacute culture churns towards the civilised without grinding anyone too far down As well as pleasure there is power in this The best distillation I know of what democracy should be came from a young woman working at Cafeacute Captein With our meal in front of us my friend noticed he was missing his salad Flagged down the young woman went to investigate ldquoItrsquos on its wayrdquo she said ldquoI told my boss to do itrdquo
Imagine we told Putin to do it We told Obama to do it We told the bankers to do it
lsquoMost people who work in cafeacutersquos laugh and smile a fair bitrsquo
lsquoCafeacute culture churns towards the civilised without grinding anyone too far downrsquo
65
66
featurecity gem
lsquoThe last of the large independent music stores left standing in Amsterdamrsquo
CITY GEM
67
Concerto
By Denson Pierre
ConcertoUtrechtsestraat 60 1017 VP Amsterdam
it is a rush when on a full stomach you can make an instant decision on where your next city-centre lunch will be taken it is almost ecstasy when the venue is situated in a music shop which for decades has been defined by its exceptional range and quality of music available in amsterdam Concerto is the last of the large independent music stores left standing in amsterdam all the others have long since been killed off by everything from the advance in recording and playback technologies to habitual illegal downloaders only now realising that their behaviour has an impact right back down to street level despite what they might think about the giant studios and recording companies
Concerto has not stuck but has twisted Since September it has incorporated a cute cafeacute
and lunch area within its premises as well as introducing a bookshop and lounge area making it possible to spend an almost nostalgic time there over several hours It still has a vast range of the very best music in vinyl (both new and second-hand) and CD form DVDs DJ equipment and even gear used for live musical performances Itrsquos a gold mine
If it has taken this clever adaptation in space utilisation to keep this institution viable and available to Amsterdam-based music lovers then I personally wish to support this venture and help mean this type of music retailer to remain part of the city scene For people of a certain age there is something infinitely more appealing about physically handling recorded material appreciating the artwork in its packaging having a listen and then deciding if it is a purchase you would like to make Even though non-digital stockpiling has become rather passeacute I challenge you to visit Concerto and its new cafeacute and bookshop concept and not end up spending more time in this true city gem than you had anticipated
lsquoIt has incorporated a cute cafeacute and lunch area within its premises as well as introducing a bookshop and lounge arearsquo
city gem
68
city gem
69city gem
city gem70
city gem71
72city gem
lsquoThere is something infinitely more appealing about physically
handling recorded material appreciating the artwork in its
packagingrsquo
73city gem
74classifi eds
75classifi eds
classifi edsclassifi eds76
amsterdam city life
BrinG BaCK
Something that seems to have been watered down considerably in Amsterdamrsquos hospitality industry in recent years is independence of thought styling and designAll you have to do is walk around the city to note that way too many coffeesoup houses and cafeacutes are more or less identikit This also applies to many cafeacutes with unimaginative business leaders who open unoriginal looking spaces and hope that the use of white paint purple or blue lights and house music is all it takes
Luckily there is something brewing to save our days and nights I have come across cafeacute owners who are now seriously considering ending the arrangements they have with the giant drink suppliers There are actually no good arguments left for continuing with these huge multinationals as they are frankly more expensive at wholesale for the same A-class products than the supermarkets on every Amsterdammerrsquos street corner
It looks like space is being created for the smaller brewers to take up the supply of A-class beer to smaller establishments throughout the city The giants can keep their character-free tourist traps and those bars still able to benefit purely from their unbeatable locations throughout the city
The Sentinel says bring back better and more original businesses of scale within the local hospitality industry which will help more cafeacutes and bars not only to become distinguishable by the interior designs they will need to conjure but also through the variety of local and regional beers that could become part of their coherent identity The overriding benefit of such courageous thinking and action would be an immediate return to realistic and reasonable pricing for A-class beer in Amsterdam which remains the staple of the easy consumables as this recession drones on
By Denson Pierre
INDEPENDENT CAFeacuteSBARS
77
78star beer guide
Star Beer
The SentinelStar beer guide
lsquoDifferent beers can seem to weigh on the conscience as much as on the taste budsrsquo
Just like the changing of the seasons different beers can seem to weigh on the conscience as much as on the taste buds Ciney blond is a lovely almost effeminate tasting beer All light smooth fruitiness bolstered by substantial alcohol content
As the temperature increases it can even feel like a thirst quencher A nice session beer and one that could function as an entrance-level quality beer in terms of its complexity For advanced samplers it is a great lower platform to descend to after cruising the space occupied by the 8-plus percentage alcoholic beauties
Ciney blond is brewed by Alken-Maes Mechelen Belgium
By Denson Pierre
CINEY BLOND (7 ABV)
79star beer guide
We find the best most fun most typical exciting or local favourite restaurants etcetera in Amsterdam and bring them to you an easy way to feel like a local
Cafe Kostverloren 040606
Recommended
80recommended
EUROGIFTSXenonweg 9 3812 SZ Amersfoort
Tel 033 - 454 35 75 - Fax 033 - 454 35 79E-mail lmproefeurogiftsnl
Website wwweurogiftsnl
FILMPROEF
ORDERNUMMER 6021022ARTIKELNUMMER 65123
Ware grootte (indien uitgeprint)Kleur opdruk Wit
Mulligans Irish Music BarAmsterdamrsquos best address for live Irish music Five (5) nights a week Check our agenda for upcoming sessions Amstel 100 1017 AC Amsterdamwwwmulligansnl
Cafeacute KostverlorenCafeacute Kostverloren is a contemporary cafe offering the cosiness of a saloon an open kitchen and the intimacy of a living room The large terras is great for sunny days2e Kostverlorenkade 70 Amsterdamwwwcafekostverlorennl
ZestZest is fi ne food warm atmosphere and classy drinks with regular semi-acoustic (live) music and DJs (Thursday to Sunday) Amsterdamrsquos newest and freshestBilderdijkstraat 188 Amsterdamwwwfacebookcomclubzestnl
GollemGollemrsquos Proefl okaal Gollem and Gollem II represent the best addresses serving the fullest range of top Belgian Dutch and international beers in AmsterdamOvertoom 160-161wwwcafegollemnl
IncantoA restaurant with a classic Italian kitchen Venetian chef Simone Ambrosin is known for his pure and simple style of cooking with great feeling for nuanceAmstel 2 Amsterdamwwwrestaurant-incantonl
Planet RoseThe fi rst Caribbean restaurant in the Netherlands specialised in Jamaican cuisine The menu features a daily changing selectionNicolaas Beetsstraat 47 Amsterdamwwwplanetroseinfo
Cafe restaurant EdelCafe restaurant Edel is the perfect place for lunch dinner or to simply enjoy a drink Edel is a unique place in AmsterdamPostjesweg 1 1057 DT Amsterdamwwwedelamsterdamnl
Cafeacute OportoCafeacute Oporto is a traditional Amsterdam lsquobrown cafersquo Welcoming tourists and regular customers alike they offer televised sports wifi and a wide range of reasonably priced beers and spiritsZoutsteeg 1 1012 LX Amsterdamwwwcafeoportonet
BaxA cosy and friendly local cafeacute with a focus on special or interesting beers and good quality food Open 7 days a week with a professional kitchen offering a lunch and dinner serviceTen Katestraat 119 Amsterdamwwwcafebaxnl
To be seen and tasted Fun Drinking amp Music
To Be Seen and Tasted
Fun Drinking amp Music
Fun Drinking amp Music
Connoisseurs Delight
Connoisseurs Delight
Connoisseurs Delight
To Be Seen and Tasted
Neighbourhood cosy
Fun drinking and music
ParckGreat fun beautiful people and simply the best bar food in townOvertoom 428 Amsterdamwwwcafeparcknl
To be seen and tasted
Cafe de Toog1890rsquos grandeur fashioned into Amsterdam-West grand brown cafe-restaurant-cool Classy drinks and mealsNicolaas Beetsstraat 142 hs Amsterdam wwwcafedetoogcom
Opera Prima - Patisserie Bistro TraiteurThe best place in town for lunch exquisite high teas or brunches and all of your luxury catering both private and corporateKinkerstraat 228 Amsterdamwwwoperaprimanl
Recommended
81
Where is this inAmsterdamAnswer to sentinelpostgmailcom
82spotted
Room 2cfilm
ldquoCome on in boys the waterrsquos finerdquo This is arguably the best all-round and funny musical to come out of Hollywood in a generation and certainly one of the best three soundtracks of the same period George Clooney will never be as good or charming as he is here playing the accidental leader of a trio of chain gang escapees in the US south of the 1930s Spirituality meets the Ku Klux Klan all coloured by Virginia bluegrass
ldquoCall me Snakerdquo The coolest handle for a leading man (Kurt Russell) in any movie to date Here he is sent in on a heroic lsquoat all costrsquo one-man mission to rescue the president of the United States from the prison island Manhattan has become in a lsquofuturersquo representation of 1997 Air Force One has crashed there and the countdown is on Classic 1980s turn of the millennium dystopian vision with style pace and gadgetry
By dpmotions
By dpmotions
o Brother Where Art Thou (2000)
escape from new York (1981)
room2c83
84trends
lsquoTrends are great to join and surf like a once in a lifetime tsunamirsquo
By Dirkje Bakker-Pierre
Each and every micro-world has its own specific trends Take the fashion world for example where one day you have to wear high heels and round noses and the next itrsquos flat hairy elephant feet-like boots that must hug your feet Or take the automotive world where once upon a time you could never have enough chrome on your car or the food world where we have quietly moved from fast to green and wholesome or the TV world which used to be about fiction and is now more real than reality Some of these trends are great to join and surf like a once in a lifetime tsunami others can slip by unnoticed and others still keep bugging and bugging you even if you try to avoid them like the plague
The online world and specifically the social media universe eats through trends like a fat chick after a hunger strike Facebook in particular seems to move seamlessly from one hype to the next one day itrsquos pictures with fuzzy edges or a bit of a 1970s filter the next itrsquos a profile picture with you very consciously not looking into the camera (very spontaneously and naturally non-posing you might say) These are mostly harmless things if Irsquom honest and when everyone
stops liking them they fade away as quickly as the sun in our small wet country There is one trend however that has festered within Facebook from the very beginning and which seems to be gradually growing and growing without anyone ever liking the postshellip and I mean EVER
Yes I am talking about daily quotes words of wisdom holy quotes mesmerizingly philosophical quotes cheesy quotes religious quoteshellip How can I describe all of them in one easy sentence pieces of text from (famous) people (it can never be something you thought of yourself) that lsquodisclosersquo previously secret information about being happy in life (or at least previously secret to the person doing the posting I presume) In short texts that belong on tiles hanging on the wall in old Dutch peoplersquos toilets
Why
Here are a few I found in my news feed this week
ldquoA mind is like a parachute It doesnrsquot work if it is not openrdquo ndash Frank Zappa
ldquoIt is not because things are difficult that we do not dare it is because we do not dare that things are difficultrdquo ndash Seneca
ldquoIf you donrsquot take what you are doing seriously then nobody else willrdquo ndash Darryl Dlt Thomson
Bad trends would be good if they werenrsquot so bad
85trends
86classifi eds
87classifieds
One of my personal favourite gemstones is moonstone Itlsquos been around for centuries and is used in many cultures As suggested by its name the stone is highly associated with the moon and moon goddess Diana It brings calm peace and love and is said to become more powerful when the moon is full so thatlsquos the best time to wear it One proverb even claims that moonstone can bring you love that will fly you to the moon Spiritually this amazing stone is said to enhance intuition and is always associated with the self It is a very powerful personal stone which doesnlsquot add or remove any aspects of the personality but merely reflects the person wearing it It is said to be very
MoonstoneBy Evelina Kvartunaite
ndash
lsquoThe stone is highly associated with the moon and moon goddess Dianarsquo
ndash
helpful for people who are very sensitive and it is also used in meditation for reflecting oneself Itlsquos always best to charge your gem when the moon is shining at night either while wearing it or by leaving it on a windowsill that receives moonlight Moonstone is also used in healing and is known for balancing the internal organ systems enabling them to work in stable cycles Itlsquos usually more associated with women but is also known to help men embrace their more emotional side soft creative energies and optimism Perhaps understandably moonstone should have limited exposure to strong direct sunlight
ndash
lsquoIt is said to be very helpful for people who are very sensitiversquo
ndash
88
health amp well-being
ndash
lsquoMore associated with women but is also known to help men embrace their more emotional sidersquo
ndash
89health amp well-being
In his article Batin shows how learning how to use complex products is like learning a computer game Just like the challenges in video games match the skills of the user so should TV interactions or any UI interactions for that matter For reference Batin used the four levels described in the Dreyfus model of skill acquisition
Level 1 novicebullRigid adherence to taught rules or plansbullNo exercise of lsquodiscretionary judgmentrsquo
Level 2 Advanced beginnerbullLimited lsquosituational perceptionrsquobullAll aspects of work treated separately with equal importance
Philip Batin wrote an article a couple of months ago about the next big idea in User Interaction gadgets that adapt to your skills As gadgets become more complicated UIs must be able to teach their users over time Apparently more and more interactive products are being returned In 2002 48 of all returned products were technically fully functional but were rejected for failing to satisfy user needs 20 purely due to customer remorse Even though a product may have all the features one can hope for complexity and bad user experience can prevent users from integrating it into their lives
UserInterfaceThe next big thing in UX
lsquoUIs must be able to teach their users over timersquo
By Andrei Barburas
lsquoComplexity and bad user experience can prevent users from
integrating it into their livesrsquo
90
technology
book the majority of which you probably skipped through
Personally I believe that there are certain end users most likely the majority that use only a limited set of features from any device they buy Mobile phones have become indispensable tools in our daily activities yet the average Joe has no idea about the full potential of a smart phone The same applies to Smart TVs they can do lots of things yet the only thing that we do with them is flip channels and complain how bad the shows are
The bottom line is that itrsquos definitely something worth thinking about not only from an operating system perspective but also from the perspective of applications developers
Level 3 competentbulllsquoCoping with crowdednessrsquo (multiple activities accumulation of information)bullSome perception of actions in relation to goalsbullDeliberate planningbullFormulates routines
Level 4 ProficientbullHolistic view of situationbullPrioritizes importance of aspectsbulllsquoPerceives deviations from the normal patternrsquobullEmploys maxim for guidance with meanings that adapt to the situation at hand
Now just imagine a User Interface that adapts based on what you can do and the abilities you have As you learn new things new levels of complexity are unlocked opening the door to fully knowing your device because you learned by doing and not by reading a complicated
lsquoThe average Joe has no idea about the full potential of a
smart phonersquo
91technology
92classifi eds
93classifi eds
Not knowing what was happening in football was extremely annoying to put it mildly and it wasnrsquot just my own self-denial and avoidance of all things football that was a hindrance the extent to which I had to ask others to go in order to remain ignorant was much more excruciating than Irsquod ever imagined There may even be some damage done to football-related friendships that is irreparable I now feel as though Irsquom walking through an empty stadium after everyone else has gone home
So what now and where to next The season is well and truly over and Irsquom free to do whatever I want I could read the back-dated sports pages check all the stats and find out all the facts if I wanted to I could spend hours catching up on last season and speculating on the next with the friends Irsquove still got left down the pub if I wanted to I can follow all the transfer gossip watch pre-season friendlies and build up all my hopes But as with most addictions that would simply be falling back into a previous state of dependence and everything Irsquove just put myself through wouldrsquove been for nothing So how do I go back to an old habit without a total relapse or would it be better to keep abstaining
All my questions seem to be met with other questions and no solutions On the other hand if you ask me what
Someone once said that insanity is when you keep repeating the same behaviour and expect a different outcome most likely a psychologist aimed at his or her ailing patients But for me these words are more reminiscent of my own conduct over the course of a regular football season Week in week out season after season I would expect Tottenham to win something and more often than not Irsquod be left disappointed So I decided to stop No more football ndash at least not for one full season
The season 201213 is now over and during the whole nine months I didnrsquot watch a single moment of football or read a single article on the subject That was my challenge and I was committed to it What is more despite all the warning signs I didnrsquot relapse After a year of structured punishment I didnrsquot have a clue about what was going on in the English Premier League (or any other league) Only having picked up bits and pieces of information that somehow slipped through the net the past season was like a book with most of its pages missing
By Simon Joseph
On The Volley
The Return of the Repressed or the Point of No Return
lsquoInsanity is when you keep repeating the same behaviour and expect a different outcomersquo
sport
lsquoThe past season was like a book with most of its pages missingrsquo
94
lsquoThere may even be some damage done to football-related friendshipsrsquo
lsquoHas abstaining for a season changed mersquo
it until the cows come home but it was us who made those changes or at least allowed them to happen and those changes will continue to happen with or without me Perhaps then the questions I should be asking are has abstaining for a season changed me Am I still obsessed or have I broken the habit of a lifetime Is following football really that terrible or even a real addiction
One thing is certain this lack of resolution is not completely without satisfaction because like all forms of fixation or obsession therersquos comfort and familiarity to be found in repetition as Tottenham miss out on Championrsquos League football by a single point again The repressed will always return to haunt us or so it seems and before we know it the start of next season will be upon us There will be more pain no doubt and more joy This time however it will take more than a boot camp approach to keep me away and who knows Tottenham might even win the league Come on you Spurs
Tottenham Hotspur means I would still tell you that itrsquos not just a pretty football package itrsquos about kith and kin not just where I came from but how I relate to others around me in the here and now Whatrsquos more millions of people are attracted to football they hunger for it and yearn to connect with it even though I still believe itrsquos a form of ineffective escape from one unsatisfying reality to another Following football is a classic example of cognitive dissonance ndash when you simultaneously entertain two opposing thoughts that appear to cancel each other out Before the start of each season for example we all want our club to win everything or to be taken over by billionaires but know that itrsquos impossible or in the latter case controversial and even undesirable So we invent ways to cope We develop a so-called lsquosiege mentalityrsquo or other harmful patterns of behaviour to relieve the discomfort of incongruity With this in mind the past year was supposed to be an exercise in behaviour modification ndash to discover the root of the problem and treat it effectively But one year on have I really discovered anything at all
The English Premier League whether you watch it or not is still probably the most exciting football league in the world We can complain about the changes made to
sport9
5
By Denson Pierre
The Gold Room
Fantasy Football Gold ndash Champions League 2012-2013 winner Denson Pierre and his prizes
The season petered out in an all-German Champions League Final which did nothing to dispel the record that this was a season of too few new stars or regular spectacle We look forward to the next season as it ought not be too difficult to create more excitement than in the one just pastWe did have the opportunity to hand over the envelopes and trophies to the Sentinel Fantasy Football game winners This year all the major winners from the Sentinel Fantasy Football League were unable to be present for the physical prize giving but the winner of the Gold Game and focus of this column was there to receive his prize for winning the master game in styleSo we retire the Gold Room until the beginning of the new football season See you all again then
96
sport
Matt Parker receives his third place and Manager of the Month prizes for the Sentinel Fantasy Football League
Charles Conneely Sentinel Fantasy Football League 2012-2013 Champion
97sport
wwwczechtourismcom
CZECH REPUBLIC - STUNNINGLY DIFFERENT
98
classifi eds
38perspectives
39perspectives
40
perspectives
41perspectives
42featureperspectives
feature4
3perspectives
44
featureperspectives
feature4
5perspectives
lsquoTake a closer look at the statue of former Queen Wilhelmina and her horsersquo
46
perspectives
lsquoThis is also where you can find me presenting a fine selection of my
photo printsrsquo
47perspectives
perspectives4
8
perspectives4
9
For complete and world class tours of Prague
Packages includebull Hidden and playful Prague (for families with young children)bull Literary Praguebull Prague Architecture through the agesbull Religion and the citybull The old city at night
These are detailed tours designed for visitors who wish to explore with great detail and not suitable for simply sight-seeing tourists
Day segments and ratesPR 0800-1230hrs AG 1330-1630hrs UE 1730-2130hrsAll sessions are priced at u 25 per single adult Group size upper limit = 8 Accompanied children under the age of five are gratis and school aged children pay 25 Family package rates are negotiable
ContactJaroslav Cernosek+420 602 228 797Mail jcernosekcentrumcz
wwwyourtuliptourcom
JC Tours
50classifieds
51classifieds
CafeacuteBar Review Van Mechelen
cafebar review52
Van MechelenSloterkade 96-97 Amsterdam
It may be the new hype in the city as far as grand cafeacute and restaurant concepts go but Van Mechelen is already approaching excellence Considering its handy location in another pretty neighbourhood of Amsterdam South it is almost a lsquomust visitrsquo place that has created a theme built on the Burgundian enjoyment of life good food complemented with top-class beer and wine If you want a taste of what it feels like to visit a cafeacute-restaurant in Mechelen Belgium Van Mechelen is an easy way for an Amsterdammer to savour this experience and is just a short cycle ride away
ambianceBurgundian Rating 5
StaffregularsMembers of staff are clearly very well trained and this adds to the light and airy atmosphere Having opened for business just three months ago those who have fallen in love with the place and its consumables have not yet had time to clock up the number of visits and connections to be considered lsquoregularsrsquo Rating 5
televised sportNo space within the design and layout for this form of distraction Rating 3
PricesSurprisingly these are within the lsquonormalrsquo range for this level and quality of fare Outstandingly fairly priced snacks and nibbles are also offered to help you along as you take on the fine (Mechelen brewery group Alken-Maes) beers and wines When did you last enjoy a generous portion of fresh olives for a mere euro250 Rating 5
MusicAt the time of review the establishment was fairly packed out The atmosphere is conducive to chats and hilarity and although the selection of tunes could be heard far in the background the sound system may well have more kick It should as the building is of such a solid constitution that it should contain noise and not easily upset the neighbours Rating 5
Smoking area provisionFortunately for puffers the originally industrial nature of the address means that the former loading bay and entranceexit areas have become two naturally covered terrace areas separated from the luscious interior by huge glass-panelled doors Rating 5
total rating 2830(Rating from 1-5 where 1 = Very poor and 5 = Excellent)
By Denson Pierre
lsquoThe new hype in the city as far as grand cafeacute and restaurant concepts gorsquo
cafebar review53
lsquoMembers of staff are clearly very well trainedrsquo
cafebar review54
cafebar review55
lsquoOutstandingly fairly priced snacks and nibbles are also offeredrsquo
cafebar review56
cafebar review57
lsquoThe atmosphere is conducive to chats and hilarityrsquo
cafebar review58
cafebar review59
scamsterdam
lifestyles60
By Valeria Scimia
Unemployed international and looking for a job in the Netherlands Not only must you face the everyday hell that is job-seeking but now you must also beware of scam companies Yes theyrsquove arrived here too
I was recently contacted by an ostensibly legitimate company that wanted to hire me The contact took the form of what appeared to be a genuine e-mail complete with website and logo from a company in Australia that seemed absolutely legitimate (I have since contacted the company to warn them that someone overseas is using their name and logo to scam people) The e-mail explained that the company was opening an office in Holland and was looking for people who would handle the back-office orders It contained a form to be filled in and returned if I was interested in the position the form asked for all my personal information including my bank details I had been looking for a job and was interested in the offer so I filled in and sent off the form and my CV Once they received my e-mail they asked me to start a trial period without practically explaining anything of what the job was actually about I didnrsquot immediately reply so they called me the next day asking me to start immediately with the trial period promising lots of benefits once the contract was signed I hadnrsquot met anyone at this point only telephone interviews and that already didnrsquot seem right to me I asked them to send me more information by e-mail about what I was meant to do and a few moments later I received a response asking me to make a bank transfer to show them I was trustworthy The lsquotrialrsquo implied that they would send me some money and I had to transfer half via GWK or MoneyTransfer to one of their clients and keep the other half This smelled very fishy to the Italian in me In reality they could be sending a cheque to the bank which would register an income that would later bounce after I had already made the payment to their lsquoclientrsquo On top of losing money the person that tried to lsquohirersquo meyou
would have been untraceable No one was even picking up the phone at the number given in the e-mail and the company they claimed to represent wasnrsquot even active in Europe
So I said no and told them I was no longer interested They even had the gumption to call me back and ask me why I wouldnrsquot do it I gave them a silly excuse so as not to give them any more information or tips on how to improve their scummy scam I am happy I started checking their contacts as soon as their promises seemed too good to be true even if I am still angry I allowed them to data-mine all of my information when I sent them my CV and filled in their form
It beggars belief that they set up an entire facade in these times of work despair and it really doesnrsquot feel right especially because therersquos not much I can do about it now apart from inform people I didnrsquot think this would ever happen here in this country where everything has to be or always seems to be so legitimate But I guess some things never change and a place doesnrsquot make the people and certainly doesnrsquot influence the choices they make I just wanted to share my experience to alert everyone to the possible scam If a company contacts you and asks you to return a form including your bank details when you have never met anyone face-to-face it should make your antennas extend and remember to double-check their credibility Apparently it is illegal to ask such questions of someone here so donrsquot fall for it as I did As I am still waiting to hear from the company in Australia I didnrsquot feel it was proper to disclose its name publicly just yet plus I am not sure the scammers always use the same company as a fake front But what they ask you to do is more or less always the same so keep your eyes open to the little details
lsquoYou face the everyday hell that is job-seeking but now you must also beware of scam companiesrsquo
lsquoThis smelled very fishy to the Italian in mersquo
lsquoThe form asked for all my personal informationrsquo
lifestyles6
1
Je moet er geweest zijn
62classifieds
MechelenAuthentic and full of surprises Thatrsquos Mechelen Hospitable and honourable Thatrsquos the people of Mechelen Come and experience the cityrsquos urban charms for yourself Mechelen
Authentic and full of surprises Thatrsquos Mechelen Hospitable and honourable Thatrsquos the people of Mechelen Come and experience the cityrsquos urban charms for yourself
photography copy Milo Profi
classifieds63
classifieds
How to hang out in
Amsterdam
By ER Muntrem
perspectives
It is not against the rules for babies to cry in cafeacutes It happens Mostly they sleep or sit in someonersquos lap with commendable decorum Otherwise kids in cafeacutes tend to nosh a little less than their elders and handle crayons a little more And while anyone who toddles behind the bar will certainly get caught they can always claim they were encouraged to toddle there in the first place
Dutch parents and I realise this is hard to prove seem to let their kids wander a metre or two further away from them than parents from other developed countries that universal ldquowhere is sherdquo look delayed five or ten seconds If this extra distance is a sign of perceived safety cafeacute culture must help teach it
Except for chefs all cafeacute workers do more or less all the jobs required to run a cafeacute They all wait on tables
serve hot and cold drinks set up outdoor furniture load and retrieve supplies take the garbage out wash glasses light candles arrange flowers unfurl the awning and ring up the bill When the young guy or girl greets you you may know they are not the owner but for the moment they are the face of the establishment It may as well be their place
Admittedly I am seduced by places where waiters donrsquot work for tips where the rushed pace of eating in a restaurant in America does not exist In a cafeacute you can do what you want for as long as you want and get food and drink while you do it Pretty cool and as much a baseline for how to hang out in Amsterdam as cycling is for how to get around
Places to eat and drink owned by corporations have to package experience to deliver it Whatrsquos our brand How can our managers and servers be most efficient How ultimately can we be number one Not something most cafeacutes seem to be worried about and where the universal signs for lsquowe are having a good time togetherrsquo
lsquoCafeacute culture must help teachrsquo lsquoI am seduced by places where waiters donrsquot work for tipsrsquo
64
perspectives
or lsquoI am happy here by myselfrsquo (clinked glasses or absorption in a newspaper say) are routinely in evidence This is one true grace of democracy the average worth smiling about
At cafeacutes co-workers have a beer before or after their shift friends drop by or a regular pops in with some news The stream of customers they donrsquot have to woo and donrsquot have to lsquoworkrsquo gives the whole thing a slightly familial living room perfectly public feel that makes the work far less of a personality crimp than working at Starbucks Or so it seems I do not mean to pretend carrying drinks across the street to the canal side seating or giving obvious directions yet again is always glorious but most people who work in cafeacutersquos laugh and smile a fair bit almost as much as the patrons
And when the owner of a cafeacute is of a generation older than those working there as is usually the case it lends a wise uncle or mother hen feel to the proceedings In the daytime no one is ever too caught up in his or her designated title to ignore a baby on the move And at
night the crowd of drinkers may as well be at a party hosted by their parents or kids or both
Itrsquos not all about money cafeacute culture churns towards the civilised without grinding anyone too far down As well as pleasure there is power in this The best distillation I know of what democracy should be came from a young woman working at Cafeacute Captein With our meal in front of us my friend noticed he was missing his salad Flagged down the young woman went to investigate ldquoItrsquos on its wayrdquo she said ldquoI told my boss to do itrdquo
Imagine we told Putin to do it We told Obama to do it We told the bankers to do it
lsquoMost people who work in cafeacutersquos laugh and smile a fair bitrsquo
lsquoCafeacute culture churns towards the civilised without grinding anyone too far downrsquo
65
66
featurecity gem
lsquoThe last of the large independent music stores left standing in Amsterdamrsquo
CITY GEM
67
Concerto
By Denson Pierre
ConcertoUtrechtsestraat 60 1017 VP Amsterdam
it is a rush when on a full stomach you can make an instant decision on where your next city-centre lunch will be taken it is almost ecstasy when the venue is situated in a music shop which for decades has been defined by its exceptional range and quality of music available in amsterdam Concerto is the last of the large independent music stores left standing in amsterdam all the others have long since been killed off by everything from the advance in recording and playback technologies to habitual illegal downloaders only now realising that their behaviour has an impact right back down to street level despite what they might think about the giant studios and recording companies
Concerto has not stuck but has twisted Since September it has incorporated a cute cafeacute
and lunch area within its premises as well as introducing a bookshop and lounge area making it possible to spend an almost nostalgic time there over several hours It still has a vast range of the very best music in vinyl (both new and second-hand) and CD form DVDs DJ equipment and even gear used for live musical performances Itrsquos a gold mine
If it has taken this clever adaptation in space utilisation to keep this institution viable and available to Amsterdam-based music lovers then I personally wish to support this venture and help mean this type of music retailer to remain part of the city scene For people of a certain age there is something infinitely more appealing about physically handling recorded material appreciating the artwork in its packaging having a listen and then deciding if it is a purchase you would like to make Even though non-digital stockpiling has become rather passeacute I challenge you to visit Concerto and its new cafeacute and bookshop concept and not end up spending more time in this true city gem than you had anticipated
lsquoIt has incorporated a cute cafeacute and lunch area within its premises as well as introducing a bookshop and lounge arearsquo
city gem
68
city gem
69city gem
city gem70
city gem71
72city gem
lsquoThere is something infinitely more appealing about physically
handling recorded material appreciating the artwork in its
packagingrsquo
73city gem
74classifi eds
75classifi eds
classifi edsclassifi eds76
amsterdam city life
BrinG BaCK
Something that seems to have been watered down considerably in Amsterdamrsquos hospitality industry in recent years is independence of thought styling and designAll you have to do is walk around the city to note that way too many coffeesoup houses and cafeacutes are more or less identikit This also applies to many cafeacutes with unimaginative business leaders who open unoriginal looking spaces and hope that the use of white paint purple or blue lights and house music is all it takes
Luckily there is something brewing to save our days and nights I have come across cafeacute owners who are now seriously considering ending the arrangements they have with the giant drink suppliers There are actually no good arguments left for continuing with these huge multinationals as they are frankly more expensive at wholesale for the same A-class products than the supermarkets on every Amsterdammerrsquos street corner
It looks like space is being created for the smaller brewers to take up the supply of A-class beer to smaller establishments throughout the city The giants can keep their character-free tourist traps and those bars still able to benefit purely from their unbeatable locations throughout the city
The Sentinel says bring back better and more original businesses of scale within the local hospitality industry which will help more cafeacutes and bars not only to become distinguishable by the interior designs they will need to conjure but also through the variety of local and regional beers that could become part of their coherent identity The overriding benefit of such courageous thinking and action would be an immediate return to realistic and reasonable pricing for A-class beer in Amsterdam which remains the staple of the easy consumables as this recession drones on
By Denson Pierre
INDEPENDENT CAFeacuteSBARS
77
78star beer guide
Star Beer
The SentinelStar beer guide
lsquoDifferent beers can seem to weigh on the conscience as much as on the taste budsrsquo
Just like the changing of the seasons different beers can seem to weigh on the conscience as much as on the taste buds Ciney blond is a lovely almost effeminate tasting beer All light smooth fruitiness bolstered by substantial alcohol content
As the temperature increases it can even feel like a thirst quencher A nice session beer and one that could function as an entrance-level quality beer in terms of its complexity For advanced samplers it is a great lower platform to descend to after cruising the space occupied by the 8-plus percentage alcoholic beauties
Ciney blond is brewed by Alken-Maes Mechelen Belgium
By Denson Pierre
CINEY BLOND (7 ABV)
79star beer guide
We find the best most fun most typical exciting or local favourite restaurants etcetera in Amsterdam and bring them to you an easy way to feel like a local
Cafe Kostverloren 040606
Recommended
80recommended
EUROGIFTSXenonweg 9 3812 SZ Amersfoort
Tel 033 - 454 35 75 - Fax 033 - 454 35 79E-mail lmproefeurogiftsnl
Website wwweurogiftsnl
FILMPROEF
ORDERNUMMER 6021022ARTIKELNUMMER 65123
Ware grootte (indien uitgeprint)Kleur opdruk Wit
Mulligans Irish Music BarAmsterdamrsquos best address for live Irish music Five (5) nights a week Check our agenda for upcoming sessions Amstel 100 1017 AC Amsterdamwwwmulligansnl
Cafeacute KostverlorenCafeacute Kostverloren is a contemporary cafe offering the cosiness of a saloon an open kitchen and the intimacy of a living room The large terras is great for sunny days2e Kostverlorenkade 70 Amsterdamwwwcafekostverlorennl
ZestZest is fi ne food warm atmosphere and classy drinks with regular semi-acoustic (live) music and DJs (Thursday to Sunday) Amsterdamrsquos newest and freshestBilderdijkstraat 188 Amsterdamwwwfacebookcomclubzestnl
GollemGollemrsquos Proefl okaal Gollem and Gollem II represent the best addresses serving the fullest range of top Belgian Dutch and international beers in AmsterdamOvertoom 160-161wwwcafegollemnl
IncantoA restaurant with a classic Italian kitchen Venetian chef Simone Ambrosin is known for his pure and simple style of cooking with great feeling for nuanceAmstel 2 Amsterdamwwwrestaurant-incantonl
Planet RoseThe fi rst Caribbean restaurant in the Netherlands specialised in Jamaican cuisine The menu features a daily changing selectionNicolaas Beetsstraat 47 Amsterdamwwwplanetroseinfo
Cafe restaurant EdelCafe restaurant Edel is the perfect place for lunch dinner or to simply enjoy a drink Edel is a unique place in AmsterdamPostjesweg 1 1057 DT Amsterdamwwwedelamsterdamnl
Cafeacute OportoCafeacute Oporto is a traditional Amsterdam lsquobrown cafersquo Welcoming tourists and regular customers alike they offer televised sports wifi and a wide range of reasonably priced beers and spiritsZoutsteeg 1 1012 LX Amsterdamwwwcafeoportonet
BaxA cosy and friendly local cafeacute with a focus on special or interesting beers and good quality food Open 7 days a week with a professional kitchen offering a lunch and dinner serviceTen Katestraat 119 Amsterdamwwwcafebaxnl
To be seen and tasted Fun Drinking amp Music
To Be Seen and Tasted
Fun Drinking amp Music
Fun Drinking amp Music
Connoisseurs Delight
Connoisseurs Delight
Connoisseurs Delight
To Be Seen and Tasted
Neighbourhood cosy
Fun drinking and music
ParckGreat fun beautiful people and simply the best bar food in townOvertoom 428 Amsterdamwwwcafeparcknl
To be seen and tasted
Cafe de Toog1890rsquos grandeur fashioned into Amsterdam-West grand brown cafe-restaurant-cool Classy drinks and mealsNicolaas Beetsstraat 142 hs Amsterdam wwwcafedetoogcom
Opera Prima - Patisserie Bistro TraiteurThe best place in town for lunch exquisite high teas or brunches and all of your luxury catering both private and corporateKinkerstraat 228 Amsterdamwwwoperaprimanl
Recommended
81
Where is this inAmsterdamAnswer to sentinelpostgmailcom
82spotted
Room 2cfilm
ldquoCome on in boys the waterrsquos finerdquo This is arguably the best all-round and funny musical to come out of Hollywood in a generation and certainly one of the best three soundtracks of the same period George Clooney will never be as good or charming as he is here playing the accidental leader of a trio of chain gang escapees in the US south of the 1930s Spirituality meets the Ku Klux Klan all coloured by Virginia bluegrass
ldquoCall me Snakerdquo The coolest handle for a leading man (Kurt Russell) in any movie to date Here he is sent in on a heroic lsquoat all costrsquo one-man mission to rescue the president of the United States from the prison island Manhattan has become in a lsquofuturersquo representation of 1997 Air Force One has crashed there and the countdown is on Classic 1980s turn of the millennium dystopian vision with style pace and gadgetry
By dpmotions
By dpmotions
o Brother Where Art Thou (2000)
escape from new York (1981)
room2c83
84trends
lsquoTrends are great to join and surf like a once in a lifetime tsunamirsquo
By Dirkje Bakker-Pierre
Each and every micro-world has its own specific trends Take the fashion world for example where one day you have to wear high heels and round noses and the next itrsquos flat hairy elephant feet-like boots that must hug your feet Or take the automotive world where once upon a time you could never have enough chrome on your car or the food world where we have quietly moved from fast to green and wholesome or the TV world which used to be about fiction and is now more real than reality Some of these trends are great to join and surf like a once in a lifetime tsunami others can slip by unnoticed and others still keep bugging and bugging you even if you try to avoid them like the plague
The online world and specifically the social media universe eats through trends like a fat chick after a hunger strike Facebook in particular seems to move seamlessly from one hype to the next one day itrsquos pictures with fuzzy edges or a bit of a 1970s filter the next itrsquos a profile picture with you very consciously not looking into the camera (very spontaneously and naturally non-posing you might say) These are mostly harmless things if Irsquom honest and when everyone
stops liking them they fade away as quickly as the sun in our small wet country There is one trend however that has festered within Facebook from the very beginning and which seems to be gradually growing and growing without anyone ever liking the postshellip and I mean EVER
Yes I am talking about daily quotes words of wisdom holy quotes mesmerizingly philosophical quotes cheesy quotes religious quoteshellip How can I describe all of them in one easy sentence pieces of text from (famous) people (it can never be something you thought of yourself) that lsquodisclosersquo previously secret information about being happy in life (or at least previously secret to the person doing the posting I presume) In short texts that belong on tiles hanging on the wall in old Dutch peoplersquos toilets
Why
Here are a few I found in my news feed this week
ldquoA mind is like a parachute It doesnrsquot work if it is not openrdquo ndash Frank Zappa
ldquoIt is not because things are difficult that we do not dare it is because we do not dare that things are difficultrdquo ndash Seneca
ldquoIf you donrsquot take what you are doing seriously then nobody else willrdquo ndash Darryl Dlt Thomson
Bad trends would be good if they werenrsquot so bad
85trends
86classifi eds
87classifieds
One of my personal favourite gemstones is moonstone Itlsquos been around for centuries and is used in many cultures As suggested by its name the stone is highly associated with the moon and moon goddess Diana It brings calm peace and love and is said to become more powerful when the moon is full so thatlsquos the best time to wear it One proverb even claims that moonstone can bring you love that will fly you to the moon Spiritually this amazing stone is said to enhance intuition and is always associated with the self It is a very powerful personal stone which doesnlsquot add or remove any aspects of the personality but merely reflects the person wearing it It is said to be very
MoonstoneBy Evelina Kvartunaite
ndash
lsquoThe stone is highly associated with the moon and moon goddess Dianarsquo
ndash
helpful for people who are very sensitive and it is also used in meditation for reflecting oneself Itlsquos always best to charge your gem when the moon is shining at night either while wearing it or by leaving it on a windowsill that receives moonlight Moonstone is also used in healing and is known for balancing the internal organ systems enabling them to work in stable cycles Itlsquos usually more associated with women but is also known to help men embrace their more emotional side soft creative energies and optimism Perhaps understandably moonstone should have limited exposure to strong direct sunlight
ndash
lsquoIt is said to be very helpful for people who are very sensitiversquo
ndash
88
health amp well-being
ndash
lsquoMore associated with women but is also known to help men embrace their more emotional sidersquo
ndash
89health amp well-being
In his article Batin shows how learning how to use complex products is like learning a computer game Just like the challenges in video games match the skills of the user so should TV interactions or any UI interactions for that matter For reference Batin used the four levels described in the Dreyfus model of skill acquisition
Level 1 novicebullRigid adherence to taught rules or plansbullNo exercise of lsquodiscretionary judgmentrsquo
Level 2 Advanced beginnerbullLimited lsquosituational perceptionrsquobullAll aspects of work treated separately with equal importance
Philip Batin wrote an article a couple of months ago about the next big idea in User Interaction gadgets that adapt to your skills As gadgets become more complicated UIs must be able to teach their users over time Apparently more and more interactive products are being returned In 2002 48 of all returned products were technically fully functional but were rejected for failing to satisfy user needs 20 purely due to customer remorse Even though a product may have all the features one can hope for complexity and bad user experience can prevent users from integrating it into their lives
UserInterfaceThe next big thing in UX
lsquoUIs must be able to teach their users over timersquo
By Andrei Barburas
lsquoComplexity and bad user experience can prevent users from
integrating it into their livesrsquo
90
technology
book the majority of which you probably skipped through
Personally I believe that there are certain end users most likely the majority that use only a limited set of features from any device they buy Mobile phones have become indispensable tools in our daily activities yet the average Joe has no idea about the full potential of a smart phone The same applies to Smart TVs they can do lots of things yet the only thing that we do with them is flip channels and complain how bad the shows are
The bottom line is that itrsquos definitely something worth thinking about not only from an operating system perspective but also from the perspective of applications developers
Level 3 competentbulllsquoCoping with crowdednessrsquo (multiple activities accumulation of information)bullSome perception of actions in relation to goalsbullDeliberate planningbullFormulates routines
Level 4 ProficientbullHolistic view of situationbullPrioritizes importance of aspectsbulllsquoPerceives deviations from the normal patternrsquobullEmploys maxim for guidance with meanings that adapt to the situation at hand
Now just imagine a User Interface that adapts based on what you can do and the abilities you have As you learn new things new levels of complexity are unlocked opening the door to fully knowing your device because you learned by doing and not by reading a complicated
lsquoThe average Joe has no idea about the full potential of a
smart phonersquo
91technology
92classifi eds
93classifi eds
Not knowing what was happening in football was extremely annoying to put it mildly and it wasnrsquot just my own self-denial and avoidance of all things football that was a hindrance the extent to which I had to ask others to go in order to remain ignorant was much more excruciating than Irsquod ever imagined There may even be some damage done to football-related friendships that is irreparable I now feel as though Irsquom walking through an empty stadium after everyone else has gone home
So what now and where to next The season is well and truly over and Irsquom free to do whatever I want I could read the back-dated sports pages check all the stats and find out all the facts if I wanted to I could spend hours catching up on last season and speculating on the next with the friends Irsquove still got left down the pub if I wanted to I can follow all the transfer gossip watch pre-season friendlies and build up all my hopes But as with most addictions that would simply be falling back into a previous state of dependence and everything Irsquove just put myself through wouldrsquove been for nothing So how do I go back to an old habit without a total relapse or would it be better to keep abstaining
All my questions seem to be met with other questions and no solutions On the other hand if you ask me what
Someone once said that insanity is when you keep repeating the same behaviour and expect a different outcome most likely a psychologist aimed at his or her ailing patients But for me these words are more reminiscent of my own conduct over the course of a regular football season Week in week out season after season I would expect Tottenham to win something and more often than not Irsquod be left disappointed So I decided to stop No more football ndash at least not for one full season
The season 201213 is now over and during the whole nine months I didnrsquot watch a single moment of football or read a single article on the subject That was my challenge and I was committed to it What is more despite all the warning signs I didnrsquot relapse After a year of structured punishment I didnrsquot have a clue about what was going on in the English Premier League (or any other league) Only having picked up bits and pieces of information that somehow slipped through the net the past season was like a book with most of its pages missing
By Simon Joseph
On The Volley
The Return of the Repressed or the Point of No Return
lsquoInsanity is when you keep repeating the same behaviour and expect a different outcomersquo
sport
lsquoThe past season was like a book with most of its pages missingrsquo
94
lsquoThere may even be some damage done to football-related friendshipsrsquo
lsquoHas abstaining for a season changed mersquo
it until the cows come home but it was us who made those changes or at least allowed them to happen and those changes will continue to happen with or without me Perhaps then the questions I should be asking are has abstaining for a season changed me Am I still obsessed or have I broken the habit of a lifetime Is following football really that terrible or even a real addiction
One thing is certain this lack of resolution is not completely without satisfaction because like all forms of fixation or obsession therersquos comfort and familiarity to be found in repetition as Tottenham miss out on Championrsquos League football by a single point again The repressed will always return to haunt us or so it seems and before we know it the start of next season will be upon us There will be more pain no doubt and more joy This time however it will take more than a boot camp approach to keep me away and who knows Tottenham might even win the league Come on you Spurs
Tottenham Hotspur means I would still tell you that itrsquos not just a pretty football package itrsquos about kith and kin not just where I came from but how I relate to others around me in the here and now Whatrsquos more millions of people are attracted to football they hunger for it and yearn to connect with it even though I still believe itrsquos a form of ineffective escape from one unsatisfying reality to another Following football is a classic example of cognitive dissonance ndash when you simultaneously entertain two opposing thoughts that appear to cancel each other out Before the start of each season for example we all want our club to win everything or to be taken over by billionaires but know that itrsquos impossible or in the latter case controversial and even undesirable So we invent ways to cope We develop a so-called lsquosiege mentalityrsquo or other harmful patterns of behaviour to relieve the discomfort of incongruity With this in mind the past year was supposed to be an exercise in behaviour modification ndash to discover the root of the problem and treat it effectively But one year on have I really discovered anything at all
The English Premier League whether you watch it or not is still probably the most exciting football league in the world We can complain about the changes made to
sport9
5
By Denson Pierre
The Gold Room
Fantasy Football Gold ndash Champions League 2012-2013 winner Denson Pierre and his prizes
The season petered out in an all-German Champions League Final which did nothing to dispel the record that this was a season of too few new stars or regular spectacle We look forward to the next season as it ought not be too difficult to create more excitement than in the one just pastWe did have the opportunity to hand over the envelopes and trophies to the Sentinel Fantasy Football game winners This year all the major winners from the Sentinel Fantasy Football League were unable to be present for the physical prize giving but the winner of the Gold Game and focus of this column was there to receive his prize for winning the master game in styleSo we retire the Gold Room until the beginning of the new football season See you all again then
96
sport
Matt Parker receives his third place and Manager of the Month prizes for the Sentinel Fantasy Football League
Charles Conneely Sentinel Fantasy Football League 2012-2013 Champion
97sport
wwwczechtourismcom
CZECH REPUBLIC - STUNNINGLY DIFFERENT
98
classifi eds
39perspectives
40
perspectives
41perspectives
42featureperspectives
feature4
3perspectives
44
featureperspectives
feature4
5perspectives
lsquoTake a closer look at the statue of former Queen Wilhelmina and her horsersquo
46
perspectives
lsquoThis is also where you can find me presenting a fine selection of my
photo printsrsquo
47perspectives
perspectives4
8
perspectives4
9
For complete and world class tours of Prague
Packages includebull Hidden and playful Prague (for families with young children)bull Literary Praguebull Prague Architecture through the agesbull Religion and the citybull The old city at night
These are detailed tours designed for visitors who wish to explore with great detail and not suitable for simply sight-seeing tourists
Day segments and ratesPR 0800-1230hrs AG 1330-1630hrs UE 1730-2130hrsAll sessions are priced at u 25 per single adult Group size upper limit = 8 Accompanied children under the age of five are gratis and school aged children pay 25 Family package rates are negotiable
ContactJaroslav Cernosek+420 602 228 797Mail jcernosekcentrumcz
wwwyourtuliptourcom
JC Tours
50classifieds
51classifieds
CafeacuteBar Review Van Mechelen
cafebar review52
Van MechelenSloterkade 96-97 Amsterdam
It may be the new hype in the city as far as grand cafeacute and restaurant concepts go but Van Mechelen is already approaching excellence Considering its handy location in another pretty neighbourhood of Amsterdam South it is almost a lsquomust visitrsquo place that has created a theme built on the Burgundian enjoyment of life good food complemented with top-class beer and wine If you want a taste of what it feels like to visit a cafeacute-restaurant in Mechelen Belgium Van Mechelen is an easy way for an Amsterdammer to savour this experience and is just a short cycle ride away
ambianceBurgundian Rating 5
StaffregularsMembers of staff are clearly very well trained and this adds to the light and airy atmosphere Having opened for business just three months ago those who have fallen in love with the place and its consumables have not yet had time to clock up the number of visits and connections to be considered lsquoregularsrsquo Rating 5
televised sportNo space within the design and layout for this form of distraction Rating 3
PricesSurprisingly these are within the lsquonormalrsquo range for this level and quality of fare Outstandingly fairly priced snacks and nibbles are also offered to help you along as you take on the fine (Mechelen brewery group Alken-Maes) beers and wines When did you last enjoy a generous portion of fresh olives for a mere euro250 Rating 5
MusicAt the time of review the establishment was fairly packed out The atmosphere is conducive to chats and hilarity and although the selection of tunes could be heard far in the background the sound system may well have more kick It should as the building is of such a solid constitution that it should contain noise and not easily upset the neighbours Rating 5
Smoking area provisionFortunately for puffers the originally industrial nature of the address means that the former loading bay and entranceexit areas have become two naturally covered terrace areas separated from the luscious interior by huge glass-panelled doors Rating 5
total rating 2830(Rating from 1-5 where 1 = Very poor and 5 = Excellent)
By Denson Pierre
lsquoThe new hype in the city as far as grand cafeacute and restaurant concepts gorsquo
cafebar review53
lsquoMembers of staff are clearly very well trainedrsquo
cafebar review54
cafebar review55
lsquoOutstandingly fairly priced snacks and nibbles are also offeredrsquo
cafebar review56
cafebar review57
lsquoThe atmosphere is conducive to chats and hilarityrsquo
cafebar review58
cafebar review59
scamsterdam
lifestyles60
By Valeria Scimia
Unemployed international and looking for a job in the Netherlands Not only must you face the everyday hell that is job-seeking but now you must also beware of scam companies Yes theyrsquove arrived here too
I was recently contacted by an ostensibly legitimate company that wanted to hire me The contact took the form of what appeared to be a genuine e-mail complete with website and logo from a company in Australia that seemed absolutely legitimate (I have since contacted the company to warn them that someone overseas is using their name and logo to scam people) The e-mail explained that the company was opening an office in Holland and was looking for people who would handle the back-office orders It contained a form to be filled in and returned if I was interested in the position the form asked for all my personal information including my bank details I had been looking for a job and was interested in the offer so I filled in and sent off the form and my CV Once they received my e-mail they asked me to start a trial period without practically explaining anything of what the job was actually about I didnrsquot immediately reply so they called me the next day asking me to start immediately with the trial period promising lots of benefits once the contract was signed I hadnrsquot met anyone at this point only telephone interviews and that already didnrsquot seem right to me I asked them to send me more information by e-mail about what I was meant to do and a few moments later I received a response asking me to make a bank transfer to show them I was trustworthy The lsquotrialrsquo implied that they would send me some money and I had to transfer half via GWK or MoneyTransfer to one of their clients and keep the other half This smelled very fishy to the Italian in me In reality they could be sending a cheque to the bank which would register an income that would later bounce after I had already made the payment to their lsquoclientrsquo On top of losing money the person that tried to lsquohirersquo meyou
would have been untraceable No one was even picking up the phone at the number given in the e-mail and the company they claimed to represent wasnrsquot even active in Europe
So I said no and told them I was no longer interested They even had the gumption to call me back and ask me why I wouldnrsquot do it I gave them a silly excuse so as not to give them any more information or tips on how to improve their scummy scam I am happy I started checking their contacts as soon as their promises seemed too good to be true even if I am still angry I allowed them to data-mine all of my information when I sent them my CV and filled in their form
It beggars belief that they set up an entire facade in these times of work despair and it really doesnrsquot feel right especially because therersquos not much I can do about it now apart from inform people I didnrsquot think this would ever happen here in this country where everything has to be or always seems to be so legitimate But I guess some things never change and a place doesnrsquot make the people and certainly doesnrsquot influence the choices they make I just wanted to share my experience to alert everyone to the possible scam If a company contacts you and asks you to return a form including your bank details when you have never met anyone face-to-face it should make your antennas extend and remember to double-check their credibility Apparently it is illegal to ask such questions of someone here so donrsquot fall for it as I did As I am still waiting to hear from the company in Australia I didnrsquot feel it was proper to disclose its name publicly just yet plus I am not sure the scammers always use the same company as a fake front But what they ask you to do is more or less always the same so keep your eyes open to the little details
lsquoYou face the everyday hell that is job-seeking but now you must also beware of scam companiesrsquo
lsquoThis smelled very fishy to the Italian in mersquo
lsquoThe form asked for all my personal informationrsquo
lifestyles6
1
Je moet er geweest zijn
62classifieds
MechelenAuthentic and full of surprises Thatrsquos Mechelen Hospitable and honourable Thatrsquos the people of Mechelen Come and experience the cityrsquos urban charms for yourself Mechelen
Authentic and full of surprises Thatrsquos Mechelen Hospitable and honourable Thatrsquos the people of Mechelen Come and experience the cityrsquos urban charms for yourself
photography copy Milo Profi
classifieds63
classifieds
How to hang out in
Amsterdam
By ER Muntrem
perspectives
It is not against the rules for babies to cry in cafeacutes It happens Mostly they sleep or sit in someonersquos lap with commendable decorum Otherwise kids in cafeacutes tend to nosh a little less than their elders and handle crayons a little more And while anyone who toddles behind the bar will certainly get caught they can always claim they were encouraged to toddle there in the first place
Dutch parents and I realise this is hard to prove seem to let their kids wander a metre or two further away from them than parents from other developed countries that universal ldquowhere is sherdquo look delayed five or ten seconds If this extra distance is a sign of perceived safety cafeacute culture must help teach it
Except for chefs all cafeacute workers do more or less all the jobs required to run a cafeacute They all wait on tables
serve hot and cold drinks set up outdoor furniture load and retrieve supplies take the garbage out wash glasses light candles arrange flowers unfurl the awning and ring up the bill When the young guy or girl greets you you may know they are not the owner but for the moment they are the face of the establishment It may as well be their place
Admittedly I am seduced by places where waiters donrsquot work for tips where the rushed pace of eating in a restaurant in America does not exist In a cafeacute you can do what you want for as long as you want and get food and drink while you do it Pretty cool and as much a baseline for how to hang out in Amsterdam as cycling is for how to get around
Places to eat and drink owned by corporations have to package experience to deliver it Whatrsquos our brand How can our managers and servers be most efficient How ultimately can we be number one Not something most cafeacutes seem to be worried about and where the universal signs for lsquowe are having a good time togetherrsquo
lsquoCafeacute culture must help teachrsquo lsquoI am seduced by places where waiters donrsquot work for tipsrsquo
64
perspectives
or lsquoI am happy here by myselfrsquo (clinked glasses or absorption in a newspaper say) are routinely in evidence This is one true grace of democracy the average worth smiling about
At cafeacutes co-workers have a beer before or after their shift friends drop by or a regular pops in with some news The stream of customers they donrsquot have to woo and donrsquot have to lsquoworkrsquo gives the whole thing a slightly familial living room perfectly public feel that makes the work far less of a personality crimp than working at Starbucks Or so it seems I do not mean to pretend carrying drinks across the street to the canal side seating or giving obvious directions yet again is always glorious but most people who work in cafeacutersquos laugh and smile a fair bit almost as much as the patrons
And when the owner of a cafeacute is of a generation older than those working there as is usually the case it lends a wise uncle or mother hen feel to the proceedings In the daytime no one is ever too caught up in his or her designated title to ignore a baby on the move And at
night the crowd of drinkers may as well be at a party hosted by their parents or kids or both
Itrsquos not all about money cafeacute culture churns towards the civilised without grinding anyone too far down As well as pleasure there is power in this The best distillation I know of what democracy should be came from a young woman working at Cafeacute Captein With our meal in front of us my friend noticed he was missing his salad Flagged down the young woman went to investigate ldquoItrsquos on its wayrdquo she said ldquoI told my boss to do itrdquo
Imagine we told Putin to do it We told Obama to do it We told the bankers to do it
lsquoMost people who work in cafeacutersquos laugh and smile a fair bitrsquo
lsquoCafeacute culture churns towards the civilised without grinding anyone too far downrsquo
65
66
featurecity gem
lsquoThe last of the large independent music stores left standing in Amsterdamrsquo
CITY GEM
67
Concerto
By Denson Pierre
ConcertoUtrechtsestraat 60 1017 VP Amsterdam
it is a rush when on a full stomach you can make an instant decision on where your next city-centre lunch will be taken it is almost ecstasy when the venue is situated in a music shop which for decades has been defined by its exceptional range and quality of music available in amsterdam Concerto is the last of the large independent music stores left standing in amsterdam all the others have long since been killed off by everything from the advance in recording and playback technologies to habitual illegal downloaders only now realising that their behaviour has an impact right back down to street level despite what they might think about the giant studios and recording companies
Concerto has not stuck but has twisted Since September it has incorporated a cute cafeacute
and lunch area within its premises as well as introducing a bookshop and lounge area making it possible to spend an almost nostalgic time there over several hours It still has a vast range of the very best music in vinyl (both new and second-hand) and CD form DVDs DJ equipment and even gear used for live musical performances Itrsquos a gold mine
If it has taken this clever adaptation in space utilisation to keep this institution viable and available to Amsterdam-based music lovers then I personally wish to support this venture and help mean this type of music retailer to remain part of the city scene For people of a certain age there is something infinitely more appealing about physically handling recorded material appreciating the artwork in its packaging having a listen and then deciding if it is a purchase you would like to make Even though non-digital stockpiling has become rather passeacute I challenge you to visit Concerto and its new cafeacute and bookshop concept and not end up spending more time in this true city gem than you had anticipated
lsquoIt has incorporated a cute cafeacute and lunch area within its premises as well as introducing a bookshop and lounge arearsquo
city gem
68
city gem
69city gem
city gem70
city gem71
72city gem
lsquoThere is something infinitely more appealing about physically
handling recorded material appreciating the artwork in its
packagingrsquo
73city gem
74classifi eds
75classifi eds
classifi edsclassifi eds76
amsterdam city life
BrinG BaCK
Something that seems to have been watered down considerably in Amsterdamrsquos hospitality industry in recent years is independence of thought styling and designAll you have to do is walk around the city to note that way too many coffeesoup houses and cafeacutes are more or less identikit This also applies to many cafeacutes with unimaginative business leaders who open unoriginal looking spaces and hope that the use of white paint purple or blue lights and house music is all it takes
Luckily there is something brewing to save our days and nights I have come across cafeacute owners who are now seriously considering ending the arrangements they have with the giant drink suppliers There are actually no good arguments left for continuing with these huge multinationals as they are frankly more expensive at wholesale for the same A-class products than the supermarkets on every Amsterdammerrsquos street corner
It looks like space is being created for the smaller brewers to take up the supply of A-class beer to smaller establishments throughout the city The giants can keep their character-free tourist traps and those bars still able to benefit purely from their unbeatable locations throughout the city
The Sentinel says bring back better and more original businesses of scale within the local hospitality industry which will help more cafeacutes and bars not only to become distinguishable by the interior designs they will need to conjure but also through the variety of local and regional beers that could become part of their coherent identity The overriding benefit of such courageous thinking and action would be an immediate return to realistic and reasonable pricing for A-class beer in Amsterdam which remains the staple of the easy consumables as this recession drones on
By Denson Pierre
INDEPENDENT CAFeacuteSBARS
77
78star beer guide
Star Beer
The SentinelStar beer guide
lsquoDifferent beers can seem to weigh on the conscience as much as on the taste budsrsquo
Just like the changing of the seasons different beers can seem to weigh on the conscience as much as on the taste buds Ciney blond is a lovely almost effeminate tasting beer All light smooth fruitiness bolstered by substantial alcohol content
As the temperature increases it can even feel like a thirst quencher A nice session beer and one that could function as an entrance-level quality beer in terms of its complexity For advanced samplers it is a great lower platform to descend to after cruising the space occupied by the 8-plus percentage alcoholic beauties
Ciney blond is brewed by Alken-Maes Mechelen Belgium
By Denson Pierre
CINEY BLOND (7 ABV)
79star beer guide
We find the best most fun most typical exciting or local favourite restaurants etcetera in Amsterdam and bring them to you an easy way to feel like a local
Cafe Kostverloren 040606
Recommended
80recommended
EUROGIFTSXenonweg 9 3812 SZ Amersfoort
Tel 033 - 454 35 75 - Fax 033 - 454 35 79E-mail lmproefeurogiftsnl
Website wwweurogiftsnl
FILMPROEF
ORDERNUMMER 6021022ARTIKELNUMMER 65123
Ware grootte (indien uitgeprint)Kleur opdruk Wit
Mulligans Irish Music BarAmsterdamrsquos best address for live Irish music Five (5) nights a week Check our agenda for upcoming sessions Amstel 100 1017 AC Amsterdamwwwmulligansnl
Cafeacute KostverlorenCafeacute Kostverloren is a contemporary cafe offering the cosiness of a saloon an open kitchen and the intimacy of a living room The large terras is great for sunny days2e Kostverlorenkade 70 Amsterdamwwwcafekostverlorennl
ZestZest is fi ne food warm atmosphere and classy drinks with regular semi-acoustic (live) music and DJs (Thursday to Sunday) Amsterdamrsquos newest and freshestBilderdijkstraat 188 Amsterdamwwwfacebookcomclubzestnl
GollemGollemrsquos Proefl okaal Gollem and Gollem II represent the best addresses serving the fullest range of top Belgian Dutch and international beers in AmsterdamOvertoom 160-161wwwcafegollemnl
IncantoA restaurant with a classic Italian kitchen Venetian chef Simone Ambrosin is known for his pure and simple style of cooking with great feeling for nuanceAmstel 2 Amsterdamwwwrestaurant-incantonl
Planet RoseThe fi rst Caribbean restaurant in the Netherlands specialised in Jamaican cuisine The menu features a daily changing selectionNicolaas Beetsstraat 47 Amsterdamwwwplanetroseinfo
Cafe restaurant EdelCafe restaurant Edel is the perfect place for lunch dinner or to simply enjoy a drink Edel is a unique place in AmsterdamPostjesweg 1 1057 DT Amsterdamwwwedelamsterdamnl
Cafeacute OportoCafeacute Oporto is a traditional Amsterdam lsquobrown cafersquo Welcoming tourists and regular customers alike they offer televised sports wifi and a wide range of reasonably priced beers and spiritsZoutsteeg 1 1012 LX Amsterdamwwwcafeoportonet
BaxA cosy and friendly local cafeacute with a focus on special or interesting beers and good quality food Open 7 days a week with a professional kitchen offering a lunch and dinner serviceTen Katestraat 119 Amsterdamwwwcafebaxnl
To be seen and tasted Fun Drinking amp Music
To Be Seen and Tasted
Fun Drinking amp Music
Fun Drinking amp Music
Connoisseurs Delight
Connoisseurs Delight
Connoisseurs Delight
To Be Seen and Tasted
Neighbourhood cosy
Fun drinking and music
ParckGreat fun beautiful people and simply the best bar food in townOvertoom 428 Amsterdamwwwcafeparcknl
To be seen and tasted
Cafe de Toog1890rsquos grandeur fashioned into Amsterdam-West grand brown cafe-restaurant-cool Classy drinks and mealsNicolaas Beetsstraat 142 hs Amsterdam wwwcafedetoogcom
Opera Prima - Patisserie Bistro TraiteurThe best place in town for lunch exquisite high teas or brunches and all of your luxury catering both private and corporateKinkerstraat 228 Amsterdamwwwoperaprimanl
Recommended
81
Where is this inAmsterdamAnswer to sentinelpostgmailcom
82spotted
Room 2cfilm
ldquoCome on in boys the waterrsquos finerdquo This is arguably the best all-round and funny musical to come out of Hollywood in a generation and certainly one of the best three soundtracks of the same period George Clooney will never be as good or charming as he is here playing the accidental leader of a trio of chain gang escapees in the US south of the 1930s Spirituality meets the Ku Klux Klan all coloured by Virginia bluegrass
ldquoCall me Snakerdquo The coolest handle for a leading man (Kurt Russell) in any movie to date Here he is sent in on a heroic lsquoat all costrsquo one-man mission to rescue the president of the United States from the prison island Manhattan has become in a lsquofuturersquo representation of 1997 Air Force One has crashed there and the countdown is on Classic 1980s turn of the millennium dystopian vision with style pace and gadgetry
By dpmotions
By dpmotions
o Brother Where Art Thou (2000)
escape from new York (1981)
room2c83
84trends
lsquoTrends are great to join and surf like a once in a lifetime tsunamirsquo
By Dirkje Bakker-Pierre
Each and every micro-world has its own specific trends Take the fashion world for example where one day you have to wear high heels and round noses and the next itrsquos flat hairy elephant feet-like boots that must hug your feet Or take the automotive world where once upon a time you could never have enough chrome on your car or the food world where we have quietly moved from fast to green and wholesome or the TV world which used to be about fiction and is now more real than reality Some of these trends are great to join and surf like a once in a lifetime tsunami others can slip by unnoticed and others still keep bugging and bugging you even if you try to avoid them like the plague
The online world and specifically the social media universe eats through trends like a fat chick after a hunger strike Facebook in particular seems to move seamlessly from one hype to the next one day itrsquos pictures with fuzzy edges or a bit of a 1970s filter the next itrsquos a profile picture with you very consciously not looking into the camera (very spontaneously and naturally non-posing you might say) These are mostly harmless things if Irsquom honest and when everyone
stops liking them they fade away as quickly as the sun in our small wet country There is one trend however that has festered within Facebook from the very beginning and which seems to be gradually growing and growing without anyone ever liking the postshellip and I mean EVER
Yes I am talking about daily quotes words of wisdom holy quotes mesmerizingly philosophical quotes cheesy quotes religious quoteshellip How can I describe all of them in one easy sentence pieces of text from (famous) people (it can never be something you thought of yourself) that lsquodisclosersquo previously secret information about being happy in life (or at least previously secret to the person doing the posting I presume) In short texts that belong on tiles hanging on the wall in old Dutch peoplersquos toilets
Why
Here are a few I found in my news feed this week
ldquoA mind is like a parachute It doesnrsquot work if it is not openrdquo ndash Frank Zappa
ldquoIt is not because things are difficult that we do not dare it is because we do not dare that things are difficultrdquo ndash Seneca
ldquoIf you donrsquot take what you are doing seriously then nobody else willrdquo ndash Darryl Dlt Thomson
Bad trends would be good if they werenrsquot so bad
85trends
86classifi eds
87classifieds
One of my personal favourite gemstones is moonstone Itlsquos been around for centuries and is used in many cultures As suggested by its name the stone is highly associated with the moon and moon goddess Diana It brings calm peace and love and is said to become more powerful when the moon is full so thatlsquos the best time to wear it One proverb even claims that moonstone can bring you love that will fly you to the moon Spiritually this amazing stone is said to enhance intuition and is always associated with the self It is a very powerful personal stone which doesnlsquot add or remove any aspects of the personality but merely reflects the person wearing it It is said to be very
MoonstoneBy Evelina Kvartunaite
ndash
lsquoThe stone is highly associated with the moon and moon goddess Dianarsquo
ndash
helpful for people who are very sensitive and it is also used in meditation for reflecting oneself Itlsquos always best to charge your gem when the moon is shining at night either while wearing it or by leaving it on a windowsill that receives moonlight Moonstone is also used in healing and is known for balancing the internal organ systems enabling them to work in stable cycles Itlsquos usually more associated with women but is also known to help men embrace their more emotional side soft creative energies and optimism Perhaps understandably moonstone should have limited exposure to strong direct sunlight
ndash
lsquoIt is said to be very helpful for people who are very sensitiversquo
ndash
88
health amp well-being
ndash
lsquoMore associated with women but is also known to help men embrace their more emotional sidersquo
ndash
89health amp well-being
In his article Batin shows how learning how to use complex products is like learning a computer game Just like the challenges in video games match the skills of the user so should TV interactions or any UI interactions for that matter For reference Batin used the four levels described in the Dreyfus model of skill acquisition
Level 1 novicebullRigid adherence to taught rules or plansbullNo exercise of lsquodiscretionary judgmentrsquo
Level 2 Advanced beginnerbullLimited lsquosituational perceptionrsquobullAll aspects of work treated separately with equal importance
Philip Batin wrote an article a couple of months ago about the next big idea in User Interaction gadgets that adapt to your skills As gadgets become more complicated UIs must be able to teach their users over time Apparently more and more interactive products are being returned In 2002 48 of all returned products were technically fully functional but were rejected for failing to satisfy user needs 20 purely due to customer remorse Even though a product may have all the features one can hope for complexity and bad user experience can prevent users from integrating it into their lives
UserInterfaceThe next big thing in UX
lsquoUIs must be able to teach their users over timersquo
By Andrei Barburas
lsquoComplexity and bad user experience can prevent users from
integrating it into their livesrsquo
90
technology
book the majority of which you probably skipped through
Personally I believe that there are certain end users most likely the majority that use only a limited set of features from any device they buy Mobile phones have become indispensable tools in our daily activities yet the average Joe has no idea about the full potential of a smart phone The same applies to Smart TVs they can do lots of things yet the only thing that we do with them is flip channels and complain how bad the shows are
The bottom line is that itrsquos definitely something worth thinking about not only from an operating system perspective but also from the perspective of applications developers
Level 3 competentbulllsquoCoping with crowdednessrsquo (multiple activities accumulation of information)bullSome perception of actions in relation to goalsbullDeliberate planningbullFormulates routines
Level 4 ProficientbullHolistic view of situationbullPrioritizes importance of aspectsbulllsquoPerceives deviations from the normal patternrsquobullEmploys maxim for guidance with meanings that adapt to the situation at hand
Now just imagine a User Interface that adapts based on what you can do and the abilities you have As you learn new things new levels of complexity are unlocked opening the door to fully knowing your device because you learned by doing and not by reading a complicated
lsquoThe average Joe has no idea about the full potential of a
smart phonersquo
91technology
92classifi eds
93classifi eds
Not knowing what was happening in football was extremely annoying to put it mildly and it wasnrsquot just my own self-denial and avoidance of all things football that was a hindrance the extent to which I had to ask others to go in order to remain ignorant was much more excruciating than Irsquod ever imagined There may even be some damage done to football-related friendships that is irreparable I now feel as though Irsquom walking through an empty stadium after everyone else has gone home
So what now and where to next The season is well and truly over and Irsquom free to do whatever I want I could read the back-dated sports pages check all the stats and find out all the facts if I wanted to I could spend hours catching up on last season and speculating on the next with the friends Irsquove still got left down the pub if I wanted to I can follow all the transfer gossip watch pre-season friendlies and build up all my hopes But as with most addictions that would simply be falling back into a previous state of dependence and everything Irsquove just put myself through wouldrsquove been for nothing So how do I go back to an old habit without a total relapse or would it be better to keep abstaining
All my questions seem to be met with other questions and no solutions On the other hand if you ask me what
Someone once said that insanity is when you keep repeating the same behaviour and expect a different outcome most likely a psychologist aimed at his or her ailing patients But for me these words are more reminiscent of my own conduct over the course of a regular football season Week in week out season after season I would expect Tottenham to win something and more often than not Irsquod be left disappointed So I decided to stop No more football ndash at least not for one full season
The season 201213 is now over and during the whole nine months I didnrsquot watch a single moment of football or read a single article on the subject That was my challenge and I was committed to it What is more despite all the warning signs I didnrsquot relapse After a year of structured punishment I didnrsquot have a clue about what was going on in the English Premier League (or any other league) Only having picked up bits and pieces of information that somehow slipped through the net the past season was like a book with most of its pages missing
By Simon Joseph
On The Volley
The Return of the Repressed or the Point of No Return
lsquoInsanity is when you keep repeating the same behaviour and expect a different outcomersquo
sport
lsquoThe past season was like a book with most of its pages missingrsquo
94
lsquoThere may even be some damage done to football-related friendshipsrsquo
lsquoHas abstaining for a season changed mersquo
it until the cows come home but it was us who made those changes or at least allowed them to happen and those changes will continue to happen with or without me Perhaps then the questions I should be asking are has abstaining for a season changed me Am I still obsessed or have I broken the habit of a lifetime Is following football really that terrible or even a real addiction
One thing is certain this lack of resolution is not completely without satisfaction because like all forms of fixation or obsession therersquos comfort and familiarity to be found in repetition as Tottenham miss out on Championrsquos League football by a single point again The repressed will always return to haunt us or so it seems and before we know it the start of next season will be upon us There will be more pain no doubt and more joy This time however it will take more than a boot camp approach to keep me away and who knows Tottenham might even win the league Come on you Spurs
Tottenham Hotspur means I would still tell you that itrsquos not just a pretty football package itrsquos about kith and kin not just where I came from but how I relate to others around me in the here and now Whatrsquos more millions of people are attracted to football they hunger for it and yearn to connect with it even though I still believe itrsquos a form of ineffective escape from one unsatisfying reality to another Following football is a classic example of cognitive dissonance ndash when you simultaneously entertain two opposing thoughts that appear to cancel each other out Before the start of each season for example we all want our club to win everything or to be taken over by billionaires but know that itrsquos impossible or in the latter case controversial and even undesirable So we invent ways to cope We develop a so-called lsquosiege mentalityrsquo or other harmful patterns of behaviour to relieve the discomfort of incongruity With this in mind the past year was supposed to be an exercise in behaviour modification ndash to discover the root of the problem and treat it effectively But one year on have I really discovered anything at all
The English Premier League whether you watch it or not is still probably the most exciting football league in the world We can complain about the changes made to
sport9
5
By Denson Pierre
The Gold Room
Fantasy Football Gold ndash Champions League 2012-2013 winner Denson Pierre and his prizes
The season petered out in an all-German Champions League Final which did nothing to dispel the record that this was a season of too few new stars or regular spectacle We look forward to the next season as it ought not be too difficult to create more excitement than in the one just pastWe did have the opportunity to hand over the envelopes and trophies to the Sentinel Fantasy Football game winners This year all the major winners from the Sentinel Fantasy Football League were unable to be present for the physical prize giving but the winner of the Gold Game and focus of this column was there to receive his prize for winning the master game in styleSo we retire the Gold Room until the beginning of the new football season See you all again then
96
sport
Matt Parker receives his third place and Manager of the Month prizes for the Sentinel Fantasy Football League
Charles Conneely Sentinel Fantasy Football League 2012-2013 Champion
97sport
wwwczechtourismcom
CZECH REPUBLIC - STUNNINGLY DIFFERENT
98
classifi eds
40
perspectives
41perspectives
42featureperspectives
feature4
3perspectives
44
featureperspectives
feature4
5perspectives
lsquoTake a closer look at the statue of former Queen Wilhelmina and her horsersquo
46
perspectives
lsquoThis is also where you can find me presenting a fine selection of my
photo printsrsquo
47perspectives
perspectives4
8
perspectives4
9
For complete and world class tours of Prague
Packages includebull Hidden and playful Prague (for families with young children)bull Literary Praguebull Prague Architecture through the agesbull Religion and the citybull The old city at night
These are detailed tours designed for visitors who wish to explore with great detail and not suitable for simply sight-seeing tourists
Day segments and ratesPR 0800-1230hrs AG 1330-1630hrs UE 1730-2130hrsAll sessions are priced at u 25 per single adult Group size upper limit = 8 Accompanied children under the age of five are gratis and school aged children pay 25 Family package rates are negotiable
ContactJaroslav Cernosek+420 602 228 797Mail jcernosekcentrumcz
wwwyourtuliptourcom
JC Tours
50classifieds
51classifieds
CafeacuteBar Review Van Mechelen
cafebar review52
Van MechelenSloterkade 96-97 Amsterdam
It may be the new hype in the city as far as grand cafeacute and restaurant concepts go but Van Mechelen is already approaching excellence Considering its handy location in another pretty neighbourhood of Amsterdam South it is almost a lsquomust visitrsquo place that has created a theme built on the Burgundian enjoyment of life good food complemented with top-class beer and wine If you want a taste of what it feels like to visit a cafeacute-restaurant in Mechelen Belgium Van Mechelen is an easy way for an Amsterdammer to savour this experience and is just a short cycle ride away
ambianceBurgundian Rating 5
StaffregularsMembers of staff are clearly very well trained and this adds to the light and airy atmosphere Having opened for business just three months ago those who have fallen in love with the place and its consumables have not yet had time to clock up the number of visits and connections to be considered lsquoregularsrsquo Rating 5
televised sportNo space within the design and layout for this form of distraction Rating 3
PricesSurprisingly these are within the lsquonormalrsquo range for this level and quality of fare Outstandingly fairly priced snacks and nibbles are also offered to help you along as you take on the fine (Mechelen brewery group Alken-Maes) beers and wines When did you last enjoy a generous portion of fresh olives for a mere euro250 Rating 5
MusicAt the time of review the establishment was fairly packed out The atmosphere is conducive to chats and hilarity and although the selection of tunes could be heard far in the background the sound system may well have more kick It should as the building is of such a solid constitution that it should contain noise and not easily upset the neighbours Rating 5
Smoking area provisionFortunately for puffers the originally industrial nature of the address means that the former loading bay and entranceexit areas have become two naturally covered terrace areas separated from the luscious interior by huge glass-panelled doors Rating 5
total rating 2830(Rating from 1-5 where 1 = Very poor and 5 = Excellent)
By Denson Pierre
lsquoThe new hype in the city as far as grand cafeacute and restaurant concepts gorsquo
cafebar review53
lsquoMembers of staff are clearly very well trainedrsquo
cafebar review54
cafebar review55
lsquoOutstandingly fairly priced snacks and nibbles are also offeredrsquo
cafebar review56
cafebar review57
lsquoThe atmosphere is conducive to chats and hilarityrsquo
cafebar review58
cafebar review59
scamsterdam
lifestyles60
By Valeria Scimia
Unemployed international and looking for a job in the Netherlands Not only must you face the everyday hell that is job-seeking but now you must also beware of scam companies Yes theyrsquove arrived here too
I was recently contacted by an ostensibly legitimate company that wanted to hire me The contact took the form of what appeared to be a genuine e-mail complete with website and logo from a company in Australia that seemed absolutely legitimate (I have since contacted the company to warn them that someone overseas is using their name and logo to scam people) The e-mail explained that the company was opening an office in Holland and was looking for people who would handle the back-office orders It contained a form to be filled in and returned if I was interested in the position the form asked for all my personal information including my bank details I had been looking for a job and was interested in the offer so I filled in and sent off the form and my CV Once they received my e-mail they asked me to start a trial period without practically explaining anything of what the job was actually about I didnrsquot immediately reply so they called me the next day asking me to start immediately with the trial period promising lots of benefits once the contract was signed I hadnrsquot met anyone at this point only telephone interviews and that already didnrsquot seem right to me I asked them to send me more information by e-mail about what I was meant to do and a few moments later I received a response asking me to make a bank transfer to show them I was trustworthy The lsquotrialrsquo implied that they would send me some money and I had to transfer half via GWK or MoneyTransfer to one of their clients and keep the other half This smelled very fishy to the Italian in me In reality they could be sending a cheque to the bank which would register an income that would later bounce after I had already made the payment to their lsquoclientrsquo On top of losing money the person that tried to lsquohirersquo meyou
would have been untraceable No one was even picking up the phone at the number given in the e-mail and the company they claimed to represent wasnrsquot even active in Europe
So I said no and told them I was no longer interested They even had the gumption to call me back and ask me why I wouldnrsquot do it I gave them a silly excuse so as not to give them any more information or tips on how to improve their scummy scam I am happy I started checking their contacts as soon as their promises seemed too good to be true even if I am still angry I allowed them to data-mine all of my information when I sent them my CV and filled in their form
It beggars belief that they set up an entire facade in these times of work despair and it really doesnrsquot feel right especially because therersquos not much I can do about it now apart from inform people I didnrsquot think this would ever happen here in this country where everything has to be or always seems to be so legitimate But I guess some things never change and a place doesnrsquot make the people and certainly doesnrsquot influence the choices they make I just wanted to share my experience to alert everyone to the possible scam If a company contacts you and asks you to return a form including your bank details when you have never met anyone face-to-face it should make your antennas extend and remember to double-check their credibility Apparently it is illegal to ask such questions of someone here so donrsquot fall for it as I did As I am still waiting to hear from the company in Australia I didnrsquot feel it was proper to disclose its name publicly just yet plus I am not sure the scammers always use the same company as a fake front But what they ask you to do is more or less always the same so keep your eyes open to the little details
lsquoYou face the everyday hell that is job-seeking but now you must also beware of scam companiesrsquo
lsquoThis smelled very fishy to the Italian in mersquo
lsquoThe form asked for all my personal informationrsquo
lifestyles6
1
Je moet er geweest zijn
62classifieds
MechelenAuthentic and full of surprises Thatrsquos Mechelen Hospitable and honourable Thatrsquos the people of Mechelen Come and experience the cityrsquos urban charms for yourself Mechelen
Authentic and full of surprises Thatrsquos Mechelen Hospitable and honourable Thatrsquos the people of Mechelen Come and experience the cityrsquos urban charms for yourself
photography copy Milo Profi
classifieds63
classifieds
How to hang out in
Amsterdam
By ER Muntrem
perspectives
It is not against the rules for babies to cry in cafeacutes It happens Mostly they sleep or sit in someonersquos lap with commendable decorum Otherwise kids in cafeacutes tend to nosh a little less than their elders and handle crayons a little more And while anyone who toddles behind the bar will certainly get caught they can always claim they were encouraged to toddle there in the first place
Dutch parents and I realise this is hard to prove seem to let their kids wander a metre or two further away from them than parents from other developed countries that universal ldquowhere is sherdquo look delayed five or ten seconds If this extra distance is a sign of perceived safety cafeacute culture must help teach it
Except for chefs all cafeacute workers do more or less all the jobs required to run a cafeacute They all wait on tables
serve hot and cold drinks set up outdoor furniture load and retrieve supplies take the garbage out wash glasses light candles arrange flowers unfurl the awning and ring up the bill When the young guy or girl greets you you may know they are not the owner but for the moment they are the face of the establishment It may as well be their place
Admittedly I am seduced by places where waiters donrsquot work for tips where the rushed pace of eating in a restaurant in America does not exist In a cafeacute you can do what you want for as long as you want and get food and drink while you do it Pretty cool and as much a baseline for how to hang out in Amsterdam as cycling is for how to get around
Places to eat and drink owned by corporations have to package experience to deliver it Whatrsquos our brand How can our managers and servers be most efficient How ultimately can we be number one Not something most cafeacutes seem to be worried about and where the universal signs for lsquowe are having a good time togetherrsquo
lsquoCafeacute culture must help teachrsquo lsquoI am seduced by places where waiters donrsquot work for tipsrsquo
64
perspectives
or lsquoI am happy here by myselfrsquo (clinked glasses or absorption in a newspaper say) are routinely in evidence This is one true grace of democracy the average worth smiling about
At cafeacutes co-workers have a beer before or after their shift friends drop by or a regular pops in with some news The stream of customers they donrsquot have to woo and donrsquot have to lsquoworkrsquo gives the whole thing a slightly familial living room perfectly public feel that makes the work far less of a personality crimp than working at Starbucks Or so it seems I do not mean to pretend carrying drinks across the street to the canal side seating or giving obvious directions yet again is always glorious but most people who work in cafeacutersquos laugh and smile a fair bit almost as much as the patrons
And when the owner of a cafeacute is of a generation older than those working there as is usually the case it lends a wise uncle or mother hen feel to the proceedings In the daytime no one is ever too caught up in his or her designated title to ignore a baby on the move And at
night the crowd of drinkers may as well be at a party hosted by their parents or kids or both
Itrsquos not all about money cafeacute culture churns towards the civilised without grinding anyone too far down As well as pleasure there is power in this The best distillation I know of what democracy should be came from a young woman working at Cafeacute Captein With our meal in front of us my friend noticed he was missing his salad Flagged down the young woman went to investigate ldquoItrsquos on its wayrdquo she said ldquoI told my boss to do itrdquo
Imagine we told Putin to do it We told Obama to do it We told the bankers to do it
lsquoMost people who work in cafeacutersquos laugh and smile a fair bitrsquo
lsquoCafeacute culture churns towards the civilised without grinding anyone too far downrsquo
65
66
featurecity gem
lsquoThe last of the large independent music stores left standing in Amsterdamrsquo
CITY GEM
67
Concerto
By Denson Pierre
ConcertoUtrechtsestraat 60 1017 VP Amsterdam
it is a rush when on a full stomach you can make an instant decision on where your next city-centre lunch will be taken it is almost ecstasy when the venue is situated in a music shop which for decades has been defined by its exceptional range and quality of music available in amsterdam Concerto is the last of the large independent music stores left standing in amsterdam all the others have long since been killed off by everything from the advance in recording and playback technologies to habitual illegal downloaders only now realising that their behaviour has an impact right back down to street level despite what they might think about the giant studios and recording companies
Concerto has not stuck but has twisted Since September it has incorporated a cute cafeacute
and lunch area within its premises as well as introducing a bookshop and lounge area making it possible to spend an almost nostalgic time there over several hours It still has a vast range of the very best music in vinyl (both new and second-hand) and CD form DVDs DJ equipment and even gear used for live musical performances Itrsquos a gold mine
If it has taken this clever adaptation in space utilisation to keep this institution viable and available to Amsterdam-based music lovers then I personally wish to support this venture and help mean this type of music retailer to remain part of the city scene For people of a certain age there is something infinitely more appealing about physically handling recorded material appreciating the artwork in its packaging having a listen and then deciding if it is a purchase you would like to make Even though non-digital stockpiling has become rather passeacute I challenge you to visit Concerto and its new cafeacute and bookshop concept and not end up spending more time in this true city gem than you had anticipated
lsquoIt has incorporated a cute cafeacute and lunch area within its premises as well as introducing a bookshop and lounge arearsquo
city gem
68
city gem
69city gem
city gem70
city gem71
72city gem
lsquoThere is something infinitely more appealing about physically
handling recorded material appreciating the artwork in its
packagingrsquo
73city gem
74classifi eds
75classifi eds
classifi edsclassifi eds76
amsterdam city life
BrinG BaCK
Something that seems to have been watered down considerably in Amsterdamrsquos hospitality industry in recent years is independence of thought styling and designAll you have to do is walk around the city to note that way too many coffeesoup houses and cafeacutes are more or less identikit This also applies to many cafeacutes with unimaginative business leaders who open unoriginal looking spaces and hope that the use of white paint purple or blue lights and house music is all it takes
Luckily there is something brewing to save our days and nights I have come across cafeacute owners who are now seriously considering ending the arrangements they have with the giant drink suppliers There are actually no good arguments left for continuing with these huge multinationals as they are frankly more expensive at wholesale for the same A-class products than the supermarkets on every Amsterdammerrsquos street corner
It looks like space is being created for the smaller brewers to take up the supply of A-class beer to smaller establishments throughout the city The giants can keep their character-free tourist traps and those bars still able to benefit purely from their unbeatable locations throughout the city
The Sentinel says bring back better and more original businesses of scale within the local hospitality industry which will help more cafeacutes and bars not only to become distinguishable by the interior designs they will need to conjure but also through the variety of local and regional beers that could become part of their coherent identity The overriding benefit of such courageous thinking and action would be an immediate return to realistic and reasonable pricing for A-class beer in Amsterdam which remains the staple of the easy consumables as this recession drones on
By Denson Pierre
INDEPENDENT CAFeacuteSBARS
77
78star beer guide
Star Beer
The SentinelStar beer guide
lsquoDifferent beers can seem to weigh on the conscience as much as on the taste budsrsquo
Just like the changing of the seasons different beers can seem to weigh on the conscience as much as on the taste buds Ciney blond is a lovely almost effeminate tasting beer All light smooth fruitiness bolstered by substantial alcohol content
As the temperature increases it can even feel like a thirst quencher A nice session beer and one that could function as an entrance-level quality beer in terms of its complexity For advanced samplers it is a great lower platform to descend to after cruising the space occupied by the 8-plus percentage alcoholic beauties
Ciney blond is brewed by Alken-Maes Mechelen Belgium
By Denson Pierre
CINEY BLOND (7 ABV)
79star beer guide
We find the best most fun most typical exciting or local favourite restaurants etcetera in Amsterdam and bring them to you an easy way to feel like a local
Cafe Kostverloren 040606
Recommended
80recommended
EUROGIFTSXenonweg 9 3812 SZ Amersfoort
Tel 033 - 454 35 75 - Fax 033 - 454 35 79E-mail lmproefeurogiftsnl
Website wwweurogiftsnl
FILMPROEF
ORDERNUMMER 6021022ARTIKELNUMMER 65123
Ware grootte (indien uitgeprint)Kleur opdruk Wit
Mulligans Irish Music BarAmsterdamrsquos best address for live Irish music Five (5) nights a week Check our agenda for upcoming sessions Amstel 100 1017 AC Amsterdamwwwmulligansnl
Cafeacute KostverlorenCafeacute Kostverloren is a contemporary cafe offering the cosiness of a saloon an open kitchen and the intimacy of a living room The large terras is great for sunny days2e Kostverlorenkade 70 Amsterdamwwwcafekostverlorennl
ZestZest is fi ne food warm atmosphere and classy drinks with regular semi-acoustic (live) music and DJs (Thursday to Sunday) Amsterdamrsquos newest and freshestBilderdijkstraat 188 Amsterdamwwwfacebookcomclubzestnl
GollemGollemrsquos Proefl okaal Gollem and Gollem II represent the best addresses serving the fullest range of top Belgian Dutch and international beers in AmsterdamOvertoom 160-161wwwcafegollemnl
IncantoA restaurant with a classic Italian kitchen Venetian chef Simone Ambrosin is known for his pure and simple style of cooking with great feeling for nuanceAmstel 2 Amsterdamwwwrestaurant-incantonl
Planet RoseThe fi rst Caribbean restaurant in the Netherlands specialised in Jamaican cuisine The menu features a daily changing selectionNicolaas Beetsstraat 47 Amsterdamwwwplanetroseinfo
Cafe restaurant EdelCafe restaurant Edel is the perfect place for lunch dinner or to simply enjoy a drink Edel is a unique place in AmsterdamPostjesweg 1 1057 DT Amsterdamwwwedelamsterdamnl
Cafeacute OportoCafeacute Oporto is a traditional Amsterdam lsquobrown cafersquo Welcoming tourists and regular customers alike they offer televised sports wifi and a wide range of reasonably priced beers and spiritsZoutsteeg 1 1012 LX Amsterdamwwwcafeoportonet
BaxA cosy and friendly local cafeacute with a focus on special or interesting beers and good quality food Open 7 days a week with a professional kitchen offering a lunch and dinner serviceTen Katestraat 119 Amsterdamwwwcafebaxnl
To be seen and tasted Fun Drinking amp Music
To Be Seen and Tasted
Fun Drinking amp Music
Fun Drinking amp Music
Connoisseurs Delight
Connoisseurs Delight
Connoisseurs Delight
To Be Seen and Tasted
Neighbourhood cosy
Fun drinking and music
ParckGreat fun beautiful people and simply the best bar food in townOvertoom 428 Amsterdamwwwcafeparcknl
To be seen and tasted
Cafe de Toog1890rsquos grandeur fashioned into Amsterdam-West grand brown cafe-restaurant-cool Classy drinks and mealsNicolaas Beetsstraat 142 hs Amsterdam wwwcafedetoogcom
Opera Prima - Patisserie Bistro TraiteurThe best place in town for lunch exquisite high teas or brunches and all of your luxury catering both private and corporateKinkerstraat 228 Amsterdamwwwoperaprimanl
Recommended
81
Where is this inAmsterdamAnswer to sentinelpostgmailcom
82spotted
Room 2cfilm
ldquoCome on in boys the waterrsquos finerdquo This is arguably the best all-round and funny musical to come out of Hollywood in a generation and certainly one of the best three soundtracks of the same period George Clooney will never be as good or charming as he is here playing the accidental leader of a trio of chain gang escapees in the US south of the 1930s Spirituality meets the Ku Klux Klan all coloured by Virginia bluegrass
ldquoCall me Snakerdquo The coolest handle for a leading man (Kurt Russell) in any movie to date Here he is sent in on a heroic lsquoat all costrsquo one-man mission to rescue the president of the United States from the prison island Manhattan has become in a lsquofuturersquo representation of 1997 Air Force One has crashed there and the countdown is on Classic 1980s turn of the millennium dystopian vision with style pace and gadgetry
By dpmotions
By dpmotions
o Brother Where Art Thou (2000)
escape from new York (1981)
room2c83
84trends
lsquoTrends are great to join and surf like a once in a lifetime tsunamirsquo
By Dirkje Bakker-Pierre
Each and every micro-world has its own specific trends Take the fashion world for example where one day you have to wear high heels and round noses and the next itrsquos flat hairy elephant feet-like boots that must hug your feet Or take the automotive world where once upon a time you could never have enough chrome on your car or the food world where we have quietly moved from fast to green and wholesome or the TV world which used to be about fiction and is now more real than reality Some of these trends are great to join and surf like a once in a lifetime tsunami others can slip by unnoticed and others still keep bugging and bugging you even if you try to avoid them like the plague
The online world and specifically the social media universe eats through trends like a fat chick after a hunger strike Facebook in particular seems to move seamlessly from one hype to the next one day itrsquos pictures with fuzzy edges or a bit of a 1970s filter the next itrsquos a profile picture with you very consciously not looking into the camera (very spontaneously and naturally non-posing you might say) These are mostly harmless things if Irsquom honest and when everyone
stops liking them they fade away as quickly as the sun in our small wet country There is one trend however that has festered within Facebook from the very beginning and which seems to be gradually growing and growing without anyone ever liking the postshellip and I mean EVER
Yes I am talking about daily quotes words of wisdom holy quotes mesmerizingly philosophical quotes cheesy quotes religious quoteshellip How can I describe all of them in one easy sentence pieces of text from (famous) people (it can never be something you thought of yourself) that lsquodisclosersquo previously secret information about being happy in life (or at least previously secret to the person doing the posting I presume) In short texts that belong on tiles hanging on the wall in old Dutch peoplersquos toilets
Why
Here are a few I found in my news feed this week
ldquoA mind is like a parachute It doesnrsquot work if it is not openrdquo ndash Frank Zappa
ldquoIt is not because things are difficult that we do not dare it is because we do not dare that things are difficultrdquo ndash Seneca
ldquoIf you donrsquot take what you are doing seriously then nobody else willrdquo ndash Darryl Dlt Thomson
Bad trends would be good if they werenrsquot so bad
85trends
86classifi eds
87classifieds
One of my personal favourite gemstones is moonstone Itlsquos been around for centuries and is used in many cultures As suggested by its name the stone is highly associated with the moon and moon goddess Diana It brings calm peace and love and is said to become more powerful when the moon is full so thatlsquos the best time to wear it One proverb even claims that moonstone can bring you love that will fly you to the moon Spiritually this amazing stone is said to enhance intuition and is always associated with the self It is a very powerful personal stone which doesnlsquot add or remove any aspects of the personality but merely reflects the person wearing it It is said to be very
MoonstoneBy Evelina Kvartunaite
ndash
lsquoThe stone is highly associated with the moon and moon goddess Dianarsquo
ndash
helpful for people who are very sensitive and it is also used in meditation for reflecting oneself Itlsquos always best to charge your gem when the moon is shining at night either while wearing it or by leaving it on a windowsill that receives moonlight Moonstone is also used in healing and is known for balancing the internal organ systems enabling them to work in stable cycles Itlsquos usually more associated with women but is also known to help men embrace their more emotional side soft creative energies and optimism Perhaps understandably moonstone should have limited exposure to strong direct sunlight
ndash
lsquoIt is said to be very helpful for people who are very sensitiversquo
ndash
88
health amp well-being
ndash
lsquoMore associated with women but is also known to help men embrace their more emotional sidersquo
ndash
89health amp well-being
In his article Batin shows how learning how to use complex products is like learning a computer game Just like the challenges in video games match the skills of the user so should TV interactions or any UI interactions for that matter For reference Batin used the four levels described in the Dreyfus model of skill acquisition
Level 1 novicebullRigid adherence to taught rules or plansbullNo exercise of lsquodiscretionary judgmentrsquo
Level 2 Advanced beginnerbullLimited lsquosituational perceptionrsquobullAll aspects of work treated separately with equal importance
Philip Batin wrote an article a couple of months ago about the next big idea in User Interaction gadgets that adapt to your skills As gadgets become more complicated UIs must be able to teach their users over time Apparently more and more interactive products are being returned In 2002 48 of all returned products were technically fully functional but were rejected for failing to satisfy user needs 20 purely due to customer remorse Even though a product may have all the features one can hope for complexity and bad user experience can prevent users from integrating it into their lives
UserInterfaceThe next big thing in UX
lsquoUIs must be able to teach their users over timersquo
By Andrei Barburas
lsquoComplexity and bad user experience can prevent users from
integrating it into their livesrsquo
90
technology
book the majority of which you probably skipped through
Personally I believe that there are certain end users most likely the majority that use only a limited set of features from any device they buy Mobile phones have become indispensable tools in our daily activities yet the average Joe has no idea about the full potential of a smart phone The same applies to Smart TVs they can do lots of things yet the only thing that we do with them is flip channels and complain how bad the shows are
The bottom line is that itrsquos definitely something worth thinking about not only from an operating system perspective but also from the perspective of applications developers
Level 3 competentbulllsquoCoping with crowdednessrsquo (multiple activities accumulation of information)bullSome perception of actions in relation to goalsbullDeliberate planningbullFormulates routines
Level 4 ProficientbullHolistic view of situationbullPrioritizes importance of aspectsbulllsquoPerceives deviations from the normal patternrsquobullEmploys maxim for guidance with meanings that adapt to the situation at hand
Now just imagine a User Interface that adapts based on what you can do and the abilities you have As you learn new things new levels of complexity are unlocked opening the door to fully knowing your device because you learned by doing and not by reading a complicated
lsquoThe average Joe has no idea about the full potential of a
smart phonersquo
91technology
92classifi eds
93classifi eds
Not knowing what was happening in football was extremely annoying to put it mildly and it wasnrsquot just my own self-denial and avoidance of all things football that was a hindrance the extent to which I had to ask others to go in order to remain ignorant was much more excruciating than Irsquod ever imagined There may even be some damage done to football-related friendships that is irreparable I now feel as though Irsquom walking through an empty stadium after everyone else has gone home
So what now and where to next The season is well and truly over and Irsquom free to do whatever I want I could read the back-dated sports pages check all the stats and find out all the facts if I wanted to I could spend hours catching up on last season and speculating on the next with the friends Irsquove still got left down the pub if I wanted to I can follow all the transfer gossip watch pre-season friendlies and build up all my hopes But as with most addictions that would simply be falling back into a previous state of dependence and everything Irsquove just put myself through wouldrsquove been for nothing So how do I go back to an old habit without a total relapse or would it be better to keep abstaining
All my questions seem to be met with other questions and no solutions On the other hand if you ask me what
Someone once said that insanity is when you keep repeating the same behaviour and expect a different outcome most likely a psychologist aimed at his or her ailing patients But for me these words are more reminiscent of my own conduct over the course of a regular football season Week in week out season after season I would expect Tottenham to win something and more often than not Irsquod be left disappointed So I decided to stop No more football ndash at least not for one full season
The season 201213 is now over and during the whole nine months I didnrsquot watch a single moment of football or read a single article on the subject That was my challenge and I was committed to it What is more despite all the warning signs I didnrsquot relapse After a year of structured punishment I didnrsquot have a clue about what was going on in the English Premier League (or any other league) Only having picked up bits and pieces of information that somehow slipped through the net the past season was like a book with most of its pages missing
By Simon Joseph
On The Volley
The Return of the Repressed or the Point of No Return
lsquoInsanity is when you keep repeating the same behaviour and expect a different outcomersquo
sport
lsquoThe past season was like a book with most of its pages missingrsquo
94
lsquoThere may even be some damage done to football-related friendshipsrsquo
lsquoHas abstaining for a season changed mersquo
it until the cows come home but it was us who made those changes or at least allowed them to happen and those changes will continue to happen with or without me Perhaps then the questions I should be asking are has abstaining for a season changed me Am I still obsessed or have I broken the habit of a lifetime Is following football really that terrible or even a real addiction
One thing is certain this lack of resolution is not completely without satisfaction because like all forms of fixation or obsession therersquos comfort and familiarity to be found in repetition as Tottenham miss out on Championrsquos League football by a single point again The repressed will always return to haunt us or so it seems and before we know it the start of next season will be upon us There will be more pain no doubt and more joy This time however it will take more than a boot camp approach to keep me away and who knows Tottenham might even win the league Come on you Spurs
Tottenham Hotspur means I would still tell you that itrsquos not just a pretty football package itrsquos about kith and kin not just where I came from but how I relate to others around me in the here and now Whatrsquos more millions of people are attracted to football they hunger for it and yearn to connect with it even though I still believe itrsquos a form of ineffective escape from one unsatisfying reality to another Following football is a classic example of cognitive dissonance ndash when you simultaneously entertain two opposing thoughts that appear to cancel each other out Before the start of each season for example we all want our club to win everything or to be taken over by billionaires but know that itrsquos impossible or in the latter case controversial and even undesirable So we invent ways to cope We develop a so-called lsquosiege mentalityrsquo or other harmful patterns of behaviour to relieve the discomfort of incongruity With this in mind the past year was supposed to be an exercise in behaviour modification ndash to discover the root of the problem and treat it effectively But one year on have I really discovered anything at all
The English Premier League whether you watch it or not is still probably the most exciting football league in the world We can complain about the changes made to
sport9
5
By Denson Pierre
The Gold Room
Fantasy Football Gold ndash Champions League 2012-2013 winner Denson Pierre and his prizes
The season petered out in an all-German Champions League Final which did nothing to dispel the record that this was a season of too few new stars or regular spectacle We look forward to the next season as it ought not be too difficult to create more excitement than in the one just pastWe did have the opportunity to hand over the envelopes and trophies to the Sentinel Fantasy Football game winners This year all the major winners from the Sentinel Fantasy Football League were unable to be present for the physical prize giving but the winner of the Gold Game and focus of this column was there to receive his prize for winning the master game in styleSo we retire the Gold Room until the beginning of the new football season See you all again then
96
sport
Matt Parker receives his third place and Manager of the Month prizes for the Sentinel Fantasy Football League
Charles Conneely Sentinel Fantasy Football League 2012-2013 Champion
97sport
wwwczechtourismcom
CZECH REPUBLIC - STUNNINGLY DIFFERENT
98
classifi eds
41perspectives
42featureperspectives
feature4
3perspectives
44
featureperspectives
feature4
5perspectives
lsquoTake a closer look at the statue of former Queen Wilhelmina and her horsersquo
46
perspectives
lsquoThis is also where you can find me presenting a fine selection of my
photo printsrsquo
47perspectives
perspectives4
8
perspectives4
9
For complete and world class tours of Prague
Packages includebull Hidden and playful Prague (for families with young children)bull Literary Praguebull Prague Architecture through the agesbull Religion and the citybull The old city at night
These are detailed tours designed for visitors who wish to explore with great detail and not suitable for simply sight-seeing tourists
Day segments and ratesPR 0800-1230hrs AG 1330-1630hrs UE 1730-2130hrsAll sessions are priced at u 25 per single adult Group size upper limit = 8 Accompanied children under the age of five are gratis and school aged children pay 25 Family package rates are negotiable
ContactJaroslav Cernosek+420 602 228 797Mail jcernosekcentrumcz
wwwyourtuliptourcom
JC Tours
50classifieds
51classifieds
CafeacuteBar Review Van Mechelen
cafebar review52
Van MechelenSloterkade 96-97 Amsterdam
It may be the new hype in the city as far as grand cafeacute and restaurant concepts go but Van Mechelen is already approaching excellence Considering its handy location in another pretty neighbourhood of Amsterdam South it is almost a lsquomust visitrsquo place that has created a theme built on the Burgundian enjoyment of life good food complemented with top-class beer and wine If you want a taste of what it feels like to visit a cafeacute-restaurant in Mechelen Belgium Van Mechelen is an easy way for an Amsterdammer to savour this experience and is just a short cycle ride away
ambianceBurgundian Rating 5
StaffregularsMembers of staff are clearly very well trained and this adds to the light and airy atmosphere Having opened for business just three months ago those who have fallen in love with the place and its consumables have not yet had time to clock up the number of visits and connections to be considered lsquoregularsrsquo Rating 5
televised sportNo space within the design and layout for this form of distraction Rating 3
PricesSurprisingly these are within the lsquonormalrsquo range for this level and quality of fare Outstandingly fairly priced snacks and nibbles are also offered to help you along as you take on the fine (Mechelen brewery group Alken-Maes) beers and wines When did you last enjoy a generous portion of fresh olives for a mere euro250 Rating 5
MusicAt the time of review the establishment was fairly packed out The atmosphere is conducive to chats and hilarity and although the selection of tunes could be heard far in the background the sound system may well have more kick It should as the building is of such a solid constitution that it should contain noise and not easily upset the neighbours Rating 5
Smoking area provisionFortunately for puffers the originally industrial nature of the address means that the former loading bay and entranceexit areas have become two naturally covered terrace areas separated from the luscious interior by huge glass-panelled doors Rating 5
total rating 2830(Rating from 1-5 where 1 = Very poor and 5 = Excellent)
By Denson Pierre
lsquoThe new hype in the city as far as grand cafeacute and restaurant concepts gorsquo
cafebar review53
lsquoMembers of staff are clearly very well trainedrsquo
cafebar review54
cafebar review55
lsquoOutstandingly fairly priced snacks and nibbles are also offeredrsquo
cafebar review56
cafebar review57
lsquoThe atmosphere is conducive to chats and hilarityrsquo
cafebar review58
cafebar review59
scamsterdam
lifestyles60
By Valeria Scimia
Unemployed international and looking for a job in the Netherlands Not only must you face the everyday hell that is job-seeking but now you must also beware of scam companies Yes theyrsquove arrived here too
I was recently contacted by an ostensibly legitimate company that wanted to hire me The contact took the form of what appeared to be a genuine e-mail complete with website and logo from a company in Australia that seemed absolutely legitimate (I have since contacted the company to warn them that someone overseas is using their name and logo to scam people) The e-mail explained that the company was opening an office in Holland and was looking for people who would handle the back-office orders It contained a form to be filled in and returned if I was interested in the position the form asked for all my personal information including my bank details I had been looking for a job and was interested in the offer so I filled in and sent off the form and my CV Once they received my e-mail they asked me to start a trial period without practically explaining anything of what the job was actually about I didnrsquot immediately reply so they called me the next day asking me to start immediately with the trial period promising lots of benefits once the contract was signed I hadnrsquot met anyone at this point only telephone interviews and that already didnrsquot seem right to me I asked them to send me more information by e-mail about what I was meant to do and a few moments later I received a response asking me to make a bank transfer to show them I was trustworthy The lsquotrialrsquo implied that they would send me some money and I had to transfer half via GWK or MoneyTransfer to one of their clients and keep the other half This smelled very fishy to the Italian in me In reality they could be sending a cheque to the bank which would register an income that would later bounce after I had already made the payment to their lsquoclientrsquo On top of losing money the person that tried to lsquohirersquo meyou
would have been untraceable No one was even picking up the phone at the number given in the e-mail and the company they claimed to represent wasnrsquot even active in Europe
So I said no and told them I was no longer interested They even had the gumption to call me back and ask me why I wouldnrsquot do it I gave them a silly excuse so as not to give them any more information or tips on how to improve their scummy scam I am happy I started checking their contacts as soon as their promises seemed too good to be true even if I am still angry I allowed them to data-mine all of my information when I sent them my CV and filled in their form
It beggars belief that they set up an entire facade in these times of work despair and it really doesnrsquot feel right especially because therersquos not much I can do about it now apart from inform people I didnrsquot think this would ever happen here in this country where everything has to be or always seems to be so legitimate But I guess some things never change and a place doesnrsquot make the people and certainly doesnrsquot influence the choices they make I just wanted to share my experience to alert everyone to the possible scam If a company contacts you and asks you to return a form including your bank details when you have never met anyone face-to-face it should make your antennas extend and remember to double-check their credibility Apparently it is illegal to ask such questions of someone here so donrsquot fall for it as I did As I am still waiting to hear from the company in Australia I didnrsquot feel it was proper to disclose its name publicly just yet plus I am not sure the scammers always use the same company as a fake front But what they ask you to do is more or less always the same so keep your eyes open to the little details
lsquoYou face the everyday hell that is job-seeking but now you must also beware of scam companiesrsquo
lsquoThis smelled very fishy to the Italian in mersquo
lsquoThe form asked for all my personal informationrsquo
lifestyles6
1
Je moet er geweest zijn
62classifieds
MechelenAuthentic and full of surprises Thatrsquos Mechelen Hospitable and honourable Thatrsquos the people of Mechelen Come and experience the cityrsquos urban charms for yourself Mechelen
Authentic and full of surprises Thatrsquos Mechelen Hospitable and honourable Thatrsquos the people of Mechelen Come and experience the cityrsquos urban charms for yourself
photography copy Milo Profi
classifieds63
classifieds
How to hang out in
Amsterdam
By ER Muntrem
perspectives
It is not against the rules for babies to cry in cafeacutes It happens Mostly they sleep or sit in someonersquos lap with commendable decorum Otherwise kids in cafeacutes tend to nosh a little less than their elders and handle crayons a little more And while anyone who toddles behind the bar will certainly get caught they can always claim they were encouraged to toddle there in the first place
Dutch parents and I realise this is hard to prove seem to let their kids wander a metre or two further away from them than parents from other developed countries that universal ldquowhere is sherdquo look delayed five or ten seconds If this extra distance is a sign of perceived safety cafeacute culture must help teach it
Except for chefs all cafeacute workers do more or less all the jobs required to run a cafeacute They all wait on tables
serve hot and cold drinks set up outdoor furniture load and retrieve supplies take the garbage out wash glasses light candles arrange flowers unfurl the awning and ring up the bill When the young guy or girl greets you you may know they are not the owner but for the moment they are the face of the establishment It may as well be their place
Admittedly I am seduced by places where waiters donrsquot work for tips where the rushed pace of eating in a restaurant in America does not exist In a cafeacute you can do what you want for as long as you want and get food and drink while you do it Pretty cool and as much a baseline for how to hang out in Amsterdam as cycling is for how to get around
Places to eat and drink owned by corporations have to package experience to deliver it Whatrsquos our brand How can our managers and servers be most efficient How ultimately can we be number one Not something most cafeacutes seem to be worried about and where the universal signs for lsquowe are having a good time togetherrsquo
lsquoCafeacute culture must help teachrsquo lsquoI am seduced by places where waiters donrsquot work for tipsrsquo
64
perspectives
or lsquoI am happy here by myselfrsquo (clinked glasses or absorption in a newspaper say) are routinely in evidence This is one true grace of democracy the average worth smiling about
At cafeacutes co-workers have a beer before or after their shift friends drop by or a regular pops in with some news The stream of customers they donrsquot have to woo and donrsquot have to lsquoworkrsquo gives the whole thing a slightly familial living room perfectly public feel that makes the work far less of a personality crimp than working at Starbucks Or so it seems I do not mean to pretend carrying drinks across the street to the canal side seating or giving obvious directions yet again is always glorious but most people who work in cafeacutersquos laugh and smile a fair bit almost as much as the patrons
And when the owner of a cafeacute is of a generation older than those working there as is usually the case it lends a wise uncle or mother hen feel to the proceedings In the daytime no one is ever too caught up in his or her designated title to ignore a baby on the move And at
night the crowd of drinkers may as well be at a party hosted by their parents or kids or both
Itrsquos not all about money cafeacute culture churns towards the civilised without grinding anyone too far down As well as pleasure there is power in this The best distillation I know of what democracy should be came from a young woman working at Cafeacute Captein With our meal in front of us my friend noticed he was missing his salad Flagged down the young woman went to investigate ldquoItrsquos on its wayrdquo she said ldquoI told my boss to do itrdquo
Imagine we told Putin to do it We told Obama to do it We told the bankers to do it
lsquoMost people who work in cafeacutersquos laugh and smile a fair bitrsquo
lsquoCafeacute culture churns towards the civilised without grinding anyone too far downrsquo
65
66
featurecity gem
lsquoThe last of the large independent music stores left standing in Amsterdamrsquo
CITY GEM
67
Concerto
By Denson Pierre
ConcertoUtrechtsestraat 60 1017 VP Amsterdam
it is a rush when on a full stomach you can make an instant decision on where your next city-centre lunch will be taken it is almost ecstasy when the venue is situated in a music shop which for decades has been defined by its exceptional range and quality of music available in amsterdam Concerto is the last of the large independent music stores left standing in amsterdam all the others have long since been killed off by everything from the advance in recording and playback technologies to habitual illegal downloaders only now realising that their behaviour has an impact right back down to street level despite what they might think about the giant studios and recording companies
Concerto has not stuck but has twisted Since September it has incorporated a cute cafeacute
and lunch area within its premises as well as introducing a bookshop and lounge area making it possible to spend an almost nostalgic time there over several hours It still has a vast range of the very best music in vinyl (both new and second-hand) and CD form DVDs DJ equipment and even gear used for live musical performances Itrsquos a gold mine
If it has taken this clever adaptation in space utilisation to keep this institution viable and available to Amsterdam-based music lovers then I personally wish to support this venture and help mean this type of music retailer to remain part of the city scene For people of a certain age there is something infinitely more appealing about physically handling recorded material appreciating the artwork in its packaging having a listen and then deciding if it is a purchase you would like to make Even though non-digital stockpiling has become rather passeacute I challenge you to visit Concerto and its new cafeacute and bookshop concept and not end up spending more time in this true city gem than you had anticipated
lsquoIt has incorporated a cute cafeacute and lunch area within its premises as well as introducing a bookshop and lounge arearsquo
city gem
68
city gem
69city gem
city gem70
city gem71
72city gem
lsquoThere is something infinitely more appealing about physically
handling recorded material appreciating the artwork in its
packagingrsquo
73city gem
74classifi eds
75classifi eds
classifi edsclassifi eds76
amsterdam city life
BrinG BaCK
Something that seems to have been watered down considerably in Amsterdamrsquos hospitality industry in recent years is independence of thought styling and designAll you have to do is walk around the city to note that way too many coffeesoup houses and cafeacutes are more or less identikit This also applies to many cafeacutes with unimaginative business leaders who open unoriginal looking spaces and hope that the use of white paint purple or blue lights and house music is all it takes
Luckily there is something brewing to save our days and nights I have come across cafeacute owners who are now seriously considering ending the arrangements they have with the giant drink suppliers There are actually no good arguments left for continuing with these huge multinationals as they are frankly more expensive at wholesale for the same A-class products than the supermarkets on every Amsterdammerrsquos street corner
It looks like space is being created for the smaller brewers to take up the supply of A-class beer to smaller establishments throughout the city The giants can keep their character-free tourist traps and those bars still able to benefit purely from their unbeatable locations throughout the city
The Sentinel says bring back better and more original businesses of scale within the local hospitality industry which will help more cafeacutes and bars not only to become distinguishable by the interior designs they will need to conjure but also through the variety of local and regional beers that could become part of their coherent identity The overriding benefit of such courageous thinking and action would be an immediate return to realistic and reasonable pricing for A-class beer in Amsterdam which remains the staple of the easy consumables as this recession drones on
By Denson Pierre
INDEPENDENT CAFeacuteSBARS
77
78star beer guide
Star Beer
The SentinelStar beer guide
lsquoDifferent beers can seem to weigh on the conscience as much as on the taste budsrsquo
Just like the changing of the seasons different beers can seem to weigh on the conscience as much as on the taste buds Ciney blond is a lovely almost effeminate tasting beer All light smooth fruitiness bolstered by substantial alcohol content
As the temperature increases it can even feel like a thirst quencher A nice session beer and one that could function as an entrance-level quality beer in terms of its complexity For advanced samplers it is a great lower platform to descend to after cruising the space occupied by the 8-plus percentage alcoholic beauties
Ciney blond is brewed by Alken-Maes Mechelen Belgium
By Denson Pierre
CINEY BLOND (7 ABV)
79star beer guide
We find the best most fun most typical exciting or local favourite restaurants etcetera in Amsterdam and bring them to you an easy way to feel like a local
Cafe Kostverloren 040606
Recommended
80recommended
EUROGIFTSXenonweg 9 3812 SZ Amersfoort
Tel 033 - 454 35 75 - Fax 033 - 454 35 79E-mail lmproefeurogiftsnl
Website wwweurogiftsnl
FILMPROEF
ORDERNUMMER 6021022ARTIKELNUMMER 65123
Ware grootte (indien uitgeprint)Kleur opdruk Wit
Mulligans Irish Music BarAmsterdamrsquos best address for live Irish music Five (5) nights a week Check our agenda for upcoming sessions Amstel 100 1017 AC Amsterdamwwwmulligansnl
Cafeacute KostverlorenCafeacute Kostverloren is a contemporary cafe offering the cosiness of a saloon an open kitchen and the intimacy of a living room The large terras is great for sunny days2e Kostverlorenkade 70 Amsterdamwwwcafekostverlorennl
ZestZest is fi ne food warm atmosphere and classy drinks with regular semi-acoustic (live) music and DJs (Thursday to Sunday) Amsterdamrsquos newest and freshestBilderdijkstraat 188 Amsterdamwwwfacebookcomclubzestnl
GollemGollemrsquos Proefl okaal Gollem and Gollem II represent the best addresses serving the fullest range of top Belgian Dutch and international beers in AmsterdamOvertoom 160-161wwwcafegollemnl
IncantoA restaurant with a classic Italian kitchen Venetian chef Simone Ambrosin is known for his pure and simple style of cooking with great feeling for nuanceAmstel 2 Amsterdamwwwrestaurant-incantonl
Planet RoseThe fi rst Caribbean restaurant in the Netherlands specialised in Jamaican cuisine The menu features a daily changing selectionNicolaas Beetsstraat 47 Amsterdamwwwplanetroseinfo
Cafe restaurant EdelCafe restaurant Edel is the perfect place for lunch dinner or to simply enjoy a drink Edel is a unique place in AmsterdamPostjesweg 1 1057 DT Amsterdamwwwedelamsterdamnl
Cafeacute OportoCafeacute Oporto is a traditional Amsterdam lsquobrown cafersquo Welcoming tourists and regular customers alike they offer televised sports wifi and a wide range of reasonably priced beers and spiritsZoutsteeg 1 1012 LX Amsterdamwwwcafeoportonet
BaxA cosy and friendly local cafeacute with a focus on special or interesting beers and good quality food Open 7 days a week with a professional kitchen offering a lunch and dinner serviceTen Katestraat 119 Amsterdamwwwcafebaxnl
To be seen and tasted Fun Drinking amp Music
To Be Seen and Tasted
Fun Drinking amp Music
Fun Drinking amp Music
Connoisseurs Delight
Connoisseurs Delight
Connoisseurs Delight
To Be Seen and Tasted
Neighbourhood cosy
Fun drinking and music
ParckGreat fun beautiful people and simply the best bar food in townOvertoom 428 Amsterdamwwwcafeparcknl
To be seen and tasted
Cafe de Toog1890rsquos grandeur fashioned into Amsterdam-West grand brown cafe-restaurant-cool Classy drinks and mealsNicolaas Beetsstraat 142 hs Amsterdam wwwcafedetoogcom
Opera Prima - Patisserie Bistro TraiteurThe best place in town for lunch exquisite high teas or brunches and all of your luxury catering both private and corporateKinkerstraat 228 Amsterdamwwwoperaprimanl
Recommended
81
Where is this inAmsterdamAnswer to sentinelpostgmailcom
82spotted
Room 2cfilm
ldquoCome on in boys the waterrsquos finerdquo This is arguably the best all-round and funny musical to come out of Hollywood in a generation and certainly one of the best three soundtracks of the same period George Clooney will never be as good or charming as he is here playing the accidental leader of a trio of chain gang escapees in the US south of the 1930s Spirituality meets the Ku Klux Klan all coloured by Virginia bluegrass
ldquoCall me Snakerdquo The coolest handle for a leading man (Kurt Russell) in any movie to date Here he is sent in on a heroic lsquoat all costrsquo one-man mission to rescue the president of the United States from the prison island Manhattan has become in a lsquofuturersquo representation of 1997 Air Force One has crashed there and the countdown is on Classic 1980s turn of the millennium dystopian vision with style pace and gadgetry
By dpmotions
By dpmotions
o Brother Where Art Thou (2000)
escape from new York (1981)
room2c83
84trends
lsquoTrends are great to join and surf like a once in a lifetime tsunamirsquo
By Dirkje Bakker-Pierre
Each and every micro-world has its own specific trends Take the fashion world for example where one day you have to wear high heels and round noses and the next itrsquos flat hairy elephant feet-like boots that must hug your feet Or take the automotive world where once upon a time you could never have enough chrome on your car or the food world where we have quietly moved from fast to green and wholesome or the TV world which used to be about fiction and is now more real than reality Some of these trends are great to join and surf like a once in a lifetime tsunami others can slip by unnoticed and others still keep bugging and bugging you even if you try to avoid them like the plague
The online world and specifically the social media universe eats through trends like a fat chick after a hunger strike Facebook in particular seems to move seamlessly from one hype to the next one day itrsquos pictures with fuzzy edges or a bit of a 1970s filter the next itrsquos a profile picture with you very consciously not looking into the camera (very spontaneously and naturally non-posing you might say) These are mostly harmless things if Irsquom honest and when everyone
stops liking them they fade away as quickly as the sun in our small wet country There is one trend however that has festered within Facebook from the very beginning and which seems to be gradually growing and growing without anyone ever liking the postshellip and I mean EVER
Yes I am talking about daily quotes words of wisdom holy quotes mesmerizingly philosophical quotes cheesy quotes religious quoteshellip How can I describe all of them in one easy sentence pieces of text from (famous) people (it can never be something you thought of yourself) that lsquodisclosersquo previously secret information about being happy in life (or at least previously secret to the person doing the posting I presume) In short texts that belong on tiles hanging on the wall in old Dutch peoplersquos toilets
Why
Here are a few I found in my news feed this week
ldquoA mind is like a parachute It doesnrsquot work if it is not openrdquo ndash Frank Zappa
ldquoIt is not because things are difficult that we do not dare it is because we do not dare that things are difficultrdquo ndash Seneca
ldquoIf you donrsquot take what you are doing seriously then nobody else willrdquo ndash Darryl Dlt Thomson
Bad trends would be good if they werenrsquot so bad
85trends
86classifi eds
87classifieds
One of my personal favourite gemstones is moonstone Itlsquos been around for centuries and is used in many cultures As suggested by its name the stone is highly associated with the moon and moon goddess Diana It brings calm peace and love and is said to become more powerful when the moon is full so thatlsquos the best time to wear it One proverb even claims that moonstone can bring you love that will fly you to the moon Spiritually this amazing stone is said to enhance intuition and is always associated with the self It is a very powerful personal stone which doesnlsquot add or remove any aspects of the personality but merely reflects the person wearing it It is said to be very
MoonstoneBy Evelina Kvartunaite
ndash
lsquoThe stone is highly associated with the moon and moon goddess Dianarsquo
ndash
helpful for people who are very sensitive and it is also used in meditation for reflecting oneself Itlsquos always best to charge your gem when the moon is shining at night either while wearing it or by leaving it on a windowsill that receives moonlight Moonstone is also used in healing and is known for balancing the internal organ systems enabling them to work in stable cycles Itlsquos usually more associated with women but is also known to help men embrace their more emotional side soft creative energies and optimism Perhaps understandably moonstone should have limited exposure to strong direct sunlight
ndash
lsquoIt is said to be very helpful for people who are very sensitiversquo
ndash
88
health amp well-being
ndash
lsquoMore associated with women but is also known to help men embrace their more emotional sidersquo
ndash
89health amp well-being
In his article Batin shows how learning how to use complex products is like learning a computer game Just like the challenges in video games match the skills of the user so should TV interactions or any UI interactions for that matter For reference Batin used the four levels described in the Dreyfus model of skill acquisition
Level 1 novicebullRigid adherence to taught rules or plansbullNo exercise of lsquodiscretionary judgmentrsquo
Level 2 Advanced beginnerbullLimited lsquosituational perceptionrsquobullAll aspects of work treated separately with equal importance
Philip Batin wrote an article a couple of months ago about the next big idea in User Interaction gadgets that adapt to your skills As gadgets become more complicated UIs must be able to teach their users over time Apparently more and more interactive products are being returned In 2002 48 of all returned products were technically fully functional but were rejected for failing to satisfy user needs 20 purely due to customer remorse Even though a product may have all the features one can hope for complexity and bad user experience can prevent users from integrating it into their lives
UserInterfaceThe next big thing in UX
lsquoUIs must be able to teach their users over timersquo
By Andrei Barburas
lsquoComplexity and bad user experience can prevent users from
integrating it into their livesrsquo
90
technology
book the majority of which you probably skipped through
Personally I believe that there are certain end users most likely the majority that use only a limited set of features from any device they buy Mobile phones have become indispensable tools in our daily activities yet the average Joe has no idea about the full potential of a smart phone The same applies to Smart TVs they can do lots of things yet the only thing that we do with them is flip channels and complain how bad the shows are
The bottom line is that itrsquos definitely something worth thinking about not only from an operating system perspective but also from the perspective of applications developers
Level 3 competentbulllsquoCoping with crowdednessrsquo (multiple activities accumulation of information)bullSome perception of actions in relation to goalsbullDeliberate planningbullFormulates routines
Level 4 ProficientbullHolistic view of situationbullPrioritizes importance of aspectsbulllsquoPerceives deviations from the normal patternrsquobullEmploys maxim for guidance with meanings that adapt to the situation at hand
Now just imagine a User Interface that adapts based on what you can do and the abilities you have As you learn new things new levels of complexity are unlocked opening the door to fully knowing your device because you learned by doing and not by reading a complicated
lsquoThe average Joe has no idea about the full potential of a
smart phonersquo
91technology
92classifi eds
93classifi eds
Not knowing what was happening in football was extremely annoying to put it mildly and it wasnrsquot just my own self-denial and avoidance of all things football that was a hindrance the extent to which I had to ask others to go in order to remain ignorant was much more excruciating than Irsquod ever imagined There may even be some damage done to football-related friendships that is irreparable I now feel as though Irsquom walking through an empty stadium after everyone else has gone home
So what now and where to next The season is well and truly over and Irsquom free to do whatever I want I could read the back-dated sports pages check all the stats and find out all the facts if I wanted to I could spend hours catching up on last season and speculating on the next with the friends Irsquove still got left down the pub if I wanted to I can follow all the transfer gossip watch pre-season friendlies and build up all my hopes But as with most addictions that would simply be falling back into a previous state of dependence and everything Irsquove just put myself through wouldrsquove been for nothing So how do I go back to an old habit without a total relapse or would it be better to keep abstaining
All my questions seem to be met with other questions and no solutions On the other hand if you ask me what
Someone once said that insanity is when you keep repeating the same behaviour and expect a different outcome most likely a psychologist aimed at his or her ailing patients But for me these words are more reminiscent of my own conduct over the course of a regular football season Week in week out season after season I would expect Tottenham to win something and more often than not Irsquod be left disappointed So I decided to stop No more football ndash at least not for one full season
The season 201213 is now over and during the whole nine months I didnrsquot watch a single moment of football or read a single article on the subject That was my challenge and I was committed to it What is more despite all the warning signs I didnrsquot relapse After a year of structured punishment I didnrsquot have a clue about what was going on in the English Premier League (or any other league) Only having picked up bits and pieces of information that somehow slipped through the net the past season was like a book with most of its pages missing
By Simon Joseph
On The Volley
The Return of the Repressed or the Point of No Return
lsquoInsanity is when you keep repeating the same behaviour and expect a different outcomersquo
sport
lsquoThe past season was like a book with most of its pages missingrsquo
94
lsquoThere may even be some damage done to football-related friendshipsrsquo
lsquoHas abstaining for a season changed mersquo
it until the cows come home but it was us who made those changes or at least allowed them to happen and those changes will continue to happen with or without me Perhaps then the questions I should be asking are has abstaining for a season changed me Am I still obsessed or have I broken the habit of a lifetime Is following football really that terrible or even a real addiction
One thing is certain this lack of resolution is not completely without satisfaction because like all forms of fixation or obsession therersquos comfort and familiarity to be found in repetition as Tottenham miss out on Championrsquos League football by a single point again The repressed will always return to haunt us or so it seems and before we know it the start of next season will be upon us There will be more pain no doubt and more joy This time however it will take more than a boot camp approach to keep me away and who knows Tottenham might even win the league Come on you Spurs
Tottenham Hotspur means I would still tell you that itrsquos not just a pretty football package itrsquos about kith and kin not just where I came from but how I relate to others around me in the here and now Whatrsquos more millions of people are attracted to football they hunger for it and yearn to connect with it even though I still believe itrsquos a form of ineffective escape from one unsatisfying reality to another Following football is a classic example of cognitive dissonance ndash when you simultaneously entertain two opposing thoughts that appear to cancel each other out Before the start of each season for example we all want our club to win everything or to be taken over by billionaires but know that itrsquos impossible or in the latter case controversial and even undesirable So we invent ways to cope We develop a so-called lsquosiege mentalityrsquo or other harmful patterns of behaviour to relieve the discomfort of incongruity With this in mind the past year was supposed to be an exercise in behaviour modification ndash to discover the root of the problem and treat it effectively But one year on have I really discovered anything at all
The English Premier League whether you watch it or not is still probably the most exciting football league in the world We can complain about the changes made to
sport9
5
By Denson Pierre
The Gold Room
Fantasy Football Gold ndash Champions League 2012-2013 winner Denson Pierre and his prizes
The season petered out in an all-German Champions League Final which did nothing to dispel the record that this was a season of too few new stars or regular spectacle We look forward to the next season as it ought not be too difficult to create more excitement than in the one just pastWe did have the opportunity to hand over the envelopes and trophies to the Sentinel Fantasy Football game winners This year all the major winners from the Sentinel Fantasy Football League were unable to be present for the physical prize giving but the winner of the Gold Game and focus of this column was there to receive his prize for winning the master game in styleSo we retire the Gold Room until the beginning of the new football season See you all again then
96
sport
Matt Parker receives his third place and Manager of the Month prizes for the Sentinel Fantasy Football League
Charles Conneely Sentinel Fantasy Football League 2012-2013 Champion
97sport
wwwczechtourismcom
CZECH REPUBLIC - STUNNINGLY DIFFERENT
98
classifi eds
42featureperspectives
feature4
3perspectives
44
featureperspectives
feature4
5perspectives
lsquoTake a closer look at the statue of former Queen Wilhelmina and her horsersquo
46
perspectives
lsquoThis is also where you can find me presenting a fine selection of my
photo printsrsquo
47perspectives
perspectives4
8
perspectives4
9
For complete and world class tours of Prague
Packages includebull Hidden and playful Prague (for families with young children)bull Literary Praguebull Prague Architecture through the agesbull Religion and the citybull The old city at night
These are detailed tours designed for visitors who wish to explore with great detail and not suitable for simply sight-seeing tourists
Day segments and ratesPR 0800-1230hrs AG 1330-1630hrs UE 1730-2130hrsAll sessions are priced at u 25 per single adult Group size upper limit = 8 Accompanied children under the age of five are gratis and school aged children pay 25 Family package rates are negotiable
ContactJaroslav Cernosek+420 602 228 797Mail jcernosekcentrumcz
wwwyourtuliptourcom
JC Tours
50classifieds
51classifieds
CafeacuteBar Review Van Mechelen
cafebar review52
Van MechelenSloterkade 96-97 Amsterdam
It may be the new hype in the city as far as grand cafeacute and restaurant concepts go but Van Mechelen is already approaching excellence Considering its handy location in another pretty neighbourhood of Amsterdam South it is almost a lsquomust visitrsquo place that has created a theme built on the Burgundian enjoyment of life good food complemented with top-class beer and wine If you want a taste of what it feels like to visit a cafeacute-restaurant in Mechelen Belgium Van Mechelen is an easy way for an Amsterdammer to savour this experience and is just a short cycle ride away
ambianceBurgundian Rating 5
StaffregularsMembers of staff are clearly very well trained and this adds to the light and airy atmosphere Having opened for business just three months ago those who have fallen in love with the place and its consumables have not yet had time to clock up the number of visits and connections to be considered lsquoregularsrsquo Rating 5
televised sportNo space within the design and layout for this form of distraction Rating 3
PricesSurprisingly these are within the lsquonormalrsquo range for this level and quality of fare Outstandingly fairly priced snacks and nibbles are also offered to help you along as you take on the fine (Mechelen brewery group Alken-Maes) beers and wines When did you last enjoy a generous portion of fresh olives for a mere euro250 Rating 5
MusicAt the time of review the establishment was fairly packed out The atmosphere is conducive to chats and hilarity and although the selection of tunes could be heard far in the background the sound system may well have more kick It should as the building is of such a solid constitution that it should contain noise and not easily upset the neighbours Rating 5
Smoking area provisionFortunately for puffers the originally industrial nature of the address means that the former loading bay and entranceexit areas have become two naturally covered terrace areas separated from the luscious interior by huge glass-panelled doors Rating 5
total rating 2830(Rating from 1-5 where 1 = Very poor and 5 = Excellent)
By Denson Pierre
lsquoThe new hype in the city as far as grand cafeacute and restaurant concepts gorsquo
cafebar review53
lsquoMembers of staff are clearly very well trainedrsquo
cafebar review54
cafebar review55
lsquoOutstandingly fairly priced snacks and nibbles are also offeredrsquo
cafebar review56
cafebar review57
lsquoThe atmosphere is conducive to chats and hilarityrsquo
cafebar review58
cafebar review59
scamsterdam
lifestyles60
By Valeria Scimia
Unemployed international and looking for a job in the Netherlands Not only must you face the everyday hell that is job-seeking but now you must also beware of scam companies Yes theyrsquove arrived here too
I was recently contacted by an ostensibly legitimate company that wanted to hire me The contact took the form of what appeared to be a genuine e-mail complete with website and logo from a company in Australia that seemed absolutely legitimate (I have since contacted the company to warn them that someone overseas is using their name and logo to scam people) The e-mail explained that the company was opening an office in Holland and was looking for people who would handle the back-office orders It contained a form to be filled in and returned if I was interested in the position the form asked for all my personal information including my bank details I had been looking for a job and was interested in the offer so I filled in and sent off the form and my CV Once they received my e-mail they asked me to start a trial period without practically explaining anything of what the job was actually about I didnrsquot immediately reply so they called me the next day asking me to start immediately with the trial period promising lots of benefits once the contract was signed I hadnrsquot met anyone at this point only telephone interviews and that already didnrsquot seem right to me I asked them to send me more information by e-mail about what I was meant to do and a few moments later I received a response asking me to make a bank transfer to show them I was trustworthy The lsquotrialrsquo implied that they would send me some money and I had to transfer half via GWK or MoneyTransfer to one of their clients and keep the other half This smelled very fishy to the Italian in me In reality they could be sending a cheque to the bank which would register an income that would later bounce after I had already made the payment to their lsquoclientrsquo On top of losing money the person that tried to lsquohirersquo meyou
would have been untraceable No one was even picking up the phone at the number given in the e-mail and the company they claimed to represent wasnrsquot even active in Europe
So I said no and told them I was no longer interested They even had the gumption to call me back and ask me why I wouldnrsquot do it I gave them a silly excuse so as not to give them any more information or tips on how to improve their scummy scam I am happy I started checking their contacts as soon as their promises seemed too good to be true even if I am still angry I allowed them to data-mine all of my information when I sent them my CV and filled in their form
It beggars belief that they set up an entire facade in these times of work despair and it really doesnrsquot feel right especially because therersquos not much I can do about it now apart from inform people I didnrsquot think this would ever happen here in this country where everything has to be or always seems to be so legitimate But I guess some things never change and a place doesnrsquot make the people and certainly doesnrsquot influence the choices they make I just wanted to share my experience to alert everyone to the possible scam If a company contacts you and asks you to return a form including your bank details when you have never met anyone face-to-face it should make your antennas extend and remember to double-check their credibility Apparently it is illegal to ask such questions of someone here so donrsquot fall for it as I did As I am still waiting to hear from the company in Australia I didnrsquot feel it was proper to disclose its name publicly just yet plus I am not sure the scammers always use the same company as a fake front But what they ask you to do is more or less always the same so keep your eyes open to the little details
lsquoYou face the everyday hell that is job-seeking but now you must also beware of scam companiesrsquo
lsquoThis smelled very fishy to the Italian in mersquo
lsquoThe form asked for all my personal informationrsquo
lifestyles6
1
Je moet er geweest zijn
62classifieds
MechelenAuthentic and full of surprises Thatrsquos Mechelen Hospitable and honourable Thatrsquos the people of Mechelen Come and experience the cityrsquos urban charms for yourself Mechelen
Authentic and full of surprises Thatrsquos Mechelen Hospitable and honourable Thatrsquos the people of Mechelen Come and experience the cityrsquos urban charms for yourself
photography copy Milo Profi
classifieds63
classifieds
How to hang out in
Amsterdam
By ER Muntrem
perspectives
It is not against the rules for babies to cry in cafeacutes It happens Mostly they sleep or sit in someonersquos lap with commendable decorum Otherwise kids in cafeacutes tend to nosh a little less than their elders and handle crayons a little more And while anyone who toddles behind the bar will certainly get caught they can always claim they were encouraged to toddle there in the first place
Dutch parents and I realise this is hard to prove seem to let their kids wander a metre or two further away from them than parents from other developed countries that universal ldquowhere is sherdquo look delayed five or ten seconds If this extra distance is a sign of perceived safety cafeacute culture must help teach it
Except for chefs all cafeacute workers do more or less all the jobs required to run a cafeacute They all wait on tables
serve hot and cold drinks set up outdoor furniture load and retrieve supplies take the garbage out wash glasses light candles arrange flowers unfurl the awning and ring up the bill When the young guy or girl greets you you may know they are not the owner but for the moment they are the face of the establishment It may as well be their place
Admittedly I am seduced by places where waiters donrsquot work for tips where the rushed pace of eating in a restaurant in America does not exist In a cafeacute you can do what you want for as long as you want and get food and drink while you do it Pretty cool and as much a baseline for how to hang out in Amsterdam as cycling is for how to get around
Places to eat and drink owned by corporations have to package experience to deliver it Whatrsquos our brand How can our managers and servers be most efficient How ultimately can we be number one Not something most cafeacutes seem to be worried about and where the universal signs for lsquowe are having a good time togetherrsquo
lsquoCafeacute culture must help teachrsquo lsquoI am seduced by places where waiters donrsquot work for tipsrsquo
64
perspectives
or lsquoI am happy here by myselfrsquo (clinked glasses or absorption in a newspaper say) are routinely in evidence This is one true grace of democracy the average worth smiling about
At cafeacutes co-workers have a beer before or after their shift friends drop by or a regular pops in with some news The stream of customers they donrsquot have to woo and donrsquot have to lsquoworkrsquo gives the whole thing a slightly familial living room perfectly public feel that makes the work far less of a personality crimp than working at Starbucks Or so it seems I do not mean to pretend carrying drinks across the street to the canal side seating or giving obvious directions yet again is always glorious but most people who work in cafeacutersquos laugh and smile a fair bit almost as much as the patrons
And when the owner of a cafeacute is of a generation older than those working there as is usually the case it lends a wise uncle or mother hen feel to the proceedings In the daytime no one is ever too caught up in his or her designated title to ignore a baby on the move And at
night the crowd of drinkers may as well be at a party hosted by their parents or kids or both
Itrsquos not all about money cafeacute culture churns towards the civilised without grinding anyone too far down As well as pleasure there is power in this The best distillation I know of what democracy should be came from a young woman working at Cafeacute Captein With our meal in front of us my friend noticed he was missing his salad Flagged down the young woman went to investigate ldquoItrsquos on its wayrdquo she said ldquoI told my boss to do itrdquo
Imagine we told Putin to do it We told Obama to do it We told the bankers to do it
lsquoMost people who work in cafeacutersquos laugh and smile a fair bitrsquo
lsquoCafeacute culture churns towards the civilised without grinding anyone too far downrsquo
65
66
featurecity gem
lsquoThe last of the large independent music stores left standing in Amsterdamrsquo
CITY GEM
67
Concerto
By Denson Pierre
ConcertoUtrechtsestraat 60 1017 VP Amsterdam
it is a rush when on a full stomach you can make an instant decision on where your next city-centre lunch will be taken it is almost ecstasy when the venue is situated in a music shop which for decades has been defined by its exceptional range and quality of music available in amsterdam Concerto is the last of the large independent music stores left standing in amsterdam all the others have long since been killed off by everything from the advance in recording and playback technologies to habitual illegal downloaders only now realising that their behaviour has an impact right back down to street level despite what they might think about the giant studios and recording companies
Concerto has not stuck but has twisted Since September it has incorporated a cute cafeacute
and lunch area within its premises as well as introducing a bookshop and lounge area making it possible to spend an almost nostalgic time there over several hours It still has a vast range of the very best music in vinyl (both new and second-hand) and CD form DVDs DJ equipment and even gear used for live musical performances Itrsquos a gold mine
If it has taken this clever adaptation in space utilisation to keep this institution viable and available to Amsterdam-based music lovers then I personally wish to support this venture and help mean this type of music retailer to remain part of the city scene For people of a certain age there is something infinitely more appealing about physically handling recorded material appreciating the artwork in its packaging having a listen and then deciding if it is a purchase you would like to make Even though non-digital stockpiling has become rather passeacute I challenge you to visit Concerto and its new cafeacute and bookshop concept and not end up spending more time in this true city gem than you had anticipated
lsquoIt has incorporated a cute cafeacute and lunch area within its premises as well as introducing a bookshop and lounge arearsquo
city gem
68
city gem
69city gem
city gem70
city gem71
72city gem
lsquoThere is something infinitely more appealing about physically
handling recorded material appreciating the artwork in its
packagingrsquo
73city gem
74classifi eds
75classifi eds
classifi edsclassifi eds76
amsterdam city life
BrinG BaCK
Something that seems to have been watered down considerably in Amsterdamrsquos hospitality industry in recent years is independence of thought styling and designAll you have to do is walk around the city to note that way too many coffeesoup houses and cafeacutes are more or less identikit This also applies to many cafeacutes with unimaginative business leaders who open unoriginal looking spaces and hope that the use of white paint purple or blue lights and house music is all it takes
Luckily there is something brewing to save our days and nights I have come across cafeacute owners who are now seriously considering ending the arrangements they have with the giant drink suppliers There are actually no good arguments left for continuing with these huge multinationals as they are frankly more expensive at wholesale for the same A-class products than the supermarkets on every Amsterdammerrsquos street corner
It looks like space is being created for the smaller brewers to take up the supply of A-class beer to smaller establishments throughout the city The giants can keep their character-free tourist traps and those bars still able to benefit purely from their unbeatable locations throughout the city
The Sentinel says bring back better and more original businesses of scale within the local hospitality industry which will help more cafeacutes and bars not only to become distinguishable by the interior designs they will need to conjure but also through the variety of local and regional beers that could become part of their coherent identity The overriding benefit of such courageous thinking and action would be an immediate return to realistic and reasonable pricing for A-class beer in Amsterdam which remains the staple of the easy consumables as this recession drones on
By Denson Pierre
INDEPENDENT CAFeacuteSBARS
77
78star beer guide
Star Beer
The SentinelStar beer guide
lsquoDifferent beers can seem to weigh on the conscience as much as on the taste budsrsquo
Just like the changing of the seasons different beers can seem to weigh on the conscience as much as on the taste buds Ciney blond is a lovely almost effeminate tasting beer All light smooth fruitiness bolstered by substantial alcohol content
As the temperature increases it can even feel like a thirst quencher A nice session beer and one that could function as an entrance-level quality beer in terms of its complexity For advanced samplers it is a great lower platform to descend to after cruising the space occupied by the 8-plus percentage alcoholic beauties
Ciney blond is brewed by Alken-Maes Mechelen Belgium
By Denson Pierre
CINEY BLOND (7 ABV)
79star beer guide
We find the best most fun most typical exciting or local favourite restaurants etcetera in Amsterdam and bring them to you an easy way to feel like a local
Cafe Kostverloren 040606
Recommended
80recommended
EUROGIFTSXenonweg 9 3812 SZ Amersfoort
Tel 033 - 454 35 75 - Fax 033 - 454 35 79E-mail lmproefeurogiftsnl
Website wwweurogiftsnl
FILMPROEF
ORDERNUMMER 6021022ARTIKELNUMMER 65123
Ware grootte (indien uitgeprint)Kleur opdruk Wit
Mulligans Irish Music BarAmsterdamrsquos best address for live Irish music Five (5) nights a week Check our agenda for upcoming sessions Amstel 100 1017 AC Amsterdamwwwmulligansnl
Cafeacute KostverlorenCafeacute Kostverloren is a contemporary cafe offering the cosiness of a saloon an open kitchen and the intimacy of a living room The large terras is great for sunny days2e Kostverlorenkade 70 Amsterdamwwwcafekostverlorennl
ZestZest is fi ne food warm atmosphere and classy drinks with regular semi-acoustic (live) music and DJs (Thursday to Sunday) Amsterdamrsquos newest and freshestBilderdijkstraat 188 Amsterdamwwwfacebookcomclubzestnl
GollemGollemrsquos Proefl okaal Gollem and Gollem II represent the best addresses serving the fullest range of top Belgian Dutch and international beers in AmsterdamOvertoom 160-161wwwcafegollemnl
IncantoA restaurant with a classic Italian kitchen Venetian chef Simone Ambrosin is known for his pure and simple style of cooking with great feeling for nuanceAmstel 2 Amsterdamwwwrestaurant-incantonl
Planet RoseThe fi rst Caribbean restaurant in the Netherlands specialised in Jamaican cuisine The menu features a daily changing selectionNicolaas Beetsstraat 47 Amsterdamwwwplanetroseinfo
Cafe restaurant EdelCafe restaurant Edel is the perfect place for lunch dinner or to simply enjoy a drink Edel is a unique place in AmsterdamPostjesweg 1 1057 DT Amsterdamwwwedelamsterdamnl
Cafeacute OportoCafeacute Oporto is a traditional Amsterdam lsquobrown cafersquo Welcoming tourists and regular customers alike they offer televised sports wifi and a wide range of reasonably priced beers and spiritsZoutsteeg 1 1012 LX Amsterdamwwwcafeoportonet
BaxA cosy and friendly local cafeacute with a focus on special or interesting beers and good quality food Open 7 days a week with a professional kitchen offering a lunch and dinner serviceTen Katestraat 119 Amsterdamwwwcafebaxnl
To be seen and tasted Fun Drinking amp Music
To Be Seen and Tasted
Fun Drinking amp Music
Fun Drinking amp Music
Connoisseurs Delight
Connoisseurs Delight
Connoisseurs Delight
To Be Seen and Tasted
Neighbourhood cosy
Fun drinking and music
ParckGreat fun beautiful people and simply the best bar food in townOvertoom 428 Amsterdamwwwcafeparcknl
To be seen and tasted
Cafe de Toog1890rsquos grandeur fashioned into Amsterdam-West grand brown cafe-restaurant-cool Classy drinks and mealsNicolaas Beetsstraat 142 hs Amsterdam wwwcafedetoogcom
Opera Prima - Patisserie Bistro TraiteurThe best place in town for lunch exquisite high teas or brunches and all of your luxury catering both private and corporateKinkerstraat 228 Amsterdamwwwoperaprimanl
Recommended
81
Where is this inAmsterdamAnswer to sentinelpostgmailcom
82spotted
Room 2cfilm
ldquoCome on in boys the waterrsquos finerdquo This is arguably the best all-round and funny musical to come out of Hollywood in a generation and certainly one of the best three soundtracks of the same period George Clooney will never be as good or charming as he is here playing the accidental leader of a trio of chain gang escapees in the US south of the 1930s Spirituality meets the Ku Klux Klan all coloured by Virginia bluegrass
ldquoCall me Snakerdquo The coolest handle for a leading man (Kurt Russell) in any movie to date Here he is sent in on a heroic lsquoat all costrsquo one-man mission to rescue the president of the United States from the prison island Manhattan has become in a lsquofuturersquo representation of 1997 Air Force One has crashed there and the countdown is on Classic 1980s turn of the millennium dystopian vision with style pace and gadgetry
By dpmotions
By dpmotions
o Brother Where Art Thou (2000)
escape from new York (1981)
room2c83
84trends
lsquoTrends are great to join and surf like a once in a lifetime tsunamirsquo
By Dirkje Bakker-Pierre
Each and every micro-world has its own specific trends Take the fashion world for example where one day you have to wear high heels and round noses and the next itrsquos flat hairy elephant feet-like boots that must hug your feet Or take the automotive world where once upon a time you could never have enough chrome on your car or the food world where we have quietly moved from fast to green and wholesome or the TV world which used to be about fiction and is now more real than reality Some of these trends are great to join and surf like a once in a lifetime tsunami others can slip by unnoticed and others still keep bugging and bugging you even if you try to avoid them like the plague
The online world and specifically the social media universe eats through trends like a fat chick after a hunger strike Facebook in particular seems to move seamlessly from one hype to the next one day itrsquos pictures with fuzzy edges or a bit of a 1970s filter the next itrsquos a profile picture with you very consciously not looking into the camera (very spontaneously and naturally non-posing you might say) These are mostly harmless things if Irsquom honest and when everyone
stops liking them they fade away as quickly as the sun in our small wet country There is one trend however that has festered within Facebook from the very beginning and which seems to be gradually growing and growing without anyone ever liking the postshellip and I mean EVER
Yes I am talking about daily quotes words of wisdom holy quotes mesmerizingly philosophical quotes cheesy quotes religious quoteshellip How can I describe all of them in one easy sentence pieces of text from (famous) people (it can never be something you thought of yourself) that lsquodisclosersquo previously secret information about being happy in life (or at least previously secret to the person doing the posting I presume) In short texts that belong on tiles hanging on the wall in old Dutch peoplersquos toilets
Why
Here are a few I found in my news feed this week
ldquoA mind is like a parachute It doesnrsquot work if it is not openrdquo ndash Frank Zappa
ldquoIt is not because things are difficult that we do not dare it is because we do not dare that things are difficultrdquo ndash Seneca
ldquoIf you donrsquot take what you are doing seriously then nobody else willrdquo ndash Darryl Dlt Thomson
Bad trends would be good if they werenrsquot so bad
85trends
86classifi eds
87classifieds
One of my personal favourite gemstones is moonstone Itlsquos been around for centuries and is used in many cultures As suggested by its name the stone is highly associated with the moon and moon goddess Diana It brings calm peace and love and is said to become more powerful when the moon is full so thatlsquos the best time to wear it One proverb even claims that moonstone can bring you love that will fly you to the moon Spiritually this amazing stone is said to enhance intuition and is always associated with the self It is a very powerful personal stone which doesnlsquot add or remove any aspects of the personality but merely reflects the person wearing it It is said to be very
MoonstoneBy Evelina Kvartunaite
ndash
lsquoThe stone is highly associated with the moon and moon goddess Dianarsquo
ndash
helpful for people who are very sensitive and it is also used in meditation for reflecting oneself Itlsquos always best to charge your gem when the moon is shining at night either while wearing it or by leaving it on a windowsill that receives moonlight Moonstone is also used in healing and is known for balancing the internal organ systems enabling them to work in stable cycles Itlsquos usually more associated with women but is also known to help men embrace their more emotional side soft creative energies and optimism Perhaps understandably moonstone should have limited exposure to strong direct sunlight
ndash
lsquoIt is said to be very helpful for people who are very sensitiversquo
ndash
88
health amp well-being
ndash
lsquoMore associated with women but is also known to help men embrace their more emotional sidersquo
ndash
89health amp well-being
In his article Batin shows how learning how to use complex products is like learning a computer game Just like the challenges in video games match the skills of the user so should TV interactions or any UI interactions for that matter For reference Batin used the four levels described in the Dreyfus model of skill acquisition
Level 1 novicebullRigid adherence to taught rules or plansbullNo exercise of lsquodiscretionary judgmentrsquo
Level 2 Advanced beginnerbullLimited lsquosituational perceptionrsquobullAll aspects of work treated separately with equal importance
Philip Batin wrote an article a couple of months ago about the next big idea in User Interaction gadgets that adapt to your skills As gadgets become more complicated UIs must be able to teach their users over time Apparently more and more interactive products are being returned In 2002 48 of all returned products were technically fully functional but were rejected for failing to satisfy user needs 20 purely due to customer remorse Even though a product may have all the features one can hope for complexity and bad user experience can prevent users from integrating it into their lives
UserInterfaceThe next big thing in UX
lsquoUIs must be able to teach their users over timersquo
By Andrei Barburas
lsquoComplexity and bad user experience can prevent users from
integrating it into their livesrsquo
90
technology
book the majority of which you probably skipped through
Personally I believe that there are certain end users most likely the majority that use only a limited set of features from any device they buy Mobile phones have become indispensable tools in our daily activities yet the average Joe has no idea about the full potential of a smart phone The same applies to Smart TVs they can do lots of things yet the only thing that we do with them is flip channels and complain how bad the shows are
The bottom line is that itrsquos definitely something worth thinking about not only from an operating system perspective but also from the perspective of applications developers
Level 3 competentbulllsquoCoping with crowdednessrsquo (multiple activities accumulation of information)bullSome perception of actions in relation to goalsbullDeliberate planningbullFormulates routines
Level 4 ProficientbullHolistic view of situationbullPrioritizes importance of aspectsbulllsquoPerceives deviations from the normal patternrsquobullEmploys maxim for guidance with meanings that adapt to the situation at hand
Now just imagine a User Interface that adapts based on what you can do and the abilities you have As you learn new things new levels of complexity are unlocked opening the door to fully knowing your device because you learned by doing and not by reading a complicated
lsquoThe average Joe has no idea about the full potential of a
smart phonersquo
91technology
92classifi eds
93classifi eds
Not knowing what was happening in football was extremely annoying to put it mildly and it wasnrsquot just my own self-denial and avoidance of all things football that was a hindrance the extent to which I had to ask others to go in order to remain ignorant was much more excruciating than Irsquod ever imagined There may even be some damage done to football-related friendships that is irreparable I now feel as though Irsquom walking through an empty stadium after everyone else has gone home
So what now and where to next The season is well and truly over and Irsquom free to do whatever I want I could read the back-dated sports pages check all the stats and find out all the facts if I wanted to I could spend hours catching up on last season and speculating on the next with the friends Irsquove still got left down the pub if I wanted to I can follow all the transfer gossip watch pre-season friendlies and build up all my hopes But as with most addictions that would simply be falling back into a previous state of dependence and everything Irsquove just put myself through wouldrsquove been for nothing So how do I go back to an old habit without a total relapse or would it be better to keep abstaining
All my questions seem to be met with other questions and no solutions On the other hand if you ask me what
Someone once said that insanity is when you keep repeating the same behaviour and expect a different outcome most likely a psychologist aimed at his or her ailing patients But for me these words are more reminiscent of my own conduct over the course of a regular football season Week in week out season after season I would expect Tottenham to win something and more often than not Irsquod be left disappointed So I decided to stop No more football ndash at least not for one full season
The season 201213 is now over and during the whole nine months I didnrsquot watch a single moment of football or read a single article on the subject That was my challenge and I was committed to it What is more despite all the warning signs I didnrsquot relapse After a year of structured punishment I didnrsquot have a clue about what was going on in the English Premier League (or any other league) Only having picked up bits and pieces of information that somehow slipped through the net the past season was like a book with most of its pages missing
By Simon Joseph
On The Volley
The Return of the Repressed or the Point of No Return
lsquoInsanity is when you keep repeating the same behaviour and expect a different outcomersquo
sport
lsquoThe past season was like a book with most of its pages missingrsquo
94
lsquoThere may even be some damage done to football-related friendshipsrsquo
lsquoHas abstaining for a season changed mersquo
it until the cows come home but it was us who made those changes or at least allowed them to happen and those changes will continue to happen with or without me Perhaps then the questions I should be asking are has abstaining for a season changed me Am I still obsessed or have I broken the habit of a lifetime Is following football really that terrible or even a real addiction
One thing is certain this lack of resolution is not completely without satisfaction because like all forms of fixation or obsession therersquos comfort and familiarity to be found in repetition as Tottenham miss out on Championrsquos League football by a single point again The repressed will always return to haunt us or so it seems and before we know it the start of next season will be upon us There will be more pain no doubt and more joy This time however it will take more than a boot camp approach to keep me away and who knows Tottenham might even win the league Come on you Spurs
Tottenham Hotspur means I would still tell you that itrsquos not just a pretty football package itrsquos about kith and kin not just where I came from but how I relate to others around me in the here and now Whatrsquos more millions of people are attracted to football they hunger for it and yearn to connect with it even though I still believe itrsquos a form of ineffective escape from one unsatisfying reality to another Following football is a classic example of cognitive dissonance ndash when you simultaneously entertain two opposing thoughts that appear to cancel each other out Before the start of each season for example we all want our club to win everything or to be taken over by billionaires but know that itrsquos impossible or in the latter case controversial and even undesirable So we invent ways to cope We develop a so-called lsquosiege mentalityrsquo or other harmful patterns of behaviour to relieve the discomfort of incongruity With this in mind the past year was supposed to be an exercise in behaviour modification ndash to discover the root of the problem and treat it effectively But one year on have I really discovered anything at all
The English Premier League whether you watch it or not is still probably the most exciting football league in the world We can complain about the changes made to
sport9
5
By Denson Pierre
The Gold Room
Fantasy Football Gold ndash Champions League 2012-2013 winner Denson Pierre and his prizes
The season petered out in an all-German Champions League Final which did nothing to dispel the record that this was a season of too few new stars or regular spectacle We look forward to the next season as it ought not be too difficult to create more excitement than in the one just pastWe did have the opportunity to hand over the envelopes and trophies to the Sentinel Fantasy Football game winners This year all the major winners from the Sentinel Fantasy Football League were unable to be present for the physical prize giving but the winner of the Gold Game and focus of this column was there to receive his prize for winning the master game in styleSo we retire the Gold Room until the beginning of the new football season See you all again then
96
sport
Matt Parker receives his third place and Manager of the Month prizes for the Sentinel Fantasy Football League
Charles Conneely Sentinel Fantasy Football League 2012-2013 Champion
97sport
wwwczechtourismcom
CZECH REPUBLIC - STUNNINGLY DIFFERENT
98
classifi eds
feature4
3perspectives
44
featureperspectives
feature4
5perspectives
lsquoTake a closer look at the statue of former Queen Wilhelmina and her horsersquo
46
perspectives
lsquoThis is also where you can find me presenting a fine selection of my
photo printsrsquo
47perspectives
perspectives4
8
perspectives4
9
For complete and world class tours of Prague
Packages includebull Hidden and playful Prague (for families with young children)bull Literary Praguebull Prague Architecture through the agesbull Religion and the citybull The old city at night
These are detailed tours designed for visitors who wish to explore with great detail and not suitable for simply sight-seeing tourists
Day segments and ratesPR 0800-1230hrs AG 1330-1630hrs UE 1730-2130hrsAll sessions are priced at u 25 per single adult Group size upper limit = 8 Accompanied children under the age of five are gratis and school aged children pay 25 Family package rates are negotiable
ContactJaroslav Cernosek+420 602 228 797Mail jcernosekcentrumcz
wwwyourtuliptourcom
JC Tours
50classifieds
51classifieds
CafeacuteBar Review Van Mechelen
cafebar review52
Van MechelenSloterkade 96-97 Amsterdam
It may be the new hype in the city as far as grand cafeacute and restaurant concepts go but Van Mechelen is already approaching excellence Considering its handy location in another pretty neighbourhood of Amsterdam South it is almost a lsquomust visitrsquo place that has created a theme built on the Burgundian enjoyment of life good food complemented with top-class beer and wine If you want a taste of what it feels like to visit a cafeacute-restaurant in Mechelen Belgium Van Mechelen is an easy way for an Amsterdammer to savour this experience and is just a short cycle ride away
ambianceBurgundian Rating 5
StaffregularsMembers of staff are clearly very well trained and this adds to the light and airy atmosphere Having opened for business just three months ago those who have fallen in love with the place and its consumables have not yet had time to clock up the number of visits and connections to be considered lsquoregularsrsquo Rating 5
televised sportNo space within the design and layout for this form of distraction Rating 3
PricesSurprisingly these are within the lsquonormalrsquo range for this level and quality of fare Outstandingly fairly priced snacks and nibbles are also offered to help you along as you take on the fine (Mechelen brewery group Alken-Maes) beers and wines When did you last enjoy a generous portion of fresh olives for a mere euro250 Rating 5
MusicAt the time of review the establishment was fairly packed out The atmosphere is conducive to chats and hilarity and although the selection of tunes could be heard far in the background the sound system may well have more kick It should as the building is of such a solid constitution that it should contain noise and not easily upset the neighbours Rating 5
Smoking area provisionFortunately for puffers the originally industrial nature of the address means that the former loading bay and entranceexit areas have become two naturally covered terrace areas separated from the luscious interior by huge glass-panelled doors Rating 5
total rating 2830(Rating from 1-5 where 1 = Very poor and 5 = Excellent)
By Denson Pierre
lsquoThe new hype in the city as far as grand cafeacute and restaurant concepts gorsquo
cafebar review53
lsquoMembers of staff are clearly very well trainedrsquo
cafebar review54
cafebar review55
lsquoOutstandingly fairly priced snacks and nibbles are also offeredrsquo
cafebar review56
cafebar review57
lsquoThe atmosphere is conducive to chats and hilarityrsquo
cafebar review58
cafebar review59
scamsterdam
lifestyles60
By Valeria Scimia
Unemployed international and looking for a job in the Netherlands Not only must you face the everyday hell that is job-seeking but now you must also beware of scam companies Yes theyrsquove arrived here too
I was recently contacted by an ostensibly legitimate company that wanted to hire me The contact took the form of what appeared to be a genuine e-mail complete with website and logo from a company in Australia that seemed absolutely legitimate (I have since contacted the company to warn them that someone overseas is using their name and logo to scam people) The e-mail explained that the company was opening an office in Holland and was looking for people who would handle the back-office orders It contained a form to be filled in and returned if I was interested in the position the form asked for all my personal information including my bank details I had been looking for a job and was interested in the offer so I filled in and sent off the form and my CV Once they received my e-mail they asked me to start a trial period without practically explaining anything of what the job was actually about I didnrsquot immediately reply so they called me the next day asking me to start immediately with the trial period promising lots of benefits once the contract was signed I hadnrsquot met anyone at this point only telephone interviews and that already didnrsquot seem right to me I asked them to send me more information by e-mail about what I was meant to do and a few moments later I received a response asking me to make a bank transfer to show them I was trustworthy The lsquotrialrsquo implied that they would send me some money and I had to transfer half via GWK or MoneyTransfer to one of their clients and keep the other half This smelled very fishy to the Italian in me In reality they could be sending a cheque to the bank which would register an income that would later bounce after I had already made the payment to their lsquoclientrsquo On top of losing money the person that tried to lsquohirersquo meyou
would have been untraceable No one was even picking up the phone at the number given in the e-mail and the company they claimed to represent wasnrsquot even active in Europe
So I said no and told them I was no longer interested They even had the gumption to call me back and ask me why I wouldnrsquot do it I gave them a silly excuse so as not to give them any more information or tips on how to improve their scummy scam I am happy I started checking their contacts as soon as their promises seemed too good to be true even if I am still angry I allowed them to data-mine all of my information when I sent them my CV and filled in their form
It beggars belief that they set up an entire facade in these times of work despair and it really doesnrsquot feel right especially because therersquos not much I can do about it now apart from inform people I didnrsquot think this would ever happen here in this country where everything has to be or always seems to be so legitimate But I guess some things never change and a place doesnrsquot make the people and certainly doesnrsquot influence the choices they make I just wanted to share my experience to alert everyone to the possible scam If a company contacts you and asks you to return a form including your bank details when you have never met anyone face-to-face it should make your antennas extend and remember to double-check their credibility Apparently it is illegal to ask such questions of someone here so donrsquot fall for it as I did As I am still waiting to hear from the company in Australia I didnrsquot feel it was proper to disclose its name publicly just yet plus I am not sure the scammers always use the same company as a fake front But what they ask you to do is more or less always the same so keep your eyes open to the little details
lsquoYou face the everyday hell that is job-seeking but now you must also beware of scam companiesrsquo
lsquoThis smelled very fishy to the Italian in mersquo
lsquoThe form asked for all my personal informationrsquo
lifestyles6
1
Je moet er geweest zijn
62classifieds
MechelenAuthentic and full of surprises Thatrsquos Mechelen Hospitable and honourable Thatrsquos the people of Mechelen Come and experience the cityrsquos urban charms for yourself Mechelen
Authentic and full of surprises Thatrsquos Mechelen Hospitable and honourable Thatrsquos the people of Mechelen Come and experience the cityrsquos urban charms for yourself
photography copy Milo Profi
classifieds63
classifieds
How to hang out in
Amsterdam
By ER Muntrem
perspectives
It is not against the rules for babies to cry in cafeacutes It happens Mostly they sleep or sit in someonersquos lap with commendable decorum Otherwise kids in cafeacutes tend to nosh a little less than their elders and handle crayons a little more And while anyone who toddles behind the bar will certainly get caught they can always claim they were encouraged to toddle there in the first place
Dutch parents and I realise this is hard to prove seem to let their kids wander a metre or two further away from them than parents from other developed countries that universal ldquowhere is sherdquo look delayed five or ten seconds If this extra distance is a sign of perceived safety cafeacute culture must help teach it
Except for chefs all cafeacute workers do more or less all the jobs required to run a cafeacute They all wait on tables
serve hot and cold drinks set up outdoor furniture load and retrieve supplies take the garbage out wash glasses light candles arrange flowers unfurl the awning and ring up the bill When the young guy or girl greets you you may know they are not the owner but for the moment they are the face of the establishment It may as well be their place
Admittedly I am seduced by places where waiters donrsquot work for tips where the rushed pace of eating in a restaurant in America does not exist In a cafeacute you can do what you want for as long as you want and get food and drink while you do it Pretty cool and as much a baseline for how to hang out in Amsterdam as cycling is for how to get around
Places to eat and drink owned by corporations have to package experience to deliver it Whatrsquos our brand How can our managers and servers be most efficient How ultimately can we be number one Not something most cafeacutes seem to be worried about and where the universal signs for lsquowe are having a good time togetherrsquo
lsquoCafeacute culture must help teachrsquo lsquoI am seduced by places where waiters donrsquot work for tipsrsquo
64
perspectives
or lsquoI am happy here by myselfrsquo (clinked glasses or absorption in a newspaper say) are routinely in evidence This is one true grace of democracy the average worth smiling about
At cafeacutes co-workers have a beer before or after their shift friends drop by or a regular pops in with some news The stream of customers they donrsquot have to woo and donrsquot have to lsquoworkrsquo gives the whole thing a slightly familial living room perfectly public feel that makes the work far less of a personality crimp than working at Starbucks Or so it seems I do not mean to pretend carrying drinks across the street to the canal side seating or giving obvious directions yet again is always glorious but most people who work in cafeacutersquos laugh and smile a fair bit almost as much as the patrons
And when the owner of a cafeacute is of a generation older than those working there as is usually the case it lends a wise uncle or mother hen feel to the proceedings In the daytime no one is ever too caught up in his or her designated title to ignore a baby on the move And at
night the crowd of drinkers may as well be at a party hosted by their parents or kids or both
Itrsquos not all about money cafeacute culture churns towards the civilised without grinding anyone too far down As well as pleasure there is power in this The best distillation I know of what democracy should be came from a young woman working at Cafeacute Captein With our meal in front of us my friend noticed he was missing his salad Flagged down the young woman went to investigate ldquoItrsquos on its wayrdquo she said ldquoI told my boss to do itrdquo
Imagine we told Putin to do it We told Obama to do it We told the bankers to do it
lsquoMost people who work in cafeacutersquos laugh and smile a fair bitrsquo
lsquoCafeacute culture churns towards the civilised without grinding anyone too far downrsquo
65
66
featurecity gem
lsquoThe last of the large independent music stores left standing in Amsterdamrsquo
CITY GEM
67
Concerto
By Denson Pierre
ConcertoUtrechtsestraat 60 1017 VP Amsterdam
it is a rush when on a full stomach you can make an instant decision on where your next city-centre lunch will be taken it is almost ecstasy when the venue is situated in a music shop which for decades has been defined by its exceptional range and quality of music available in amsterdam Concerto is the last of the large independent music stores left standing in amsterdam all the others have long since been killed off by everything from the advance in recording and playback technologies to habitual illegal downloaders only now realising that their behaviour has an impact right back down to street level despite what they might think about the giant studios and recording companies
Concerto has not stuck but has twisted Since September it has incorporated a cute cafeacute
and lunch area within its premises as well as introducing a bookshop and lounge area making it possible to spend an almost nostalgic time there over several hours It still has a vast range of the very best music in vinyl (both new and second-hand) and CD form DVDs DJ equipment and even gear used for live musical performances Itrsquos a gold mine
If it has taken this clever adaptation in space utilisation to keep this institution viable and available to Amsterdam-based music lovers then I personally wish to support this venture and help mean this type of music retailer to remain part of the city scene For people of a certain age there is something infinitely more appealing about physically handling recorded material appreciating the artwork in its packaging having a listen and then deciding if it is a purchase you would like to make Even though non-digital stockpiling has become rather passeacute I challenge you to visit Concerto and its new cafeacute and bookshop concept and not end up spending more time in this true city gem than you had anticipated
lsquoIt has incorporated a cute cafeacute and lunch area within its premises as well as introducing a bookshop and lounge arearsquo
city gem
68
city gem
69city gem
city gem70
city gem71
72city gem
lsquoThere is something infinitely more appealing about physically
handling recorded material appreciating the artwork in its
packagingrsquo
73city gem
74classifi eds
75classifi eds
classifi edsclassifi eds76
amsterdam city life
BrinG BaCK
Something that seems to have been watered down considerably in Amsterdamrsquos hospitality industry in recent years is independence of thought styling and designAll you have to do is walk around the city to note that way too many coffeesoup houses and cafeacutes are more or less identikit This also applies to many cafeacutes with unimaginative business leaders who open unoriginal looking spaces and hope that the use of white paint purple or blue lights and house music is all it takes
Luckily there is something brewing to save our days and nights I have come across cafeacute owners who are now seriously considering ending the arrangements they have with the giant drink suppliers There are actually no good arguments left for continuing with these huge multinationals as they are frankly more expensive at wholesale for the same A-class products than the supermarkets on every Amsterdammerrsquos street corner
It looks like space is being created for the smaller brewers to take up the supply of A-class beer to smaller establishments throughout the city The giants can keep their character-free tourist traps and those bars still able to benefit purely from their unbeatable locations throughout the city
The Sentinel says bring back better and more original businesses of scale within the local hospitality industry which will help more cafeacutes and bars not only to become distinguishable by the interior designs they will need to conjure but also through the variety of local and regional beers that could become part of their coherent identity The overriding benefit of such courageous thinking and action would be an immediate return to realistic and reasonable pricing for A-class beer in Amsterdam which remains the staple of the easy consumables as this recession drones on
By Denson Pierre
INDEPENDENT CAFeacuteSBARS
77
78star beer guide
Star Beer
The SentinelStar beer guide
lsquoDifferent beers can seem to weigh on the conscience as much as on the taste budsrsquo
Just like the changing of the seasons different beers can seem to weigh on the conscience as much as on the taste buds Ciney blond is a lovely almost effeminate tasting beer All light smooth fruitiness bolstered by substantial alcohol content
As the temperature increases it can even feel like a thirst quencher A nice session beer and one that could function as an entrance-level quality beer in terms of its complexity For advanced samplers it is a great lower platform to descend to after cruising the space occupied by the 8-plus percentage alcoholic beauties
Ciney blond is brewed by Alken-Maes Mechelen Belgium
By Denson Pierre
CINEY BLOND (7 ABV)
79star beer guide
We find the best most fun most typical exciting or local favourite restaurants etcetera in Amsterdam and bring them to you an easy way to feel like a local
Cafe Kostverloren 040606
Recommended
80recommended
EUROGIFTSXenonweg 9 3812 SZ Amersfoort
Tel 033 - 454 35 75 - Fax 033 - 454 35 79E-mail lmproefeurogiftsnl
Website wwweurogiftsnl
FILMPROEF
ORDERNUMMER 6021022ARTIKELNUMMER 65123
Ware grootte (indien uitgeprint)Kleur opdruk Wit
Mulligans Irish Music BarAmsterdamrsquos best address for live Irish music Five (5) nights a week Check our agenda for upcoming sessions Amstel 100 1017 AC Amsterdamwwwmulligansnl
Cafeacute KostverlorenCafeacute Kostverloren is a contemporary cafe offering the cosiness of a saloon an open kitchen and the intimacy of a living room The large terras is great for sunny days2e Kostverlorenkade 70 Amsterdamwwwcafekostverlorennl
ZestZest is fi ne food warm atmosphere and classy drinks with regular semi-acoustic (live) music and DJs (Thursday to Sunday) Amsterdamrsquos newest and freshestBilderdijkstraat 188 Amsterdamwwwfacebookcomclubzestnl
GollemGollemrsquos Proefl okaal Gollem and Gollem II represent the best addresses serving the fullest range of top Belgian Dutch and international beers in AmsterdamOvertoom 160-161wwwcafegollemnl
IncantoA restaurant with a classic Italian kitchen Venetian chef Simone Ambrosin is known for his pure and simple style of cooking with great feeling for nuanceAmstel 2 Amsterdamwwwrestaurant-incantonl
Planet RoseThe fi rst Caribbean restaurant in the Netherlands specialised in Jamaican cuisine The menu features a daily changing selectionNicolaas Beetsstraat 47 Amsterdamwwwplanetroseinfo
Cafe restaurant EdelCafe restaurant Edel is the perfect place for lunch dinner or to simply enjoy a drink Edel is a unique place in AmsterdamPostjesweg 1 1057 DT Amsterdamwwwedelamsterdamnl
Cafeacute OportoCafeacute Oporto is a traditional Amsterdam lsquobrown cafersquo Welcoming tourists and regular customers alike they offer televised sports wifi and a wide range of reasonably priced beers and spiritsZoutsteeg 1 1012 LX Amsterdamwwwcafeoportonet
BaxA cosy and friendly local cafeacute with a focus on special or interesting beers and good quality food Open 7 days a week with a professional kitchen offering a lunch and dinner serviceTen Katestraat 119 Amsterdamwwwcafebaxnl
To be seen and tasted Fun Drinking amp Music
To Be Seen and Tasted
Fun Drinking amp Music
Fun Drinking amp Music
Connoisseurs Delight
Connoisseurs Delight
Connoisseurs Delight
To Be Seen and Tasted
Neighbourhood cosy
Fun drinking and music
ParckGreat fun beautiful people and simply the best bar food in townOvertoom 428 Amsterdamwwwcafeparcknl
To be seen and tasted
Cafe de Toog1890rsquos grandeur fashioned into Amsterdam-West grand brown cafe-restaurant-cool Classy drinks and mealsNicolaas Beetsstraat 142 hs Amsterdam wwwcafedetoogcom
Opera Prima - Patisserie Bistro TraiteurThe best place in town for lunch exquisite high teas or brunches and all of your luxury catering both private and corporateKinkerstraat 228 Amsterdamwwwoperaprimanl
Recommended
81
Where is this inAmsterdamAnswer to sentinelpostgmailcom
82spotted
Room 2cfilm
ldquoCome on in boys the waterrsquos finerdquo This is arguably the best all-round and funny musical to come out of Hollywood in a generation and certainly one of the best three soundtracks of the same period George Clooney will never be as good or charming as he is here playing the accidental leader of a trio of chain gang escapees in the US south of the 1930s Spirituality meets the Ku Klux Klan all coloured by Virginia bluegrass
ldquoCall me Snakerdquo The coolest handle for a leading man (Kurt Russell) in any movie to date Here he is sent in on a heroic lsquoat all costrsquo one-man mission to rescue the president of the United States from the prison island Manhattan has become in a lsquofuturersquo representation of 1997 Air Force One has crashed there and the countdown is on Classic 1980s turn of the millennium dystopian vision with style pace and gadgetry
By dpmotions
By dpmotions
o Brother Where Art Thou (2000)
escape from new York (1981)
room2c83
84trends
lsquoTrends are great to join and surf like a once in a lifetime tsunamirsquo
By Dirkje Bakker-Pierre
Each and every micro-world has its own specific trends Take the fashion world for example where one day you have to wear high heels and round noses and the next itrsquos flat hairy elephant feet-like boots that must hug your feet Or take the automotive world where once upon a time you could never have enough chrome on your car or the food world where we have quietly moved from fast to green and wholesome or the TV world which used to be about fiction and is now more real than reality Some of these trends are great to join and surf like a once in a lifetime tsunami others can slip by unnoticed and others still keep bugging and bugging you even if you try to avoid them like the plague
The online world and specifically the social media universe eats through trends like a fat chick after a hunger strike Facebook in particular seems to move seamlessly from one hype to the next one day itrsquos pictures with fuzzy edges or a bit of a 1970s filter the next itrsquos a profile picture with you very consciously not looking into the camera (very spontaneously and naturally non-posing you might say) These are mostly harmless things if Irsquom honest and when everyone
stops liking them they fade away as quickly as the sun in our small wet country There is one trend however that has festered within Facebook from the very beginning and which seems to be gradually growing and growing without anyone ever liking the postshellip and I mean EVER
Yes I am talking about daily quotes words of wisdom holy quotes mesmerizingly philosophical quotes cheesy quotes religious quoteshellip How can I describe all of them in one easy sentence pieces of text from (famous) people (it can never be something you thought of yourself) that lsquodisclosersquo previously secret information about being happy in life (or at least previously secret to the person doing the posting I presume) In short texts that belong on tiles hanging on the wall in old Dutch peoplersquos toilets
Why
Here are a few I found in my news feed this week
ldquoA mind is like a parachute It doesnrsquot work if it is not openrdquo ndash Frank Zappa
ldquoIt is not because things are difficult that we do not dare it is because we do not dare that things are difficultrdquo ndash Seneca
ldquoIf you donrsquot take what you are doing seriously then nobody else willrdquo ndash Darryl Dlt Thomson
Bad trends would be good if they werenrsquot so bad
85trends
86classifi eds
87classifieds
One of my personal favourite gemstones is moonstone Itlsquos been around for centuries and is used in many cultures As suggested by its name the stone is highly associated with the moon and moon goddess Diana It brings calm peace and love and is said to become more powerful when the moon is full so thatlsquos the best time to wear it One proverb even claims that moonstone can bring you love that will fly you to the moon Spiritually this amazing stone is said to enhance intuition and is always associated with the self It is a very powerful personal stone which doesnlsquot add or remove any aspects of the personality but merely reflects the person wearing it It is said to be very
MoonstoneBy Evelina Kvartunaite
ndash
lsquoThe stone is highly associated with the moon and moon goddess Dianarsquo
ndash
helpful for people who are very sensitive and it is also used in meditation for reflecting oneself Itlsquos always best to charge your gem when the moon is shining at night either while wearing it or by leaving it on a windowsill that receives moonlight Moonstone is also used in healing and is known for balancing the internal organ systems enabling them to work in stable cycles Itlsquos usually more associated with women but is also known to help men embrace their more emotional side soft creative energies and optimism Perhaps understandably moonstone should have limited exposure to strong direct sunlight
ndash
lsquoIt is said to be very helpful for people who are very sensitiversquo
ndash
88
health amp well-being
ndash
lsquoMore associated with women but is also known to help men embrace their more emotional sidersquo
ndash
89health amp well-being
In his article Batin shows how learning how to use complex products is like learning a computer game Just like the challenges in video games match the skills of the user so should TV interactions or any UI interactions for that matter For reference Batin used the four levels described in the Dreyfus model of skill acquisition
Level 1 novicebullRigid adherence to taught rules or plansbullNo exercise of lsquodiscretionary judgmentrsquo
Level 2 Advanced beginnerbullLimited lsquosituational perceptionrsquobullAll aspects of work treated separately with equal importance
Philip Batin wrote an article a couple of months ago about the next big idea in User Interaction gadgets that adapt to your skills As gadgets become more complicated UIs must be able to teach their users over time Apparently more and more interactive products are being returned In 2002 48 of all returned products were technically fully functional but were rejected for failing to satisfy user needs 20 purely due to customer remorse Even though a product may have all the features one can hope for complexity and bad user experience can prevent users from integrating it into their lives
UserInterfaceThe next big thing in UX
lsquoUIs must be able to teach their users over timersquo
By Andrei Barburas
lsquoComplexity and bad user experience can prevent users from
integrating it into their livesrsquo
90
technology
book the majority of which you probably skipped through
Personally I believe that there are certain end users most likely the majority that use only a limited set of features from any device they buy Mobile phones have become indispensable tools in our daily activities yet the average Joe has no idea about the full potential of a smart phone The same applies to Smart TVs they can do lots of things yet the only thing that we do with them is flip channels and complain how bad the shows are
The bottom line is that itrsquos definitely something worth thinking about not only from an operating system perspective but also from the perspective of applications developers
Level 3 competentbulllsquoCoping with crowdednessrsquo (multiple activities accumulation of information)bullSome perception of actions in relation to goalsbullDeliberate planningbullFormulates routines
Level 4 ProficientbullHolistic view of situationbullPrioritizes importance of aspectsbulllsquoPerceives deviations from the normal patternrsquobullEmploys maxim for guidance with meanings that adapt to the situation at hand
Now just imagine a User Interface that adapts based on what you can do and the abilities you have As you learn new things new levels of complexity are unlocked opening the door to fully knowing your device because you learned by doing and not by reading a complicated
lsquoThe average Joe has no idea about the full potential of a
smart phonersquo
91technology
92classifi eds
93classifi eds
Not knowing what was happening in football was extremely annoying to put it mildly and it wasnrsquot just my own self-denial and avoidance of all things football that was a hindrance the extent to which I had to ask others to go in order to remain ignorant was much more excruciating than Irsquod ever imagined There may even be some damage done to football-related friendships that is irreparable I now feel as though Irsquom walking through an empty stadium after everyone else has gone home
So what now and where to next The season is well and truly over and Irsquom free to do whatever I want I could read the back-dated sports pages check all the stats and find out all the facts if I wanted to I could spend hours catching up on last season and speculating on the next with the friends Irsquove still got left down the pub if I wanted to I can follow all the transfer gossip watch pre-season friendlies and build up all my hopes But as with most addictions that would simply be falling back into a previous state of dependence and everything Irsquove just put myself through wouldrsquove been for nothing So how do I go back to an old habit without a total relapse or would it be better to keep abstaining
All my questions seem to be met with other questions and no solutions On the other hand if you ask me what
Someone once said that insanity is when you keep repeating the same behaviour and expect a different outcome most likely a psychologist aimed at his or her ailing patients But for me these words are more reminiscent of my own conduct over the course of a regular football season Week in week out season after season I would expect Tottenham to win something and more often than not Irsquod be left disappointed So I decided to stop No more football ndash at least not for one full season
The season 201213 is now over and during the whole nine months I didnrsquot watch a single moment of football or read a single article on the subject That was my challenge and I was committed to it What is more despite all the warning signs I didnrsquot relapse After a year of structured punishment I didnrsquot have a clue about what was going on in the English Premier League (or any other league) Only having picked up bits and pieces of information that somehow slipped through the net the past season was like a book with most of its pages missing
By Simon Joseph
On The Volley
The Return of the Repressed or the Point of No Return
lsquoInsanity is when you keep repeating the same behaviour and expect a different outcomersquo
sport
lsquoThe past season was like a book with most of its pages missingrsquo
94
lsquoThere may even be some damage done to football-related friendshipsrsquo
lsquoHas abstaining for a season changed mersquo
it until the cows come home but it was us who made those changes or at least allowed them to happen and those changes will continue to happen with or without me Perhaps then the questions I should be asking are has abstaining for a season changed me Am I still obsessed or have I broken the habit of a lifetime Is following football really that terrible or even a real addiction
One thing is certain this lack of resolution is not completely without satisfaction because like all forms of fixation or obsession therersquos comfort and familiarity to be found in repetition as Tottenham miss out on Championrsquos League football by a single point again The repressed will always return to haunt us or so it seems and before we know it the start of next season will be upon us There will be more pain no doubt and more joy This time however it will take more than a boot camp approach to keep me away and who knows Tottenham might even win the league Come on you Spurs
Tottenham Hotspur means I would still tell you that itrsquos not just a pretty football package itrsquos about kith and kin not just where I came from but how I relate to others around me in the here and now Whatrsquos more millions of people are attracted to football they hunger for it and yearn to connect with it even though I still believe itrsquos a form of ineffective escape from one unsatisfying reality to another Following football is a classic example of cognitive dissonance ndash when you simultaneously entertain two opposing thoughts that appear to cancel each other out Before the start of each season for example we all want our club to win everything or to be taken over by billionaires but know that itrsquos impossible or in the latter case controversial and even undesirable So we invent ways to cope We develop a so-called lsquosiege mentalityrsquo or other harmful patterns of behaviour to relieve the discomfort of incongruity With this in mind the past year was supposed to be an exercise in behaviour modification ndash to discover the root of the problem and treat it effectively But one year on have I really discovered anything at all
The English Premier League whether you watch it or not is still probably the most exciting football league in the world We can complain about the changes made to
sport9
5
By Denson Pierre
The Gold Room
Fantasy Football Gold ndash Champions League 2012-2013 winner Denson Pierre and his prizes
The season petered out in an all-German Champions League Final which did nothing to dispel the record that this was a season of too few new stars or regular spectacle We look forward to the next season as it ought not be too difficult to create more excitement than in the one just pastWe did have the opportunity to hand over the envelopes and trophies to the Sentinel Fantasy Football game winners This year all the major winners from the Sentinel Fantasy Football League were unable to be present for the physical prize giving but the winner of the Gold Game and focus of this column was there to receive his prize for winning the master game in styleSo we retire the Gold Room until the beginning of the new football season See you all again then
96
sport
Matt Parker receives his third place and Manager of the Month prizes for the Sentinel Fantasy Football League
Charles Conneely Sentinel Fantasy Football League 2012-2013 Champion
97sport
wwwczechtourismcom
CZECH REPUBLIC - STUNNINGLY DIFFERENT
98
classifi eds
44
featureperspectives
feature4
5perspectives
lsquoTake a closer look at the statue of former Queen Wilhelmina and her horsersquo
46
perspectives
lsquoThis is also where you can find me presenting a fine selection of my
photo printsrsquo
47perspectives
perspectives4
8
perspectives4
9
For complete and world class tours of Prague
Packages includebull Hidden and playful Prague (for families with young children)bull Literary Praguebull Prague Architecture through the agesbull Religion and the citybull The old city at night
These are detailed tours designed for visitors who wish to explore with great detail and not suitable for simply sight-seeing tourists
Day segments and ratesPR 0800-1230hrs AG 1330-1630hrs UE 1730-2130hrsAll sessions are priced at u 25 per single adult Group size upper limit = 8 Accompanied children under the age of five are gratis and school aged children pay 25 Family package rates are negotiable
ContactJaroslav Cernosek+420 602 228 797Mail jcernosekcentrumcz
wwwyourtuliptourcom
JC Tours
50classifieds
51classifieds
CafeacuteBar Review Van Mechelen
cafebar review52
Van MechelenSloterkade 96-97 Amsterdam
It may be the new hype in the city as far as grand cafeacute and restaurant concepts go but Van Mechelen is already approaching excellence Considering its handy location in another pretty neighbourhood of Amsterdam South it is almost a lsquomust visitrsquo place that has created a theme built on the Burgundian enjoyment of life good food complemented with top-class beer and wine If you want a taste of what it feels like to visit a cafeacute-restaurant in Mechelen Belgium Van Mechelen is an easy way for an Amsterdammer to savour this experience and is just a short cycle ride away
ambianceBurgundian Rating 5
StaffregularsMembers of staff are clearly very well trained and this adds to the light and airy atmosphere Having opened for business just three months ago those who have fallen in love with the place and its consumables have not yet had time to clock up the number of visits and connections to be considered lsquoregularsrsquo Rating 5
televised sportNo space within the design and layout for this form of distraction Rating 3
PricesSurprisingly these are within the lsquonormalrsquo range for this level and quality of fare Outstandingly fairly priced snacks and nibbles are also offered to help you along as you take on the fine (Mechelen brewery group Alken-Maes) beers and wines When did you last enjoy a generous portion of fresh olives for a mere euro250 Rating 5
MusicAt the time of review the establishment was fairly packed out The atmosphere is conducive to chats and hilarity and although the selection of tunes could be heard far in the background the sound system may well have more kick It should as the building is of such a solid constitution that it should contain noise and not easily upset the neighbours Rating 5
Smoking area provisionFortunately for puffers the originally industrial nature of the address means that the former loading bay and entranceexit areas have become two naturally covered terrace areas separated from the luscious interior by huge glass-panelled doors Rating 5
total rating 2830(Rating from 1-5 where 1 = Very poor and 5 = Excellent)
By Denson Pierre
lsquoThe new hype in the city as far as grand cafeacute and restaurant concepts gorsquo
cafebar review53
lsquoMembers of staff are clearly very well trainedrsquo
cafebar review54
cafebar review55
lsquoOutstandingly fairly priced snacks and nibbles are also offeredrsquo
cafebar review56
cafebar review57
lsquoThe atmosphere is conducive to chats and hilarityrsquo
cafebar review58
cafebar review59
scamsterdam
lifestyles60
By Valeria Scimia
Unemployed international and looking for a job in the Netherlands Not only must you face the everyday hell that is job-seeking but now you must also beware of scam companies Yes theyrsquove arrived here too
I was recently contacted by an ostensibly legitimate company that wanted to hire me The contact took the form of what appeared to be a genuine e-mail complete with website and logo from a company in Australia that seemed absolutely legitimate (I have since contacted the company to warn them that someone overseas is using their name and logo to scam people) The e-mail explained that the company was opening an office in Holland and was looking for people who would handle the back-office orders It contained a form to be filled in and returned if I was interested in the position the form asked for all my personal information including my bank details I had been looking for a job and was interested in the offer so I filled in and sent off the form and my CV Once they received my e-mail they asked me to start a trial period without practically explaining anything of what the job was actually about I didnrsquot immediately reply so they called me the next day asking me to start immediately with the trial period promising lots of benefits once the contract was signed I hadnrsquot met anyone at this point only telephone interviews and that already didnrsquot seem right to me I asked them to send me more information by e-mail about what I was meant to do and a few moments later I received a response asking me to make a bank transfer to show them I was trustworthy The lsquotrialrsquo implied that they would send me some money and I had to transfer half via GWK or MoneyTransfer to one of their clients and keep the other half This smelled very fishy to the Italian in me In reality they could be sending a cheque to the bank which would register an income that would later bounce after I had already made the payment to their lsquoclientrsquo On top of losing money the person that tried to lsquohirersquo meyou
would have been untraceable No one was even picking up the phone at the number given in the e-mail and the company they claimed to represent wasnrsquot even active in Europe
So I said no and told them I was no longer interested They even had the gumption to call me back and ask me why I wouldnrsquot do it I gave them a silly excuse so as not to give them any more information or tips on how to improve their scummy scam I am happy I started checking their contacts as soon as their promises seemed too good to be true even if I am still angry I allowed them to data-mine all of my information when I sent them my CV and filled in their form
It beggars belief that they set up an entire facade in these times of work despair and it really doesnrsquot feel right especially because therersquos not much I can do about it now apart from inform people I didnrsquot think this would ever happen here in this country where everything has to be or always seems to be so legitimate But I guess some things never change and a place doesnrsquot make the people and certainly doesnrsquot influence the choices they make I just wanted to share my experience to alert everyone to the possible scam If a company contacts you and asks you to return a form including your bank details when you have never met anyone face-to-face it should make your antennas extend and remember to double-check their credibility Apparently it is illegal to ask such questions of someone here so donrsquot fall for it as I did As I am still waiting to hear from the company in Australia I didnrsquot feel it was proper to disclose its name publicly just yet plus I am not sure the scammers always use the same company as a fake front But what they ask you to do is more or less always the same so keep your eyes open to the little details
lsquoYou face the everyday hell that is job-seeking but now you must also beware of scam companiesrsquo
lsquoThis smelled very fishy to the Italian in mersquo
lsquoThe form asked for all my personal informationrsquo
lifestyles6
1
Je moet er geweest zijn
62classifieds
MechelenAuthentic and full of surprises Thatrsquos Mechelen Hospitable and honourable Thatrsquos the people of Mechelen Come and experience the cityrsquos urban charms for yourself Mechelen
Authentic and full of surprises Thatrsquos Mechelen Hospitable and honourable Thatrsquos the people of Mechelen Come and experience the cityrsquos urban charms for yourself
photography copy Milo Profi
classifieds63
classifieds
How to hang out in
Amsterdam
By ER Muntrem
perspectives
It is not against the rules for babies to cry in cafeacutes It happens Mostly they sleep or sit in someonersquos lap with commendable decorum Otherwise kids in cafeacutes tend to nosh a little less than their elders and handle crayons a little more And while anyone who toddles behind the bar will certainly get caught they can always claim they were encouraged to toddle there in the first place
Dutch parents and I realise this is hard to prove seem to let their kids wander a metre or two further away from them than parents from other developed countries that universal ldquowhere is sherdquo look delayed five or ten seconds If this extra distance is a sign of perceived safety cafeacute culture must help teach it
Except for chefs all cafeacute workers do more or less all the jobs required to run a cafeacute They all wait on tables
serve hot and cold drinks set up outdoor furniture load and retrieve supplies take the garbage out wash glasses light candles arrange flowers unfurl the awning and ring up the bill When the young guy or girl greets you you may know they are not the owner but for the moment they are the face of the establishment It may as well be their place
Admittedly I am seduced by places where waiters donrsquot work for tips where the rushed pace of eating in a restaurant in America does not exist In a cafeacute you can do what you want for as long as you want and get food and drink while you do it Pretty cool and as much a baseline for how to hang out in Amsterdam as cycling is for how to get around
Places to eat and drink owned by corporations have to package experience to deliver it Whatrsquos our brand How can our managers and servers be most efficient How ultimately can we be number one Not something most cafeacutes seem to be worried about and where the universal signs for lsquowe are having a good time togetherrsquo
lsquoCafeacute culture must help teachrsquo lsquoI am seduced by places where waiters donrsquot work for tipsrsquo
64
perspectives
or lsquoI am happy here by myselfrsquo (clinked glasses or absorption in a newspaper say) are routinely in evidence This is one true grace of democracy the average worth smiling about
At cafeacutes co-workers have a beer before or after their shift friends drop by or a regular pops in with some news The stream of customers they donrsquot have to woo and donrsquot have to lsquoworkrsquo gives the whole thing a slightly familial living room perfectly public feel that makes the work far less of a personality crimp than working at Starbucks Or so it seems I do not mean to pretend carrying drinks across the street to the canal side seating or giving obvious directions yet again is always glorious but most people who work in cafeacutersquos laugh and smile a fair bit almost as much as the patrons
And when the owner of a cafeacute is of a generation older than those working there as is usually the case it lends a wise uncle or mother hen feel to the proceedings In the daytime no one is ever too caught up in his or her designated title to ignore a baby on the move And at
night the crowd of drinkers may as well be at a party hosted by their parents or kids or both
Itrsquos not all about money cafeacute culture churns towards the civilised without grinding anyone too far down As well as pleasure there is power in this The best distillation I know of what democracy should be came from a young woman working at Cafeacute Captein With our meal in front of us my friend noticed he was missing his salad Flagged down the young woman went to investigate ldquoItrsquos on its wayrdquo she said ldquoI told my boss to do itrdquo
Imagine we told Putin to do it We told Obama to do it We told the bankers to do it
lsquoMost people who work in cafeacutersquos laugh and smile a fair bitrsquo
lsquoCafeacute culture churns towards the civilised without grinding anyone too far downrsquo
65
66
featurecity gem
lsquoThe last of the large independent music stores left standing in Amsterdamrsquo
CITY GEM
67
Concerto
By Denson Pierre
ConcertoUtrechtsestraat 60 1017 VP Amsterdam
it is a rush when on a full stomach you can make an instant decision on where your next city-centre lunch will be taken it is almost ecstasy when the venue is situated in a music shop which for decades has been defined by its exceptional range and quality of music available in amsterdam Concerto is the last of the large independent music stores left standing in amsterdam all the others have long since been killed off by everything from the advance in recording and playback technologies to habitual illegal downloaders only now realising that their behaviour has an impact right back down to street level despite what they might think about the giant studios and recording companies
Concerto has not stuck but has twisted Since September it has incorporated a cute cafeacute
and lunch area within its premises as well as introducing a bookshop and lounge area making it possible to spend an almost nostalgic time there over several hours It still has a vast range of the very best music in vinyl (both new and second-hand) and CD form DVDs DJ equipment and even gear used for live musical performances Itrsquos a gold mine
If it has taken this clever adaptation in space utilisation to keep this institution viable and available to Amsterdam-based music lovers then I personally wish to support this venture and help mean this type of music retailer to remain part of the city scene For people of a certain age there is something infinitely more appealing about physically handling recorded material appreciating the artwork in its packaging having a listen and then deciding if it is a purchase you would like to make Even though non-digital stockpiling has become rather passeacute I challenge you to visit Concerto and its new cafeacute and bookshop concept and not end up spending more time in this true city gem than you had anticipated
lsquoIt has incorporated a cute cafeacute and lunch area within its premises as well as introducing a bookshop and lounge arearsquo
city gem
68
city gem
69city gem
city gem70
city gem71
72city gem
lsquoThere is something infinitely more appealing about physically
handling recorded material appreciating the artwork in its
packagingrsquo
73city gem
74classifi eds
75classifi eds
classifi edsclassifi eds76
amsterdam city life
BrinG BaCK
Something that seems to have been watered down considerably in Amsterdamrsquos hospitality industry in recent years is independence of thought styling and designAll you have to do is walk around the city to note that way too many coffeesoup houses and cafeacutes are more or less identikit This also applies to many cafeacutes with unimaginative business leaders who open unoriginal looking spaces and hope that the use of white paint purple or blue lights and house music is all it takes
Luckily there is something brewing to save our days and nights I have come across cafeacute owners who are now seriously considering ending the arrangements they have with the giant drink suppliers There are actually no good arguments left for continuing with these huge multinationals as they are frankly more expensive at wholesale for the same A-class products than the supermarkets on every Amsterdammerrsquos street corner
It looks like space is being created for the smaller brewers to take up the supply of A-class beer to smaller establishments throughout the city The giants can keep their character-free tourist traps and those bars still able to benefit purely from their unbeatable locations throughout the city
The Sentinel says bring back better and more original businesses of scale within the local hospitality industry which will help more cafeacutes and bars not only to become distinguishable by the interior designs they will need to conjure but also through the variety of local and regional beers that could become part of their coherent identity The overriding benefit of such courageous thinking and action would be an immediate return to realistic and reasonable pricing for A-class beer in Amsterdam which remains the staple of the easy consumables as this recession drones on
By Denson Pierre
INDEPENDENT CAFeacuteSBARS
77
78star beer guide
Star Beer
The SentinelStar beer guide
lsquoDifferent beers can seem to weigh on the conscience as much as on the taste budsrsquo
Just like the changing of the seasons different beers can seem to weigh on the conscience as much as on the taste buds Ciney blond is a lovely almost effeminate tasting beer All light smooth fruitiness bolstered by substantial alcohol content
As the temperature increases it can even feel like a thirst quencher A nice session beer and one that could function as an entrance-level quality beer in terms of its complexity For advanced samplers it is a great lower platform to descend to after cruising the space occupied by the 8-plus percentage alcoholic beauties
Ciney blond is brewed by Alken-Maes Mechelen Belgium
By Denson Pierre
CINEY BLOND (7 ABV)
79star beer guide
We find the best most fun most typical exciting or local favourite restaurants etcetera in Amsterdam and bring them to you an easy way to feel like a local
Cafe Kostverloren 040606
Recommended
80recommended
EUROGIFTSXenonweg 9 3812 SZ Amersfoort
Tel 033 - 454 35 75 - Fax 033 - 454 35 79E-mail lmproefeurogiftsnl
Website wwweurogiftsnl
FILMPROEF
ORDERNUMMER 6021022ARTIKELNUMMER 65123
Ware grootte (indien uitgeprint)Kleur opdruk Wit
Mulligans Irish Music BarAmsterdamrsquos best address for live Irish music Five (5) nights a week Check our agenda for upcoming sessions Amstel 100 1017 AC Amsterdamwwwmulligansnl
Cafeacute KostverlorenCafeacute Kostverloren is a contemporary cafe offering the cosiness of a saloon an open kitchen and the intimacy of a living room The large terras is great for sunny days2e Kostverlorenkade 70 Amsterdamwwwcafekostverlorennl
ZestZest is fi ne food warm atmosphere and classy drinks with regular semi-acoustic (live) music and DJs (Thursday to Sunday) Amsterdamrsquos newest and freshestBilderdijkstraat 188 Amsterdamwwwfacebookcomclubzestnl
GollemGollemrsquos Proefl okaal Gollem and Gollem II represent the best addresses serving the fullest range of top Belgian Dutch and international beers in AmsterdamOvertoom 160-161wwwcafegollemnl
IncantoA restaurant with a classic Italian kitchen Venetian chef Simone Ambrosin is known for his pure and simple style of cooking with great feeling for nuanceAmstel 2 Amsterdamwwwrestaurant-incantonl
Planet RoseThe fi rst Caribbean restaurant in the Netherlands specialised in Jamaican cuisine The menu features a daily changing selectionNicolaas Beetsstraat 47 Amsterdamwwwplanetroseinfo
Cafe restaurant EdelCafe restaurant Edel is the perfect place for lunch dinner or to simply enjoy a drink Edel is a unique place in AmsterdamPostjesweg 1 1057 DT Amsterdamwwwedelamsterdamnl
Cafeacute OportoCafeacute Oporto is a traditional Amsterdam lsquobrown cafersquo Welcoming tourists and regular customers alike they offer televised sports wifi and a wide range of reasonably priced beers and spiritsZoutsteeg 1 1012 LX Amsterdamwwwcafeoportonet
BaxA cosy and friendly local cafeacute with a focus on special or interesting beers and good quality food Open 7 days a week with a professional kitchen offering a lunch and dinner serviceTen Katestraat 119 Amsterdamwwwcafebaxnl
To be seen and tasted Fun Drinking amp Music
To Be Seen and Tasted
Fun Drinking amp Music
Fun Drinking amp Music
Connoisseurs Delight
Connoisseurs Delight
Connoisseurs Delight
To Be Seen and Tasted
Neighbourhood cosy
Fun drinking and music
ParckGreat fun beautiful people and simply the best bar food in townOvertoom 428 Amsterdamwwwcafeparcknl
To be seen and tasted
Cafe de Toog1890rsquos grandeur fashioned into Amsterdam-West grand brown cafe-restaurant-cool Classy drinks and mealsNicolaas Beetsstraat 142 hs Amsterdam wwwcafedetoogcom
Opera Prima - Patisserie Bistro TraiteurThe best place in town for lunch exquisite high teas or brunches and all of your luxury catering both private and corporateKinkerstraat 228 Amsterdamwwwoperaprimanl
Recommended
81
Where is this inAmsterdamAnswer to sentinelpostgmailcom
82spotted
Room 2cfilm
ldquoCome on in boys the waterrsquos finerdquo This is arguably the best all-round and funny musical to come out of Hollywood in a generation and certainly one of the best three soundtracks of the same period George Clooney will never be as good or charming as he is here playing the accidental leader of a trio of chain gang escapees in the US south of the 1930s Spirituality meets the Ku Klux Klan all coloured by Virginia bluegrass
ldquoCall me Snakerdquo The coolest handle for a leading man (Kurt Russell) in any movie to date Here he is sent in on a heroic lsquoat all costrsquo one-man mission to rescue the president of the United States from the prison island Manhattan has become in a lsquofuturersquo representation of 1997 Air Force One has crashed there and the countdown is on Classic 1980s turn of the millennium dystopian vision with style pace and gadgetry
By dpmotions
By dpmotions
o Brother Where Art Thou (2000)
escape from new York (1981)
room2c83
84trends
lsquoTrends are great to join and surf like a once in a lifetime tsunamirsquo
By Dirkje Bakker-Pierre
Each and every micro-world has its own specific trends Take the fashion world for example where one day you have to wear high heels and round noses and the next itrsquos flat hairy elephant feet-like boots that must hug your feet Or take the automotive world where once upon a time you could never have enough chrome on your car or the food world where we have quietly moved from fast to green and wholesome or the TV world which used to be about fiction and is now more real than reality Some of these trends are great to join and surf like a once in a lifetime tsunami others can slip by unnoticed and others still keep bugging and bugging you even if you try to avoid them like the plague
The online world and specifically the social media universe eats through trends like a fat chick after a hunger strike Facebook in particular seems to move seamlessly from one hype to the next one day itrsquos pictures with fuzzy edges or a bit of a 1970s filter the next itrsquos a profile picture with you very consciously not looking into the camera (very spontaneously and naturally non-posing you might say) These are mostly harmless things if Irsquom honest and when everyone
stops liking them they fade away as quickly as the sun in our small wet country There is one trend however that has festered within Facebook from the very beginning and which seems to be gradually growing and growing without anyone ever liking the postshellip and I mean EVER
Yes I am talking about daily quotes words of wisdom holy quotes mesmerizingly philosophical quotes cheesy quotes religious quoteshellip How can I describe all of them in one easy sentence pieces of text from (famous) people (it can never be something you thought of yourself) that lsquodisclosersquo previously secret information about being happy in life (or at least previously secret to the person doing the posting I presume) In short texts that belong on tiles hanging on the wall in old Dutch peoplersquos toilets
Why
Here are a few I found in my news feed this week
ldquoA mind is like a parachute It doesnrsquot work if it is not openrdquo ndash Frank Zappa
ldquoIt is not because things are difficult that we do not dare it is because we do not dare that things are difficultrdquo ndash Seneca
ldquoIf you donrsquot take what you are doing seriously then nobody else willrdquo ndash Darryl Dlt Thomson
Bad trends would be good if they werenrsquot so bad
85trends
86classifi eds
87classifieds
One of my personal favourite gemstones is moonstone Itlsquos been around for centuries and is used in many cultures As suggested by its name the stone is highly associated with the moon and moon goddess Diana It brings calm peace and love and is said to become more powerful when the moon is full so thatlsquos the best time to wear it One proverb even claims that moonstone can bring you love that will fly you to the moon Spiritually this amazing stone is said to enhance intuition and is always associated with the self It is a very powerful personal stone which doesnlsquot add or remove any aspects of the personality but merely reflects the person wearing it It is said to be very
MoonstoneBy Evelina Kvartunaite
ndash
lsquoThe stone is highly associated with the moon and moon goddess Dianarsquo
ndash
helpful for people who are very sensitive and it is also used in meditation for reflecting oneself Itlsquos always best to charge your gem when the moon is shining at night either while wearing it or by leaving it on a windowsill that receives moonlight Moonstone is also used in healing and is known for balancing the internal organ systems enabling them to work in stable cycles Itlsquos usually more associated with women but is also known to help men embrace their more emotional side soft creative energies and optimism Perhaps understandably moonstone should have limited exposure to strong direct sunlight
ndash
lsquoIt is said to be very helpful for people who are very sensitiversquo
ndash
88
health amp well-being
ndash
lsquoMore associated with women but is also known to help men embrace their more emotional sidersquo
ndash
89health amp well-being
In his article Batin shows how learning how to use complex products is like learning a computer game Just like the challenges in video games match the skills of the user so should TV interactions or any UI interactions for that matter For reference Batin used the four levels described in the Dreyfus model of skill acquisition
Level 1 novicebullRigid adherence to taught rules or plansbullNo exercise of lsquodiscretionary judgmentrsquo
Level 2 Advanced beginnerbullLimited lsquosituational perceptionrsquobullAll aspects of work treated separately with equal importance
Philip Batin wrote an article a couple of months ago about the next big idea in User Interaction gadgets that adapt to your skills As gadgets become more complicated UIs must be able to teach their users over time Apparently more and more interactive products are being returned In 2002 48 of all returned products were technically fully functional but were rejected for failing to satisfy user needs 20 purely due to customer remorse Even though a product may have all the features one can hope for complexity and bad user experience can prevent users from integrating it into their lives
UserInterfaceThe next big thing in UX
lsquoUIs must be able to teach their users over timersquo
By Andrei Barburas
lsquoComplexity and bad user experience can prevent users from
integrating it into their livesrsquo
90
technology
book the majority of which you probably skipped through
Personally I believe that there are certain end users most likely the majority that use only a limited set of features from any device they buy Mobile phones have become indispensable tools in our daily activities yet the average Joe has no idea about the full potential of a smart phone The same applies to Smart TVs they can do lots of things yet the only thing that we do with them is flip channels and complain how bad the shows are
The bottom line is that itrsquos definitely something worth thinking about not only from an operating system perspective but also from the perspective of applications developers
Level 3 competentbulllsquoCoping with crowdednessrsquo (multiple activities accumulation of information)bullSome perception of actions in relation to goalsbullDeliberate planningbullFormulates routines
Level 4 ProficientbullHolistic view of situationbullPrioritizes importance of aspectsbulllsquoPerceives deviations from the normal patternrsquobullEmploys maxim for guidance with meanings that adapt to the situation at hand
Now just imagine a User Interface that adapts based on what you can do and the abilities you have As you learn new things new levels of complexity are unlocked opening the door to fully knowing your device because you learned by doing and not by reading a complicated
lsquoThe average Joe has no idea about the full potential of a
smart phonersquo
91technology
92classifi eds
93classifi eds
Not knowing what was happening in football was extremely annoying to put it mildly and it wasnrsquot just my own self-denial and avoidance of all things football that was a hindrance the extent to which I had to ask others to go in order to remain ignorant was much more excruciating than Irsquod ever imagined There may even be some damage done to football-related friendships that is irreparable I now feel as though Irsquom walking through an empty stadium after everyone else has gone home
So what now and where to next The season is well and truly over and Irsquom free to do whatever I want I could read the back-dated sports pages check all the stats and find out all the facts if I wanted to I could spend hours catching up on last season and speculating on the next with the friends Irsquove still got left down the pub if I wanted to I can follow all the transfer gossip watch pre-season friendlies and build up all my hopes But as with most addictions that would simply be falling back into a previous state of dependence and everything Irsquove just put myself through wouldrsquove been for nothing So how do I go back to an old habit without a total relapse or would it be better to keep abstaining
All my questions seem to be met with other questions and no solutions On the other hand if you ask me what
Someone once said that insanity is when you keep repeating the same behaviour and expect a different outcome most likely a psychologist aimed at his or her ailing patients But for me these words are more reminiscent of my own conduct over the course of a regular football season Week in week out season after season I would expect Tottenham to win something and more often than not Irsquod be left disappointed So I decided to stop No more football ndash at least not for one full season
The season 201213 is now over and during the whole nine months I didnrsquot watch a single moment of football or read a single article on the subject That was my challenge and I was committed to it What is more despite all the warning signs I didnrsquot relapse After a year of structured punishment I didnrsquot have a clue about what was going on in the English Premier League (or any other league) Only having picked up bits and pieces of information that somehow slipped through the net the past season was like a book with most of its pages missing
By Simon Joseph
On The Volley
The Return of the Repressed or the Point of No Return
lsquoInsanity is when you keep repeating the same behaviour and expect a different outcomersquo
sport
lsquoThe past season was like a book with most of its pages missingrsquo
94
lsquoThere may even be some damage done to football-related friendshipsrsquo
lsquoHas abstaining for a season changed mersquo
it until the cows come home but it was us who made those changes or at least allowed them to happen and those changes will continue to happen with or without me Perhaps then the questions I should be asking are has abstaining for a season changed me Am I still obsessed or have I broken the habit of a lifetime Is following football really that terrible or even a real addiction
One thing is certain this lack of resolution is not completely without satisfaction because like all forms of fixation or obsession therersquos comfort and familiarity to be found in repetition as Tottenham miss out on Championrsquos League football by a single point again The repressed will always return to haunt us or so it seems and before we know it the start of next season will be upon us There will be more pain no doubt and more joy This time however it will take more than a boot camp approach to keep me away and who knows Tottenham might even win the league Come on you Spurs
Tottenham Hotspur means I would still tell you that itrsquos not just a pretty football package itrsquos about kith and kin not just where I came from but how I relate to others around me in the here and now Whatrsquos more millions of people are attracted to football they hunger for it and yearn to connect with it even though I still believe itrsquos a form of ineffective escape from one unsatisfying reality to another Following football is a classic example of cognitive dissonance ndash when you simultaneously entertain two opposing thoughts that appear to cancel each other out Before the start of each season for example we all want our club to win everything or to be taken over by billionaires but know that itrsquos impossible or in the latter case controversial and even undesirable So we invent ways to cope We develop a so-called lsquosiege mentalityrsquo or other harmful patterns of behaviour to relieve the discomfort of incongruity With this in mind the past year was supposed to be an exercise in behaviour modification ndash to discover the root of the problem and treat it effectively But one year on have I really discovered anything at all
The English Premier League whether you watch it or not is still probably the most exciting football league in the world We can complain about the changes made to
sport9
5
By Denson Pierre
The Gold Room
Fantasy Football Gold ndash Champions League 2012-2013 winner Denson Pierre and his prizes
The season petered out in an all-German Champions League Final which did nothing to dispel the record that this was a season of too few new stars or regular spectacle We look forward to the next season as it ought not be too difficult to create more excitement than in the one just pastWe did have the opportunity to hand over the envelopes and trophies to the Sentinel Fantasy Football game winners This year all the major winners from the Sentinel Fantasy Football League were unable to be present for the physical prize giving but the winner of the Gold Game and focus of this column was there to receive his prize for winning the master game in styleSo we retire the Gold Room until the beginning of the new football season See you all again then
96
sport
Matt Parker receives his third place and Manager of the Month prizes for the Sentinel Fantasy Football League
Charles Conneely Sentinel Fantasy Football League 2012-2013 Champion
97sport
wwwczechtourismcom
CZECH REPUBLIC - STUNNINGLY DIFFERENT
98
classifi eds
feature4
5perspectives
lsquoTake a closer look at the statue of former Queen Wilhelmina and her horsersquo
46
perspectives
lsquoThis is also where you can find me presenting a fine selection of my
photo printsrsquo
47perspectives
perspectives4
8
perspectives4
9
For complete and world class tours of Prague
Packages includebull Hidden and playful Prague (for families with young children)bull Literary Praguebull Prague Architecture through the agesbull Religion and the citybull The old city at night
These are detailed tours designed for visitors who wish to explore with great detail and not suitable for simply sight-seeing tourists
Day segments and ratesPR 0800-1230hrs AG 1330-1630hrs UE 1730-2130hrsAll sessions are priced at u 25 per single adult Group size upper limit = 8 Accompanied children under the age of five are gratis and school aged children pay 25 Family package rates are negotiable
ContactJaroslav Cernosek+420 602 228 797Mail jcernosekcentrumcz
wwwyourtuliptourcom
JC Tours
50classifieds
51classifieds
CafeacuteBar Review Van Mechelen
cafebar review52
Van MechelenSloterkade 96-97 Amsterdam
It may be the new hype in the city as far as grand cafeacute and restaurant concepts go but Van Mechelen is already approaching excellence Considering its handy location in another pretty neighbourhood of Amsterdam South it is almost a lsquomust visitrsquo place that has created a theme built on the Burgundian enjoyment of life good food complemented with top-class beer and wine If you want a taste of what it feels like to visit a cafeacute-restaurant in Mechelen Belgium Van Mechelen is an easy way for an Amsterdammer to savour this experience and is just a short cycle ride away
ambianceBurgundian Rating 5
StaffregularsMembers of staff are clearly very well trained and this adds to the light and airy atmosphere Having opened for business just three months ago those who have fallen in love with the place and its consumables have not yet had time to clock up the number of visits and connections to be considered lsquoregularsrsquo Rating 5
televised sportNo space within the design and layout for this form of distraction Rating 3
PricesSurprisingly these are within the lsquonormalrsquo range for this level and quality of fare Outstandingly fairly priced snacks and nibbles are also offered to help you along as you take on the fine (Mechelen brewery group Alken-Maes) beers and wines When did you last enjoy a generous portion of fresh olives for a mere euro250 Rating 5
MusicAt the time of review the establishment was fairly packed out The atmosphere is conducive to chats and hilarity and although the selection of tunes could be heard far in the background the sound system may well have more kick It should as the building is of such a solid constitution that it should contain noise and not easily upset the neighbours Rating 5
Smoking area provisionFortunately for puffers the originally industrial nature of the address means that the former loading bay and entranceexit areas have become two naturally covered terrace areas separated from the luscious interior by huge glass-panelled doors Rating 5
total rating 2830(Rating from 1-5 where 1 = Very poor and 5 = Excellent)
By Denson Pierre
lsquoThe new hype in the city as far as grand cafeacute and restaurant concepts gorsquo
cafebar review53
lsquoMembers of staff are clearly very well trainedrsquo
cafebar review54
cafebar review55
lsquoOutstandingly fairly priced snacks and nibbles are also offeredrsquo
cafebar review56
cafebar review57
lsquoThe atmosphere is conducive to chats and hilarityrsquo
cafebar review58
cafebar review59
scamsterdam
lifestyles60
By Valeria Scimia
Unemployed international and looking for a job in the Netherlands Not only must you face the everyday hell that is job-seeking but now you must also beware of scam companies Yes theyrsquove arrived here too
I was recently contacted by an ostensibly legitimate company that wanted to hire me The contact took the form of what appeared to be a genuine e-mail complete with website and logo from a company in Australia that seemed absolutely legitimate (I have since contacted the company to warn them that someone overseas is using their name and logo to scam people) The e-mail explained that the company was opening an office in Holland and was looking for people who would handle the back-office orders It contained a form to be filled in and returned if I was interested in the position the form asked for all my personal information including my bank details I had been looking for a job and was interested in the offer so I filled in and sent off the form and my CV Once they received my e-mail they asked me to start a trial period without practically explaining anything of what the job was actually about I didnrsquot immediately reply so they called me the next day asking me to start immediately with the trial period promising lots of benefits once the contract was signed I hadnrsquot met anyone at this point only telephone interviews and that already didnrsquot seem right to me I asked them to send me more information by e-mail about what I was meant to do and a few moments later I received a response asking me to make a bank transfer to show them I was trustworthy The lsquotrialrsquo implied that they would send me some money and I had to transfer half via GWK or MoneyTransfer to one of their clients and keep the other half This smelled very fishy to the Italian in me In reality they could be sending a cheque to the bank which would register an income that would later bounce after I had already made the payment to their lsquoclientrsquo On top of losing money the person that tried to lsquohirersquo meyou
would have been untraceable No one was even picking up the phone at the number given in the e-mail and the company they claimed to represent wasnrsquot even active in Europe
So I said no and told them I was no longer interested They even had the gumption to call me back and ask me why I wouldnrsquot do it I gave them a silly excuse so as not to give them any more information or tips on how to improve their scummy scam I am happy I started checking their contacts as soon as their promises seemed too good to be true even if I am still angry I allowed them to data-mine all of my information when I sent them my CV and filled in their form
It beggars belief that they set up an entire facade in these times of work despair and it really doesnrsquot feel right especially because therersquos not much I can do about it now apart from inform people I didnrsquot think this would ever happen here in this country where everything has to be or always seems to be so legitimate But I guess some things never change and a place doesnrsquot make the people and certainly doesnrsquot influence the choices they make I just wanted to share my experience to alert everyone to the possible scam If a company contacts you and asks you to return a form including your bank details when you have never met anyone face-to-face it should make your antennas extend and remember to double-check their credibility Apparently it is illegal to ask such questions of someone here so donrsquot fall for it as I did As I am still waiting to hear from the company in Australia I didnrsquot feel it was proper to disclose its name publicly just yet plus I am not sure the scammers always use the same company as a fake front But what they ask you to do is more or less always the same so keep your eyes open to the little details
lsquoYou face the everyday hell that is job-seeking but now you must also beware of scam companiesrsquo
lsquoThis smelled very fishy to the Italian in mersquo
lsquoThe form asked for all my personal informationrsquo
lifestyles6
1
Je moet er geweest zijn
62classifieds
MechelenAuthentic and full of surprises Thatrsquos Mechelen Hospitable and honourable Thatrsquos the people of Mechelen Come and experience the cityrsquos urban charms for yourself Mechelen
Authentic and full of surprises Thatrsquos Mechelen Hospitable and honourable Thatrsquos the people of Mechelen Come and experience the cityrsquos urban charms for yourself
photography copy Milo Profi
classifieds63
classifieds
How to hang out in
Amsterdam
By ER Muntrem
perspectives
It is not against the rules for babies to cry in cafeacutes It happens Mostly they sleep or sit in someonersquos lap with commendable decorum Otherwise kids in cafeacutes tend to nosh a little less than their elders and handle crayons a little more And while anyone who toddles behind the bar will certainly get caught they can always claim they were encouraged to toddle there in the first place
Dutch parents and I realise this is hard to prove seem to let their kids wander a metre or two further away from them than parents from other developed countries that universal ldquowhere is sherdquo look delayed five or ten seconds If this extra distance is a sign of perceived safety cafeacute culture must help teach it
Except for chefs all cafeacute workers do more or less all the jobs required to run a cafeacute They all wait on tables
serve hot and cold drinks set up outdoor furniture load and retrieve supplies take the garbage out wash glasses light candles arrange flowers unfurl the awning and ring up the bill When the young guy or girl greets you you may know they are not the owner but for the moment they are the face of the establishment It may as well be their place
Admittedly I am seduced by places where waiters donrsquot work for tips where the rushed pace of eating in a restaurant in America does not exist In a cafeacute you can do what you want for as long as you want and get food and drink while you do it Pretty cool and as much a baseline for how to hang out in Amsterdam as cycling is for how to get around
Places to eat and drink owned by corporations have to package experience to deliver it Whatrsquos our brand How can our managers and servers be most efficient How ultimately can we be number one Not something most cafeacutes seem to be worried about and where the universal signs for lsquowe are having a good time togetherrsquo
lsquoCafeacute culture must help teachrsquo lsquoI am seduced by places where waiters donrsquot work for tipsrsquo
64
perspectives
or lsquoI am happy here by myselfrsquo (clinked glasses or absorption in a newspaper say) are routinely in evidence This is one true grace of democracy the average worth smiling about
At cafeacutes co-workers have a beer before or after their shift friends drop by or a regular pops in with some news The stream of customers they donrsquot have to woo and donrsquot have to lsquoworkrsquo gives the whole thing a slightly familial living room perfectly public feel that makes the work far less of a personality crimp than working at Starbucks Or so it seems I do not mean to pretend carrying drinks across the street to the canal side seating or giving obvious directions yet again is always glorious but most people who work in cafeacutersquos laugh and smile a fair bit almost as much as the patrons
And when the owner of a cafeacute is of a generation older than those working there as is usually the case it lends a wise uncle or mother hen feel to the proceedings In the daytime no one is ever too caught up in his or her designated title to ignore a baby on the move And at
night the crowd of drinkers may as well be at a party hosted by their parents or kids or both
Itrsquos not all about money cafeacute culture churns towards the civilised without grinding anyone too far down As well as pleasure there is power in this The best distillation I know of what democracy should be came from a young woman working at Cafeacute Captein With our meal in front of us my friend noticed he was missing his salad Flagged down the young woman went to investigate ldquoItrsquos on its wayrdquo she said ldquoI told my boss to do itrdquo
Imagine we told Putin to do it We told Obama to do it We told the bankers to do it
lsquoMost people who work in cafeacutersquos laugh and smile a fair bitrsquo
lsquoCafeacute culture churns towards the civilised without grinding anyone too far downrsquo
65
66
featurecity gem
lsquoThe last of the large independent music stores left standing in Amsterdamrsquo
CITY GEM
67
Concerto
By Denson Pierre
ConcertoUtrechtsestraat 60 1017 VP Amsterdam
it is a rush when on a full stomach you can make an instant decision on where your next city-centre lunch will be taken it is almost ecstasy when the venue is situated in a music shop which for decades has been defined by its exceptional range and quality of music available in amsterdam Concerto is the last of the large independent music stores left standing in amsterdam all the others have long since been killed off by everything from the advance in recording and playback technologies to habitual illegal downloaders only now realising that their behaviour has an impact right back down to street level despite what they might think about the giant studios and recording companies
Concerto has not stuck but has twisted Since September it has incorporated a cute cafeacute
and lunch area within its premises as well as introducing a bookshop and lounge area making it possible to spend an almost nostalgic time there over several hours It still has a vast range of the very best music in vinyl (both new and second-hand) and CD form DVDs DJ equipment and even gear used for live musical performances Itrsquos a gold mine
If it has taken this clever adaptation in space utilisation to keep this institution viable and available to Amsterdam-based music lovers then I personally wish to support this venture and help mean this type of music retailer to remain part of the city scene For people of a certain age there is something infinitely more appealing about physically handling recorded material appreciating the artwork in its packaging having a listen and then deciding if it is a purchase you would like to make Even though non-digital stockpiling has become rather passeacute I challenge you to visit Concerto and its new cafeacute and bookshop concept and not end up spending more time in this true city gem than you had anticipated
lsquoIt has incorporated a cute cafeacute and lunch area within its premises as well as introducing a bookshop and lounge arearsquo
city gem
68
city gem
69city gem
city gem70
city gem71
72city gem
lsquoThere is something infinitely more appealing about physically
handling recorded material appreciating the artwork in its
packagingrsquo
73city gem
74classifi eds
75classifi eds
classifi edsclassifi eds76
amsterdam city life
BrinG BaCK
Something that seems to have been watered down considerably in Amsterdamrsquos hospitality industry in recent years is independence of thought styling and designAll you have to do is walk around the city to note that way too many coffeesoup houses and cafeacutes are more or less identikit This also applies to many cafeacutes with unimaginative business leaders who open unoriginal looking spaces and hope that the use of white paint purple or blue lights and house music is all it takes
Luckily there is something brewing to save our days and nights I have come across cafeacute owners who are now seriously considering ending the arrangements they have with the giant drink suppliers There are actually no good arguments left for continuing with these huge multinationals as they are frankly more expensive at wholesale for the same A-class products than the supermarkets on every Amsterdammerrsquos street corner
It looks like space is being created for the smaller brewers to take up the supply of A-class beer to smaller establishments throughout the city The giants can keep their character-free tourist traps and those bars still able to benefit purely from their unbeatable locations throughout the city
The Sentinel says bring back better and more original businesses of scale within the local hospitality industry which will help more cafeacutes and bars not only to become distinguishable by the interior designs they will need to conjure but also through the variety of local and regional beers that could become part of their coherent identity The overriding benefit of such courageous thinking and action would be an immediate return to realistic and reasonable pricing for A-class beer in Amsterdam which remains the staple of the easy consumables as this recession drones on
By Denson Pierre
INDEPENDENT CAFeacuteSBARS
77
78star beer guide
Star Beer
The SentinelStar beer guide
lsquoDifferent beers can seem to weigh on the conscience as much as on the taste budsrsquo
Just like the changing of the seasons different beers can seem to weigh on the conscience as much as on the taste buds Ciney blond is a lovely almost effeminate tasting beer All light smooth fruitiness bolstered by substantial alcohol content
As the temperature increases it can even feel like a thirst quencher A nice session beer and one that could function as an entrance-level quality beer in terms of its complexity For advanced samplers it is a great lower platform to descend to after cruising the space occupied by the 8-plus percentage alcoholic beauties
Ciney blond is brewed by Alken-Maes Mechelen Belgium
By Denson Pierre
CINEY BLOND (7 ABV)
79star beer guide
We find the best most fun most typical exciting or local favourite restaurants etcetera in Amsterdam and bring them to you an easy way to feel like a local
Cafe Kostverloren 040606
Recommended
80recommended
EUROGIFTSXenonweg 9 3812 SZ Amersfoort
Tel 033 - 454 35 75 - Fax 033 - 454 35 79E-mail lmproefeurogiftsnl
Website wwweurogiftsnl
FILMPROEF
ORDERNUMMER 6021022ARTIKELNUMMER 65123
Ware grootte (indien uitgeprint)Kleur opdruk Wit
Mulligans Irish Music BarAmsterdamrsquos best address for live Irish music Five (5) nights a week Check our agenda for upcoming sessions Amstel 100 1017 AC Amsterdamwwwmulligansnl
Cafeacute KostverlorenCafeacute Kostverloren is a contemporary cafe offering the cosiness of a saloon an open kitchen and the intimacy of a living room The large terras is great for sunny days2e Kostverlorenkade 70 Amsterdamwwwcafekostverlorennl
ZestZest is fi ne food warm atmosphere and classy drinks with regular semi-acoustic (live) music and DJs (Thursday to Sunday) Amsterdamrsquos newest and freshestBilderdijkstraat 188 Amsterdamwwwfacebookcomclubzestnl
GollemGollemrsquos Proefl okaal Gollem and Gollem II represent the best addresses serving the fullest range of top Belgian Dutch and international beers in AmsterdamOvertoom 160-161wwwcafegollemnl
IncantoA restaurant with a classic Italian kitchen Venetian chef Simone Ambrosin is known for his pure and simple style of cooking with great feeling for nuanceAmstel 2 Amsterdamwwwrestaurant-incantonl
Planet RoseThe fi rst Caribbean restaurant in the Netherlands specialised in Jamaican cuisine The menu features a daily changing selectionNicolaas Beetsstraat 47 Amsterdamwwwplanetroseinfo
Cafe restaurant EdelCafe restaurant Edel is the perfect place for lunch dinner or to simply enjoy a drink Edel is a unique place in AmsterdamPostjesweg 1 1057 DT Amsterdamwwwedelamsterdamnl
Cafeacute OportoCafeacute Oporto is a traditional Amsterdam lsquobrown cafersquo Welcoming tourists and regular customers alike they offer televised sports wifi and a wide range of reasonably priced beers and spiritsZoutsteeg 1 1012 LX Amsterdamwwwcafeoportonet
BaxA cosy and friendly local cafeacute with a focus on special or interesting beers and good quality food Open 7 days a week with a professional kitchen offering a lunch and dinner serviceTen Katestraat 119 Amsterdamwwwcafebaxnl
To be seen and tasted Fun Drinking amp Music
To Be Seen and Tasted
Fun Drinking amp Music
Fun Drinking amp Music
Connoisseurs Delight
Connoisseurs Delight
Connoisseurs Delight
To Be Seen and Tasted
Neighbourhood cosy
Fun drinking and music
ParckGreat fun beautiful people and simply the best bar food in townOvertoom 428 Amsterdamwwwcafeparcknl
To be seen and tasted
Cafe de Toog1890rsquos grandeur fashioned into Amsterdam-West grand brown cafe-restaurant-cool Classy drinks and mealsNicolaas Beetsstraat 142 hs Amsterdam wwwcafedetoogcom
Opera Prima - Patisserie Bistro TraiteurThe best place in town for lunch exquisite high teas or brunches and all of your luxury catering both private and corporateKinkerstraat 228 Amsterdamwwwoperaprimanl
Recommended
81
Where is this inAmsterdamAnswer to sentinelpostgmailcom
82spotted
Room 2cfilm
ldquoCome on in boys the waterrsquos finerdquo This is arguably the best all-round and funny musical to come out of Hollywood in a generation and certainly one of the best three soundtracks of the same period George Clooney will never be as good or charming as he is here playing the accidental leader of a trio of chain gang escapees in the US south of the 1930s Spirituality meets the Ku Klux Klan all coloured by Virginia bluegrass
ldquoCall me Snakerdquo The coolest handle for a leading man (Kurt Russell) in any movie to date Here he is sent in on a heroic lsquoat all costrsquo one-man mission to rescue the president of the United States from the prison island Manhattan has become in a lsquofuturersquo representation of 1997 Air Force One has crashed there and the countdown is on Classic 1980s turn of the millennium dystopian vision with style pace and gadgetry
By dpmotions
By dpmotions
o Brother Where Art Thou (2000)
escape from new York (1981)
room2c83
84trends
lsquoTrends are great to join and surf like a once in a lifetime tsunamirsquo
By Dirkje Bakker-Pierre
Each and every micro-world has its own specific trends Take the fashion world for example where one day you have to wear high heels and round noses and the next itrsquos flat hairy elephant feet-like boots that must hug your feet Or take the automotive world where once upon a time you could never have enough chrome on your car or the food world where we have quietly moved from fast to green and wholesome or the TV world which used to be about fiction and is now more real than reality Some of these trends are great to join and surf like a once in a lifetime tsunami others can slip by unnoticed and others still keep bugging and bugging you even if you try to avoid them like the plague
The online world and specifically the social media universe eats through trends like a fat chick after a hunger strike Facebook in particular seems to move seamlessly from one hype to the next one day itrsquos pictures with fuzzy edges or a bit of a 1970s filter the next itrsquos a profile picture with you very consciously not looking into the camera (very spontaneously and naturally non-posing you might say) These are mostly harmless things if Irsquom honest and when everyone
stops liking them they fade away as quickly as the sun in our small wet country There is one trend however that has festered within Facebook from the very beginning and which seems to be gradually growing and growing without anyone ever liking the postshellip and I mean EVER
Yes I am talking about daily quotes words of wisdom holy quotes mesmerizingly philosophical quotes cheesy quotes religious quoteshellip How can I describe all of them in one easy sentence pieces of text from (famous) people (it can never be something you thought of yourself) that lsquodisclosersquo previously secret information about being happy in life (or at least previously secret to the person doing the posting I presume) In short texts that belong on tiles hanging on the wall in old Dutch peoplersquos toilets
Why
Here are a few I found in my news feed this week
ldquoA mind is like a parachute It doesnrsquot work if it is not openrdquo ndash Frank Zappa
ldquoIt is not because things are difficult that we do not dare it is because we do not dare that things are difficultrdquo ndash Seneca
ldquoIf you donrsquot take what you are doing seriously then nobody else willrdquo ndash Darryl Dlt Thomson
Bad trends would be good if they werenrsquot so bad
85trends
86classifi eds
87classifieds
One of my personal favourite gemstones is moonstone Itlsquos been around for centuries and is used in many cultures As suggested by its name the stone is highly associated with the moon and moon goddess Diana It brings calm peace and love and is said to become more powerful when the moon is full so thatlsquos the best time to wear it One proverb even claims that moonstone can bring you love that will fly you to the moon Spiritually this amazing stone is said to enhance intuition and is always associated with the self It is a very powerful personal stone which doesnlsquot add or remove any aspects of the personality but merely reflects the person wearing it It is said to be very
MoonstoneBy Evelina Kvartunaite
ndash
lsquoThe stone is highly associated with the moon and moon goddess Dianarsquo
ndash
helpful for people who are very sensitive and it is also used in meditation for reflecting oneself Itlsquos always best to charge your gem when the moon is shining at night either while wearing it or by leaving it on a windowsill that receives moonlight Moonstone is also used in healing and is known for balancing the internal organ systems enabling them to work in stable cycles Itlsquos usually more associated with women but is also known to help men embrace their more emotional side soft creative energies and optimism Perhaps understandably moonstone should have limited exposure to strong direct sunlight
ndash
lsquoIt is said to be very helpful for people who are very sensitiversquo
ndash
88
health amp well-being
ndash
lsquoMore associated with women but is also known to help men embrace their more emotional sidersquo
ndash
89health amp well-being
In his article Batin shows how learning how to use complex products is like learning a computer game Just like the challenges in video games match the skills of the user so should TV interactions or any UI interactions for that matter For reference Batin used the four levels described in the Dreyfus model of skill acquisition
Level 1 novicebullRigid adherence to taught rules or plansbullNo exercise of lsquodiscretionary judgmentrsquo
Level 2 Advanced beginnerbullLimited lsquosituational perceptionrsquobullAll aspects of work treated separately with equal importance
Philip Batin wrote an article a couple of months ago about the next big idea in User Interaction gadgets that adapt to your skills As gadgets become more complicated UIs must be able to teach their users over time Apparently more and more interactive products are being returned In 2002 48 of all returned products were technically fully functional but were rejected for failing to satisfy user needs 20 purely due to customer remorse Even though a product may have all the features one can hope for complexity and bad user experience can prevent users from integrating it into their lives
UserInterfaceThe next big thing in UX
lsquoUIs must be able to teach their users over timersquo
By Andrei Barburas
lsquoComplexity and bad user experience can prevent users from
integrating it into their livesrsquo
90
technology
book the majority of which you probably skipped through
Personally I believe that there are certain end users most likely the majority that use only a limited set of features from any device they buy Mobile phones have become indispensable tools in our daily activities yet the average Joe has no idea about the full potential of a smart phone The same applies to Smart TVs they can do lots of things yet the only thing that we do with them is flip channels and complain how bad the shows are
The bottom line is that itrsquos definitely something worth thinking about not only from an operating system perspective but also from the perspective of applications developers
Level 3 competentbulllsquoCoping with crowdednessrsquo (multiple activities accumulation of information)bullSome perception of actions in relation to goalsbullDeliberate planningbullFormulates routines
Level 4 ProficientbullHolistic view of situationbullPrioritizes importance of aspectsbulllsquoPerceives deviations from the normal patternrsquobullEmploys maxim for guidance with meanings that adapt to the situation at hand
Now just imagine a User Interface that adapts based on what you can do and the abilities you have As you learn new things new levels of complexity are unlocked opening the door to fully knowing your device because you learned by doing and not by reading a complicated
lsquoThe average Joe has no idea about the full potential of a
smart phonersquo
91technology
92classifi eds
93classifi eds
Not knowing what was happening in football was extremely annoying to put it mildly and it wasnrsquot just my own self-denial and avoidance of all things football that was a hindrance the extent to which I had to ask others to go in order to remain ignorant was much more excruciating than Irsquod ever imagined There may even be some damage done to football-related friendships that is irreparable I now feel as though Irsquom walking through an empty stadium after everyone else has gone home
So what now and where to next The season is well and truly over and Irsquom free to do whatever I want I could read the back-dated sports pages check all the stats and find out all the facts if I wanted to I could spend hours catching up on last season and speculating on the next with the friends Irsquove still got left down the pub if I wanted to I can follow all the transfer gossip watch pre-season friendlies and build up all my hopes But as with most addictions that would simply be falling back into a previous state of dependence and everything Irsquove just put myself through wouldrsquove been for nothing So how do I go back to an old habit without a total relapse or would it be better to keep abstaining
All my questions seem to be met with other questions and no solutions On the other hand if you ask me what
Someone once said that insanity is when you keep repeating the same behaviour and expect a different outcome most likely a psychologist aimed at his or her ailing patients But for me these words are more reminiscent of my own conduct over the course of a regular football season Week in week out season after season I would expect Tottenham to win something and more often than not Irsquod be left disappointed So I decided to stop No more football ndash at least not for one full season
The season 201213 is now over and during the whole nine months I didnrsquot watch a single moment of football or read a single article on the subject That was my challenge and I was committed to it What is more despite all the warning signs I didnrsquot relapse After a year of structured punishment I didnrsquot have a clue about what was going on in the English Premier League (or any other league) Only having picked up bits and pieces of information that somehow slipped through the net the past season was like a book with most of its pages missing
By Simon Joseph
On The Volley
The Return of the Repressed or the Point of No Return
lsquoInsanity is when you keep repeating the same behaviour and expect a different outcomersquo
sport
lsquoThe past season was like a book with most of its pages missingrsquo
94
lsquoThere may even be some damage done to football-related friendshipsrsquo
lsquoHas abstaining for a season changed mersquo
it until the cows come home but it was us who made those changes or at least allowed them to happen and those changes will continue to happen with or without me Perhaps then the questions I should be asking are has abstaining for a season changed me Am I still obsessed or have I broken the habit of a lifetime Is following football really that terrible or even a real addiction
One thing is certain this lack of resolution is not completely without satisfaction because like all forms of fixation or obsession therersquos comfort and familiarity to be found in repetition as Tottenham miss out on Championrsquos League football by a single point again The repressed will always return to haunt us or so it seems and before we know it the start of next season will be upon us There will be more pain no doubt and more joy This time however it will take more than a boot camp approach to keep me away and who knows Tottenham might even win the league Come on you Spurs
Tottenham Hotspur means I would still tell you that itrsquos not just a pretty football package itrsquos about kith and kin not just where I came from but how I relate to others around me in the here and now Whatrsquos more millions of people are attracted to football they hunger for it and yearn to connect with it even though I still believe itrsquos a form of ineffective escape from one unsatisfying reality to another Following football is a classic example of cognitive dissonance ndash when you simultaneously entertain two opposing thoughts that appear to cancel each other out Before the start of each season for example we all want our club to win everything or to be taken over by billionaires but know that itrsquos impossible or in the latter case controversial and even undesirable So we invent ways to cope We develop a so-called lsquosiege mentalityrsquo or other harmful patterns of behaviour to relieve the discomfort of incongruity With this in mind the past year was supposed to be an exercise in behaviour modification ndash to discover the root of the problem and treat it effectively But one year on have I really discovered anything at all
The English Premier League whether you watch it or not is still probably the most exciting football league in the world We can complain about the changes made to
sport9
5
By Denson Pierre
The Gold Room
Fantasy Football Gold ndash Champions League 2012-2013 winner Denson Pierre and his prizes
The season petered out in an all-German Champions League Final which did nothing to dispel the record that this was a season of too few new stars or regular spectacle We look forward to the next season as it ought not be too difficult to create more excitement than in the one just pastWe did have the opportunity to hand over the envelopes and trophies to the Sentinel Fantasy Football game winners This year all the major winners from the Sentinel Fantasy Football League were unable to be present for the physical prize giving but the winner of the Gold Game and focus of this column was there to receive his prize for winning the master game in styleSo we retire the Gold Room until the beginning of the new football season See you all again then
96
sport
Matt Parker receives his third place and Manager of the Month prizes for the Sentinel Fantasy Football League
Charles Conneely Sentinel Fantasy Football League 2012-2013 Champion
97sport
wwwczechtourismcom
CZECH REPUBLIC - STUNNINGLY DIFFERENT
98
classifi eds
46
perspectives
lsquoThis is also where you can find me presenting a fine selection of my
photo printsrsquo
47perspectives
perspectives4
8
perspectives4
9
For complete and world class tours of Prague
Packages includebull Hidden and playful Prague (for families with young children)bull Literary Praguebull Prague Architecture through the agesbull Religion and the citybull The old city at night
These are detailed tours designed for visitors who wish to explore with great detail and not suitable for simply sight-seeing tourists
Day segments and ratesPR 0800-1230hrs AG 1330-1630hrs UE 1730-2130hrsAll sessions are priced at u 25 per single adult Group size upper limit = 8 Accompanied children under the age of five are gratis and school aged children pay 25 Family package rates are negotiable
ContactJaroslav Cernosek+420 602 228 797Mail jcernosekcentrumcz
wwwyourtuliptourcom
JC Tours
50classifieds
51classifieds
CafeacuteBar Review Van Mechelen
cafebar review52
Van MechelenSloterkade 96-97 Amsterdam
It may be the new hype in the city as far as grand cafeacute and restaurant concepts go but Van Mechelen is already approaching excellence Considering its handy location in another pretty neighbourhood of Amsterdam South it is almost a lsquomust visitrsquo place that has created a theme built on the Burgundian enjoyment of life good food complemented with top-class beer and wine If you want a taste of what it feels like to visit a cafeacute-restaurant in Mechelen Belgium Van Mechelen is an easy way for an Amsterdammer to savour this experience and is just a short cycle ride away
ambianceBurgundian Rating 5
StaffregularsMembers of staff are clearly very well trained and this adds to the light and airy atmosphere Having opened for business just three months ago those who have fallen in love with the place and its consumables have not yet had time to clock up the number of visits and connections to be considered lsquoregularsrsquo Rating 5
televised sportNo space within the design and layout for this form of distraction Rating 3
PricesSurprisingly these are within the lsquonormalrsquo range for this level and quality of fare Outstandingly fairly priced snacks and nibbles are also offered to help you along as you take on the fine (Mechelen brewery group Alken-Maes) beers and wines When did you last enjoy a generous portion of fresh olives for a mere euro250 Rating 5
MusicAt the time of review the establishment was fairly packed out The atmosphere is conducive to chats and hilarity and although the selection of tunes could be heard far in the background the sound system may well have more kick It should as the building is of such a solid constitution that it should contain noise and not easily upset the neighbours Rating 5
Smoking area provisionFortunately for puffers the originally industrial nature of the address means that the former loading bay and entranceexit areas have become two naturally covered terrace areas separated from the luscious interior by huge glass-panelled doors Rating 5
total rating 2830(Rating from 1-5 where 1 = Very poor and 5 = Excellent)
By Denson Pierre
lsquoThe new hype in the city as far as grand cafeacute and restaurant concepts gorsquo
cafebar review53
lsquoMembers of staff are clearly very well trainedrsquo
cafebar review54
cafebar review55
lsquoOutstandingly fairly priced snacks and nibbles are also offeredrsquo
cafebar review56
cafebar review57
lsquoThe atmosphere is conducive to chats and hilarityrsquo
cafebar review58
cafebar review59
scamsterdam
lifestyles60
By Valeria Scimia
Unemployed international and looking for a job in the Netherlands Not only must you face the everyday hell that is job-seeking but now you must also beware of scam companies Yes theyrsquove arrived here too
I was recently contacted by an ostensibly legitimate company that wanted to hire me The contact took the form of what appeared to be a genuine e-mail complete with website and logo from a company in Australia that seemed absolutely legitimate (I have since contacted the company to warn them that someone overseas is using their name and logo to scam people) The e-mail explained that the company was opening an office in Holland and was looking for people who would handle the back-office orders It contained a form to be filled in and returned if I was interested in the position the form asked for all my personal information including my bank details I had been looking for a job and was interested in the offer so I filled in and sent off the form and my CV Once they received my e-mail they asked me to start a trial period without practically explaining anything of what the job was actually about I didnrsquot immediately reply so they called me the next day asking me to start immediately with the trial period promising lots of benefits once the contract was signed I hadnrsquot met anyone at this point only telephone interviews and that already didnrsquot seem right to me I asked them to send me more information by e-mail about what I was meant to do and a few moments later I received a response asking me to make a bank transfer to show them I was trustworthy The lsquotrialrsquo implied that they would send me some money and I had to transfer half via GWK or MoneyTransfer to one of their clients and keep the other half This smelled very fishy to the Italian in me In reality they could be sending a cheque to the bank which would register an income that would later bounce after I had already made the payment to their lsquoclientrsquo On top of losing money the person that tried to lsquohirersquo meyou
would have been untraceable No one was even picking up the phone at the number given in the e-mail and the company they claimed to represent wasnrsquot even active in Europe
So I said no and told them I was no longer interested They even had the gumption to call me back and ask me why I wouldnrsquot do it I gave them a silly excuse so as not to give them any more information or tips on how to improve their scummy scam I am happy I started checking their contacts as soon as their promises seemed too good to be true even if I am still angry I allowed them to data-mine all of my information when I sent them my CV and filled in their form
It beggars belief that they set up an entire facade in these times of work despair and it really doesnrsquot feel right especially because therersquos not much I can do about it now apart from inform people I didnrsquot think this would ever happen here in this country where everything has to be or always seems to be so legitimate But I guess some things never change and a place doesnrsquot make the people and certainly doesnrsquot influence the choices they make I just wanted to share my experience to alert everyone to the possible scam If a company contacts you and asks you to return a form including your bank details when you have never met anyone face-to-face it should make your antennas extend and remember to double-check their credibility Apparently it is illegal to ask such questions of someone here so donrsquot fall for it as I did As I am still waiting to hear from the company in Australia I didnrsquot feel it was proper to disclose its name publicly just yet plus I am not sure the scammers always use the same company as a fake front But what they ask you to do is more or less always the same so keep your eyes open to the little details
lsquoYou face the everyday hell that is job-seeking but now you must also beware of scam companiesrsquo
lsquoThis smelled very fishy to the Italian in mersquo
lsquoThe form asked for all my personal informationrsquo
lifestyles6
1
Je moet er geweest zijn
62classifieds
MechelenAuthentic and full of surprises Thatrsquos Mechelen Hospitable and honourable Thatrsquos the people of Mechelen Come and experience the cityrsquos urban charms for yourself Mechelen
Authentic and full of surprises Thatrsquos Mechelen Hospitable and honourable Thatrsquos the people of Mechelen Come and experience the cityrsquos urban charms for yourself
photography copy Milo Profi
classifieds63
classifieds
How to hang out in
Amsterdam
By ER Muntrem
perspectives
It is not against the rules for babies to cry in cafeacutes It happens Mostly they sleep or sit in someonersquos lap with commendable decorum Otherwise kids in cafeacutes tend to nosh a little less than their elders and handle crayons a little more And while anyone who toddles behind the bar will certainly get caught they can always claim they were encouraged to toddle there in the first place
Dutch parents and I realise this is hard to prove seem to let their kids wander a metre or two further away from them than parents from other developed countries that universal ldquowhere is sherdquo look delayed five or ten seconds If this extra distance is a sign of perceived safety cafeacute culture must help teach it
Except for chefs all cafeacute workers do more or less all the jobs required to run a cafeacute They all wait on tables
serve hot and cold drinks set up outdoor furniture load and retrieve supplies take the garbage out wash glasses light candles arrange flowers unfurl the awning and ring up the bill When the young guy or girl greets you you may know they are not the owner but for the moment they are the face of the establishment It may as well be their place
Admittedly I am seduced by places where waiters donrsquot work for tips where the rushed pace of eating in a restaurant in America does not exist In a cafeacute you can do what you want for as long as you want and get food and drink while you do it Pretty cool and as much a baseline for how to hang out in Amsterdam as cycling is for how to get around
Places to eat and drink owned by corporations have to package experience to deliver it Whatrsquos our brand How can our managers and servers be most efficient How ultimately can we be number one Not something most cafeacutes seem to be worried about and where the universal signs for lsquowe are having a good time togetherrsquo
lsquoCafeacute culture must help teachrsquo lsquoI am seduced by places where waiters donrsquot work for tipsrsquo
64
perspectives
or lsquoI am happy here by myselfrsquo (clinked glasses or absorption in a newspaper say) are routinely in evidence This is one true grace of democracy the average worth smiling about
At cafeacutes co-workers have a beer before or after their shift friends drop by or a regular pops in with some news The stream of customers they donrsquot have to woo and donrsquot have to lsquoworkrsquo gives the whole thing a slightly familial living room perfectly public feel that makes the work far less of a personality crimp than working at Starbucks Or so it seems I do not mean to pretend carrying drinks across the street to the canal side seating or giving obvious directions yet again is always glorious but most people who work in cafeacutersquos laugh and smile a fair bit almost as much as the patrons
And when the owner of a cafeacute is of a generation older than those working there as is usually the case it lends a wise uncle or mother hen feel to the proceedings In the daytime no one is ever too caught up in his or her designated title to ignore a baby on the move And at
night the crowd of drinkers may as well be at a party hosted by their parents or kids or both
Itrsquos not all about money cafeacute culture churns towards the civilised without grinding anyone too far down As well as pleasure there is power in this The best distillation I know of what democracy should be came from a young woman working at Cafeacute Captein With our meal in front of us my friend noticed he was missing his salad Flagged down the young woman went to investigate ldquoItrsquos on its wayrdquo she said ldquoI told my boss to do itrdquo
Imagine we told Putin to do it We told Obama to do it We told the bankers to do it
lsquoMost people who work in cafeacutersquos laugh and smile a fair bitrsquo
lsquoCafeacute culture churns towards the civilised without grinding anyone too far downrsquo
65
66
featurecity gem
lsquoThe last of the large independent music stores left standing in Amsterdamrsquo
CITY GEM
67
Concerto
By Denson Pierre
ConcertoUtrechtsestraat 60 1017 VP Amsterdam
it is a rush when on a full stomach you can make an instant decision on where your next city-centre lunch will be taken it is almost ecstasy when the venue is situated in a music shop which for decades has been defined by its exceptional range and quality of music available in amsterdam Concerto is the last of the large independent music stores left standing in amsterdam all the others have long since been killed off by everything from the advance in recording and playback technologies to habitual illegal downloaders only now realising that their behaviour has an impact right back down to street level despite what they might think about the giant studios and recording companies
Concerto has not stuck but has twisted Since September it has incorporated a cute cafeacute
and lunch area within its premises as well as introducing a bookshop and lounge area making it possible to spend an almost nostalgic time there over several hours It still has a vast range of the very best music in vinyl (both new and second-hand) and CD form DVDs DJ equipment and even gear used for live musical performances Itrsquos a gold mine
If it has taken this clever adaptation in space utilisation to keep this institution viable and available to Amsterdam-based music lovers then I personally wish to support this venture and help mean this type of music retailer to remain part of the city scene For people of a certain age there is something infinitely more appealing about physically handling recorded material appreciating the artwork in its packaging having a listen and then deciding if it is a purchase you would like to make Even though non-digital stockpiling has become rather passeacute I challenge you to visit Concerto and its new cafeacute and bookshop concept and not end up spending more time in this true city gem than you had anticipated
lsquoIt has incorporated a cute cafeacute and lunch area within its premises as well as introducing a bookshop and lounge arearsquo
city gem
68
city gem
69city gem
city gem70
city gem71
72city gem
lsquoThere is something infinitely more appealing about physically
handling recorded material appreciating the artwork in its
packagingrsquo
73city gem
74classifi eds
75classifi eds
classifi edsclassifi eds76
amsterdam city life
BrinG BaCK
Something that seems to have been watered down considerably in Amsterdamrsquos hospitality industry in recent years is independence of thought styling and designAll you have to do is walk around the city to note that way too many coffeesoup houses and cafeacutes are more or less identikit This also applies to many cafeacutes with unimaginative business leaders who open unoriginal looking spaces and hope that the use of white paint purple or blue lights and house music is all it takes
Luckily there is something brewing to save our days and nights I have come across cafeacute owners who are now seriously considering ending the arrangements they have with the giant drink suppliers There are actually no good arguments left for continuing with these huge multinationals as they are frankly more expensive at wholesale for the same A-class products than the supermarkets on every Amsterdammerrsquos street corner
It looks like space is being created for the smaller brewers to take up the supply of A-class beer to smaller establishments throughout the city The giants can keep their character-free tourist traps and those bars still able to benefit purely from their unbeatable locations throughout the city
The Sentinel says bring back better and more original businesses of scale within the local hospitality industry which will help more cafeacutes and bars not only to become distinguishable by the interior designs they will need to conjure but also through the variety of local and regional beers that could become part of their coherent identity The overriding benefit of such courageous thinking and action would be an immediate return to realistic and reasonable pricing for A-class beer in Amsterdam which remains the staple of the easy consumables as this recession drones on
By Denson Pierre
INDEPENDENT CAFeacuteSBARS
77
78star beer guide
Star Beer
The SentinelStar beer guide
lsquoDifferent beers can seem to weigh on the conscience as much as on the taste budsrsquo
Just like the changing of the seasons different beers can seem to weigh on the conscience as much as on the taste buds Ciney blond is a lovely almost effeminate tasting beer All light smooth fruitiness bolstered by substantial alcohol content
As the temperature increases it can even feel like a thirst quencher A nice session beer and one that could function as an entrance-level quality beer in terms of its complexity For advanced samplers it is a great lower platform to descend to after cruising the space occupied by the 8-plus percentage alcoholic beauties
Ciney blond is brewed by Alken-Maes Mechelen Belgium
By Denson Pierre
CINEY BLOND (7 ABV)
79star beer guide
We find the best most fun most typical exciting or local favourite restaurants etcetera in Amsterdam and bring them to you an easy way to feel like a local
Cafe Kostverloren 040606
Recommended
80recommended
EUROGIFTSXenonweg 9 3812 SZ Amersfoort
Tel 033 - 454 35 75 - Fax 033 - 454 35 79E-mail lmproefeurogiftsnl
Website wwweurogiftsnl
FILMPROEF
ORDERNUMMER 6021022ARTIKELNUMMER 65123
Ware grootte (indien uitgeprint)Kleur opdruk Wit
Mulligans Irish Music BarAmsterdamrsquos best address for live Irish music Five (5) nights a week Check our agenda for upcoming sessions Amstel 100 1017 AC Amsterdamwwwmulligansnl
Cafeacute KostverlorenCafeacute Kostverloren is a contemporary cafe offering the cosiness of a saloon an open kitchen and the intimacy of a living room The large terras is great for sunny days2e Kostverlorenkade 70 Amsterdamwwwcafekostverlorennl
ZestZest is fi ne food warm atmosphere and classy drinks with regular semi-acoustic (live) music and DJs (Thursday to Sunday) Amsterdamrsquos newest and freshestBilderdijkstraat 188 Amsterdamwwwfacebookcomclubzestnl
GollemGollemrsquos Proefl okaal Gollem and Gollem II represent the best addresses serving the fullest range of top Belgian Dutch and international beers in AmsterdamOvertoom 160-161wwwcafegollemnl
IncantoA restaurant with a classic Italian kitchen Venetian chef Simone Ambrosin is known for his pure and simple style of cooking with great feeling for nuanceAmstel 2 Amsterdamwwwrestaurant-incantonl
Planet RoseThe fi rst Caribbean restaurant in the Netherlands specialised in Jamaican cuisine The menu features a daily changing selectionNicolaas Beetsstraat 47 Amsterdamwwwplanetroseinfo
Cafe restaurant EdelCafe restaurant Edel is the perfect place for lunch dinner or to simply enjoy a drink Edel is a unique place in AmsterdamPostjesweg 1 1057 DT Amsterdamwwwedelamsterdamnl
Cafeacute OportoCafeacute Oporto is a traditional Amsterdam lsquobrown cafersquo Welcoming tourists and regular customers alike they offer televised sports wifi and a wide range of reasonably priced beers and spiritsZoutsteeg 1 1012 LX Amsterdamwwwcafeoportonet
BaxA cosy and friendly local cafeacute with a focus on special or interesting beers and good quality food Open 7 days a week with a professional kitchen offering a lunch and dinner serviceTen Katestraat 119 Amsterdamwwwcafebaxnl
To be seen and tasted Fun Drinking amp Music
To Be Seen and Tasted
Fun Drinking amp Music
Fun Drinking amp Music
Connoisseurs Delight
Connoisseurs Delight
Connoisseurs Delight
To Be Seen and Tasted
Neighbourhood cosy
Fun drinking and music
ParckGreat fun beautiful people and simply the best bar food in townOvertoom 428 Amsterdamwwwcafeparcknl
To be seen and tasted
Cafe de Toog1890rsquos grandeur fashioned into Amsterdam-West grand brown cafe-restaurant-cool Classy drinks and mealsNicolaas Beetsstraat 142 hs Amsterdam wwwcafedetoogcom
Opera Prima - Patisserie Bistro TraiteurThe best place in town for lunch exquisite high teas or brunches and all of your luxury catering both private and corporateKinkerstraat 228 Amsterdamwwwoperaprimanl
Recommended
81
Where is this inAmsterdamAnswer to sentinelpostgmailcom
82spotted
Room 2cfilm
ldquoCome on in boys the waterrsquos finerdquo This is arguably the best all-round and funny musical to come out of Hollywood in a generation and certainly one of the best three soundtracks of the same period George Clooney will never be as good or charming as he is here playing the accidental leader of a trio of chain gang escapees in the US south of the 1930s Spirituality meets the Ku Klux Klan all coloured by Virginia bluegrass
ldquoCall me Snakerdquo The coolest handle for a leading man (Kurt Russell) in any movie to date Here he is sent in on a heroic lsquoat all costrsquo one-man mission to rescue the president of the United States from the prison island Manhattan has become in a lsquofuturersquo representation of 1997 Air Force One has crashed there and the countdown is on Classic 1980s turn of the millennium dystopian vision with style pace and gadgetry
By dpmotions
By dpmotions
o Brother Where Art Thou (2000)
escape from new York (1981)
room2c83
84trends
lsquoTrends are great to join and surf like a once in a lifetime tsunamirsquo
By Dirkje Bakker-Pierre
Each and every micro-world has its own specific trends Take the fashion world for example where one day you have to wear high heels and round noses and the next itrsquos flat hairy elephant feet-like boots that must hug your feet Or take the automotive world where once upon a time you could never have enough chrome on your car or the food world where we have quietly moved from fast to green and wholesome or the TV world which used to be about fiction and is now more real than reality Some of these trends are great to join and surf like a once in a lifetime tsunami others can slip by unnoticed and others still keep bugging and bugging you even if you try to avoid them like the plague
The online world and specifically the social media universe eats through trends like a fat chick after a hunger strike Facebook in particular seems to move seamlessly from one hype to the next one day itrsquos pictures with fuzzy edges or a bit of a 1970s filter the next itrsquos a profile picture with you very consciously not looking into the camera (very spontaneously and naturally non-posing you might say) These are mostly harmless things if Irsquom honest and when everyone
stops liking them they fade away as quickly as the sun in our small wet country There is one trend however that has festered within Facebook from the very beginning and which seems to be gradually growing and growing without anyone ever liking the postshellip and I mean EVER
Yes I am talking about daily quotes words of wisdom holy quotes mesmerizingly philosophical quotes cheesy quotes religious quoteshellip How can I describe all of them in one easy sentence pieces of text from (famous) people (it can never be something you thought of yourself) that lsquodisclosersquo previously secret information about being happy in life (or at least previously secret to the person doing the posting I presume) In short texts that belong on tiles hanging on the wall in old Dutch peoplersquos toilets
Why
Here are a few I found in my news feed this week
ldquoA mind is like a parachute It doesnrsquot work if it is not openrdquo ndash Frank Zappa
ldquoIt is not because things are difficult that we do not dare it is because we do not dare that things are difficultrdquo ndash Seneca
ldquoIf you donrsquot take what you are doing seriously then nobody else willrdquo ndash Darryl Dlt Thomson
Bad trends would be good if they werenrsquot so bad
85trends
86classifi eds
87classifieds
One of my personal favourite gemstones is moonstone Itlsquos been around for centuries and is used in many cultures As suggested by its name the stone is highly associated with the moon and moon goddess Diana It brings calm peace and love and is said to become more powerful when the moon is full so thatlsquos the best time to wear it One proverb even claims that moonstone can bring you love that will fly you to the moon Spiritually this amazing stone is said to enhance intuition and is always associated with the self It is a very powerful personal stone which doesnlsquot add or remove any aspects of the personality but merely reflects the person wearing it It is said to be very
MoonstoneBy Evelina Kvartunaite
ndash
lsquoThe stone is highly associated with the moon and moon goddess Dianarsquo
ndash
helpful for people who are very sensitive and it is also used in meditation for reflecting oneself Itlsquos always best to charge your gem when the moon is shining at night either while wearing it or by leaving it on a windowsill that receives moonlight Moonstone is also used in healing and is known for balancing the internal organ systems enabling them to work in stable cycles Itlsquos usually more associated with women but is also known to help men embrace their more emotional side soft creative energies and optimism Perhaps understandably moonstone should have limited exposure to strong direct sunlight
ndash
lsquoIt is said to be very helpful for people who are very sensitiversquo
ndash
88
health amp well-being
ndash
lsquoMore associated with women but is also known to help men embrace their more emotional sidersquo
ndash
89health amp well-being
In his article Batin shows how learning how to use complex products is like learning a computer game Just like the challenges in video games match the skills of the user so should TV interactions or any UI interactions for that matter For reference Batin used the four levels described in the Dreyfus model of skill acquisition
Level 1 novicebullRigid adherence to taught rules or plansbullNo exercise of lsquodiscretionary judgmentrsquo
Level 2 Advanced beginnerbullLimited lsquosituational perceptionrsquobullAll aspects of work treated separately with equal importance
Philip Batin wrote an article a couple of months ago about the next big idea in User Interaction gadgets that adapt to your skills As gadgets become more complicated UIs must be able to teach their users over time Apparently more and more interactive products are being returned In 2002 48 of all returned products were technically fully functional but were rejected for failing to satisfy user needs 20 purely due to customer remorse Even though a product may have all the features one can hope for complexity and bad user experience can prevent users from integrating it into their lives
UserInterfaceThe next big thing in UX
lsquoUIs must be able to teach their users over timersquo
By Andrei Barburas
lsquoComplexity and bad user experience can prevent users from
integrating it into their livesrsquo
90
technology
book the majority of which you probably skipped through
Personally I believe that there are certain end users most likely the majority that use only a limited set of features from any device they buy Mobile phones have become indispensable tools in our daily activities yet the average Joe has no idea about the full potential of a smart phone The same applies to Smart TVs they can do lots of things yet the only thing that we do with them is flip channels and complain how bad the shows are
The bottom line is that itrsquos definitely something worth thinking about not only from an operating system perspective but also from the perspective of applications developers
Level 3 competentbulllsquoCoping with crowdednessrsquo (multiple activities accumulation of information)bullSome perception of actions in relation to goalsbullDeliberate planningbullFormulates routines
Level 4 ProficientbullHolistic view of situationbullPrioritizes importance of aspectsbulllsquoPerceives deviations from the normal patternrsquobullEmploys maxim for guidance with meanings that adapt to the situation at hand
Now just imagine a User Interface that adapts based on what you can do and the abilities you have As you learn new things new levels of complexity are unlocked opening the door to fully knowing your device because you learned by doing and not by reading a complicated
lsquoThe average Joe has no idea about the full potential of a
smart phonersquo
91technology
92classifi eds
93classifi eds
Not knowing what was happening in football was extremely annoying to put it mildly and it wasnrsquot just my own self-denial and avoidance of all things football that was a hindrance the extent to which I had to ask others to go in order to remain ignorant was much more excruciating than Irsquod ever imagined There may even be some damage done to football-related friendships that is irreparable I now feel as though Irsquom walking through an empty stadium after everyone else has gone home
So what now and where to next The season is well and truly over and Irsquom free to do whatever I want I could read the back-dated sports pages check all the stats and find out all the facts if I wanted to I could spend hours catching up on last season and speculating on the next with the friends Irsquove still got left down the pub if I wanted to I can follow all the transfer gossip watch pre-season friendlies and build up all my hopes But as with most addictions that would simply be falling back into a previous state of dependence and everything Irsquove just put myself through wouldrsquove been for nothing So how do I go back to an old habit without a total relapse or would it be better to keep abstaining
All my questions seem to be met with other questions and no solutions On the other hand if you ask me what
Someone once said that insanity is when you keep repeating the same behaviour and expect a different outcome most likely a psychologist aimed at his or her ailing patients But for me these words are more reminiscent of my own conduct over the course of a regular football season Week in week out season after season I would expect Tottenham to win something and more often than not Irsquod be left disappointed So I decided to stop No more football ndash at least not for one full season
The season 201213 is now over and during the whole nine months I didnrsquot watch a single moment of football or read a single article on the subject That was my challenge and I was committed to it What is more despite all the warning signs I didnrsquot relapse After a year of structured punishment I didnrsquot have a clue about what was going on in the English Premier League (or any other league) Only having picked up bits and pieces of information that somehow slipped through the net the past season was like a book with most of its pages missing
By Simon Joseph
On The Volley
The Return of the Repressed or the Point of No Return
lsquoInsanity is when you keep repeating the same behaviour and expect a different outcomersquo
sport
lsquoThe past season was like a book with most of its pages missingrsquo
94
lsquoThere may even be some damage done to football-related friendshipsrsquo
lsquoHas abstaining for a season changed mersquo
it until the cows come home but it was us who made those changes or at least allowed them to happen and those changes will continue to happen with or without me Perhaps then the questions I should be asking are has abstaining for a season changed me Am I still obsessed or have I broken the habit of a lifetime Is following football really that terrible or even a real addiction
One thing is certain this lack of resolution is not completely without satisfaction because like all forms of fixation or obsession therersquos comfort and familiarity to be found in repetition as Tottenham miss out on Championrsquos League football by a single point again The repressed will always return to haunt us or so it seems and before we know it the start of next season will be upon us There will be more pain no doubt and more joy This time however it will take more than a boot camp approach to keep me away and who knows Tottenham might even win the league Come on you Spurs
Tottenham Hotspur means I would still tell you that itrsquos not just a pretty football package itrsquos about kith and kin not just where I came from but how I relate to others around me in the here and now Whatrsquos more millions of people are attracted to football they hunger for it and yearn to connect with it even though I still believe itrsquos a form of ineffective escape from one unsatisfying reality to another Following football is a classic example of cognitive dissonance ndash when you simultaneously entertain two opposing thoughts that appear to cancel each other out Before the start of each season for example we all want our club to win everything or to be taken over by billionaires but know that itrsquos impossible or in the latter case controversial and even undesirable So we invent ways to cope We develop a so-called lsquosiege mentalityrsquo or other harmful patterns of behaviour to relieve the discomfort of incongruity With this in mind the past year was supposed to be an exercise in behaviour modification ndash to discover the root of the problem and treat it effectively But one year on have I really discovered anything at all
The English Premier League whether you watch it or not is still probably the most exciting football league in the world We can complain about the changes made to
sport9
5
By Denson Pierre
The Gold Room
Fantasy Football Gold ndash Champions League 2012-2013 winner Denson Pierre and his prizes
The season petered out in an all-German Champions League Final which did nothing to dispel the record that this was a season of too few new stars or regular spectacle We look forward to the next season as it ought not be too difficult to create more excitement than in the one just pastWe did have the opportunity to hand over the envelopes and trophies to the Sentinel Fantasy Football game winners This year all the major winners from the Sentinel Fantasy Football League were unable to be present for the physical prize giving but the winner of the Gold Game and focus of this column was there to receive his prize for winning the master game in styleSo we retire the Gold Room until the beginning of the new football season See you all again then
96
sport
Matt Parker receives his third place and Manager of the Month prizes for the Sentinel Fantasy Football League
Charles Conneely Sentinel Fantasy Football League 2012-2013 Champion
97sport
wwwczechtourismcom
CZECH REPUBLIC - STUNNINGLY DIFFERENT
98
classifi eds
47perspectives
perspectives4
8
perspectives4
9
For complete and world class tours of Prague
Packages includebull Hidden and playful Prague (for families with young children)bull Literary Praguebull Prague Architecture through the agesbull Religion and the citybull The old city at night
These are detailed tours designed for visitors who wish to explore with great detail and not suitable for simply sight-seeing tourists
Day segments and ratesPR 0800-1230hrs AG 1330-1630hrs UE 1730-2130hrsAll sessions are priced at u 25 per single adult Group size upper limit = 8 Accompanied children under the age of five are gratis and school aged children pay 25 Family package rates are negotiable
ContactJaroslav Cernosek+420 602 228 797Mail jcernosekcentrumcz
wwwyourtuliptourcom
JC Tours
50classifieds
51classifieds
CafeacuteBar Review Van Mechelen
cafebar review52
Van MechelenSloterkade 96-97 Amsterdam
It may be the new hype in the city as far as grand cafeacute and restaurant concepts go but Van Mechelen is already approaching excellence Considering its handy location in another pretty neighbourhood of Amsterdam South it is almost a lsquomust visitrsquo place that has created a theme built on the Burgundian enjoyment of life good food complemented with top-class beer and wine If you want a taste of what it feels like to visit a cafeacute-restaurant in Mechelen Belgium Van Mechelen is an easy way for an Amsterdammer to savour this experience and is just a short cycle ride away
ambianceBurgundian Rating 5
StaffregularsMembers of staff are clearly very well trained and this adds to the light and airy atmosphere Having opened for business just three months ago those who have fallen in love with the place and its consumables have not yet had time to clock up the number of visits and connections to be considered lsquoregularsrsquo Rating 5
televised sportNo space within the design and layout for this form of distraction Rating 3
PricesSurprisingly these are within the lsquonormalrsquo range for this level and quality of fare Outstandingly fairly priced snacks and nibbles are also offered to help you along as you take on the fine (Mechelen brewery group Alken-Maes) beers and wines When did you last enjoy a generous portion of fresh olives for a mere euro250 Rating 5
MusicAt the time of review the establishment was fairly packed out The atmosphere is conducive to chats and hilarity and although the selection of tunes could be heard far in the background the sound system may well have more kick It should as the building is of such a solid constitution that it should contain noise and not easily upset the neighbours Rating 5
Smoking area provisionFortunately for puffers the originally industrial nature of the address means that the former loading bay and entranceexit areas have become two naturally covered terrace areas separated from the luscious interior by huge glass-panelled doors Rating 5
total rating 2830(Rating from 1-5 where 1 = Very poor and 5 = Excellent)
By Denson Pierre
lsquoThe new hype in the city as far as grand cafeacute and restaurant concepts gorsquo
cafebar review53
lsquoMembers of staff are clearly very well trainedrsquo
cafebar review54
cafebar review55
lsquoOutstandingly fairly priced snacks and nibbles are also offeredrsquo
cafebar review56
cafebar review57
lsquoThe atmosphere is conducive to chats and hilarityrsquo
cafebar review58
cafebar review59
scamsterdam
lifestyles60
By Valeria Scimia
Unemployed international and looking for a job in the Netherlands Not only must you face the everyday hell that is job-seeking but now you must also beware of scam companies Yes theyrsquove arrived here too
I was recently contacted by an ostensibly legitimate company that wanted to hire me The contact took the form of what appeared to be a genuine e-mail complete with website and logo from a company in Australia that seemed absolutely legitimate (I have since contacted the company to warn them that someone overseas is using their name and logo to scam people) The e-mail explained that the company was opening an office in Holland and was looking for people who would handle the back-office orders It contained a form to be filled in and returned if I was interested in the position the form asked for all my personal information including my bank details I had been looking for a job and was interested in the offer so I filled in and sent off the form and my CV Once they received my e-mail they asked me to start a trial period without practically explaining anything of what the job was actually about I didnrsquot immediately reply so they called me the next day asking me to start immediately with the trial period promising lots of benefits once the contract was signed I hadnrsquot met anyone at this point only telephone interviews and that already didnrsquot seem right to me I asked them to send me more information by e-mail about what I was meant to do and a few moments later I received a response asking me to make a bank transfer to show them I was trustworthy The lsquotrialrsquo implied that they would send me some money and I had to transfer half via GWK or MoneyTransfer to one of their clients and keep the other half This smelled very fishy to the Italian in me In reality they could be sending a cheque to the bank which would register an income that would later bounce after I had already made the payment to their lsquoclientrsquo On top of losing money the person that tried to lsquohirersquo meyou
would have been untraceable No one was even picking up the phone at the number given in the e-mail and the company they claimed to represent wasnrsquot even active in Europe
So I said no and told them I was no longer interested They even had the gumption to call me back and ask me why I wouldnrsquot do it I gave them a silly excuse so as not to give them any more information or tips on how to improve their scummy scam I am happy I started checking their contacts as soon as their promises seemed too good to be true even if I am still angry I allowed them to data-mine all of my information when I sent them my CV and filled in their form
It beggars belief that they set up an entire facade in these times of work despair and it really doesnrsquot feel right especially because therersquos not much I can do about it now apart from inform people I didnrsquot think this would ever happen here in this country where everything has to be or always seems to be so legitimate But I guess some things never change and a place doesnrsquot make the people and certainly doesnrsquot influence the choices they make I just wanted to share my experience to alert everyone to the possible scam If a company contacts you and asks you to return a form including your bank details when you have never met anyone face-to-face it should make your antennas extend and remember to double-check their credibility Apparently it is illegal to ask such questions of someone here so donrsquot fall for it as I did As I am still waiting to hear from the company in Australia I didnrsquot feel it was proper to disclose its name publicly just yet plus I am not sure the scammers always use the same company as a fake front But what they ask you to do is more or less always the same so keep your eyes open to the little details
lsquoYou face the everyday hell that is job-seeking but now you must also beware of scam companiesrsquo
lsquoThis smelled very fishy to the Italian in mersquo
lsquoThe form asked for all my personal informationrsquo
lifestyles6
1
Je moet er geweest zijn
62classifieds
MechelenAuthentic and full of surprises Thatrsquos Mechelen Hospitable and honourable Thatrsquos the people of Mechelen Come and experience the cityrsquos urban charms for yourself Mechelen
Authentic and full of surprises Thatrsquos Mechelen Hospitable and honourable Thatrsquos the people of Mechelen Come and experience the cityrsquos urban charms for yourself
photography copy Milo Profi
classifieds63
classifieds
How to hang out in
Amsterdam
By ER Muntrem
perspectives
It is not against the rules for babies to cry in cafeacutes It happens Mostly they sleep or sit in someonersquos lap with commendable decorum Otherwise kids in cafeacutes tend to nosh a little less than their elders and handle crayons a little more And while anyone who toddles behind the bar will certainly get caught they can always claim they were encouraged to toddle there in the first place
Dutch parents and I realise this is hard to prove seem to let their kids wander a metre or two further away from them than parents from other developed countries that universal ldquowhere is sherdquo look delayed five or ten seconds If this extra distance is a sign of perceived safety cafeacute culture must help teach it
Except for chefs all cafeacute workers do more or less all the jobs required to run a cafeacute They all wait on tables
serve hot and cold drinks set up outdoor furniture load and retrieve supplies take the garbage out wash glasses light candles arrange flowers unfurl the awning and ring up the bill When the young guy or girl greets you you may know they are not the owner but for the moment they are the face of the establishment It may as well be their place
Admittedly I am seduced by places where waiters donrsquot work for tips where the rushed pace of eating in a restaurant in America does not exist In a cafeacute you can do what you want for as long as you want and get food and drink while you do it Pretty cool and as much a baseline for how to hang out in Amsterdam as cycling is for how to get around
Places to eat and drink owned by corporations have to package experience to deliver it Whatrsquos our brand How can our managers and servers be most efficient How ultimately can we be number one Not something most cafeacutes seem to be worried about and where the universal signs for lsquowe are having a good time togetherrsquo
lsquoCafeacute culture must help teachrsquo lsquoI am seduced by places where waiters donrsquot work for tipsrsquo
64
perspectives
or lsquoI am happy here by myselfrsquo (clinked glasses or absorption in a newspaper say) are routinely in evidence This is one true grace of democracy the average worth smiling about
At cafeacutes co-workers have a beer before or after their shift friends drop by or a regular pops in with some news The stream of customers they donrsquot have to woo and donrsquot have to lsquoworkrsquo gives the whole thing a slightly familial living room perfectly public feel that makes the work far less of a personality crimp than working at Starbucks Or so it seems I do not mean to pretend carrying drinks across the street to the canal side seating or giving obvious directions yet again is always glorious but most people who work in cafeacutersquos laugh and smile a fair bit almost as much as the patrons
And when the owner of a cafeacute is of a generation older than those working there as is usually the case it lends a wise uncle or mother hen feel to the proceedings In the daytime no one is ever too caught up in his or her designated title to ignore a baby on the move And at
night the crowd of drinkers may as well be at a party hosted by their parents or kids or both
Itrsquos not all about money cafeacute culture churns towards the civilised without grinding anyone too far down As well as pleasure there is power in this The best distillation I know of what democracy should be came from a young woman working at Cafeacute Captein With our meal in front of us my friend noticed he was missing his salad Flagged down the young woman went to investigate ldquoItrsquos on its wayrdquo she said ldquoI told my boss to do itrdquo
Imagine we told Putin to do it We told Obama to do it We told the bankers to do it
lsquoMost people who work in cafeacutersquos laugh and smile a fair bitrsquo
lsquoCafeacute culture churns towards the civilised without grinding anyone too far downrsquo
65
66
featurecity gem
lsquoThe last of the large independent music stores left standing in Amsterdamrsquo
CITY GEM
67
Concerto
By Denson Pierre
ConcertoUtrechtsestraat 60 1017 VP Amsterdam
it is a rush when on a full stomach you can make an instant decision on where your next city-centre lunch will be taken it is almost ecstasy when the venue is situated in a music shop which for decades has been defined by its exceptional range and quality of music available in amsterdam Concerto is the last of the large independent music stores left standing in amsterdam all the others have long since been killed off by everything from the advance in recording and playback technologies to habitual illegal downloaders only now realising that their behaviour has an impact right back down to street level despite what they might think about the giant studios and recording companies
Concerto has not stuck but has twisted Since September it has incorporated a cute cafeacute
and lunch area within its premises as well as introducing a bookshop and lounge area making it possible to spend an almost nostalgic time there over several hours It still has a vast range of the very best music in vinyl (both new and second-hand) and CD form DVDs DJ equipment and even gear used for live musical performances Itrsquos a gold mine
If it has taken this clever adaptation in space utilisation to keep this institution viable and available to Amsterdam-based music lovers then I personally wish to support this venture and help mean this type of music retailer to remain part of the city scene For people of a certain age there is something infinitely more appealing about physically handling recorded material appreciating the artwork in its packaging having a listen and then deciding if it is a purchase you would like to make Even though non-digital stockpiling has become rather passeacute I challenge you to visit Concerto and its new cafeacute and bookshop concept and not end up spending more time in this true city gem than you had anticipated
lsquoIt has incorporated a cute cafeacute and lunch area within its premises as well as introducing a bookshop and lounge arearsquo
city gem
68
city gem
69city gem
city gem70
city gem71
72city gem
lsquoThere is something infinitely more appealing about physically
handling recorded material appreciating the artwork in its
packagingrsquo
73city gem
74classifi eds
75classifi eds
classifi edsclassifi eds76
amsterdam city life
BrinG BaCK
Something that seems to have been watered down considerably in Amsterdamrsquos hospitality industry in recent years is independence of thought styling and designAll you have to do is walk around the city to note that way too many coffeesoup houses and cafeacutes are more or less identikit This also applies to many cafeacutes with unimaginative business leaders who open unoriginal looking spaces and hope that the use of white paint purple or blue lights and house music is all it takes
Luckily there is something brewing to save our days and nights I have come across cafeacute owners who are now seriously considering ending the arrangements they have with the giant drink suppliers There are actually no good arguments left for continuing with these huge multinationals as they are frankly more expensive at wholesale for the same A-class products than the supermarkets on every Amsterdammerrsquos street corner
It looks like space is being created for the smaller brewers to take up the supply of A-class beer to smaller establishments throughout the city The giants can keep their character-free tourist traps and those bars still able to benefit purely from their unbeatable locations throughout the city
The Sentinel says bring back better and more original businesses of scale within the local hospitality industry which will help more cafeacutes and bars not only to become distinguishable by the interior designs they will need to conjure but also through the variety of local and regional beers that could become part of their coherent identity The overriding benefit of such courageous thinking and action would be an immediate return to realistic and reasonable pricing for A-class beer in Amsterdam which remains the staple of the easy consumables as this recession drones on
By Denson Pierre
INDEPENDENT CAFeacuteSBARS
77
78star beer guide
Star Beer
The SentinelStar beer guide
lsquoDifferent beers can seem to weigh on the conscience as much as on the taste budsrsquo
Just like the changing of the seasons different beers can seem to weigh on the conscience as much as on the taste buds Ciney blond is a lovely almost effeminate tasting beer All light smooth fruitiness bolstered by substantial alcohol content
As the temperature increases it can even feel like a thirst quencher A nice session beer and one that could function as an entrance-level quality beer in terms of its complexity For advanced samplers it is a great lower platform to descend to after cruising the space occupied by the 8-plus percentage alcoholic beauties
Ciney blond is brewed by Alken-Maes Mechelen Belgium
By Denson Pierre
CINEY BLOND (7 ABV)
79star beer guide
We find the best most fun most typical exciting or local favourite restaurants etcetera in Amsterdam and bring them to you an easy way to feel like a local
Cafe Kostverloren 040606
Recommended
80recommended
EUROGIFTSXenonweg 9 3812 SZ Amersfoort
Tel 033 - 454 35 75 - Fax 033 - 454 35 79E-mail lmproefeurogiftsnl
Website wwweurogiftsnl
FILMPROEF
ORDERNUMMER 6021022ARTIKELNUMMER 65123
Ware grootte (indien uitgeprint)Kleur opdruk Wit
Mulligans Irish Music BarAmsterdamrsquos best address for live Irish music Five (5) nights a week Check our agenda for upcoming sessions Amstel 100 1017 AC Amsterdamwwwmulligansnl
Cafeacute KostverlorenCafeacute Kostverloren is a contemporary cafe offering the cosiness of a saloon an open kitchen and the intimacy of a living room The large terras is great for sunny days2e Kostverlorenkade 70 Amsterdamwwwcafekostverlorennl
ZestZest is fi ne food warm atmosphere and classy drinks with regular semi-acoustic (live) music and DJs (Thursday to Sunday) Amsterdamrsquos newest and freshestBilderdijkstraat 188 Amsterdamwwwfacebookcomclubzestnl
GollemGollemrsquos Proefl okaal Gollem and Gollem II represent the best addresses serving the fullest range of top Belgian Dutch and international beers in AmsterdamOvertoom 160-161wwwcafegollemnl
IncantoA restaurant with a classic Italian kitchen Venetian chef Simone Ambrosin is known for his pure and simple style of cooking with great feeling for nuanceAmstel 2 Amsterdamwwwrestaurant-incantonl
Planet RoseThe fi rst Caribbean restaurant in the Netherlands specialised in Jamaican cuisine The menu features a daily changing selectionNicolaas Beetsstraat 47 Amsterdamwwwplanetroseinfo
Cafe restaurant EdelCafe restaurant Edel is the perfect place for lunch dinner or to simply enjoy a drink Edel is a unique place in AmsterdamPostjesweg 1 1057 DT Amsterdamwwwedelamsterdamnl
Cafeacute OportoCafeacute Oporto is a traditional Amsterdam lsquobrown cafersquo Welcoming tourists and regular customers alike they offer televised sports wifi and a wide range of reasonably priced beers and spiritsZoutsteeg 1 1012 LX Amsterdamwwwcafeoportonet
BaxA cosy and friendly local cafeacute with a focus on special or interesting beers and good quality food Open 7 days a week with a professional kitchen offering a lunch and dinner serviceTen Katestraat 119 Amsterdamwwwcafebaxnl
To be seen and tasted Fun Drinking amp Music
To Be Seen and Tasted
Fun Drinking amp Music
Fun Drinking amp Music
Connoisseurs Delight
Connoisseurs Delight
Connoisseurs Delight
To Be Seen and Tasted
Neighbourhood cosy
Fun drinking and music
ParckGreat fun beautiful people and simply the best bar food in townOvertoom 428 Amsterdamwwwcafeparcknl
To be seen and tasted
Cafe de Toog1890rsquos grandeur fashioned into Amsterdam-West grand brown cafe-restaurant-cool Classy drinks and mealsNicolaas Beetsstraat 142 hs Amsterdam wwwcafedetoogcom
Opera Prima - Patisserie Bistro TraiteurThe best place in town for lunch exquisite high teas or brunches and all of your luxury catering both private and corporateKinkerstraat 228 Amsterdamwwwoperaprimanl
Recommended
81
Where is this inAmsterdamAnswer to sentinelpostgmailcom
82spotted
Room 2cfilm
ldquoCome on in boys the waterrsquos finerdquo This is arguably the best all-round and funny musical to come out of Hollywood in a generation and certainly one of the best three soundtracks of the same period George Clooney will never be as good or charming as he is here playing the accidental leader of a trio of chain gang escapees in the US south of the 1930s Spirituality meets the Ku Klux Klan all coloured by Virginia bluegrass
ldquoCall me Snakerdquo The coolest handle for a leading man (Kurt Russell) in any movie to date Here he is sent in on a heroic lsquoat all costrsquo one-man mission to rescue the president of the United States from the prison island Manhattan has become in a lsquofuturersquo representation of 1997 Air Force One has crashed there and the countdown is on Classic 1980s turn of the millennium dystopian vision with style pace and gadgetry
By dpmotions
By dpmotions
o Brother Where Art Thou (2000)
escape from new York (1981)
room2c83
84trends
lsquoTrends are great to join and surf like a once in a lifetime tsunamirsquo
By Dirkje Bakker-Pierre
Each and every micro-world has its own specific trends Take the fashion world for example where one day you have to wear high heels and round noses and the next itrsquos flat hairy elephant feet-like boots that must hug your feet Or take the automotive world where once upon a time you could never have enough chrome on your car or the food world where we have quietly moved from fast to green and wholesome or the TV world which used to be about fiction and is now more real than reality Some of these trends are great to join and surf like a once in a lifetime tsunami others can slip by unnoticed and others still keep bugging and bugging you even if you try to avoid them like the plague
The online world and specifically the social media universe eats through trends like a fat chick after a hunger strike Facebook in particular seems to move seamlessly from one hype to the next one day itrsquos pictures with fuzzy edges or a bit of a 1970s filter the next itrsquos a profile picture with you very consciously not looking into the camera (very spontaneously and naturally non-posing you might say) These are mostly harmless things if Irsquom honest and when everyone
stops liking them they fade away as quickly as the sun in our small wet country There is one trend however that has festered within Facebook from the very beginning and which seems to be gradually growing and growing without anyone ever liking the postshellip and I mean EVER
Yes I am talking about daily quotes words of wisdom holy quotes mesmerizingly philosophical quotes cheesy quotes religious quoteshellip How can I describe all of them in one easy sentence pieces of text from (famous) people (it can never be something you thought of yourself) that lsquodisclosersquo previously secret information about being happy in life (or at least previously secret to the person doing the posting I presume) In short texts that belong on tiles hanging on the wall in old Dutch peoplersquos toilets
Why
Here are a few I found in my news feed this week
ldquoA mind is like a parachute It doesnrsquot work if it is not openrdquo ndash Frank Zappa
ldquoIt is not because things are difficult that we do not dare it is because we do not dare that things are difficultrdquo ndash Seneca
ldquoIf you donrsquot take what you are doing seriously then nobody else willrdquo ndash Darryl Dlt Thomson
Bad trends would be good if they werenrsquot so bad
85trends
86classifi eds
87classifieds
One of my personal favourite gemstones is moonstone Itlsquos been around for centuries and is used in many cultures As suggested by its name the stone is highly associated with the moon and moon goddess Diana It brings calm peace and love and is said to become more powerful when the moon is full so thatlsquos the best time to wear it One proverb even claims that moonstone can bring you love that will fly you to the moon Spiritually this amazing stone is said to enhance intuition and is always associated with the self It is a very powerful personal stone which doesnlsquot add or remove any aspects of the personality but merely reflects the person wearing it It is said to be very
MoonstoneBy Evelina Kvartunaite
ndash
lsquoThe stone is highly associated with the moon and moon goddess Dianarsquo
ndash
helpful for people who are very sensitive and it is also used in meditation for reflecting oneself Itlsquos always best to charge your gem when the moon is shining at night either while wearing it or by leaving it on a windowsill that receives moonlight Moonstone is also used in healing and is known for balancing the internal organ systems enabling them to work in stable cycles Itlsquos usually more associated with women but is also known to help men embrace their more emotional side soft creative energies and optimism Perhaps understandably moonstone should have limited exposure to strong direct sunlight
ndash
lsquoIt is said to be very helpful for people who are very sensitiversquo
ndash
88
health amp well-being
ndash
lsquoMore associated with women but is also known to help men embrace their more emotional sidersquo
ndash
89health amp well-being
In his article Batin shows how learning how to use complex products is like learning a computer game Just like the challenges in video games match the skills of the user so should TV interactions or any UI interactions for that matter For reference Batin used the four levels described in the Dreyfus model of skill acquisition
Level 1 novicebullRigid adherence to taught rules or plansbullNo exercise of lsquodiscretionary judgmentrsquo
Level 2 Advanced beginnerbullLimited lsquosituational perceptionrsquobullAll aspects of work treated separately with equal importance
Philip Batin wrote an article a couple of months ago about the next big idea in User Interaction gadgets that adapt to your skills As gadgets become more complicated UIs must be able to teach their users over time Apparently more and more interactive products are being returned In 2002 48 of all returned products were technically fully functional but were rejected for failing to satisfy user needs 20 purely due to customer remorse Even though a product may have all the features one can hope for complexity and bad user experience can prevent users from integrating it into their lives
UserInterfaceThe next big thing in UX
lsquoUIs must be able to teach their users over timersquo
By Andrei Barburas
lsquoComplexity and bad user experience can prevent users from
integrating it into their livesrsquo
90
technology
book the majority of which you probably skipped through
Personally I believe that there are certain end users most likely the majority that use only a limited set of features from any device they buy Mobile phones have become indispensable tools in our daily activities yet the average Joe has no idea about the full potential of a smart phone The same applies to Smart TVs they can do lots of things yet the only thing that we do with them is flip channels and complain how bad the shows are
The bottom line is that itrsquos definitely something worth thinking about not only from an operating system perspective but also from the perspective of applications developers
Level 3 competentbulllsquoCoping with crowdednessrsquo (multiple activities accumulation of information)bullSome perception of actions in relation to goalsbullDeliberate planningbullFormulates routines
Level 4 ProficientbullHolistic view of situationbullPrioritizes importance of aspectsbulllsquoPerceives deviations from the normal patternrsquobullEmploys maxim for guidance with meanings that adapt to the situation at hand
Now just imagine a User Interface that adapts based on what you can do and the abilities you have As you learn new things new levels of complexity are unlocked opening the door to fully knowing your device because you learned by doing and not by reading a complicated
lsquoThe average Joe has no idea about the full potential of a
smart phonersquo
91technology
92classifi eds
93classifi eds
Not knowing what was happening in football was extremely annoying to put it mildly and it wasnrsquot just my own self-denial and avoidance of all things football that was a hindrance the extent to which I had to ask others to go in order to remain ignorant was much more excruciating than Irsquod ever imagined There may even be some damage done to football-related friendships that is irreparable I now feel as though Irsquom walking through an empty stadium after everyone else has gone home
So what now and where to next The season is well and truly over and Irsquom free to do whatever I want I could read the back-dated sports pages check all the stats and find out all the facts if I wanted to I could spend hours catching up on last season and speculating on the next with the friends Irsquove still got left down the pub if I wanted to I can follow all the transfer gossip watch pre-season friendlies and build up all my hopes But as with most addictions that would simply be falling back into a previous state of dependence and everything Irsquove just put myself through wouldrsquove been for nothing So how do I go back to an old habit without a total relapse or would it be better to keep abstaining
All my questions seem to be met with other questions and no solutions On the other hand if you ask me what
Someone once said that insanity is when you keep repeating the same behaviour and expect a different outcome most likely a psychologist aimed at his or her ailing patients But for me these words are more reminiscent of my own conduct over the course of a regular football season Week in week out season after season I would expect Tottenham to win something and more often than not Irsquod be left disappointed So I decided to stop No more football ndash at least not for one full season
The season 201213 is now over and during the whole nine months I didnrsquot watch a single moment of football or read a single article on the subject That was my challenge and I was committed to it What is more despite all the warning signs I didnrsquot relapse After a year of structured punishment I didnrsquot have a clue about what was going on in the English Premier League (or any other league) Only having picked up bits and pieces of information that somehow slipped through the net the past season was like a book with most of its pages missing
By Simon Joseph
On The Volley
The Return of the Repressed or the Point of No Return
lsquoInsanity is when you keep repeating the same behaviour and expect a different outcomersquo
sport
lsquoThe past season was like a book with most of its pages missingrsquo
94
lsquoThere may even be some damage done to football-related friendshipsrsquo
lsquoHas abstaining for a season changed mersquo
it until the cows come home but it was us who made those changes or at least allowed them to happen and those changes will continue to happen with or without me Perhaps then the questions I should be asking are has abstaining for a season changed me Am I still obsessed or have I broken the habit of a lifetime Is following football really that terrible or even a real addiction
One thing is certain this lack of resolution is not completely without satisfaction because like all forms of fixation or obsession therersquos comfort and familiarity to be found in repetition as Tottenham miss out on Championrsquos League football by a single point again The repressed will always return to haunt us or so it seems and before we know it the start of next season will be upon us There will be more pain no doubt and more joy This time however it will take more than a boot camp approach to keep me away and who knows Tottenham might even win the league Come on you Spurs
Tottenham Hotspur means I would still tell you that itrsquos not just a pretty football package itrsquos about kith and kin not just where I came from but how I relate to others around me in the here and now Whatrsquos more millions of people are attracted to football they hunger for it and yearn to connect with it even though I still believe itrsquos a form of ineffective escape from one unsatisfying reality to another Following football is a classic example of cognitive dissonance ndash when you simultaneously entertain two opposing thoughts that appear to cancel each other out Before the start of each season for example we all want our club to win everything or to be taken over by billionaires but know that itrsquos impossible or in the latter case controversial and even undesirable So we invent ways to cope We develop a so-called lsquosiege mentalityrsquo or other harmful patterns of behaviour to relieve the discomfort of incongruity With this in mind the past year was supposed to be an exercise in behaviour modification ndash to discover the root of the problem and treat it effectively But one year on have I really discovered anything at all
The English Premier League whether you watch it or not is still probably the most exciting football league in the world We can complain about the changes made to
sport9
5
By Denson Pierre
The Gold Room
Fantasy Football Gold ndash Champions League 2012-2013 winner Denson Pierre and his prizes
The season petered out in an all-German Champions League Final which did nothing to dispel the record that this was a season of too few new stars or regular spectacle We look forward to the next season as it ought not be too difficult to create more excitement than in the one just pastWe did have the opportunity to hand over the envelopes and trophies to the Sentinel Fantasy Football game winners This year all the major winners from the Sentinel Fantasy Football League were unable to be present for the physical prize giving but the winner of the Gold Game and focus of this column was there to receive his prize for winning the master game in styleSo we retire the Gold Room until the beginning of the new football season See you all again then
96
sport
Matt Parker receives his third place and Manager of the Month prizes for the Sentinel Fantasy Football League
Charles Conneely Sentinel Fantasy Football League 2012-2013 Champion
97sport
wwwczechtourismcom
CZECH REPUBLIC - STUNNINGLY DIFFERENT
98
classifi eds
perspectives4
8
perspectives4
9
For complete and world class tours of Prague
Packages includebull Hidden and playful Prague (for families with young children)bull Literary Praguebull Prague Architecture through the agesbull Religion and the citybull The old city at night
These are detailed tours designed for visitors who wish to explore with great detail and not suitable for simply sight-seeing tourists
Day segments and ratesPR 0800-1230hrs AG 1330-1630hrs UE 1730-2130hrsAll sessions are priced at u 25 per single adult Group size upper limit = 8 Accompanied children under the age of five are gratis and school aged children pay 25 Family package rates are negotiable
ContactJaroslav Cernosek+420 602 228 797Mail jcernosekcentrumcz
wwwyourtuliptourcom
JC Tours
50classifieds
51classifieds
CafeacuteBar Review Van Mechelen
cafebar review52
Van MechelenSloterkade 96-97 Amsterdam
It may be the new hype in the city as far as grand cafeacute and restaurant concepts go but Van Mechelen is already approaching excellence Considering its handy location in another pretty neighbourhood of Amsterdam South it is almost a lsquomust visitrsquo place that has created a theme built on the Burgundian enjoyment of life good food complemented with top-class beer and wine If you want a taste of what it feels like to visit a cafeacute-restaurant in Mechelen Belgium Van Mechelen is an easy way for an Amsterdammer to savour this experience and is just a short cycle ride away
ambianceBurgundian Rating 5
StaffregularsMembers of staff are clearly very well trained and this adds to the light and airy atmosphere Having opened for business just three months ago those who have fallen in love with the place and its consumables have not yet had time to clock up the number of visits and connections to be considered lsquoregularsrsquo Rating 5
televised sportNo space within the design and layout for this form of distraction Rating 3
PricesSurprisingly these are within the lsquonormalrsquo range for this level and quality of fare Outstandingly fairly priced snacks and nibbles are also offered to help you along as you take on the fine (Mechelen brewery group Alken-Maes) beers and wines When did you last enjoy a generous portion of fresh olives for a mere euro250 Rating 5
MusicAt the time of review the establishment was fairly packed out The atmosphere is conducive to chats and hilarity and although the selection of tunes could be heard far in the background the sound system may well have more kick It should as the building is of such a solid constitution that it should contain noise and not easily upset the neighbours Rating 5
Smoking area provisionFortunately for puffers the originally industrial nature of the address means that the former loading bay and entranceexit areas have become two naturally covered terrace areas separated from the luscious interior by huge glass-panelled doors Rating 5
total rating 2830(Rating from 1-5 where 1 = Very poor and 5 = Excellent)
By Denson Pierre
lsquoThe new hype in the city as far as grand cafeacute and restaurant concepts gorsquo
cafebar review53
lsquoMembers of staff are clearly very well trainedrsquo
cafebar review54
cafebar review55
lsquoOutstandingly fairly priced snacks and nibbles are also offeredrsquo
cafebar review56
cafebar review57
lsquoThe atmosphere is conducive to chats and hilarityrsquo
cafebar review58
cafebar review59
scamsterdam
lifestyles60
By Valeria Scimia
Unemployed international and looking for a job in the Netherlands Not only must you face the everyday hell that is job-seeking but now you must also beware of scam companies Yes theyrsquove arrived here too
I was recently contacted by an ostensibly legitimate company that wanted to hire me The contact took the form of what appeared to be a genuine e-mail complete with website and logo from a company in Australia that seemed absolutely legitimate (I have since contacted the company to warn them that someone overseas is using their name and logo to scam people) The e-mail explained that the company was opening an office in Holland and was looking for people who would handle the back-office orders It contained a form to be filled in and returned if I was interested in the position the form asked for all my personal information including my bank details I had been looking for a job and was interested in the offer so I filled in and sent off the form and my CV Once they received my e-mail they asked me to start a trial period without practically explaining anything of what the job was actually about I didnrsquot immediately reply so they called me the next day asking me to start immediately with the trial period promising lots of benefits once the contract was signed I hadnrsquot met anyone at this point only telephone interviews and that already didnrsquot seem right to me I asked them to send me more information by e-mail about what I was meant to do and a few moments later I received a response asking me to make a bank transfer to show them I was trustworthy The lsquotrialrsquo implied that they would send me some money and I had to transfer half via GWK or MoneyTransfer to one of their clients and keep the other half This smelled very fishy to the Italian in me In reality they could be sending a cheque to the bank which would register an income that would later bounce after I had already made the payment to their lsquoclientrsquo On top of losing money the person that tried to lsquohirersquo meyou
would have been untraceable No one was even picking up the phone at the number given in the e-mail and the company they claimed to represent wasnrsquot even active in Europe
So I said no and told them I was no longer interested They even had the gumption to call me back and ask me why I wouldnrsquot do it I gave them a silly excuse so as not to give them any more information or tips on how to improve their scummy scam I am happy I started checking their contacts as soon as their promises seemed too good to be true even if I am still angry I allowed them to data-mine all of my information when I sent them my CV and filled in their form
It beggars belief that they set up an entire facade in these times of work despair and it really doesnrsquot feel right especially because therersquos not much I can do about it now apart from inform people I didnrsquot think this would ever happen here in this country where everything has to be or always seems to be so legitimate But I guess some things never change and a place doesnrsquot make the people and certainly doesnrsquot influence the choices they make I just wanted to share my experience to alert everyone to the possible scam If a company contacts you and asks you to return a form including your bank details when you have never met anyone face-to-face it should make your antennas extend and remember to double-check their credibility Apparently it is illegal to ask such questions of someone here so donrsquot fall for it as I did As I am still waiting to hear from the company in Australia I didnrsquot feel it was proper to disclose its name publicly just yet plus I am not sure the scammers always use the same company as a fake front But what they ask you to do is more or less always the same so keep your eyes open to the little details
lsquoYou face the everyday hell that is job-seeking but now you must also beware of scam companiesrsquo
lsquoThis smelled very fishy to the Italian in mersquo
lsquoThe form asked for all my personal informationrsquo
lifestyles6
1
Je moet er geweest zijn
62classifieds
MechelenAuthentic and full of surprises Thatrsquos Mechelen Hospitable and honourable Thatrsquos the people of Mechelen Come and experience the cityrsquos urban charms for yourself Mechelen
Authentic and full of surprises Thatrsquos Mechelen Hospitable and honourable Thatrsquos the people of Mechelen Come and experience the cityrsquos urban charms for yourself
photography copy Milo Profi
classifieds63
classifieds
How to hang out in
Amsterdam
By ER Muntrem
perspectives
It is not against the rules for babies to cry in cafeacutes It happens Mostly they sleep or sit in someonersquos lap with commendable decorum Otherwise kids in cafeacutes tend to nosh a little less than their elders and handle crayons a little more And while anyone who toddles behind the bar will certainly get caught they can always claim they were encouraged to toddle there in the first place
Dutch parents and I realise this is hard to prove seem to let their kids wander a metre or two further away from them than parents from other developed countries that universal ldquowhere is sherdquo look delayed five or ten seconds If this extra distance is a sign of perceived safety cafeacute culture must help teach it
Except for chefs all cafeacute workers do more or less all the jobs required to run a cafeacute They all wait on tables
serve hot and cold drinks set up outdoor furniture load and retrieve supplies take the garbage out wash glasses light candles arrange flowers unfurl the awning and ring up the bill When the young guy or girl greets you you may know they are not the owner but for the moment they are the face of the establishment It may as well be their place
Admittedly I am seduced by places where waiters donrsquot work for tips where the rushed pace of eating in a restaurant in America does not exist In a cafeacute you can do what you want for as long as you want and get food and drink while you do it Pretty cool and as much a baseline for how to hang out in Amsterdam as cycling is for how to get around
Places to eat and drink owned by corporations have to package experience to deliver it Whatrsquos our brand How can our managers and servers be most efficient How ultimately can we be number one Not something most cafeacutes seem to be worried about and where the universal signs for lsquowe are having a good time togetherrsquo
lsquoCafeacute culture must help teachrsquo lsquoI am seduced by places where waiters donrsquot work for tipsrsquo
64
perspectives
or lsquoI am happy here by myselfrsquo (clinked glasses or absorption in a newspaper say) are routinely in evidence This is one true grace of democracy the average worth smiling about
At cafeacutes co-workers have a beer before or after their shift friends drop by or a regular pops in with some news The stream of customers they donrsquot have to woo and donrsquot have to lsquoworkrsquo gives the whole thing a slightly familial living room perfectly public feel that makes the work far less of a personality crimp than working at Starbucks Or so it seems I do not mean to pretend carrying drinks across the street to the canal side seating or giving obvious directions yet again is always glorious but most people who work in cafeacutersquos laugh and smile a fair bit almost as much as the patrons
And when the owner of a cafeacute is of a generation older than those working there as is usually the case it lends a wise uncle or mother hen feel to the proceedings In the daytime no one is ever too caught up in his or her designated title to ignore a baby on the move And at
night the crowd of drinkers may as well be at a party hosted by their parents or kids or both
Itrsquos not all about money cafeacute culture churns towards the civilised without grinding anyone too far down As well as pleasure there is power in this The best distillation I know of what democracy should be came from a young woman working at Cafeacute Captein With our meal in front of us my friend noticed he was missing his salad Flagged down the young woman went to investigate ldquoItrsquos on its wayrdquo she said ldquoI told my boss to do itrdquo
Imagine we told Putin to do it We told Obama to do it We told the bankers to do it
lsquoMost people who work in cafeacutersquos laugh and smile a fair bitrsquo
lsquoCafeacute culture churns towards the civilised without grinding anyone too far downrsquo
65
66
featurecity gem
lsquoThe last of the large independent music stores left standing in Amsterdamrsquo
CITY GEM
67
Concerto
By Denson Pierre
ConcertoUtrechtsestraat 60 1017 VP Amsterdam
it is a rush when on a full stomach you can make an instant decision on where your next city-centre lunch will be taken it is almost ecstasy when the venue is situated in a music shop which for decades has been defined by its exceptional range and quality of music available in amsterdam Concerto is the last of the large independent music stores left standing in amsterdam all the others have long since been killed off by everything from the advance in recording and playback technologies to habitual illegal downloaders only now realising that their behaviour has an impact right back down to street level despite what they might think about the giant studios and recording companies
Concerto has not stuck but has twisted Since September it has incorporated a cute cafeacute
and lunch area within its premises as well as introducing a bookshop and lounge area making it possible to spend an almost nostalgic time there over several hours It still has a vast range of the very best music in vinyl (both new and second-hand) and CD form DVDs DJ equipment and even gear used for live musical performances Itrsquos a gold mine
If it has taken this clever adaptation in space utilisation to keep this institution viable and available to Amsterdam-based music lovers then I personally wish to support this venture and help mean this type of music retailer to remain part of the city scene For people of a certain age there is something infinitely more appealing about physically handling recorded material appreciating the artwork in its packaging having a listen and then deciding if it is a purchase you would like to make Even though non-digital stockpiling has become rather passeacute I challenge you to visit Concerto and its new cafeacute and bookshop concept and not end up spending more time in this true city gem than you had anticipated
lsquoIt has incorporated a cute cafeacute and lunch area within its premises as well as introducing a bookshop and lounge arearsquo
city gem
68
city gem
69city gem
city gem70
city gem71
72city gem
lsquoThere is something infinitely more appealing about physically
handling recorded material appreciating the artwork in its
packagingrsquo
73city gem
74classifi eds
75classifi eds
classifi edsclassifi eds76
amsterdam city life
BrinG BaCK
Something that seems to have been watered down considerably in Amsterdamrsquos hospitality industry in recent years is independence of thought styling and designAll you have to do is walk around the city to note that way too many coffeesoup houses and cafeacutes are more or less identikit This also applies to many cafeacutes with unimaginative business leaders who open unoriginal looking spaces and hope that the use of white paint purple or blue lights and house music is all it takes
Luckily there is something brewing to save our days and nights I have come across cafeacute owners who are now seriously considering ending the arrangements they have with the giant drink suppliers There are actually no good arguments left for continuing with these huge multinationals as they are frankly more expensive at wholesale for the same A-class products than the supermarkets on every Amsterdammerrsquos street corner
It looks like space is being created for the smaller brewers to take up the supply of A-class beer to smaller establishments throughout the city The giants can keep their character-free tourist traps and those bars still able to benefit purely from their unbeatable locations throughout the city
The Sentinel says bring back better and more original businesses of scale within the local hospitality industry which will help more cafeacutes and bars not only to become distinguishable by the interior designs they will need to conjure but also through the variety of local and regional beers that could become part of their coherent identity The overriding benefit of such courageous thinking and action would be an immediate return to realistic and reasonable pricing for A-class beer in Amsterdam which remains the staple of the easy consumables as this recession drones on
By Denson Pierre
INDEPENDENT CAFeacuteSBARS
77
78star beer guide
Star Beer
The SentinelStar beer guide
lsquoDifferent beers can seem to weigh on the conscience as much as on the taste budsrsquo
Just like the changing of the seasons different beers can seem to weigh on the conscience as much as on the taste buds Ciney blond is a lovely almost effeminate tasting beer All light smooth fruitiness bolstered by substantial alcohol content
As the temperature increases it can even feel like a thirst quencher A nice session beer and one that could function as an entrance-level quality beer in terms of its complexity For advanced samplers it is a great lower platform to descend to after cruising the space occupied by the 8-plus percentage alcoholic beauties
Ciney blond is brewed by Alken-Maes Mechelen Belgium
By Denson Pierre
CINEY BLOND (7 ABV)
79star beer guide
We find the best most fun most typical exciting or local favourite restaurants etcetera in Amsterdam and bring them to you an easy way to feel like a local
Cafe Kostverloren 040606
Recommended
80recommended
EUROGIFTSXenonweg 9 3812 SZ Amersfoort
Tel 033 - 454 35 75 - Fax 033 - 454 35 79E-mail lmproefeurogiftsnl
Website wwweurogiftsnl
FILMPROEF
ORDERNUMMER 6021022ARTIKELNUMMER 65123
Ware grootte (indien uitgeprint)Kleur opdruk Wit
Mulligans Irish Music BarAmsterdamrsquos best address for live Irish music Five (5) nights a week Check our agenda for upcoming sessions Amstel 100 1017 AC Amsterdamwwwmulligansnl
Cafeacute KostverlorenCafeacute Kostverloren is a contemporary cafe offering the cosiness of a saloon an open kitchen and the intimacy of a living room The large terras is great for sunny days2e Kostverlorenkade 70 Amsterdamwwwcafekostverlorennl
ZestZest is fi ne food warm atmosphere and classy drinks with regular semi-acoustic (live) music and DJs (Thursday to Sunday) Amsterdamrsquos newest and freshestBilderdijkstraat 188 Amsterdamwwwfacebookcomclubzestnl
GollemGollemrsquos Proefl okaal Gollem and Gollem II represent the best addresses serving the fullest range of top Belgian Dutch and international beers in AmsterdamOvertoom 160-161wwwcafegollemnl
IncantoA restaurant with a classic Italian kitchen Venetian chef Simone Ambrosin is known for his pure and simple style of cooking with great feeling for nuanceAmstel 2 Amsterdamwwwrestaurant-incantonl
Planet RoseThe fi rst Caribbean restaurant in the Netherlands specialised in Jamaican cuisine The menu features a daily changing selectionNicolaas Beetsstraat 47 Amsterdamwwwplanetroseinfo
Cafe restaurant EdelCafe restaurant Edel is the perfect place for lunch dinner or to simply enjoy a drink Edel is a unique place in AmsterdamPostjesweg 1 1057 DT Amsterdamwwwedelamsterdamnl
Cafeacute OportoCafeacute Oporto is a traditional Amsterdam lsquobrown cafersquo Welcoming tourists and regular customers alike they offer televised sports wifi and a wide range of reasonably priced beers and spiritsZoutsteeg 1 1012 LX Amsterdamwwwcafeoportonet
BaxA cosy and friendly local cafeacute with a focus on special or interesting beers and good quality food Open 7 days a week with a professional kitchen offering a lunch and dinner serviceTen Katestraat 119 Amsterdamwwwcafebaxnl
To be seen and tasted Fun Drinking amp Music
To Be Seen and Tasted
Fun Drinking amp Music
Fun Drinking amp Music
Connoisseurs Delight
Connoisseurs Delight
Connoisseurs Delight
To Be Seen and Tasted
Neighbourhood cosy
Fun drinking and music
ParckGreat fun beautiful people and simply the best bar food in townOvertoom 428 Amsterdamwwwcafeparcknl
To be seen and tasted
Cafe de Toog1890rsquos grandeur fashioned into Amsterdam-West grand brown cafe-restaurant-cool Classy drinks and mealsNicolaas Beetsstraat 142 hs Amsterdam wwwcafedetoogcom
Opera Prima - Patisserie Bistro TraiteurThe best place in town for lunch exquisite high teas or brunches and all of your luxury catering both private and corporateKinkerstraat 228 Amsterdamwwwoperaprimanl
Recommended
81
Where is this inAmsterdamAnswer to sentinelpostgmailcom
82spotted
Room 2cfilm
ldquoCome on in boys the waterrsquos finerdquo This is arguably the best all-round and funny musical to come out of Hollywood in a generation and certainly one of the best three soundtracks of the same period George Clooney will never be as good or charming as he is here playing the accidental leader of a trio of chain gang escapees in the US south of the 1930s Spirituality meets the Ku Klux Klan all coloured by Virginia bluegrass
ldquoCall me Snakerdquo The coolest handle for a leading man (Kurt Russell) in any movie to date Here he is sent in on a heroic lsquoat all costrsquo one-man mission to rescue the president of the United States from the prison island Manhattan has become in a lsquofuturersquo representation of 1997 Air Force One has crashed there and the countdown is on Classic 1980s turn of the millennium dystopian vision with style pace and gadgetry
By dpmotions
By dpmotions
o Brother Where Art Thou (2000)
escape from new York (1981)
room2c83
84trends
lsquoTrends are great to join and surf like a once in a lifetime tsunamirsquo
By Dirkje Bakker-Pierre
Each and every micro-world has its own specific trends Take the fashion world for example where one day you have to wear high heels and round noses and the next itrsquos flat hairy elephant feet-like boots that must hug your feet Or take the automotive world where once upon a time you could never have enough chrome on your car or the food world where we have quietly moved from fast to green and wholesome or the TV world which used to be about fiction and is now more real than reality Some of these trends are great to join and surf like a once in a lifetime tsunami others can slip by unnoticed and others still keep bugging and bugging you even if you try to avoid them like the plague
The online world and specifically the social media universe eats through trends like a fat chick after a hunger strike Facebook in particular seems to move seamlessly from one hype to the next one day itrsquos pictures with fuzzy edges or a bit of a 1970s filter the next itrsquos a profile picture with you very consciously not looking into the camera (very spontaneously and naturally non-posing you might say) These are mostly harmless things if Irsquom honest and when everyone
stops liking them they fade away as quickly as the sun in our small wet country There is one trend however that has festered within Facebook from the very beginning and which seems to be gradually growing and growing without anyone ever liking the postshellip and I mean EVER
Yes I am talking about daily quotes words of wisdom holy quotes mesmerizingly philosophical quotes cheesy quotes religious quoteshellip How can I describe all of them in one easy sentence pieces of text from (famous) people (it can never be something you thought of yourself) that lsquodisclosersquo previously secret information about being happy in life (or at least previously secret to the person doing the posting I presume) In short texts that belong on tiles hanging on the wall in old Dutch peoplersquos toilets
Why
Here are a few I found in my news feed this week
ldquoA mind is like a parachute It doesnrsquot work if it is not openrdquo ndash Frank Zappa
ldquoIt is not because things are difficult that we do not dare it is because we do not dare that things are difficultrdquo ndash Seneca
ldquoIf you donrsquot take what you are doing seriously then nobody else willrdquo ndash Darryl Dlt Thomson
Bad trends would be good if they werenrsquot so bad
85trends
86classifi eds
87classifieds
One of my personal favourite gemstones is moonstone Itlsquos been around for centuries and is used in many cultures As suggested by its name the stone is highly associated with the moon and moon goddess Diana It brings calm peace and love and is said to become more powerful when the moon is full so thatlsquos the best time to wear it One proverb even claims that moonstone can bring you love that will fly you to the moon Spiritually this amazing stone is said to enhance intuition and is always associated with the self It is a very powerful personal stone which doesnlsquot add or remove any aspects of the personality but merely reflects the person wearing it It is said to be very
MoonstoneBy Evelina Kvartunaite
ndash
lsquoThe stone is highly associated with the moon and moon goddess Dianarsquo
ndash
helpful for people who are very sensitive and it is also used in meditation for reflecting oneself Itlsquos always best to charge your gem when the moon is shining at night either while wearing it or by leaving it on a windowsill that receives moonlight Moonstone is also used in healing and is known for balancing the internal organ systems enabling them to work in stable cycles Itlsquos usually more associated with women but is also known to help men embrace their more emotional side soft creative energies and optimism Perhaps understandably moonstone should have limited exposure to strong direct sunlight
ndash
lsquoIt is said to be very helpful for people who are very sensitiversquo
ndash
88
health amp well-being
ndash
lsquoMore associated with women but is also known to help men embrace their more emotional sidersquo
ndash
89health amp well-being
In his article Batin shows how learning how to use complex products is like learning a computer game Just like the challenges in video games match the skills of the user so should TV interactions or any UI interactions for that matter For reference Batin used the four levels described in the Dreyfus model of skill acquisition
Level 1 novicebullRigid adherence to taught rules or plansbullNo exercise of lsquodiscretionary judgmentrsquo
Level 2 Advanced beginnerbullLimited lsquosituational perceptionrsquobullAll aspects of work treated separately with equal importance
Philip Batin wrote an article a couple of months ago about the next big idea in User Interaction gadgets that adapt to your skills As gadgets become more complicated UIs must be able to teach their users over time Apparently more and more interactive products are being returned In 2002 48 of all returned products were technically fully functional but were rejected for failing to satisfy user needs 20 purely due to customer remorse Even though a product may have all the features one can hope for complexity and bad user experience can prevent users from integrating it into their lives
UserInterfaceThe next big thing in UX
lsquoUIs must be able to teach their users over timersquo
By Andrei Barburas
lsquoComplexity and bad user experience can prevent users from
integrating it into their livesrsquo
90
technology
book the majority of which you probably skipped through
Personally I believe that there are certain end users most likely the majority that use only a limited set of features from any device they buy Mobile phones have become indispensable tools in our daily activities yet the average Joe has no idea about the full potential of a smart phone The same applies to Smart TVs they can do lots of things yet the only thing that we do with them is flip channels and complain how bad the shows are
The bottom line is that itrsquos definitely something worth thinking about not only from an operating system perspective but also from the perspective of applications developers
Level 3 competentbulllsquoCoping with crowdednessrsquo (multiple activities accumulation of information)bullSome perception of actions in relation to goalsbullDeliberate planningbullFormulates routines
Level 4 ProficientbullHolistic view of situationbullPrioritizes importance of aspectsbulllsquoPerceives deviations from the normal patternrsquobullEmploys maxim for guidance with meanings that adapt to the situation at hand
Now just imagine a User Interface that adapts based on what you can do and the abilities you have As you learn new things new levels of complexity are unlocked opening the door to fully knowing your device because you learned by doing and not by reading a complicated
lsquoThe average Joe has no idea about the full potential of a
smart phonersquo
91technology
92classifi eds
93classifi eds
Not knowing what was happening in football was extremely annoying to put it mildly and it wasnrsquot just my own self-denial and avoidance of all things football that was a hindrance the extent to which I had to ask others to go in order to remain ignorant was much more excruciating than Irsquod ever imagined There may even be some damage done to football-related friendships that is irreparable I now feel as though Irsquom walking through an empty stadium after everyone else has gone home
So what now and where to next The season is well and truly over and Irsquom free to do whatever I want I could read the back-dated sports pages check all the stats and find out all the facts if I wanted to I could spend hours catching up on last season and speculating on the next with the friends Irsquove still got left down the pub if I wanted to I can follow all the transfer gossip watch pre-season friendlies and build up all my hopes But as with most addictions that would simply be falling back into a previous state of dependence and everything Irsquove just put myself through wouldrsquove been for nothing So how do I go back to an old habit without a total relapse or would it be better to keep abstaining
All my questions seem to be met with other questions and no solutions On the other hand if you ask me what
Someone once said that insanity is when you keep repeating the same behaviour and expect a different outcome most likely a psychologist aimed at his or her ailing patients But for me these words are more reminiscent of my own conduct over the course of a regular football season Week in week out season after season I would expect Tottenham to win something and more often than not Irsquod be left disappointed So I decided to stop No more football ndash at least not for one full season
The season 201213 is now over and during the whole nine months I didnrsquot watch a single moment of football or read a single article on the subject That was my challenge and I was committed to it What is more despite all the warning signs I didnrsquot relapse After a year of structured punishment I didnrsquot have a clue about what was going on in the English Premier League (or any other league) Only having picked up bits and pieces of information that somehow slipped through the net the past season was like a book with most of its pages missing
By Simon Joseph
On The Volley
The Return of the Repressed or the Point of No Return
lsquoInsanity is when you keep repeating the same behaviour and expect a different outcomersquo
sport
lsquoThe past season was like a book with most of its pages missingrsquo
94
lsquoThere may even be some damage done to football-related friendshipsrsquo
lsquoHas abstaining for a season changed mersquo
it until the cows come home but it was us who made those changes or at least allowed them to happen and those changes will continue to happen with or without me Perhaps then the questions I should be asking are has abstaining for a season changed me Am I still obsessed or have I broken the habit of a lifetime Is following football really that terrible or even a real addiction
One thing is certain this lack of resolution is not completely without satisfaction because like all forms of fixation or obsession therersquos comfort and familiarity to be found in repetition as Tottenham miss out on Championrsquos League football by a single point again The repressed will always return to haunt us or so it seems and before we know it the start of next season will be upon us There will be more pain no doubt and more joy This time however it will take more than a boot camp approach to keep me away and who knows Tottenham might even win the league Come on you Spurs
Tottenham Hotspur means I would still tell you that itrsquos not just a pretty football package itrsquos about kith and kin not just where I came from but how I relate to others around me in the here and now Whatrsquos more millions of people are attracted to football they hunger for it and yearn to connect with it even though I still believe itrsquos a form of ineffective escape from one unsatisfying reality to another Following football is a classic example of cognitive dissonance ndash when you simultaneously entertain two opposing thoughts that appear to cancel each other out Before the start of each season for example we all want our club to win everything or to be taken over by billionaires but know that itrsquos impossible or in the latter case controversial and even undesirable So we invent ways to cope We develop a so-called lsquosiege mentalityrsquo or other harmful patterns of behaviour to relieve the discomfort of incongruity With this in mind the past year was supposed to be an exercise in behaviour modification ndash to discover the root of the problem and treat it effectively But one year on have I really discovered anything at all
The English Premier League whether you watch it or not is still probably the most exciting football league in the world We can complain about the changes made to
sport9
5
By Denson Pierre
The Gold Room
Fantasy Football Gold ndash Champions League 2012-2013 winner Denson Pierre and his prizes
The season petered out in an all-German Champions League Final which did nothing to dispel the record that this was a season of too few new stars or regular spectacle We look forward to the next season as it ought not be too difficult to create more excitement than in the one just pastWe did have the opportunity to hand over the envelopes and trophies to the Sentinel Fantasy Football game winners This year all the major winners from the Sentinel Fantasy Football League were unable to be present for the physical prize giving but the winner of the Gold Game and focus of this column was there to receive his prize for winning the master game in styleSo we retire the Gold Room until the beginning of the new football season See you all again then
96
sport
Matt Parker receives his third place and Manager of the Month prizes for the Sentinel Fantasy Football League
Charles Conneely Sentinel Fantasy Football League 2012-2013 Champion
97sport
wwwczechtourismcom
CZECH REPUBLIC - STUNNINGLY DIFFERENT
98
classifi eds
perspectives4
9
For complete and world class tours of Prague
Packages includebull Hidden and playful Prague (for families with young children)bull Literary Praguebull Prague Architecture through the agesbull Religion and the citybull The old city at night
These are detailed tours designed for visitors who wish to explore with great detail and not suitable for simply sight-seeing tourists
Day segments and ratesPR 0800-1230hrs AG 1330-1630hrs UE 1730-2130hrsAll sessions are priced at u 25 per single adult Group size upper limit = 8 Accompanied children under the age of five are gratis and school aged children pay 25 Family package rates are negotiable
ContactJaroslav Cernosek+420 602 228 797Mail jcernosekcentrumcz
wwwyourtuliptourcom
JC Tours
50classifieds
51classifieds
CafeacuteBar Review Van Mechelen
cafebar review52
Van MechelenSloterkade 96-97 Amsterdam
It may be the new hype in the city as far as grand cafeacute and restaurant concepts go but Van Mechelen is already approaching excellence Considering its handy location in another pretty neighbourhood of Amsterdam South it is almost a lsquomust visitrsquo place that has created a theme built on the Burgundian enjoyment of life good food complemented with top-class beer and wine If you want a taste of what it feels like to visit a cafeacute-restaurant in Mechelen Belgium Van Mechelen is an easy way for an Amsterdammer to savour this experience and is just a short cycle ride away
ambianceBurgundian Rating 5
StaffregularsMembers of staff are clearly very well trained and this adds to the light and airy atmosphere Having opened for business just three months ago those who have fallen in love with the place and its consumables have not yet had time to clock up the number of visits and connections to be considered lsquoregularsrsquo Rating 5
televised sportNo space within the design and layout for this form of distraction Rating 3
PricesSurprisingly these are within the lsquonormalrsquo range for this level and quality of fare Outstandingly fairly priced snacks and nibbles are also offered to help you along as you take on the fine (Mechelen brewery group Alken-Maes) beers and wines When did you last enjoy a generous portion of fresh olives for a mere euro250 Rating 5
MusicAt the time of review the establishment was fairly packed out The atmosphere is conducive to chats and hilarity and although the selection of tunes could be heard far in the background the sound system may well have more kick It should as the building is of such a solid constitution that it should contain noise and not easily upset the neighbours Rating 5
Smoking area provisionFortunately for puffers the originally industrial nature of the address means that the former loading bay and entranceexit areas have become two naturally covered terrace areas separated from the luscious interior by huge glass-panelled doors Rating 5
total rating 2830(Rating from 1-5 where 1 = Very poor and 5 = Excellent)
By Denson Pierre
lsquoThe new hype in the city as far as grand cafeacute and restaurant concepts gorsquo
cafebar review53
lsquoMembers of staff are clearly very well trainedrsquo
cafebar review54
cafebar review55
lsquoOutstandingly fairly priced snacks and nibbles are also offeredrsquo
cafebar review56
cafebar review57
lsquoThe atmosphere is conducive to chats and hilarityrsquo
cafebar review58
cafebar review59
scamsterdam
lifestyles60
By Valeria Scimia
Unemployed international and looking for a job in the Netherlands Not only must you face the everyday hell that is job-seeking but now you must also beware of scam companies Yes theyrsquove arrived here too
I was recently contacted by an ostensibly legitimate company that wanted to hire me The contact took the form of what appeared to be a genuine e-mail complete with website and logo from a company in Australia that seemed absolutely legitimate (I have since contacted the company to warn them that someone overseas is using their name and logo to scam people) The e-mail explained that the company was opening an office in Holland and was looking for people who would handle the back-office orders It contained a form to be filled in and returned if I was interested in the position the form asked for all my personal information including my bank details I had been looking for a job and was interested in the offer so I filled in and sent off the form and my CV Once they received my e-mail they asked me to start a trial period without practically explaining anything of what the job was actually about I didnrsquot immediately reply so they called me the next day asking me to start immediately with the trial period promising lots of benefits once the contract was signed I hadnrsquot met anyone at this point only telephone interviews and that already didnrsquot seem right to me I asked them to send me more information by e-mail about what I was meant to do and a few moments later I received a response asking me to make a bank transfer to show them I was trustworthy The lsquotrialrsquo implied that they would send me some money and I had to transfer half via GWK or MoneyTransfer to one of their clients and keep the other half This smelled very fishy to the Italian in me In reality they could be sending a cheque to the bank which would register an income that would later bounce after I had already made the payment to their lsquoclientrsquo On top of losing money the person that tried to lsquohirersquo meyou
would have been untraceable No one was even picking up the phone at the number given in the e-mail and the company they claimed to represent wasnrsquot even active in Europe
So I said no and told them I was no longer interested They even had the gumption to call me back and ask me why I wouldnrsquot do it I gave them a silly excuse so as not to give them any more information or tips on how to improve their scummy scam I am happy I started checking their contacts as soon as their promises seemed too good to be true even if I am still angry I allowed them to data-mine all of my information when I sent them my CV and filled in their form
It beggars belief that they set up an entire facade in these times of work despair and it really doesnrsquot feel right especially because therersquos not much I can do about it now apart from inform people I didnrsquot think this would ever happen here in this country where everything has to be or always seems to be so legitimate But I guess some things never change and a place doesnrsquot make the people and certainly doesnrsquot influence the choices they make I just wanted to share my experience to alert everyone to the possible scam If a company contacts you and asks you to return a form including your bank details when you have never met anyone face-to-face it should make your antennas extend and remember to double-check their credibility Apparently it is illegal to ask such questions of someone here so donrsquot fall for it as I did As I am still waiting to hear from the company in Australia I didnrsquot feel it was proper to disclose its name publicly just yet plus I am not sure the scammers always use the same company as a fake front But what they ask you to do is more or less always the same so keep your eyes open to the little details
lsquoYou face the everyday hell that is job-seeking but now you must also beware of scam companiesrsquo
lsquoThis smelled very fishy to the Italian in mersquo
lsquoThe form asked for all my personal informationrsquo
lifestyles6
1
Je moet er geweest zijn
62classifieds
MechelenAuthentic and full of surprises Thatrsquos Mechelen Hospitable and honourable Thatrsquos the people of Mechelen Come and experience the cityrsquos urban charms for yourself Mechelen
Authentic and full of surprises Thatrsquos Mechelen Hospitable and honourable Thatrsquos the people of Mechelen Come and experience the cityrsquos urban charms for yourself
photography copy Milo Profi
classifieds63
classifieds
How to hang out in
Amsterdam
By ER Muntrem
perspectives
It is not against the rules for babies to cry in cafeacutes It happens Mostly they sleep or sit in someonersquos lap with commendable decorum Otherwise kids in cafeacutes tend to nosh a little less than their elders and handle crayons a little more And while anyone who toddles behind the bar will certainly get caught they can always claim they were encouraged to toddle there in the first place
Dutch parents and I realise this is hard to prove seem to let their kids wander a metre or two further away from them than parents from other developed countries that universal ldquowhere is sherdquo look delayed five or ten seconds If this extra distance is a sign of perceived safety cafeacute culture must help teach it
Except for chefs all cafeacute workers do more or less all the jobs required to run a cafeacute They all wait on tables
serve hot and cold drinks set up outdoor furniture load and retrieve supplies take the garbage out wash glasses light candles arrange flowers unfurl the awning and ring up the bill When the young guy or girl greets you you may know they are not the owner but for the moment they are the face of the establishment It may as well be their place
Admittedly I am seduced by places where waiters donrsquot work for tips where the rushed pace of eating in a restaurant in America does not exist In a cafeacute you can do what you want for as long as you want and get food and drink while you do it Pretty cool and as much a baseline for how to hang out in Amsterdam as cycling is for how to get around
Places to eat and drink owned by corporations have to package experience to deliver it Whatrsquos our brand How can our managers and servers be most efficient How ultimately can we be number one Not something most cafeacutes seem to be worried about and where the universal signs for lsquowe are having a good time togetherrsquo
lsquoCafeacute culture must help teachrsquo lsquoI am seduced by places where waiters donrsquot work for tipsrsquo
64
perspectives
or lsquoI am happy here by myselfrsquo (clinked glasses or absorption in a newspaper say) are routinely in evidence This is one true grace of democracy the average worth smiling about
At cafeacutes co-workers have a beer before or after their shift friends drop by or a regular pops in with some news The stream of customers they donrsquot have to woo and donrsquot have to lsquoworkrsquo gives the whole thing a slightly familial living room perfectly public feel that makes the work far less of a personality crimp than working at Starbucks Or so it seems I do not mean to pretend carrying drinks across the street to the canal side seating or giving obvious directions yet again is always glorious but most people who work in cafeacutersquos laugh and smile a fair bit almost as much as the patrons
And when the owner of a cafeacute is of a generation older than those working there as is usually the case it lends a wise uncle or mother hen feel to the proceedings In the daytime no one is ever too caught up in his or her designated title to ignore a baby on the move And at
night the crowd of drinkers may as well be at a party hosted by their parents or kids or both
Itrsquos not all about money cafeacute culture churns towards the civilised without grinding anyone too far down As well as pleasure there is power in this The best distillation I know of what democracy should be came from a young woman working at Cafeacute Captein With our meal in front of us my friend noticed he was missing his salad Flagged down the young woman went to investigate ldquoItrsquos on its wayrdquo she said ldquoI told my boss to do itrdquo
Imagine we told Putin to do it We told Obama to do it We told the bankers to do it
lsquoMost people who work in cafeacutersquos laugh and smile a fair bitrsquo
lsquoCafeacute culture churns towards the civilised without grinding anyone too far downrsquo
65
66
featurecity gem
lsquoThe last of the large independent music stores left standing in Amsterdamrsquo
CITY GEM
67
Concerto
By Denson Pierre
ConcertoUtrechtsestraat 60 1017 VP Amsterdam
it is a rush when on a full stomach you can make an instant decision on where your next city-centre lunch will be taken it is almost ecstasy when the venue is situated in a music shop which for decades has been defined by its exceptional range and quality of music available in amsterdam Concerto is the last of the large independent music stores left standing in amsterdam all the others have long since been killed off by everything from the advance in recording and playback technologies to habitual illegal downloaders only now realising that their behaviour has an impact right back down to street level despite what they might think about the giant studios and recording companies
Concerto has not stuck but has twisted Since September it has incorporated a cute cafeacute
and lunch area within its premises as well as introducing a bookshop and lounge area making it possible to spend an almost nostalgic time there over several hours It still has a vast range of the very best music in vinyl (both new and second-hand) and CD form DVDs DJ equipment and even gear used for live musical performances Itrsquos a gold mine
If it has taken this clever adaptation in space utilisation to keep this institution viable and available to Amsterdam-based music lovers then I personally wish to support this venture and help mean this type of music retailer to remain part of the city scene For people of a certain age there is something infinitely more appealing about physically handling recorded material appreciating the artwork in its packaging having a listen and then deciding if it is a purchase you would like to make Even though non-digital stockpiling has become rather passeacute I challenge you to visit Concerto and its new cafeacute and bookshop concept and not end up spending more time in this true city gem than you had anticipated
lsquoIt has incorporated a cute cafeacute and lunch area within its premises as well as introducing a bookshop and lounge arearsquo
city gem
68
city gem
69city gem
city gem70
city gem71
72city gem
lsquoThere is something infinitely more appealing about physically
handling recorded material appreciating the artwork in its
packagingrsquo
73city gem
74classifi eds
75classifi eds
classifi edsclassifi eds76
amsterdam city life
BrinG BaCK
Something that seems to have been watered down considerably in Amsterdamrsquos hospitality industry in recent years is independence of thought styling and designAll you have to do is walk around the city to note that way too many coffeesoup houses and cafeacutes are more or less identikit This also applies to many cafeacutes with unimaginative business leaders who open unoriginal looking spaces and hope that the use of white paint purple or blue lights and house music is all it takes
Luckily there is something brewing to save our days and nights I have come across cafeacute owners who are now seriously considering ending the arrangements they have with the giant drink suppliers There are actually no good arguments left for continuing with these huge multinationals as they are frankly more expensive at wholesale for the same A-class products than the supermarkets on every Amsterdammerrsquos street corner
It looks like space is being created for the smaller brewers to take up the supply of A-class beer to smaller establishments throughout the city The giants can keep their character-free tourist traps and those bars still able to benefit purely from their unbeatable locations throughout the city
The Sentinel says bring back better and more original businesses of scale within the local hospitality industry which will help more cafeacutes and bars not only to become distinguishable by the interior designs they will need to conjure but also through the variety of local and regional beers that could become part of their coherent identity The overriding benefit of such courageous thinking and action would be an immediate return to realistic and reasonable pricing for A-class beer in Amsterdam which remains the staple of the easy consumables as this recession drones on
By Denson Pierre
INDEPENDENT CAFeacuteSBARS
77
78star beer guide
Star Beer
The SentinelStar beer guide
lsquoDifferent beers can seem to weigh on the conscience as much as on the taste budsrsquo
Just like the changing of the seasons different beers can seem to weigh on the conscience as much as on the taste buds Ciney blond is a lovely almost effeminate tasting beer All light smooth fruitiness bolstered by substantial alcohol content
As the temperature increases it can even feel like a thirst quencher A nice session beer and one that could function as an entrance-level quality beer in terms of its complexity For advanced samplers it is a great lower platform to descend to after cruising the space occupied by the 8-plus percentage alcoholic beauties
Ciney blond is brewed by Alken-Maes Mechelen Belgium
By Denson Pierre
CINEY BLOND (7 ABV)
79star beer guide
We find the best most fun most typical exciting or local favourite restaurants etcetera in Amsterdam and bring them to you an easy way to feel like a local
Cafe Kostverloren 040606
Recommended
80recommended
EUROGIFTSXenonweg 9 3812 SZ Amersfoort
Tel 033 - 454 35 75 - Fax 033 - 454 35 79E-mail lmproefeurogiftsnl
Website wwweurogiftsnl
FILMPROEF
ORDERNUMMER 6021022ARTIKELNUMMER 65123
Ware grootte (indien uitgeprint)Kleur opdruk Wit
Mulligans Irish Music BarAmsterdamrsquos best address for live Irish music Five (5) nights a week Check our agenda for upcoming sessions Amstel 100 1017 AC Amsterdamwwwmulligansnl
Cafeacute KostverlorenCafeacute Kostverloren is a contemporary cafe offering the cosiness of a saloon an open kitchen and the intimacy of a living room The large terras is great for sunny days2e Kostverlorenkade 70 Amsterdamwwwcafekostverlorennl
ZestZest is fi ne food warm atmosphere and classy drinks with regular semi-acoustic (live) music and DJs (Thursday to Sunday) Amsterdamrsquos newest and freshestBilderdijkstraat 188 Amsterdamwwwfacebookcomclubzestnl
GollemGollemrsquos Proefl okaal Gollem and Gollem II represent the best addresses serving the fullest range of top Belgian Dutch and international beers in AmsterdamOvertoom 160-161wwwcafegollemnl
IncantoA restaurant with a classic Italian kitchen Venetian chef Simone Ambrosin is known for his pure and simple style of cooking with great feeling for nuanceAmstel 2 Amsterdamwwwrestaurant-incantonl
Planet RoseThe fi rst Caribbean restaurant in the Netherlands specialised in Jamaican cuisine The menu features a daily changing selectionNicolaas Beetsstraat 47 Amsterdamwwwplanetroseinfo
Cafe restaurant EdelCafe restaurant Edel is the perfect place for lunch dinner or to simply enjoy a drink Edel is a unique place in AmsterdamPostjesweg 1 1057 DT Amsterdamwwwedelamsterdamnl
Cafeacute OportoCafeacute Oporto is a traditional Amsterdam lsquobrown cafersquo Welcoming tourists and regular customers alike they offer televised sports wifi and a wide range of reasonably priced beers and spiritsZoutsteeg 1 1012 LX Amsterdamwwwcafeoportonet
BaxA cosy and friendly local cafeacute with a focus on special or interesting beers and good quality food Open 7 days a week with a professional kitchen offering a lunch and dinner serviceTen Katestraat 119 Amsterdamwwwcafebaxnl
To be seen and tasted Fun Drinking amp Music
To Be Seen and Tasted
Fun Drinking amp Music
Fun Drinking amp Music
Connoisseurs Delight
Connoisseurs Delight
Connoisseurs Delight
To Be Seen and Tasted
Neighbourhood cosy
Fun drinking and music
ParckGreat fun beautiful people and simply the best bar food in townOvertoom 428 Amsterdamwwwcafeparcknl
To be seen and tasted
Cafe de Toog1890rsquos grandeur fashioned into Amsterdam-West grand brown cafe-restaurant-cool Classy drinks and mealsNicolaas Beetsstraat 142 hs Amsterdam wwwcafedetoogcom
Opera Prima - Patisserie Bistro TraiteurThe best place in town for lunch exquisite high teas or brunches and all of your luxury catering both private and corporateKinkerstraat 228 Amsterdamwwwoperaprimanl
Recommended
81
Where is this inAmsterdamAnswer to sentinelpostgmailcom
82spotted
Room 2cfilm
ldquoCome on in boys the waterrsquos finerdquo This is arguably the best all-round and funny musical to come out of Hollywood in a generation and certainly one of the best three soundtracks of the same period George Clooney will never be as good or charming as he is here playing the accidental leader of a trio of chain gang escapees in the US south of the 1930s Spirituality meets the Ku Klux Klan all coloured by Virginia bluegrass
ldquoCall me Snakerdquo The coolest handle for a leading man (Kurt Russell) in any movie to date Here he is sent in on a heroic lsquoat all costrsquo one-man mission to rescue the president of the United States from the prison island Manhattan has become in a lsquofuturersquo representation of 1997 Air Force One has crashed there and the countdown is on Classic 1980s turn of the millennium dystopian vision with style pace and gadgetry
By dpmotions
By dpmotions
o Brother Where Art Thou (2000)
escape from new York (1981)
room2c83
84trends
lsquoTrends are great to join and surf like a once in a lifetime tsunamirsquo
By Dirkje Bakker-Pierre
Each and every micro-world has its own specific trends Take the fashion world for example where one day you have to wear high heels and round noses and the next itrsquos flat hairy elephant feet-like boots that must hug your feet Or take the automotive world where once upon a time you could never have enough chrome on your car or the food world where we have quietly moved from fast to green and wholesome or the TV world which used to be about fiction and is now more real than reality Some of these trends are great to join and surf like a once in a lifetime tsunami others can slip by unnoticed and others still keep bugging and bugging you even if you try to avoid them like the plague
The online world and specifically the social media universe eats through trends like a fat chick after a hunger strike Facebook in particular seems to move seamlessly from one hype to the next one day itrsquos pictures with fuzzy edges or a bit of a 1970s filter the next itrsquos a profile picture with you very consciously not looking into the camera (very spontaneously and naturally non-posing you might say) These are mostly harmless things if Irsquom honest and when everyone
stops liking them they fade away as quickly as the sun in our small wet country There is one trend however that has festered within Facebook from the very beginning and which seems to be gradually growing and growing without anyone ever liking the postshellip and I mean EVER
Yes I am talking about daily quotes words of wisdom holy quotes mesmerizingly philosophical quotes cheesy quotes religious quoteshellip How can I describe all of them in one easy sentence pieces of text from (famous) people (it can never be something you thought of yourself) that lsquodisclosersquo previously secret information about being happy in life (or at least previously secret to the person doing the posting I presume) In short texts that belong on tiles hanging on the wall in old Dutch peoplersquos toilets
Why
Here are a few I found in my news feed this week
ldquoA mind is like a parachute It doesnrsquot work if it is not openrdquo ndash Frank Zappa
ldquoIt is not because things are difficult that we do not dare it is because we do not dare that things are difficultrdquo ndash Seneca
ldquoIf you donrsquot take what you are doing seriously then nobody else willrdquo ndash Darryl Dlt Thomson
Bad trends would be good if they werenrsquot so bad
85trends
86classifi eds
87classifieds
One of my personal favourite gemstones is moonstone Itlsquos been around for centuries and is used in many cultures As suggested by its name the stone is highly associated with the moon and moon goddess Diana It brings calm peace and love and is said to become more powerful when the moon is full so thatlsquos the best time to wear it One proverb even claims that moonstone can bring you love that will fly you to the moon Spiritually this amazing stone is said to enhance intuition and is always associated with the self It is a very powerful personal stone which doesnlsquot add or remove any aspects of the personality but merely reflects the person wearing it It is said to be very
MoonstoneBy Evelina Kvartunaite
ndash
lsquoThe stone is highly associated with the moon and moon goddess Dianarsquo
ndash
helpful for people who are very sensitive and it is also used in meditation for reflecting oneself Itlsquos always best to charge your gem when the moon is shining at night either while wearing it or by leaving it on a windowsill that receives moonlight Moonstone is also used in healing and is known for balancing the internal organ systems enabling them to work in stable cycles Itlsquos usually more associated with women but is also known to help men embrace their more emotional side soft creative energies and optimism Perhaps understandably moonstone should have limited exposure to strong direct sunlight
ndash
lsquoIt is said to be very helpful for people who are very sensitiversquo
ndash
88
health amp well-being
ndash
lsquoMore associated with women but is also known to help men embrace their more emotional sidersquo
ndash
89health amp well-being
In his article Batin shows how learning how to use complex products is like learning a computer game Just like the challenges in video games match the skills of the user so should TV interactions or any UI interactions for that matter For reference Batin used the four levels described in the Dreyfus model of skill acquisition
Level 1 novicebullRigid adherence to taught rules or plansbullNo exercise of lsquodiscretionary judgmentrsquo
Level 2 Advanced beginnerbullLimited lsquosituational perceptionrsquobullAll aspects of work treated separately with equal importance
Philip Batin wrote an article a couple of months ago about the next big idea in User Interaction gadgets that adapt to your skills As gadgets become more complicated UIs must be able to teach their users over time Apparently more and more interactive products are being returned In 2002 48 of all returned products were technically fully functional but were rejected for failing to satisfy user needs 20 purely due to customer remorse Even though a product may have all the features one can hope for complexity and bad user experience can prevent users from integrating it into their lives
UserInterfaceThe next big thing in UX
lsquoUIs must be able to teach their users over timersquo
By Andrei Barburas
lsquoComplexity and bad user experience can prevent users from
integrating it into their livesrsquo
90
technology
book the majority of which you probably skipped through
Personally I believe that there are certain end users most likely the majority that use only a limited set of features from any device they buy Mobile phones have become indispensable tools in our daily activities yet the average Joe has no idea about the full potential of a smart phone The same applies to Smart TVs they can do lots of things yet the only thing that we do with them is flip channels and complain how bad the shows are
The bottom line is that itrsquos definitely something worth thinking about not only from an operating system perspective but also from the perspective of applications developers
Level 3 competentbulllsquoCoping with crowdednessrsquo (multiple activities accumulation of information)bullSome perception of actions in relation to goalsbullDeliberate planningbullFormulates routines
Level 4 ProficientbullHolistic view of situationbullPrioritizes importance of aspectsbulllsquoPerceives deviations from the normal patternrsquobullEmploys maxim for guidance with meanings that adapt to the situation at hand
Now just imagine a User Interface that adapts based on what you can do and the abilities you have As you learn new things new levels of complexity are unlocked opening the door to fully knowing your device because you learned by doing and not by reading a complicated
lsquoThe average Joe has no idea about the full potential of a
smart phonersquo
91technology
92classifi eds
93classifi eds
Not knowing what was happening in football was extremely annoying to put it mildly and it wasnrsquot just my own self-denial and avoidance of all things football that was a hindrance the extent to which I had to ask others to go in order to remain ignorant was much more excruciating than Irsquod ever imagined There may even be some damage done to football-related friendships that is irreparable I now feel as though Irsquom walking through an empty stadium after everyone else has gone home
So what now and where to next The season is well and truly over and Irsquom free to do whatever I want I could read the back-dated sports pages check all the stats and find out all the facts if I wanted to I could spend hours catching up on last season and speculating on the next with the friends Irsquove still got left down the pub if I wanted to I can follow all the transfer gossip watch pre-season friendlies and build up all my hopes But as with most addictions that would simply be falling back into a previous state of dependence and everything Irsquove just put myself through wouldrsquove been for nothing So how do I go back to an old habit without a total relapse or would it be better to keep abstaining
All my questions seem to be met with other questions and no solutions On the other hand if you ask me what
Someone once said that insanity is when you keep repeating the same behaviour and expect a different outcome most likely a psychologist aimed at his or her ailing patients But for me these words are more reminiscent of my own conduct over the course of a regular football season Week in week out season after season I would expect Tottenham to win something and more often than not Irsquod be left disappointed So I decided to stop No more football ndash at least not for one full season
The season 201213 is now over and during the whole nine months I didnrsquot watch a single moment of football or read a single article on the subject That was my challenge and I was committed to it What is more despite all the warning signs I didnrsquot relapse After a year of structured punishment I didnrsquot have a clue about what was going on in the English Premier League (or any other league) Only having picked up bits and pieces of information that somehow slipped through the net the past season was like a book with most of its pages missing
By Simon Joseph
On The Volley
The Return of the Repressed or the Point of No Return
lsquoInsanity is when you keep repeating the same behaviour and expect a different outcomersquo
sport
lsquoThe past season was like a book with most of its pages missingrsquo
94
lsquoThere may even be some damage done to football-related friendshipsrsquo
lsquoHas abstaining for a season changed mersquo
it until the cows come home but it was us who made those changes or at least allowed them to happen and those changes will continue to happen with or without me Perhaps then the questions I should be asking are has abstaining for a season changed me Am I still obsessed or have I broken the habit of a lifetime Is following football really that terrible or even a real addiction
One thing is certain this lack of resolution is not completely without satisfaction because like all forms of fixation or obsession therersquos comfort and familiarity to be found in repetition as Tottenham miss out on Championrsquos League football by a single point again The repressed will always return to haunt us or so it seems and before we know it the start of next season will be upon us There will be more pain no doubt and more joy This time however it will take more than a boot camp approach to keep me away and who knows Tottenham might even win the league Come on you Spurs
Tottenham Hotspur means I would still tell you that itrsquos not just a pretty football package itrsquos about kith and kin not just where I came from but how I relate to others around me in the here and now Whatrsquos more millions of people are attracted to football they hunger for it and yearn to connect with it even though I still believe itrsquos a form of ineffective escape from one unsatisfying reality to another Following football is a classic example of cognitive dissonance ndash when you simultaneously entertain two opposing thoughts that appear to cancel each other out Before the start of each season for example we all want our club to win everything or to be taken over by billionaires but know that itrsquos impossible or in the latter case controversial and even undesirable So we invent ways to cope We develop a so-called lsquosiege mentalityrsquo or other harmful patterns of behaviour to relieve the discomfort of incongruity With this in mind the past year was supposed to be an exercise in behaviour modification ndash to discover the root of the problem and treat it effectively But one year on have I really discovered anything at all
The English Premier League whether you watch it or not is still probably the most exciting football league in the world We can complain about the changes made to
sport9
5
By Denson Pierre
The Gold Room
Fantasy Football Gold ndash Champions League 2012-2013 winner Denson Pierre and his prizes
The season petered out in an all-German Champions League Final which did nothing to dispel the record that this was a season of too few new stars or regular spectacle We look forward to the next season as it ought not be too difficult to create more excitement than in the one just pastWe did have the opportunity to hand over the envelopes and trophies to the Sentinel Fantasy Football game winners This year all the major winners from the Sentinel Fantasy Football League were unable to be present for the physical prize giving but the winner of the Gold Game and focus of this column was there to receive his prize for winning the master game in styleSo we retire the Gold Room until the beginning of the new football season See you all again then
96
sport
Matt Parker receives his third place and Manager of the Month prizes for the Sentinel Fantasy Football League
Charles Conneely Sentinel Fantasy Football League 2012-2013 Champion
97sport
wwwczechtourismcom
CZECH REPUBLIC - STUNNINGLY DIFFERENT
98
classifi eds
For complete and world class tours of Prague
Packages includebull Hidden and playful Prague (for families with young children)bull Literary Praguebull Prague Architecture through the agesbull Religion and the citybull The old city at night
These are detailed tours designed for visitors who wish to explore with great detail and not suitable for simply sight-seeing tourists
Day segments and ratesPR 0800-1230hrs AG 1330-1630hrs UE 1730-2130hrsAll sessions are priced at u 25 per single adult Group size upper limit = 8 Accompanied children under the age of five are gratis and school aged children pay 25 Family package rates are negotiable
ContactJaroslav Cernosek+420 602 228 797Mail jcernosekcentrumcz
wwwyourtuliptourcom
JC Tours
50classifieds
51classifieds
CafeacuteBar Review Van Mechelen
cafebar review52
Van MechelenSloterkade 96-97 Amsterdam
It may be the new hype in the city as far as grand cafeacute and restaurant concepts go but Van Mechelen is already approaching excellence Considering its handy location in another pretty neighbourhood of Amsterdam South it is almost a lsquomust visitrsquo place that has created a theme built on the Burgundian enjoyment of life good food complemented with top-class beer and wine If you want a taste of what it feels like to visit a cafeacute-restaurant in Mechelen Belgium Van Mechelen is an easy way for an Amsterdammer to savour this experience and is just a short cycle ride away
ambianceBurgundian Rating 5
StaffregularsMembers of staff are clearly very well trained and this adds to the light and airy atmosphere Having opened for business just three months ago those who have fallen in love with the place and its consumables have not yet had time to clock up the number of visits and connections to be considered lsquoregularsrsquo Rating 5
televised sportNo space within the design and layout for this form of distraction Rating 3
PricesSurprisingly these are within the lsquonormalrsquo range for this level and quality of fare Outstandingly fairly priced snacks and nibbles are also offered to help you along as you take on the fine (Mechelen brewery group Alken-Maes) beers and wines When did you last enjoy a generous portion of fresh olives for a mere euro250 Rating 5
MusicAt the time of review the establishment was fairly packed out The atmosphere is conducive to chats and hilarity and although the selection of tunes could be heard far in the background the sound system may well have more kick It should as the building is of such a solid constitution that it should contain noise and not easily upset the neighbours Rating 5
Smoking area provisionFortunately for puffers the originally industrial nature of the address means that the former loading bay and entranceexit areas have become two naturally covered terrace areas separated from the luscious interior by huge glass-panelled doors Rating 5
total rating 2830(Rating from 1-5 where 1 = Very poor and 5 = Excellent)
By Denson Pierre
lsquoThe new hype in the city as far as grand cafeacute and restaurant concepts gorsquo
cafebar review53
lsquoMembers of staff are clearly very well trainedrsquo
cafebar review54
cafebar review55
lsquoOutstandingly fairly priced snacks and nibbles are also offeredrsquo
cafebar review56
cafebar review57
lsquoThe atmosphere is conducive to chats and hilarityrsquo
cafebar review58
cafebar review59
scamsterdam
lifestyles60
By Valeria Scimia
Unemployed international and looking for a job in the Netherlands Not only must you face the everyday hell that is job-seeking but now you must also beware of scam companies Yes theyrsquove arrived here too
I was recently contacted by an ostensibly legitimate company that wanted to hire me The contact took the form of what appeared to be a genuine e-mail complete with website and logo from a company in Australia that seemed absolutely legitimate (I have since contacted the company to warn them that someone overseas is using their name and logo to scam people) The e-mail explained that the company was opening an office in Holland and was looking for people who would handle the back-office orders It contained a form to be filled in and returned if I was interested in the position the form asked for all my personal information including my bank details I had been looking for a job and was interested in the offer so I filled in and sent off the form and my CV Once they received my e-mail they asked me to start a trial period without practically explaining anything of what the job was actually about I didnrsquot immediately reply so they called me the next day asking me to start immediately with the trial period promising lots of benefits once the contract was signed I hadnrsquot met anyone at this point only telephone interviews and that already didnrsquot seem right to me I asked them to send me more information by e-mail about what I was meant to do and a few moments later I received a response asking me to make a bank transfer to show them I was trustworthy The lsquotrialrsquo implied that they would send me some money and I had to transfer half via GWK or MoneyTransfer to one of their clients and keep the other half This smelled very fishy to the Italian in me In reality they could be sending a cheque to the bank which would register an income that would later bounce after I had already made the payment to their lsquoclientrsquo On top of losing money the person that tried to lsquohirersquo meyou
would have been untraceable No one was even picking up the phone at the number given in the e-mail and the company they claimed to represent wasnrsquot even active in Europe
So I said no and told them I was no longer interested They even had the gumption to call me back and ask me why I wouldnrsquot do it I gave them a silly excuse so as not to give them any more information or tips on how to improve their scummy scam I am happy I started checking their contacts as soon as their promises seemed too good to be true even if I am still angry I allowed them to data-mine all of my information when I sent them my CV and filled in their form
It beggars belief that they set up an entire facade in these times of work despair and it really doesnrsquot feel right especially because therersquos not much I can do about it now apart from inform people I didnrsquot think this would ever happen here in this country where everything has to be or always seems to be so legitimate But I guess some things never change and a place doesnrsquot make the people and certainly doesnrsquot influence the choices they make I just wanted to share my experience to alert everyone to the possible scam If a company contacts you and asks you to return a form including your bank details when you have never met anyone face-to-face it should make your antennas extend and remember to double-check their credibility Apparently it is illegal to ask such questions of someone here so donrsquot fall for it as I did As I am still waiting to hear from the company in Australia I didnrsquot feel it was proper to disclose its name publicly just yet plus I am not sure the scammers always use the same company as a fake front But what they ask you to do is more or less always the same so keep your eyes open to the little details
lsquoYou face the everyday hell that is job-seeking but now you must also beware of scam companiesrsquo
lsquoThis smelled very fishy to the Italian in mersquo
lsquoThe form asked for all my personal informationrsquo
lifestyles6
1
Je moet er geweest zijn
62classifieds
MechelenAuthentic and full of surprises Thatrsquos Mechelen Hospitable and honourable Thatrsquos the people of Mechelen Come and experience the cityrsquos urban charms for yourself Mechelen
Authentic and full of surprises Thatrsquos Mechelen Hospitable and honourable Thatrsquos the people of Mechelen Come and experience the cityrsquos urban charms for yourself
photography copy Milo Profi
classifieds63
classifieds
How to hang out in
Amsterdam
By ER Muntrem
perspectives
It is not against the rules for babies to cry in cafeacutes It happens Mostly they sleep or sit in someonersquos lap with commendable decorum Otherwise kids in cafeacutes tend to nosh a little less than their elders and handle crayons a little more And while anyone who toddles behind the bar will certainly get caught they can always claim they were encouraged to toddle there in the first place
Dutch parents and I realise this is hard to prove seem to let their kids wander a metre or two further away from them than parents from other developed countries that universal ldquowhere is sherdquo look delayed five or ten seconds If this extra distance is a sign of perceived safety cafeacute culture must help teach it
Except for chefs all cafeacute workers do more or less all the jobs required to run a cafeacute They all wait on tables
serve hot and cold drinks set up outdoor furniture load and retrieve supplies take the garbage out wash glasses light candles arrange flowers unfurl the awning and ring up the bill When the young guy or girl greets you you may know they are not the owner but for the moment they are the face of the establishment It may as well be their place
Admittedly I am seduced by places where waiters donrsquot work for tips where the rushed pace of eating in a restaurant in America does not exist In a cafeacute you can do what you want for as long as you want and get food and drink while you do it Pretty cool and as much a baseline for how to hang out in Amsterdam as cycling is for how to get around
Places to eat and drink owned by corporations have to package experience to deliver it Whatrsquos our brand How can our managers and servers be most efficient How ultimately can we be number one Not something most cafeacutes seem to be worried about and where the universal signs for lsquowe are having a good time togetherrsquo
lsquoCafeacute culture must help teachrsquo lsquoI am seduced by places where waiters donrsquot work for tipsrsquo
64
perspectives
or lsquoI am happy here by myselfrsquo (clinked glasses or absorption in a newspaper say) are routinely in evidence This is one true grace of democracy the average worth smiling about
At cafeacutes co-workers have a beer before or after their shift friends drop by or a regular pops in with some news The stream of customers they donrsquot have to woo and donrsquot have to lsquoworkrsquo gives the whole thing a slightly familial living room perfectly public feel that makes the work far less of a personality crimp than working at Starbucks Or so it seems I do not mean to pretend carrying drinks across the street to the canal side seating or giving obvious directions yet again is always glorious but most people who work in cafeacutersquos laugh and smile a fair bit almost as much as the patrons
And when the owner of a cafeacute is of a generation older than those working there as is usually the case it lends a wise uncle or mother hen feel to the proceedings In the daytime no one is ever too caught up in his or her designated title to ignore a baby on the move And at
night the crowd of drinkers may as well be at a party hosted by their parents or kids or both
Itrsquos not all about money cafeacute culture churns towards the civilised without grinding anyone too far down As well as pleasure there is power in this The best distillation I know of what democracy should be came from a young woman working at Cafeacute Captein With our meal in front of us my friend noticed he was missing his salad Flagged down the young woman went to investigate ldquoItrsquos on its wayrdquo she said ldquoI told my boss to do itrdquo
Imagine we told Putin to do it We told Obama to do it We told the bankers to do it
lsquoMost people who work in cafeacutersquos laugh and smile a fair bitrsquo
lsquoCafeacute culture churns towards the civilised without grinding anyone too far downrsquo
65
66
featurecity gem
lsquoThe last of the large independent music stores left standing in Amsterdamrsquo
CITY GEM
67
Concerto
By Denson Pierre
ConcertoUtrechtsestraat 60 1017 VP Amsterdam
it is a rush when on a full stomach you can make an instant decision on where your next city-centre lunch will be taken it is almost ecstasy when the venue is situated in a music shop which for decades has been defined by its exceptional range and quality of music available in amsterdam Concerto is the last of the large independent music stores left standing in amsterdam all the others have long since been killed off by everything from the advance in recording and playback technologies to habitual illegal downloaders only now realising that their behaviour has an impact right back down to street level despite what they might think about the giant studios and recording companies
Concerto has not stuck but has twisted Since September it has incorporated a cute cafeacute
and lunch area within its premises as well as introducing a bookshop and lounge area making it possible to spend an almost nostalgic time there over several hours It still has a vast range of the very best music in vinyl (both new and second-hand) and CD form DVDs DJ equipment and even gear used for live musical performances Itrsquos a gold mine
If it has taken this clever adaptation in space utilisation to keep this institution viable and available to Amsterdam-based music lovers then I personally wish to support this venture and help mean this type of music retailer to remain part of the city scene For people of a certain age there is something infinitely more appealing about physically handling recorded material appreciating the artwork in its packaging having a listen and then deciding if it is a purchase you would like to make Even though non-digital stockpiling has become rather passeacute I challenge you to visit Concerto and its new cafeacute and bookshop concept and not end up spending more time in this true city gem than you had anticipated
lsquoIt has incorporated a cute cafeacute and lunch area within its premises as well as introducing a bookshop and lounge arearsquo
city gem
68
city gem
69city gem
city gem70
city gem71
72city gem
lsquoThere is something infinitely more appealing about physically
handling recorded material appreciating the artwork in its
packagingrsquo
73city gem
74classifi eds
75classifi eds
classifi edsclassifi eds76
amsterdam city life
BrinG BaCK
Something that seems to have been watered down considerably in Amsterdamrsquos hospitality industry in recent years is independence of thought styling and designAll you have to do is walk around the city to note that way too many coffeesoup houses and cafeacutes are more or less identikit This also applies to many cafeacutes with unimaginative business leaders who open unoriginal looking spaces and hope that the use of white paint purple or blue lights and house music is all it takes
Luckily there is something brewing to save our days and nights I have come across cafeacute owners who are now seriously considering ending the arrangements they have with the giant drink suppliers There are actually no good arguments left for continuing with these huge multinationals as they are frankly more expensive at wholesale for the same A-class products than the supermarkets on every Amsterdammerrsquos street corner
It looks like space is being created for the smaller brewers to take up the supply of A-class beer to smaller establishments throughout the city The giants can keep their character-free tourist traps and those bars still able to benefit purely from their unbeatable locations throughout the city
The Sentinel says bring back better and more original businesses of scale within the local hospitality industry which will help more cafeacutes and bars not only to become distinguishable by the interior designs they will need to conjure but also through the variety of local and regional beers that could become part of their coherent identity The overriding benefit of such courageous thinking and action would be an immediate return to realistic and reasonable pricing for A-class beer in Amsterdam which remains the staple of the easy consumables as this recession drones on
By Denson Pierre
INDEPENDENT CAFeacuteSBARS
77
78star beer guide
Star Beer
The SentinelStar beer guide
lsquoDifferent beers can seem to weigh on the conscience as much as on the taste budsrsquo
Just like the changing of the seasons different beers can seem to weigh on the conscience as much as on the taste buds Ciney blond is a lovely almost effeminate tasting beer All light smooth fruitiness bolstered by substantial alcohol content
As the temperature increases it can even feel like a thirst quencher A nice session beer and one that could function as an entrance-level quality beer in terms of its complexity For advanced samplers it is a great lower platform to descend to after cruising the space occupied by the 8-plus percentage alcoholic beauties
Ciney blond is brewed by Alken-Maes Mechelen Belgium
By Denson Pierre
CINEY BLOND (7 ABV)
79star beer guide
We find the best most fun most typical exciting or local favourite restaurants etcetera in Amsterdam and bring them to you an easy way to feel like a local
Cafe Kostverloren 040606
Recommended
80recommended
EUROGIFTSXenonweg 9 3812 SZ Amersfoort
Tel 033 - 454 35 75 - Fax 033 - 454 35 79E-mail lmproefeurogiftsnl
Website wwweurogiftsnl
FILMPROEF
ORDERNUMMER 6021022ARTIKELNUMMER 65123
Ware grootte (indien uitgeprint)Kleur opdruk Wit
Mulligans Irish Music BarAmsterdamrsquos best address for live Irish music Five (5) nights a week Check our agenda for upcoming sessions Amstel 100 1017 AC Amsterdamwwwmulligansnl
Cafeacute KostverlorenCafeacute Kostverloren is a contemporary cafe offering the cosiness of a saloon an open kitchen and the intimacy of a living room The large terras is great for sunny days2e Kostverlorenkade 70 Amsterdamwwwcafekostverlorennl
ZestZest is fi ne food warm atmosphere and classy drinks with regular semi-acoustic (live) music and DJs (Thursday to Sunday) Amsterdamrsquos newest and freshestBilderdijkstraat 188 Amsterdamwwwfacebookcomclubzestnl
GollemGollemrsquos Proefl okaal Gollem and Gollem II represent the best addresses serving the fullest range of top Belgian Dutch and international beers in AmsterdamOvertoom 160-161wwwcafegollemnl
IncantoA restaurant with a classic Italian kitchen Venetian chef Simone Ambrosin is known for his pure and simple style of cooking with great feeling for nuanceAmstel 2 Amsterdamwwwrestaurant-incantonl
Planet RoseThe fi rst Caribbean restaurant in the Netherlands specialised in Jamaican cuisine The menu features a daily changing selectionNicolaas Beetsstraat 47 Amsterdamwwwplanetroseinfo
Cafe restaurant EdelCafe restaurant Edel is the perfect place for lunch dinner or to simply enjoy a drink Edel is a unique place in AmsterdamPostjesweg 1 1057 DT Amsterdamwwwedelamsterdamnl
Cafeacute OportoCafeacute Oporto is a traditional Amsterdam lsquobrown cafersquo Welcoming tourists and regular customers alike they offer televised sports wifi and a wide range of reasonably priced beers and spiritsZoutsteeg 1 1012 LX Amsterdamwwwcafeoportonet
BaxA cosy and friendly local cafeacute with a focus on special or interesting beers and good quality food Open 7 days a week with a professional kitchen offering a lunch and dinner serviceTen Katestraat 119 Amsterdamwwwcafebaxnl
To be seen and tasted Fun Drinking amp Music
To Be Seen and Tasted
Fun Drinking amp Music
Fun Drinking amp Music
Connoisseurs Delight
Connoisseurs Delight
Connoisseurs Delight
To Be Seen and Tasted
Neighbourhood cosy
Fun drinking and music
ParckGreat fun beautiful people and simply the best bar food in townOvertoom 428 Amsterdamwwwcafeparcknl
To be seen and tasted
Cafe de Toog1890rsquos grandeur fashioned into Amsterdam-West grand brown cafe-restaurant-cool Classy drinks and mealsNicolaas Beetsstraat 142 hs Amsterdam wwwcafedetoogcom
Opera Prima - Patisserie Bistro TraiteurThe best place in town for lunch exquisite high teas or brunches and all of your luxury catering both private and corporateKinkerstraat 228 Amsterdamwwwoperaprimanl
Recommended
81
Where is this inAmsterdamAnswer to sentinelpostgmailcom
82spotted
Room 2cfilm
ldquoCome on in boys the waterrsquos finerdquo This is arguably the best all-round and funny musical to come out of Hollywood in a generation and certainly one of the best three soundtracks of the same period George Clooney will never be as good or charming as he is here playing the accidental leader of a trio of chain gang escapees in the US south of the 1930s Spirituality meets the Ku Klux Klan all coloured by Virginia bluegrass
ldquoCall me Snakerdquo The coolest handle for a leading man (Kurt Russell) in any movie to date Here he is sent in on a heroic lsquoat all costrsquo one-man mission to rescue the president of the United States from the prison island Manhattan has become in a lsquofuturersquo representation of 1997 Air Force One has crashed there and the countdown is on Classic 1980s turn of the millennium dystopian vision with style pace and gadgetry
By dpmotions
By dpmotions
o Brother Where Art Thou (2000)
escape from new York (1981)
room2c83
84trends
lsquoTrends are great to join and surf like a once in a lifetime tsunamirsquo
By Dirkje Bakker-Pierre
Each and every micro-world has its own specific trends Take the fashion world for example where one day you have to wear high heels and round noses and the next itrsquos flat hairy elephant feet-like boots that must hug your feet Or take the automotive world where once upon a time you could never have enough chrome on your car or the food world where we have quietly moved from fast to green and wholesome or the TV world which used to be about fiction and is now more real than reality Some of these trends are great to join and surf like a once in a lifetime tsunami others can slip by unnoticed and others still keep bugging and bugging you even if you try to avoid them like the plague
The online world and specifically the social media universe eats through trends like a fat chick after a hunger strike Facebook in particular seems to move seamlessly from one hype to the next one day itrsquos pictures with fuzzy edges or a bit of a 1970s filter the next itrsquos a profile picture with you very consciously not looking into the camera (very spontaneously and naturally non-posing you might say) These are mostly harmless things if Irsquom honest and when everyone
stops liking them they fade away as quickly as the sun in our small wet country There is one trend however that has festered within Facebook from the very beginning and which seems to be gradually growing and growing without anyone ever liking the postshellip and I mean EVER
Yes I am talking about daily quotes words of wisdom holy quotes mesmerizingly philosophical quotes cheesy quotes religious quoteshellip How can I describe all of them in one easy sentence pieces of text from (famous) people (it can never be something you thought of yourself) that lsquodisclosersquo previously secret information about being happy in life (or at least previously secret to the person doing the posting I presume) In short texts that belong on tiles hanging on the wall in old Dutch peoplersquos toilets
Why
Here are a few I found in my news feed this week
ldquoA mind is like a parachute It doesnrsquot work if it is not openrdquo ndash Frank Zappa
ldquoIt is not because things are difficult that we do not dare it is because we do not dare that things are difficultrdquo ndash Seneca
ldquoIf you donrsquot take what you are doing seriously then nobody else willrdquo ndash Darryl Dlt Thomson
Bad trends would be good if they werenrsquot so bad
85trends
86classifi eds
87classifieds
One of my personal favourite gemstones is moonstone Itlsquos been around for centuries and is used in many cultures As suggested by its name the stone is highly associated with the moon and moon goddess Diana It brings calm peace and love and is said to become more powerful when the moon is full so thatlsquos the best time to wear it One proverb even claims that moonstone can bring you love that will fly you to the moon Spiritually this amazing stone is said to enhance intuition and is always associated with the self It is a very powerful personal stone which doesnlsquot add or remove any aspects of the personality but merely reflects the person wearing it It is said to be very
MoonstoneBy Evelina Kvartunaite
ndash
lsquoThe stone is highly associated with the moon and moon goddess Dianarsquo
ndash
helpful for people who are very sensitive and it is also used in meditation for reflecting oneself Itlsquos always best to charge your gem when the moon is shining at night either while wearing it or by leaving it on a windowsill that receives moonlight Moonstone is also used in healing and is known for balancing the internal organ systems enabling them to work in stable cycles Itlsquos usually more associated with women but is also known to help men embrace their more emotional side soft creative energies and optimism Perhaps understandably moonstone should have limited exposure to strong direct sunlight
ndash
lsquoIt is said to be very helpful for people who are very sensitiversquo
ndash
88
health amp well-being
ndash
lsquoMore associated with women but is also known to help men embrace their more emotional sidersquo
ndash
89health amp well-being
In his article Batin shows how learning how to use complex products is like learning a computer game Just like the challenges in video games match the skills of the user so should TV interactions or any UI interactions for that matter For reference Batin used the four levels described in the Dreyfus model of skill acquisition
Level 1 novicebullRigid adherence to taught rules or plansbullNo exercise of lsquodiscretionary judgmentrsquo
Level 2 Advanced beginnerbullLimited lsquosituational perceptionrsquobullAll aspects of work treated separately with equal importance
Philip Batin wrote an article a couple of months ago about the next big idea in User Interaction gadgets that adapt to your skills As gadgets become more complicated UIs must be able to teach their users over time Apparently more and more interactive products are being returned In 2002 48 of all returned products were technically fully functional but were rejected for failing to satisfy user needs 20 purely due to customer remorse Even though a product may have all the features one can hope for complexity and bad user experience can prevent users from integrating it into their lives
UserInterfaceThe next big thing in UX
lsquoUIs must be able to teach their users over timersquo
By Andrei Barburas
lsquoComplexity and bad user experience can prevent users from
integrating it into their livesrsquo
90
technology
book the majority of which you probably skipped through
Personally I believe that there are certain end users most likely the majority that use only a limited set of features from any device they buy Mobile phones have become indispensable tools in our daily activities yet the average Joe has no idea about the full potential of a smart phone The same applies to Smart TVs they can do lots of things yet the only thing that we do with them is flip channels and complain how bad the shows are
The bottom line is that itrsquos definitely something worth thinking about not only from an operating system perspective but also from the perspective of applications developers
Level 3 competentbulllsquoCoping with crowdednessrsquo (multiple activities accumulation of information)bullSome perception of actions in relation to goalsbullDeliberate planningbullFormulates routines
Level 4 ProficientbullHolistic view of situationbullPrioritizes importance of aspectsbulllsquoPerceives deviations from the normal patternrsquobullEmploys maxim for guidance with meanings that adapt to the situation at hand
Now just imagine a User Interface that adapts based on what you can do and the abilities you have As you learn new things new levels of complexity are unlocked opening the door to fully knowing your device because you learned by doing and not by reading a complicated
lsquoThe average Joe has no idea about the full potential of a
smart phonersquo
91technology
92classifi eds
93classifi eds
Not knowing what was happening in football was extremely annoying to put it mildly and it wasnrsquot just my own self-denial and avoidance of all things football that was a hindrance the extent to which I had to ask others to go in order to remain ignorant was much more excruciating than Irsquod ever imagined There may even be some damage done to football-related friendships that is irreparable I now feel as though Irsquom walking through an empty stadium after everyone else has gone home
So what now and where to next The season is well and truly over and Irsquom free to do whatever I want I could read the back-dated sports pages check all the stats and find out all the facts if I wanted to I could spend hours catching up on last season and speculating on the next with the friends Irsquove still got left down the pub if I wanted to I can follow all the transfer gossip watch pre-season friendlies and build up all my hopes But as with most addictions that would simply be falling back into a previous state of dependence and everything Irsquove just put myself through wouldrsquove been for nothing So how do I go back to an old habit without a total relapse or would it be better to keep abstaining
All my questions seem to be met with other questions and no solutions On the other hand if you ask me what
Someone once said that insanity is when you keep repeating the same behaviour and expect a different outcome most likely a psychologist aimed at his or her ailing patients But for me these words are more reminiscent of my own conduct over the course of a regular football season Week in week out season after season I would expect Tottenham to win something and more often than not Irsquod be left disappointed So I decided to stop No more football ndash at least not for one full season
The season 201213 is now over and during the whole nine months I didnrsquot watch a single moment of football or read a single article on the subject That was my challenge and I was committed to it What is more despite all the warning signs I didnrsquot relapse After a year of structured punishment I didnrsquot have a clue about what was going on in the English Premier League (or any other league) Only having picked up bits and pieces of information that somehow slipped through the net the past season was like a book with most of its pages missing
By Simon Joseph
On The Volley
The Return of the Repressed or the Point of No Return
lsquoInsanity is when you keep repeating the same behaviour and expect a different outcomersquo
sport
lsquoThe past season was like a book with most of its pages missingrsquo
94
lsquoThere may even be some damage done to football-related friendshipsrsquo
lsquoHas abstaining for a season changed mersquo
it until the cows come home but it was us who made those changes or at least allowed them to happen and those changes will continue to happen with or without me Perhaps then the questions I should be asking are has abstaining for a season changed me Am I still obsessed or have I broken the habit of a lifetime Is following football really that terrible or even a real addiction
One thing is certain this lack of resolution is not completely without satisfaction because like all forms of fixation or obsession therersquos comfort and familiarity to be found in repetition as Tottenham miss out on Championrsquos League football by a single point again The repressed will always return to haunt us or so it seems and before we know it the start of next season will be upon us There will be more pain no doubt and more joy This time however it will take more than a boot camp approach to keep me away and who knows Tottenham might even win the league Come on you Spurs
Tottenham Hotspur means I would still tell you that itrsquos not just a pretty football package itrsquos about kith and kin not just where I came from but how I relate to others around me in the here and now Whatrsquos more millions of people are attracted to football they hunger for it and yearn to connect with it even though I still believe itrsquos a form of ineffective escape from one unsatisfying reality to another Following football is a classic example of cognitive dissonance ndash when you simultaneously entertain two opposing thoughts that appear to cancel each other out Before the start of each season for example we all want our club to win everything or to be taken over by billionaires but know that itrsquos impossible or in the latter case controversial and even undesirable So we invent ways to cope We develop a so-called lsquosiege mentalityrsquo or other harmful patterns of behaviour to relieve the discomfort of incongruity With this in mind the past year was supposed to be an exercise in behaviour modification ndash to discover the root of the problem and treat it effectively But one year on have I really discovered anything at all
The English Premier League whether you watch it or not is still probably the most exciting football league in the world We can complain about the changes made to
sport9
5
By Denson Pierre
The Gold Room
Fantasy Football Gold ndash Champions League 2012-2013 winner Denson Pierre and his prizes
The season petered out in an all-German Champions League Final which did nothing to dispel the record that this was a season of too few new stars or regular spectacle We look forward to the next season as it ought not be too difficult to create more excitement than in the one just pastWe did have the opportunity to hand over the envelopes and trophies to the Sentinel Fantasy Football game winners This year all the major winners from the Sentinel Fantasy Football League were unable to be present for the physical prize giving but the winner of the Gold Game and focus of this column was there to receive his prize for winning the master game in styleSo we retire the Gold Room until the beginning of the new football season See you all again then
96
sport
Matt Parker receives his third place and Manager of the Month prizes for the Sentinel Fantasy Football League
Charles Conneely Sentinel Fantasy Football League 2012-2013 Champion
97sport
wwwczechtourismcom
CZECH REPUBLIC - STUNNINGLY DIFFERENT
98
classifi eds
51classifieds
CafeacuteBar Review Van Mechelen
cafebar review52
Van MechelenSloterkade 96-97 Amsterdam
It may be the new hype in the city as far as grand cafeacute and restaurant concepts go but Van Mechelen is already approaching excellence Considering its handy location in another pretty neighbourhood of Amsterdam South it is almost a lsquomust visitrsquo place that has created a theme built on the Burgundian enjoyment of life good food complemented with top-class beer and wine If you want a taste of what it feels like to visit a cafeacute-restaurant in Mechelen Belgium Van Mechelen is an easy way for an Amsterdammer to savour this experience and is just a short cycle ride away
ambianceBurgundian Rating 5
StaffregularsMembers of staff are clearly very well trained and this adds to the light and airy atmosphere Having opened for business just three months ago those who have fallen in love with the place and its consumables have not yet had time to clock up the number of visits and connections to be considered lsquoregularsrsquo Rating 5
televised sportNo space within the design and layout for this form of distraction Rating 3
PricesSurprisingly these are within the lsquonormalrsquo range for this level and quality of fare Outstandingly fairly priced snacks and nibbles are also offered to help you along as you take on the fine (Mechelen brewery group Alken-Maes) beers and wines When did you last enjoy a generous portion of fresh olives for a mere euro250 Rating 5
MusicAt the time of review the establishment was fairly packed out The atmosphere is conducive to chats and hilarity and although the selection of tunes could be heard far in the background the sound system may well have more kick It should as the building is of such a solid constitution that it should contain noise and not easily upset the neighbours Rating 5
Smoking area provisionFortunately for puffers the originally industrial nature of the address means that the former loading bay and entranceexit areas have become two naturally covered terrace areas separated from the luscious interior by huge glass-panelled doors Rating 5
total rating 2830(Rating from 1-5 where 1 = Very poor and 5 = Excellent)
By Denson Pierre
lsquoThe new hype in the city as far as grand cafeacute and restaurant concepts gorsquo
cafebar review53
lsquoMembers of staff are clearly very well trainedrsquo
cafebar review54
cafebar review55
lsquoOutstandingly fairly priced snacks and nibbles are also offeredrsquo
cafebar review56
cafebar review57
lsquoThe atmosphere is conducive to chats and hilarityrsquo
cafebar review58
cafebar review59
scamsterdam
lifestyles60
By Valeria Scimia
Unemployed international and looking for a job in the Netherlands Not only must you face the everyday hell that is job-seeking but now you must also beware of scam companies Yes theyrsquove arrived here too
I was recently contacted by an ostensibly legitimate company that wanted to hire me The contact took the form of what appeared to be a genuine e-mail complete with website and logo from a company in Australia that seemed absolutely legitimate (I have since contacted the company to warn them that someone overseas is using their name and logo to scam people) The e-mail explained that the company was opening an office in Holland and was looking for people who would handle the back-office orders It contained a form to be filled in and returned if I was interested in the position the form asked for all my personal information including my bank details I had been looking for a job and was interested in the offer so I filled in and sent off the form and my CV Once they received my e-mail they asked me to start a trial period without practically explaining anything of what the job was actually about I didnrsquot immediately reply so they called me the next day asking me to start immediately with the trial period promising lots of benefits once the contract was signed I hadnrsquot met anyone at this point only telephone interviews and that already didnrsquot seem right to me I asked them to send me more information by e-mail about what I was meant to do and a few moments later I received a response asking me to make a bank transfer to show them I was trustworthy The lsquotrialrsquo implied that they would send me some money and I had to transfer half via GWK or MoneyTransfer to one of their clients and keep the other half This smelled very fishy to the Italian in me In reality they could be sending a cheque to the bank which would register an income that would later bounce after I had already made the payment to their lsquoclientrsquo On top of losing money the person that tried to lsquohirersquo meyou
would have been untraceable No one was even picking up the phone at the number given in the e-mail and the company they claimed to represent wasnrsquot even active in Europe
So I said no and told them I was no longer interested They even had the gumption to call me back and ask me why I wouldnrsquot do it I gave them a silly excuse so as not to give them any more information or tips on how to improve their scummy scam I am happy I started checking their contacts as soon as their promises seemed too good to be true even if I am still angry I allowed them to data-mine all of my information when I sent them my CV and filled in their form
It beggars belief that they set up an entire facade in these times of work despair and it really doesnrsquot feel right especially because therersquos not much I can do about it now apart from inform people I didnrsquot think this would ever happen here in this country where everything has to be or always seems to be so legitimate But I guess some things never change and a place doesnrsquot make the people and certainly doesnrsquot influence the choices they make I just wanted to share my experience to alert everyone to the possible scam If a company contacts you and asks you to return a form including your bank details when you have never met anyone face-to-face it should make your antennas extend and remember to double-check their credibility Apparently it is illegal to ask such questions of someone here so donrsquot fall for it as I did As I am still waiting to hear from the company in Australia I didnrsquot feel it was proper to disclose its name publicly just yet plus I am not sure the scammers always use the same company as a fake front But what they ask you to do is more or less always the same so keep your eyes open to the little details
lsquoYou face the everyday hell that is job-seeking but now you must also beware of scam companiesrsquo
lsquoThis smelled very fishy to the Italian in mersquo
lsquoThe form asked for all my personal informationrsquo
lifestyles6
1
Je moet er geweest zijn
62classifieds
MechelenAuthentic and full of surprises Thatrsquos Mechelen Hospitable and honourable Thatrsquos the people of Mechelen Come and experience the cityrsquos urban charms for yourself Mechelen
Authentic and full of surprises Thatrsquos Mechelen Hospitable and honourable Thatrsquos the people of Mechelen Come and experience the cityrsquos urban charms for yourself
photography copy Milo Profi
classifieds63
classifieds
How to hang out in
Amsterdam
By ER Muntrem
perspectives
It is not against the rules for babies to cry in cafeacutes It happens Mostly they sleep or sit in someonersquos lap with commendable decorum Otherwise kids in cafeacutes tend to nosh a little less than their elders and handle crayons a little more And while anyone who toddles behind the bar will certainly get caught they can always claim they were encouraged to toddle there in the first place
Dutch parents and I realise this is hard to prove seem to let their kids wander a metre or two further away from them than parents from other developed countries that universal ldquowhere is sherdquo look delayed five or ten seconds If this extra distance is a sign of perceived safety cafeacute culture must help teach it
Except for chefs all cafeacute workers do more or less all the jobs required to run a cafeacute They all wait on tables
serve hot and cold drinks set up outdoor furniture load and retrieve supplies take the garbage out wash glasses light candles arrange flowers unfurl the awning and ring up the bill When the young guy or girl greets you you may know they are not the owner but for the moment they are the face of the establishment It may as well be their place
Admittedly I am seduced by places where waiters donrsquot work for tips where the rushed pace of eating in a restaurant in America does not exist In a cafeacute you can do what you want for as long as you want and get food and drink while you do it Pretty cool and as much a baseline for how to hang out in Amsterdam as cycling is for how to get around
Places to eat and drink owned by corporations have to package experience to deliver it Whatrsquos our brand How can our managers and servers be most efficient How ultimately can we be number one Not something most cafeacutes seem to be worried about and where the universal signs for lsquowe are having a good time togetherrsquo
lsquoCafeacute culture must help teachrsquo lsquoI am seduced by places where waiters donrsquot work for tipsrsquo
64
perspectives
or lsquoI am happy here by myselfrsquo (clinked glasses or absorption in a newspaper say) are routinely in evidence This is one true grace of democracy the average worth smiling about
At cafeacutes co-workers have a beer before or after their shift friends drop by or a regular pops in with some news The stream of customers they donrsquot have to woo and donrsquot have to lsquoworkrsquo gives the whole thing a slightly familial living room perfectly public feel that makes the work far less of a personality crimp than working at Starbucks Or so it seems I do not mean to pretend carrying drinks across the street to the canal side seating or giving obvious directions yet again is always glorious but most people who work in cafeacutersquos laugh and smile a fair bit almost as much as the patrons
And when the owner of a cafeacute is of a generation older than those working there as is usually the case it lends a wise uncle or mother hen feel to the proceedings In the daytime no one is ever too caught up in his or her designated title to ignore a baby on the move And at
night the crowd of drinkers may as well be at a party hosted by their parents or kids or both
Itrsquos not all about money cafeacute culture churns towards the civilised without grinding anyone too far down As well as pleasure there is power in this The best distillation I know of what democracy should be came from a young woman working at Cafeacute Captein With our meal in front of us my friend noticed he was missing his salad Flagged down the young woman went to investigate ldquoItrsquos on its wayrdquo she said ldquoI told my boss to do itrdquo
Imagine we told Putin to do it We told Obama to do it We told the bankers to do it
lsquoMost people who work in cafeacutersquos laugh and smile a fair bitrsquo
lsquoCafeacute culture churns towards the civilised without grinding anyone too far downrsquo
65
66
featurecity gem
lsquoThe last of the large independent music stores left standing in Amsterdamrsquo
CITY GEM
67
Concerto
By Denson Pierre
ConcertoUtrechtsestraat 60 1017 VP Amsterdam
it is a rush when on a full stomach you can make an instant decision on where your next city-centre lunch will be taken it is almost ecstasy when the venue is situated in a music shop which for decades has been defined by its exceptional range and quality of music available in amsterdam Concerto is the last of the large independent music stores left standing in amsterdam all the others have long since been killed off by everything from the advance in recording and playback technologies to habitual illegal downloaders only now realising that their behaviour has an impact right back down to street level despite what they might think about the giant studios and recording companies
Concerto has not stuck but has twisted Since September it has incorporated a cute cafeacute
and lunch area within its premises as well as introducing a bookshop and lounge area making it possible to spend an almost nostalgic time there over several hours It still has a vast range of the very best music in vinyl (both new and second-hand) and CD form DVDs DJ equipment and even gear used for live musical performances Itrsquos a gold mine
If it has taken this clever adaptation in space utilisation to keep this institution viable and available to Amsterdam-based music lovers then I personally wish to support this venture and help mean this type of music retailer to remain part of the city scene For people of a certain age there is something infinitely more appealing about physically handling recorded material appreciating the artwork in its packaging having a listen and then deciding if it is a purchase you would like to make Even though non-digital stockpiling has become rather passeacute I challenge you to visit Concerto and its new cafeacute and bookshop concept and not end up spending more time in this true city gem than you had anticipated
lsquoIt has incorporated a cute cafeacute and lunch area within its premises as well as introducing a bookshop and lounge arearsquo
city gem
68
city gem
69city gem
city gem70
city gem71
72city gem
lsquoThere is something infinitely more appealing about physically
handling recorded material appreciating the artwork in its
packagingrsquo
73city gem
74classifi eds
75classifi eds
classifi edsclassifi eds76
amsterdam city life
BrinG BaCK
Something that seems to have been watered down considerably in Amsterdamrsquos hospitality industry in recent years is independence of thought styling and designAll you have to do is walk around the city to note that way too many coffeesoup houses and cafeacutes are more or less identikit This also applies to many cafeacutes with unimaginative business leaders who open unoriginal looking spaces and hope that the use of white paint purple or blue lights and house music is all it takes
Luckily there is something brewing to save our days and nights I have come across cafeacute owners who are now seriously considering ending the arrangements they have with the giant drink suppliers There are actually no good arguments left for continuing with these huge multinationals as they are frankly more expensive at wholesale for the same A-class products than the supermarkets on every Amsterdammerrsquos street corner
It looks like space is being created for the smaller brewers to take up the supply of A-class beer to smaller establishments throughout the city The giants can keep their character-free tourist traps and those bars still able to benefit purely from their unbeatable locations throughout the city
The Sentinel says bring back better and more original businesses of scale within the local hospitality industry which will help more cafeacutes and bars not only to become distinguishable by the interior designs they will need to conjure but also through the variety of local and regional beers that could become part of their coherent identity The overriding benefit of such courageous thinking and action would be an immediate return to realistic and reasonable pricing for A-class beer in Amsterdam which remains the staple of the easy consumables as this recession drones on
By Denson Pierre
INDEPENDENT CAFeacuteSBARS
77
78star beer guide
Star Beer
The SentinelStar beer guide
lsquoDifferent beers can seem to weigh on the conscience as much as on the taste budsrsquo
Just like the changing of the seasons different beers can seem to weigh on the conscience as much as on the taste buds Ciney blond is a lovely almost effeminate tasting beer All light smooth fruitiness bolstered by substantial alcohol content
As the temperature increases it can even feel like a thirst quencher A nice session beer and one that could function as an entrance-level quality beer in terms of its complexity For advanced samplers it is a great lower platform to descend to after cruising the space occupied by the 8-plus percentage alcoholic beauties
Ciney blond is brewed by Alken-Maes Mechelen Belgium
By Denson Pierre
CINEY BLOND (7 ABV)
79star beer guide
We find the best most fun most typical exciting or local favourite restaurants etcetera in Amsterdam and bring them to you an easy way to feel like a local
Cafe Kostverloren 040606
Recommended
80recommended
EUROGIFTSXenonweg 9 3812 SZ Amersfoort
Tel 033 - 454 35 75 - Fax 033 - 454 35 79E-mail lmproefeurogiftsnl
Website wwweurogiftsnl
FILMPROEF
ORDERNUMMER 6021022ARTIKELNUMMER 65123
Ware grootte (indien uitgeprint)Kleur opdruk Wit
Mulligans Irish Music BarAmsterdamrsquos best address for live Irish music Five (5) nights a week Check our agenda for upcoming sessions Amstel 100 1017 AC Amsterdamwwwmulligansnl
Cafeacute KostverlorenCafeacute Kostverloren is a contemporary cafe offering the cosiness of a saloon an open kitchen and the intimacy of a living room The large terras is great for sunny days2e Kostverlorenkade 70 Amsterdamwwwcafekostverlorennl
ZestZest is fi ne food warm atmosphere and classy drinks with regular semi-acoustic (live) music and DJs (Thursday to Sunday) Amsterdamrsquos newest and freshestBilderdijkstraat 188 Amsterdamwwwfacebookcomclubzestnl
GollemGollemrsquos Proefl okaal Gollem and Gollem II represent the best addresses serving the fullest range of top Belgian Dutch and international beers in AmsterdamOvertoom 160-161wwwcafegollemnl
IncantoA restaurant with a classic Italian kitchen Venetian chef Simone Ambrosin is known for his pure and simple style of cooking with great feeling for nuanceAmstel 2 Amsterdamwwwrestaurant-incantonl
Planet RoseThe fi rst Caribbean restaurant in the Netherlands specialised in Jamaican cuisine The menu features a daily changing selectionNicolaas Beetsstraat 47 Amsterdamwwwplanetroseinfo
Cafe restaurant EdelCafe restaurant Edel is the perfect place for lunch dinner or to simply enjoy a drink Edel is a unique place in AmsterdamPostjesweg 1 1057 DT Amsterdamwwwedelamsterdamnl
Cafeacute OportoCafeacute Oporto is a traditional Amsterdam lsquobrown cafersquo Welcoming tourists and regular customers alike they offer televised sports wifi and a wide range of reasonably priced beers and spiritsZoutsteeg 1 1012 LX Amsterdamwwwcafeoportonet
BaxA cosy and friendly local cafeacute with a focus on special or interesting beers and good quality food Open 7 days a week with a professional kitchen offering a lunch and dinner serviceTen Katestraat 119 Amsterdamwwwcafebaxnl
To be seen and tasted Fun Drinking amp Music
To Be Seen and Tasted
Fun Drinking amp Music
Fun Drinking amp Music
Connoisseurs Delight
Connoisseurs Delight
Connoisseurs Delight
To Be Seen and Tasted
Neighbourhood cosy
Fun drinking and music
ParckGreat fun beautiful people and simply the best bar food in townOvertoom 428 Amsterdamwwwcafeparcknl
To be seen and tasted
Cafe de Toog1890rsquos grandeur fashioned into Amsterdam-West grand brown cafe-restaurant-cool Classy drinks and mealsNicolaas Beetsstraat 142 hs Amsterdam wwwcafedetoogcom
Opera Prima - Patisserie Bistro TraiteurThe best place in town for lunch exquisite high teas or brunches and all of your luxury catering both private and corporateKinkerstraat 228 Amsterdamwwwoperaprimanl
Recommended
81
Where is this inAmsterdamAnswer to sentinelpostgmailcom
82spotted
Room 2cfilm
ldquoCome on in boys the waterrsquos finerdquo This is arguably the best all-round and funny musical to come out of Hollywood in a generation and certainly one of the best three soundtracks of the same period George Clooney will never be as good or charming as he is here playing the accidental leader of a trio of chain gang escapees in the US south of the 1930s Spirituality meets the Ku Klux Klan all coloured by Virginia bluegrass
ldquoCall me Snakerdquo The coolest handle for a leading man (Kurt Russell) in any movie to date Here he is sent in on a heroic lsquoat all costrsquo one-man mission to rescue the president of the United States from the prison island Manhattan has become in a lsquofuturersquo representation of 1997 Air Force One has crashed there and the countdown is on Classic 1980s turn of the millennium dystopian vision with style pace and gadgetry
By dpmotions
By dpmotions
o Brother Where Art Thou (2000)
escape from new York (1981)
room2c83
84trends
lsquoTrends are great to join and surf like a once in a lifetime tsunamirsquo
By Dirkje Bakker-Pierre
Each and every micro-world has its own specific trends Take the fashion world for example where one day you have to wear high heels and round noses and the next itrsquos flat hairy elephant feet-like boots that must hug your feet Or take the automotive world where once upon a time you could never have enough chrome on your car or the food world where we have quietly moved from fast to green and wholesome or the TV world which used to be about fiction and is now more real than reality Some of these trends are great to join and surf like a once in a lifetime tsunami others can slip by unnoticed and others still keep bugging and bugging you even if you try to avoid them like the plague
The online world and specifically the social media universe eats through trends like a fat chick after a hunger strike Facebook in particular seems to move seamlessly from one hype to the next one day itrsquos pictures with fuzzy edges or a bit of a 1970s filter the next itrsquos a profile picture with you very consciously not looking into the camera (very spontaneously and naturally non-posing you might say) These are mostly harmless things if Irsquom honest and when everyone
stops liking them they fade away as quickly as the sun in our small wet country There is one trend however that has festered within Facebook from the very beginning and which seems to be gradually growing and growing without anyone ever liking the postshellip and I mean EVER
Yes I am talking about daily quotes words of wisdom holy quotes mesmerizingly philosophical quotes cheesy quotes religious quoteshellip How can I describe all of them in one easy sentence pieces of text from (famous) people (it can never be something you thought of yourself) that lsquodisclosersquo previously secret information about being happy in life (or at least previously secret to the person doing the posting I presume) In short texts that belong on tiles hanging on the wall in old Dutch peoplersquos toilets
Why
Here are a few I found in my news feed this week
ldquoA mind is like a parachute It doesnrsquot work if it is not openrdquo ndash Frank Zappa
ldquoIt is not because things are difficult that we do not dare it is because we do not dare that things are difficultrdquo ndash Seneca
ldquoIf you donrsquot take what you are doing seriously then nobody else willrdquo ndash Darryl Dlt Thomson
Bad trends would be good if they werenrsquot so bad
85trends
86classifi eds
87classifieds
One of my personal favourite gemstones is moonstone Itlsquos been around for centuries and is used in many cultures As suggested by its name the stone is highly associated with the moon and moon goddess Diana It brings calm peace and love and is said to become more powerful when the moon is full so thatlsquos the best time to wear it One proverb even claims that moonstone can bring you love that will fly you to the moon Spiritually this amazing stone is said to enhance intuition and is always associated with the self It is a very powerful personal stone which doesnlsquot add or remove any aspects of the personality but merely reflects the person wearing it It is said to be very
MoonstoneBy Evelina Kvartunaite
ndash
lsquoThe stone is highly associated with the moon and moon goddess Dianarsquo
ndash
helpful for people who are very sensitive and it is also used in meditation for reflecting oneself Itlsquos always best to charge your gem when the moon is shining at night either while wearing it or by leaving it on a windowsill that receives moonlight Moonstone is also used in healing and is known for balancing the internal organ systems enabling them to work in stable cycles Itlsquos usually more associated with women but is also known to help men embrace their more emotional side soft creative energies and optimism Perhaps understandably moonstone should have limited exposure to strong direct sunlight
ndash
lsquoIt is said to be very helpful for people who are very sensitiversquo
ndash
88
health amp well-being
ndash
lsquoMore associated with women but is also known to help men embrace their more emotional sidersquo
ndash
89health amp well-being
In his article Batin shows how learning how to use complex products is like learning a computer game Just like the challenges in video games match the skills of the user so should TV interactions or any UI interactions for that matter For reference Batin used the four levels described in the Dreyfus model of skill acquisition
Level 1 novicebullRigid adherence to taught rules or plansbullNo exercise of lsquodiscretionary judgmentrsquo
Level 2 Advanced beginnerbullLimited lsquosituational perceptionrsquobullAll aspects of work treated separately with equal importance
Philip Batin wrote an article a couple of months ago about the next big idea in User Interaction gadgets that adapt to your skills As gadgets become more complicated UIs must be able to teach their users over time Apparently more and more interactive products are being returned In 2002 48 of all returned products were technically fully functional but were rejected for failing to satisfy user needs 20 purely due to customer remorse Even though a product may have all the features one can hope for complexity and bad user experience can prevent users from integrating it into their lives
UserInterfaceThe next big thing in UX
lsquoUIs must be able to teach their users over timersquo
By Andrei Barburas
lsquoComplexity and bad user experience can prevent users from
integrating it into their livesrsquo
90
technology
book the majority of which you probably skipped through
Personally I believe that there are certain end users most likely the majority that use only a limited set of features from any device they buy Mobile phones have become indispensable tools in our daily activities yet the average Joe has no idea about the full potential of a smart phone The same applies to Smart TVs they can do lots of things yet the only thing that we do with them is flip channels and complain how bad the shows are
The bottom line is that itrsquos definitely something worth thinking about not only from an operating system perspective but also from the perspective of applications developers
Level 3 competentbulllsquoCoping with crowdednessrsquo (multiple activities accumulation of information)bullSome perception of actions in relation to goalsbullDeliberate planningbullFormulates routines
Level 4 ProficientbullHolistic view of situationbullPrioritizes importance of aspectsbulllsquoPerceives deviations from the normal patternrsquobullEmploys maxim for guidance with meanings that adapt to the situation at hand
Now just imagine a User Interface that adapts based on what you can do and the abilities you have As you learn new things new levels of complexity are unlocked opening the door to fully knowing your device because you learned by doing and not by reading a complicated
lsquoThe average Joe has no idea about the full potential of a
smart phonersquo
91technology
92classifi eds
93classifi eds
Not knowing what was happening in football was extremely annoying to put it mildly and it wasnrsquot just my own self-denial and avoidance of all things football that was a hindrance the extent to which I had to ask others to go in order to remain ignorant was much more excruciating than Irsquod ever imagined There may even be some damage done to football-related friendships that is irreparable I now feel as though Irsquom walking through an empty stadium after everyone else has gone home
So what now and where to next The season is well and truly over and Irsquom free to do whatever I want I could read the back-dated sports pages check all the stats and find out all the facts if I wanted to I could spend hours catching up on last season and speculating on the next with the friends Irsquove still got left down the pub if I wanted to I can follow all the transfer gossip watch pre-season friendlies and build up all my hopes But as with most addictions that would simply be falling back into a previous state of dependence and everything Irsquove just put myself through wouldrsquove been for nothing So how do I go back to an old habit without a total relapse or would it be better to keep abstaining
All my questions seem to be met with other questions and no solutions On the other hand if you ask me what
Someone once said that insanity is when you keep repeating the same behaviour and expect a different outcome most likely a psychologist aimed at his or her ailing patients But for me these words are more reminiscent of my own conduct over the course of a regular football season Week in week out season after season I would expect Tottenham to win something and more often than not Irsquod be left disappointed So I decided to stop No more football ndash at least not for one full season
The season 201213 is now over and during the whole nine months I didnrsquot watch a single moment of football or read a single article on the subject That was my challenge and I was committed to it What is more despite all the warning signs I didnrsquot relapse After a year of structured punishment I didnrsquot have a clue about what was going on in the English Premier League (or any other league) Only having picked up bits and pieces of information that somehow slipped through the net the past season was like a book with most of its pages missing
By Simon Joseph
On The Volley
The Return of the Repressed or the Point of No Return
lsquoInsanity is when you keep repeating the same behaviour and expect a different outcomersquo
sport
lsquoThe past season was like a book with most of its pages missingrsquo
94
lsquoThere may even be some damage done to football-related friendshipsrsquo
lsquoHas abstaining for a season changed mersquo
it until the cows come home but it was us who made those changes or at least allowed them to happen and those changes will continue to happen with or without me Perhaps then the questions I should be asking are has abstaining for a season changed me Am I still obsessed or have I broken the habit of a lifetime Is following football really that terrible or even a real addiction
One thing is certain this lack of resolution is not completely without satisfaction because like all forms of fixation or obsession therersquos comfort and familiarity to be found in repetition as Tottenham miss out on Championrsquos League football by a single point again The repressed will always return to haunt us or so it seems and before we know it the start of next season will be upon us There will be more pain no doubt and more joy This time however it will take more than a boot camp approach to keep me away and who knows Tottenham might even win the league Come on you Spurs
Tottenham Hotspur means I would still tell you that itrsquos not just a pretty football package itrsquos about kith and kin not just where I came from but how I relate to others around me in the here and now Whatrsquos more millions of people are attracted to football they hunger for it and yearn to connect with it even though I still believe itrsquos a form of ineffective escape from one unsatisfying reality to another Following football is a classic example of cognitive dissonance ndash when you simultaneously entertain two opposing thoughts that appear to cancel each other out Before the start of each season for example we all want our club to win everything or to be taken over by billionaires but know that itrsquos impossible or in the latter case controversial and even undesirable So we invent ways to cope We develop a so-called lsquosiege mentalityrsquo or other harmful patterns of behaviour to relieve the discomfort of incongruity With this in mind the past year was supposed to be an exercise in behaviour modification ndash to discover the root of the problem and treat it effectively But one year on have I really discovered anything at all
The English Premier League whether you watch it or not is still probably the most exciting football league in the world We can complain about the changes made to
sport9
5
By Denson Pierre
The Gold Room
Fantasy Football Gold ndash Champions League 2012-2013 winner Denson Pierre and his prizes
The season petered out in an all-German Champions League Final which did nothing to dispel the record that this was a season of too few new stars or regular spectacle We look forward to the next season as it ought not be too difficult to create more excitement than in the one just pastWe did have the opportunity to hand over the envelopes and trophies to the Sentinel Fantasy Football game winners This year all the major winners from the Sentinel Fantasy Football League were unable to be present for the physical prize giving but the winner of the Gold Game and focus of this column was there to receive his prize for winning the master game in styleSo we retire the Gold Room until the beginning of the new football season See you all again then
96
sport
Matt Parker receives his third place and Manager of the Month prizes for the Sentinel Fantasy Football League
Charles Conneely Sentinel Fantasy Football League 2012-2013 Champion
97sport
wwwczechtourismcom
CZECH REPUBLIC - STUNNINGLY DIFFERENT
98
classifi eds
CafeacuteBar Review Van Mechelen
cafebar review52
Van MechelenSloterkade 96-97 Amsterdam
It may be the new hype in the city as far as grand cafeacute and restaurant concepts go but Van Mechelen is already approaching excellence Considering its handy location in another pretty neighbourhood of Amsterdam South it is almost a lsquomust visitrsquo place that has created a theme built on the Burgundian enjoyment of life good food complemented with top-class beer and wine If you want a taste of what it feels like to visit a cafeacute-restaurant in Mechelen Belgium Van Mechelen is an easy way for an Amsterdammer to savour this experience and is just a short cycle ride away
ambianceBurgundian Rating 5
StaffregularsMembers of staff are clearly very well trained and this adds to the light and airy atmosphere Having opened for business just three months ago those who have fallen in love with the place and its consumables have not yet had time to clock up the number of visits and connections to be considered lsquoregularsrsquo Rating 5
televised sportNo space within the design and layout for this form of distraction Rating 3
PricesSurprisingly these are within the lsquonormalrsquo range for this level and quality of fare Outstandingly fairly priced snacks and nibbles are also offered to help you along as you take on the fine (Mechelen brewery group Alken-Maes) beers and wines When did you last enjoy a generous portion of fresh olives for a mere euro250 Rating 5
MusicAt the time of review the establishment was fairly packed out The atmosphere is conducive to chats and hilarity and although the selection of tunes could be heard far in the background the sound system may well have more kick It should as the building is of such a solid constitution that it should contain noise and not easily upset the neighbours Rating 5
Smoking area provisionFortunately for puffers the originally industrial nature of the address means that the former loading bay and entranceexit areas have become two naturally covered terrace areas separated from the luscious interior by huge glass-panelled doors Rating 5
total rating 2830(Rating from 1-5 where 1 = Very poor and 5 = Excellent)
By Denson Pierre
lsquoThe new hype in the city as far as grand cafeacute and restaurant concepts gorsquo
cafebar review53
lsquoMembers of staff are clearly very well trainedrsquo
cafebar review54
cafebar review55
lsquoOutstandingly fairly priced snacks and nibbles are also offeredrsquo
cafebar review56
cafebar review57
lsquoThe atmosphere is conducive to chats and hilarityrsquo
cafebar review58
cafebar review59
scamsterdam
lifestyles60
By Valeria Scimia
Unemployed international and looking for a job in the Netherlands Not only must you face the everyday hell that is job-seeking but now you must also beware of scam companies Yes theyrsquove arrived here too
I was recently contacted by an ostensibly legitimate company that wanted to hire me The contact took the form of what appeared to be a genuine e-mail complete with website and logo from a company in Australia that seemed absolutely legitimate (I have since contacted the company to warn them that someone overseas is using their name and logo to scam people) The e-mail explained that the company was opening an office in Holland and was looking for people who would handle the back-office orders It contained a form to be filled in and returned if I was interested in the position the form asked for all my personal information including my bank details I had been looking for a job and was interested in the offer so I filled in and sent off the form and my CV Once they received my e-mail they asked me to start a trial period without practically explaining anything of what the job was actually about I didnrsquot immediately reply so they called me the next day asking me to start immediately with the trial period promising lots of benefits once the contract was signed I hadnrsquot met anyone at this point only telephone interviews and that already didnrsquot seem right to me I asked them to send me more information by e-mail about what I was meant to do and a few moments later I received a response asking me to make a bank transfer to show them I was trustworthy The lsquotrialrsquo implied that they would send me some money and I had to transfer half via GWK or MoneyTransfer to one of their clients and keep the other half This smelled very fishy to the Italian in me In reality they could be sending a cheque to the bank which would register an income that would later bounce after I had already made the payment to their lsquoclientrsquo On top of losing money the person that tried to lsquohirersquo meyou
would have been untraceable No one was even picking up the phone at the number given in the e-mail and the company they claimed to represent wasnrsquot even active in Europe
So I said no and told them I was no longer interested They even had the gumption to call me back and ask me why I wouldnrsquot do it I gave them a silly excuse so as not to give them any more information or tips on how to improve their scummy scam I am happy I started checking their contacts as soon as their promises seemed too good to be true even if I am still angry I allowed them to data-mine all of my information when I sent them my CV and filled in their form
It beggars belief that they set up an entire facade in these times of work despair and it really doesnrsquot feel right especially because therersquos not much I can do about it now apart from inform people I didnrsquot think this would ever happen here in this country where everything has to be or always seems to be so legitimate But I guess some things never change and a place doesnrsquot make the people and certainly doesnrsquot influence the choices they make I just wanted to share my experience to alert everyone to the possible scam If a company contacts you and asks you to return a form including your bank details when you have never met anyone face-to-face it should make your antennas extend and remember to double-check their credibility Apparently it is illegal to ask such questions of someone here so donrsquot fall for it as I did As I am still waiting to hear from the company in Australia I didnrsquot feel it was proper to disclose its name publicly just yet plus I am not sure the scammers always use the same company as a fake front But what they ask you to do is more or less always the same so keep your eyes open to the little details
lsquoYou face the everyday hell that is job-seeking but now you must also beware of scam companiesrsquo
lsquoThis smelled very fishy to the Italian in mersquo
lsquoThe form asked for all my personal informationrsquo
lifestyles6
1
Je moet er geweest zijn
62classifieds
MechelenAuthentic and full of surprises Thatrsquos Mechelen Hospitable and honourable Thatrsquos the people of Mechelen Come and experience the cityrsquos urban charms for yourself Mechelen
Authentic and full of surprises Thatrsquos Mechelen Hospitable and honourable Thatrsquos the people of Mechelen Come and experience the cityrsquos urban charms for yourself
photography copy Milo Profi
classifieds63
classifieds
How to hang out in
Amsterdam
By ER Muntrem
perspectives
It is not against the rules for babies to cry in cafeacutes It happens Mostly they sleep or sit in someonersquos lap with commendable decorum Otherwise kids in cafeacutes tend to nosh a little less than their elders and handle crayons a little more And while anyone who toddles behind the bar will certainly get caught they can always claim they were encouraged to toddle there in the first place
Dutch parents and I realise this is hard to prove seem to let their kids wander a metre or two further away from them than parents from other developed countries that universal ldquowhere is sherdquo look delayed five or ten seconds If this extra distance is a sign of perceived safety cafeacute culture must help teach it
Except for chefs all cafeacute workers do more or less all the jobs required to run a cafeacute They all wait on tables
serve hot and cold drinks set up outdoor furniture load and retrieve supplies take the garbage out wash glasses light candles arrange flowers unfurl the awning and ring up the bill When the young guy or girl greets you you may know they are not the owner but for the moment they are the face of the establishment It may as well be their place
Admittedly I am seduced by places where waiters donrsquot work for tips where the rushed pace of eating in a restaurant in America does not exist In a cafeacute you can do what you want for as long as you want and get food and drink while you do it Pretty cool and as much a baseline for how to hang out in Amsterdam as cycling is for how to get around
Places to eat and drink owned by corporations have to package experience to deliver it Whatrsquos our brand How can our managers and servers be most efficient How ultimately can we be number one Not something most cafeacutes seem to be worried about and where the universal signs for lsquowe are having a good time togetherrsquo
lsquoCafeacute culture must help teachrsquo lsquoI am seduced by places where waiters donrsquot work for tipsrsquo
64
perspectives
or lsquoI am happy here by myselfrsquo (clinked glasses or absorption in a newspaper say) are routinely in evidence This is one true grace of democracy the average worth smiling about
At cafeacutes co-workers have a beer before or after their shift friends drop by or a regular pops in with some news The stream of customers they donrsquot have to woo and donrsquot have to lsquoworkrsquo gives the whole thing a slightly familial living room perfectly public feel that makes the work far less of a personality crimp than working at Starbucks Or so it seems I do not mean to pretend carrying drinks across the street to the canal side seating or giving obvious directions yet again is always glorious but most people who work in cafeacutersquos laugh and smile a fair bit almost as much as the patrons
And when the owner of a cafeacute is of a generation older than those working there as is usually the case it lends a wise uncle or mother hen feel to the proceedings In the daytime no one is ever too caught up in his or her designated title to ignore a baby on the move And at
night the crowd of drinkers may as well be at a party hosted by their parents or kids or both
Itrsquos not all about money cafeacute culture churns towards the civilised without grinding anyone too far down As well as pleasure there is power in this The best distillation I know of what democracy should be came from a young woman working at Cafeacute Captein With our meal in front of us my friend noticed he was missing his salad Flagged down the young woman went to investigate ldquoItrsquos on its wayrdquo she said ldquoI told my boss to do itrdquo
Imagine we told Putin to do it We told Obama to do it We told the bankers to do it
lsquoMost people who work in cafeacutersquos laugh and smile a fair bitrsquo
lsquoCafeacute culture churns towards the civilised without grinding anyone too far downrsquo
65
66
featurecity gem
lsquoThe last of the large independent music stores left standing in Amsterdamrsquo
CITY GEM
67
Concerto
By Denson Pierre
ConcertoUtrechtsestraat 60 1017 VP Amsterdam
it is a rush when on a full stomach you can make an instant decision on where your next city-centre lunch will be taken it is almost ecstasy when the venue is situated in a music shop which for decades has been defined by its exceptional range and quality of music available in amsterdam Concerto is the last of the large independent music stores left standing in amsterdam all the others have long since been killed off by everything from the advance in recording and playback technologies to habitual illegal downloaders only now realising that their behaviour has an impact right back down to street level despite what they might think about the giant studios and recording companies
Concerto has not stuck but has twisted Since September it has incorporated a cute cafeacute
and lunch area within its premises as well as introducing a bookshop and lounge area making it possible to spend an almost nostalgic time there over several hours It still has a vast range of the very best music in vinyl (both new and second-hand) and CD form DVDs DJ equipment and even gear used for live musical performances Itrsquos a gold mine
If it has taken this clever adaptation in space utilisation to keep this institution viable and available to Amsterdam-based music lovers then I personally wish to support this venture and help mean this type of music retailer to remain part of the city scene For people of a certain age there is something infinitely more appealing about physically handling recorded material appreciating the artwork in its packaging having a listen and then deciding if it is a purchase you would like to make Even though non-digital stockpiling has become rather passeacute I challenge you to visit Concerto and its new cafeacute and bookshop concept and not end up spending more time in this true city gem than you had anticipated
lsquoIt has incorporated a cute cafeacute and lunch area within its premises as well as introducing a bookshop and lounge arearsquo
city gem
68
city gem
69city gem
city gem70
city gem71
72city gem
lsquoThere is something infinitely more appealing about physically
handling recorded material appreciating the artwork in its
packagingrsquo
73city gem
74classifi eds
75classifi eds
classifi edsclassifi eds76
amsterdam city life
BrinG BaCK
Something that seems to have been watered down considerably in Amsterdamrsquos hospitality industry in recent years is independence of thought styling and designAll you have to do is walk around the city to note that way too many coffeesoup houses and cafeacutes are more or less identikit This also applies to many cafeacutes with unimaginative business leaders who open unoriginal looking spaces and hope that the use of white paint purple or blue lights and house music is all it takes
Luckily there is something brewing to save our days and nights I have come across cafeacute owners who are now seriously considering ending the arrangements they have with the giant drink suppliers There are actually no good arguments left for continuing with these huge multinationals as they are frankly more expensive at wholesale for the same A-class products than the supermarkets on every Amsterdammerrsquos street corner
It looks like space is being created for the smaller brewers to take up the supply of A-class beer to smaller establishments throughout the city The giants can keep their character-free tourist traps and those bars still able to benefit purely from their unbeatable locations throughout the city
The Sentinel says bring back better and more original businesses of scale within the local hospitality industry which will help more cafeacutes and bars not only to become distinguishable by the interior designs they will need to conjure but also through the variety of local and regional beers that could become part of their coherent identity The overriding benefit of such courageous thinking and action would be an immediate return to realistic and reasonable pricing for A-class beer in Amsterdam which remains the staple of the easy consumables as this recession drones on
By Denson Pierre
INDEPENDENT CAFeacuteSBARS
77
78star beer guide
Star Beer
The SentinelStar beer guide
lsquoDifferent beers can seem to weigh on the conscience as much as on the taste budsrsquo
Just like the changing of the seasons different beers can seem to weigh on the conscience as much as on the taste buds Ciney blond is a lovely almost effeminate tasting beer All light smooth fruitiness bolstered by substantial alcohol content
As the temperature increases it can even feel like a thirst quencher A nice session beer and one that could function as an entrance-level quality beer in terms of its complexity For advanced samplers it is a great lower platform to descend to after cruising the space occupied by the 8-plus percentage alcoholic beauties
Ciney blond is brewed by Alken-Maes Mechelen Belgium
By Denson Pierre
CINEY BLOND (7 ABV)
79star beer guide
We find the best most fun most typical exciting or local favourite restaurants etcetera in Amsterdam and bring them to you an easy way to feel like a local
Cafe Kostverloren 040606
Recommended
80recommended
EUROGIFTSXenonweg 9 3812 SZ Amersfoort
Tel 033 - 454 35 75 - Fax 033 - 454 35 79E-mail lmproefeurogiftsnl
Website wwweurogiftsnl
FILMPROEF
ORDERNUMMER 6021022ARTIKELNUMMER 65123
Ware grootte (indien uitgeprint)Kleur opdruk Wit
Mulligans Irish Music BarAmsterdamrsquos best address for live Irish music Five (5) nights a week Check our agenda for upcoming sessions Amstel 100 1017 AC Amsterdamwwwmulligansnl
Cafeacute KostverlorenCafeacute Kostverloren is a contemporary cafe offering the cosiness of a saloon an open kitchen and the intimacy of a living room The large terras is great for sunny days2e Kostverlorenkade 70 Amsterdamwwwcafekostverlorennl
ZestZest is fi ne food warm atmosphere and classy drinks with regular semi-acoustic (live) music and DJs (Thursday to Sunday) Amsterdamrsquos newest and freshestBilderdijkstraat 188 Amsterdamwwwfacebookcomclubzestnl
GollemGollemrsquos Proefl okaal Gollem and Gollem II represent the best addresses serving the fullest range of top Belgian Dutch and international beers in AmsterdamOvertoom 160-161wwwcafegollemnl
IncantoA restaurant with a classic Italian kitchen Venetian chef Simone Ambrosin is known for his pure and simple style of cooking with great feeling for nuanceAmstel 2 Amsterdamwwwrestaurant-incantonl
Planet RoseThe fi rst Caribbean restaurant in the Netherlands specialised in Jamaican cuisine The menu features a daily changing selectionNicolaas Beetsstraat 47 Amsterdamwwwplanetroseinfo
Cafe restaurant EdelCafe restaurant Edel is the perfect place for lunch dinner or to simply enjoy a drink Edel is a unique place in AmsterdamPostjesweg 1 1057 DT Amsterdamwwwedelamsterdamnl
Cafeacute OportoCafeacute Oporto is a traditional Amsterdam lsquobrown cafersquo Welcoming tourists and regular customers alike they offer televised sports wifi and a wide range of reasonably priced beers and spiritsZoutsteeg 1 1012 LX Amsterdamwwwcafeoportonet
BaxA cosy and friendly local cafeacute with a focus on special or interesting beers and good quality food Open 7 days a week with a professional kitchen offering a lunch and dinner serviceTen Katestraat 119 Amsterdamwwwcafebaxnl
To be seen and tasted Fun Drinking amp Music
To Be Seen and Tasted
Fun Drinking amp Music
Fun Drinking amp Music
Connoisseurs Delight
Connoisseurs Delight
Connoisseurs Delight
To Be Seen and Tasted
Neighbourhood cosy
Fun drinking and music
ParckGreat fun beautiful people and simply the best bar food in townOvertoom 428 Amsterdamwwwcafeparcknl
To be seen and tasted
Cafe de Toog1890rsquos grandeur fashioned into Amsterdam-West grand brown cafe-restaurant-cool Classy drinks and mealsNicolaas Beetsstraat 142 hs Amsterdam wwwcafedetoogcom
Opera Prima - Patisserie Bistro TraiteurThe best place in town for lunch exquisite high teas or brunches and all of your luxury catering both private and corporateKinkerstraat 228 Amsterdamwwwoperaprimanl
Recommended
81
Where is this inAmsterdamAnswer to sentinelpostgmailcom
82spotted
Room 2cfilm
ldquoCome on in boys the waterrsquos finerdquo This is arguably the best all-round and funny musical to come out of Hollywood in a generation and certainly one of the best three soundtracks of the same period George Clooney will never be as good or charming as he is here playing the accidental leader of a trio of chain gang escapees in the US south of the 1930s Spirituality meets the Ku Klux Klan all coloured by Virginia bluegrass
ldquoCall me Snakerdquo The coolest handle for a leading man (Kurt Russell) in any movie to date Here he is sent in on a heroic lsquoat all costrsquo one-man mission to rescue the president of the United States from the prison island Manhattan has become in a lsquofuturersquo representation of 1997 Air Force One has crashed there and the countdown is on Classic 1980s turn of the millennium dystopian vision with style pace and gadgetry
By dpmotions
By dpmotions
o Brother Where Art Thou (2000)
escape from new York (1981)
room2c83
84trends
lsquoTrends are great to join and surf like a once in a lifetime tsunamirsquo
By Dirkje Bakker-Pierre
Each and every micro-world has its own specific trends Take the fashion world for example where one day you have to wear high heels and round noses and the next itrsquos flat hairy elephant feet-like boots that must hug your feet Or take the automotive world where once upon a time you could never have enough chrome on your car or the food world where we have quietly moved from fast to green and wholesome or the TV world which used to be about fiction and is now more real than reality Some of these trends are great to join and surf like a once in a lifetime tsunami others can slip by unnoticed and others still keep bugging and bugging you even if you try to avoid them like the plague
The online world and specifically the social media universe eats through trends like a fat chick after a hunger strike Facebook in particular seems to move seamlessly from one hype to the next one day itrsquos pictures with fuzzy edges or a bit of a 1970s filter the next itrsquos a profile picture with you very consciously not looking into the camera (very spontaneously and naturally non-posing you might say) These are mostly harmless things if Irsquom honest and when everyone
stops liking them they fade away as quickly as the sun in our small wet country There is one trend however that has festered within Facebook from the very beginning and which seems to be gradually growing and growing without anyone ever liking the postshellip and I mean EVER
Yes I am talking about daily quotes words of wisdom holy quotes mesmerizingly philosophical quotes cheesy quotes religious quoteshellip How can I describe all of them in one easy sentence pieces of text from (famous) people (it can never be something you thought of yourself) that lsquodisclosersquo previously secret information about being happy in life (or at least previously secret to the person doing the posting I presume) In short texts that belong on tiles hanging on the wall in old Dutch peoplersquos toilets
Why
Here are a few I found in my news feed this week
ldquoA mind is like a parachute It doesnrsquot work if it is not openrdquo ndash Frank Zappa
ldquoIt is not because things are difficult that we do not dare it is because we do not dare that things are difficultrdquo ndash Seneca
ldquoIf you donrsquot take what you are doing seriously then nobody else willrdquo ndash Darryl Dlt Thomson
Bad trends would be good if they werenrsquot so bad
85trends
86classifi eds
87classifieds
One of my personal favourite gemstones is moonstone Itlsquos been around for centuries and is used in many cultures As suggested by its name the stone is highly associated with the moon and moon goddess Diana It brings calm peace and love and is said to become more powerful when the moon is full so thatlsquos the best time to wear it One proverb even claims that moonstone can bring you love that will fly you to the moon Spiritually this amazing stone is said to enhance intuition and is always associated with the self It is a very powerful personal stone which doesnlsquot add or remove any aspects of the personality but merely reflects the person wearing it It is said to be very
MoonstoneBy Evelina Kvartunaite
ndash
lsquoThe stone is highly associated with the moon and moon goddess Dianarsquo
ndash
helpful for people who are very sensitive and it is also used in meditation for reflecting oneself Itlsquos always best to charge your gem when the moon is shining at night either while wearing it or by leaving it on a windowsill that receives moonlight Moonstone is also used in healing and is known for balancing the internal organ systems enabling them to work in stable cycles Itlsquos usually more associated with women but is also known to help men embrace their more emotional side soft creative energies and optimism Perhaps understandably moonstone should have limited exposure to strong direct sunlight
ndash
lsquoIt is said to be very helpful for people who are very sensitiversquo
ndash
88
health amp well-being
ndash
lsquoMore associated with women but is also known to help men embrace their more emotional sidersquo
ndash
89health amp well-being
In his article Batin shows how learning how to use complex products is like learning a computer game Just like the challenges in video games match the skills of the user so should TV interactions or any UI interactions for that matter For reference Batin used the four levels described in the Dreyfus model of skill acquisition
Level 1 novicebullRigid adherence to taught rules or plansbullNo exercise of lsquodiscretionary judgmentrsquo
Level 2 Advanced beginnerbullLimited lsquosituational perceptionrsquobullAll aspects of work treated separately with equal importance
Philip Batin wrote an article a couple of months ago about the next big idea in User Interaction gadgets that adapt to your skills As gadgets become more complicated UIs must be able to teach their users over time Apparently more and more interactive products are being returned In 2002 48 of all returned products were technically fully functional but were rejected for failing to satisfy user needs 20 purely due to customer remorse Even though a product may have all the features one can hope for complexity and bad user experience can prevent users from integrating it into their lives
UserInterfaceThe next big thing in UX
lsquoUIs must be able to teach their users over timersquo
By Andrei Barburas
lsquoComplexity and bad user experience can prevent users from
integrating it into their livesrsquo
90
technology
book the majority of which you probably skipped through
Personally I believe that there are certain end users most likely the majority that use only a limited set of features from any device they buy Mobile phones have become indispensable tools in our daily activities yet the average Joe has no idea about the full potential of a smart phone The same applies to Smart TVs they can do lots of things yet the only thing that we do with them is flip channels and complain how bad the shows are
The bottom line is that itrsquos definitely something worth thinking about not only from an operating system perspective but also from the perspective of applications developers
Level 3 competentbulllsquoCoping with crowdednessrsquo (multiple activities accumulation of information)bullSome perception of actions in relation to goalsbullDeliberate planningbullFormulates routines
Level 4 ProficientbullHolistic view of situationbullPrioritizes importance of aspectsbulllsquoPerceives deviations from the normal patternrsquobullEmploys maxim for guidance with meanings that adapt to the situation at hand
Now just imagine a User Interface that adapts based on what you can do and the abilities you have As you learn new things new levels of complexity are unlocked opening the door to fully knowing your device because you learned by doing and not by reading a complicated
lsquoThe average Joe has no idea about the full potential of a
smart phonersquo
91technology
92classifi eds
93classifi eds
Not knowing what was happening in football was extremely annoying to put it mildly and it wasnrsquot just my own self-denial and avoidance of all things football that was a hindrance the extent to which I had to ask others to go in order to remain ignorant was much more excruciating than Irsquod ever imagined There may even be some damage done to football-related friendships that is irreparable I now feel as though Irsquom walking through an empty stadium after everyone else has gone home
So what now and where to next The season is well and truly over and Irsquom free to do whatever I want I could read the back-dated sports pages check all the stats and find out all the facts if I wanted to I could spend hours catching up on last season and speculating on the next with the friends Irsquove still got left down the pub if I wanted to I can follow all the transfer gossip watch pre-season friendlies and build up all my hopes But as with most addictions that would simply be falling back into a previous state of dependence and everything Irsquove just put myself through wouldrsquove been for nothing So how do I go back to an old habit without a total relapse or would it be better to keep abstaining
All my questions seem to be met with other questions and no solutions On the other hand if you ask me what
Someone once said that insanity is when you keep repeating the same behaviour and expect a different outcome most likely a psychologist aimed at his or her ailing patients But for me these words are more reminiscent of my own conduct over the course of a regular football season Week in week out season after season I would expect Tottenham to win something and more often than not Irsquod be left disappointed So I decided to stop No more football ndash at least not for one full season
The season 201213 is now over and during the whole nine months I didnrsquot watch a single moment of football or read a single article on the subject That was my challenge and I was committed to it What is more despite all the warning signs I didnrsquot relapse After a year of structured punishment I didnrsquot have a clue about what was going on in the English Premier League (or any other league) Only having picked up bits and pieces of information that somehow slipped through the net the past season was like a book with most of its pages missing
By Simon Joseph
On The Volley
The Return of the Repressed or the Point of No Return
lsquoInsanity is when you keep repeating the same behaviour and expect a different outcomersquo
sport
lsquoThe past season was like a book with most of its pages missingrsquo
94
lsquoThere may even be some damage done to football-related friendshipsrsquo
lsquoHas abstaining for a season changed mersquo
it until the cows come home but it was us who made those changes or at least allowed them to happen and those changes will continue to happen with or without me Perhaps then the questions I should be asking are has abstaining for a season changed me Am I still obsessed or have I broken the habit of a lifetime Is following football really that terrible or even a real addiction
One thing is certain this lack of resolution is not completely without satisfaction because like all forms of fixation or obsession therersquos comfort and familiarity to be found in repetition as Tottenham miss out on Championrsquos League football by a single point again The repressed will always return to haunt us or so it seems and before we know it the start of next season will be upon us There will be more pain no doubt and more joy This time however it will take more than a boot camp approach to keep me away and who knows Tottenham might even win the league Come on you Spurs
Tottenham Hotspur means I would still tell you that itrsquos not just a pretty football package itrsquos about kith and kin not just where I came from but how I relate to others around me in the here and now Whatrsquos more millions of people are attracted to football they hunger for it and yearn to connect with it even though I still believe itrsquos a form of ineffective escape from one unsatisfying reality to another Following football is a classic example of cognitive dissonance ndash when you simultaneously entertain two opposing thoughts that appear to cancel each other out Before the start of each season for example we all want our club to win everything or to be taken over by billionaires but know that itrsquos impossible or in the latter case controversial and even undesirable So we invent ways to cope We develop a so-called lsquosiege mentalityrsquo or other harmful patterns of behaviour to relieve the discomfort of incongruity With this in mind the past year was supposed to be an exercise in behaviour modification ndash to discover the root of the problem and treat it effectively But one year on have I really discovered anything at all
The English Premier League whether you watch it or not is still probably the most exciting football league in the world We can complain about the changes made to
sport9
5
By Denson Pierre
The Gold Room
Fantasy Football Gold ndash Champions League 2012-2013 winner Denson Pierre and his prizes
The season petered out in an all-German Champions League Final which did nothing to dispel the record that this was a season of too few new stars or regular spectacle We look forward to the next season as it ought not be too difficult to create more excitement than in the one just pastWe did have the opportunity to hand over the envelopes and trophies to the Sentinel Fantasy Football game winners This year all the major winners from the Sentinel Fantasy Football League were unable to be present for the physical prize giving but the winner of the Gold Game and focus of this column was there to receive his prize for winning the master game in styleSo we retire the Gold Room until the beginning of the new football season See you all again then
96
sport
Matt Parker receives his third place and Manager of the Month prizes for the Sentinel Fantasy Football League
Charles Conneely Sentinel Fantasy Football League 2012-2013 Champion
97sport
wwwczechtourismcom
CZECH REPUBLIC - STUNNINGLY DIFFERENT
98
classifi eds
Van MechelenSloterkade 96-97 Amsterdam
It may be the new hype in the city as far as grand cafeacute and restaurant concepts go but Van Mechelen is already approaching excellence Considering its handy location in another pretty neighbourhood of Amsterdam South it is almost a lsquomust visitrsquo place that has created a theme built on the Burgundian enjoyment of life good food complemented with top-class beer and wine If you want a taste of what it feels like to visit a cafeacute-restaurant in Mechelen Belgium Van Mechelen is an easy way for an Amsterdammer to savour this experience and is just a short cycle ride away
ambianceBurgundian Rating 5
StaffregularsMembers of staff are clearly very well trained and this adds to the light and airy atmosphere Having opened for business just three months ago those who have fallen in love with the place and its consumables have not yet had time to clock up the number of visits and connections to be considered lsquoregularsrsquo Rating 5
televised sportNo space within the design and layout for this form of distraction Rating 3
PricesSurprisingly these are within the lsquonormalrsquo range for this level and quality of fare Outstandingly fairly priced snacks and nibbles are also offered to help you along as you take on the fine (Mechelen brewery group Alken-Maes) beers and wines When did you last enjoy a generous portion of fresh olives for a mere euro250 Rating 5
MusicAt the time of review the establishment was fairly packed out The atmosphere is conducive to chats and hilarity and although the selection of tunes could be heard far in the background the sound system may well have more kick It should as the building is of such a solid constitution that it should contain noise and not easily upset the neighbours Rating 5
Smoking area provisionFortunately for puffers the originally industrial nature of the address means that the former loading bay and entranceexit areas have become two naturally covered terrace areas separated from the luscious interior by huge glass-panelled doors Rating 5
total rating 2830(Rating from 1-5 where 1 = Very poor and 5 = Excellent)
By Denson Pierre
lsquoThe new hype in the city as far as grand cafeacute and restaurant concepts gorsquo
cafebar review53
lsquoMembers of staff are clearly very well trainedrsquo
cafebar review54
cafebar review55
lsquoOutstandingly fairly priced snacks and nibbles are also offeredrsquo
cafebar review56
cafebar review57
lsquoThe atmosphere is conducive to chats and hilarityrsquo
cafebar review58
cafebar review59
scamsterdam
lifestyles60
By Valeria Scimia
Unemployed international and looking for a job in the Netherlands Not only must you face the everyday hell that is job-seeking but now you must also beware of scam companies Yes theyrsquove arrived here too
I was recently contacted by an ostensibly legitimate company that wanted to hire me The contact took the form of what appeared to be a genuine e-mail complete with website and logo from a company in Australia that seemed absolutely legitimate (I have since contacted the company to warn them that someone overseas is using their name and logo to scam people) The e-mail explained that the company was opening an office in Holland and was looking for people who would handle the back-office orders It contained a form to be filled in and returned if I was interested in the position the form asked for all my personal information including my bank details I had been looking for a job and was interested in the offer so I filled in and sent off the form and my CV Once they received my e-mail they asked me to start a trial period without practically explaining anything of what the job was actually about I didnrsquot immediately reply so they called me the next day asking me to start immediately with the trial period promising lots of benefits once the contract was signed I hadnrsquot met anyone at this point only telephone interviews and that already didnrsquot seem right to me I asked them to send me more information by e-mail about what I was meant to do and a few moments later I received a response asking me to make a bank transfer to show them I was trustworthy The lsquotrialrsquo implied that they would send me some money and I had to transfer half via GWK or MoneyTransfer to one of their clients and keep the other half This smelled very fishy to the Italian in me In reality they could be sending a cheque to the bank which would register an income that would later bounce after I had already made the payment to their lsquoclientrsquo On top of losing money the person that tried to lsquohirersquo meyou
would have been untraceable No one was even picking up the phone at the number given in the e-mail and the company they claimed to represent wasnrsquot even active in Europe
So I said no and told them I was no longer interested They even had the gumption to call me back and ask me why I wouldnrsquot do it I gave them a silly excuse so as not to give them any more information or tips on how to improve their scummy scam I am happy I started checking their contacts as soon as their promises seemed too good to be true even if I am still angry I allowed them to data-mine all of my information when I sent them my CV and filled in their form
It beggars belief that they set up an entire facade in these times of work despair and it really doesnrsquot feel right especially because therersquos not much I can do about it now apart from inform people I didnrsquot think this would ever happen here in this country where everything has to be or always seems to be so legitimate But I guess some things never change and a place doesnrsquot make the people and certainly doesnrsquot influence the choices they make I just wanted to share my experience to alert everyone to the possible scam If a company contacts you and asks you to return a form including your bank details when you have never met anyone face-to-face it should make your antennas extend and remember to double-check their credibility Apparently it is illegal to ask such questions of someone here so donrsquot fall for it as I did As I am still waiting to hear from the company in Australia I didnrsquot feel it was proper to disclose its name publicly just yet plus I am not sure the scammers always use the same company as a fake front But what they ask you to do is more or less always the same so keep your eyes open to the little details
lsquoYou face the everyday hell that is job-seeking but now you must also beware of scam companiesrsquo
lsquoThis smelled very fishy to the Italian in mersquo
lsquoThe form asked for all my personal informationrsquo
lifestyles6
1
Je moet er geweest zijn
62classifieds
MechelenAuthentic and full of surprises Thatrsquos Mechelen Hospitable and honourable Thatrsquos the people of Mechelen Come and experience the cityrsquos urban charms for yourself Mechelen
Authentic and full of surprises Thatrsquos Mechelen Hospitable and honourable Thatrsquos the people of Mechelen Come and experience the cityrsquos urban charms for yourself
photography copy Milo Profi
classifieds63
classifieds
How to hang out in
Amsterdam
By ER Muntrem
perspectives
It is not against the rules for babies to cry in cafeacutes It happens Mostly they sleep or sit in someonersquos lap with commendable decorum Otherwise kids in cafeacutes tend to nosh a little less than their elders and handle crayons a little more And while anyone who toddles behind the bar will certainly get caught they can always claim they were encouraged to toddle there in the first place
Dutch parents and I realise this is hard to prove seem to let their kids wander a metre or two further away from them than parents from other developed countries that universal ldquowhere is sherdquo look delayed five or ten seconds If this extra distance is a sign of perceived safety cafeacute culture must help teach it
Except for chefs all cafeacute workers do more or less all the jobs required to run a cafeacute They all wait on tables
serve hot and cold drinks set up outdoor furniture load and retrieve supplies take the garbage out wash glasses light candles arrange flowers unfurl the awning and ring up the bill When the young guy or girl greets you you may know they are not the owner but for the moment they are the face of the establishment It may as well be their place
Admittedly I am seduced by places where waiters donrsquot work for tips where the rushed pace of eating in a restaurant in America does not exist In a cafeacute you can do what you want for as long as you want and get food and drink while you do it Pretty cool and as much a baseline for how to hang out in Amsterdam as cycling is for how to get around
Places to eat and drink owned by corporations have to package experience to deliver it Whatrsquos our brand How can our managers and servers be most efficient How ultimately can we be number one Not something most cafeacutes seem to be worried about and where the universal signs for lsquowe are having a good time togetherrsquo
lsquoCafeacute culture must help teachrsquo lsquoI am seduced by places where waiters donrsquot work for tipsrsquo
64
perspectives
or lsquoI am happy here by myselfrsquo (clinked glasses or absorption in a newspaper say) are routinely in evidence This is one true grace of democracy the average worth smiling about
At cafeacutes co-workers have a beer before or after their shift friends drop by or a regular pops in with some news The stream of customers they donrsquot have to woo and donrsquot have to lsquoworkrsquo gives the whole thing a slightly familial living room perfectly public feel that makes the work far less of a personality crimp than working at Starbucks Or so it seems I do not mean to pretend carrying drinks across the street to the canal side seating or giving obvious directions yet again is always glorious but most people who work in cafeacutersquos laugh and smile a fair bit almost as much as the patrons
And when the owner of a cafeacute is of a generation older than those working there as is usually the case it lends a wise uncle or mother hen feel to the proceedings In the daytime no one is ever too caught up in his or her designated title to ignore a baby on the move And at
night the crowd of drinkers may as well be at a party hosted by their parents or kids or both
Itrsquos not all about money cafeacute culture churns towards the civilised without grinding anyone too far down As well as pleasure there is power in this The best distillation I know of what democracy should be came from a young woman working at Cafeacute Captein With our meal in front of us my friend noticed he was missing his salad Flagged down the young woman went to investigate ldquoItrsquos on its wayrdquo she said ldquoI told my boss to do itrdquo
Imagine we told Putin to do it We told Obama to do it We told the bankers to do it
lsquoMost people who work in cafeacutersquos laugh and smile a fair bitrsquo
lsquoCafeacute culture churns towards the civilised without grinding anyone too far downrsquo
65
66
featurecity gem
lsquoThe last of the large independent music stores left standing in Amsterdamrsquo
CITY GEM
67
Concerto
By Denson Pierre
ConcertoUtrechtsestraat 60 1017 VP Amsterdam
it is a rush when on a full stomach you can make an instant decision on where your next city-centre lunch will be taken it is almost ecstasy when the venue is situated in a music shop which for decades has been defined by its exceptional range and quality of music available in amsterdam Concerto is the last of the large independent music stores left standing in amsterdam all the others have long since been killed off by everything from the advance in recording and playback technologies to habitual illegal downloaders only now realising that their behaviour has an impact right back down to street level despite what they might think about the giant studios and recording companies
Concerto has not stuck but has twisted Since September it has incorporated a cute cafeacute
and lunch area within its premises as well as introducing a bookshop and lounge area making it possible to spend an almost nostalgic time there over several hours It still has a vast range of the very best music in vinyl (both new and second-hand) and CD form DVDs DJ equipment and even gear used for live musical performances Itrsquos a gold mine
If it has taken this clever adaptation in space utilisation to keep this institution viable and available to Amsterdam-based music lovers then I personally wish to support this venture and help mean this type of music retailer to remain part of the city scene For people of a certain age there is something infinitely more appealing about physically handling recorded material appreciating the artwork in its packaging having a listen and then deciding if it is a purchase you would like to make Even though non-digital stockpiling has become rather passeacute I challenge you to visit Concerto and its new cafeacute and bookshop concept and not end up spending more time in this true city gem than you had anticipated
lsquoIt has incorporated a cute cafeacute and lunch area within its premises as well as introducing a bookshop and lounge arearsquo
city gem
68
city gem
69city gem
city gem70
city gem71
72city gem
lsquoThere is something infinitely more appealing about physically
handling recorded material appreciating the artwork in its
packagingrsquo
73city gem
74classifi eds
75classifi eds
classifi edsclassifi eds76
amsterdam city life
BrinG BaCK
Something that seems to have been watered down considerably in Amsterdamrsquos hospitality industry in recent years is independence of thought styling and designAll you have to do is walk around the city to note that way too many coffeesoup houses and cafeacutes are more or less identikit This also applies to many cafeacutes with unimaginative business leaders who open unoriginal looking spaces and hope that the use of white paint purple or blue lights and house music is all it takes
Luckily there is something brewing to save our days and nights I have come across cafeacute owners who are now seriously considering ending the arrangements they have with the giant drink suppliers There are actually no good arguments left for continuing with these huge multinationals as they are frankly more expensive at wholesale for the same A-class products than the supermarkets on every Amsterdammerrsquos street corner
It looks like space is being created for the smaller brewers to take up the supply of A-class beer to smaller establishments throughout the city The giants can keep their character-free tourist traps and those bars still able to benefit purely from their unbeatable locations throughout the city
The Sentinel says bring back better and more original businesses of scale within the local hospitality industry which will help more cafeacutes and bars not only to become distinguishable by the interior designs they will need to conjure but also through the variety of local and regional beers that could become part of their coherent identity The overriding benefit of such courageous thinking and action would be an immediate return to realistic and reasonable pricing for A-class beer in Amsterdam which remains the staple of the easy consumables as this recession drones on
By Denson Pierre
INDEPENDENT CAFeacuteSBARS
77
78star beer guide
Star Beer
The SentinelStar beer guide
lsquoDifferent beers can seem to weigh on the conscience as much as on the taste budsrsquo
Just like the changing of the seasons different beers can seem to weigh on the conscience as much as on the taste buds Ciney blond is a lovely almost effeminate tasting beer All light smooth fruitiness bolstered by substantial alcohol content
As the temperature increases it can even feel like a thirst quencher A nice session beer and one that could function as an entrance-level quality beer in terms of its complexity For advanced samplers it is a great lower platform to descend to after cruising the space occupied by the 8-plus percentage alcoholic beauties
Ciney blond is brewed by Alken-Maes Mechelen Belgium
By Denson Pierre
CINEY BLOND (7 ABV)
79star beer guide
We find the best most fun most typical exciting or local favourite restaurants etcetera in Amsterdam and bring them to you an easy way to feel like a local
Cafe Kostverloren 040606
Recommended
80recommended
EUROGIFTSXenonweg 9 3812 SZ Amersfoort
Tel 033 - 454 35 75 - Fax 033 - 454 35 79E-mail lmproefeurogiftsnl
Website wwweurogiftsnl
FILMPROEF
ORDERNUMMER 6021022ARTIKELNUMMER 65123
Ware grootte (indien uitgeprint)Kleur opdruk Wit
Mulligans Irish Music BarAmsterdamrsquos best address for live Irish music Five (5) nights a week Check our agenda for upcoming sessions Amstel 100 1017 AC Amsterdamwwwmulligansnl
Cafeacute KostverlorenCafeacute Kostverloren is a contemporary cafe offering the cosiness of a saloon an open kitchen and the intimacy of a living room The large terras is great for sunny days2e Kostverlorenkade 70 Amsterdamwwwcafekostverlorennl
ZestZest is fi ne food warm atmosphere and classy drinks with regular semi-acoustic (live) music and DJs (Thursday to Sunday) Amsterdamrsquos newest and freshestBilderdijkstraat 188 Amsterdamwwwfacebookcomclubzestnl
GollemGollemrsquos Proefl okaal Gollem and Gollem II represent the best addresses serving the fullest range of top Belgian Dutch and international beers in AmsterdamOvertoom 160-161wwwcafegollemnl
IncantoA restaurant with a classic Italian kitchen Venetian chef Simone Ambrosin is known for his pure and simple style of cooking with great feeling for nuanceAmstel 2 Amsterdamwwwrestaurant-incantonl
Planet RoseThe fi rst Caribbean restaurant in the Netherlands specialised in Jamaican cuisine The menu features a daily changing selectionNicolaas Beetsstraat 47 Amsterdamwwwplanetroseinfo
Cafe restaurant EdelCafe restaurant Edel is the perfect place for lunch dinner or to simply enjoy a drink Edel is a unique place in AmsterdamPostjesweg 1 1057 DT Amsterdamwwwedelamsterdamnl
Cafeacute OportoCafeacute Oporto is a traditional Amsterdam lsquobrown cafersquo Welcoming tourists and regular customers alike they offer televised sports wifi and a wide range of reasonably priced beers and spiritsZoutsteeg 1 1012 LX Amsterdamwwwcafeoportonet
BaxA cosy and friendly local cafeacute with a focus on special or interesting beers and good quality food Open 7 days a week with a professional kitchen offering a lunch and dinner serviceTen Katestraat 119 Amsterdamwwwcafebaxnl
To be seen and tasted Fun Drinking amp Music
To Be Seen and Tasted
Fun Drinking amp Music
Fun Drinking amp Music
Connoisseurs Delight
Connoisseurs Delight
Connoisseurs Delight
To Be Seen and Tasted
Neighbourhood cosy
Fun drinking and music
ParckGreat fun beautiful people and simply the best bar food in townOvertoom 428 Amsterdamwwwcafeparcknl
To be seen and tasted
Cafe de Toog1890rsquos grandeur fashioned into Amsterdam-West grand brown cafe-restaurant-cool Classy drinks and mealsNicolaas Beetsstraat 142 hs Amsterdam wwwcafedetoogcom
Opera Prima - Patisserie Bistro TraiteurThe best place in town for lunch exquisite high teas or brunches and all of your luxury catering both private and corporateKinkerstraat 228 Amsterdamwwwoperaprimanl
Recommended
81
Where is this inAmsterdamAnswer to sentinelpostgmailcom
82spotted
Room 2cfilm
ldquoCome on in boys the waterrsquos finerdquo This is arguably the best all-round and funny musical to come out of Hollywood in a generation and certainly one of the best three soundtracks of the same period George Clooney will never be as good or charming as he is here playing the accidental leader of a trio of chain gang escapees in the US south of the 1930s Spirituality meets the Ku Klux Klan all coloured by Virginia bluegrass
ldquoCall me Snakerdquo The coolest handle for a leading man (Kurt Russell) in any movie to date Here he is sent in on a heroic lsquoat all costrsquo one-man mission to rescue the president of the United States from the prison island Manhattan has become in a lsquofuturersquo representation of 1997 Air Force One has crashed there and the countdown is on Classic 1980s turn of the millennium dystopian vision with style pace and gadgetry
By dpmotions
By dpmotions
o Brother Where Art Thou (2000)
escape from new York (1981)
room2c83
84trends
lsquoTrends are great to join and surf like a once in a lifetime tsunamirsquo
By Dirkje Bakker-Pierre
Each and every micro-world has its own specific trends Take the fashion world for example where one day you have to wear high heels and round noses and the next itrsquos flat hairy elephant feet-like boots that must hug your feet Or take the automotive world where once upon a time you could never have enough chrome on your car or the food world where we have quietly moved from fast to green and wholesome or the TV world which used to be about fiction and is now more real than reality Some of these trends are great to join and surf like a once in a lifetime tsunami others can slip by unnoticed and others still keep bugging and bugging you even if you try to avoid them like the plague
The online world and specifically the social media universe eats through trends like a fat chick after a hunger strike Facebook in particular seems to move seamlessly from one hype to the next one day itrsquos pictures with fuzzy edges or a bit of a 1970s filter the next itrsquos a profile picture with you very consciously not looking into the camera (very spontaneously and naturally non-posing you might say) These are mostly harmless things if Irsquom honest and when everyone
stops liking them they fade away as quickly as the sun in our small wet country There is one trend however that has festered within Facebook from the very beginning and which seems to be gradually growing and growing without anyone ever liking the postshellip and I mean EVER
Yes I am talking about daily quotes words of wisdom holy quotes mesmerizingly philosophical quotes cheesy quotes religious quoteshellip How can I describe all of them in one easy sentence pieces of text from (famous) people (it can never be something you thought of yourself) that lsquodisclosersquo previously secret information about being happy in life (or at least previously secret to the person doing the posting I presume) In short texts that belong on tiles hanging on the wall in old Dutch peoplersquos toilets
Why
Here are a few I found in my news feed this week
ldquoA mind is like a parachute It doesnrsquot work if it is not openrdquo ndash Frank Zappa
ldquoIt is not because things are difficult that we do not dare it is because we do not dare that things are difficultrdquo ndash Seneca
ldquoIf you donrsquot take what you are doing seriously then nobody else willrdquo ndash Darryl Dlt Thomson
Bad trends would be good if they werenrsquot so bad
85trends
86classifi eds
87classifieds
One of my personal favourite gemstones is moonstone Itlsquos been around for centuries and is used in many cultures As suggested by its name the stone is highly associated with the moon and moon goddess Diana It brings calm peace and love and is said to become more powerful when the moon is full so thatlsquos the best time to wear it One proverb even claims that moonstone can bring you love that will fly you to the moon Spiritually this amazing stone is said to enhance intuition and is always associated with the self It is a very powerful personal stone which doesnlsquot add or remove any aspects of the personality but merely reflects the person wearing it It is said to be very
MoonstoneBy Evelina Kvartunaite
ndash
lsquoThe stone is highly associated with the moon and moon goddess Dianarsquo
ndash
helpful for people who are very sensitive and it is also used in meditation for reflecting oneself Itlsquos always best to charge your gem when the moon is shining at night either while wearing it or by leaving it on a windowsill that receives moonlight Moonstone is also used in healing and is known for balancing the internal organ systems enabling them to work in stable cycles Itlsquos usually more associated with women but is also known to help men embrace their more emotional side soft creative energies and optimism Perhaps understandably moonstone should have limited exposure to strong direct sunlight
ndash
lsquoIt is said to be very helpful for people who are very sensitiversquo
ndash
88
health amp well-being
ndash
lsquoMore associated with women but is also known to help men embrace their more emotional sidersquo
ndash
89health amp well-being
In his article Batin shows how learning how to use complex products is like learning a computer game Just like the challenges in video games match the skills of the user so should TV interactions or any UI interactions for that matter For reference Batin used the four levels described in the Dreyfus model of skill acquisition
Level 1 novicebullRigid adherence to taught rules or plansbullNo exercise of lsquodiscretionary judgmentrsquo
Level 2 Advanced beginnerbullLimited lsquosituational perceptionrsquobullAll aspects of work treated separately with equal importance
Philip Batin wrote an article a couple of months ago about the next big idea in User Interaction gadgets that adapt to your skills As gadgets become more complicated UIs must be able to teach their users over time Apparently more and more interactive products are being returned In 2002 48 of all returned products were technically fully functional but were rejected for failing to satisfy user needs 20 purely due to customer remorse Even though a product may have all the features one can hope for complexity and bad user experience can prevent users from integrating it into their lives
UserInterfaceThe next big thing in UX
lsquoUIs must be able to teach their users over timersquo
By Andrei Barburas
lsquoComplexity and bad user experience can prevent users from
integrating it into their livesrsquo
90
technology
book the majority of which you probably skipped through
Personally I believe that there are certain end users most likely the majority that use only a limited set of features from any device they buy Mobile phones have become indispensable tools in our daily activities yet the average Joe has no idea about the full potential of a smart phone The same applies to Smart TVs they can do lots of things yet the only thing that we do with them is flip channels and complain how bad the shows are
The bottom line is that itrsquos definitely something worth thinking about not only from an operating system perspective but also from the perspective of applications developers
Level 3 competentbulllsquoCoping with crowdednessrsquo (multiple activities accumulation of information)bullSome perception of actions in relation to goalsbullDeliberate planningbullFormulates routines
Level 4 ProficientbullHolistic view of situationbullPrioritizes importance of aspectsbulllsquoPerceives deviations from the normal patternrsquobullEmploys maxim for guidance with meanings that adapt to the situation at hand
Now just imagine a User Interface that adapts based on what you can do and the abilities you have As you learn new things new levels of complexity are unlocked opening the door to fully knowing your device because you learned by doing and not by reading a complicated
lsquoThe average Joe has no idea about the full potential of a
smart phonersquo
91technology
92classifi eds
93classifi eds
Not knowing what was happening in football was extremely annoying to put it mildly and it wasnrsquot just my own self-denial and avoidance of all things football that was a hindrance the extent to which I had to ask others to go in order to remain ignorant was much more excruciating than Irsquod ever imagined There may even be some damage done to football-related friendships that is irreparable I now feel as though Irsquom walking through an empty stadium after everyone else has gone home
So what now and where to next The season is well and truly over and Irsquom free to do whatever I want I could read the back-dated sports pages check all the stats and find out all the facts if I wanted to I could spend hours catching up on last season and speculating on the next with the friends Irsquove still got left down the pub if I wanted to I can follow all the transfer gossip watch pre-season friendlies and build up all my hopes But as with most addictions that would simply be falling back into a previous state of dependence and everything Irsquove just put myself through wouldrsquove been for nothing So how do I go back to an old habit without a total relapse or would it be better to keep abstaining
All my questions seem to be met with other questions and no solutions On the other hand if you ask me what
Someone once said that insanity is when you keep repeating the same behaviour and expect a different outcome most likely a psychologist aimed at his or her ailing patients But for me these words are more reminiscent of my own conduct over the course of a regular football season Week in week out season after season I would expect Tottenham to win something and more often than not Irsquod be left disappointed So I decided to stop No more football ndash at least not for one full season
The season 201213 is now over and during the whole nine months I didnrsquot watch a single moment of football or read a single article on the subject That was my challenge and I was committed to it What is more despite all the warning signs I didnrsquot relapse After a year of structured punishment I didnrsquot have a clue about what was going on in the English Premier League (or any other league) Only having picked up bits and pieces of information that somehow slipped through the net the past season was like a book with most of its pages missing
By Simon Joseph
On The Volley
The Return of the Repressed or the Point of No Return
lsquoInsanity is when you keep repeating the same behaviour and expect a different outcomersquo
sport
lsquoThe past season was like a book with most of its pages missingrsquo
94
lsquoThere may even be some damage done to football-related friendshipsrsquo
lsquoHas abstaining for a season changed mersquo
it until the cows come home but it was us who made those changes or at least allowed them to happen and those changes will continue to happen with or without me Perhaps then the questions I should be asking are has abstaining for a season changed me Am I still obsessed or have I broken the habit of a lifetime Is following football really that terrible or even a real addiction
One thing is certain this lack of resolution is not completely without satisfaction because like all forms of fixation or obsession therersquos comfort and familiarity to be found in repetition as Tottenham miss out on Championrsquos League football by a single point again The repressed will always return to haunt us or so it seems and before we know it the start of next season will be upon us There will be more pain no doubt and more joy This time however it will take more than a boot camp approach to keep me away and who knows Tottenham might even win the league Come on you Spurs
Tottenham Hotspur means I would still tell you that itrsquos not just a pretty football package itrsquos about kith and kin not just where I came from but how I relate to others around me in the here and now Whatrsquos more millions of people are attracted to football they hunger for it and yearn to connect with it even though I still believe itrsquos a form of ineffective escape from one unsatisfying reality to another Following football is a classic example of cognitive dissonance ndash when you simultaneously entertain two opposing thoughts that appear to cancel each other out Before the start of each season for example we all want our club to win everything or to be taken over by billionaires but know that itrsquos impossible or in the latter case controversial and even undesirable So we invent ways to cope We develop a so-called lsquosiege mentalityrsquo or other harmful patterns of behaviour to relieve the discomfort of incongruity With this in mind the past year was supposed to be an exercise in behaviour modification ndash to discover the root of the problem and treat it effectively But one year on have I really discovered anything at all
The English Premier League whether you watch it or not is still probably the most exciting football league in the world We can complain about the changes made to
sport9
5
By Denson Pierre
The Gold Room
Fantasy Football Gold ndash Champions League 2012-2013 winner Denson Pierre and his prizes
The season petered out in an all-German Champions League Final which did nothing to dispel the record that this was a season of too few new stars or regular spectacle We look forward to the next season as it ought not be too difficult to create more excitement than in the one just pastWe did have the opportunity to hand over the envelopes and trophies to the Sentinel Fantasy Football game winners This year all the major winners from the Sentinel Fantasy Football League were unable to be present for the physical prize giving but the winner of the Gold Game and focus of this column was there to receive his prize for winning the master game in styleSo we retire the Gold Room until the beginning of the new football season See you all again then
96
sport
Matt Parker receives his third place and Manager of the Month prizes for the Sentinel Fantasy Football League
Charles Conneely Sentinel Fantasy Football League 2012-2013 Champion
97sport
wwwczechtourismcom
CZECH REPUBLIC - STUNNINGLY DIFFERENT
98
classifi eds
lsquoMembers of staff are clearly very well trainedrsquo
cafebar review54
cafebar review55
lsquoOutstandingly fairly priced snacks and nibbles are also offeredrsquo
cafebar review56
cafebar review57
lsquoThe atmosphere is conducive to chats and hilarityrsquo
cafebar review58
cafebar review59
scamsterdam
lifestyles60
By Valeria Scimia
Unemployed international and looking for a job in the Netherlands Not only must you face the everyday hell that is job-seeking but now you must also beware of scam companies Yes theyrsquove arrived here too
I was recently contacted by an ostensibly legitimate company that wanted to hire me The contact took the form of what appeared to be a genuine e-mail complete with website and logo from a company in Australia that seemed absolutely legitimate (I have since contacted the company to warn them that someone overseas is using their name and logo to scam people) The e-mail explained that the company was opening an office in Holland and was looking for people who would handle the back-office orders It contained a form to be filled in and returned if I was interested in the position the form asked for all my personal information including my bank details I had been looking for a job and was interested in the offer so I filled in and sent off the form and my CV Once they received my e-mail they asked me to start a trial period without practically explaining anything of what the job was actually about I didnrsquot immediately reply so they called me the next day asking me to start immediately with the trial period promising lots of benefits once the contract was signed I hadnrsquot met anyone at this point only telephone interviews and that already didnrsquot seem right to me I asked them to send me more information by e-mail about what I was meant to do and a few moments later I received a response asking me to make a bank transfer to show them I was trustworthy The lsquotrialrsquo implied that they would send me some money and I had to transfer half via GWK or MoneyTransfer to one of their clients and keep the other half This smelled very fishy to the Italian in me In reality they could be sending a cheque to the bank which would register an income that would later bounce after I had already made the payment to their lsquoclientrsquo On top of losing money the person that tried to lsquohirersquo meyou
would have been untraceable No one was even picking up the phone at the number given in the e-mail and the company they claimed to represent wasnrsquot even active in Europe
So I said no and told them I was no longer interested They even had the gumption to call me back and ask me why I wouldnrsquot do it I gave them a silly excuse so as not to give them any more information or tips on how to improve their scummy scam I am happy I started checking their contacts as soon as their promises seemed too good to be true even if I am still angry I allowed them to data-mine all of my information when I sent them my CV and filled in their form
It beggars belief that they set up an entire facade in these times of work despair and it really doesnrsquot feel right especially because therersquos not much I can do about it now apart from inform people I didnrsquot think this would ever happen here in this country where everything has to be or always seems to be so legitimate But I guess some things never change and a place doesnrsquot make the people and certainly doesnrsquot influence the choices they make I just wanted to share my experience to alert everyone to the possible scam If a company contacts you and asks you to return a form including your bank details when you have never met anyone face-to-face it should make your antennas extend and remember to double-check their credibility Apparently it is illegal to ask such questions of someone here so donrsquot fall for it as I did As I am still waiting to hear from the company in Australia I didnrsquot feel it was proper to disclose its name publicly just yet plus I am not sure the scammers always use the same company as a fake front But what they ask you to do is more or less always the same so keep your eyes open to the little details
lsquoYou face the everyday hell that is job-seeking but now you must also beware of scam companiesrsquo
lsquoThis smelled very fishy to the Italian in mersquo
lsquoThe form asked for all my personal informationrsquo
lifestyles6
1
Je moet er geweest zijn
62classifieds
MechelenAuthentic and full of surprises Thatrsquos Mechelen Hospitable and honourable Thatrsquos the people of Mechelen Come and experience the cityrsquos urban charms for yourself Mechelen
Authentic and full of surprises Thatrsquos Mechelen Hospitable and honourable Thatrsquos the people of Mechelen Come and experience the cityrsquos urban charms for yourself
photography copy Milo Profi
classifieds63
classifieds
How to hang out in
Amsterdam
By ER Muntrem
perspectives
It is not against the rules for babies to cry in cafeacutes It happens Mostly they sleep or sit in someonersquos lap with commendable decorum Otherwise kids in cafeacutes tend to nosh a little less than their elders and handle crayons a little more And while anyone who toddles behind the bar will certainly get caught they can always claim they were encouraged to toddle there in the first place
Dutch parents and I realise this is hard to prove seem to let their kids wander a metre or two further away from them than parents from other developed countries that universal ldquowhere is sherdquo look delayed five or ten seconds If this extra distance is a sign of perceived safety cafeacute culture must help teach it
Except for chefs all cafeacute workers do more or less all the jobs required to run a cafeacute They all wait on tables
serve hot and cold drinks set up outdoor furniture load and retrieve supplies take the garbage out wash glasses light candles arrange flowers unfurl the awning and ring up the bill When the young guy or girl greets you you may know they are not the owner but for the moment they are the face of the establishment It may as well be their place
Admittedly I am seduced by places where waiters donrsquot work for tips where the rushed pace of eating in a restaurant in America does not exist In a cafeacute you can do what you want for as long as you want and get food and drink while you do it Pretty cool and as much a baseline for how to hang out in Amsterdam as cycling is for how to get around
Places to eat and drink owned by corporations have to package experience to deliver it Whatrsquos our brand How can our managers and servers be most efficient How ultimately can we be number one Not something most cafeacutes seem to be worried about and where the universal signs for lsquowe are having a good time togetherrsquo
lsquoCafeacute culture must help teachrsquo lsquoI am seduced by places where waiters donrsquot work for tipsrsquo
64
perspectives
or lsquoI am happy here by myselfrsquo (clinked glasses or absorption in a newspaper say) are routinely in evidence This is one true grace of democracy the average worth smiling about
At cafeacutes co-workers have a beer before or after their shift friends drop by or a regular pops in with some news The stream of customers they donrsquot have to woo and donrsquot have to lsquoworkrsquo gives the whole thing a slightly familial living room perfectly public feel that makes the work far less of a personality crimp than working at Starbucks Or so it seems I do not mean to pretend carrying drinks across the street to the canal side seating or giving obvious directions yet again is always glorious but most people who work in cafeacutersquos laugh and smile a fair bit almost as much as the patrons
And when the owner of a cafeacute is of a generation older than those working there as is usually the case it lends a wise uncle or mother hen feel to the proceedings In the daytime no one is ever too caught up in his or her designated title to ignore a baby on the move And at
night the crowd of drinkers may as well be at a party hosted by their parents or kids or both
Itrsquos not all about money cafeacute culture churns towards the civilised without grinding anyone too far down As well as pleasure there is power in this The best distillation I know of what democracy should be came from a young woman working at Cafeacute Captein With our meal in front of us my friend noticed he was missing his salad Flagged down the young woman went to investigate ldquoItrsquos on its wayrdquo she said ldquoI told my boss to do itrdquo
Imagine we told Putin to do it We told Obama to do it We told the bankers to do it
lsquoMost people who work in cafeacutersquos laugh and smile a fair bitrsquo
lsquoCafeacute culture churns towards the civilised without grinding anyone too far downrsquo
65
66
featurecity gem
lsquoThe last of the large independent music stores left standing in Amsterdamrsquo
CITY GEM
67
Concerto
By Denson Pierre
ConcertoUtrechtsestraat 60 1017 VP Amsterdam
it is a rush when on a full stomach you can make an instant decision on where your next city-centre lunch will be taken it is almost ecstasy when the venue is situated in a music shop which for decades has been defined by its exceptional range and quality of music available in amsterdam Concerto is the last of the large independent music stores left standing in amsterdam all the others have long since been killed off by everything from the advance in recording and playback technologies to habitual illegal downloaders only now realising that their behaviour has an impact right back down to street level despite what they might think about the giant studios and recording companies
Concerto has not stuck but has twisted Since September it has incorporated a cute cafeacute
and lunch area within its premises as well as introducing a bookshop and lounge area making it possible to spend an almost nostalgic time there over several hours It still has a vast range of the very best music in vinyl (both new and second-hand) and CD form DVDs DJ equipment and even gear used for live musical performances Itrsquos a gold mine
If it has taken this clever adaptation in space utilisation to keep this institution viable and available to Amsterdam-based music lovers then I personally wish to support this venture and help mean this type of music retailer to remain part of the city scene For people of a certain age there is something infinitely more appealing about physically handling recorded material appreciating the artwork in its packaging having a listen and then deciding if it is a purchase you would like to make Even though non-digital stockpiling has become rather passeacute I challenge you to visit Concerto and its new cafeacute and bookshop concept and not end up spending more time in this true city gem than you had anticipated
lsquoIt has incorporated a cute cafeacute and lunch area within its premises as well as introducing a bookshop and lounge arearsquo
city gem
68
city gem
69city gem
city gem70
city gem71
72city gem
lsquoThere is something infinitely more appealing about physically
handling recorded material appreciating the artwork in its
packagingrsquo
73city gem
74classifi eds
75classifi eds
classifi edsclassifi eds76
amsterdam city life
BrinG BaCK
Something that seems to have been watered down considerably in Amsterdamrsquos hospitality industry in recent years is independence of thought styling and designAll you have to do is walk around the city to note that way too many coffeesoup houses and cafeacutes are more or less identikit This also applies to many cafeacutes with unimaginative business leaders who open unoriginal looking spaces and hope that the use of white paint purple or blue lights and house music is all it takes
Luckily there is something brewing to save our days and nights I have come across cafeacute owners who are now seriously considering ending the arrangements they have with the giant drink suppliers There are actually no good arguments left for continuing with these huge multinationals as they are frankly more expensive at wholesale for the same A-class products than the supermarkets on every Amsterdammerrsquos street corner
It looks like space is being created for the smaller brewers to take up the supply of A-class beer to smaller establishments throughout the city The giants can keep their character-free tourist traps and those bars still able to benefit purely from their unbeatable locations throughout the city
The Sentinel says bring back better and more original businesses of scale within the local hospitality industry which will help more cafeacutes and bars not only to become distinguishable by the interior designs they will need to conjure but also through the variety of local and regional beers that could become part of their coherent identity The overriding benefit of such courageous thinking and action would be an immediate return to realistic and reasonable pricing for A-class beer in Amsterdam which remains the staple of the easy consumables as this recession drones on
By Denson Pierre
INDEPENDENT CAFeacuteSBARS
77
78star beer guide
Star Beer
The SentinelStar beer guide
lsquoDifferent beers can seem to weigh on the conscience as much as on the taste budsrsquo
Just like the changing of the seasons different beers can seem to weigh on the conscience as much as on the taste buds Ciney blond is a lovely almost effeminate tasting beer All light smooth fruitiness bolstered by substantial alcohol content
As the temperature increases it can even feel like a thirst quencher A nice session beer and one that could function as an entrance-level quality beer in terms of its complexity For advanced samplers it is a great lower platform to descend to after cruising the space occupied by the 8-plus percentage alcoholic beauties
Ciney blond is brewed by Alken-Maes Mechelen Belgium
By Denson Pierre
CINEY BLOND (7 ABV)
79star beer guide
We find the best most fun most typical exciting or local favourite restaurants etcetera in Amsterdam and bring them to you an easy way to feel like a local
Cafe Kostverloren 040606
Recommended
80recommended
EUROGIFTSXenonweg 9 3812 SZ Amersfoort
Tel 033 - 454 35 75 - Fax 033 - 454 35 79E-mail lmproefeurogiftsnl
Website wwweurogiftsnl
FILMPROEF
ORDERNUMMER 6021022ARTIKELNUMMER 65123
Ware grootte (indien uitgeprint)Kleur opdruk Wit
Mulligans Irish Music BarAmsterdamrsquos best address for live Irish music Five (5) nights a week Check our agenda for upcoming sessions Amstel 100 1017 AC Amsterdamwwwmulligansnl
Cafeacute KostverlorenCafeacute Kostverloren is a contemporary cafe offering the cosiness of a saloon an open kitchen and the intimacy of a living room The large terras is great for sunny days2e Kostverlorenkade 70 Amsterdamwwwcafekostverlorennl
ZestZest is fi ne food warm atmosphere and classy drinks with regular semi-acoustic (live) music and DJs (Thursday to Sunday) Amsterdamrsquos newest and freshestBilderdijkstraat 188 Amsterdamwwwfacebookcomclubzestnl
GollemGollemrsquos Proefl okaal Gollem and Gollem II represent the best addresses serving the fullest range of top Belgian Dutch and international beers in AmsterdamOvertoom 160-161wwwcafegollemnl
IncantoA restaurant with a classic Italian kitchen Venetian chef Simone Ambrosin is known for his pure and simple style of cooking with great feeling for nuanceAmstel 2 Amsterdamwwwrestaurant-incantonl
Planet RoseThe fi rst Caribbean restaurant in the Netherlands specialised in Jamaican cuisine The menu features a daily changing selectionNicolaas Beetsstraat 47 Amsterdamwwwplanetroseinfo
Cafe restaurant EdelCafe restaurant Edel is the perfect place for lunch dinner or to simply enjoy a drink Edel is a unique place in AmsterdamPostjesweg 1 1057 DT Amsterdamwwwedelamsterdamnl
Cafeacute OportoCafeacute Oporto is a traditional Amsterdam lsquobrown cafersquo Welcoming tourists and regular customers alike they offer televised sports wifi and a wide range of reasonably priced beers and spiritsZoutsteeg 1 1012 LX Amsterdamwwwcafeoportonet
BaxA cosy and friendly local cafeacute with a focus on special or interesting beers and good quality food Open 7 days a week with a professional kitchen offering a lunch and dinner serviceTen Katestraat 119 Amsterdamwwwcafebaxnl
To be seen and tasted Fun Drinking amp Music
To Be Seen and Tasted
Fun Drinking amp Music
Fun Drinking amp Music
Connoisseurs Delight
Connoisseurs Delight
Connoisseurs Delight
To Be Seen and Tasted
Neighbourhood cosy
Fun drinking and music
ParckGreat fun beautiful people and simply the best bar food in townOvertoom 428 Amsterdamwwwcafeparcknl
To be seen and tasted
Cafe de Toog1890rsquos grandeur fashioned into Amsterdam-West grand brown cafe-restaurant-cool Classy drinks and mealsNicolaas Beetsstraat 142 hs Amsterdam wwwcafedetoogcom
Opera Prima - Patisserie Bistro TraiteurThe best place in town for lunch exquisite high teas or brunches and all of your luxury catering both private and corporateKinkerstraat 228 Amsterdamwwwoperaprimanl
Recommended
81
Where is this inAmsterdamAnswer to sentinelpostgmailcom
82spotted
Room 2cfilm
ldquoCome on in boys the waterrsquos finerdquo This is arguably the best all-round and funny musical to come out of Hollywood in a generation and certainly one of the best three soundtracks of the same period George Clooney will never be as good or charming as he is here playing the accidental leader of a trio of chain gang escapees in the US south of the 1930s Spirituality meets the Ku Klux Klan all coloured by Virginia bluegrass
ldquoCall me Snakerdquo The coolest handle for a leading man (Kurt Russell) in any movie to date Here he is sent in on a heroic lsquoat all costrsquo one-man mission to rescue the president of the United States from the prison island Manhattan has become in a lsquofuturersquo representation of 1997 Air Force One has crashed there and the countdown is on Classic 1980s turn of the millennium dystopian vision with style pace and gadgetry
By dpmotions
By dpmotions
o Brother Where Art Thou (2000)
escape from new York (1981)
room2c83
84trends
lsquoTrends are great to join and surf like a once in a lifetime tsunamirsquo
By Dirkje Bakker-Pierre
Each and every micro-world has its own specific trends Take the fashion world for example where one day you have to wear high heels and round noses and the next itrsquos flat hairy elephant feet-like boots that must hug your feet Or take the automotive world where once upon a time you could never have enough chrome on your car or the food world where we have quietly moved from fast to green and wholesome or the TV world which used to be about fiction and is now more real than reality Some of these trends are great to join and surf like a once in a lifetime tsunami others can slip by unnoticed and others still keep bugging and bugging you even if you try to avoid them like the plague
The online world and specifically the social media universe eats through trends like a fat chick after a hunger strike Facebook in particular seems to move seamlessly from one hype to the next one day itrsquos pictures with fuzzy edges or a bit of a 1970s filter the next itrsquos a profile picture with you very consciously not looking into the camera (very spontaneously and naturally non-posing you might say) These are mostly harmless things if Irsquom honest and when everyone
stops liking them they fade away as quickly as the sun in our small wet country There is one trend however that has festered within Facebook from the very beginning and which seems to be gradually growing and growing without anyone ever liking the postshellip and I mean EVER
Yes I am talking about daily quotes words of wisdom holy quotes mesmerizingly philosophical quotes cheesy quotes religious quoteshellip How can I describe all of them in one easy sentence pieces of text from (famous) people (it can never be something you thought of yourself) that lsquodisclosersquo previously secret information about being happy in life (or at least previously secret to the person doing the posting I presume) In short texts that belong on tiles hanging on the wall in old Dutch peoplersquos toilets
Why
Here are a few I found in my news feed this week
ldquoA mind is like a parachute It doesnrsquot work if it is not openrdquo ndash Frank Zappa
ldquoIt is not because things are difficult that we do not dare it is because we do not dare that things are difficultrdquo ndash Seneca
ldquoIf you donrsquot take what you are doing seriously then nobody else willrdquo ndash Darryl Dlt Thomson
Bad trends would be good if they werenrsquot so bad
85trends
86classifi eds
87classifieds
One of my personal favourite gemstones is moonstone Itlsquos been around for centuries and is used in many cultures As suggested by its name the stone is highly associated with the moon and moon goddess Diana It brings calm peace and love and is said to become more powerful when the moon is full so thatlsquos the best time to wear it One proverb even claims that moonstone can bring you love that will fly you to the moon Spiritually this amazing stone is said to enhance intuition and is always associated with the self It is a very powerful personal stone which doesnlsquot add or remove any aspects of the personality but merely reflects the person wearing it It is said to be very
MoonstoneBy Evelina Kvartunaite
ndash
lsquoThe stone is highly associated with the moon and moon goddess Dianarsquo
ndash
helpful for people who are very sensitive and it is also used in meditation for reflecting oneself Itlsquos always best to charge your gem when the moon is shining at night either while wearing it or by leaving it on a windowsill that receives moonlight Moonstone is also used in healing and is known for balancing the internal organ systems enabling them to work in stable cycles Itlsquos usually more associated with women but is also known to help men embrace their more emotional side soft creative energies and optimism Perhaps understandably moonstone should have limited exposure to strong direct sunlight
ndash
lsquoIt is said to be very helpful for people who are very sensitiversquo
ndash
88
health amp well-being
ndash
lsquoMore associated with women but is also known to help men embrace their more emotional sidersquo
ndash
89health amp well-being
In his article Batin shows how learning how to use complex products is like learning a computer game Just like the challenges in video games match the skills of the user so should TV interactions or any UI interactions for that matter For reference Batin used the four levels described in the Dreyfus model of skill acquisition
Level 1 novicebullRigid adherence to taught rules or plansbullNo exercise of lsquodiscretionary judgmentrsquo
Level 2 Advanced beginnerbullLimited lsquosituational perceptionrsquobullAll aspects of work treated separately with equal importance
Philip Batin wrote an article a couple of months ago about the next big idea in User Interaction gadgets that adapt to your skills As gadgets become more complicated UIs must be able to teach their users over time Apparently more and more interactive products are being returned In 2002 48 of all returned products were technically fully functional but were rejected for failing to satisfy user needs 20 purely due to customer remorse Even though a product may have all the features one can hope for complexity and bad user experience can prevent users from integrating it into their lives
UserInterfaceThe next big thing in UX
lsquoUIs must be able to teach their users over timersquo
By Andrei Barburas
lsquoComplexity and bad user experience can prevent users from
integrating it into their livesrsquo
90
technology
book the majority of which you probably skipped through
Personally I believe that there are certain end users most likely the majority that use only a limited set of features from any device they buy Mobile phones have become indispensable tools in our daily activities yet the average Joe has no idea about the full potential of a smart phone The same applies to Smart TVs they can do lots of things yet the only thing that we do with them is flip channels and complain how bad the shows are
The bottom line is that itrsquos definitely something worth thinking about not only from an operating system perspective but also from the perspective of applications developers
Level 3 competentbulllsquoCoping with crowdednessrsquo (multiple activities accumulation of information)bullSome perception of actions in relation to goalsbullDeliberate planningbullFormulates routines
Level 4 ProficientbullHolistic view of situationbullPrioritizes importance of aspectsbulllsquoPerceives deviations from the normal patternrsquobullEmploys maxim for guidance with meanings that adapt to the situation at hand
Now just imagine a User Interface that adapts based on what you can do and the abilities you have As you learn new things new levels of complexity are unlocked opening the door to fully knowing your device because you learned by doing and not by reading a complicated
lsquoThe average Joe has no idea about the full potential of a
smart phonersquo
91technology
92classifi eds
93classifi eds
Not knowing what was happening in football was extremely annoying to put it mildly and it wasnrsquot just my own self-denial and avoidance of all things football that was a hindrance the extent to which I had to ask others to go in order to remain ignorant was much more excruciating than Irsquod ever imagined There may even be some damage done to football-related friendships that is irreparable I now feel as though Irsquom walking through an empty stadium after everyone else has gone home
So what now and where to next The season is well and truly over and Irsquom free to do whatever I want I could read the back-dated sports pages check all the stats and find out all the facts if I wanted to I could spend hours catching up on last season and speculating on the next with the friends Irsquove still got left down the pub if I wanted to I can follow all the transfer gossip watch pre-season friendlies and build up all my hopes But as with most addictions that would simply be falling back into a previous state of dependence and everything Irsquove just put myself through wouldrsquove been for nothing So how do I go back to an old habit without a total relapse or would it be better to keep abstaining
All my questions seem to be met with other questions and no solutions On the other hand if you ask me what
Someone once said that insanity is when you keep repeating the same behaviour and expect a different outcome most likely a psychologist aimed at his or her ailing patients But for me these words are more reminiscent of my own conduct over the course of a regular football season Week in week out season after season I would expect Tottenham to win something and more often than not Irsquod be left disappointed So I decided to stop No more football ndash at least not for one full season
The season 201213 is now over and during the whole nine months I didnrsquot watch a single moment of football or read a single article on the subject That was my challenge and I was committed to it What is more despite all the warning signs I didnrsquot relapse After a year of structured punishment I didnrsquot have a clue about what was going on in the English Premier League (or any other league) Only having picked up bits and pieces of information that somehow slipped through the net the past season was like a book with most of its pages missing
By Simon Joseph
On The Volley
The Return of the Repressed or the Point of No Return
lsquoInsanity is when you keep repeating the same behaviour and expect a different outcomersquo
sport
lsquoThe past season was like a book with most of its pages missingrsquo
94
lsquoThere may even be some damage done to football-related friendshipsrsquo
lsquoHas abstaining for a season changed mersquo
it until the cows come home but it was us who made those changes or at least allowed them to happen and those changes will continue to happen with or without me Perhaps then the questions I should be asking are has abstaining for a season changed me Am I still obsessed or have I broken the habit of a lifetime Is following football really that terrible or even a real addiction
One thing is certain this lack of resolution is not completely without satisfaction because like all forms of fixation or obsession therersquos comfort and familiarity to be found in repetition as Tottenham miss out on Championrsquos League football by a single point again The repressed will always return to haunt us or so it seems and before we know it the start of next season will be upon us There will be more pain no doubt and more joy This time however it will take more than a boot camp approach to keep me away and who knows Tottenham might even win the league Come on you Spurs
Tottenham Hotspur means I would still tell you that itrsquos not just a pretty football package itrsquos about kith and kin not just where I came from but how I relate to others around me in the here and now Whatrsquos more millions of people are attracted to football they hunger for it and yearn to connect with it even though I still believe itrsquos a form of ineffective escape from one unsatisfying reality to another Following football is a classic example of cognitive dissonance ndash when you simultaneously entertain two opposing thoughts that appear to cancel each other out Before the start of each season for example we all want our club to win everything or to be taken over by billionaires but know that itrsquos impossible or in the latter case controversial and even undesirable So we invent ways to cope We develop a so-called lsquosiege mentalityrsquo or other harmful patterns of behaviour to relieve the discomfort of incongruity With this in mind the past year was supposed to be an exercise in behaviour modification ndash to discover the root of the problem and treat it effectively But one year on have I really discovered anything at all
The English Premier League whether you watch it or not is still probably the most exciting football league in the world We can complain about the changes made to
sport9
5
By Denson Pierre
The Gold Room
Fantasy Football Gold ndash Champions League 2012-2013 winner Denson Pierre and his prizes
The season petered out in an all-German Champions League Final which did nothing to dispel the record that this was a season of too few new stars or regular spectacle We look forward to the next season as it ought not be too difficult to create more excitement than in the one just pastWe did have the opportunity to hand over the envelopes and trophies to the Sentinel Fantasy Football game winners This year all the major winners from the Sentinel Fantasy Football League were unable to be present for the physical prize giving but the winner of the Gold Game and focus of this column was there to receive his prize for winning the master game in styleSo we retire the Gold Room until the beginning of the new football season See you all again then
96
sport
Matt Parker receives his third place and Manager of the Month prizes for the Sentinel Fantasy Football League
Charles Conneely Sentinel Fantasy Football League 2012-2013 Champion
97sport
wwwczechtourismcom
CZECH REPUBLIC - STUNNINGLY DIFFERENT
98
classifi eds
cafebar review55
lsquoOutstandingly fairly priced snacks and nibbles are also offeredrsquo
cafebar review56
cafebar review57
lsquoThe atmosphere is conducive to chats and hilarityrsquo
cafebar review58
cafebar review59
scamsterdam
lifestyles60
By Valeria Scimia
Unemployed international and looking for a job in the Netherlands Not only must you face the everyday hell that is job-seeking but now you must also beware of scam companies Yes theyrsquove arrived here too
I was recently contacted by an ostensibly legitimate company that wanted to hire me The contact took the form of what appeared to be a genuine e-mail complete with website and logo from a company in Australia that seemed absolutely legitimate (I have since contacted the company to warn them that someone overseas is using their name and logo to scam people) The e-mail explained that the company was opening an office in Holland and was looking for people who would handle the back-office orders It contained a form to be filled in and returned if I was interested in the position the form asked for all my personal information including my bank details I had been looking for a job and was interested in the offer so I filled in and sent off the form and my CV Once they received my e-mail they asked me to start a trial period without practically explaining anything of what the job was actually about I didnrsquot immediately reply so they called me the next day asking me to start immediately with the trial period promising lots of benefits once the contract was signed I hadnrsquot met anyone at this point only telephone interviews and that already didnrsquot seem right to me I asked them to send me more information by e-mail about what I was meant to do and a few moments later I received a response asking me to make a bank transfer to show them I was trustworthy The lsquotrialrsquo implied that they would send me some money and I had to transfer half via GWK or MoneyTransfer to one of their clients and keep the other half This smelled very fishy to the Italian in me In reality they could be sending a cheque to the bank which would register an income that would later bounce after I had already made the payment to their lsquoclientrsquo On top of losing money the person that tried to lsquohirersquo meyou
would have been untraceable No one was even picking up the phone at the number given in the e-mail and the company they claimed to represent wasnrsquot even active in Europe
So I said no and told them I was no longer interested They even had the gumption to call me back and ask me why I wouldnrsquot do it I gave them a silly excuse so as not to give them any more information or tips on how to improve their scummy scam I am happy I started checking their contacts as soon as their promises seemed too good to be true even if I am still angry I allowed them to data-mine all of my information when I sent them my CV and filled in their form
It beggars belief that they set up an entire facade in these times of work despair and it really doesnrsquot feel right especially because therersquos not much I can do about it now apart from inform people I didnrsquot think this would ever happen here in this country where everything has to be or always seems to be so legitimate But I guess some things never change and a place doesnrsquot make the people and certainly doesnrsquot influence the choices they make I just wanted to share my experience to alert everyone to the possible scam If a company contacts you and asks you to return a form including your bank details when you have never met anyone face-to-face it should make your antennas extend and remember to double-check their credibility Apparently it is illegal to ask such questions of someone here so donrsquot fall for it as I did As I am still waiting to hear from the company in Australia I didnrsquot feel it was proper to disclose its name publicly just yet plus I am not sure the scammers always use the same company as a fake front But what they ask you to do is more or less always the same so keep your eyes open to the little details
lsquoYou face the everyday hell that is job-seeking but now you must also beware of scam companiesrsquo
lsquoThis smelled very fishy to the Italian in mersquo
lsquoThe form asked for all my personal informationrsquo
lifestyles6
1
Je moet er geweest zijn
62classifieds
MechelenAuthentic and full of surprises Thatrsquos Mechelen Hospitable and honourable Thatrsquos the people of Mechelen Come and experience the cityrsquos urban charms for yourself Mechelen
Authentic and full of surprises Thatrsquos Mechelen Hospitable and honourable Thatrsquos the people of Mechelen Come and experience the cityrsquos urban charms for yourself
photography copy Milo Profi
classifieds63
classifieds
How to hang out in
Amsterdam
By ER Muntrem
perspectives
It is not against the rules for babies to cry in cafeacutes It happens Mostly they sleep or sit in someonersquos lap with commendable decorum Otherwise kids in cafeacutes tend to nosh a little less than their elders and handle crayons a little more And while anyone who toddles behind the bar will certainly get caught they can always claim they were encouraged to toddle there in the first place
Dutch parents and I realise this is hard to prove seem to let their kids wander a metre or two further away from them than parents from other developed countries that universal ldquowhere is sherdquo look delayed five or ten seconds If this extra distance is a sign of perceived safety cafeacute culture must help teach it
Except for chefs all cafeacute workers do more or less all the jobs required to run a cafeacute They all wait on tables
serve hot and cold drinks set up outdoor furniture load and retrieve supplies take the garbage out wash glasses light candles arrange flowers unfurl the awning and ring up the bill When the young guy or girl greets you you may know they are not the owner but for the moment they are the face of the establishment It may as well be their place
Admittedly I am seduced by places where waiters donrsquot work for tips where the rushed pace of eating in a restaurant in America does not exist In a cafeacute you can do what you want for as long as you want and get food and drink while you do it Pretty cool and as much a baseline for how to hang out in Amsterdam as cycling is for how to get around
Places to eat and drink owned by corporations have to package experience to deliver it Whatrsquos our brand How can our managers and servers be most efficient How ultimately can we be number one Not something most cafeacutes seem to be worried about and where the universal signs for lsquowe are having a good time togetherrsquo
lsquoCafeacute culture must help teachrsquo lsquoI am seduced by places where waiters donrsquot work for tipsrsquo
64
perspectives
or lsquoI am happy here by myselfrsquo (clinked glasses or absorption in a newspaper say) are routinely in evidence This is one true grace of democracy the average worth smiling about
At cafeacutes co-workers have a beer before or after their shift friends drop by or a regular pops in with some news The stream of customers they donrsquot have to woo and donrsquot have to lsquoworkrsquo gives the whole thing a slightly familial living room perfectly public feel that makes the work far less of a personality crimp than working at Starbucks Or so it seems I do not mean to pretend carrying drinks across the street to the canal side seating or giving obvious directions yet again is always glorious but most people who work in cafeacutersquos laugh and smile a fair bit almost as much as the patrons
And when the owner of a cafeacute is of a generation older than those working there as is usually the case it lends a wise uncle or mother hen feel to the proceedings In the daytime no one is ever too caught up in his or her designated title to ignore a baby on the move And at
night the crowd of drinkers may as well be at a party hosted by their parents or kids or both
Itrsquos not all about money cafeacute culture churns towards the civilised without grinding anyone too far down As well as pleasure there is power in this The best distillation I know of what democracy should be came from a young woman working at Cafeacute Captein With our meal in front of us my friend noticed he was missing his salad Flagged down the young woman went to investigate ldquoItrsquos on its wayrdquo she said ldquoI told my boss to do itrdquo
Imagine we told Putin to do it We told Obama to do it We told the bankers to do it
lsquoMost people who work in cafeacutersquos laugh and smile a fair bitrsquo
lsquoCafeacute culture churns towards the civilised without grinding anyone too far downrsquo
65
66
featurecity gem
lsquoThe last of the large independent music stores left standing in Amsterdamrsquo
CITY GEM
67
Concerto
By Denson Pierre
ConcertoUtrechtsestraat 60 1017 VP Amsterdam
it is a rush when on a full stomach you can make an instant decision on where your next city-centre lunch will be taken it is almost ecstasy when the venue is situated in a music shop which for decades has been defined by its exceptional range and quality of music available in amsterdam Concerto is the last of the large independent music stores left standing in amsterdam all the others have long since been killed off by everything from the advance in recording and playback technologies to habitual illegal downloaders only now realising that their behaviour has an impact right back down to street level despite what they might think about the giant studios and recording companies
Concerto has not stuck but has twisted Since September it has incorporated a cute cafeacute
and lunch area within its premises as well as introducing a bookshop and lounge area making it possible to spend an almost nostalgic time there over several hours It still has a vast range of the very best music in vinyl (both new and second-hand) and CD form DVDs DJ equipment and even gear used for live musical performances Itrsquos a gold mine
If it has taken this clever adaptation in space utilisation to keep this institution viable and available to Amsterdam-based music lovers then I personally wish to support this venture and help mean this type of music retailer to remain part of the city scene For people of a certain age there is something infinitely more appealing about physically handling recorded material appreciating the artwork in its packaging having a listen and then deciding if it is a purchase you would like to make Even though non-digital stockpiling has become rather passeacute I challenge you to visit Concerto and its new cafeacute and bookshop concept and not end up spending more time in this true city gem than you had anticipated
lsquoIt has incorporated a cute cafeacute and lunch area within its premises as well as introducing a bookshop and lounge arearsquo
city gem
68
city gem
69city gem
city gem70
city gem71
72city gem
lsquoThere is something infinitely more appealing about physically
handling recorded material appreciating the artwork in its
packagingrsquo
73city gem
74classifi eds
75classifi eds
classifi edsclassifi eds76
amsterdam city life
BrinG BaCK
Something that seems to have been watered down considerably in Amsterdamrsquos hospitality industry in recent years is independence of thought styling and designAll you have to do is walk around the city to note that way too many coffeesoup houses and cafeacutes are more or less identikit This also applies to many cafeacutes with unimaginative business leaders who open unoriginal looking spaces and hope that the use of white paint purple or blue lights and house music is all it takes
Luckily there is something brewing to save our days and nights I have come across cafeacute owners who are now seriously considering ending the arrangements they have with the giant drink suppliers There are actually no good arguments left for continuing with these huge multinationals as they are frankly more expensive at wholesale for the same A-class products than the supermarkets on every Amsterdammerrsquos street corner
It looks like space is being created for the smaller brewers to take up the supply of A-class beer to smaller establishments throughout the city The giants can keep their character-free tourist traps and those bars still able to benefit purely from their unbeatable locations throughout the city
The Sentinel says bring back better and more original businesses of scale within the local hospitality industry which will help more cafeacutes and bars not only to become distinguishable by the interior designs they will need to conjure but also through the variety of local and regional beers that could become part of their coherent identity The overriding benefit of such courageous thinking and action would be an immediate return to realistic and reasonable pricing for A-class beer in Amsterdam which remains the staple of the easy consumables as this recession drones on
By Denson Pierre
INDEPENDENT CAFeacuteSBARS
77
78star beer guide
Star Beer
The SentinelStar beer guide
lsquoDifferent beers can seem to weigh on the conscience as much as on the taste budsrsquo
Just like the changing of the seasons different beers can seem to weigh on the conscience as much as on the taste buds Ciney blond is a lovely almost effeminate tasting beer All light smooth fruitiness bolstered by substantial alcohol content
As the temperature increases it can even feel like a thirst quencher A nice session beer and one that could function as an entrance-level quality beer in terms of its complexity For advanced samplers it is a great lower platform to descend to after cruising the space occupied by the 8-plus percentage alcoholic beauties
Ciney blond is brewed by Alken-Maes Mechelen Belgium
By Denson Pierre
CINEY BLOND (7 ABV)
79star beer guide
We find the best most fun most typical exciting or local favourite restaurants etcetera in Amsterdam and bring them to you an easy way to feel like a local
Cafe Kostverloren 040606
Recommended
80recommended
EUROGIFTSXenonweg 9 3812 SZ Amersfoort
Tel 033 - 454 35 75 - Fax 033 - 454 35 79E-mail lmproefeurogiftsnl
Website wwweurogiftsnl
FILMPROEF
ORDERNUMMER 6021022ARTIKELNUMMER 65123
Ware grootte (indien uitgeprint)Kleur opdruk Wit
Mulligans Irish Music BarAmsterdamrsquos best address for live Irish music Five (5) nights a week Check our agenda for upcoming sessions Amstel 100 1017 AC Amsterdamwwwmulligansnl
Cafeacute KostverlorenCafeacute Kostverloren is a contemporary cafe offering the cosiness of a saloon an open kitchen and the intimacy of a living room The large terras is great for sunny days2e Kostverlorenkade 70 Amsterdamwwwcafekostverlorennl
ZestZest is fi ne food warm atmosphere and classy drinks with regular semi-acoustic (live) music and DJs (Thursday to Sunday) Amsterdamrsquos newest and freshestBilderdijkstraat 188 Amsterdamwwwfacebookcomclubzestnl
GollemGollemrsquos Proefl okaal Gollem and Gollem II represent the best addresses serving the fullest range of top Belgian Dutch and international beers in AmsterdamOvertoom 160-161wwwcafegollemnl
IncantoA restaurant with a classic Italian kitchen Venetian chef Simone Ambrosin is known for his pure and simple style of cooking with great feeling for nuanceAmstel 2 Amsterdamwwwrestaurant-incantonl
Planet RoseThe fi rst Caribbean restaurant in the Netherlands specialised in Jamaican cuisine The menu features a daily changing selectionNicolaas Beetsstraat 47 Amsterdamwwwplanetroseinfo
Cafe restaurant EdelCafe restaurant Edel is the perfect place for lunch dinner or to simply enjoy a drink Edel is a unique place in AmsterdamPostjesweg 1 1057 DT Amsterdamwwwedelamsterdamnl
Cafeacute OportoCafeacute Oporto is a traditional Amsterdam lsquobrown cafersquo Welcoming tourists and regular customers alike they offer televised sports wifi and a wide range of reasonably priced beers and spiritsZoutsteeg 1 1012 LX Amsterdamwwwcafeoportonet
BaxA cosy and friendly local cafeacute with a focus on special or interesting beers and good quality food Open 7 days a week with a professional kitchen offering a lunch and dinner serviceTen Katestraat 119 Amsterdamwwwcafebaxnl
To be seen and tasted Fun Drinking amp Music
To Be Seen and Tasted
Fun Drinking amp Music
Fun Drinking amp Music
Connoisseurs Delight
Connoisseurs Delight
Connoisseurs Delight
To Be Seen and Tasted
Neighbourhood cosy
Fun drinking and music
ParckGreat fun beautiful people and simply the best bar food in townOvertoom 428 Amsterdamwwwcafeparcknl
To be seen and tasted
Cafe de Toog1890rsquos grandeur fashioned into Amsterdam-West grand brown cafe-restaurant-cool Classy drinks and mealsNicolaas Beetsstraat 142 hs Amsterdam wwwcafedetoogcom
Opera Prima - Patisserie Bistro TraiteurThe best place in town for lunch exquisite high teas or brunches and all of your luxury catering both private and corporateKinkerstraat 228 Amsterdamwwwoperaprimanl
Recommended
81
Where is this inAmsterdamAnswer to sentinelpostgmailcom
82spotted
Room 2cfilm
ldquoCome on in boys the waterrsquos finerdquo This is arguably the best all-round and funny musical to come out of Hollywood in a generation and certainly one of the best three soundtracks of the same period George Clooney will never be as good or charming as he is here playing the accidental leader of a trio of chain gang escapees in the US south of the 1930s Spirituality meets the Ku Klux Klan all coloured by Virginia bluegrass
ldquoCall me Snakerdquo The coolest handle for a leading man (Kurt Russell) in any movie to date Here he is sent in on a heroic lsquoat all costrsquo one-man mission to rescue the president of the United States from the prison island Manhattan has become in a lsquofuturersquo representation of 1997 Air Force One has crashed there and the countdown is on Classic 1980s turn of the millennium dystopian vision with style pace and gadgetry
By dpmotions
By dpmotions
o Brother Where Art Thou (2000)
escape from new York (1981)
room2c83
84trends
lsquoTrends are great to join and surf like a once in a lifetime tsunamirsquo
By Dirkje Bakker-Pierre
Each and every micro-world has its own specific trends Take the fashion world for example where one day you have to wear high heels and round noses and the next itrsquos flat hairy elephant feet-like boots that must hug your feet Or take the automotive world where once upon a time you could never have enough chrome on your car or the food world where we have quietly moved from fast to green and wholesome or the TV world which used to be about fiction and is now more real than reality Some of these trends are great to join and surf like a once in a lifetime tsunami others can slip by unnoticed and others still keep bugging and bugging you even if you try to avoid them like the plague
The online world and specifically the social media universe eats through trends like a fat chick after a hunger strike Facebook in particular seems to move seamlessly from one hype to the next one day itrsquos pictures with fuzzy edges or a bit of a 1970s filter the next itrsquos a profile picture with you very consciously not looking into the camera (very spontaneously and naturally non-posing you might say) These are mostly harmless things if Irsquom honest and when everyone
stops liking them they fade away as quickly as the sun in our small wet country There is one trend however that has festered within Facebook from the very beginning and which seems to be gradually growing and growing without anyone ever liking the postshellip and I mean EVER
Yes I am talking about daily quotes words of wisdom holy quotes mesmerizingly philosophical quotes cheesy quotes religious quoteshellip How can I describe all of them in one easy sentence pieces of text from (famous) people (it can never be something you thought of yourself) that lsquodisclosersquo previously secret information about being happy in life (or at least previously secret to the person doing the posting I presume) In short texts that belong on tiles hanging on the wall in old Dutch peoplersquos toilets
Why
Here are a few I found in my news feed this week
ldquoA mind is like a parachute It doesnrsquot work if it is not openrdquo ndash Frank Zappa
ldquoIt is not because things are difficult that we do not dare it is because we do not dare that things are difficultrdquo ndash Seneca
ldquoIf you donrsquot take what you are doing seriously then nobody else willrdquo ndash Darryl Dlt Thomson
Bad trends would be good if they werenrsquot so bad
85trends
86classifi eds
87classifieds
One of my personal favourite gemstones is moonstone Itlsquos been around for centuries and is used in many cultures As suggested by its name the stone is highly associated with the moon and moon goddess Diana It brings calm peace and love and is said to become more powerful when the moon is full so thatlsquos the best time to wear it One proverb even claims that moonstone can bring you love that will fly you to the moon Spiritually this amazing stone is said to enhance intuition and is always associated with the self It is a very powerful personal stone which doesnlsquot add or remove any aspects of the personality but merely reflects the person wearing it It is said to be very
MoonstoneBy Evelina Kvartunaite
ndash
lsquoThe stone is highly associated with the moon and moon goddess Dianarsquo
ndash
helpful for people who are very sensitive and it is also used in meditation for reflecting oneself Itlsquos always best to charge your gem when the moon is shining at night either while wearing it or by leaving it on a windowsill that receives moonlight Moonstone is also used in healing and is known for balancing the internal organ systems enabling them to work in stable cycles Itlsquos usually more associated with women but is also known to help men embrace their more emotional side soft creative energies and optimism Perhaps understandably moonstone should have limited exposure to strong direct sunlight
ndash
lsquoIt is said to be very helpful for people who are very sensitiversquo
ndash
88
health amp well-being
ndash
lsquoMore associated with women but is also known to help men embrace their more emotional sidersquo
ndash
89health amp well-being
In his article Batin shows how learning how to use complex products is like learning a computer game Just like the challenges in video games match the skills of the user so should TV interactions or any UI interactions for that matter For reference Batin used the four levels described in the Dreyfus model of skill acquisition
Level 1 novicebullRigid adherence to taught rules or plansbullNo exercise of lsquodiscretionary judgmentrsquo
Level 2 Advanced beginnerbullLimited lsquosituational perceptionrsquobullAll aspects of work treated separately with equal importance
Philip Batin wrote an article a couple of months ago about the next big idea in User Interaction gadgets that adapt to your skills As gadgets become more complicated UIs must be able to teach their users over time Apparently more and more interactive products are being returned In 2002 48 of all returned products were technically fully functional but were rejected for failing to satisfy user needs 20 purely due to customer remorse Even though a product may have all the features one can hope for complexity and bad user experience can prevent users from integrating it into their lives
UserInterfaceThe next big thing in UX
lsquoUIs must be able to teach their users over timersquo
By Andrei Barburas
lsquoComplexity and bad user experience can prevent users from
integrating it into their livesrsquo
90
technology
book the majority of which you probably skipped through
Personally I believe that there are certain end users most likely the majority that use only a limited set of features from any device they buy Mobile phones have become indispensable tools in our daily activities yet the average Joe has no idea about the full potential of a smart phone The same applies to Smart TVs they can do lots of things yet the only thing that we do with them is flip channels and complain how bad the shows are
The bottom line is that itrsquos definitely something worth thinking about not only from an operating system perspective but also from the perspective of applications developers
Level 3 competentbulllsquoCoping with crowdednessrsquo (multiple activities accumulation of information)bullSome perception of actions in relation to goalsbullDeliberate planningbullFormulates routines
Level 4 ProficientbullHolistic view of situationbullPrioritizes importance of aspectsbulllsquoPerceives deviations from the normal patternrsquobullEmploys maxim for guidance with meanings that adapt to the situation at hand
Now just imagine a User Interface that adapts based on what you can do and the abilities you have As you learn new things new levels of complexity are unlocked opening the door to fully knowing your device because you learned by doing and not by reading a complicated
lsquoThe average Joe has no idea about the full potential of a
smart phonersquo
91technology
92classifi eds
93classifi eds
Not knowing what was happening in football was extremely annoying to put it mildly and it wasnrsquot just my own self-denial and avoidance of all things football that was a hindrance the extent to which I had to ask others to go in order to remain ignorant was much more excruciating than Irsquod ever imagined There may even be some damage done to football-related friendships that is irreparable I now feel as though Irsquom walking through an empty stadium after everyone else has gone home
So what now and where to next The season is well and truly over and Irsquom free to do whatever I want I could read the back-dated sports pages check all the stats and find out all the facts if I wanted to I could spend hours catching up on last season and speculating on the next with the friends Irsquove still got left down the pub if I wanted to I can follow all the transfer gossip watch pre-season friendlies and build up all my hopes But as with most addictions that would simply be falling back into a previous state of dependence and everything Irsquove just put myself through wouldrsquove been for nothing So how do I go back to an old habit without a total relapse or would it be better to keep abstaining
All my questions seem to be met with other questions and no solutions On the other hand if you ask me what
Someone once said that insanity is when you keep repeating the same behaviour and expect a different outcome most likely a psychologist aimed at his or her ailing patients But for me these words are more reminiscent of my own conduct over the course of a regular football season Week in week out season after season I would expect Tottenham to win something and more often than not Irsquod be left disappointed So I decided to stop No more football ndash at least not for one full season
The season 201213 is now over and during the whole nine months I didnrsquot watch a single moment of football or read a single article on the subject That was my challenge and I was committed to it What is more despite all the warning signs I didnrsquot relapse After a year of structured punishment I didnrsquot have a clue about what was going on in the English Premier League (or any other league) Only having picked up bits and pieces of information that somehow slipped through the net the past season was like a book with most of its pages missing
By Simon Joseph
On The Volley
The Return of the Repressed or the Point of No Return
lsquoInsanity is when you keep repeating the same behaviour and expect a different outcomersquo
sport
lsquoThe past season was like a book with most of its pages missingrsquo
94
lsquoThere may even be some damage done to football-related friendshipsrsquo
lsquoHas abstaining for a season changed mersquo
it until the cows come home but it was us who made those changes or at least allowed them to happen and those changes will continue to happen with or without me Perhaps then the questions I should be asking are has abstaining for a season changed me Am I still obsessed or have I broken the habit of a lifetime Is following football really that terrible or even a real addiction
One thing is certain this lack of resolution is not completely without satisfaction because like all forms of fixation or obsession therersquos comfort and familiarity to be found in repetition as Tottenham miss out on Championrsquos League football by a single point again The repressed will always return to haunt us or so it seems and before we know it the start of next season will be upon us There will be more pain no doubt and more joy This time however it will take more than a boot camp approach to keep me away and who knows Tottenham might even win the league Come on you Spurs
Tottenham Hotspur means I would still tell you that itrsquos not just a pretty football package itrsquos about kith and kin not just where I came from but how I relate to others around me in the here and now Whatrsquos more millions of people are attracted to football they hunger for it and yearn to connect with it even though I still believe itrsquos a form of ineffective escape from one unsatisfying reality to another Following football is a classic example of cognitive dissonance ndash when you simultaneously entertain two opposing thoughts that appear to cancel each other out Before the start of each season for example we all want our club to win everything or to be taken over by billionaires but know that itrsquos impossible or in the latter case controversial and even undesirable So we invent ways to cope We develop a so-called lsquosiege mentalityrsquo or other harmful patterns of behaviour to relieve the discomfort of incongruity With this in mind the past year was supposed to be an exercise in behaviour modification ndash to discover the root of the problem and treat it effectively But one year on have I really discovered anything at all
The English Premier League whether you watch it or not is still probably the most exciting football league in the world We can complain about the changes made to
sport9
5
By Denson Pierre
The Gold Room
Fantasy Football Gold ndash Champions League 2012-2013 winner Denson Pierre and his prizes
The season petered out in an all-German Champions League Final which did nothing to dispel the record that this was a season of too few new stars or regular spectacle We look forward to the next season as it ought not be too difficult to create more excitement than in the one just pastWe did have the opportunity to hand over the envelopes and trophies to the Sentinel Fantasy Football game winners This year all the major winners from the Sentinel Fantasy Football League were unable to be present for the physical prize giving but the winner of the Gold Game and focus of this column was there to receive his prize for winning the master game in styleSo we retire the Gold Room until the beginning of the new football season See you all again then
96
sport
Matt Parker receives his third place and Manager of the Month prizes for the Sentinel Fantasy Football League
Charles Conneely Sentinel Fantasy Football League 2012-2013 Champion
97sport
wwwczechtourismcom
CZECH REPUBLIC - STUNNINGLY DIFFERENT
98
classifi eds
lsquoOutstandingly fairly priced snacks and nibbles are also offeredrsquo
cafebar review56
cafebar review57
lsquoThe atmosphere is conducive to chats and hilarityrsquo
cafebar review58
cafebar review59
scamsterdam
lifestyles60
By Valeria Scimia
Unemployed international and looking for a job in the Netherlands Not only must you face the everyday hell that is job-seeking but now you must also beware of scam companies Yes theyrsquove arrived here too
I was recently contacted by an ostensibly legitimate company that wanted to hire me The contact took the form of what appeared to be a genuine e-mail complete with website and logo from a company in Australia that seemed absolutely legitimate (I have since contacted the company to warn them that someone overseas is using their name and logo to scam people) The e-mail explained that the company was opening an office in Holland and was looking for people who would handle the back-office orders It contained a form to be filled in and returned if I was interested in the position the form asked for all my personal information including my bank details I had been looking for a job and was interested in the offer so I filled in and sent off the form and my CV Once they received my e-mail they asked me to start a trial period without practically explaining anything of what the job was actually about I didnrsquot immediately reply so they called me the next day asking me to start immediately with the trial period promising lots of benefits once the contract was signed I hadnrsquot met anyone at this point only telephone interviews and that already didnrsquot seem right to me I asked them to send me more information by e-mail about what I was meant to do and a few moments later I received a response asking me to make a bank transfer to show them I was trustworthy The lsquotrialrsquo implied that they would send me some money and I had to transfer half via GWK or MoneyTransfer to one of their clients and keep the other half This smelled very fishy to the Italian in me In reality they could be sending a cheque to the bank which would register an income that would later bounce after I had already made the payment to their lsquoclientrsquo On top of losing money the person that tried to lsquohirersquo meyou
would have been untraceable No one was even picking up the phone at the number given in the e-mail and the company they claimed to represent wasnrsquot even active in Europe
So I said no and told them I was no longer interested They even had the gumption to call me back and ask me why I wouldnrsquot do it I gave them a silly excuse so as not to give them any more information or tips on how to improve their scummy scam I am happy I started checking their contacts as soon as their promises seemed too good to be true even if I am still angry I allowed them to data-mine all of my information when I sent them my CV and filled in their form
It beggars belief that they set up an entire facade in these times of work despair and it really doesnrsquot feel right especially because therersquos not much I can do about it now apart from inform people I didnrsquot think this would ever happen here in this country where everything has to be or always seems to be so legitimate But I guess some things never change and a place doesnrsquot make the people and certainly doesnrsquot influence the choices they make I just wanted to share my experience to alert everyone to the possible scam If a company contacts you and asks you to return a form including your bank details when you have never met anyone face-to-face it should make your antennas extend and remember to double-check their credibility Apparently it is illegal to ask such questions of someone here so donrsquot fall for it as I did As I am still waiting to hear from the company in Australia I didnrsquot feel it was proper to disclose its name publicly just yet plus I am not sure the scammers always use the same company as a fake front But what they ask you to do is more or less always the same so keep your eyes open to the little details
lsquoYou face the everyday hell that is job-seeking but now you must also beware of scam companiesrsquo
lsquoThis smelled very fishy to the Italian in mersquo
lsquoThe form asked for all my personal informationrsquo
lifestyles6
1
Je moet er geweest zijn
62classifieds
MechelenAuthentic and full of surprises Thatrsquos Mechelen Hospitable and honourable Thatrsquos the people of Mechelen Come and experience the cityrsquos urban charms for yourself Mechelen
Authentic and full of surprises Thatrsquos Mechelen Hospitable and honourable Thatrsquos the people of Mechelen Come and experience the cityrsquos urban charms for yourself
photography copy Milo Profi
classifieds63
classifieds
How to hang out in
Amsterdam
By ER Muntrem
perspectives
It is not against the rules for babies to cry in cafeacutes It happens Mostly they sleep or sit in someonersquos lap with commendable decorum Otherwise kids in cafeacutes tend to nosh a little less than their elders and handle crayons a little more And while anyone who toddles behind the bar will certainly get caught they can always claim they were encouraged to toddle there in the first place
Dutch parents and I realise this is hard to prove seem to let their kids wander a metre or two further away from them than parents from other developed countries that universal ldquowhere is sherdquo look delayed five or ten seconds If this extra distance is a sign of perceived safety cafeacute culture must help teach it
Except for chefs all cafeacute workers do more or less all the jobs required to run a cafeacute They all wait on tables
serve hot and cold drinks set up outdoor furniture load and retrieve supplies take the garbage out wash glasses light candles arrange flowers unfurl the awning and ring up the bill When the young guy or girl greets you you may know they are not the owner but for the moment they are the face of the establishment It may as well be their place
Admittedly I am seduced by places where waiters donrsquot work for tips where the rushed pace of eating in a restaurant in America does not exist In a cafeacute you can do what you want for as long as you want and get food and drink while you do it Pretty cool and as much a baseline for how to hang out in Amsterdam as cycling is for how to get around
Places to eat and drink owned by corporations have to package experience to deliver it Whatrsquos our brand How can our managers and servers be most efficient How ultimately can we be number one Not something most cafeacutes seem to be worried about and where the universal signs for lsquowe are having a good time togetherrsquo
lsquoCafeacute culture must help teachrsquo lsquoI am seduced by places where waiters donrsquot work for tipsrsquo
64
perspectives
or lsquoI am happy here by myselfrsquo (clinked glasses or absorption in a newspaper say) are routinely in evidence This is one true grace of democracy the average worth smiling about
At cafeacutes co-workers have a beer before or after their shift friends drop by or a regular pops in with some news The stream of customers they donrsquot have to woo and donrsquot have to lsquoworkrsquo gives the whole thing a slightly familial living room perfectly public feel that makes the work far less of a personality crimp than working at Starbucks Or so it seems I do not mean to pretend carrying drinks across the street to the canal side seating or giving obvious directions yet again is always glorious but most people who work in cafeacutersquos laugh and smile a fair bit almost as much as the patrons
And when the owner of a cafeacute is of a generation older than those working there as is usually the case it lends a wise uncle or mother hen feel to the proceedings In the daytime no one is ever too caught up in his or her designated title to ignore a baby on the move And at
night the crowd of drinkers may as well be at a party hosted by their parents or kids or both
Itrsquos not all about money cafeacute culture churns towards the civilised without grinding anyone too far down As well as pleasure there is power in this The best distillation I know of what democracy should be came from a young woman working at Cafeacute Captein With our meal in front of us my friend noticed he was missing his salad Flagged down the young woman went to investigate ldquoItrsquos on its wayrdquo she said ldquoI told my boss to do itrdquo
Imagine we told Putin to do it We told Obama to do it We told the bankers to do it
lsquoMost people who work in cafeacutersquos laugh and smile a fair bitrsquo
lsquoCafeacute culture churns towards the civilised without grinding anyone too far downrsquo
65
66
featurecity gem
lsquoThe last of the large independent music stores left standing in Amsterdamrsquo
CITY GEM
67
Concerto
By Denson Pierre
ConcertoUtrechtsestraat 60 1017 VP Amsterdam
it is a rush when on a full stomach you can make an instant decision on where your next city-centre lunch will be taken it is almost ecstasy when the venue is situated in a music shop which for decades has been defined by its exceptional range and quality of music available in amsterdam Concerto is the last of the large independent music stores left standing in amsterdam all the others have long since been killed off by everything from the advance in recording and playback technologies to habitual illegal downloaders only now realising that their behaviour has an impact right back down to street level despite what they might think about the giant studios and recording companies
Concerto has not stuck but has twisted Since September it has incorporated a cute cafeacute
and lunch area within its premises as well as introducing a bookshop and lounge area making it possible to spend an almost nostalgic time there over several hours It still has a vast range of the very best music in vinyl (both new and second-hand) and CD form DVDs DJ equipment and even gear used for live musical performances Itrsquos a gold mine
If it has taken this clever adaptation in space utilisation to keep this institution viable and available to Amsterdam-based music lovers then I personally wish to support this venture and help mean this type of music retailer to remain part of the city scene For people of a certain age there is something infinitely more appealing about physically handling recorded material appreciating the artwork in its packaging having a listen and then deciding if it is a purchase you would like to make Even though non-digital stockpiling has become rather passeacute I challenge you to visit Concerto and its new cafeacute and bookshop concept and not end up spending more time in this true city gem than you had anticipated
lsquoIt has incorporated a cute cafeacute and lunch area within its premises as well as introducing a bookshop and lounge arearsquo
city gem
68
city gem
69city gem
city gem70
city gem71
72city gem
lsquoThere is something infinitely more appealing about physically
handling recorded material appreciating the artwork in its
packagingrsquo
73city gem
74classifi eds
75classifi eds
classifi edsclassifi eds76
amsterdam city life
BrinG BaCK
Something that seems to have been watered down considerably in Amsterdamrsquos hospitality industry in recent years is independence of thought styling and designAll you have to do is walk around the city to note that way too many coffeesoup houses and cafeacutes are more or less identikit This also applies to many cafeacutes with unimaginative business leaders who open unoriginal looking spaces and hope that the use of white paint purple or blue lights and house music is all it takes
Luckily there is something brewing to save our days and nights I have come across cafeacute owners who are now seriously considering ending the arrangements they have with the giant drink suppliers There are actually no good arguments left for continuing with these huge multinationals as they are frankly more expensive at wholesale for the same A-class products than the supermarkets on every Amsterdammerrsquos street corner
It looks like space is being created for the smaller brewers to take up the supply of A-class beer to smaller establishments throughout the city The giants can keep their character-free tourist traps and those bars still able to benefit purely from their unbeatable locations throughout the city
The Sentinel says bring back better and more original businesses of scale within the local hospitality industry which will help more cafeacutes and bars not only to become distinguishable by the interior designs they will need to conjure but also through the variety of local and regional beers that could become part of their coherent identity The overriding benefit of such courageous thinking and action would be an immediate return to realistic and reasonable pricing for A-class beer in Amsterdam which remains the staple of the easy consumables as this recession drones on
By Denson Pierre
INDEPENDENT CAFeacuteSBARS
77
78star beer guide
Star Beer
The SentinelStar beer guide
lsquoDifferent beers can seem to weigh on the conscience as much as on the taste budsrsquo
Just like the changing of the seasons different beers can seem to weigh on the conscience as much as on the taste buds Ciney blond is a lovely almost effeminate tasting beer All light smooth fruitiness bolstered by substantial alcohol content
As the temperature increases it can even feel like a thirst quencher A nice session beer and one that could function as an entrance-level quality beer in terms of its complexity For advanced samplers it is a great lower platform to descend to after cruising the space occupied by the 8-plus percentage alcoholic beauties
Ciney blond is brewed by Alken-Maes Mechelen Belgium
By Denson Pierre
CINEY BLOND (7 ABV)
79star beer guide
We find the best most fun most typical exciting or local favourite restaurants etcetera in Amsterdam and bring them to you an easy way to feel like a local
Cafe Kostverloren 040606
Recommended
80recommended
EUROGIFTSXenonweg 9 3812 SZ Amersfoort
Tel 033 - 454 35 75 - Fax 033 - 454 35 79E-mail lmproefeurogiftsnl
Website wwweurogiftsnl
FILMPROEF
ORDERNUMMER 6021022ARTIKELNUMMER 65123
Ware grootte (indien uitgeprint)Kleur opdruk Wit
Mulligans Irish Music BarAmsterdamrsquos best address for live Irish music Five (5) nights a week Check our agenda for upcoming sessions Amstel 100 1017 AC Amsterdamwwwmulligansnl
Cafeacute KostverlorenCafeacute Kostverloren is a contemporary cafe offering the cosiness of a saloon an open kitchen and the intimacy of a living room The large terras is great for sunny days2e Kostverlorenkade 70 Amsterdamwwwcafekostverlorennl
ZestZest is fi ne food warm atmosphere and classy drinks with regular semi-acoustic (live) music and DJs (Thursday to Sunday) Amsterdamrsquos newest and freshestBilderdijkstraat 188 Amsterdamwwwfacebookcomclubzestnl
GollemGollemrsquos Proefl okaal Gollem and Gollem II represent the best addresses serving the fullest range of top Belgian Dutch and international beers in AmsterdamOvertoom 160-161wwwcafegollemnl
IncantoA restaurant with a classic Italian kitchen Venetian chef Simone Ambrosin is known for his pure and simple style of cooking with great feeling for nuanceAmstel 2 Amsterdamwwwrestaurant-incantonl
Planet RoseThe fi rst Caribbean restaurant in the Netherlands specialised in Jamaican cuisine The menu features a daily changing selectionNicolaas Beetsstraat 47 Amsterdamwwwplanetroseinfo
Cafe restaurant EdelCafe restaurant Edel is the perfect place for lunch dinner or to simply enjoy a drink Edel is a unique place in AmsterdamPostjesweg 1 1057 DT Amsterdamwwwedelamsterdamnl
Cafeacute OportoCafeacute Oporto is a traditional Amsterdam lsquobrown cafersquo Welcoming tourists and regular customers alike they offer televised sports wifi and a wide range of reasonably priced beers and spiritsZoutsteeg 1 1012 LX Amsterdamwwwcafeoportonet
BaxA cosy and friendly local cafeacute with a focus on special or interesting beers and good quality food Open 7 days a week with a professional kitchen offering a lunch and dinner serviceTen Katestraat 119 Amsterdamwwwcafebaxnl
To be seen and tasted Fun Drinking amp Music
To Be Seen and Tasted
Fun Drinking amp Music
Fun Drinking amp Music
Connoisseurs Delight
Connoisseurs Delight
Connoisseurs Delight
To Be Seen and Tasted
Neighbourhood cosy
Fun drinking and music
ParckGreat fun beautiful people and simply the best bar food in townOvertoom 428 Amsterdamwwwcafeparcknl
To be seen and tasted
Cafe de Toog1890rsquos grandeur fashioned into Amsterdam-West grand brown cafe-restaurant-cool Classy drinks and mealsNicolaas Beetsstraat 142 hs Amsterdam wwwcafedetoogcom
Opera Prima - Patisserie Bistro TraiteurThe best place in town for lunch exquisite high teas or brunches and all of your luxury catering both private and corporateKinkerstraat 228 Amsterdamwwwoperaprimanl
Recommended
81
Where is this inAmsterdamAnswer to sentinelpostgmailcom
82spotted
Room 2cfilm
ldquoCome on in boys the waterrsquos finerdquo This is arguably the best all-round and funny musical to come out of Hollywood in a generation and certainly one of the best three soundtracks of the same period George Clooney will never be as good or charming as he is here playing the accidental leader of a trio of chain gang escapees in the US south of the 1930s Spirituality meets the Ku Klux Klan all coloured by Virginia bluegrass
ldquoCall me Snakerdquo The coolest handle for a leading man (Kurt Russell) in any movie to date Here he is sent in on a heroic lsquoat all costrsquo one-man mission to rescue the president of the United States from the prison island Manhattan has become in a lsquofuturersquo representation of 1997 Air Force One has crashed there and the countdown is on Classic 1980s turn of the millennium dystopian vision with style pace and gadgetry
By dpmotions
By dpmotions
o Brother Where Art Thou (2000)
escape from new York (1981)
room2c83
84trends
lsquoTrends are great to join and surf like a once in a lifetime tsunamirsquo
By Dirkje Bakker-Pierre
Each and every micro-world has its own specific trends Take the fashion world for example where one day you have to wear high heels and round noses and the next itrsquos flat hairy elephant feet-like boots that must hug your feet Or take the automotive world where once upon a time you could never have enough chrome on your car or the food world where we have quietly moved from fast to green and wholesome or the TV world which used to be about fiction and is now more real than reality Some of these trends are great to join and surf like a once in a lifetime tsunami others can slip by unnoticed and others still keep bugging and bugging you even if you try to avoid them like the plague
The online world and specifically the social media universe eats through trends like a fat chick after a hunger strike Facebook in particular seems to move seamlessly from one hype to the next one day itrsquos pictures with fuzzy edges or a bit of a 1970s filter the next itrsquos a profile picture with you very consciously not looking into the camera (very spontaneously and naturally non-posing you might say) These are mostly harmless things if Irsquom honest and when everyone
stops liking them they fade away as quickly as the sun in our small wet country There is one trend however that has festered within Facebook from the very beginning and which seems to be gradually growing and growing without anyone ever liking the postshellip and I mean EVER
Yes I am talking about daily quotes words of wisdom holy quotes mesmerizingly philosophical quotes cheesy quotes religious quoteshellip How can I describe all of them in one easy sentence pieces of text from (famous) people (it can never be something you thought of yourself) that lsquodisclosersquo previously secret information about being happy in life (or at least previously secret to the person doing the posting I presume) In short texts that belong on tiles hanging on the wall in old Dutch peoplersquos toilets
Why
Here are a few I found in my news feed this week
ldquoA mind is like a parachute It doesnrsquot work if it is not openrdquo ndash Frank Zappa
ldquoIt is not because things are difficult that we do not dare it is because we do not dare that things are difficultrdquo ndash Seneca
ldquoIf you donrsquot take what you are doing seriously then nobody else willrdquo ndash Darryl Dlt Thomson
Bad trends would be good if they werenrsquot so bad
85trends
86classifi eds
87classifieds
One of my personal favourite gemstones is moonstone Itlsquos been around for centuries and is used in many cultures As suggested by its name the stone is highly associated with the moon and moon goddess Diana It brings calm peace and love and is said to become more powerful when the moon is full so thatlsquos the best time to wear it One proverb even claims that moonstone can bring you love that will fly you to the moon Spiritually this amazing stone is said to enhance intuition and is always associated with the self It is a very powerful personal stone which doesnlsquot add or remove any aspects of the personality but merely reflects the person wearing it It is said to be very
MoonstoneBy Evelina Kvartunaite
ndash
lsquoThe stone is highly associated with the moon and moon goddess Dianarsquo
ndash
helpful for people who are very sensitive and it is also used in meditation for reflecting oneself Itlsquos always best to charge your gem when the moon is shining at night either while wearing it or by leaving it on a windowsill that receives moonlight Moonstone is also used in healing and is known for balancing the internal organ systems enabling them to work in stable cycles Itlsquos usually more associated with women but is also known to help men embrace their more emotional side soft creative energies and optimism Perhaps understandably moonstone should have limited exposure to strong direct sunlight
ndash
lsquoIt is said to be very helpful for people who are very sensitiversquo
ndash
88
health amp well-being
ndash
lsquoMore associated with women but is also known to help men embrace their more emotional sidersquo
ndash
89health amp well-being
In his article Batin shows how learning how to use complex products is like learning a computer game Just like the challenges in video games match the skills of the user so should TV interactions or any UI interactions for that matter For reference Batin used the four levels described in the Dreyfus model of skill acquisition
Level 1 novicebullRigid adherence to taught rules or plansbullNo exercise of lsquodiscretionary judgmentrsquo
Level 2 Advanced beginnerbullLimited lsquosituational perceptionrsquobullAll aspects of work treated separately with equal importance
Philip Batin wrote an article a couple of months ago about the next big idea in User Interaction gadgets that adapt to your skills As gadgets become more complicated UIs must be able to teach their users over time Apparently more and more interactive products are being returned In 2002 48 of all returned products were technically fully functional but were rejected for failing to satisfy user needs 20 purely due to customer remorse Even though a product may have all the features one can hope for complexity and bad user experience can prevent users from integrating it into their lives
UserInterfaceThe next big thing in UX
lsquoUIs must be able to teach their users over timersquo
By Andrei Barburas
lsquoComplexity and bad user experience can prevent users from
integrating it into their livesrsquo
90
technology
book the majority of which you probably skipped through
Personally I believe that there are certain end users most likely the majority that use only a limited set of features from any device they buy Mobile phones have become indispensable tools in our daily activities yet the average Joe has no idea about the full potential of a smart phone The same applies to Smart TVs they can do lots of things yet the only thing that we do with them is flip channels and complain how bad the shows are
The bottom line is that itrsquos definitely something worth thinking about not only from an operating system perspective but also from the perspective of applications developers
Level 3 competentbulllsquoCoping with crowdednessrsquo (multiple activities accumulation of information)bullSome perception of actions in relation to goalsbullDeliberate planningbullFormulates routines
Level 4 ProficientbullHolistic view of situationbullPrioritizes importance of aspectsbulllsquoPerceives deviations from the normal patternrsquobullEmploys maxim for guidance with meanings that adapt to the situation at hand
Now just imagine a User Interface that adapts based on what you can do and the abilities you have As you learn new things new levels of complexity are unlocked opening the door to fully knowing your device because you learned by doing and not by reading a complicated
lsquoThe average Joe has no idea about the full potential of a
smart phonersquo
91technology
92classifi eds
93classifi eds
Not knowing what was happening in football was extremely annoying to put it mildly and it wasnrsquot just my own self-denial and avoidance of all things football that was a hindrance the extent to which I had to ask others to go in order to remain ignorant was much more excruciating than Irsquod ever imagined There may even be some damage done to football-related friendships that is irreparable I now feel as though Irsquom walking through an empty stadium after everyone else has gone home
So what now and where to next The season is well and truly over and Irsquom free to do whatever I want I could read the back-dated sports pages check all the stats and find out all the facts if I wanted to I could spend hours catching up on last season and speculating on the next with the friends Irsquove still got left down the pub if I wanted to I can follow all the transfer gossip watch pre-season friendlies and build up all my hopes But as with most addictions that would simply be falling back into a previous state of dependence and everything Irsquove just put myself through wouldrsquove been for nothing So how do I go back to an old habit without a total relapse or would it be better to keep abstaining
All my questions seem to be met with other questions and no solutions On the other hand if you ask me what
Someone once said that insanity is when you keep repeating the same behaviour and expect a different outcome most likely a psychologist aimed at his or her ailing patients But for me these words are more reminiscent of my own conduct over the course of a regular football season Week in week out season after season I would expect Tottenham to win something and more often than not Irsquod be left disappointed So I decided to stop No more football ndash at least not for one full season
The season 201213 is now over and during the whole nine months I didnrsquot watch a single moment of football or read a single article on the subject That was my challenge and I was committed to it What is more despite all the warning signs I didnrsquot relapse After a year of structured punishment I didnrsquot have a clue about what was going on in the English Premier League (or any other league) Only having picked up bits and pieces of information that somehow slipped through the net the past season was like a book with most of its pages missing
By Simon Joseph
On The Volley
The Return of the Repressed or the Point of No Return
lsquoInsanity is when you keep repeating the same behaviour and expect a different outcomersquo
sport
lsquoThe past season was like a book with most of its pages missingrsquo
94
lsquoThere may even be some damage done to football-related friendshipsrsquo
lsquoHas abstaining for a season changed mersquo
it until the cows come home but it was us who made those changes or at least allowed them to happen and those changes will continue to happen with or without me Perhaps then the questions I should be asking are has abstaining for a season changed me Am I still obsessed or have I broken the habit of a lifetime Is following football really that terrible or even a real addiction
One thing is certain this lack of resolution is not completely without satisfaction because like all forms of fixation or obsession therersquos comfort and familiarity to be found in repetition as Tottenham miss out on Championrsquos League football by a single point again The repressed will always return to haunt us or so it seems and before we know it the start of next season will be upon us There will be more pain no doubt and more joy This time however it will take more than a boot camp approach to keep me away and who knows Tottenham might even win the league Come on you Spurs
Tottenham Hotspur means I would still tell you that itrsquos not just a pretty football package itrsquos about kith and kin not just where I came from but how I relate to others around me in the here and now Whatrsquos more millions of people are attracted to football they hunger for it and yearn to connect with it even though I still believe itrsquos a form of ineffective escape from one unsatisfying reality to another Following football is a classic example of cognitive dissonance ndash when you simultaneously entertain two opposing thoughts that appear to cancel each other out Before the start of each season for example we all want our club to win everything or to be taken over by billionaires but know that itrsquos impossible or in the latter case controversial and even undesirable So we invent ways to cope We develop a so-called lsquosiege mentalityrsquo or other harmful patterns of behaviour to relieve the discomfort of incongruity With this in mind the past year was supposed to be an exercise in behaviour modification ndash to discover the root of the problem and treat it effectively But one year on have I really discovered anything at all
The English Premier League whether you watch it or not is still probably the most exciting football league in the world We can complain about the changes made to
sport9
5
By Denson Pierre
The Gold Room
Fantasy Football Gold ndash Champions League 2012-2013 winner Denson Pierre and his prizes
The season petered out in an all-German Champions League Final which did nothing to dispel the record that this was a season of too few new stars or regular spectacle We look forward to the next season as it ought not be too difficult to create more excitement than in the one just pastWe did have the opportunity to hand over the envelopes and trophies to the Sentinel Fantasy Football game winners This year all the major winners from the Sentinel Fantasy Football League were unable to be present for the physical prize giving but the winner of the Gold Game and focus of this column was there to receive his prize for winning the master game in styleSo we retire the Gold Room until the beginning of the new football season See you all again then
96
sport
Matt Parker receives his third place and Manager of the Month prizes for the Sentinel Fantasy Football League
Charles Conneely Sentinel Fantasy Football League 2012-2013 Champion
97sport
wwwczechtourismcom
CZECH REPUBLIC - STUNNINGLY DIFFERENT
98
classifi eds
cafebar review57
lsquoThe atmosphere is conducive to chats and hilarityrsquo
cafebar review58
cafebar review59
scamsterdam
lifestyles60
By Valeria Scimia
Unemployed international and looking for a job in the Netherlands Not only must you face the everyday hell that is job-seeking but now you must also beware of scam companies Yes theyrsquove arrived here too
I was recently contacted by an ostensibly legitimate company that wanted to hire me The contact took the form of what appeared to be a genuine e-mail complete with website and logo from a company in Australia that seemed absolutely legitimate (I have since contacted the company to warn them that someone overseas is using their name and logo to scam people) The e-mail explained that the company was opening an office in Holland and was looking for people who would handle the back-office orders It contained a form to be filled in and returned if I was interested in the position the form asked for all my personal information including my bank details I had been looking for a job and was interested in the offer so I filled in and sent off the form and my CV Once they received my e-mail they asked me to start a trial period without practically explaining anything of what the job was actually about I didnrsquot immediately reply so they called me the next day asking me to start immediately with the trial period promising lots of benefits once the contract was signed I hadnrsquot met anyone at this point only telephone interviews and that already didnrsquot seem right to me I asked them to send me more information by e-mail about what I was meant to do and a few moments later I received a response asking me to make a bank transfer to show them I was trustworthy The lsquotrialrsquo implied that they would send me some money and I had to transfer half via GWK or MoneyTransfer to one of their clients and keep the other half This smelled very fishy to the Italian in me In reality they could be sending a cheque to the bank which would register an income that would later bounce after I had already made the payment to their lsquoclientrsquo On top of losing money the person that tried to lsquohirersquo meyou
would have been untraceable No one was even picking up the phone at the number given in the e-mail and the company they claimed to represent wasnrsquot even active in Europe
So I said no and told them I was no longer interested They even had the gumption to call me back and ask me why I wouldnrsquot do it I gave them a silly excuse so as not to give them any more information or tips on how to improve their scummy scam I am happy I started checking their contacts as soon as their promises seemed too good to be true even if I am still angry I allowed them to data-mine all of my information when I sent them my CV and filled in their form
It beggars belief that they set up an entire facade in these times of work despair and it really doesnrsquot feel right especially because therersquos not much I can do about it now apart from inform people I didnrsquot think this would ever happen here in this country where everything has to be or always seems to be so legitimate But I guess some things never change and a place doesnrsquot make the people and certainly doesnrsquot influence the choices they make I just wanted to share my experience to alert everyone to the possible scam If a company contacts you and asks you to return a form including your bank details when you have never met anyone face-to-face it should make your antennas extend and remember to double-check their credibility Apparently it is illegal to ask such questions of someone here so donrsquot fall for it as I did As I am still waiting to hear from the company in Australia I didnrsquot feel it was proper to disclose its name publicly just yet plus I am not sure the scammers always use the same company as a fake front But what they ask you to do is more or less always the same so keep your eyes open to the little details
lsquoYou face the everyday hell that is job-seeking but now you must also beware of scam companiesrsquo
lsquoThis smelled very fishy to the Italian in mersquo
lsquoThe form asked for all my personal informationrsquo
lifestyles6
1
Je moet er geweest zijn
62classifieds
MechelenAuthentic and full of surprises Thatrsquos Mechelen Hospitable and honourable Thatrsquos the people of Mechelen Come and experience the cityrsquos urban charms for yourself Mechelen
Authentic and full of surprises Thatrsquos Mechelen Hospitable and honourable Thatrsquos the people of Mechelen Come and experience the cityrsquos urban charms for yourself
photography copy Milo Profi
classifieds63
classifieds
How to hang out in
Amsterdam
By ER Muntrem
perspectives
It is not against the rules for babies to cry in cafeacutes It happens Mostly they sleep or sit in someonersquos lap with commendable decorum Otherwise kids in cafeacutes tend to nosh a little less than their elders and handle crayons a little more And while anyone who toddles behind the bar will certainly get caught they can always claim they were encouraged to toddle there in the first place
Dutch parents and I realise this is hard to prove seem to let their kids wander a metre or two further away from them than parents from other developed countries that universal ldquowhere is sherdquo look delayed five or ten seconds If this extra distance is a sign of perceived safety cafeacute culture must help teach it
Except for chefs all cafeacute workers do more or less all the jobs required to run a cafeacute They all wait on tables
serve hot and cold drinks set up outdoor furniture load and retrieve supplies take the garbage out wash glasses light candles arrange flowers unfurl the awning and ring up the bill When the young guy or girl greets you you may know they are not the owner but for the moment they are the face of the establishment It may as well be their place
Admittedly I am seduced by places where waiters donrsquot work for tips where the rushed pace of eating in a restaurant in America does not exist In a cafeacute you can do what you want for as long as you want and get food and drink while you do it Pretty cool and as much a baseline for how to hang out in Amsterdam as cycling is for how to get around
Places to eat and drink owned by corporations have to package experience to deliver it Whatrsquos our brand How can our managers and servers be most efficient How ultimately can we be number one Not something most cafeacutes seem to be worried about and where the universal signs for lsquowe are having a good time togetherrsquo
lsquoCafeacute culture must help teachrsquo lsquoI am seduced by places where waiters donrsquot work for tipsrsquo
64
perspectives
or lsquoI am happy here by myselfrsquo (clinked glasses or absorption in a newspaper say) are routinely in evidence This is one true grace of democracy the average worth smiling about
At cafeacutes co-workers have a beer before or after their shift friends drop by or a regular pops in with some news The stream of customers they donrsquot have to woo and donrsquot have to lsquoworkrsquo gives the whole thing a slightly familial living room perfectly public feel that makes the work far less of a personality crimp than working at Starbucks Or so it seems I do not mean to pretend carrying drinks across the street to the canal side seating or giving obvious directions yet again is always glorious but most people who work in cafeacutersquos laugh and smile a fair bit almost as much as the patrons
And when the owner of a cafeacute is of a generation older than those working there as is usually the case it lends a wise uncle or mother hen feel to the proceedings In the daytime no one is ever too caught up in his or her designated title to ignore a baby on the move And at
night the crowd of drinkers may as well be at a party hosted by their parents or kids or both
Itrsquos not all about money cafeacute culture churns towards the civilised without grinding anyone too far down As well as pleasure there is power in this The best distillation I know of what democracy should be came from a young woman working at Cafeacute Captein With our meal in front of us my friend noticed he was missing his salad Flagged down the young woman went to investigate ldquoItrsquos on its wayrdquo she said ldquoI told my boss to do itrdquo
Imagine we told Putin to do it We told Obama to do it We told the bankers to do it
lsquoMost people who work in cafeacutersquos laugh and smile a fair bitrsquo
lsquoCafeacute culture churns towards the civilised without grinding anyone too far downrsquo
65
66
featurecity gem
lsquoThe last of the large independent music stores left standing in Amsterdamrsquo
CITY GEM
67
Concerto
By Denson Pierre
ConcertoUtrechtsestraat 60 1017 VP Amsterdam
it is a rush when on a full stomach you can make an instant decision on where your next city-centre lunch will be taken it is almost ecstasy when the venue is situated in a music shop which for decades has been defined by its exceptional range and quality of music available in amsterdam Concerto is the last of the large independent music stores left standing in amsterdam all the others have long since been killed off by everything from the advance in recording and playback technologies to habitual illegal downloaders only now realising that their behaviour has an impact right back down to street level despite what they might think about the giant studios and recording companies
Concerto has not stuck but has twisted Since September it has incorporated a cute cafeacute
and lunch area within its premises as well as introducing a bookshop and lounge area making it possible to spend an almost nostalgic time there over several hours It still has a vast range of the very best music in vinyl (both new and second-hand) and CD form DVDs DJ equipment and even gear used for live musical performances Itrsquos a gold mine
If it has taken this clever adaptation in space utilisation to keep this institution viable and available to Amsterdam-based music lovers then I personally wish to support this venture and help mean this type of music retailer to remain part of the city scene For people of a certain age there is something infinitely more appealing about physically handling recorded material appreciating the artwork in its packaging having a listen and then deciding if it is a purchase you would like to make Even though non-digital stockpiling has become rather passeacute I challenge you to visit Concerto and its new cafeacute and bookshop concept and not end up spending more time in this true city gem than you had anticipated
lsquoIt has incorporated a cute cafeacute and lunch area within its premises as well as introducing a bookshop and lounge arearsquo
city gem
68
city gem
69city gem
city gem70
city gem71
72city gem
lsquoThere is something infinitely more appealing about physically
handling recorded material appreciating the artwork in its
packagingrsquo
73city gem
74classifi eds
75classifi eds
classifi edsclassifi eds76
amsterdam city life
BrinG BaCK
Something that seems to have been watered down considerably in Amsterdamrsquos hospitality industry in recent years is independence of thought styling and designAll you have to do is walk around the city to note that way too many coffeesoup houses and cafeacutes are more or less identikit This also applies to many cafeacutes with unimaginative business leaders who open unoriginal looking spaces and hope that the use of white paint purple or blue lights and house music is all it takes
Luckily there is something brewing to save our days and nights I have come across cafeacute owners who are now seriously considering ending the arrangements they have with the giant drink suppliers There are actually no good arguments left for continuing with these huge multinationals as they are frankly more expensive at wholesale for the same A-class products than the supermarkets on every Amsterdammerrsquos street corner
It looks like space is being created for the smaller brewers to take up the supply of A-class beer to smaller establishments throughout the city The giants can keep their character-free tourist traps and those bars still able to benefit purely from their unbeatable locations throughout the city
The Sentinel says bring back better and more original businesses of scale within the local hospitality industry which will help more cafeacutes and bars not only to become distinguishable by the interior designs they will need to conjure but also through the variety of local and regional beers that could become part of their coherent identity The overriding benefit of such courageous thinking and action would be an immediate return to realistic and reasonable pricing for A-class beer in Amsterdam which remains the staple of the easy consumables as this recession drones on
By Denson Pierre
INDEPENDENT CAFeacuteSBARS
77
78star beer guide
Star Beer
The SentinelStar beer guide
lsquoDifferent beers can seem to weigh on the conscience as much as on the taste budsrsquo
Just like the changing of the seasons different beers can seem to weigh on the conscience as much as on the taste buds Ciney blond is a lovely almost effeminate tasting beer All light smooth fruitiness bolstered by substantial alcohol content
As the temperature increases it can even feel like a thirst quencher A nice session beer and one that could function as an entrance-level quality beer in terms of its complexity For advanced samplers it is a great lower platform to descend to after cruising the space occupied by the 8-plus percentage alcoholic beauties
Ciney blond is brewed by Alken-Maes Mechelen Belgium
By Denson Pierre
CINEY BLOND (7 ABV)
79star beer guide
We find the best most fun most typical exciting or local favourite restaurants etcetera in Amsterdam and bring them to you an easy way to feel like a local
Cafe Kostverloren 040606
Recommended
80recommended
EUROGIFTSXenonweg 9 3812 SZ Amersfoort
Tel 033 - 454 35 75 - Fax 033 - 454 35 79E-mail lmproefeurogiftsnl
Website wwweurogiftsnl
FILMPROEF
ORDERNUMMER 6021022ARTIKELNUMMER 65123
Ware grootte (indien uitgeprint)Kleur opdruk Wit
Mulligans Irish Music BarAmsterdamrsquos best address for live Irish music Five (5) nights a week Check our agenda for upcoming sessions Amstel 100 1017 AC Amsterdamwwwmulligansnl
Cafeacute KostverlorenCafeacute Kostverloren is a contemporary cafe offering the cosiness of a saloon an open kitchen and the intimacy of a living room The large terras is great for sunny days2e Kostverlorenkade 70 Amsterdamwwwcafekostverlorennl
ZestZest is fi ne food warm atmosphere and classy drinks with regular semi-acoustic (live) music and DJs (Thursday to Sunday) Amsterdamrsquos newest and freshestBilderdijkstraat 188 Amsterdamwwwfacebookcomclubzestnl
GollemGollemrsquos Proefl okaal Gollem and Gollem II represent the best addresses serving the fullest range of top Belgian Dutch and international beers in AmsterdamOvertoom 160-161wwwcafegollemnl
IncantoA restaurant with a classic Italian kitchen Venetian chef Simone Ambrosin is known for his pure and simple style of cooking with great feeling for nuanceAmstel 2 Amsterdamwwwrestaurant-incantonl
Planet RoseThe fi rst Caribbean restaurant in the Netherlands specialised in Jamaican cuisine The menu features a daily changing selectionNicolaas Beetsstraat 47 Amsterdamwwwplanetroseinfo
Cafe restaurant EdelCafe restaurant Edel is the perfect place for lunch dinner or to simply enjoy a drink Edel is a unique place in AmsterdamPostjesweg 1 1057 DT Amsterdamwwwedelamsterdamnl
Cafeacute OportoCafeacute Oporto is a traditional Amsterdam lsquobrown cafersquo Welcoming tourists and regular customers alike they offer televised sports wifi and a wide range of reasonably priced beers and spiritsZoutsteeg 1 1012 LX Amsterdamwwwcafeoportonet
BaxA cosy and friendly local cafeacute with a focus on special or interesting beers and good quality food Open 7 days a week with a professional kitchen offering a lunch and dinner serviceTen Katestraat 119 Amsterdamwwwcafebaxnl
To be seen and tasted Fun Drinking amp Music
To Be Seen and Tasted
Fun Drinking amp Music
Fun Drinking amp Music
Connoisseurs Delight
Connoisseurs Delight
Connoisseurs Delight
To Be Seen and Tasted
Neighbourhood cosy
Fun drinking and music
ParckGreat fun beautiful people and simply the best bar food in townOvertoom 428 Amsterdamwwwcafeparcknl
To be seen and tasted
Cafe de Toog1890rsquos grandeur fashioned into Amsterdam-West grand brown cafe-restaurant-cool Classy drinks and mealsNicolaas Beetsstraat 142 hs Amsterdam wwwcafedetoogcom
Opera Prima - Patisserie Bistro TraiteurThe best place in town for lunch exquisite high teas or brunches and all of your luxury catering both private and corporateKinkerstraat 228 Amsterdamwwwoperaprimanl
Recommended
81
Where is this inAmsterdamAnswer to sentinelpostgmailcom
82spotted
Room 2cfilm
ldquoCome on in boys the waterrsquos finerdquo This is arguably the best all-round and funny musical to come out of Hollywood in a generation and certainly one of the best three soundtracks of the same period George Clooney will never be as good or charming as he is here playing the accidental leader of a trio of chain gang escapees in the US south of the 1930s Spirituality meets the Ku Klux Klan all coloured by Virginia bluegrass
ldquoCall me Snakerdquo The coolest handle for a leading man (Kurt Russell) in any movie to date Here he is sent in on a heroic lsquoat all costrsquo one-man mission to rescue the president of the United States from the prison island Manhattan has become in a lsquofuturersquo representation of 1997 Air Force One has crashed there and the countdown is on Classic 1980s turn of the millennium dystopian vision with style pace and gadgetry
By dpmotions
By dpmotions
o Brother Where Art Thou (2000)
escape from new York (1981)
room2c83
84trends
lsquoTrends are great to join and surf like a once in a lifetime tsunamirsquo
By Dirkje Bakker-Pierre
Each and every micro-world has its own specific trends Take the fashion world for example where one day you have to wear high heels and round noses and the next itrsquos flat hairy elephant feet-like boots that must hug your feet Or take the automotive world where once upon a time you could never have enough chrome on your car or the food world where we have quietly moved from fast to green and wholesome or the TV world which used to be about fiction and is now more real than reality Some of these trends are great to join and surf like a once in a lifetime tsunami others can slip by unnoticed and others still keep bugging and bugging you even if you try to avoid them like the plague
The online world and specifically the social media universe eats through trends like a fat chick after a hunger strike Facebook in particular seems to move seamlessly from one hype to the next one day itrsquos pictures with fuzzy edges or a bit of a 1970s filter the next itrsquos a profile picture with you very consciously not looking into the camera (very spontaneously and naturally non-posing you might say) These are mostly harmless things if Irsquom honest and when everyone
stops liking them they fade away as quickly as the sun in our small wet country There is one trend however that has festered within Facebook from the very beginning and which seems to be gradually growing and growing without anyone ever liking the postshellip and I mean EVER
Yes I am talking about daily quotes words of wisdom holy quotes mesmerizingly philosophical quotes cheesy quotes religious quoteshellip How can I describe all of them in one easy sentence pieces of text from (famous) people (it can never be something you thought of yourself) that lsquodisclosersquo previously secret information about being happy in life (or at least previously secret to the person doing the posting I presume) In short texts that belong on tiles hanging on the wall in old Dutch peoplersquos toilets
Why
Here are a few I found in my news feed this week
ldquoA mind is like a parachute It doesnrsquot work if it is not openrdquo ndash Frank Zappa
ldquoIt is not because things are difficult that we do not dare it is because we do not dare that things are difficultrdquo ndash Seneca
ldquoIf you donrsquot take what you are doing seriously then nobody else willrdquo ndash Darryl Dlt Thomson
Bad trends would be good if they werenrsquot so bad
85trends
86classifi eds
87classifieds
One of my personal favourite gemstones is moonstone Itlsquos been around for centuries and is used in many cultures As suggested by its name the stone is highly associated with the moon and moon goddess Diana It brings calm peace and love and is said to become more powerful when the moon is full so thatlsquos the best time to wear it One proverb even claims that moonstone can bring you love that will fly you to the moon Spiritually this amazing stone is said to enhance intuition and is always associated with the self It is a very powerful personal stone which doesnlsquot add or remove any aspects of the personality but merely reflects the person wearing it It is said to be very
MoonstoneBy Evelina Kvartunaite
ndash
lsquoThe stone is highly associated with the moon and moon goddess Dianarsquo
ndash
helpful for people who are very sensitive and it is also used in meditation for reflecting oneself Itlsquos always best to charge your gem when the moon is shining at night either while wearing it or by leaving it on a windowsill that receives moonlight Moonstone is also used in healing and is known for balancing the internal organ systems enabling them to work in stable cycles Itlsquos usually more associated with women but is also known to help men embrace their more emotional side soft creative energies and optimism Perhaps understandably moonstone should have limited exposure to strong direct sunlight
ndash
lsquoIt is said to be very helpful for people who are very sensitiversquo
ndash
88
health amp well-being
ndash
lsquoMore associated with women but is also known to help men embrace their more emotional sidersquo
ndash
89health amp well-being
In his article Batin shows how learning how to use complex products is like learning a computer game Just like the challenges in video games match the skills of the user so should TV interactions or any UI interactions for that matter For reference Batin used the four levels described in the Dreyfus model of skill acquisition
Level 1 novicebullRigid adherence to taught rules or plansbullNo exercise of lsquodiscretionary judgmentrsquo
Level 2 Advanced beginnerbullLimited lsquosituational perceptionrsquobullAll aspects of work treated separately with equal importance
Philip Batin wrote an article a couple of months ago about the next big idea in User Interaction gadgets that adapt to your skills As gadgets become more complicated UIs must be able to teach their users over time Apparently more and more interactive products are being returned In 2002 48 of all returned products were technically fully functional but were rejected for failing to satisfy user needs 20 purely due to customer remorse Even though a product may have all the features one can hope for complexity and bad user experience can prevent users from integrating it into their lives
UserInterfaceThe next big thing in UX
lsquoUIs must be able to teach their users over timersquo
By Andrei Barburas
lsquoComplexity and bad user experience can prevent users from
integrating it into their livesrsquo
90
technology
book the majority of which you probably skipped through
Personally I believe that there are certain end users most likely the majority that use only a limited set of features from any device they buy Mobile phones have become indispensable tools in our daily activities yet the average Joe has no idea about the full potential of a smart phone The same applies to Smart TVs they can do lots of things yet the only thing that we do with them is flip channels and complain how bad the shows are
The bottom line is that itrsquos definitely something worth thinking about not only from an operating system perspective but also from the perspective of applications developers
Level 3 competentbulllsquoCoping with crowdednessrsquo (multiple activities accumulation of information)bullSome perception of actions in relation to goalsbullDeliberate planningbullFormulates routines
Level 4 ProficientbullHolistic view of situationbullPrioritizes importance of aspectsbulllsquoPerceives deviations from the normal patternrsquobullEmploys maxim for guidance with meanings that adapt to the situation at hand
Now just imagine a User Interface that adapts based on what you can do and the abilities you have As you learn new things new levels of complexity are unlocked opening the door to fully knowing your device because you learned by doing and not by reading a complicated
lsquoThe average Joe has no idea about the full potential of a
smart phonersquo
91technology
92classifi eds
93classifi eds
Not knowing what was happening in football was extremely annoying to put it mildly and it wasnrsquot just my own self-denial and avoidance of all things football that was a hindrance the extent to which I had to ask others to go in order to remain ignorant was much more excruciating than Irsquod ever imagined There may even be some damage done to football-related friendships that is irreparable I now feel as though Irsquom walking through an empty stadium after everyone else has gone home
So what now and where to next The season is well and truly over and Irsquom free to do whatever I want I could read the back-dated sports pages check all the stats and find out all the facts if I wanted to I could spend hours catching up on last season and speculating on the next with the friends Irsquove still got left down the pub if I wanted to I can follow all the transfer gossip watch pre-season friendlies and build up all my hopes But as with most addictions that would simply be falling back into a previous state of dependence and everything Irsquove just put myself through wouldrsquove been for nothing So how do I go back to an old habit without a total relapse or would it be better to keep abstaining
All my questions seem to be met with other questions and no solutions On the other hand if you ask me what
Someone once said that insanity is when you keep repeating the same behaviour and expect a different outcome most likely a psychologist aimed at his or her ailing patients But for me these words are more reminiscent of my own conduct over the course of a regular football season Week in week out season after season I would expect Tottenham to win something and more often than not Irsquod be left disappointed So I decided to stop No more football ndash at least not for one full season
The season 201213 is now over and during the whole nine months I didnrsquot watch a single moment of football or read a single article on the subject That was my challenge and I was committed to it What is more despite all the warning signs I didnrsquot relapse After a year of structured punishment I didnrsquot have a clue about what was going on in the English Premier League (or any other league) Only having picked up bits and pieces of information that somehow slipped through the net the past season was like a book with most of its pages missing
By Simon Joseph
On The Volley
The Return of the Repressed or the Point of No Return
lsquoInsanity is when you keep repeating the same behaviour and expect a different outcomersquo
sport
lsquoThe past season was like a book with most of its pages missingrsquo
94
lsquoThere may even be some damage done to football-related friendshipsrsquo
lsquoHas abstaining for a season changed mersquo
it until the cows come home but it was us who made those changes or at least allowed them to happen and those changes will continue to happen with or without me Perhaps then the questions I should be asking are has abstaining for a season changed me Am I still obsessed or have I broken the habit of a lifetime Is following football really that terrible or even a real addiction
One thing is certain this lack of resolution is not completely without satisfaction because like all forms of fixation or obsession therersquos comfort and familiarity to be found in repetition as Tottenham miss out on Championrsquos League football by a single point again The repressed will always return to haunt us or so it seems and before we know it the start of next season will be upon us There will be more pain no doubt and more joy This time however it will take more than a boot camp approach to keep me away and who knows Tottenham might even win the league Come on you Spurs
Tottenham Hotspur means I would still tell you that itrsquos not just a pretty football package itrsquos about kith and kin not just where I came from but how I relate to others around me in the here and now Whatrsquos more millions of people are attracted to football they hunger for it and yearn to connect with it even though I still believe itrsquos a form of ineffective escape from one unsatisfying reality to another Following football is a classic example of cognitive dissonance ndash when you simultaneously entertain two opposing thoughts that appear to cancel each other out Before the start of each season for example we all want our club to win everything or to be taken over by billionaires but know that itrsquos impossible or in the latter case controversial and even undesirable So we invent ways to cope We develop a so-called lsquosiege mentalityrsquo or other harmful patterns of behaviour to relieve the discomfort of incongruity With this in mind the past year was supposed to be an exercise in behaviour modification ndash to discover the root of the problem and treat it effectively But one year on have I really discovered anything at all
The English Premier League whether you watch it or not is still probably the most exciting football league in the world We can complain about the changes made to
sport9
5
By Denson Pierre
The Gold Room
Fantasy Football Gold ndash Champions League 2012-2013 winner Denson Pierre and his prizes
The season petered out in an all-German Champions League Final which did nothing to dispel the record that this was a season of too few new stars or regular spectacle We look forward to the next season as it ought not be too difficult to create more excitement than in the one just pastWe did have the opportunity to hand over the envelopes and trophies to the Sentinel Fantasy Football game winners This year all the major winners from the Sentinel Fantasy Football League were unable to be present for the physical prize giving but the winner of the Gold Game and focus of this column was there to receive his prize for winning the master game in styleSo we retire the Gold Room until the beginning of the new football season See you all again then
96
sport
Matt Parker receives his third place and Manager of the Month prizes for the Sentinel Fantasy Football League
Charles Conneely Sentinel Fantasy Football League 2012-2013 Champion
97sport
wwwczechtourismcom
CZECH REPUBLIC - STUNNINGLY DIFFERENT
98
classifi eds
lsquoThe atmosphere is conducive to chats and hilarityrsquo
cafebar review58
cafebar review59
scamsterdam
lifestyles60
By Valeria Scimia
Unemployed international and looking for a job in the Netherlands Not only must you face the everyday hell that is job-seeking but now you must also beware of scam companies Yes theyrsquove arrived here too
I was recently contacted by an ostensibly legitimate company that wanted to hire me The contact took the form of what appeared to be a genuine e-mail complete with website and logo from a company in Australia that seemed absolutely legitimate (I have since contacted the company to warn them that someone overseas is using their name and logo to scam people) The e-mail explained that the company was opening an office in Holland and was looking for people who would handle the back-office orders It contained a form to be filled in and returned if I was interested in the position the form asked for all my personal information including my bank details I had been looking for a job and was interested in the offer so I filled in and sent off the form and my CV Once they received my e-mail they asked me to start a trial period without practically explaining anything of what the job was actually about I didnrsquot immediately reply so they called me the next day asking me to start immediately with the trial period promising lots of benefits once the contract was signed I hadnrsquot met anyone at this point only telephone interviews and that already didnrsquot seem right to me I asked them to send me more information by e-mail about what I was meant to do and a few moments later I received a response asking me to make a bank transfer to show them I was trustworthy The lsquotrialrsquo implied that they would send me some money and I had to transfer half via GWK or MoneyTransfer to one of their clients and keep the other half This smelled very fishy to the Italian in me In reality they could be sending a cheque to the bank which would register an income that would later bounce after I had already made the payment to their lsquoclientrsquo On top of losing money the person that tried to lsquohirersquo meyou
would have been untraceable No one was even picking up the phone at the number given in the e-mail and the company they claimed to represent wasnrsquot even active in Europe
So I said no and told them I was no longer interested They even had the gumption to call me back and ask me why I wouldnrsquot do it I gave them a silly excuse so as not to give them any more information or tips on how to improve their scummy scam I am happy I started checking their contacts as soon as their promises seemed too good to be true even if I am still angry I allowed them to data-mine all of my information when I sent them my CV and filled in their form
It beggars belief that they set up an entire facade in these times of work despair and it really doesnrsquot feel right especially because therersquos not much I can do about it now apart from inform people I didnrsquot think this would ever happen here in this country where everything has to be or always seems to be so legitimate But I guess some things never change and a place doesnrsquot make the people and certainly doesnrsquot influence the choices they make I just wanted to share my experience to alert everyone to the possible scam If a company contacts you and asks you to return a form including your bank details when you have never met anyone face-to-face it should make your antennas extend and remember to double-check their credibility Apparently it is illegal to ask such questions of someone here so donrsquot fall for it as I did As I am still waiting to hear from the company in Australia I didnrsquot feel it was proper to disclose its name publicly just yet plus I am not sure the scammers always use the same company as a fake front But what they ask you to do is more or less always the same so keep your eyes open to the little details
lsquoYou face the everyday hell that is job-seeking but now you must also beware of scam companiesrsquo
lsquoThis smelled very fishy to the Italian in mersquo
lsquoThe form asked for all my personal informationrsquo
lifestyles6
1
Je moet er geweest zijn
62classifieds
MechelenAuthentic and full of surprises Thatrsquos Mechelen Hospitable and honourable Thatrsquos the people of Mechelen Come and experience the cityrsquos urban charms for yourself Mechelen
Authentic and full of surprises Thatrsquos Mechelen Hospitable and honourable Thatrsquos the people of Mechelen Come and experience the cityrsquos urban charms for yourself
photography copy Milo Profi
classifieds63
classifieds
How to hang out in
Amsterdam
By ER Muntrem
perspectives
It is not against the rules for babies to cry in cafeacutes It happens Mostly they sleep or sit in someonersquos lap with commendable decorum Otherwise kids in cafeacutes tend to nosh a little less than their elders and handle crayons a little more And while anyone who toddles behind the bar will certainly get caught they can always claim they were encouraged to toddle there in the first place
Dutch parents and I realise this is hard to prove seem to let their kids wander a metre or two further away from them than parents from other developed countries that universal ldquowhere is sherdquo look delayed five or ten seconds If this extra distance is a sign of perceived safety cafeacute culture must help teach it
Except for chefs all cafeacute workers do more or less all the jobs required to run a cafeacute They all wait on tables
serve hot and cold drinks set up outdoor furniture load and retrieve supplies take the garbage out wash glasses light candles arrange flowers unfurl the awning and ring up the bill When the young guy or girl greets you you may know they are not the owner but for the moment they are the face of the establishment It may as well be their place
Admittedly I am seduced by places where waiters donrsquot work for tips where the rushed pace of eating in a restaurant in America does not exist In a cafeacute you can do what you want for as long as you want and get food and drink while you do it Pretty cool and as much a baseline for how to hang out in Amsterdam as cycling is for how to get around
Places to eat and drink owned by corporations have to package experience to deliver it Whatrsquos our brand How can our managers and servers be most efficient How ultimately can we be number one Not something most cafeacutes seem to be worried about and where the universal signs for lsquowe are having a good time togetherrsquo
lsquoCafeacute culture must help teachrsquo lsquoI am seduced by places where waiters donrsquot work for tipsrsquo
64
perspectives
or lsquoI am happy here by myselfrsquo (clinked glasses or absorption in a newspaper say) are routinely in evidence This is one true grace of democracy the average worth smiling about
At cafeacutes co-workers have a beer before or after their shift friends drop by or a regular pops in with some news The stream of customers they donrsquot have to woo and donrsquot have to lsquoworkrsquo gives the whole thing a slightly familial living room perfectly public feel that makes the work far less of a personality crimp than working at Starbucks Or so it seems I do not mean to pretend carrying drinks across the street to the canal side seating or giving obvious directions yet again is always glorious but most people who work in cafeacutersquos laugh and smile a fair bit almost as much as the patrons
And when the owner of a cafeacute is of a generation older than those working there as is usually the case it lends a wise uncle or mother hen feel to the proceedings In the daytime no one is ever too caught up in his or her designated title to ignore a baby on the move And at
night the crowd of drinkers may as well be at a party hosted by their parents or kids or both
Itrsquos not all about money cafeacute culture churns towards the civilised without grinding anyone too far down As well as pleasure there is power in this The best distillation I know of what democracy should be came from a young woman working at Cafeacute Captein With our meal in front of us my friend noticed he was missing his salad Flagged down the young woman went to investigate ldquoItrsquos on its wayrdquo she said ldquoI told my boss to do itrdquo
Imagine we told Putin to do it We told Obama to do it We told the bankers to do it
lsquoMost people who work in cafeacutersquos laugh and smile a fair bitrsquo
lsquoCafeacute culture churns towards the civilised without grinding anyone too far downrsquo
65
66
featurecity gem
lsquoThe last of the large independent music stores left standing in Amsterdamrsquo
CITY GEM
67
Concerto
By Denson Pierre
ConcertoUtrechtsestraat 60 1017 VP Amsterdam
it is a rush when on a full stomach you can make an instant decision on where your next city-centre lunch will be taken it is almost ecstasy when the venue is situated in a music shop which for decades has been defined by its exceptional range and quality of music available in amsterdam Concerto is the last of the large independent music stores left standing in amsterdam all the others have long since been killed off by everything from the advance in recording and playback technologies to habitual illegal downloaders only now realising that their behaviour has an impact right back down to street level despite what they might think about the giant studios and recording companies
Concerto has not stuck but has twisted Since September it has incorporated a cute cafeacute
and lunch area within its premises as well as introducing a bookshop and lounge area making it possible to spend an almost nostalgic time there over several hours It still has a vast range of the very best music in vinyl (both new and second-hand) and CD form DVDs DJ equipment and even gear used for live musical performances Itrsquos a gold mine
If it has taken this clever adaptation in space utilisation to keep this institution viable and available to Amsterdam-based music lovers then I personally wish to support this venture and help mean this type of music retailer to remain part of the city scene For people of a certain age there is something infinitely more appealing about physically handling recorded material appreciating the artwork in its packaging having a listen and then deciding if it is a purchase you would like to make Even though non-digital stockpiling has become rather passeacute I challenge you to visit Concerto and its new cafeacute and bookshop concept and not end up spending more time in this true city gem than you had anticipated
lsquoIt has incorporated a cute cafeacute and lunch area within its premises as well as introducing a bookshop and lounge arearsquo
city gem
68
city gem
69city gem
city gem70
city gem71
72city gem
lsquoThere is something infinitely more appealing about physically
handling recorded material appreciating the artwork in its
packagingrsquo
73city gem
74classifi eds
75classifi eds
classifi edsclassifi eds76
amsterdam city life
BrinG BaCK
Something that seems to have been watered down considerably in Amsterdamrsquos hospitality industry in recent years is independence of thought styling and designAll you have to do is walk around the city to note that way too many coffeesoup houses and cafeacutes are more or less identikit This also applies to many cafeacutes with unimaginative business leaders who open unoriginal looking spaces and hope that the use of white paint purple or blue lights and house music is all it takes
Luckily there is something brewing to save our days and nights I have come across cafeacute owners who are now seriously considering ending the arrangements they have with the giant drink suppliers There are actually no good arguments left for continuing with these huge multinationals as they are frankly more expensive at wholesale for the same A-class products than the supermarkets on every Amsterdammerrsquos street corner
It looks like space is being created for the smaller brewers to take up the supply of A-class beer to smaller establishments throughout the city The giants can keep their character-free tourist traps and those bars still able to benefit purely from their unbeatable locations throughout the city
The Sentinel says bring back better and more original businesses of scale within the local hospitality industry which will help more cafeacutes and bars not only to become distinguishable by the interior designs they will need to conjure but also through the variety of local and regional beers that could become part of their coherent identity The overriding benefit of such courageous thinking and action would be an immediate return to realistic and reasonable pricing for A-class beer in Amsterdam which remains the staple of the easy consumables as this recession drones on
By Denson Pierre
INDEPENDENT CAFeacuteSBARS
77
78star beer guide
Star Beer
The SentinelStar beer guide
lsquoDifferent beers can seem to weigh on the conscience as much as on the taste budsrsquo
Just like the changing of the seasons different beers can seem to weigh on the conscience as much as on the taste buds Ciney blond is a lovely almost effeminate tasting beer All light smooth fruitiness bolstered by substantial alcohol content
As the temperature increases it can even feel like a thirst quencher A nice session beer and one that could function as an entrance-level quality beer in terms of its complexity For advanced samplers it is a great lower platform to descend to after cruising the space occupied by the 8-plus percentage alcoholic beauties
Ciney blond is brewed by Alken-Maes Mechelen Belgium
By Denson Pierre
CINEY BLOND (7 ABV)
79star beer guide
We find the best most fun most typical exciting or local favourite restaurants etcetera in Amsterdam and bring them to you an easy way to feel like a local
Cafe Kostverloren 040606
Recommended
80recommended
EUROGIFTSXenonweg 9 3812 SZ Amersfoort
Tel 033 - 454 35 75 - Fax 033 - 454 35 79E-mail lmproefeurogiftsnl
Website wwweurogiftsnl
FILMPROEF
ORDERNUMMER 6021022ARTIKELNUMMER 65123
Ware grootte (indien uitgeprint)Kleur opdruk Wit
Mulligans Irish Music BarAmsterdamrsquos best address for live Irish music Five (5) nights a week Check our agenda for upcoming sessions Amstel 100 1017 AC Amsterdamwwwmulligansnl
Cafeacute KostverlorenCafeacute Kostverloren is a contemporary cafe offering the cosiness of a saloon an open kitchen and the intimacy of a living room The large terras is great for sunny days2e Kostverlorenkade 70 Amsterdamwwwcafekostverlorennl
ZestZest is fi ne food warm atmosphere and classy drinks with regular semi-acoustic (live) music and DJs (Thursday to Sunday) Amsterdamrsquos newest and freshestBilderdijkstraat 188 Amsterdamwwwfacebookcomclubzestnl
GollemGollemrsquos Proefl okaal Gollem and Gollem II represent the best addresses serving the fullest range of top Belgian Dutch and international beers in AmsterdamOvertoom 160-161wwwcafegollemnl
IncantoA restaurant with a classic Italian kitchen Venetian chef Simone Ambrosin is known for his pure and simple style of cooking with great feeling for nuanceAmstel 2 Amsterdamwwwrestaurant-incantonl
Planet RoseThe fi rst Caribbean restaurant in the Netherlands specialised in Jamaican cuisine The menu features a daily changing selectionNicolaas Beetsstraat 47 Amsterdamwwwplanetroseinfo
Cafe restaurant EdelCafe restaurant Edel is the perfect place for lunch dinner or to simply enjoy a drink Edel is a unique place in AmsterdamPostjesweg 1 1057 DT Amsterdamwwwedelamsterdamnl
Cafeacute OportoCafeacute Oporto is a traditional Amsterdam lsquobrown cafersquo Welcoming tourists and regular customers alike they offer televised sports wifi and a wide range of reasonably priced beers and spiritsZoutsteeg 1 1012 LX Amsterdamwwwcafeoportonet
BaxA cosy and friendly local cafeacute with a focus on special or interesting beers and good quality food Open 7 days a week with a professional kitchen offering a lunch and dinner serviceTen Katestraat 119 Amsterdamwwwcafebaxnl
To be seen and tasted Fun Drinking amp Music
To Be Seen and Tasted
Fun Drinking amp Music
Fun Drinking amp Music
Connoisseurs Delight
Connoisseurs Delight
Connoisseurs Delight
To Be Seen and Tasted
Neighbourhood cosy
Fun drinking and music
ParckGreat fun beautiful people and simply the best bar food in townOvertoom 428 Amsterdamwwwcafeparcknl
To be seen and tasted
Cafe de Toog1890rsquos grandeur fashioned into Amsterdam-West grand brown cafe-restaurant-cool Classy drinks and mealsNicolaas Beetsstraat 142 hs Amsterdam wwwcafedetoogcom
Opera Prima - Patisserie Bistro TraiteurThe best place in town for lunch exquisite high teas or brunches and all of your luxury catering both private and corporateKinkerstraat 228 Amsterdamwwwoperaprimanl
Recommended
81
Where is this inAmsterdamAnswer to sentinelpostgmailcom
82spotted
Room 2cfilm
ldquoCome on in boys the waterrsquos finerdquo This is arguably the best all-round and funny musical to come out of Hollywood in a generation and certainly one of the best three soundtracks of the same period George Clooney will never be as good or charming as he is here playing the accidental leader of a trio of chain gang escapees in the US south of the 1930s Spirituality meets the Ku Klux Klan all coloured by Virginia bluegrass
ldquoCall me Snakerdquo The coolest handle for a leading man (Kurt Russell) in any movie to date Here he is sent in on a heroic lsquoat all costrsquo one-man mission to rescue the president of the United States from the prison island Manhattan has become in a lsquofuturersquo representation of 1997 Air Force One has crashed there and the countdown is on Classic 1980s turn of the millennium dystopian vision with style pace and gadgetry
By dpmotions
By dpmotions
o Brother Where Art Thou (2000)
escape from new York (1981)
room2c83
84trends
lsquoTrends are great to join and surf like a once in a lifetime tsunamirsquo
By Dirkje Bakker-Pierre
Each and every micro-world has its own specific trends Take the fashion world for example where one day you have to wear high heels and round noses and the next itrsquos flat hairy elephant feet-like boots that must hug your feet Or take the automotive world where once upon a time you could never have enough chrome on your car or the food world where we have quietly moved from fast to green and wholesome or the TV world which used to be about fiction and is now more real than reality Some of these trends are great to join and surf like a once in a lifetime tsunami others can slip by unnoticed and others still keep bugging and bugging you even if you try to avoid them like the plague
The online world and specifically the social media universe eats through trends like a fat chick after a hunger strike Facebook in particular seems to move seamlessly from one hype to the next one day itrsquos pictures with fuzzy edges or a bit of a 1970s filter the next itrsquos a profile picture with you very consciously not looking into the camera (very spontaneously and naturally non-posing you might say) These are mostly harmless things if Irsquom honest and when everyone
stops liking them they fade away as quickly as the sun in our small wet country There is one trend however that has festered within Facebook from the very beginning and which seems to be gradually growing and growing without anyone ever liking the postshellip and I mean EVER
Yes I am talking about daily quotes words of wisdom holy quotes mesmerizingly philosophical quotes cheesy quotes religious quoteshellip How can I describe all of them in one easy sentence pieces of text from (famous) people (it can never be something you thought of yourself) that lsquodisclosersquo previously secret information about being happy in life (or at least previously secret to the person doing the posting I presume) In short texts that belong on tiles hanging on the wall in old Dutch peoplersquos toilets
Why
Here are a few I found in my news feed this week
ldquoA mind is like a parachute It doesnrsquot work if it is not openrdquo ndash Frank Zappa
ldquoIt is not because things are difficult that we do not dare it is because we do not dare that things are difficultrdquo ndash Seneca
ldquoIf you donrsquot take what you are doing seriously then nobody else willrdquo ndash Darryl Dlt Thomson
Bad trends would be good if they werenrsquot so bad
85trends
86classifi eds
87classifieds
One of my personal favourite gemstones is moonstone Itlsquos been around for centuries and is used in many cultures As suggested by its name the stone is highly associated with the moon and moon goddess Diana It brings calm peace and love and is said to become more powerful when the moon is full so thatlsquos the best time to wear it One proverb even claims that moonstone can bring you love that will fly you to the moon Spiritually this amazing stone is said to enhance intuition and is always associated with the self It is a very powerful personal stone which doesnlsquot add or remove any aspects of the personality but merely reflects the person wearing it It is said to be very
MoonstoneBy Evelina Kvartunaite
ndash
lsquoThe stone is highly associated with the moon and moon goddess Dianarsquo
ndash
helpful for people who are very sensitive and it is also used in meditation for reflecting oneself Itlsquos always best to charge your gem when the moon is shining at night either while wearing it or by leaving it on a windowsill that receives moonlight Moonstone is also used in healing and is known for balancing the internal organ systems enabling them to work in stable cycles Itlsquos usually more associated with women but is also known to help men embrace their more emotional side soft creative energies and optimism Perhaps understandably moonstone should have limited exposure to strong direct sunlight
ndash
lsquoIt is said to be very helpful for people who are very sensitiversquo
ndash
88
health amp well-being
ndash
lsquoMore associated with women but is also known to help men embrace their more emotional sidersquo
ndash
89health amp well-being
In his article Batin shows how learning how to use complex products is like learning a computer game Just like the challenges in video games match the skills of the user so should TV interactions or any UI interactions for that matter For reference Batin used the four levels described in the Dreyfus model of skill acquisition
Level 1 novicebullRigid adherence to taught rules or plansbullNo exercise of lsquodiscretionary judgmentrsquo
Level 2 Advanced beginnerbullLimited lsquosituational perceptionrsquobullAll aspects of work treated separately with equal importance
Philip Batin wrote an article a couple of months ago about the next big idea in User Interaction gadgets that adapt to your skills As gadgets become more complicated UIs must be able to teach their users over time Apparently more and more interactive products are being returned In 2002 48 of all returned products were technically fully functional but were rejected for failing to satisfy user needs 20 purely due to customer remorse Even though a product may have all the features one can hope for complexity and bad user experience can prevent users from integrating it into their lives
UserInterfaceThe next big thing in UX
lsquoUIs must be able to teach their users over timersquo
By Andrei Barburas
lsquoComplexity and bad user experience can prevent users from
integrating it into their livesrsquo
90
technology
book the majority of which you probably skipped through
Personally I believe that there are certain end users most likely the majority that use only a limited set of features from any device they buy Mobile phones have become indispensable tools in our daily activities yet the average Joe has no idea about the full potential of a smart phone The same applies to Smart TVs they can do lots of things yet the only thing that we do with them is flip channels and complain how bad the shows are
The bottom line is that itrsquos definitely something worth thinking about not only from an operating system perspective but also from the perspective of applications developers
Level 3 competentbulllsquoCoping with crowdednessrsquo (multiple activities accumulation of information)bullSome perception of actions in relation to goalsbullDeliberate planningbullFormulates routines
Level 4 ProficientbullHolistic view of situationbullPrioritizes importance of aspectsbulllsquoPerceives deviations from the normal patternrsquobullEmploys maxim for guidance with meanings that adapt to the situation at hand
Now just imagine a User Interface that adapts based on what you can do and the abilities you have As you learn new things new levels of complexity are unlocked opening the door to fully knowing your device because you learned by doing and not by reading a complicated
lsquoThe average Joe has no idea about the full potential of a
smart phonersquo
91technology
92classifi eds
93classifi eds
Not knowing what was happening in football was extremely annoying to put it mildly and it wasnrsquot just my own self-denial and avoidance of all things football that was a hindrance the extent to which I had to ask others to go in order to remain ignorant was much more excruciating than Irsquod ever imagined There may even be some damage done to football-related friendships that is irreparable I now feel as though Irsquom walking through an empty stadium after everyone else has gone home
So what now and where to next The season is well and truly over and Irsquom free to do whatever I want I could read the back-dated sports pages check all the stats and find out all the facts if I wanted to I could spend hours catching up on last season and speculating on the next with the friends Irsquove still got left down the pub if I wanted to I can follow all the transfer gossip watch pre-season friendlies and build up all my hopes But as with most addictions that would simply be falling back into a previous state of dependence and everything Irsquove just put myself through wouldrsquove been for nothing So how do I go back to an old habit without a total relapse or would it be better to keep abstaining
All my questions seem to be met with other questions and no solutions On the other hand if you ask me what
Someone once said that insanity is when you keep repeating the same behaviour and expect a different outcome most likely a psychologist aimed at his or her ailing patients But for me these words are more reminiscent of my own conduct over the course of a regular football season Week in week out season after season I would expect Tottenham to win something and more often than not Irsquod be left disappointed So I decided to stop No more football ndash at least not for one full season
The season 201213 is now over and during the whole nine months I didnrsquot watch a single moment of football or read a single article on the subject That was my challenge and I was committed to it What is more despite all the warning signs I didnrsquot relapse After a year of structured punishment I didnrsquot have a clue about what was going on in the English Premier League (or any other league) Only having picked up bits and pieces of information that somehow slipped through the net the past season was like a book with most of its pages missing
By Simon Joseph
On The Volley
The Return of the Repressed or the Point of No Return
lsquoInsanity is when you keep repeating the same behaviour and expect a different outcomersquo
sport
lsquoThe past season was like a book with most of its pages missingrsquo
94
lsquoThere may even be some damage done to football-related friendshipsrsquo
lsquoHas abstaining for a season changed mersquo
it until the cows come home but it was us who made those changes or at least allowed them to happen and those changes will continue to happen with or without me Perhaps then the questions I should be asking are has abstaining for a season changed me Am I still obsessed or have I broken the habit of a lifetime Is following football really that terrible or even a real addiction
One thing is certain this lack of resolution is not completely without satisfaction because like all forms of fixation or obsession therersquos comfort and familiarity to be found in repetition as Tottenham miss out on Championrsquos League football by a single point again The repressed will always return to haunt us or so it seems and before we know it the start of next season will be upon us There will be more pain no doubt and more joy This time however it will take more than a boot camp approach to keep me away and who knows Tottenham might even win the league Come on you Spurs
Tottenham Hotspur means I would still tell you that itrsquos not just a pretty football package itrsquos about kith and kin not just where I came from but how I relate to others around me in the here and now Whatrsquos more millions of people are attracted to football they hunger for it and yearn to connect with it even though I still believe itrsquos a form of ineffective escape from one unsatisfying reality to another Following football is a classic example of cognitive dissonance ndash when you simultaneously entertain two opposing thoughts that appear to cancel each other out Before the start of each season for example we all want our club to win everything or to be taken over by billionaires but know that itrsquos impossible or in the latter case controversial and even undesirable So we invent ways to cope We develop a so-called lsquosiege mentalityrsquo or other harmful patterns of behaviour to relieve the discomfort of incongruity With this in mind the past year was supposed to be an exercise in behaviour modification ndash to discover the root of the problem and treat it effectively But one year on have I really discovered anything at all
The English Premier League whether you watch it or not is still probably the most exciting football league in the world We can complain about the changes made to
sport9
5
By Denson Pierre
The Gold Room
Fantasy Football Gold ndash Champions League 2012-2013 winner Denson Pierre and his prizes
The season petered out in an all-German Champions League Final which did nothing to dispel the record that this was a season of too few new stars or regular spectacle We look forward to the next season as it ought not be too difficult to create more excitement than in the one just pastWe did have the opportunity to hand over the envelopes and trophies to the Sentinel Fantasy Football game winners This year all the major winners from the Sentinel Fantasy Football League were unable to be present for the physical prize giving but the winner of the Gold Game and focus of this column was there to receive his prize for winning the master game in styleSo we retire the Gold Room until the beginning of the new football season See you all again then
96
sport
Matt Parker receives his third place and Manager of the Month prizes for the Sentinel Fantasy Football League
Charles Conneely Sentinel Fantasy Football League 2012-2013 Champion
97sport
wwwczechtourismcom
CZECH REPUBLIC - STUNNINGLY DIFFERENT
98
classifi eds
cafebar review59
scamsterdam
lifestyles60
By Valeria Scimia
Unemployed international and looking for a job in the Netherlands Not only must you face the everyday hell that is job-seeking but now you must also beware of scam companies Yes theyrsquove arrived here too
I was recently contacted by an ostensibly legitimate company that wanted to hire me The contact took the form of what appeared to be a genuine e-mail complete with website and logo from a company in Australia that seemed absolutely legitimate (I have since contacted the company to warn them that someone overseas is using their name and logo to scam people) The e-mail explained that the company was opening an office in Holland and was looking for people who would handle the back-office orders It contained a form to be filled in and returned if I was interested in the position the form asked for all my personal information including my bank details I had been looking for a job and was interested in the offer so I filled in and sent off the form and my CV Once they received my e-mail they asked me to start a trial period without practically explaining anything of what the job was actually about I didnrsquot immediately reply so they called me the next day asking me to start immediately with the trial period promising lots of benefits once the contract was signed I hadnrsquot met anyone at this point only telephone interviews and that already didnrsquot seem right to me I asked them to send me more information by e-mail about what I was meant to do and a few moments later I received a response asking me to make a bank transfer to show them I was trustworthy The lsquotrialrsquo implied that they would send me some money and I had to transfer half via GWK or MoneyTransfer to one of their clients and keep the other half This smelled very fishy to the Italian in me In reality they could be sending a cheque to the bank which would register an income that would later bounce after I had already made the payment to their lsquoclientrsquo On top of losing money the person that tried to lsquohirersquo meyou
would have been untraceable No one was even picking up the phone at the number given in the e-mail and the company they claimed to represent wasnrsquot even active in Europe
So I said no and told them I was no longer interested They even had the gumption to call me back and ask me why I wouldnrsquot do it I gave them a silly excuse so as not to give them any more information or tips on how to improve their scummy scam I am happy I started checking their contacts as soon as their promises seemed too good to be true even if I am still angry I allowed them to data-mine all of my information when I sent them my CV and filled in their form
It beggars belief that they set up an entire facade in these times of work despair and it really doesnrsquot feel right especially because therersquos not much I can do about it now apart from inform people I didnrsquot think this would ever happen here in this country where everything has to be or always seems to be so legitimate But I guess some things never change and a place doesnrsquot make the people and certainly doesnrsquot influence the choices they make I just wanted to share my experience to alert everyone to the possible scam If a company contacts you and asks you to return a form including your bank details when you have never met anyone face-to-face it should make your antennas extend and remember to double-check their credibility Apparently it is illegal to ask such questions of someone here so donrsquot fall for it as I did As I am still waiting to hear from the company in Australia I didnrsquot feel it was proper to disclose its name publicly just yet plus I am not sure the scammers always use the same company as a fake front But what they ask you to do is more or less always the same so keep your eyes open to the little details
lsquoYou face the everyday hell that is job-seeking but now you must also beware of scam companiesrsquo
lsquoThis smelled very fishy to the Italian in mersquo
lsquoThe form asked for all my personal informationrsquo
lifestyles6
1
Je moet er geweest zijn
62classifieds
MechelenAuthentic and full of surprises Thatrsquos Mechelen Hospitable and honourable Thatrsquos the people of Mechelen Come and experience the cityrsquos urban charms for yourself Mechelen
Authentic and full of surprises Thatrsquos Mechelen Hospitable and honourable Thatrsquos the people of Mechelen Come and experience the cityrsquos urban charms for yourself
photography copy Milo Profi
classifieds63
classifieds
How to hang out in
Amsterdam
By ER Muntrem
perspectives
It is not against the rules for babies to cry in cafeacutes It happens Mostly they sleep or sit in someonersquos lap with commendable decorum Otherwise kids in cafeacutes tend to nosh a little less than their elders and handle crayons a little more And while anyone who toddles behind the bar will certainly get caught they can always claim they were encouraged to toddle there in the first place
Dutch parents and I realise this is hard to prove seem to let their kids wander a metre or two further away from them than parents from other developed countries that universal ldquowhere is sherdquo look delayed five or ten seconds If this extra distance is a sign of perceived safety cafeacute culture must help teach it
Except for chefs all cafeacute workers do more or less all the jobs required to run a cafeacute They all wait on tables
serve hot and cold drinks set up outdoor furniture load and retrieve supplies take the garbage out wash glasses light candles arrange flowers unfurl the awning and ring up the bill When the young guy or girl greets you you may know they are not the owner but for the moment they are the face of the establishment It may as well be their place
Admittedly I am seduced by places where waiters donrsquot work for tips where the rushed pace of eating in a restaurant in America does not exist In a cafeacute you can do what you want for as long as you want and get food and drink while you do it Pretty cool and as much a baseline for how to hang out in Amsterdam as cycling is for how to get around
Places to eat and drink owned by corporations have to package experience to deliver it Whatrsquos our brand How can our managers and servers be most efficient How ultimately can we be number one Not something most cafeacutes seem to be worried about and where the universal signs for lsquowe are having a good time togetherrsquo
lsquoCafeacute culture must help teachrsquo lsquoI am seduced by places where waiters donrsquot work for tipsrsquo
64
perspectives
or lsquoI am happy here by myselfrsquo (clinked glasses or absorption in a newspaper say) are routinely in evidence This is one true grace of democracy the average worth smiling about
At cafeacutes co-workers have a beer before or after their shift friends drop by or a regular pops in with some news The stream of customers they donrsquot have to woo and donrsquot have to lsquoworkrsquo gives the whole thing a slightly familial living room perfectly public feel that makes the work far less of a personality crimp than working at Starbucks Or so it seems I do not mean to pretend carrying drinks across the street to the canal side seating or giving obvious directions yet again is always glorious but most people who work in cafeacutersquos laugh and smile a fair bit almost as much as the patrons
And when the owner of a cafeacute is of a generation older than those working there as is usually the case it lends a wise uncle or mother hen feel to the proceedings In the daytime no one is ever too caught up in his or her designated title to ignore a baby on the move And at
night the crowd of drinkers may as well be at a party hosted by their parents or kids or both
Itrsquos not all about money cafeacute culture churns towards the civilised without grinding anyone too far down As well as pleasure there is power in this The best distillation I know of what democracy should be came from a young woman working at Cafeacute Captein With our meal in front of us my friend noticed he was missing his salad Flagged down the young woman went to investigate ldquoItrsquos on its wayrdquo she said ldquoI told my boss to do itrdquo
Imagine we told Putin to do it We told Obama to do it We told the bankers to do it
lsquoMost people who work in cafeacutersquos laugh and smile a fair bitrsquo
lsquoCafeacute culture churns towards the civilised without grinding anyone too far downrsquo
65
66
featurecity gem
lsquoThe last of the large independent music stores left standing in Amsterdamrsquo
CITY GEM
67
Concerto
By Denson Pierre
ConcertoUtrechtsestraat 60 1017 VP Amsterdam
it is a rush when on a full stomach you can make an instant decision on where your next city-centre lunch will be taken it is almost ecstasy when the venue is situated in a music shop which for decades has been defined by its exceptional range and quality of music available in amsterdam Concerto is the last of the large independent music stores left standing in amsterdam all the others have long since been killed off by everything from the advance in recording and playback technologies to habitual illegal downloaders only now realising that their behaviour has an impact right back down to street level despite what they might think about the giant studios and recording companies
Concerto has not stuck but has twisted Since September it has incorporated a cute cafeacute
and lunch area within its premises as well as introducing a bookshop and lounge area making it possible to spend an almost nostalgic time there over several hours It still has a vast range of the very best music in vinyl (both new and second-hand) and CD form DVDs DJ equipment and even gear used for live musical performances Itrsquos a gold mine
If it has taken this clever adaptation in space utilisation to keep this institution viable and available to Amsterdam-based music lovers then I personally wish to support this venture and help mean this type of music retailer to remain part of the city scene For people of a certain age there is something infinitely more appealing about physically handling recorded material appreciating the artwork in its packaging having a listen and then deciding if it is a purchase you would like to make Even though non-digital stockpiling has become rather passeacute I challenge you to visit Concerto and its new cafeacute and bookshop concept and not end up spending more time in this true city gem than you had anticipated
lsquoIt has incorporated a cute cafeacute and lunch area within its premises as well as introducing a bookshop and lounge arearsquo
city gem
68
city gem
69city gem
city gem70
city gem71
72city gem
lsquoThere is something infinitely more appealing about physically
handling recorded material appreciating the artwork in its
packagingrsquo
73city gem
74classifi eds
75classifi eds
classifi edsclassifi eds76
amsterdam city life
BrinG BaCK
Something that seems to have been watered down considerably in Amsterdamrsquos hospitality industry in recent years is independence of thought styling and designAll you have to do is walk around the city to note that way too many coffeesoup houses and cafeacutes are more or less identikit This also applies to many cafeacutes with unimaginative business leaders who open unoriginal looking spaces and hope that the use of white paint purple or blue lights and house music is all it takes
Luckily there is something brewing to save our days and nights I have come across cafeacute owners who are now seriously considering ending the arrangements they have with the giant drink suppliers There are actually no good arguments left for continuing with these huge multinationals as they are frankly more expensive at wholesale for the same A-class products than the supermarkets on every Amsterdammerrsquos street corner
It looks like space is being created for the smaller brewers to take up the supply of A-class beer to smaller establishments throughout the city The giants can keep their character-free tourist traps and those bars still able to benefit purely from their unbeatable locations throughout the city
The Sentinel says bring back better and more original businesses of scale within the local hospitality industry which will help more cafeacutes and bars not only to become distinguishable by the interior designs they will need to conjure but also through the variety of local and regional beers that could become part of their coherent identity The overriding benefit of such courageous thinking and action would be an immediate return to realistic and reasonable pricing for A-class beer in Amsterdam which remains the staple of the easy consumables as this recession drones on
By Denson Pierre
INDEPENDENT CAFeacuteSBARS
77
78star beer guide
Star Beer
The SentinelStar beer guide
lsquoDifferent beers can seem to weigh on the conscience as much as on the taste budsrsquo
Just like the changing of the seasons different beers can seem to weigh on the conscience as much as on the taste buds Ciney blond is a lovely almost effeminate tasting beer All light smooth fruitiness bolstered by substantial alcohol content
As the temperature increases it can even feel like a thirst quencher A nice session beer and one that could function as an entrance-level quality beer in terms of its complexity For advanced samplers it is a great lower platform to descend to after cruising the space occupied by the 8-plus percentage alcoholic beauties
Ciney blond is brewed by Alken-Maes Mechelen Belgium
By Denson Pierre
CINEY BLOND (7 ABV)
79star beer guide
We find the best most fun most typical exciting or local favourite restaurants etcetera in Amsterdam and bring them to you an easy way to feel like a local
Cafe Kostverloren 040606
Recommended
80recommended
EUROGIFTSXenonweg 9 3812 SZ Amersfoort
Tel 033 - 454 35 75 - Fax 033 - 454 35 79E-mail lmproefeurogiftsnl
Website wwweurogiftsnl
FILMPROEF
ORDERNUMMER 6021022ARTIKELNUMMER 65123
Ware grootte (indien uitgeprint)Kleur opdruk Wit
Mulligans Irish Music BarAmsterdamrsquos best address for live Irish music Five (5) nights a week Check our agenda for upcoming sessions Amstel 100 1017 AC Amsterdamwwwmulligansnl
Cafeacute KostverlorenCafeacute Kostverloren is a contemporary cafe offering the cosiness of a saloon an open kitchen and the intimacy of a living room The large terras is great for sunny days2e Kostverlorenkade 70 Amsterdamwwwcafekostverlorennl
ZestZest is fi ne food warm atmosphere and classy drinks with regular semi-acoustic (live) music and DJs (Thursday to Sunday) Amsterdamrsquos newest and freshestBilderdijkstraat 188 Amsterdamwwwfacebookcomclubzestnl
GollemGollemrsquos Proefl okaal Gollem and Gollem II represent the best addresses serving the fullest range of top Belgian Dutch and international beers in AmsterdamOvertoom 160-161wwwcafegollemnl
IncantoA restaurant with a classic Italian kitchen Venetian chef Simone Ambrosin is known for his pure and simple style of cooking with great feeling for nuanceAmstel 2 Amsterdamwwwrestaurant-incantonl
Planet RoseThe fi rst Caribbean restaurant in the Netherlands specialised in Jamaican cuisine The menu features a daily changing selectionNicolaas Beetsstraat 47 Amsterdamwwwplanetroseinfo
Cafe restaurant EdelCafe restaurant Edel is the perfect place for lunch dinner or to simply enjoy a drink Edel is a unique place in AmsterdamPostjesweg 1 1057 DT Amsterdamwwwedelamsterdamnl
Cafeacute OportoCafeacute Oporto is a traditional Amsterdam lsquobrown cafersquo Welcoming tourists and regular customers alike they offer televised sports wifi and a wide range of reasonably priced beers and spiritsZoutsteeg 1 1012 LX Amsterdamwwwcafeoportonet
BaxA cosy and friendly local cafeacute with a focus on special or interesting beers and good quality food Open 7 days a week with a professional kitchen offering a lunch and dinner serviceTen Katestraat 119 Amsterdamwwwcafebaxnl
To be seen and tasted Fun Drinking amp Music
To Be Seen and Tasted
Fun Drinking amp Music
Fun Drinking amp Music
Connoisseurs Delight
Connoisseurs Delight
Connoisseurs Delight
To Be Seen and Tasted
Neighbourhood cosy
Fun drinking and music
ParckGreat fun beautiful people and simply the best bar food in townOvertoom 428 Amsterdamwwwcafeparcknl
To be seen and tasted
Cafe de Toog1890rsquos grandeur fashioned into Amsterdam-West grand brown cafe-restaurant-cool Classy drinks and mealsNicolaas Beetsstraat 142 hs Amsterdam wwwcafedetoogcom
Opera Prima - Patisserie Bistro TraiteurThe best place in town for lunch exquisite high teas or brunches and all of your luxury catering both private and corporateKinkerstraat 228 Amsterdamwwwoperaprimanl
Recommended
81
Where is this inAmsterdamAnswer to sentinelpostgmailcom
82spotted
Room 2cfilm
ldquoCome on in boys the waterrsquos finerdquo This is arguably the best all-round and funny musical to come out of Hollywood in a generation and certainly one of the best three soundtracks of the same period George Clooney will never be as good or charming as he is here playing the accidental leader of a trio of chain gang escapees in the US south of the 1930s Spirituality meets the Ku Klux Klan all coloured by Virginia bluegrass
ldquoCall me Snakerdquo The coolest handle for a leading man (Kurt Russell) in any movie to date Here he is sent in on a heroic lsquoat all costrsquo one-man mission to rescue the president of the United States from the prison island Manhattan has become in a lsquofuturersquo representation of 1997 Air Force One has crashed there and the countdown is on Classic 1980s turn of the millennium dystopian vision with style pace and gadgetry
By dpmotions
By dpmotions
o Brother Where Art Thou (2000)
escape from new York (1981)
room2c83
84trends
lsquoTrends are great to join and surf like a once in a lifetime tsunamirsquo
By Dirkje Bakker-Pierre
Each and every micro-world has its own specific trends Take the fashion world for example where one day you have to wear high heels and round noses and the next itrsquos flat hairy elephant feet-like boots that must hug your feet Or take the automotive world where once upon a time you could never have enough chrome on your car or the food world where we have quietly moved from fast to green and wholesome or the TV world which used to be about fiction and is now more real than reality Some of these trends are great to join and surf like a once in a lifetime tsunami others can slip by unnoticed and others still keep bugging and bugging you even if you try to avoid them like the plague
The online world and specifically the social media universe eats through trends like a fat chick after a hunger strike Facebook in particular seems to move seamlessly from one hype to the next one day itrsquos pictures with fuzzy edges or a bit of a 1970s filter the next itrsquos a profile picture with you very consciously not looking into the camera (very spontaneously and naturally non-posing you might say) These are mostly harmless things if Irsquom honest and when everyone
stops liking them they fade away as quickly as the sun in our small wet country There is one trend however that has festered within Facebook from the very beginning and which seems to be gradually growing and growing without anyone ever liking the postshellip and I mean EVER
Yes I am talking about daily quotes words of wisdom holy quotes mesmerizingly philosophical quotes cheesy quotes religious quoteshellip How can I describe all of them in one easy sentence pieces of text from (famous) people (it can never be something you thought of yourself) that lsquodisclosersquo previously secret information about being happy in life (or at least previously secret to the person doing the posting I presume) In short texts that belong on tiles hanging on the wall in old Dutch peoplersquos toilets
Why
Here are a few I found in my news feed this week
ldquoA mind is like a parachute It doesnrsquot work if it is not openrdquo ndash Frank Zappa
ldquoIt is not because things are difficult that we do not dare it is because we do not dare that things are difficultrdquo ndash Seneca
ldquoIf you donrsquot take what you are doing seriously then nobody else willrdquo ndash Darryl Dlt Thomson
Bad trends would be good if they werenrsquot so bad
85trends
86classifi eds
87classifieds
One of my personal favourite gemstones is moonstone Itlsquos been around for centuries and is used in many cultures As suggested by its name the stone is highly associated with the moon and moon goddess Diana It brings calm peace and love and is said to become more powerful when the moon is full so thatlsquos the best time to wear it One proverb even claims that moonstone can bring you love that will fly you to the moon Spiritually this amazing stone is said to enhance intuition and is always associated with the self It is a very powerful personal stone which doesnlsquot add or remove any aspects of the personality but merely reflects the person wearing it It is said to be very
MoonstoneBy Evelina Kvartunaite
ndash
lsquoThe stone is highly associated with the moon and moon goddess Dianarsquo
ndash
helpful for people who are very sensitive and it is also used in meditation for reflecting oneself Itlsquos always best to charge your gem when the moon is shining at night either while wearing it or by leaving it on a windowsill that receives moonlight Moonstone is also used in healing and is known for balancing the internal organ systems enabling them to work in stable cycles Itlsquos usually more associated with women but is also known to help men embrace their more emotional side soft creative energies and optimism Perhaps understandably moonstone should have limited exposure to strong direct sunlight
ndash
lsquoIt is said to be very helpful for people who are very sensitiversquo
ndash
88
health amp well-being
ndash
lsquoMore associated with women but is also known to help men embrace their more emotional sidersquo
ndash
89health amp well-being
In his article Batin shows how learning how to use complex products is like learning a computer game Just like the challenges in video games match the skills of the user so should TV interactions or any UI interactions for that matter For reference Batin used the four levels described in the Dreyfus model of skill acquisition
Level 1 novicebullRigid adherence to taught rules or plansbullNo exercise of lsquodiscretionary judgmentrsquo
Level 2 Advanced beginnerbullLimited lsquosituational perceptionrsquobullAll aspects of work treated separately with equal importance
Philip Batin wrote an article a couple of months ago about the next big idea in User Interaction gadgets that adapt to your skills As gadgets become more complicated UIs must be able to teach their users over time Apparently more and more interactive products are being returned In 2002 48 of all returned products were technically fully functional but were rejected for failing to satisfy user needs 20 purely due to customer remorse Even though a product may have all the features one can hope for complexity and bad user experience can prevent users from integrating it into their lives
UserInterfaceThe next big thing in UX
lsquoUIs must be able to teach their users over timersquo
By Andrei Barburas
lsquoComplexity and bad user experience can prevent users from
integrating it into their livesrsquo
90
technology
book the majority of which you probably skipped through
Personally I believe that there are certain end users most likely the majority that use only a limited set of features from any device they buy Mobile phones have become indispensable tools in our daily activities yet the average Joe has no idea about the full potential of a smart phone The same applies to Smart TVs they can do lots of things yet the only thing that we do with them is flip channels and complain how bad the shows are
The bottom line is that itrsquos definitely something worth thinking about not only from an operating system perspective but also from the perspective of applications developers
Level 3 competentbulllsquoCoping with crowdednessrsquo (multiple activities accumulation of information)bullSome perception of actions in relation to goalsbullDeliberate planningbullFormulates routines
Level 4 ProficientbullHolistic view of situationbullPrioritizes importance of aspectsbulllsquoPerceives deviations from the normal patternrsquobullEmploys maxim for guidance with meanings that adapt to the situation at hand
Now just imagine a User Interface that adapts based on what you can do and the abilities you have As you learn new things new levels of complexity are unlocked opening the door to fully knowing your device because you learned by doing and not by reading a complicated
lsquoThe average Joe has no idea about the full potential of a
smart phonersquo
91technology
92classifi eds
93classifi eds
Not knowing what was happening in football was extremely annoying to put it mildly and it wasnrsquot just my own self-denial and avoidance of all things football that was a hindrance the extent to which I had to ask others to go in order to remain ignorant was much more excruciating than Irsquod ever imagined There may even be some damage done to football-related friendships that is irreparable I now feel as though Irsquom walking through an empty stadium after everyone else has gone home
So what now and where to next The season is well and truly over and Irsquom free to do whatever I want I could read the back-dated sports pages check all the stats and find out all the facts if I wanted to I could spend hours catching up on last season and speculating on the next with the friends Irsquove still got left down the pub if I wanted to I can follow all the transfer gossip watch pre-season friendlies and build up all my hopes But as with most addictions that would simply be falling back into a previous state of dependence and everything Irsquove just put myself through wouldrsquove been for nothing So how do I go back to an old habit without a total relapse or would it be better to keep abstaining
All my questions seem to be met with other questions and no solutions On the other hand if you ask me what
Someone once said that insanity is when you keep repeating the same behaviour and expect a different outcome most likely a psychologist aimed at his or her ailing patients But for me these words are more reminiscent of my own conduct over the course of a regular football season Week in week out season after season I would expect Tottenham to win something and more often than not Irsquod be left disappointed So I decided to stop No more football ndash at least not for one full season
The season 201213 is now over and during the whole nine months I didnrsquot watch a single moment of football or read a single article on the subject That was my challenge and I was committed to it What is more despite all the warning signs I didnrsquot relapse After a year of structured punishment I didnrsquot have a clue about what was going on in the English Premier League (or any other league) Only having picked up bits and pieces of information that somehow slipped through the net the past season was like a book with most of its pages missing
By Simon Joseph
On The Volley
The Return of the Repressed or the Point of No Return
lsquoInsanity is when you keep repeating the same behaviour and expect a different outcomersquo
sport
lsquoThe past season was like a book with most of its pages missingrsquo
94
lsquoThere may even be some damage done to football-related friendshipsrsquo
lsquoHas abstaining for a season changed mersquo
it until the cows come home but it was us who made those changes or at least allowed them to happen and those changes will continue to happen with or without me Perhaps then the questions I should be asking are has abstaining for a season changed me Am I still obsessed or have I broken the habit of a lifetime Is following football really that terrible or even a real addiction
One thing is certain this lack of resolution is not completely without satisfaction because like all forms of fixation or obsession therersquos comfort and familiarity to be found in repetition as Tottenham miss out on Championrsquos League football by a single point again The repressed will always return to haunt us or so it seems and before we know it the start of next season will be upon us There will be more pain no doubt and more joy This time however it will take more than a boot camp approach to keep me away and who knows Tottenham might even win the league Come on you Spurs
Tottenham Hotspur means I would still tell you that itrsquos not just a pretty football package itrsquos about kith and kin not just where I came from but how I relate to others around me in the here and now Whatrsquos more millions of people are attracted to football they hunger for it and yearn to connect with it even though I still believe itrsquos a form of ineffective escape from one unsatisfying reality to another Following football is a classic example of cognitive dissonance ndash when you simultaneously entertain two opposing thoughts that appear to cancel each other out Before the start of each season for example we all want our club to win everything or to be taken over by billionaires but know that itrsquos impossible or in the latter case controversial and even undesirable So we invent ways to cope We develop a so-called lsquosiege mentalityrsquo or other harmful patterns of behaviour to relieve the discomfort of incongruity With this in mind the past year was supposed to be an exercise in behaviour modification ndash to discover the root of the problem and treat it effectively But one year on have I really discovered anything at all
The English Premier League whether you watch it or not is still probably the most exciting football league in the world We can complain about the changes made to
sport9
5
By Denson Pierre
The Gold Room
Fantasy Football Gold ndash Champions League 2012-2013 winner Denson Pierre and his prizes
The season petered out in an all-German Champions League Final which did nothing to dispel the record that this was a season of too few new stars or regular spectacle We look forward to the next season as it ought not be too difficult to create more excitement than in the one just pastWe did have the opportunity to hand over the envelopes and trophies to the Sentinel Fantasy Football game winners This year all the major winners from the Sentinel Fantasy Football League were unable to be present for the physical prize giving but the winner of the Gold Game and focus of this column was there to receive his prize for winning the master game in styleSo we retire the Gold Room until the beginning of the new football season See you all again then
96
sport
Matt Parker receives his third place and Manager of the Month prizes for the Sentinel Fantasy Football League
Charles Conneely Sentinel Fantasy Football League 2012-2013 Champion
97sport
wwwczechtourismcom
CZECH REPUBLIC - STUNNINGLY DIFFERENT
98
classifi eds
scamsterdam
lifestyles60
By Valeria Scimia
Unemployed international and looking for a job in the Netherlands Not only must you face the everyday hell that is job-seeking but now you must also beware of scam companies Yes theyrsquove arrived here too
I was recently contacted by an ostensibly legitimate company that wanted to hire me The contact took the form of what appeared to be a genuine e-mail complete with website and logo from a company in Australia that seemed absolutely legitimate (I have since contacted the company to warn them that someone overseas is using their name and logo to scam people) The e-mail explained that the company was opening an office in Holland and was looking for people who would handle the back-office orders It contained a form to be filled in and returned if I was interested in the position the form asked for all my personal information including my bank details I had been looking for a job and was interested in the offer so I filled in and sent off the form and my CV Once they received my e-mail they asked me to start a trial period without practically explaining anything of what the job was actually about I didnrsquot immediately reply so they called me the next day asking me to start immediately with the trial period promising lots of benefits once the contract was signed I hadnrsquot met anyone at this point only telephone interviews and that already didnrsquot seem right to me I asked them to send me more information by e-mail about what I was meant to do and a few moments later I received a response asking me to make a bank transfer to show them I was trustworthy The lsquotrialrsquo implied that they would send me some money and I had to transfer half via GWK or MoneyTransfer to one of their clients and keep the other half This smelled very fishy to the Italian in me In reality they could be sending a cheque to the bank which would register an income that would later bounce after I had already made the payment to their lsquoclientrsquo On top of losing money the person that tried to lsquohirersquo meyou
would have been untraceable No one was even picking up the phone at the number given in the e-mail and the company they claimed to represent wasnrsquot even active in Europe
So I said no and told them I was no longer interested They even had the gumption to call me back and ask me why I wouldnrsquot do it I gave them a silly excuse so as not to give them any more information or tips on how to improve their scummy scam I am happy I started checking their contacts as soon as their promises seemed too good to be true even if I am still angry I allowed them to data-mine all of my information when I sent them my CV and filled in their form
It beggars belief that they set up an entire facade in these times of work despair and it really doesnrsquot feel right especially because therersquos not much I can do about it now apart from inform people I didnrsquot think this would ever happen here in this country where everything has to be or always seems to be so legitimate But I guess some things never change and a place doesnrsquot make the people and certainly doesnrsquot influence the choices they make I just wanted to share my experience to alert everyone to the possible scam If a company contacts you and asks you to return a form including your bank details when you have never met anyone face-to-face it should make your antennas extend and remember to double-check their credibility Apparently it is illegal to ask such questions of someone here so donrsquot fall for it as I did As I am still waiting to hear from the company in Australia I didnrsquot feel it was proper to disclose its name publicly just yet plus I am not sure the scammers always use the same company as a fake front But what they ask you to do is more or less always the same so keep your eyes open to the little details
lsquoYou face the everyday hell that is job-seeking but now you must also beware of scam companiesrsquo
lsquoThis smelled very fishy to the Italian in mersquo
lsquoThe form asked for all my personal informationrsquo
lifestyles6
1
Je moet er geweest zijn
62classifieds
MechelenAuthentic and full of surprises Thatrsquos Mechelen Hospitable and honourable Thatrsquos the people of Mechelen Come and experience the cityrsquos urban charms for yourself Mechelen
Authentic and full of surprises Thatrsquos Mechelen Hospitable and honourable Thatrsquos the people of Mechelen Come and experience the cityrsquos urban charms for yourself
photography copy Milo Profi
classifieds63
classifieds
How to hang out in
Amsterdam
By ER Muntrem
perspectives
It is not against the rules for babies to cry in cafeacutes It happens Mostly they sleep or sit in someonersquos lap with commendable decorum Otherwise kids in cafeacutes tend to nosh a little less than their elders and handle crayons a little more And while anyone who toddles behind the bar will certainly get caught they can always claim they were encouraged to toddle there in the first place
Dutch parents and I realise this is hard to prove seem to let their kids wander a metre or two further away from them than parents from other developed countries that universal ldquowhere is sherdquo look delayed five or ten seconds If this extra distance is a sign of perceived safety cafeacute culture must help teach it
Except for chefs all cafeacute workers do more or less all the jobs required to run a cafeacute They all wait on tables
serve hot and cold drinks set up outdoor furniture load and retrieve supplies take the garbage out wash glasses light candles arrange flowers unfurl the awning and ring up the bill When the young guy or girl greets you you may know they are not the owner but for the moment they are the face of the establishment It may as well be their place
Admittedly I am seduced by places where waiters donrsquot work for tips where the rushed pace of eating in a restaurant in America does not exist In a cafeacute you can do what you want for as long as you want and get food and drink while you do it Pretty cool and as much a baseline for how to hang out in Amsterdam as cycling is for how to get around
Places to eat and drink owned by corporations have to package experience to deliver it Whatrsquos our brand How can our managers and servers be most efficient How ultimately can we be number one Not something most cafeacutes seem to be worried about and where the universal signs for lsquowe are having a good time togetherrsquo
lsquoCafeacute culture must help teachrsquo lsquoI am seduced by places where waiters donrsquot work for tipsrsquo
64
perspectives
or lsquoI am happy here by myselfrsquo (clinked glasses or absorption in a newspaper say) are routinely in evidence This is one true grace of democracy the average worth smiling about
At cafeacutes co-workers have a beer before or after their shift friends drop by or a regular pops in with some news The stream of customers they donrsquot have to woo and donrsquot have to lsquoworkrsquo gives the whole thing a slightly familial living room perfectly public feel that makes the work far less of a personality crimp than working at Starbucks Or so it seems I do not mean to pretend carrying drinks across the street to the canal side seating or giving obvious directions yet again is always glorious but most people who work in cafeacutersquos laugh and smile a fair bit almost as much as the patrons
And when the owner of a cafeacute is of a generation older than those working there as is usually the case it lends a wise uncle or mother hen feel to the proceedings In the daytime no one is ever too caught up in his or her designated title to ignore a baby on the move And at
night the crowd of drinkers may as well be at a party hosted by their parents or kids or both
Itrsquos not all about money cafeacute culture churns towards the civilised without grinding anyone too far down As well as pleasure there is power in this The best distillation I know of what democracy should be came from a young woman working at Cafeacute Captein With our meal in front of us my friend noticed he was missing his salad Flagged down the young woman went to investigate ldquoItrsquos on its wayrdquo she said ldquoI told my boss to do itrdquo
Imagine we told Putin to do it We told Obama to do it We told the bankers to do it
lsquoMost people who work in cafeacutersquos laugh and smile a fair bitrsquo
lsquoCafeacute culture churns towards the civilised without grinding anyone too far downrsquo
65
66
featurecity gem
lsquoThe last of the large independent music stores left standing in Amsterdamrsquo
CITY GEM
67
Concerto
By Denson Pierre
ConcertoUtrechtsestraat 60 1017 VP Amsterdam
it is a rush when on a full stomach you can make an instant decision on where your next city-centre lunch will be taken it is almost ecstasy when the venue is situated in a music shop which for decades has been defined by its exceptional range and quality of music available in amsterdam Concerto is the last of the large independent music stores left standing in amsterdam all the others have long since been killed off by everything from the advance in recording and playback technologies to habitual illegal downloaders only now realising that their behaviour has an impact right back down to street level despite what they might think about the giant studios and recording companies
Concerto has not stuck but has twisted Since September it has incorporated a cute cafeacute
and lunch area within its premises as well as introducing a bookshop and lounge area making it possible to spend an almost nostalgic time there over several hours It still has a vast range of the very best music in vinyl (both new and second-hand) and CD form DVDs DJ equipment and even gear used for live musical performances Itrsquos a gold mine
If it has taken this clever adaptation in space utilisation to keep this institution viable and available to Amsterdam-based music lovers then I personally wish to support this venture and help mean this type of music retailer to remain part of the city scene For people of a certain age there is something infinitely more appealing about physically handling recorded material appreciating the artwork in its packaging having a listen and then deciding if it is a purchase you would like to make Even though non-digital stockpiling has become rather passeacute I challenge you to visit Concerto and its new cafeacute and bookshop concept and not end up spending more time in this true city gem than you had anticipated
lsquoIt has incorporated a cute cafeacute and lunch area within its premises as well as introducing a bookshop and lounge arearsquo
city gem
68
city gem
69city gem
city gem70
city gem71
72city gem
lsquoThere is something infinitely more appealing about physically
handling recorded material appreciating the artwork in its
packagingrsquo
73city gem
74classifi eds
75classifi eds
classifi edsclassifi eds76
amsterdam city life
BrinG BaCK
Something that seems to have been watered down considerably in Amsterdamrsquos hospitality industry in recent years is independence of thought styling and designAll you have to do is walk around the city to note that way too many coffeesoup houses and cafeacutes are more or less identikit This also applies to many cafeacutes with unimaginative business leaders who open unoriginal looking spaces and hope that the use of white paint purple or blue lights and house music is all it takes
Luckily there is something brewing to save our days and nights I have come across cafeacute owners who are now seriously considering ending the arrangements they have with the giant drink suppliers There are actually no good arguments left for continuing with these huge multinationals as they are frankly more expensive at wholesale for the same A-class products than the supermarkets on every Amsterdammerrsquos street corner
It looks like space is being created for the smaller brewers to take up the supply of A-class beer to smaller establishments throughout the city The giants can keep their character-free tourist traps and those bars still able to benefit purely from their unbeatable locations throughout the city
The Sentinel says bring back better and more original businesses of scale within the local hospitality industry which will help more cafeacutes and bars not only to become distinguishable by the interior designs they will need to conjure but also through the variety of local and regional beers that could become part of their coherent identity The overriding benefit of such courageous thinking and action would be an immediate return to realistic and reasonable pricing for A-class beer in Amsterdam which remains the staple of the easy consumables as this recession drones on
By Denson Pierre
INDEPENDENT CAFeacuteSBARS
77
78star beer guide
Star Beer
The SentinelStar beer guide
lsquoDifferent beers can seem to weigh on the conscience as much as on the taste budsrsquo
Just like the changing of the seasons different beers can seem to weigh on the conscience as much as on the taste buds Ciney blond is a lovely almost effeminate tasting beer All light smooth fruitiness bolstered by substantial alcohol content
As the temperature increases it can even feel like a thirst quencher A nice session beer and one that could function as an entrance-level quality beer in terms of its complexity For advanced samplers it is a great lower platform to descend to after cruising the space occupied by the 8-plus percentage alcoholic beauties
Ciney blond is brewed by Alken-Maes Mechelen Belgium
By Denson Pierre
CINEY BLOND (7 ABV)
79star beer guide
We find the best most fun most typical exciting or local favourite restaurants etcetera in Amsterdam and bring them to you an easy way to feel like a local
Cafe Kostverloren 040606
Recommended
80recommended
EUROGIFTSXenonweg 9 3812 SZ Amersfoort
Tel 033 - 454 35 75 - Fax 033 - 454 35 79E-mail lmproefeurogiftsnl
Website wwweurogiftsnl
FILMPROEF
ORDERNUMMER 6021022ARTIKELNUMMER 65123
Ware grootte (indien uitgeprint)Kleur opdruk Wit
Mulligans Irish Music BarAmsterdamrsquos best address for live Irish music Five (5) nights a week Check our agenda for upcoming sessions Amstel 100 1017 AC Amsterdamwwwmulligansnl
Cafeacute KostverlorenCafeacute Kostverloren is a contemporary cafe offering the cosiness of a saloon an open kitchen and the intimacy of a living room The large terras is great for sunny days2e Kostverlorenkade 70 Amsterdamwwwcafekostverlorennl
ZestZest is fi ne food warm atmosphere and classy drinks with regular semi-acoustic (live) music and DJs (Thursday to Sunday) Amsterdamrsquos newest and freshestBilderdijkstraat 188 Amsterdamwwwfacebookcomclubzestnl
GollemGollemrsquos Proefl okaal Gollem and Gollem II represent the best addresses serving the fullest range of top Belgian Dutch and international beers in AmsterdamOvertoom 160-161wwwcafegollemnl
IncantoA restaurant with a classic Italian kitchen Venetian chef Simone Ambrosin is known for his pure and simple style of cooking with great feeling for nuanceAmstel 2 Amsterdamwwwrestaurant-incantonl
Planet RoseThe fi rst Caribbean restaurant in the Netherlands specialised in Jamaican cuisine The menu features a daily changing selectionNicolaas Beetsstraat 47 Amsterdamwwwplanetroseinfo
Cafe restaurant EdelCafe restaurant Edel is the perfect place for lunch dinner or to simply enjoy a drink Edel is a unique place in AmsterdamPostjesweg 1 1057 DT Amsterdamwwwedelamsterdamnl
Cafeacute OportoCafeacute Oporto is a traditional Amsterdam lsquobrown cafersquo Welcoming tourists and regular customers alike they offer televised sports wifi and a wide range of reasonably priced beers and spiritsZoutsteeg 1 1012 LX Amsterdamwwwcafeoportonet
BaxA cosy and friendly local cafeacute with a focus on special or interesting beers and good quality food Open 7 days a week with a professional kitchen offering a lunch and dinner serviceTen Katestraat 119 Amsterdamwwwcafebaxnl
To be seen and tasted Fun Drinking amp Music
To Be Seen and Tasted
Fun Drinking amp Music
Fun Drinking amp Music
Connoisseurs Delight
Connoisseurs Delight
Connoisseurs Delight
To Be Seen and Tasted
Neighbourhood cosy
Fun drinking and music
ParckGreat fun beautiful people and simply the best bar food in townOvertoom 428 Amsterdamwwwcafeparcknl
To be seen and tasted
Cafe de Toog1890rsquos grandeur fashioned into Amsterdam-West grand brown cafe-restaurant-cool Classy drinks and mealsNicolaas Beetsstraat 142 hs Amsterdam wwwcafedetoogcom
Opera Prima - Patisserie Bistro TraiteurThe best place in town for lunch exquisite high teas or brunches and all of your luxury catering both private and corporateKinkerstraat 228 Amsterdamwwwoperaprimanl
Recommended
81
Where is this inAmsterdamAnswer to sentinelpostgmailcom
82spotted
Room 2cfilm
ldquoCome on in boys the waterrsquos finerdquo This is arguably the best all-round and funny musical to come out of Hollywood in a generation and certainly one of the best three soundtracks of the same period George Clooney will never be as good or charming as he is here playing the accidental leader of a trio of chain gang escapees in the US south of the 1930s Spirituality meets the Ku Klux Klan all coloured by Virginia bluegrass
ldquoCall me Snakerdquo The coolest handle for a leading man (Kurt Russell) in any movie to date Here he is sent in on a heroic lsquoat all costrsquo one-man mission to rescue the president of the United States from the prison island Manhattan has become in a lsquofuturersquo representation of 1997 Air Force One has crashed there and the countdown is on Classic 1980s turn of the millennium dystopian vision with style pace and gadgetry
By dpmotions
By dpmotions
o Brother Where Art Thou (2000)
escape from new York (1981)
room2c83
84trends
lsquoTrends are great to join and surf like a once in a lifetime tsunamirsquo
By Dirkje Bakker-Pierre
Each and every micro-world has its own specific trends Take the fashion world for example where one day you have to wear high heels and round noses and the next itrsquos flat hairy elephant feet-like boots that must hug your feet Or take the automotive world where once upon a time you could never have enough chrome on your car or the food world where we have quietly moved from fast to green and wholesome or the TV world which used to be about fiction and is now more real than reality Some of these trends are great to join and surf like a once in a lifetime tsunami others can slip by unnoticed and others still keep bugging and bugging you even if you try to avoid them like the plague
The online world and specifically the social media universe eats through trends like a fat chick after a hunger strike Facebook in particular seems to move seamlessly from one hype to the next one day itrsquos pictures with fuzzy edges or a bit of a 1970s filter the next itrsquos a profile picture with you very consciously not looking into the camera (very spontaneously and naturally non-posing you might say) These are mostly harmless things if Irsquom honest and when everyone
stops liking them they fade away as quickly as the sun in our small wet country There is one trend however that has festered within Facebook from the very beginning and which seems to be gradually growing and growing without anyone ever liking the postshellip and I mean EVER
Yes I am talking about daily quotes words of wisdom holy quotes mesmerizingly philosophical quotes cheesy quotes religious quoteshellip How can I describe all of them in one easy sentence pieces of text from (famous) people (it can never be something you thought of yourself) that lsquodisclosersquo previously secret information about being happy in life (or at least previously secret to the person doing the posting I presume) In short texts that belong on tiles hanging on the wall in old Dutch peoplersquos toilets
Why
Here are a few I found in my news feed this week
ldquoA mind is like a parachute It doesnrsquot work if it is not openrdquo ndash Frank Zappa
ldquoIt is not because things are difficult that we do not dare it is because we do not dare that things are difficultrdquo ndash Seneca
ldquoIf you donrsquot take what you are doing seriously then nobody else willrdquo ndash Darryl Dlt Thomson
Bad trends would be good if they werenrsquot so bad
85trends
86classifi eds
87classifieds
One of my personal favourite gemstones is moonstone Itlsquos been around for centuries and is used in many cultures As suggested by its name the stone is highly associated with the moon and moon goddess Diana It brings calm peace and love and is said to become more powerful when the moon is full so thatlsquos the best time to wear it One proverb even claims that moonstone can bring you love that will fly you to the moon Spiritually this amazing stone is said to enhance intuition and is always associated with the self It is a very powerful personal stone which doesnlsquot add or remove any aspects of the personality but merely reflects the person wearing it It is said to be very
MoonstoneBy Evelina Kvartunaite
ndash
lsquoThe stone is highly associated with the moon and moon goddess Dianarsquo
ndash
helpful for people who are very sensitive and it is also used in meditation for reflecting oneself Itlsquos always best to charge your gem when the moon is shining at night either while wearing it or by leaving it on a windowsill that receives moonlight Moonstone is also used in healing and is known for balancing the internal organ systems enabling them to work in stable cycles Itlsquos usually more associated with women but is also known to help men embrace their more emotional side soft creative energies and optimism Perhaps understandably moonstone should have limited exposure to strong direct sunlight
ndash
lsquoIt is said to be very helpful for people who are very sensitiversquo
ndash
88
health amp well-being
ndash
lsquoMore associated with women but is also known to help men embrace their more emotional sidersquo
ndash
89health amp well-being
In his article Batin shows how learning how to use complex products is like learning a computer game Just like the challenges in video games match the skills of the user so should TV interactions or any UI interactions for that matter For reference Batin used the four levels described in the Dreyfus model of skill acquisition
Level 1 novicebullRigid adherence to taught rules or plansbullNo exercise of lsquodiscretionary judgmentrsquo
Level 2 Advanced beginnerbullLimited lsquosituational perceptionrsquobullAll aspects of work treated separately with equal importance
Philip Batin wrote an article a couple of months ago about the next big idea in User Interaction gadgets that adapt to your skills As gadgets become more complicated UIs must be able to teach their users over time Apparently more and more interactive products are being returned In 2002 48 of all returned products were technically fully functional but were rejected for failing to satisfy user needs 20 purely due to customer remorse Even though a product may have all the features one can hope for complexity and bad user experience can prevent users from integrating it into their lives
UserInterfaceThe next big thing in UX
lsquoUIs must be able to teach their users over timersquo
By Andrei Barburas
lsquoComplexity and bad user experience can prevent users from
integrating it into their livesrsquo
90
technology
book the majority of which you probably skipped through
Personally I believe that there are certain end users most likely the majority that use only a limited set of features from any device they buy Mobile phones have become indispensable tools in our daily activities yet the average Joe has no idea about the full potential of a smart phone The same applies to Smart TVs they can do lots of things yet the only thing that we do with them is flip channels and complain how bad the shows are
The bottom line is that itrsquos definitely something worth thinking about not only from an operating system perspective but also from the perspective of applications developers
Level 3 competentbulllsquoCoping with crowdednessrsquo (multiple activities accumulation of information)bullSome perception of actions in relation to goalsbullDeliberate planningbullFormulates routines
Level 4 ProficientbullHolistic view of situationbullPrioritizes importance of aspectsbulllsquoPerceives deviations from the normal patternrsquobullEmploys maxim for guidance with meanings that adapt to the situation at hand
Now just imagine a User Interface that adapts based on what you can do and the abilities you have As you learn new things new levels of complexity are unlocked opening the door to fully knowing your device because you learned by doing and not by reading a complicated
lsquoThe average Joe has no idea about the full potential of a
smart phonersquo
91technology
92classifi eds
93classifi eds
Not knowing what was happening in football was extremely annoying to put it mildly and it wasnrsquot just my own self-denial and avoidance of all things football that was a hindrance the extent to which I had to ask others to go in order to remain ignorant was much more excruciating than Irsquod ever imagined There may even be some damage done to football-related friendships that is irreparable I now feel as though Irsquom walking through an empty stadium after everyone else has gone home
So what now and where to next The season is well and truly over and Irsquom free to do whatever I want I could read the back-dated sports pages check all the stats and find out all the facts if I wanted to I could spend hours catching up on last season and speculating on the next with the friends Irsquove still got left down the pub if I wanted to I can follow all the transfer gossip watch pre-season friendlies and build up all my hopes But as with most addictions that would simply be falling back into a previous state of dependence and everything Irsquove just put myself through wouldrsquove been for nothing So how do I go back to an old habit without a total relapse or would it be better to keep abstaining
All my questions seem to be met with other questions and no solutions On the other hand if you ask me what
Someone once said that insanity is when you keep repeating the same behaviour and expect a different outcome most likely a psychologist aimed at his or her ailing patients But for me these words are more reminiscent of my own conduct over the course of a regular football season Week in week out season after season I would expect Tottenham to win something and more often than not Irsquod be left disappointed So I decided to stop No more football ndash at least not for one full season
The season 201213 is now over and during the whole nine months I didnrsquot watch a single moment of football or read a single article on the subject That was my challenge and I was committed to it What is more despite all the warning signs I didnrsquot relapse After a year of structured punishment I didnrsquot have a clue about what was going on in the English Premier League (or any other league) Only having picked up bits and pieces of information that somehow slipped through the net the past season was like a book with most of its pages missing
By Simon Joseph
On The Volley
The Return of the Repressed or the Point of No Return
lsquoInsanity is when you keep repeating the same behaviour and expect a different outcomersquo
sport
lsquoThe past season was like a book with most of its pages missingrsquo
94
lsquoThere may even be some damage done to football-related friendshipsrsquo
lsquoHas abstaining for a season changed mersquo
it until the cows come home but it was us who made those changes or at least allowed them to happen and those changes will continue to happen with or without me Perhaps then the questions I should be asking are has abstaining for a season changed me Am I still obsessed or have I broken the habit of a lifetime Is following football really that terrible or even a real addiction
One thing is certain this lack of resolution is not completely without satisfaction because like all forms of fixation or obsession therersquos comfort and familiarity to be found in repetition as Tottenham miss out on Championrsquos League football by a single point again The repressed will always return to haunt us or so it seems and before we know it the start of next season will be upon us There will be more pain no doubt and more joy This time however it will take more than a boot camp approach to keep me away and who knows Tottenham might even win the league Come on you Spurs
Tottenham Hotspur means I would still tell you that itrsquos not just a pretty football package itrsquos about kith and kin not just where I came from but how I relate to others around me in the here and now Whatrsquos more millions of people are attracted to football they hunger for it and yearn to connect with it even though I still believe itrsquos a form of ineffective escape from one unsatisfying reality to another Following football is a classic example of cognitive dissonance ndash when you simultaneously entertain two opposing thoughts that appear to cancel each other out Before the start of each season for example we all want our club to win everything or to be taken over by billionaires but know that itrsquos impossible or in the latter case controversial and even undesirable So we invent ways to cope We develop a so-called lsquosiege mentalityrsquo or other harmful patterns of behaviour to relieve the discomfort of incongruity With this in mind the past year was supposed to be an exercise in behaviour modification ndash to discover the root of the problem and treat it effectively But one year on have I really discovered anything at all
The English Premier League whether you watch it or not is still probably the most exciting football league in the world We can complain about the changes made to
sport9
5
By Denson Pierre
The Gold Room
Fantasy Football Gold ndash Champions League 2012-2013 winner Denson Pierre and his prizes
The season petered out in an all-German Champions League Final which did nothing to dispel the record that this was a season of too few new stars or regular spectacle We look forward to the next season as it ought not be too difficult to create more excitement than in the one just pastWe did have the opportunity to hand over the envelopes and trophies to the Sentinel Fantasy Football game winners This year all the major winners from the Sentinel Fantasy Football League were unable to be present for the physical prize giving but the winner of the Gold Game and focus of this column was there to receive his prize for winning the master game in styleSo we retire the Gold Room until the beginning of the new football season See you all again then
96
sport
Matt Parker receives his third place and Manager of the Month prizes for the Sentinel Fantasy Football League
Charles Conneely Sentinel Fantasy Football League 2012-2013 Champion
97sport
wwwczechtourismcom
CZECH REPUBLIC - STUNNINGLY DIFFERENT
98
classifi eds
By Valeria Scimia
Unemployed international and looking for a job in the Netherlands Not only must you face the everyday hell that is job-seeking but now you must also beware of scam companies Yes theyrsquove arrived here too
I was recently contacted by an ostensibly legitimate company that wanted to hire me The contact took the form of what appeared to be a genuine e-mail complete with website and logo from a company in Australia that seemed absolutely legitimate (I have since contacted the company to warn them that someone overseas is using their name and logo to scam people) The e-mail explained that the company was opening an office in Holland and was looking for people who would handle the back-office orders It contained a form to be filled in and returned if I was interested in the position the form asked for all my personal information including my bank details I had been looking for a job and was interested in the offer so I filled in and sent off the form and my CV Once they received my e-mail they asked me to start a trial period without practically explaining anything of what the job was actually about I didnrsquot immediately reply so they called me the next day asking me to start immediately with the trial period promising lots of benefits once the contract was signed I hadnrsquot met anyone at this point only telephone interviews and that already didnrsquot seem right to me I asked them to send me more information by e-mail about what I was meant to do and a few moments later I received a response asking me to make a bank transfer to show them I was trustworthy The lsquotrialrsquo implied that they would send me some money and I had to transfer half via GWK or MoneyTransfer to one of their clients and keep the other half This smelled very fishy to the Italian in me In reality they could be sending a cheque to the bank which would register an income that would later bounce after I had already made the payment to their lsquoclientrsquo On top of losing money the person that tried to lsquohirersquo meyou
would have been untraceable No one was even picking up the phone at the number given in the e-mail and the company they claimed to represent wasnrsquot even active in Europe
So I said no and told them I was no longer interested They even had the gumption to call me back and ask me why I wouldnrsquot do it I gave them a silly excuse so as not to give them any more information or tips on how to improve their scummy scam I am happy I started checking their contacts as soon as their promises seemed too good to be true even if I am still angry I allowed them to data-mine all of my information when I sent them my CV and filled in their form
It beggars belief that they set up an entire facade in these times of work despair and it really doesnrsquot feel right especially because therersquos not much I can do about it now apart from inform people I didnrsquot think this would ever happen here in this country where everything has to be or always seems to be so legitimate But I guess some things never change and a place doesnrsquot make the people and certainly doesnrsquot influence the choices they make I just wanted to share my experience to alert everyone to the possible scam If a company contacts you and asks you to return a form including your bank details when you have never met anyone face-to-face it should make your antennas extend and remember to double-check their credibility Apparently it is illegal to ask such questions of someone here so donrsquot fall for it as I did As I am still waiting to hear from the company in Australia I didnrsquot feel it was proper to disclose its name publicly just yet plus I am not sure the scammers always use the same company as a fake front But what they ask you to do is more or less always the same so keep your eyes open to the little details
lsquoYou face the everyday hell that is job-seeking but now you must also beware of scam companiesrsquo
lsquoThis smelled very fishy to the Italian in mersquo
lsquoThe form asked for all my personal informationrsquo
lifestyles6
1
Je moet er geweest zijn
62classifieds
MechelenAuthentic and full of surprises Thatrsquos Mechelen Hospitable and honourable Thatrsquos the people of Mechelen Come and experience the cityrsquos urban charms for yourself Mechelen
Authentic and full of surprises Thatrsquos Mechelen Hospitable and honourable Thatrsquos the people of Mechelen Come and experience the cityrsquos urban charms for yourself
photography copy Milo Profi
classifieds63
classifieds
How to hang out in
Amsterdam
By ER Muntrem
perspectives
It is not against the rules for babies to cry in cafeacutes It happens Mostly they sleep or sit in someonersquos lap with commendable decorum Otherwise kids in cafeacutes tend to nosh a little less than their elders and handle crayons a little more And while anyone who toddles behind the bar will certainly get caught they can always claim they were encouraged to toddle there in the first place
Dutch parents and I realise this is hard to prove seem to let their kids wander a metre or two further away from them than parents from other developed countries that universal ldquowhere is sherdquo look delayed five or ten seconds If this extra distance is a sign of perceived safety cafeacute culture must help teach it
Except for chefs all cafeacute workers do more or less all the jobs required to run a cafeacute They all wait on tables
serve hot and cold drinks set up outdoor furniture load and retrieve supplies take the garbage out wash glasses light candles arrange flowers unfurl the awning and ring up the bill When the young guy or girl greets you you may know they are not the owner but for the moment they are the face of the establishment It may as well be their place
Admittedly I am seduced by places where waiters donrsquot work for tips where the rushed pace of eating in a restaurant in America does not exist In a cafeacute you can do what you want for as long as you want and get food and drink while you do it Pretty cool and as much a baseline for how to hang out in Amsterdam as cycling is for how to get around
Places to eat and drink owned by corporations have to package experience to deliver it Whatrsquos our brand How can our managers and servers be most efficient How ultimately can we be number one Not something most cafeacutes seem to be worried about and where the universal signs for lsquowe are having a good time togetherrsquo
lsquoCafeacute culture must help teachrsquo lsquoI am seduced by places where waiters donrsquot work for tipsrsquo
64
perspectives
or lsquoI am happy here by myselfrsquo (clinked glasses or absorption in a newspaper say) are routinely in evidence This is one true grace of democracy the average worth smiling about
At cafeacutes co-workers have a beer before or after their shift friends drop by or a regular pops in with some news The stream of customers they donrsquot have to woo and donrsquot have to lsquoworkrsquo gives the whole thing a slightly familial living room perfectly public feel that makes the work far less of a personality crimp than working at Starbucks Or so it seems I do not mean to pretend carrying drinks across the street to the canal side seating or giving obvious directions yet again is always glorious but most people who work in cafeacutersquos laugh and smile a fair bit almost as much as the patrons
And when the owner of a cafeacute is of a generation older than those working there as is usually the case it lends a wise uncle or mother hen feel to the proceedings In the daytime no one is ever too caught up in his or her designated title to ignore a baby on the move And at
night the crowd of drinkers may as well be at a party hosted by their parents or kids or both
Itrsquos not all about money cafeacute culture churns towards the civilised without grinding anyone too far down As well as pleasure there is power in this The best distillation I know of what democracy should be came from a young woman working at Cafeacute Captein With our meal in front of us my friend noticed he was missing his salad Flagged down the young woman went to investigate ldquoItrsquos on its wayrdquo she said ldquoI told my boss to do itrdquo
Imagine we told Putin to do it We told Obama to do it We told the bankers to do it
lsquoMost people who work in cafeacutersquos laugh and smile a fair bitrsquo
lsquoCafeacute culture churns towards the civilised without grinding anyone too far downrsquo
65
66
featurecity gem
lsquoThe last of the large independent music stores left standing in Amsterdamrsquo
CITY GEM
67
Concerto
By Denson Pierre
ConcertoUtrechtsestraat 60 1017 VP Amsterdam
it is a rush when on a full stomach you can make an instant decision on where your next city-centre lunch will be taken it is almost ecstasy when the venue is situated in a music shop which for decades has been defined by its exceptional range and quality of music available in amsterdam Concerto is the last of the large independent music stores left standing in amsterdam all the others have long since been killed off by everything from the advance in recording and playback technologies to habitual illegal downloaders only now realising that their behaviour has an impact right back down to street level despite what they might think about the giant studios and recording companies
Concerto has not stuck but has twisted Since September it has incorporated a cute cafeacute
and lunch area within its premises as well as introducing a bookshop and lounge area making it possible to spend an almost nostalgic time there over several hours It still has a vast range of the very best music in vinyl (both new and second-hand) and CD form DVDs DJ equipment and even gear used for live musical performances Itrsquos a gold mine
If it has taken this clever adaptation in space utilisation to keep this institution viable and available to Amsterdam-based music lovers then I personally wish to support this venture and help mean this type of music retailer to remain part of the city scene For people of a certain age there is something infinitely more appealing about physically handling recorded material appreciating the artwork in its packaging having a listen and then deciding if it is a purchase you would like to make Even though non-digital stockpiling has become rather passeacute I challenge you to visit Concerto and its new cafeacute and bookshop concept and not end up spending more time in this true city gem than you had anticipated
lsquoIt has incorporated a cute cafeacute and lunch area within its premises as well as introducing a bookshop and lounge arearsquo
city gem
68
city gem
69city gem
city gem70
city gem71
72city gem
lsquoThere is something infinitely more appealing about physically
handling recorded material appreciating the artwork in its
packagingrsquo
73city gem
74classifi eds
75classifi eds
classifi edsclassifi eds76
amsterdam city life
BrinG BaCK
Something that seems to have been watered down considerably in Amsterdamrsquos hospitality industry in recent years is independence of thought styling and designAll you have to do is walk around the city to note that way too many coffeesoup houses and cafeacutes are more or less identikit This also applies to many cafeacutes with unimaginative business leaders who open unoriginal looking spaces and hope that the use of white paint purple or blue lights and house music is all it takes
Luckily there is something brewing to save our days and nights I have come across cafeacute owners who are now seriously considering ending the arrangements they have with the giant drink suppliers There are actually no good arguments left for continuing with these huge multinationals as they are frankly more expensive at wholesale for the same A-class products than the supermarkets on every Amsterdammerrsquos street corner
It looks like space is being created for the smaller brewers to take up the supply of A-class beer to smaller establishments throughout the city The giants can keep their character-free tourist traps and those bars still able to benefit purely from their unbeatable locations throughout the city
The Sentinel says bring back better and more original businesses of scale within the local hospitality industry which will help more cafeacutes and bars not only to become distinguishable by the interior designs they will need to conjure but also through the variety of local and regional beers that could become part of their coherent identity The overriding benefit of such courageous thinking and action would be an immediate return to realistic and reasonable pricing for A-class beer in Amsterdam which remains the staple of the easy consumables as this recession drones on
By Denson Pierre
INDEPENDENT CAFeacuteSBARS
77
78star beer guide
Star Beer
The SentinelStar beer guide
lsquoDifferent beers can seem to weigh on the conscience as much as on the taste budsrsquo
Just like the changing of the seasons different beers can seem to weigh on the conscience as much as on the taste buds Ciney blond is a lovely almost effeminate tasting beer All light smooth fruitiness bolstered by substantial alcohol content
As the temperature increases it can even feel like a thirst quencher A nice session beer and one that could function as an entrance-level quality beer in terms of its complexity For advanced samplers it is a great lower platform to descend to after cruising the space occupied by the 8-plus percentage alcoholic beauties
Ciney blond is brewed by Alken-Maes Mechelen Belgium
By Denson Pierre
CINEY BLOND (7 ABV)
79star beer guide
We find the best most fun most typical exciting or local favourite restaurants etcetera in Amsterdam and bring them to you an easy way to feel like a local
Cafe Kostverloren 040606
Recommended
80recommended
EUROGIFTSXenonweg 9 3812 SZ Amersfoort
Tel 033 - 454 35 75 - Fax 033 - 454 35 79E-mail lmproefeurogiftsnl
Website wwweurogiftsnl
FILMPROEF
ORDERNUMMER 6021022ARTIKELNUMMER 65123
Ware grootte (indien uitgeprint)Kleur opdruk Wit
Mulligans Irish Music BarAmsterdamrsquos best address for live Irish music Five (5) nights a week Check our agenda for upcoming sessions Amstel 100 1017 AC Amsterdamwwwmulligansnl
Cafeacute KostverlorenCafeacute Kostverloren is a contemporary cafe offering the cosiness of a saloon an open kitchen and the intimacy of a living room The large terras is great for sunny days2e Kostverlorenkade 70 Amsterdamwwwcafekostverlorennl
ZestZest is fi ne food warm atmosphere and classy drinks with regular semi-acoustic (live) music and DJs (Thursday to Sunday) Amsterdamrsquos newest and freshestBilderdijkstraat 188 Amsterdamwwwfacebookcomclubzestnl
GollemGollemrsquos Proefl okaal Gollem and Gollem II represent the best addresses serving the fullest range of top Belgian Dutch and international beers in AmsterdamOvertoom 160-161wwwcafegollemnl
IncantoA restaurant with a classic Italian kitchen Venetian chef Simone Ambrosin is known for his pure and simple style of cooking with great feeling for nuanceAmstel 2 Amsterdamwwwrestaurant-incantonl
Planet RoseThe fi rst Caribbean restaurant in the Netherlands specialised in Jamaican cuisine The menu features a daily changing selectionNicolaas Beetsstraat 47 Amsterdamwwwplanetroseinfo
Cafe restaurant EdelCafe restaurant Edel is the perfect place for lunch dinner or to simply enjoy a drink Edel is a unique place in AmsterdamPostjesweg 1 1057 DT Amsterdamwwwedelamsterdamnl
Cafeacute OportoCafeacute Oporto is a traditional Amsterdam lsquobrown cafersquo Welcoming tourists and regular customers alike they offer televised sports wifi and a wide range of reasonably priced beers and spiritsZoutsteeg 1 1012 LX Amsterdamwwwcafeoportonet
BaxA cosy and friendly local cafeacute with a focus on special or interesting beers and good quality food Open 7 days a week with a professional kitchen offering a lunch and dinner serviceTen Katestraat 119 Amsterdamwwwcafebaxnl
To be seen and tasted Fun Drinking amp Music
To Be Seen and Tasted
Fun Drinking amp Music
Fun Drinking amp Music
Connoisseurs Delight
Connoisseurs Delight
Connoisseurs Delight
To Be Seen and Tasted
Neighbourhood cosy
Fun drinking and music
ParckGreat fun beautiful people and simply the best bar food in townOvertoom 428 Amsterdamwwwcafeparcknl
To be seen and tasted
Cafe de Toog1890rsquos grandeur fashioned into Amsterdam-West grand brown cafe-restaurant-cool Classy drinks and mealsNicolaas Beetsstraat 142 hs Amsterdam wwwcafedetoogcom
Opera Prima - Patisserie Bistro TraiteurThe best place in town for lunch exquisite high teas or brunches and all of your luxury catering both private and corporateKinkerstraat 228 Amsterdamwwwoperaprimanl
Recommended
81
Where is this inAmsterdamAnswer to sentinelpostgmailcom
82spotted
Room 2cfilm
ldquoCome on in boys the waterrsquos finerdquo This is arguably the best all-round and funny musical to come out of Hollywood in a generation and certainly one of the best three soundtracks of the same period George Clooney will never be as good or charming as he is here playing the accidental leader of a trio of chain gang escapees in the US south of the 1930s Spirituality meets the Ku Klux Klan all coloured by Virginia bluegrass
ldquoCall me Snakerdquo The coolest handle for a leading man (Kurt Russell) in any movie to date Here he is sent in on a heroic lsquoat all costrsquo one-man mission to rescue the president of the United States from the prison island Manhattan has become in a lsquofuturersquo representation of 1997 Air Force One has crashed there and the countdown is on Classic 1980s turn of the millennium dystopian vision with style pace and gadgetry
By dpmotions
By dpmotions
o Brother Where Art Thou (2000)
escape from new York (1981)
room2c83
84trends
lsquoTrends are great to join and surf like a once in a lifetime tsunamirsquo
By Dirkje Bakker-Pierre
Each and every micro-world has its own specific trends Take the fashion world for example where one day you have to wear high heels and round noses and the next itrsquos flat hairy elephant feet-like boots that must hug your feet Or take the automotive world where once upon a time you could never have enough chrome on your car or the food world where we have quietly moved from fast to green and wholesome or the TV world which used to be about fiction and is now more real than reality Some of these trends are great to join and surf like a once in a lifetime tsunami others can slip by unnoticed and others still keep bugging and bugging you even if you try to avoid them like the plague
The online world and specifically the social media universe eats through trends like a fat chick after a hunger strike Facebook in particular seems to move seamlessly from one hype to the next one day itrsquos pictures with fuzzy edges or a bit of a 1970s filter the next itrsquos a profile picture with you very consciously not looking into the camera (very spontaneously and naturally non-posing you might say) These are mostly harmless things if Irsquom honest and when everyone
stops liking them they fade away as quickly as the sun in our small wet country There is one trend however that has festered within Facebook from the very beginning and which seems to be gradually growing and growing without anyone ever liking the postshellip and I mean EVER
Yes I am talking about daily quotes words of wisdom holy quotes mesmerizingly philosophical quotes cheesy quotes religious quoteshellip How can I describe all of them in one easy sentence pieces of text from (famous) people (it can never be something you thought of yourself) that lsquodisclosersquo previously secret information about being happy in life (or at least previously secret to the person doing the posting I presume) In short texts that belong on tiles hanging on the wall in old Dutch peoplersquos toilets
Why
Here are a few I found in my news feed this week
ldquoA mind is like a parachute It doesnrsquot work if it is not openrdquo ndash Frank Zappa
ldquoIt is not because things are difficult that we do not dare it is because we do not dare that things are difficultrdquo ndash Seneca
ldquoIf you donrsquot take what you are doing seriously then nobody else willrdquo ndash Darryl Dlt Thomson
Bad trends would be good if they werenrsquot so bad
85trends
86classifi eds
87classifieds
One of my personal favourite gemstones is moonstone Itlsquos been around for centuries and is used in many cultures As suggested by its name the stone is highly associated with the moon and moon goddess Diana It brings calm peace and love and is said to become more powerful when the moon is full so thatlsquos the best time to wear it One proverb even claims that moonstone can bring you love that will fly you to the moon Spiritually this amazing stone is said to enhance intuition and is always associated with the self It is a very powerful personal stone which doesnlsquot add or remove any aspects of the personality but merely reflects the person wearing it It is said to be very
MoonstoneBy Evelina Kvartunaite
ndash
lsquoThe stone is highly associated with the moon and moon goddess Dianarsquo
ndash
helpful for people who are very sensitive and it is also used in meditation for reflecting oneself Itlsquos always best to charge your gem when the moon is shining at night either while wearing it or by leaving it on a windowsill that receives moonlight Moonstone is also used in healing and is known for balancing the internal organ systems enabling them to work in stable cycles Itlsquos usually more associated with women but is also known to help men embrace their more emotional side soft creative energies and optimism Perhaps understandably moonstone should have limited exposure to strong direct sunlight
ndash
lsquoIt is said to be very helpful for people who are very sensitiversquo
ndash
88
health amp well-being
ndash
lsquoMore associated with women but is also known to help men embrace their more emotional sidersquo
ndash
89health amp well-being
In his article Batin shows how learning how to use complex products is like learning a computer game Just like the challenges in video games match the skills of the user so should TV interactions or any UI interactions for that matter For reference Batin used the four levels described in the Dreyfus model of skill acquisition
Level 1 novicebullRigid adherence to taught rules or plansbullNo exercise of lsquodiscretionary judgmentrsquo
Level 2 Advanced beginnerbullLimited lsquosituational perceptionrsquobullAll aspects of work treated separately with equal importance
Philip Batin wrote an article a couple of months ago about the next big idea in User Interaction gadgets that adapt to your skills As gadgets become more complicated UIs must be able to teach their users over time Apparently more and more interactive products are being returned In 2002 48 of all returned products were technically fully functional but were rejected for failing to satisfy user needs 20 purely due to customer remorse Even though a product may have all the features one can hope for complexity and bad user experience can prevent users from integrating it into their lives
UserInterfaceThe next big thing in UX
lsquoUIs must be able to teach their users over timersquo
By Andrei Barburas
lsquoComplexity and bad user experience can prevent users from
integrating it into their livesrsquo
90
technology
book the majority of which you probably skipped through
Personally I believe that there are certain end users most likely the majority that use only a limited set of features from any device they buy Mobile phones have become indispensable tools in our daily activities yet the average Joe has no idea about the full potential of a smart phone The same applies to Smart TVs they can do lots of things yet the only thing that we do with them is flip channels and complain how bad the shows are
The bottom line is that itrsquos definitely something worth thinking about not only from an operating system perspective but also from the perspective of applications developers
Level 3 competentbulllsquoCoping with crowdednessrsquo (multiple activities accumulation of information)bullSome perception of actions in relation to goalsbullDeliberate planningbullFormulates routines
Level 4 ProficientbullHolistic view of situationbullPrioritizes importance of aspectsbulllsquoPerceives deviations from the normal patternrsquobullEmploys maxim for guidance with meanings that adapt to the situation at hand
Now just imagine a User Interface that adapts based on what you can do and the abilities you have As you learn new things new levels of complexity are unlocked opening the door to fully knowing your device because you learned by doing and not by reading a complicated
lsquoThe average Joe has no idea about the full potential of a
smart phonersquo
91technology
92classifi eds
93classifi eds
Not knowing what was happening in football was extremely annoying to put it mildly and it wasnrsquot just my own self-denial and avoidance of all things football that was a hindrance the extent to which I had to ask others to go in order to remain ignorant was much more excruciating than Irsquod ever imagined There may even be some damage done to football-related friendships that is irreparable I now feel as though Irsquom walking through an empty stadium after everyone else has gone home
So what now and where to next The season is well and truly over and Irsquom free to do whatever I want I could read the back-dated sports pages check all the stats and find out all the facts if I wanted to I could spend hours catching up on last season and speculating on the next with the friends Irsquove still got left down the pub if I wanted to I can follow all the transfer gossip watch pre-season friendlies and build up all my hopes But as with most addictions that would simply be falling back into a previous state of dependence and everything Irsquove just put myself through wouldrsquove been for nothing So how do I go back to an old habit without a total relapse or would it be better to keep abstaining
All my questions seem to be met with other questions and no solutions On the other hand if you ask me what
Someone once said that insanity is when you keep repeating the same behaviour and expect a different outcome most likely a psychologist aimed at his or her ailing patients But for me these words are more reminiscent of my own conduct over the course of a regular football season Week in week out season after season I would expect Tottenham to win something and more often than not Irsquod be left disappointed So I decided to stop No more football ndash at least not for one full season
The season 201213 is now over and during the whole nine months I didnrsquot watch a single moment of football or read a single article on the subject That was my challenge and I was committed to it What is more despite all the warning signs I didnrsquot relapse After a year of structured punishment I didnrsquot have a clue about what was going on in the English Premier League (or any other league) Only having picked up bits and pieces of information that somehow slipped through the net the past season was like a book with most of its pages missing
By Simon Joseph
On The Volley
The Return of the Repressed or the Point of No Return
lsquoInsanity is when you keep repeating the same behaviour and expect a different outcomersquo
sport
lsquoThe past season was like a book with most of its pages missingrsquo
94
lsquoThere may even be some damage done to football-related friendshipsrsquo
lsquoHas abstaining for a season changed mersquo
it until the cows come home but it was us who made those changes or at least allowed them to happen and those changes will continue to happen with or without me Perhaps then the questions I should be asking are has abstaining for a season changed me Am I still obsessed or have I broken the habit of a lifetime Is following football really that terrible or even a real addiction
One thing is certain this lack of resolution is not completely without satisfaction because like all forms of fixation or obsession therersquos comfort and familiarity to be found in repetition as Tottenham miss out on Championrsquos League football by a single point again The repressed will always return to haunt us or so it seems and before we know it the start of next season will be upon us There will be more pain no doubt and more joy This time however it will take more than a boot camp approach to keep me away and who knows Tottenham might even win the league Come on you Spurs
Tottenham Hotspur means I would still tell you that itrsquos not just a pretty football package itrsquos about kith and kin not just where I came from but how I relate to others around me in the here and now Whatrsquos more millions of people are attracted to football they hunger for it and yearn to connect with it even though I still believe itrsquos a form of ineffective escape from one unsatisfying reality to another Following football is a classic example of cognitive dissonance ndash when you simultaneously entertain two opposing thoughts that appear to cancel each other out Before the start of each season for example we all want our club to win everything or to be taken over by billionaires but know that itrsquos impossible or in the latter case controversial and even undesirable So we invent ways to cope We develop a so-called lsquosiege mentalityrsquo or other harmful patterns of behaviour to relieve the discomfort of incongruity With this in mind the past year was supposed to be an exercise in behaviour modification ndash to discover the root of the problem and treat it effectively But one year on have I really discovered anything at all
The English Premier League whether you watch it or not is still probably the most exciting football league in the world We can complain about the changes made to
sport9
5
By Denson Pierre
The Gold Room
Fantasy Football Gold ndash Champions League 2012-2013 winner Denson Pierre and his prizes
The season petered out in an all-German Champions League Final which did nothing to dispel the record that this was a season of too few new stars or regular spectacle We look forward to the next season as it ought not be too difficult to create more excitement than in the one just pastWe did have the opportunity to hand over the envelopes and trophies to the Sentinel Fantasy Football game winners This year all the major winners from the Sentinel Fantasy Football League were unable to be present for the physical prize giving but the winner of the Gold Game and focus of this column was there to receive his prize for winning the master game in styleSo we retire the Gold Room until the beginning of the new football season See you all again then
96
sport
Matt Parker receives his third place and Manager of the Month prizes for the Sentinel Fantasy Football League
Charles Conneely Sentinel Fantasy Football League 2012-2013 Champion
97sport
wwwczechtourismcom
CZECH REPUBLIC - STUNNINGLY DIFFERENT
98
classifi eds
Je moet er geweest zijn
62classifieds
MechelenAuthentic and full of surprises Thatrsquos Mechelen Hospitable and honourable Thatrsquos the people of Mechelen Come and experience the cityrsquos urban charms for yourself Mechelen
Authentic and full of surprises Thatrsquos Mechelen Hospitable and honourable Thatrsquos the people of Mechelen Come and experience the cityrsquos urban charms for yourself
photography copy Milo Profi
classifieds63
classifieds
How to hang out in
Amsterdam
By ER Muntrem
perspectives
It is not against the rules for babies to cry in cafeacutes It happens Mostly they sleep or sit in someonersquos lap with commendable decorum Otherwise kids in cafeacutes tend to nosh a little less than their elders and handle crayons a little more And while anyone who toddles behind the bar will certainly get caught they can always claim they were encouraged to toddle there in the first place
Dutch parents and I realise this is hard to prove seem to let their kids wander a metre or two further away from them than parents from other developed countries that universal ldquowhere is sherdquo look delayed five or ten seconds If this extra distance is a sign of perceived safety cafeacute culture must help teach it
Except for chefs all cafeacute workers do more or less all the jobs required to run a cafeacute They all wait on tables
serve hot and cold drinks set up outdoor furniture load and retrieve supplies take the garbage out wash glasses light candles arrange flowers unfurl the awning and ring up the bill When the young guy or girl greets you you may know they are not the owner but for the moment they are the face of the establishment It may as well be their place
Admittedly I am seduced by places where waiters donrsquot work for tips where the rushed pace of eating in a restaurant in America does not exist In a cafeacute you can do what you want for as long as you want and get food and drink while you do it Pretty cool and as much a baseline for how to hang out in Amsterdam as cycling is for how to get around
Places to eat and drink owned by corporations have to package experience to deliver it Whatrsquos our brand How can our managers and servers be most efficient How ultimately can we be number one Not something most cafeacutes seem to be worried about and where the universal signs for lsquowe are having a good time togetherrsquo
lsquoCafeacute culture must help teachrsquo lsquoI am seduced by places where waiters donrsquot work for tipsrsquo
64
perspectives
or lsquoI am happy here by myselfrsquo (clinked glasses or absorption in a newspaper say) are routinely in evidence This is one true grace of democracy the average worth smiling about
At cafeacutes co-workers have a beer before or after their shift friends drop by or a regular pops in with some news The stream of customers they donrsquot have to woo and donrsquot have to lsquoworkrsquo gives the whole thing a slightly familial living room perfectly public feel that makes the work far less of a personality crimp than working at Starbucks Or so it seems I do not mean to pretend carrying drinks across the street to the canal side seating or giving obvious directions yet again is always glorious but most people who work in cafeacutersquos laugh and smile a fair bit almost as much as the patrons
And when the owner of a cafeacute is of a generation older than those working there as is usually the case it lends a wise uncle or mother hen feel to the proceedings In the daytime no one is ever too caught up in his or her designated title to ignore a baby on the move And at
night the crowd of drinkers may as well be at a party hosted by their parents or kids or both
Itrsquos not all about money cafeacute culture churns towards the civilised without grinding anyone too far down As well as pleasure there is power in this The best distillation I know of what democracy should be came from a young woman working at Cafeacute Captein With our meal in front of us my friend noticed he was missing his salad Flagged down the young woman went to investigate ldquoItrsquos on its wayrdquo she said ldquoI told my boss to do itrdquo
Imagine we told Putin to do it We told Obama to do it We told the bankers to do it
lsquoMost people who work in cafeacutersquos laugh and smile a fair bitrsquo
lsquoCafeacute culture churns towards the civilised without grinding anyone too far downrsquo
65
66
featurecity gem
lsquoThe last of the large independent music stores left standing in Amsterdamrsquo
CITY GEM
67
Concerto
By Denson Pierre
ConcertoUtrechtsestraat 60 1017 VP Amsterdam
it is a rush when on a full stomach you can make an instant decision on where your next city-centre lunch will be taken it is almost ecstasy when the venue is situated in a music shop which for decades has been defined by its exceptional range and quality of music available in amsterdam Concerto is the last of the large independent music stores left standing in amsterdam all the others have long since been killed off by everything from the advance in recording and playback technologies to habitual illegal downloaders only now realising that their behaviour has an impact right back down to street level despite what they might think about the giant studios and recording companies
Concerto has not stuck but has twisted Since September it has incorporated a cute cafeacute
and lunch area within its premises as well as introducing a bookshop and lounge area making it possible to spend an almost nostalgic time there over several hours It still has a vast range of the very best music in vinyl (both new and second-hand) and CD form DVDs DJ equipment and even gear used for live musical performances Itrsquos a gold mine
If it has taken this clever adaptation in space utilisation to keep this institution viable and available to Amsterdam-based music lovers then I personally wish to support this venture and help mean this type of music retailer to remain part of the city scene For people of a certain age there is something infinitely more appealing about physically handling recorded material appreciating the artwork in its packaging having a listen and then deciding if it is a purchase you would like to make Even though non-digital stockpiling has become rather passeacute I challenge you to visit Concerto and its new cafeacute and bookshop concept and not end up spending more time in this true city gem than you had anticipated
lsquoIt has incorporated a cute cafeacute and lunch area within its premises as well as introducing a bookshop and lounge arearsquo
city gem
68
city gem
69city gem
city gem70
city gem71
72city gem
lsquoThere is something infinitely more appealing about physically
handling recorded material appreciating the artwork in its
packagingrsquo
73city gem
74classifi eds
75classifi eds
classifi edsclassifi eds76
amsterdam city life
BrinG BaCK
Something that seems to have been watered down considerably in Amsterdamrsquos hospitality industry in recent years is independence of thought styling and designAll you have to do is walk around the city to note that way too many coffeesoup houses and cafeacutes are more or less identikit This also applies to many cafeacutes with unimaginative business leaders who open unoriginal looking spaces and hope that the use of white paint purple or blue lights and house music is all it takes
Luckily there is something brewing to save our days and nights I have come across cafeacute owners who are now seriously considering ending the arrangements they have with the giant drink suppliers There are actually no good arguments left for continuing with these huge multinationals as they are frankly more expensive at wholesale for the same A-class products than the supermarkets on every Amsterdammerrsquos street corner
It looks like space is being created for the smaller brewers to take up the supply of A-class beer to smaller establishments throughout the city The giants can keep their character-free tourist traps and those bars still able to benefit purely from their unbeatable locations throughout the city
The Sentinel says bring back better and more original businesses of scale within the local hospitality industry which will help more cafeacutes and bars not only to become distinguishable by the interior designs they will need to conjure but also through the variety of local and regional beers that could become part of their coherent identity The overriding benefit of such courageous thinking and action would be an immediate return to realistic and reasonable pricing for A-class beer in Amsterdam which remains the staple of the easy consumables as this recession drones on
By Denson Pierre
INDEPENDENT CAFeacuteSBARS
77
78star beer guide
Star Beer
The SentinelStar beer guide
lsquoDifferent beers can seem to weigh on the conscience as much as on the taste budsrsquo
Just like the changing of the seasons different beers can seem to weigh on the conscience as much as on the taste buds Ciney blond is a lovely almost effeminate tasting beer All light smooth fruitiness bolstered by substantial alcohol content
As the temperature increases it can even feel like a thirst quencher A nice session beer and one that could function as an entrance-level quality beer in terms of its complexity For advanced samplers it is a great lower platform to descend to after cruising the space occupied by the 8-plus percentage alcoholic beauties
Ciney blond is brewed by Alken-Maes Mechelen Belgium
By Denson Pierre
CINEY BLOND (7 ABV)
79star beer guide
We find the best most fun most typical exciting or local favourite restaurants etcetera in Amsterdam and bring them to you an easy way to feel like a local
Cafe Kostverloren 040606
Recommended
80recommended
EUROGIFTSXenonweg 9 3812 SZ Amersfoort
Tel 033 - 454 35 75 - Fax 033 - 454 35 79E-mail lmproefeurogiftsnl
Website wwweurogiftsnl
FILMPROEF
ORDERNUMMER 6021022ARTIKELNUMMER 65123
Ware grootte (indien uitgeprint)Kleur opdruk Wit
Mulligans Irish Music BarAmsterdamrsquos best address for live Irish music Five (5) nights a week Check our agenda for upcoming sessions Amstel 100 1017 AC Amsterdamwwwmulligansnl
Cafeacute KostverlorenCafeacute Kostverloren is a contemporary cafe offering the cosiness of a saloon an open kitchen and the intimacy of a living room The large terras is great for sunny days2e Kostverlorenkade 70 Amsterdamwwwcafekostverlorennl
ZestZest is fi ne food warm atmosphere and classy drinks with regular semi-acoustic (live) music and DJs (Thursday to Sunday) Amsterdamrsquos newest and freshestBilderdijkstraat 188 Amsterdamwwwfacebookcomclubzestnl
GollemGollemrsquos Proefl okaal Gollem and Gollem II represent the best addresses serving the fullest range of top Belgian Dutch and international beers in AmsterdamOvertoom 160-161wwwcafegollemnl
IncantoA restaurant with a classic Italian kitchen Venetian chef Simone Ambrosin is known for his pure and simple style of cooking with great feeling for nuanceAmstel 2 Amsterdamwwwrestaurant-incantonl
Planet RoseThe fi rst Caribbean restaurant in the Netherlands specialised in Jamaican cuisine The menu features a daily changing selectionNicolaas Beetsstraat 47 Amsterdamwwwplanetroseinfo
Cafe restaurant EdelCafe restaurant Edel is the perfect place for lunch dinner or to simply enjoy a drink Edel is a unique place in AmsterdamPostjesweg 1 1057 DT Amsterdamwwwedelamsterdamnl
Cafeacute OportoCafeacute Oporto is a traditional Amsterdam lsquobrown cafersquo Welcoming tourists and regular customers alike they offer televised sports wifi and a wide range of reasonably priced beers and spiritsZoutsteeg 1 1012 LX Amsterdamwwwcafeoportonet
BaxA cosy and friendly local cafeacute with a focus on special or interesting beers and good quality food Open 7 days a week with a professional kitchen offering a lunch and dinner serviceTen Katestraat 119 Amsterdamwwwcafebaxnl
To be seen and tasted Fun Drinking amp Music
To Be Seen and Tasted
Fun Drinking amp Music
Fun Drinking amp Music
Connoisseurs Delight
Connoisseurs Delight
Connoisseurs Delight
To Be Seen and Tasted
Neighbourhood cosy
Fun drinking and music
ParckGreat fun beautiful people and simply the best bar food in townOvertoom 428 Amsterdamwwwcafeparcknl
To be seen and tasted
Cafe de Toog1890rsquos grandeur fashioned into Amsterdam-West grand brown cafe-restaurant-cool Classy drinks and mealsNicolaas Beetsstraat 142 hs Amsterdam wwwcafedetoogcom
Opera Prima - Patisserie Bistro TraiteurThe best place in town for lunch exquisite high teas or brunches and all of your luxury catering both private and corporateKinkerstraat 228 Amsterdamwwwoperaprimanl
Recommended
81
Where is this inAmsterdamAnswer to sentinelpostgmailcom
82spotted
Room 2cfilm
ldquoCome on in boys the waterrsquos finerdquo This is arguably the best all-round and funny musical to come out of Hollywood in a generation and certainly one of the best three soundtracks of the same period George Clooney will never be as good or charming as he is here playing the accidental leader of a trio of chain gang escapees in the US south of the 1930s Spirituality meets the Ku Klux Klan all coloured by Virginia bluegrass
ldquoCall me Snakerdquo The coolest handle for a leading man (Kurt Russell) in any movie to date Here he is sent in on a heroic lsquoat all costrsquo one-man mission to rescue the president of the United States from the prison island Manhattan has become in a lsquofuturersquo representation of 1997 Air Force One has crashed there and the countdown is on Classic 1980s turn of the millennium dystopian vision with style pace and gadgetry
By dpmotions
By dpmotions
o Brother Where Art Thou (2000)
escape from new York (1981)
room2c83
84trends
lsquoTrends are great to join and surf like a once in a lifetime tsunamirsquo
By Dirkje Bakker-Pierre
Each and every micro-world has its own specific trends Take the fashion world for example where one day you have to wear high heels and round noses and the next itrsquos flat hairy elephant feet-like boots that must hug your feet Or take the automotive world where once upon a time you could never have enough chrome on your car or the food world where we have quietly moved from fast to green and wholesome or the TV world which used to be about fiction and is now more real than reality Some of these trends are great to join and surf like a once in a lifetime tsunami others can slip by unnoticed and others still keep bugging and bugging you even if you try to avoid them like the plague
The online world and specifically the social media universe eats through trends like a fat chick after a hunger strike Facebook in particular seems to move seamlessly from one hype to the next one day itrsquos pictures with fuzzy edges or a bit of a 1970s filter the next itrsquos a profile picture with you very consciously not looking into the camera (very spontaneously and naturally non-posing you might say) These are mostly harmless things if Irsquom honest and when everyone
stops liking them they fade away as quickly as the sun in our small wet country There is one trend however that has festered within Facebook from the very beginning and which seems to be gradually growing and growing without anyone ever liking the postshellip and I mean EVER
Yes I am talking about daily quotes words of wisdom holy quotes mesmerizingly philosophical quotes cheesy quotes religious quoteshellip How can I describe all of them in one easy sentence pieces of text from (famous) people (it can never be something you thought of yourself) that lsquodisclosersquo previously secret information about being happy in life (or at least previously secret to the person doing the posting I presume) In short texts that belong on tiles hanging on the wall in old Dutch peoplersquos toilets
Why
Here are a few I found in my news feed this week
ldquoA mind is like a parachute It doesnrsquot work if it is not openrdquo ndash Frank Zappa
ldquoIt is not because things are difficult that we do not dare it is because we do not dare that things are difficultrdquo ndash Seneca
ldquoIf you donrsquot take what you are doing seriously then nobody else willrdquo ndash Darryl Dlt Thomson
Bad trends would be good if they werenrsquot so bad
85trends
86classifi eds
87classifieds
One of my personal favourite gemstones is moonstone Itlsquos been around for centuries and is used in many cultures As suggested by its name the stone is highly associated with the moon and moon goddess Diana It brings calm peace and love and is said to become more powerful when the moon is full so thatlsquos the best time to wear it One proverb even claims that moonstone can bring you love that will fly you to the moon Spiritually this amazing stone is said to enhance intuition and is always associated with the self It is a very powerful personal stone which doesnlsquot add or remove any aspects of the personality but merely reflects the person wearing it It is said to be very
MoonstoneBy Evelina Kvartunaite
ndash
lsquoThe stone is highly associated with the moon and moon goddess Dianarsquo
ndash
helpful for people who are very sensitive and it is also used in meditation for reflecting oneself Itlsquos always best to charge your gem when the moon is shining at night either while wearing it or by leaving it on a windowsill that receives moonlight Moonstone is also used in healing and is known for balancing the internal organ systems enabling them to work in stable cycles Itlsquos usually more associated with women but is also known to help men embrace their more emotional side soft creative energies and optimism Perhaps understandably moonstone should have limited exposure to strong direct sunlight
ndash
lsquoIt is said to be very helpful for people who are very sensitiversquo
ndash
88
health amp well-being
ndash
lsquoMore associated with women but is also known to help men embrace their more emotional sidersquo
ndash
89health amp well-being
In his article Batin shows how learning how to use complex products is like learning a computer game Just like the challenges in video games match the skills of the user so should TV interactions or any UI interactions for that matter For reference Batin used the four levels described in the Dreyfus model of skill acquisition
Level 1 novicebullRigid adherence to taught rules or plansbullNo exercise of lsquodiscretionary judgmentrsquo
Level 2 Advanced beginnerbullLimited lsquosituational perceptionrsquobullAll aspects of work treated separately with equal importance
Philip Batin wrote an article a couple of months ago about the next big idea in User Interaction gadgets that adapt to your skills As gadgets become more complicated UIs must be able to teach their users over time Apparently more and more interactive products are being returned In 2002 48 of all returned products were technically fully functional but were rejected for failing to satisfy user needs 20 purely due to customer remorse Even though a product may have all the features one can hope for complexity and bad user experience can prevent users from integrating it into their lives
UserInterfaceThe next big thing in UX
lsquoUIs must be able to teach their users over timersquo
By Andrei Barburas
lsquoComplexity and bad user experience can prevent users from
integrating it into their livesrsquo
90
technology
book the majority of which you probably skipped through
Personally I believe that there are certain end users most likely the majority that use only a limited set of features from any device they buy Mobile phones have become indispensable tools in our daily activities yet the average Joe has no idea about the full potential of a smart phone The same applies to Smart TVs they can do lots of things yet the only thing that we do with them is flip channels and complain how bad the shows are
The bottom line is that itrsquos definitely something worth thinking about not only from an operating system perspective but also from the perspective of applications developers
Level 3 competentbulllsquoCoping with crowdednessrsquo (multiple activities accumulation of information)bullSome perception of actions in relation to goalsbullDeliberate planningbullFormulates routines
Level 4 ProficientbullHolistic view of situationbullPrioritizes importance of aspectsbulllsquoPerceives deviations from the normal patternrsquobullEmploys maxim for guidance with meanings that adapt to the situation at hand
Now just imagine a User Interface that adapts based on what you can do and the abilities you have As you learn new things new levels of complexity are unlocked opening the door to fully knowing your device because you learned by doing and not by reading a complicated
lsquoThe average Joe has no idea about the full potential of a
smart phonersquo
91technology
92classifi eds
93classifi eds
Not knowing what was happening in football was extremely annoying to put it mildly and it wasnrsquot just my own self-denial and avoidance of all things football that was a hindrance the extent to which I had to ask others to go in order to remain ignorant was much more excruciating than Irsquod ever imagined There may even be some damage done to football-related friendships that is irreparable I now feel as though Irsquom walking through an empty stadium after everyone else has gone home
So what now and where to next The season is well and truly over and Irsquom free to do whatever I want I could read the back-dated sports pages check all the stats and find out all the facts if I wanted to I could spend hours catching up on last season and speculating on the next with the friends Irsquove still got left down the pub if I wanted to I can follow all the transfer gossip watch pre-season friendlies and build up all my hopes But as with most addictions that would simply be falling back into a previous state of dependence and everything Irsquove just put myself through wouldrsquove been for nothing So how do I go back to an old habit without a total relapse or would it be better to keep abstaining
All my questions seem to be met with other questions and no solutions On the other hand if you ask me what
Someone once said that insanity is when you keep repeating the same behaviour and expect a different outcome most likely a psychologist aimed at his or her ailing patients But for me these words are more reminiscent of my own conduct over the course of a regular football season Week in week out season after season I would expect Tottenham to win something and more often than not Irsquod be left disappointed So I decided to stop No more football ndash at least not for one full season
The season 201213 is now over and during the whole nine months I didnrsquot watch a single moment of football or read a single article on the subject That was my challenge and I was committed to it What is more despite all the warning signs I didnrsquot relapse After a year of structured punishment I didnrsquot have a clue about what was going on in the English Premier League (or any other league) Only having picked up bits and pieces of information that somehow slipped through the net the past season was like a book with most of its pages missing
By Simon Joseph
On The Volley
The Return of the Repressed or the Point of No Return
lsquoInsanity is when you keep repeating the same behaviour and expect a different outcomersquo
sport
lsquoThe past season was like a book with most of its pages missingrsquo
94
lsquoThere may even be some damage done to football-related friendshipsrsquo
lsquoHas abstaining for a season changed mersquo
it until the cows come home but it was us who made those changes or at least allowed them to happen and those changes will continue to happen with or without me Perhaps then the questions I should be asking are has abstaining for a season changed me Am I still obsessed or have I broken the habit of a lifetime Is following football really that terrible or even a real addiction
One thing is certain this lack of resolution is not completely without satisfaction because like all forms of fixation or obsession therersquos comfort and familiarity to be found in repetition as Tottenham miss out on Championrsquos League football by a single point again The repressed will always return to haunt us or so it seems and before we know it the start of next season will be upon us There will be more pain no doubt and more joy This time however it will take more than a boot camp approach to keep me away and who knows Tottenham might even win the league Come on you Spurs
Tottenham Hotspur means I would still tell you that itrsquos not just a pretty football package itrsquos about kith and kin not just where I came from but how I relate to others around me in the here and now Whatrsquos more millions of people are attracted to football they hunger for it and yearn to connect with it even though I still believe itrsquos a form of ineffective escape from one unsatisfying reality to another Following football is a classic example of cognitive dissonance ndash when you simultaneously entertain two opposing thoughts that appear to cancel each other out Before the start of each season for example we all want our club to win everything or to be taken over by billionaires but know that itrsquos impossible or in the latter case controversial and even undesirable So we invent ways to cope We develop a so-called lsquosiege mentalityrsquo or other harmful patterns of behaviour to relieve the discomfort of incongruity With this in mind the past year was supposed to be an exercise in behaviour modification ndash to discover the root of the problem and treat it effectively But one year on have I really discovered anything at all
The English Premier League whether you watch it or not is still probably the most exciting football league in the world We can complain about the changes made to
sport9
5
By Denson Pierre
The Gold Room
Fantasy Football Gold ndash Champions League 2012-2013 winner Denson Pierre and his prizes
The season petered out in an all-German Champions League Final which did nothing to dispel the record that this was a season of too few new stars or regular spectacle We look forward to the next season as it ought not be too difficult to create more excitement than in the one just pastWe did have the opportunity to hand over the envelopes and trophies to the Sentinel Fantasy Football game winners This year all the major winners from the Sentinel Fantasy Football League were unable to be present for the physical prize giving but the winner of the Gold Game and focus of this column was there to receive his prize for winning the master game in styleSo we retire the Gold Room until the beginning of the new football season See you all again then
96
sport
Matt Parker receives his third place and Manager of the Month prizes for the Sentinel Fantasy Football League
Charles Conneely Sentinel Fantasy Football League 2012-2013 Champion
97sport
wwwczechtourismcom
CZECH REPUBLIC - STUNNINGLY DIFFERENT
98
classifi eds
MechelenAuthentic and full of surprises Thatrsquos Mechelen Hospitable and honourable Thatrsquos the people of Mechelen Come and experience the cityrsquos urban charms for yourself Mechelen
Authentic and full of surprises Thatrsquos Mechelen Hospitable and honourable Thatrsquos the people of Mechelen Come and experience the cityrsquos urban charms for yourself
photography copy Milo Profi
classifieds63
classifieds
How to hang out in
Amsterdam
By ER Muntrem
perspectives
It is not against the rules for babies to cry in cafeacutes It happens Mostly they sleep or sit in someonersquos lap with commendable decorum Otherwise kids in cafeacutes tend to nosh a little less than their elders and handle crayons a little more And while anyone who toddles behind the bar will certainly get caught they can always claim they were encouraged to toddle there in the first place
Dutch parents and I realise this is hard to prove seem to let their kids wander a metre or two further away from them than parents from other developed countries that universal ldquowhere is sherdquo look delayed five or ten seconds If this extra distance is a sign of perceived safety cafeacute culture must help teach it
Except for chefs all cafeacute workers do more or less all the jobs required to run a cafeacute They all wait on tables
serve hot and cold drinks set up outdoor furniture load and retrieve supplies take the garbage out wash glasses light candles arrange flowers unfurl the awning and ring up the bill When the young guy or girl greets you you may know they are not the owner but for the moment they are the face of the establishment It may as well be their place
Admittedly I am seduced by places where waiters donrsquot work for tips where the rushed pace of eating in a restaurant in America does not exist In a cafeacute you can do what you want for as long as you want and get food and drink while you do it Pretty cool and as much a baseline for how to hang out in Amsterdam as cycling is for how to get around
Places to eat and drink owned by corporations have to package experience to deliver it Whatrsquos our brand How can our managers and servers be most efficient How ultimately can we be number one Not something most cafeacutes seem to be worried about and where the universal signs for lsquowe are having a good time togetherrsquo
lsquoCafeacute culture must help teachrsquo lsquoI am seduced by places where waiters donrsquot work for tipsrsquo
64
perspectives
or lsquoI am happy here by myselfrsquo (clinked glasses or absorption in a newspaper say) are routinely in evidence This is one true grace of democracy the average worth smiling about
At cafeacutes co-workers have a beer before or after their shift friends drop by or a regular pops in with some news The stream of customers they donrsquot have to woo and donrsquot have to lsquoworkrsquo gives the whole thing a slightly familial living room perfectly public feel that makes the work far less of a personality crimp than working at Starbucks Or so it seems I do not mean to pretend carrying drinks across the street to the canal side seating or giving obvious directions yet again is always glorious but most people who work in cafeacutersquos laugh and smile a fair bit almost as much as the patrons
And when the owner of a cafeacute is of a generation older than those working there as is usually the case it lends a wise uncle or mother hen feel to the proceedings In the daytime no one is ever too caught up in his or her designated title to ignore a baby on the move And at
night the crowd of drinkers may as well be at a party hosted by their parents or kids or both
Itrsquos not all about money cafeacute culture churns towards the civilised without grinding anyone too far down As well as pleasure there is power in this The best distillation I know of what democracy should be came from a young woman working at Cafeacute Captein With our meal in front of us my friend noticed he was missing his salad Flagged down the young woman went to investigate ldquoItrsquos on its wayrdquo she said ldquoI told my boss to do itrdquo
Imagine we told Putin to do it We told Obama to do it We told the bankers to do it
lsquoMost people who work in cafeacutersquos laugh and smile a fair bitrsquo
lsquoCafeacute culture churns towards the civilised without grinding anyone too far downrsquo
65
66
featurecity gem
lsquoThe last of the large independent music stores left standing in Amsterdamrsquo
CITY GEM
67
Concerto
By Denson Pierre
ConcertoUtrechtsestraat 60 1017 VP Amsterdam
it is a rush when on a full stomach you can make an instant decision on where your next city-centre lunch will be taken it is almost ecstasy when the venue is situated in a music shop which for decades has been defined by its exceptional range and quality of music available in amsterdam Concerto is the last of the large independent music stores left standing in amsterdam all the others have long since been killed off by everything from the advance in recording and playback technologies to habitual illegal downloaders only now realising that their behaviour has an impact right back down to street level despite what they might think about the giant studios and recording companies
Concerto has not stuck but has twisted Since September it has incorporated a cute cafeacute
and lunch area within its premises as well as introducing a bookshop and lounge area making it possible to spend an almost nostalgic time there over several hours It still has a vast range of the very best music in vinyl (both new and second-hand) and CD form DVDs DJ equipment and even gear used for live musical performances Itrsquos a gold mine
If it has taken this clever adaptation in space utilisation to keep this institution viable and available to Amsterdam-based music lovers then I personally wish to support this venture and help mean this type of music retailer to remain part of the city scene For people of a certain age there is something infinitely more appealing about physically handling recorded material appreciating the artwork in its packaging having a listen and then deciding if it is a purchase you would like to make Even though non-digital stockpiling has become rather passeacute I challenge you to visit Concerto and its new cafeacute and bookshop concept and not end up spending more time in this true city gem than you had anticipated
lsquoIt has incorporated a cute cafeacute and lunch area within its premises as well as introducing a bookshop and lounge arearsquo
city gem
68
city gem
69city gem
city gem70
city gem71
72city gem
lsquoThere is something infinitely more appealing about physically
handling recorded material appreciating the artwork in its
packagingrsquo
73city gem
74classifi eds
75classifi eds
classifi edsclassifi eds76
amsterdam city life
BrinG BaCK
Something that seems to have been watered down considerably in Amsterdamrsquos hospitality industry in recent years is independence of thought styling and designAll you have to do is walk around the city to note that way too many coffeesoup houses and cafeacutes are more or less identikit This also applies to many cafeacutes with unimaginative business leaders who open unoriginal looking spaces and hope that the use of white paint purple or blue lights and house music is all it takes
Luckily there is something brewing to save our days and nights I have come across cafeacute owners who are now seriously considering ending the arrangements they have with the giant drink suppliers There are actually no good arguments left for continuing with these huge multinationals as they are frankly more expensive at wholesale for the same A-class products than the supermarkets on every Amsterdammerrsquos street corner
It looks like space is being created for the smaller brewers to take up the supply of A-class beer to smaller establishments throughout the city The giants can keep their character-free tourist traps and those bars still able to benefit purely from their unbeatable locations throughout the city
The Sentinel says bring back better and more original businesses of scale within the local hospitality industry which will help more cafeacutes and bars not only to become distinguishable by the interior designs they will need to conjure but also through the variety of local and regional beers that could become part of their coherent identity The overriding benefit of such courageous thinking and action would be an immediate return to realistic and reasonable pricing for A-class beer in Amsterdam which remains the staple of the easy consumables as this recession drones on
By Denson Pierre
INDEPENDENT CAFeacuteSBARS
77
78star beer guide
Star Beer
The SentinelStar beer guide
lsquoDifferent beers can seem to weigh on the conscience as much as on the taste budsrsquo
Just like the changing of the seasons different beers can seem to weigh on the conscience as much as on the taste buds Ciney blond is a lovely almost effeminate tasting beer All light smooth fruitiness bolstered by substantial alcohol content
As the temperature increases it can even feel like a thirst quencher A nice session beer and one that could function as an entrance-level quality beer in terms of its complexity For advanced samplers it is a great lower platform to descend to after cruising the space occupied by the 8-plus percentage alcoholic beauties
Ciney blond is brewed by Alken-Maes Mechelen Belgium
By Denson Pierre
CINEY BLOND (7 ABV)
79star beer guide
We find the best most fun most typical exciting or local favourite restaurants etcetera in Amsterdam and bring them to you an easy way to feel like a local
Cafe Kostverloren 040606
Recommended
80recommended
EUROGIFTSXenonweg 9 3812 SZ Amersfoort
Tel 033 - 454 35 75 - Fax 033 - 454 35 79E-mail lmproefeurogiftsnl
Website wwweurogiftsnl
FILMPROEF
ORDERNUMMER 6021022ARTIKELNUMMER 65123
Ware grootte (indien uitgeprint)Kleur opdruk Wit
Mulligans Irish Music BarAmsterdamrsquos best address for live Irish music Five (5) nights a week Check our agenda for upcoming sessions Amstel 100 1017 AC Amsterdamwwwmulligansnl
Cafeacute KostverlorenCafeacute Kostverloren is a contemporary cafe offering the cosiness of a saloon an open kitchen and the intimacy of a living room The large terras is great for sunny days2e Kostverlorenkade 70 Amsterdamwwwcafekostverlorennl
ZestZest is fi ne food warm atmosphere and classy drinks with regular semi-acoustic (live) music and DJs (Thursday to Sunday) Amsterdamrsquos newest and freshestBilderdijkstraat 188 Amsterdamwwwfacebookcomclubzestnl
GollemGollemrsquos Proefl okaal Gollem and Gollem II represent the best addresses serving the fullest range of top Belgian Dutch and international beers in AmsterdamOvertoom 160-161wwwcafegollemnl
IncantoA restaurant with a classic Italian kitchen Venetian chef Simone Ambrosin is known for his pure and simple style of cooking with great feeling for nuanceAmstel 2 Amsterdamwwwrestaurant-incantonl
Planet RoseThe fi rst Caribbean restaurant in the Netherlands specialised in Jamaican cuisine The menu features a daily changing selectionNicolaas Beetsstraat 47 Amsterdamwwwplanetroseinfo
Cafe restaurant EdelCafe restaurant Edel is the perfect place for lunch dinner or to simply enjoy a drink Edel is a unique place in AmsterdamPostjesweg 1 1057 DT Amsterdamwwwedelamsterdamnl
Cafeacute OportoCafeacute Oporto is a traditional Amsterdam lsquobrown cafersquo Welcoming tourists and regular customers alike they offer televised sports wifi and a wide range of reasonably priced beers and spiritsZoutsteeg 1 1012 LX Amsterdamwwwcafeoportonet
BaxA cosy and friendly local cafeacute with a focus on special or interesting beers and good quality food Open 7 days a week with a professional kitchen offering a lunch and dinner serviceTen Katestraat 119 Amsterdamwwwcafebaxnl
To be seen and tasted Fun Drinking amp Music
To Be Seen and Tasted
Fun Drinking amp Music
Fun Drinking amp Music
Connoisseurs Delight
Connoisseurs Delight
Connoisseurs Delight
To Be Seen and Tasted
Neighbourhood cosy
Fun drinking and music
ParckGreat fun beautiful people and simply the best bar food in townOvertoom 428 Amsterdamwwwcafeparcknl
To be seen and tasted
Cafe de Toog1890rsquos grandeur fashioned into Amsterdam-West grand brown cafe-restaurant-cool Classy drinks and mealsNicolaas Beetsstraat 142 hs Amsterdam wwwcafedetoogcom
Opera Prima - Patisserie Bistro TraiteurThe best place in town for lunch exquisite high teas or brunches and all of your luxury catering both private and corporateKinkerstraat 228 Amsterdamwwwoperaprimanl
Recommended
81
Where is this inAmsterdamAnswer to sentinelpostgmailcom
82spotted
Room 2cfilm
ldquoCome on in boys the waterrsquos finerdquo This is arguably the best all-round and funny musical to come out of Hollywood in a generation and certainly one of the best three soundtracks of the same period George Clooney will never be as good or charming as he is here playing the accidental leader of a trio of chain gang escapees in the US south of the 1930s Spirituality meets the Ku Klux Klan all coloured by Virginia bluegrass
ldquoCall me Snakerdquo The coolest handle for a leading man (Kurt Russell) in any movie to date Here he is sent in on a heroic lsquoat all costrsquo one-man mission to rescue the president of the United States from the prison island Manhattan has become in a lsquofuturersquo representation of 1997 Air Force One has crashed there and the countdown is on Classic 1980s turn of the millennium dystopian vision with style pace and gadgetry
By dpmotions
By dpmotions
o Brother Where Art Thou (2000)
escape from new York (1981)
room2c83
84trends
lsquoTrends are great to join and surf like a once in a lifetime tsunamirsquo
By Dirkje Bakker-Pierre
Each and every micro-world has its own specific trends Take the fashion world for example where one day you have to wear high heels and round noses and the next itrsquos flat hairy elephant feet-like boots that must hug your feet Or take the automotive world where once upon a time you could never have enough chrome on your car or the food world where we have quietly moved from fast to green and wholesome or the TV world which used to be about fiction and is now more real than reality Some of these trends are great to join and surf like a once in a lifetime tsunami others can slip by unnoticed and others still keep bugging and bugging you even if you try to avoid them like the plague
The online world and specifically the social media universe eats through trends like a fat chick after a hunger strike Facebook in particular seems to move seamlessly from one hype to the next one day itrsquos pictures with fuzzy edges or a bit of a 1970s filter the next itrsquos a profile picture with you very consciously not looking into the camera (very spontaneously and naturally non-posing you might say) These are mostly harmless things if Irsquom honest and when everyone
stops liking them they fade away as quickly as the sun in our small wet country There is one trend however that has festered within Facebook from the very beginning and which seems to be gradually growing and growing without anyone ever liking the postshellip and I mean EVER
Yes I am talking about daily quotes words of wisdom holy quotes mesmerizingly philosophical quotes cheesy quotes religious quoteshellip How can I describe all of them in one easy sentence pieces of text from (famous) people (it can never be something you thought of yourself) that lsquodisclosersquo previously secret information about being happy in life (or at least previously secret to the person doing the posting I presume) In short texts that belong on tiles hanging on the wall in old Dutch peoplersquos toilets
Why
Here are a few I found in my news feed this week
ldquoA mind is like a parachute It doesnrsquot work if it is not openrdquo ndash Frank Zappa
ldquoIt is not because things are difficult that we do not dare it is because we do not dare that things are difficultrdquo ndash Seneca
ldquoIf you donrsquot take what you are doing seriously then nobody else willrdquo ndash Darryl Dlt Thomson
Bad trends would be good if they werenrsquot so bad
85trends
86classifi eds
87classifieds
One of my personal favourite gemstones is moonstone Itlsquos been around for centuries and is used in many cultures As suggested by its name the stone is highly associated with the moon and moon goddess Diana It brings calm peace and love and is said to become more powerful when the moon is full so thatlsquos the best time to wear it One proverb even claims that moonstone can bring you love that will fly you to the moon Spiritually this amazing stone is said to enhance intuition and is always associated with the self It is a very powerful personal stone which doesnlsquot add or remove any aspects of the personality but merely reflects the person wearing it It is said to be very
MoonstoneBy Evelina Kvartunaite
ndash
lsquoThe stone is highly associated with the moon and moon goddess Dianarsquo
ndash
helpful for people who are very sensitive and it is also used in meditation for reflecting oneself Itlsquos always best to charge your gem when the moon is shining at night either while wearing it or by leaving it on a windowsill that receives moonlight Moonstone is also used in healing and is known for balancing the internal organ systems enabling them to work in stable cycles Itlsquos usually more associated with women but is also known to help men embrace their more emotional side soft creative energies and optimism Perhaps understandably moonstone should have limited exposure to strong direct sunlight
ndash
lsquoIt is said to be very helpful for people who are very sensitiversquo
ndash
88
health amp well-being
ndash
lsquoMore associated with women but is also known to help men embrace their more emotional sidersquo
ndash
89health amp well-being
In his article Batin shows how learning how to use complex products is like learning a computer game Just like the challenges in video games match the skills of the user so should TV interactions or any UI interactions for that matter For reference Batin used the four levels described in the Dreyfus model of skill acquisition
Level 1 novicebullRigid adherence to taught rules or plansbullNo exercise of lsquodiscretionary judgmentrsquo
Level 2 Advanced beginnerbullLimited lsquosituational perceptionrsquobullAll aspects of work treated separately with equal importance
Philip Batin wrote an article a couple of months ago about the next big idea in User Interaction gadgets that adapt to your skills As gadgets become more complicated UIs must be able to teach their users over time Apparently more and more interactive products are being returned In 2002 48 of all returned products were technically fully functional but were rejected for failing to satisfy user needs 20 purely due to customer remorse Even though a product may have all the features one can hope for complexity and bad user experience can prevent users from integrating it into their lives
UserInterfaceThe next big thing in UX
lsquoUIs must be able to teach their users over timersquo
By Andrei Barburas
lsquoComplexity and bad user experience can prevent users from
integrating it into their livesrsquo
90
technology
book the majority of which you probably skipped through
Personally I believe that there are certain end users most likely the majority that use only a limited set of features from any device they buy Mobile phones have become indispensable tools in our daily activities yet the average Joe has no idea about the full potential of a smart phone The same applies to Smart TVs they can do lots of things yet the only thing that we do with them is flip channels and complain how bad the shows are
The bottom line is that itrsquos definitely something worth thinking about not only from an operating system perspective but also from the perspective of applications developers
Level 3 competentbulllsquoCoping with crowdednessrsquo (multiple activities accumulation of information)bullSome perception of actions in relation to goalsbullDeliberate planningbullFormulates routines
Level 4 ProficientbullHolistic view of situationbullPrioritizes importance of aspectsbulllsquoPerceives deviations from the normal patternrsquobullEmploys maxim for guidance with meanings that adapt to the situation at hand
Now just imagine a User Interface that adapts based on what you can do and the abilities you have As you learn new things new levels of complexity are unlocked opening the door to fully knowing your device because you learned by doing and not by reading a complicated
lsquoThe average Joe has no idea about the full potential of a
smart phonersquo
91technology
92classifi eds
93classifi eds
Not knowing what was happening in football was extremely annoying to put it mildly and it wasnrsquot just my own self-denial and avoidance of all things football that was a hindrance the extent to which I had to ask others to go in order to remain ignorant was much more excruciating than Irsquod ever imagined There may even be some damage done to football-related friendships that is irreparable I now feel as though Irsquom walking through an empty stadium after everyone else has gone home
So what now and where to next The season is well and truly over and Irsquom free to do whatever I want I could read the back-dated sports pages check all the stats and find out all the facts if I wanted to I could spend hours catching up on last season and speculating on the next with the friends Irsquove still got left down the pub if I wanted to I can follow all the transfer gossip watch pre-season friendlies and build up all my hopes But as with most addictions that would simply be falling back into a previous state of dependence and everything Irsquove just put myself through wouldrsquove been for nothing So how do I go back to an old habit without a total relapse or would it be better to keep abstaining
All my questions seem to be met with other questions and no solutions On the other hand if you ask me what
Someone once said that insanity is when you keep repeating the same behaviour and expect a different outcome most likely a psychologist aimed at his or her ailing patients But for me these words are more reminiscent of my own conduct over the course of a regular football season Week in week out season after season I would expect Tottenham to win something and more often than not Irsquod be left disappointed So I decided to stop No more football ndash at least not for one full season
The season 201213 is now over and during the whole nine months I didnrsquot watch a single moment of football or read a single article on the subject That was my challenge and I was committed to it What is more despite all the warning signs I didnrsquot relapse After a year of structured punishment I didnrsquot have a clue about what was going on in the English Premier League (or any other league) Only having picked up bits and pieces of information that somehow slipped through the net the past season was like a book with most of its pages missing
By Simon Joseph
On The Volley
The Return of the Repressed or the Point of No Return
lsquoInsanity is when you keep repeating the same behaviour and expect a different outcomersquo
sport
lsquoThe past season was like a book with most of its pages missingrsquo
94
lsquoThere may even be some damage done to football-related friendshipsrsquo
lsquoHas abstaining for a season changed mersquo
it until the cows come home but it was us who made those changes or at least allowed them to happen and those changes will continue to happen with or without me Perhaps then the questions I should be asking are has abstaining for a season changed me Am I still obsessed or have I broken the habit of a lifetime Is following football really that terrible or even a real addiction
One thing is certain this lack of resolution is not completely without satisfaction because like all forms of fixation or obsession therersquos comfort and familiarity to be found in repetition as Tottenham miss out on Championrsquos League football by a single point again The repressed will always return to haunt us or so it seems and before we know it the start of next season will be upon us There will be more pain no doubt and more joy This time however it will take more than a boot camp approach to keep me away and who knows Tottenham might even win the league Come on you Spurs
Tottenham Hotspur means I would still tell you that itrsquos not just a pretty football package itrsquos about kith and kin not just where I came from but how I relate to others around me in the here and now Whatrsquos more millions of people are attracted to football they hunger for it and yearn to connect with it even though I still believe itrsquos a form of ineffective escape from one unsatisfying reality to another Following football is a classic example of cognitive dissonance ndash when you simultaneously entertain two opposing thoughts that appear to cancel each other out Before the start of each season for example we all want our club to win everything or to be taken over by billionaires but know that itrsquos impossible or in the latter case controversial and even undesirable So we invent ways to cope We develop a so-called lsquosiege mentalityrsquo or other harmful patterns of behaviour to relieve the discomfort of incongruity With this in mind the past year was supposed to be an exercise in behaviour modification ndash to discover the root of the problem and treat it effectively But one year on have I really discovered anything at all
The English Premier League whether you watch it or not is still probably the most exciting football league in the world We can complain about the changes made to
sport9
5
By Denson Pierre
The Gold Room
Fantasy Football Gold ndash Champions League 2012-2013 winner Denson Pierre and his prizes
The season petered out in an all-German Champions League Final which did nothing to dispel the record that this was a season of too few new stars or regular spectacle We look forward to the next season as it ought not be too difficult to create more excitement than in the one just pastWe did have the opportunity to hand over the envelopes and trophies to the Sentinel Fantasy Football game winners This year all the major winners from the Sentinel Fantasy Football League were unable to be present for the physical prize giving but the winner of the Gold Game and focus of this column was there to receive his prize for winning the master game in styleSo we retire the Gold Room until the beginning of the new football season See you all again then
96
sport
Matt Parker receives his third place and Manager of the Month prizes for the Sentinel Fantasy Football League
Charles Conneely Sentinel Fantasy Football League 2012-2013 Champion
97sport
wwwczechtourismcom
CZECH REPUBLIC - STUNNINGLY DIFFERENT
98
classifi eds
How to hang out in
Amsterdam
By ER Muntrem
perspectives
It is not against the rules for babies to cry in cafeacutes It happens Mostly they sleep or sit in someonersquos lap with commendable decorum Otherwise kids in cafeacutes tend to nosh a little less than their elders and handle crayons a little more And while anyone who toddles behind the bar will certainly get caught they can always claim they were encouraged to toddle there in the first place
Dutch parents and I realise this is hard to prove seem to let their kids wander a metre or two further away from them than parents from other developed countries that universal ldquowhere is sherdquo look delayed five or ten seconds If this extra distance is a sign of perceived safety cafeacute culture must help teach it
Except for chefs all cafeacute workers do more or less all the jobs required to run a cafeacute They all wait on tables
serve hot and cold drinks set up outdoor furniture load and retrieve supplies take the garbage out wash glasses light candles arrange flowers unfurl the awning and ring up the bill When the young guy or girl greets you you may know they are not the owner but for the moment they are the face of the establishment It may as well be their place
Admittedly I am seduced by places where waiters donrsquot work for tips where the rushed pace of eating in a restaurant in America does not exist In a cafeacute you can do what you want for as long as you want and get food and drink while you do it Pretty cool and as much a baseline for how to hang out in Amsterdam as cycling is for how to get around
Places to eat and drink owned by corporations have to package experience to deliver it Whatrsquos our brand How can our managers and servers be most efficient How ultimately can we be number one Not something most cafeacutes seem to be worried about and where the universal signs for lsquowe are having a good time togetherrsquo
lsquoCafeacute culture must help teachrsquo lsquoI am seduced by places where waiters donrsquot work for tipsrsquo
64
perspectives
or lsquoI am happy here by myselfrsquo (clinked glasses or absorption in a newspaper say) are routinely in evidence This is one true grace of democracy the average worth smiling about
At cafeacutes co-workers have a beer before or after their shift friends drop by or a regular pops in with some news The stream of customers they donrsquot have to woo and donrsquot have to lsquoworkrsquo gives the whole thing a slightly familial living room perfectly public feel that makes the work far less of a personality crimp than working at Starbucks Or so it seems I do not mean to pretend carrying drinks across the street to the canal side seating or giving obvious directions yet again is always glorious but most people who work in cafeacutersquos laugh and smile a fair bit almost as much as the patrons
And when the owner of a cafeacute is of a generation older than those working there as is usually the case it lends a wise uncle or mother hen feel to the proceedings In the daytime no one is ever too caught up in his or her designated title to ignore a baby on the move And at
night the crowd of drinkers may as well be at a party hosted by their parents or kids or both
Itrsquos not all about money cafeacute culture churns towards the civilised without grinding anyone too far down As well as pleasure there is power in this The best distillation I know of what democracy should be came from a young woman working at Cafeacute Captein With our meal in front of us my friend noticed he was missing his salad Flagged down the young woman went to investigate ldquoItrsquos on its wayrdquo she said ldquoI told my boss to do itrdquo
Imagine we told Putin to do it We told Obama to do it We told the bankers to do it
lsquoMost people who work in cafeacutersquos laugh and smile a fair bitrsquo
lsquoCafeacute culture churns towards the civilised without grinding anyone too far downrsquo
65
66
featurecity gem
lsquoThe last of the large independent music stores left standing in Amsterdamrsquo
CITY GEM
67
Concerto
By Denson Pierre
ConcertoUtrechtsestraat 60 1017 VP Amsterdam
it is a rush when on a full stomach you can make an instant decision on where your next city-centre lunch will be taken it is almost ecstasy when the venue is situated in a music shop which for decades has been defined by its exceptional range and quality of music available in amsterdam Concerto is the last of the large independent music stores left standing in amsterdam all the others have long since been killed off by everything from the advance in recording and playback technologies to habitual illegal downloaders only now realising that their behaviour has an impact right back down to street level despite what they might think about the giant studios and recording companies
Concerto has not stuck but has twisted Since September it has incorporated a cute cafeacute
and lunch area within its premises as well as introducing a bookshop and lounge area making it possible to spend an almost nostalgic time there over several hours It still has a vast range of the very best music in vinyl (both new and second-hand) and CD form DVDs DJ equipment and even gear used for live musical performances Itrsquos a gold mine
If it has taken this clever adaptation in space utilisation to keep this institution viable and available to Amsterdam-based music lovers then I personally wish to support this venture and help mean this type of music retailer to remain part of the city scene For people of a certain age there is something infinitely more appealing about physically handling recorded material appreciating the artwork in its packaging having a listen and then deciding if it is a purchase you would like to make Even though non-digital stockpiling has become rather passeacute I challenge you to visit Concerto and its new cafeacute and bookshop concept and not end up spending more time in this true city gem than you had anticipated
lsquoIt has incorporated a cute cafeacute and lunch area within its premises as well as introducing a bookshop and lounge arearsquo
city gem
68
city gem
69city gem
city gem70
city gem71
72city gem
lsquoThere is something infinitely more appealing about physically
handling recorded material appreciating the artwork in its
packagingrsquo
73city gem
74classifi eds
75classifi eds
classifi edsclassifi eds76
amsterdam city life
BrinG BaCK
Something that seems to have been watered down considerably in Amsterdamrsquos hospitality industry in recent years is independence of thought styling and designAll you have to do is walk around the city to note that way too many coffeesoup houses and cafeacutes are more or less identikit This also applies to many cafeacutes with unimaginative business leaders who open unoriginal looking spaces and hope that the use of white paint purple or blue lights and house music is all it takes
Luckily there is something brewing to save our days and nights I have come across cafeacute owners who are now seriously considering ending the arrangements they have with the giant drink suppliers There are actually no good arguments left for continuing with these huge multinationals as they are frankly more expensive at wholesale for the same A-class products than the supermarkets on every Amsterdammerrsquos street corner
It looks like space is being created for the smaller brewers to take up the supply of A-class beer to smaller establishments throughout the city The giants can keep their character-free tourist traps and those bars still able to benefit purely from their unbeatable locations throughout the city
The Sentinel says bring back better and more original businesses of scale within the local hospitality industry which will help more cafeacutes and bars not only to become distinguishable by the interior designs they will need to conjure but also through the variety of local and regional beers that could become part of their coherent identity The overriding benefit of such courageous thinking and action would be an immediate return to realistic and reasonable pricing for A-class beer in Amsterdam which remains the staple of the easy consumables as this recession drones on
By Denson Pierre
INDEPENDENT CAFeacuteSBARS
77
78star beer guide
Star Beer
The SentinelStar beer guide
lsquoDifferent beers can seem to weigh on the conscience as much as on the taste budsrsquo
Just like the changing of the seasons different beers can seem to weigh on the conscience as much as on the taste buds Ciney blond is a lovely almost effeminate tasting beer All light smooth fruitiness bolstered by substantial alcohol content
As the temperature increases it can even feel like a thirst quencher A nice session beer and one that could function as an entrance-level quality beer in terms of its complexity For advanced samplers it is a great lower platform to descend to after cruising the space occupied by the 8-plus percentage alcoholic beauties
Ciney blond is brewed by Alken-Maes Mechelen Belgium
By Denson Pierre
CINEY BLOND (7 ABV)
79star beer guide
We find the best most fun most typical exciting or local favourite restaurants etcetera in Amsterdam and bring them to you an easy way to feel like a local
Cafe Kostverloren 040606
Recommended
80recommended
EUROGIFTSXenonweg 9 3812 SZ Amersfoort
Tel 033 - 454 35 75 - Fax 033 - 454 35 79E-mail lmproefeurogiftsnl
Website wwweurogiftsnl
FILMPROEF
ORDERNUMMER 6021022ARTIKELNUMMER 65123
Ware grootte (indien uitgeprint)Kleur opdruk Wit
Mulligans Irish Music BarAmsterdamrsquos best address for live Irish music Five (5) nights a week Check our agenda for upcoming sessions Amstel 100 1017 AC Amsterdamwwwmulligansnl
Cafeacute KostverlorenCafeacute Kostverloren is a contemporary cafe offering the cosiness of a saloon an open kitchen and the intimacy of a living room The large terras is great for sunny days2e Kostverlorenkade 70 Amsterdamwwwcafekostverlorennl
ZestZest is fi ne food warm atmosphere and classy drinks with regular semi-acoustic (live) music and DJs (Thursday to Sunday) Amsterdamrsquos newest and freshestBilderdijkstraat 188 Amsterdamwwwfacebookcomclubzestnl
GollemGollemrsquos Proefl okaal Gollem and Gollem II represent the best addresses serving the fullest range of top Belgian Dutch and international beers in AmsterdamOvertoom 160-161wwwcafegollemnl
IncantoA restaurant with a classic Italian kitchen Venetian chef Simone Ambrosin is known for his pure and simple style of cooking with great feeling for nuanceAmstel 2 Amsterdamwwwrestaurant-incantonl
Planet RoseThe fi rst Caribbean restaurant in the Netherlands specialised in Jamaican cuisine The menu features a daily changing selectionNicolaas Beetsstraat 47 Amsterdamwwwplanetroseinfo
Cafe restaurant EdelCafe restaurant Edel is the perfect place for lunch dinner or to simply enjoy a drink Edel is a unique place in AmsterdamPostjesweg 1 1057 DT Amsterdamwwwedelamsterdamnl
Cafeacute OportoCafeacute Oporto is a traditional Amsterdam lsquobrown cafersquo Welcoming tourists and regular customers alike they offer televised sports wifi and a wide range of reasonably priced beers and spiritsZoutsteeg 1 1012 LX Amsterdamwwwcafeoportonet
BaxA cosy and friendly local cafeacute with a focus on special or interesting beers and good quality food Open 7 days a week with a professional kitchen offering a lunch and dinner serviceTen Katestraat 119 Amsterdamwwwcafebaxnl
To be seen and tasted Fun Drinking amp Music
To Be Seen and Tasted
Fun Drinking amp Music
Fun Drinking amp Music
Connoisseurs Delight
Connoisseurs Delight
Connoisseurs Delight
To Be Seen and Tasted
Neighbourhood cosy
Fun drinking and music
ParckGreat fun beautiful people and simply the best bar food in townOvertoom 428 Amsterdamwwwcafeparcknl
To be seen and tasted
Cafe de Toog1890rsquos grandeur fashioned into Amsterdam-West grand brown cafe-restaurant-cool Classy drinks and mealsNicolaas Beetsstraat 142 hs Amsterdam wwwcafedetoogcom
Opera Prima - Patisserie Bistro TraiteurThe best place in town for lunch exquisite high teas or brunches and all of your luxury catering both private and corporateKinkerstraat 228 Amsterdamwwwoperaprimanl
Recommended
81
Where is this inAmsterdamAnswer to sentinelpostgmailcom
82spotted
Room 2cfilm
ldquoCome on in boys the waterrsquos finerdquo This is arguably the best all-round and funny musical to come out of Hollywood in a generation and certainly one of the best three soundtracks of the same period George Clooney will never be as good or charming as he is here playing the accidental leader of a trio of chain gang escapees in the US south of the 1930s Spirituality meets the Ku Klux Klan all coloured by Virginia bluegrass
ldquoCall me Snakerdquo The coolest handle for a leading man (Kurt Russell) in any movie to date Here he is sent in on a heroic lsquoat all costrsquo one-man mission to rescue the president of the United States from the prison island Manhattan has become in a lsquofuturersquo representation of 1997 Air Force One has crashed there and the countdown is on Classic 1980s turn of the millennium dystopian vision with style pace and gadgetry
By dpmotions
By dpmotions
o Brother Where Art Thou (2000)
escape from new York (1981)
room2c83
84trends
lsquoTrends are great to join and surf like a once in a lifetime tsunamirsquo
By Dirkje Bakker-Pierre
Each and every micro-world has its own specific trends Take the fashion world for example where one day you have to wear high heels and round noses and the next itrsquos flat hairy elephant feet-like boots that must hug your feet Or take the automotive world where once upon a time you could never have enough chrome on your car or the food world where we have quietly moved from fast to green and wholesome or the TV world which used to be about fiction and is now more real than reality Some of these trends are great to join and surf like a once in a lifetime tsunami others can slip by unnoticed and others still keep bugging and bugging you even if you try to avoid them like the plague
The online world and specifically the social media universe eats through trends like a fat chick after a hunger strike Facebook in particular seems to move seamlessly from one hype to the next one day itrsquos pictures with fuzzy edges or a bit of a 1970s filter the next itrsquos a profile picture with you very consciously not looking into the camera (very spontaneously and naturally non-posing you might say) These are mostly harmless things if Irsquom honest and when everyone
stops liking them they fade away as quickly as the sun in our small wet country There is one trend however that has festered within Facebook from the very beginning and which seems to be gradually growing and growing without anyone ever liking the postshellip and I mean EVER
Yes I am talking about daily quotes words of wisdom holy quotes mesmerizingly philosophical quotes cheesy quotes religious quoteshellip How can I describe all of them in one easy sentence pieces of text from (famous) people (it can never be something you thought of yourself) that lsquodisclosersquo previously secret information about being happy in life (or at least previously secret to the person doing the posting I presume) In short texts that belong on tiles hanging on the wall in old Dutch peoplersquos toilets
Why
Here are a few I found in my news feed this week
ldquoA mind is like a parachute It doesnrsquot work if it is not openrdquo ndash Frank Zappa
ldquoIt is not because things are difficult that we do not dare it is because we do not dare that things are difficultrdquo ndash Seneca
ldquoIf you donrsquot take what you are doing seriously then nobody else willrdquo ndash Darryl Dlt Thomson
Bad trends would be good if they werenrsquot so bad
85trends
86classifi eds
87classifieds
One of my personal favourite gemstones is moonstone Itlsquos been around for centuries and is used in many cultures As suggested by its name the stone is highly associated with the moon and moon goddess Diana It brings calm peace and love and is said to become more powerful when the moon is full so thatlsquos the best time to wear it One proverb even claims that moonstone can bring you love that will fly you to the moon Spiritually this amazing stone is said to enhance intuition and is always associated with the self It is a very powerful personal stone which doesnlsquot add or remove any aspects of the personality but merely reflects the person wearing it It is said to be very
MoonstoneBy Evelina Kvartunaite
ndash
lsquoThe stone is highly associated with the moon and moon goddess Dianarsquo
ndash
helpful for people who are very sensitive and it is also used in meditation for reflecting oneself Itlsquos always best to charge your gem when the moon is shining at night either while wearing it or by leaving it on a windowsill that receives moonlight Moonstone is also used in healing and is known for balancing the internal organ systems enabling them to work in stable cycles Itlsquos usually more associated with women but is also known to help men embrace their more emotional side soft creative energies and optimism Perhaps understandably moonstone should have limited exposure to strong direct sunlight
ndash
lsquoIt is said to be very helpful for people who are very sensitiversquo
ndash
88
health amp well-being
ndash
lsquoMore associated with women but is also known to help men embrace their more emotional sidersquo
ndash
89health amp well-being
In his article Batin shows how learning how to use complex products is like learning a computer game Just like the challenges in video games match the skills of the user so should TV interactions or any UI interactions for that matter For reference Batin used the four levels described in the Dreyfus model of skill acquisition
Level 1 novicebullRigid adherence to taught rules or plansbullNo exercise of lsquodiscretionary judgmentrsquo
Level 2 Advanced beginnerbullLimited lsquosituational perceptionrsquobullAll aspects of work treated separately with equal importance
Philip Batin wrote an article a couple of months ago about the next big idea in User Interaction gadgets that adapt to your skills As gadgets become more complicated UIs must be able to teach their users over time Apparently more and more interactive products are being returned In 2002 48 of all returned products were technically fully functional but were rejected for failing to satisfy user needs 20 purely due to customer remorse Even though a product may have all the features one can hope for complexity and bad user experience can prevent users from integrating it into their lives
UserInterfaceThe next big thing in UX
lsquoUIs must be able to teach their users over timersquo
By Andrei Barburas
lsquoComplexity and bad user experience can prevent users from
integrating it into their livesrsquo
90
technology
book the majority of which you probably skipped through
Personally I believe that there are certain end users most likely the majority that use only a limited set of features from any device they buy Mobile phones have become indispensable tools in our daily activities yet the average Joe has no idea about the full potential of a smart phone The same applies to Smart TVs they can do lots of things yet the only thing that we do with them is flip channels and complain how bad the shows are
The bottom line is that itrsquos definitely something worth thinking about not only from an operating system perspective but also from the perspective of applications developers
Level 3 competentbulllsquoCoping with crowdednessrsquo (multiple activities accumulation of information)bullSome perception of actions in relation to goalsbullDeliberate planningbullFormulates routines
Level 4 ProficientbullHolistic view of situationbullPrioritizes importance of aspectsbulllsquoPerceives deviations from the normal patternrsquobullEmploys maxim for guidance with meanings that adapt to the situation at hand
Now just imagine a User Interface that adapts based on what you can do and the abilities you have As you learn new things new levels of complexity are unlocked opening the door to fully knowing your device because you learned by doing and not by reading a complicated
lsquoThe average Joe has no idea about the full potential of a
smart phonersquo
91technology
92classifi eds
93classifi eds
Not knowing what was happening in football was extremely annoying to put it mildly and it wasnrsquot just my own self-denial and avoidance of all things football that was a hindrance the extent to which I had to ask others to go in order to remain ignorant was much more excruciating than Irsquod ever imagined There may even be some damage done to football-related friendships that is irreparable I now feel as though Irsquom walking through an empty stadium after everyone else has gone home
So what now and where to next The season is well and truly over and Irsquom free to do whatever I want I could read the back-dated sports pages check all the stats and find out all the facts if I wanted to I could spend hours catching up on last season and speculating on the next with the friends Irsquove still got left down the pub if I wanted to I can follow all the transfer gossip watch pre-season friendlies and build up all my hopes But as with most addictions that would simply be falling back into a previous state of dependence and everything Irsquove just put myself through wouldrsquove been for nothing So how do I go back to an old habit without a total relapse or would it be better to keep abstaining
All my questions seem to be met with other questions and no solutions On the other hand if you ask me what
Someone once said that insanity is when you keep repeating the same behaviour and expect a different outcome most likely a psychologist aimed at his or her ailing patients But for me these words are more reminiscent of my own conduct over the course of a regular football season Week in week out season after season I would expect Tottenham to win something and more often than not Irsquod be left disappointed So I decided to stop No more football ndash at least not for one full season
The season 201213 is now over and during the whole nine months I didnrsquot watch a single moment of football or read a single article on the subject That was my challenge and I was committed to it What is more despite all the warning signs I didnrsquot relapse After a year of structured punishment I didnrsquot have a clue about what was going on in the English Premier League (or any other league) Only having picked up bits and pieces of information that somehow slipped through the net the past season was like a book with most of its pages missing
By Simon Joseph
On The Volley
The Return of the Repressed or the Point of No Return
lsquoInsanity is when you keep repeating the same behaviour and expect a different outcomersquo
sport
lsquoThe past season was like a book with most of its pages missingrsquo
94
lsquoThere may even be some damage done to football-related friendshipsrsquo
lsquoHas abstaining for a season changed mersquo
it until the cows come home but it was us who made those changes or at least allowed them to happen and those changes will continue to happen with or without me Perhaps then the questions I should be asking are has abstaining for a season changed me Am I still obsessed or have I broken the habit of a lifetime Is following football really that terrible or even a real addiction
One thing is certain this lack of resolution is not completely without satisfaction because like all forms of fixation or obsession therersquos comfort and familiarity to be found in repetition as Tottenham miss out on Championrsquos League football by a single point again The repressed will always return to haunt us or so it seems and before we know it the start of next season will be upon us There will be more pain no doubt and more joy This time however it will take more than a boot camp approach to keep me away and who knows Tottenham might even win the league Come on you Spurs
Tottenham Hotspur means I would still tell you that itrsquos not just a pretty football package itrsquos about kith and kin not just where I came from but how I relate to others around me in the here and now Whatrsquos more millions of people are attracted to football they hunger for it and yearn to connect with it even though I still believe itrsquos a form of ineffective escape from one unsatisfying reality to another Following football is a classic example of cognitive dissonance ndash when you simultaneously entertain two opposing thoughts that appear to cancel each other out Before the start of each season for example we all want our club to win everything or to be taken over by billionaires but know that itrsquos impossible or in the latter case controversial and even undesirable So we invent ways to cope We develop a so-called lsquosiege mentalityrsquo or other harmful patterns of behaviour to relieve the discomfort of incongruity With this in mind the past year was supposed to be an exercise in behaviour modification ndash to discover the root of the problem and treat it effectively But one year on have I really discovered anything at all
The English Premier League whether you watch it or not is still probably the most exciting football league in the world We can complain about the changes made to
sport9
5
By Denson Pierre
The Gold Room
Fantasy Football Gold ndash Champions League 2012-2013 winner Denson Pierre and his prizes
The season petered out in an all-German Champions League Final which did nothing to dispel the record that this was a season of too few new stars or regular spectacle We look forward to the next season as it ought not be too difficult to create more excitement than in the one just pastWe did have the opportunity to hand over the envelopes and trophies to the Sentinel Fantasy Football game winners This year all the major winners from the Sentinel Fantasy Football League were unable to be present for the physical prize giving but the winner of the Gold Game and focus of this column was there to receive his prize for winning the master game in styleSo we retire the Gold Room until the beginning of the new football season See you all again then
96
sport
Matt Parker receives his third place and Manager of the Month prizes for the Sentinel Fantasy Football League
Charles Conneely Sentinel Fantasy Football League 2012-2013 Champion
97sport
wwwczechtourismcom
CZECH REPUBLIC - STUNNINGLY DIFFERENT
98
classifi eds
perspectives
or lsquoI am happy here by myselfrsquo (clinked glasses or absorption in a newspaper say) are routinely in evidence This is one true grace of democracy the average worth smiling about
At cafeacutes co-workers have a beer before or after their shift friends drop by or a regular pops in with some news The stream of customers they donrsquot have to woo and donrsquot have to lsquoworkrsquo gives the whole thing a slightly familial living room perfectly public feel that makes the work far less of a personality crimp than working at Starbucks Or so it seems I do not mean to pretend carrying drinks across the street to the canal side seating or giving obvious directions yet again is always glorious but most people who work in cafeacutersquos laugh and smile a fair bit almost as much as the patrons
And when the owner of a cafeacute is of a generation older than those working there as is usually the case it lends a wise uncle or mother hen feel to the proceedings In the daytime no one is ever too caught up in his or her designated title to ignore a baby on the move And at
night the crowd of drinkers may as well be at a party hosted by their parents or kids or both
Itrsquos not all about money cafeacute culture churns towards the civilised without grinding anyone too far down As well as pleasure there is power in this The best distillation I know of what democracy should be came from a young woman working at Cafeacute Captein With our meal in front of us my friend noticed he was missing his salad Flagged down the young woman went to investigate ldquoItrsquos on its wayrdquo she said ldquoI told my boss to do itrdquo
Imagine we told Putin to do it We told Obama to do it We told the bankers to do it
lsquoMost people who work in cafeacutersquos laugh and smile a fair bitrsquo
lsquoCafeacute culture churns towards the civilised without grinding anyone too far downrsquo
65
66
featurecity gem
lsquoThe last of the large independent music stores left standing in Amsterdamrsquo
CITY GEM
67
Concerto
By Denson Pierre
ConcertoUtrechtsestraat 60 1017 VP Amsterdam
it is a rush when on a full stomach you can make an instant decision on where your next city-centre lunch will be taken it is almost ecstasy when the venue is situated in a music shop which for decades has been defined by its exceptional range and quality of music available in amsterdam Concerto is the last of the large independent music stores left standing in amsterdam all the others have long since been killed off by everything from the advance in recording and playback technologies to habitual illegal downloaders only now realising that their behaviour has an impact right back down to street level despite what they might think about the giant studios and recording companies
Concerto has not stuck but has twisted Since September it has incorporated a cute cafeacute
and lunch area within its premises as well as introducing a bookshop and lounge area making it possible to spend an almost nostalgic time there over several hours It still has a vast range of the very best music in vinyl (both new and second-hand) and CD form DVDs DJ equipment and even gear used for live musical performances Itrsquos a gold mine
If it has taken this clever adaptation in space utilisation to keep this institution viable and available to Amsterdam-based music lovers then I personally wish to support this venture and help mean this type of music retailer to remain part of the city scene For people of a certain age there is something infinitely more appealing about physically handling recorded material appreciating the artwork in its packaging having a listen and then deciding if it is a purchase you would like to make Even though non-digital stockpiling has become rather passeacute I challenge you to visit Concerto and its new cafeacute and bookshop concept and not end up spending more time in this true city gem than you had anticipated
lsquoIt has incorporated a cute cafeacute and lunch area within its premises as well as introducing a bookshop and lounge arearsquo
city gem
68
city gem
69city gem
city gem70
city gem71
72city gem
lsquoThere is something infinitely more appealing about physically
handling recorded material appreciating the artwork in its
packagingrsquo
73city gem
74classifi eds
75classifi eds
classifi edsclassifi eds76
amsterdam city life
BrinG BaCK
Something that seems to have been watered down considerably in Amsterdamrsquos hospitality industry in recent years is independence of thought styling and designAll you have to do is walk around the city to note that way too many coffeesoup houses and cafeacutes are more or less identikit This also applies to many cafeacutes with unimaginative business leaders who open unoriginal looking spaces and hope that the use of white paint purple or blue lights and house music is all it takes
Luckily there is something brewing to save our days and nights I have come across cafeacute owners who are now seriously considering ending the arrangements they have with the giant drink suppliers There are actually no good arguments left for continuing with these huge multinationals as they are frankly more expensive at wholesale for the same A-class products than the supermarkets on every Amsterdammerrsquos street corner
It looks like space is being created for the smaller brewers to take up the supply of A-class beer to smaller establishments throughout the city The giants can keep their character-free tourist traps and those bars still able to benefit purely from their unbeatable locations throughout the city
The Sentinel says bring back better and more original businesses of scale within the local hospitality industry which will help more cafeacutes and bars not only to become distinguishable by the interior designs they will need to conjure but also through the variety of local and regional beers that could become part of their coherent identity The overriding benefit of such courageous thinking and action would be an immediate return to realistic and reasonable pricing for A-class beer in Amsterdam which remains the staple of the easy consumables as this recession drones on
By Denson Pierre
INDEPENDENT CAFeacuteSBARS
77
78star beer guide
Star Beer
The SentinelStar beer guide
lsquoDifferent beers can seem to weigh on the conscience as much as on the taste budsrsquo
Just like the changing of the seasons different beers can seem to weigh on the conscience as much as on the taste buds Ciney blond is a lovely almost effeminate tasting beer All light smooth fruitiness bolstered by substantial alcohol content
As the temperature increases it can even feel like a thirst quencher A nice session beer and one that could function as an entrance-level quality beer in terms of its complexity For advanced samplers it is a great lower platform to descend to after cruising the space occupied by the 8-plus percentage alcoholic beauties
Ciney blond is brewed by Alken-Maes Mechelen Belgium
By Denson Pierre
CINEY BLOND (7 ABV)
79star beer guide
We find the best most fun most typical exciting or local favourite restaurants etcetera in Amsterdam and bring them to you an easy way to feel like a local
Cafe Kostverloren 040606
Recommended
80recommended
EUROGIFTSXenonweg 9 3812 SZ Amersfoort
Tel 033 - 454 35 75 - Fax 033 - 454 35 79E-mail lmproefeurogiftsnl
Website wwweurogiftsnl
FILMPROEF
ORDERNUMMER 6021022ARTIKELNUMMER 65123
Ware grootte (indien uitgeprint)Kleur opdruk Wit
Mulligans Irish Music BarAmsterdamrsquos best address for live Irish music Five (5) nights a week Check our agenda for upcoming sessions Amstel 100 1017 AC Amsterdamwwwmulligansnl
Cafeacute KostverlorenCafeacute Kostverloren is a contemporary cafe offering the cosiness of a saloon an open kitchen and the intimacy of a living room The large terras is great for sunny days2e Kostverlorenkade 70 Amsterdamwwwcafekostverlorennl
ZestZest is fi ne food warm atmosphere and classy drinks with regular semi-acoustic (live) music and DJs (Thursday to Sunday) Amsterdamrsquos newest and freshestBilderdijkstraat 188 Amsterdamwwwfacebookcomclubzestnl
GollemGollemrsquos Proefl okaal Gollem and Gollem II represent the best addresses serving the fullest range of top Belgian Dutch and international beers in AmsterdamOvertoom 160-161wwwcafegollemnl
IncantoA restaurant with a classic Italian kitchen Venetian chef Simone Ambrosin is known for his pure and simple style of cooking with great feeling for nuanceAmstel 2 Amsterdamwwwrestaurant-incantonl
Planet RoseThe fi rst Caribbean restaurant in the Netherlands specialised in Jamaican cuisine The menu features a daily changing selectionNicolaas Beetsstraat 47 Amsterdamwwwplanetroseinfo
Cafe restaurant EdelCafe restaurant Edel is the perfect place for lunch dinner or to simply enjoy a drink Edel is a unique place in AmsterdamPostjesweg 1 1057 DT Amsterdamwwwedelamsterdamnl
Cafeacute OportoCafeacute Oporto is a traditional Amsterdam lsquobrown cafersquo Welcoming tourists and regular customers alike they offer televised sports wifi and a wide range of reasonably priced beers and spiritsZoutsteeg 1 1012 LX Amsterdamwwwcafeoportonet
BaxA cosy and friendly local cafeacute with a focus on special or interesting beers and good quality food Open 7 days a week with a professional kitchen offering a lunch and dinner serviceTen Katestraat 119 Amsterdamwwwcafebaxnl
To be seen and tasted Fun Drinking amp Music
To Be Seen and Tasted
Fun Drinking amp Music
Fun Drinking amp Music
Connoisseurs Delight
Connoisseurs Delight
Connoisseurs Delight
To Be Seen and Tasted
Neighbourhood cosy
Fun drinking and music
ParckGreat fun beautiful people and simply the best bar food in townOvertoom 428 Amsterdamwwwcafeparcknl
To be seen and tasted
Cafe de Toog1890rsquos grandeur fashioned into Amsterdam-West grand brown cafe-restaurant-cool Classy drinks and mealsNicolaas Beetsstraat 142 hs Amsterdam wwwcafedetoogcom
Opera Prima - Patisserie Bistro TraiteurThe best place in town for lunch exquisite high teas or brunches and all of your luxury catering both private and corporateKinkerstraat 228 Amsterdamwwwoperaprimanl
Recommended
81
Where is this inAmsterdamAnswer to sentinelpostgmailcom
82spotted
Room 2cfilm
ldquoCome on in boys the waterrsquos finerdquo This is arguably the best all-round and funny musical to come out of Hollywood in a generation and certainly one of the best three soundtracks of the same period George Clooney will never be as good or charming as he is here playing the accidental leader of a trio of chain gang escapees in the US south of the 1930s Spirituality meets the Ku Klux Klan all coloured by Virginia bluegrass
ldquoCall me Snakerdquo The coolest handle for a leading man (Kurt Russell) in any movie to date Here he is sent in on a heroic lsquoat all costrsquo one-man mission to rescue the president of the United States from the prison island Manhattan has become in a lsquofuturersquo representation of 1997 Air Force One has crashed there and the countdown is on Classic 1980s turn of the millennium dystopian vision with style pace and gadgetry
By dpmotions
By dpmotions
o Brother Where Art Thou (2000)
escape from new York (1981)
room2c83
84trends
lsquoTrends are great to join and surf like a once in a lifetime tsunamirsquo
By Dirkje Bakker-Pierre
Each and every micro-world has its own specific trends Take the fashion world for example where one day you have to wear high heels and round noses and the next itrsquos flat hairy elephant feet-like boots that must hug your feet Or take the automotive world where once upon a time you could never have enough chrome on your car or the food world where we have quietly moved from fast to green and wholesome or the TV world which used to be about fiction and is now more real than reality Some of these trends are great to join and surf like a once in a lifetime tsunami others can slip by unnoticed and others still keep bugging and bugging you even if you try to avoid them like the plague
The online world and specifically the social media universe eats through trends like a fat chick after a hunger strike Facebook in particular seems to move seamlessly from one hype to the next one day itrsquos pictures with fuzzy edges or a bit of a 1970s filter the next itrsquos a profile picture with you very consciously not looking into the camera (very spontaneously and naturally non-posing you might say) These are mostly harmless things if Irsquom honest and when everyone
stops liking them they fade away as quickly as the sun in our small wet country There is one trend however that has festered within Facebook from the very beginning and which seems to be gradually growing and growing without anyone ever liking the postshellip and I mean EVER
Yes I am talking about daily quotes words of wisdom holy quotes mesmerizingly philosophical quotes cheesy quotes religious quoteshellip How can I describe all of them in one easy sentence pieces of text from (famous) people (it can never be something you thought of yourself) that lsquodisclosersquo previously secret information about being happy in life (or at least previously secret to the person doing the posting I presume) In short texts that belong on tiles hanging on the wall in old Dutch peoplersquos toilets
Why
Here are a few I found in my news feed this week
ldquoA mind is like a parachute It doesnrsquot work if it is not openrdquo ndash Frank Zappa
ldquoIt is not because things are difficult that we do not dare it is because we do not dare that things are difficultrdquo ndash Seneca
ldquoIf you donrsquot take what you are doing seriously then nobody else willrdquo ndash Darryl Dlt Thomson
Bad trends would be good if they werenrsquot so bad
85trends
86classifi eds
87classifieds
One of my personal favourite gemstones is moonstone Itlsquos been around for centuries and is used in many cultures As suggested by its name the stone is highly associated with the moon and moon goddess Diana It brings calm peace and love and is said to become more powerful when the moon is full so thatlsquos the best time to wear it One proverb even claims that moonstone can bring you love that will fly you to the moon Spiritually this amazing stone is said to enhance intuition and is always associated with the self It is a very powerful personal stone which doesnlsquot add or remove any aspects of the personality but merely reflects the person wearing it It is said to be very
MoonstoneBy Evelina Kvartunaite
ndash
lsquoThe stone is highly associated with the moon and moon goddess Dianarsquo
ndash
helpful for people who are very sensitive and it is also used in meditation for reflecting oneself Itlsquos always best to charge your gem when the moon is shining at night either while wearing it or by leaving it on a windowsill that receives moonlight Moonstone is also used in healing and is known for balancing the internal organ systems enabling them to work in stable cycles Itlsquos usually more associated with women but is also known to help men embrace their more emotional side soft creative energies and optimism Perhaps understandably moonstone should have limited exposure to strong direct sunlight
ndash
lsquoIt is said to be very helpful for people who are very sensitiversquo
ndash
88
health amp well-being
ndash
lsquoMore associated with women but is also known to help men embrace their more emotional sidersquo
ndash
89health amp well-being
In his article Batin shows how learning how to use complex products is like learning a computer game Just like the challenges in video games match the skills of the user so should TV interactions or any UI interactions for that matter For reference Batin used the four levels described in the Dreyfus model of skill acquisition
Level 1 novicebullRigid adherence to taught rules or plansbullNo exercise of lsquodiscretionary judgmentrsquo
Level 2 Advanced beginnerbullLimited lsquosituational perceptionrsquobullAll aspects of work treated separately with equal importance
Philip Batin wrote an article a couple of months ago about the next big idea in User Interaction gadgets that adapt to your skills As gadgets become more complicated UIs must be able to teach their users over time Apparently more and more interactive products are being returned In 2002 48 of all returned products were technically fully functional but were rejected for failing to satisfy user needs 20 purely due to customer remorse Even though a product may have all the features one can hope for complexity and bad user experience can prevent users from integrating it into their lives
UserInterfaceThe next big thing in UX
lsquoUIs must be able to teach their users over timersquo
By Andrei Barburas
lsquoComplexity and bad user experience can prevent users from
integrating it into their livesrsquo
90
technology
book the majority of which you probably skipped through
Personally I believe that there are certain end users most likely the majority that use only a limited set of features from any device they buy Mobile phones have become indispensable tools in our daily activities yet the average Joe has no idea about the full potential of a smart phone The same applies to Smart TVs they can do lots of things yet the only thing that we do with them is flip channels and complain how bad the shows are
The bottom line is that itrsquos definitely something worth thinking about not only from an operating system perspective but also from the perspective of applications developers
Level 3 competentbulllsquoCoping with crowdednessrsquo (multiple activities accumulation of information)bullSome perception of actions in relation to goalsbullDeliberate planningbullFormulates routines
Level 4 ProficientbullHolistic view of situationbullPrioritizes importance of aspectsbulllsquoPerceives deviations from the normal patternrsquobullEmploys maxim for guidance with meanings that adapt to the situation at hand
Now just imagine a User Interface that adapts based on what you can do and the abilities you have As you learn new things new levels of complexity are unlocked opening the door to fully knowing your device because you learned by doing and not by reading a complicated
lsquoThe average Joe has no idea about the full potential of a
smart phonersquo
91technology
92classifi eds
93classifi eds
Not knowing what was happening in football was extremely annoying to put it mildly and it wasnrsquot just my own self-denial and avoidance of all things football that was a hindrance the extent to which I had to ask others to go in order to remain ignorant was much more excruciating than Irsquod ever imagined There may even be some damage done to football-related friendships that is irreparable I now feel as though Irsquom walking through an empty stadium after everyone else has gone home
So what now and where to next The season is well and truly over and Irsquom free to do whatever I want I could read the back-dated sports pages check all the stats and find out all the facts if I wanted to I could spend hours catching up on last season and speculating on the next with the friends Irsquove still got left down the pub if I wanted to I can follow all the transfer gossip watch pre-season friendlies and build up all my hopes But as with most addictions that would simply be falling back into a previous state of dependence and everything Irsquove just put myself through wouldrsquove been for nothing So how do I go back to an old habit without a total relapse or would it be better to keep abstaining
All my questions seem to be met with other questions and no solutions On the other hand if you ask me what
Someone once said that insanity is when you keep repeating the same behaviour and expect a different outcome most likely a psychologist aimed at his or her ailing patients But for me these words are more reminiscent of my own conduct over the course of a regular football season Week in week out season after season I would expect Tottenham to win something and more often than not Irsquod be left disappointed So I decided to stop No more football ndash at least not for one full season
The season 201213 is now over and during the whole nine months I didnrsquot watch a single moment of football or read a single article on the subject That was my challenge and I was committed to it What is more despite all the warning signs I didnrsquot relapse After a year of structured punishment I didnrsquot have a clue about what was going on in the English Premier League (or any other league) Only having picked up bits and pieces of information that somehow slipped through the net the past season was like a book with most of its pages missing
By Simon Joseph
On The Volley
The Return of the Repressed or the Point of No Return
lsquoInsanity is when you keep repeating the same behaviour and expect a different outcomersquo
sport
lsquoThe past season was like a book with most of its pages missingrsquo
94
lsquoThere may even be some damage done to football-related friendshipsrsquo
lsquoHas abstaining for a season changed mersquo
it until the cows come home but it was us who made those changes or at least allowed them to happen and those changes will continue to happen with or without me Perhaps then the questions I should be asking are has abstaining for a season changed me Am I still obsessed or have I broken the habit of a lifetime Is following football really that terrible or even a real addiction
One thing is certain this lack of resolution is not completely without satisfaction because like all forms of fixation or obsession therersquos comfort and familiarity to be found in repetition as Tottenham miss out on Championrsquos League football by a single point again The repressed will always return to haunt us or so it seems and before we know it the start of next season will be upon us There will be more pain no doubt and more joy This time however it will take more than a boot camp approach to keep me away and who knows Tottenham might even win the league Come on you Spurs
Tottenham Hotspur means I would still tell you that itrsquos not just a pretty football package itrsquos about kith and kin not just where I came from but how I relate to others around me in the here and now Whatrsquos more millions of people are attracted to football they hunger for it and yearn to connect with it even though I still believe itrsquos a form of ineffective escape from one unsatisfying reality to another Following football is a classic example of cognitive dissonance ndash when you simultaneously entertain two opposing thoughts that appear to cancel each other out Before the start of each season for example we all want our club to win everything or to be taken over by billionaires but know that itrsquos impossible or in the latter case controversial and even undesirable So we invent ways to cope We develop a so-called lsquosiege mentalityrsquo or other harmful patterns of behaviour to relieve the discomfort of incongruity With this in mind the past year was supposed to be an exercise in behaviour modification ndash to discover the root of the problem and treat it effectively But one year on have I really discovered anything at all
The English Premier League whether you watch it or not is still probably the most exciting football league in the world We can complain about the changes made to
sport9
5
By Denson Pierre
The Gold Room
Fantasy Football Gold ndash Champions League 2012-2013 winner Denson Pierre and his prizes
The season petered out in an all-German Champions League Final which did nothing to dispel the record that this was a season of too few new stars or regular spectacle We look forward to the next season as it ought not be too difficult to create more excitement than in the one just pastWe did have the opportunity to hand over the envelopes and trophies to the Sentinel Fantasy Football game winners This year all the major winners from the Sentinel Fantasy Football League were unable to be present for the physical prize giving but the winner of the Gold Game and focus of this column was there to receive his prize for winning the master game in styleSo we retire the Gold Room until the beginning of the new football season See you all again then
96
sport
Matt Parker receives his third place and Manager of the Month prizes for the Sentinel Fantasy Football League
Charles Conneely Sentinel Fantasy Football League 2012-2013 Champion
97sport
wwwczechtourismcom
CZECH REPUBLIC - STUNNINGLY DIFFERENT
98
classifi eds
66
featurecity gem
lsquoThe last of the large independent music stores left standing in Amsterdamrsquo
CITY GEM
67
Concerto
By Denson Pierre
ConcertoUtrechtsestraat 60 1017 VP Amsterdam
it is a rush when on a full stomach you can make an instant decision on where your next city-centre lunch will be taken it is almost ecstasy when the venue is situated in a music shop which for decades has been defined by its exceptional range and quality of music available in amsterdam Concerto is the last of the large independent music stores left standing in amsterdam all the others have long since been killed off by everything from the advance in recording and playback technologies to habitual illegal downloaders only now realising that their behaviour has an impact right back down to street level despite what they might think about the giant studios and recording companies
Concerto has not stuck but has twisted Since September it has incorporated a cute cafeacute
and lunch area within its premises as well as introducing a bookshop and lounge area making it possible to spend an almost nostalgic time there over several hours It still has a vast range of the very best music in vinyl (both new and second-hand) and CD form DVDs DJ equipment and even gear used for live musical performances Itrsquos a gold mine
If it has taken this clever adaptation in space utilisation to keep this institution viable and available to Amsterdam-based music lovers then I personally wish to support this venture and help mean this type of music retailer to remain part of the city scene For people of a certain age there is something infinitely more appealing about physically handling recorded material appreciating the artwork in its packaging having a listen and then deciding if it is a purchase you would like to make Even though non-digital stockpiling has become rather passeacute I challenge you to visit Concerto and its new cafeacute and bookshop concept and not end up spending more time in this true city gem than you had anticipated
lsquoIt has incorporated a cute cafeacute and lunch area within its premises as well as introducing a bookshop and lounge arearsquo
city gem
68
city gem
69city gem
city gem70
city gem71
72city gem
lsquoThere is something infinitely more appealing about physically
handling recorded material appreciating the artwork in its
packagingrsquo
73city gem
74classifi eds
75classifi eds
classifi edsclassifi eds76
amsterdam city life
BrinG BaCK
Something that seems to have been watered down considerably in Amsterdamrsquos hospitality industry in recent years is independence of thought styling and designAll you have to do is walk around the city to note that way too many coffeesoup houses and cafeacutes are more or less identikit This also applies to many cafeacutes with unimaginative business leaders who open unoriginal looking spaces and hope that the use of white paint purple or blue lights and house music is all it takes
Luckily there is something brewing to save our days and nights I have come across cafeacute owners who are now seriously considering ending the arrangements they have with the giant drink suppliers There are actually no good arguments left for continuing with these huge multinationals as they are frankly more expensive at wholesale for the same A-class products than the supermarkets on every Amsterdammerrsquos street corner
It looks like space is being created for the smaller brewers to take up the supply of A-class beer to smaller establishments throughout the city The giants can keep their character-free tourist traps and those bars still able to benefit purely from their unbeatable locations throughout the city
The Sentinel says bring back better and more original businesses of scale within the local hospitality industry which will help more cafeacutes and bars not only to become distinguishable by the interior designs they will need to conjure but also through the variety of local and regional beers that could become part of their coherent identity The overriding benefit of such courageous thinking and action would be an immediate return to realistic and reasonable pricing for A-class beer in Amsterdam which remains the staple of the easy consumables as this recession drones on
By Denson Pierre
INDEPENDENT CAFeacuteSBARS
77
78star beer guide
Star Beer
The SentinelStar beer guide
lsquoDifferent beers can seem to weigh on the conscience as much as on the taste budsrsquo
Just like the changing of the seasons different beers can seem to weigh on the conscience as much as on the taste buds Ciney blond is a lovely almost effeminate tasting beer All light smooth fruitiness bolstered by substantial alcohol content
As the temperature increases it can even feel like a thirst quencher A nice session beer and one that could function as an entrance-level quality beer in terms of its complexity For advanced samplers it is a great lower platform to descend to after cruising the space occupied by the 8-plus percentage alcoholic beauties
Ciney blond is brewed by Alken-Maes Mechelen Belgium
By Denson Pierre
CINEY BLOND (7 ABV)
79star beer guide
We find the best most fun most typical exciting or local favourite restaurants etcetera in Amsterdam and bring them to you an easy way to feel like a local
Cafe Kostverloren 040606
Recommended
80recommended
EUROGIFTSXenonweg 9 3812 SZ Amersfoort
Tel 033 - 454 35 75 - Fax 033 - 454 35 79E-mail lmproefeurogiftsnl
Website wwweurogiftsnl
FILMPROEF
ORDERNUMMER 6021022ARTIKELNUMMER 65123
Ware grootte (indien uitgeprint)Kleur opdruk Wit
Mulligans Irish Music BarAmsterdamrsquos best address for live Irish music Five (5) nights a week Check our agenda for upcoming sessions Amstel 100 1017 AC Amsterdamwwwmulligansnl
Cafeacute KostverlorenCafeacute Kostverloren is a contemporary cafe offering the cosiness of a saloon an open kitchen and the intimacy of a living room The large terras is great for sunny days2e Kostverlorenkade 70 Amsterdamwwwcafekostverlorennl
ZestZest is fi ne food warm atmosphere and classy drinks with regular semi-acoustic (live) music and DJs (Thursday to Sunday) Amsterdamrsquos newest and freshestBilderdijkstraat 188 Amsterdamwwwfacebookcomclubzestnl
GollemGollemrsquos Proefl okaal Gollem and Gollem II represent the best addresses serving the fullest range of top Belgian Dutch and international beers in AmsterdamOvertoom 160-161wwwcafegollemnl
IncantoA restaurant with a classic Italian kitchen Venetian chef Simone Ambrosin is known for his pure and simple style of cooking with great feeling for nuanceAmstel 2 Amsterdamwwwrestaurant-incantonl
Planet RoseThe fi rst Caribbean restaurant in the Netherlands specialised in Jamaican cuisine The menu features a daily changing selectionNicolaas Beetsstraat 47 Amsterdamwwwplanetroseinfo
Cafe restaurant EdelCafe restaurant Edel is the perfect place for lunch dinner or to simply enjoy a drink Edel is a unique place in AmsterdamPostjesweg 1 1057 DT Amsterdamwwwedelamsterdamnl
Cafeacute OportoCafeacute Oporto is a traditional Amsterdam lsquobrown cafersquo Welcoming tourists and regular customers alike they offer televised sports wifi and a wide range of reasonably priced beers and spiritsZoutsteeg 1 1012 LX Amsterdamwwwcafeoportonet
BaxA cosy and friendly local cafeacute with a focus on special or interesting beers and good quality food Open 7 days a week with a professional kitchen offering a lunch and dinner serviceTen Katestraat 119 Amsterdamwwwcafebaxnl
To be seen and tasted Fun Drinking amp Music
To Be Seen and Tasted
Fun Drinking amp Music
Fun Drinking amp Music
Connoisseurs Delight
Connoisseurs Delight
Connoisseurs Delight
To Be Seen and Tasted
Neighbourhood cosy
Fun drinking and music
ParckGreat fun beautiful people and simply the best bar food in townOvertoom 428 Amsterdamwwwcafeparcknl
To be seen and tasted
Cafe de Toog1890rsquos grandeur fashioned into Amsterdam-West grand brown cafe-restaurant-cool Classy drinks and mealsNicolaas Beetsstraat 142 hs Amsterdam wwwcafedetoogcom
Opera Prima - Patisserie Bistro TraiteurThe best place in town for lunch exquisite high teas or brunches and all of your luxury catering both private and corporateKinkerstraat 228 Amsterdamwwwoperaprimanl
Recommended
81
Where is this inAmsterdamAnswer to sentinelpostgmailcom
82spotted
Room 2cfilm
ldquoCome on in boys the waterrsquos finerdquo This is arguably the best all-round and funny musical to come out of Hollywood in a generation and certainly one of the best three soundtracks of the same period George Clooney will never be as good or charming as he is here playing the accidental leader of a trio of chain gang escapees in the US south of the 1930s Spirituality meets the Ku Klux Klan all coloured by Virginia bluegrass
ldquoCall me Snakerdquo The coolest handle for a leading man (Kurt Russell) in any movie to date Here he is sent in on a heroic lsquoat all costrsquo one-man mission to rescue the president of the United States from the prison island Manhattan has become in a lsquofuturersquo representation of 1997 Air Force One has crashed there and the countdown is on Classic 1980s turn of the millennium dystopian vision with style pace and gadgetry
By dpmotions
By dpmotions
o Brother Where Art Thou (2000)
escape from new York (1981)
room2c83
84trends
lsquoTrends are great to join and surf like a once in a lifetime tsunamirsquo
By Dirkje Bakker-Pierre
Each and every micro-world has its own specific trends Take the fashion world for example where one day you have to wear high heels and round noses and the next itrsquos flat hairy elephant feet-like boots that must hug your feet Or take the automotive world where once upon a time you could never have enough chrome on your car or the food world where we have quietly moved from fast to green and wholesome or the TV world which used to be about fiction and is now more real than reality Some of these trends are great to join and surf like a once in a lifetime tsunami others can slip by unnoticed and others still keep bugging and bugging you even if you try to avoid them like the plague
The online world and specifically the social media universe eats through trends like a fat chick after a hunger strike Facebook in particular seems to move seamlessly from one hype to the next one day itrsquos pictures with fuzzy edges or a bit of a 1970s filter the next itrsquos a profile picture with you very consciously not looking into the camera (very spontaneously and naturally non-posing you might say) These are mostly harmless things if Irsquom honest and when everyone
stops liking them they fade away as quickly as the sun in our small wet country There is one trend however that has festered within Facebook from the very beginning and which seems to be gradually growing and growing without anyone ever liking the postshellip and I mean EVER
Yes I am talking about daily quotes words of wisdom holy quotes mesmerizingly philosophical quotes cheesy quotes religious quoteshellip How can I describe all of them in one easy sentence pieces of text from (famous) people (it can never be something you thought of yourself) that lsquodisclosersquo previously secret information about being happy in life (or at least previously secret to the person doing the posting I presume) In short texts that belong on tiles hanging on the wall in old Dutch peoplersquos toilets
Why
Here are a few I found in my news feed this week
ldquoA mind is like a parachute It doesnrsquot work if it is not openrdquo ndash Frank Zappa
ldquoIt is not because things are difficult that we do not dare it is because we do not dare that things are difficultrdquo ndash Seneca
ldquoIf you donrsquot take what you are doing seriously then nobody else willrdquo ndash Darryl Dlt Thomson
Bad trends would be good if they werenrsquot so bad
85trends
86classifi eds
87classifieds
One of my personal favourite gemstones is moonstone Itlsquos been around for centuries and is used in many cultures As suggested by its name the stone is highly associated with the moon and moon goddess Diana It brings calm peace and love and is said to become more powerful when the moon is full so thatlsquos the best time to wear it One proverb even claims that moonstone can bring you love that will fly you to the moon Spiritually this amazing stone is said to enhance intuition and is always associated with the self It is a very powerful personal stone which doesnlsquot add or remove any aspects of the personality but merely reflects the person wearing it It is said to be very
MoonstoneBy Evelina Kvartunaite
ndash
lsquoThe stone is highly associated with the moon and moon goddess Dianarsquo
ndash
helpful for people who are very sensitive and it is also used in meditation for reflecting oneself Itlsquos always best to charge your gem when the moon is shining at night either while wearing it or by leaving it on a windowsill that receives moonlight Moonstone is also used in healing and is known for balancing the internal organ systems enabling them to work in stable cycles Itlsquos usually more associated with women but is also known to help men embrace their more emotional side soft creative energies and optimism Perhaps understandably moonstone should have limited exposure to strong direct sunlight
ndash
lsquoIt is said to be very helpful for people who are very sensitiversquo
ndash
88
health amp well-being
ndash
lsquoMore associated with women but is also known to help men embrace their more emotional sidersquo
ndash
89health amp well-being
In his article Batin shows how learning how to use complex products is like learning a computer game Just like the challenges in video games match the skills of the user so should TV interactions or any UI interactions for that matter For reference Batin used the four levels described in the Dreyfus model of skill acquisition
Level 1 novicebullRigid adherence to taught rules or plansbullNo exercise of lsquodiscretionary judgmentrsquo
Level 2 Advanced beginnerbullLimited lsquosituational perceptionrsquobullAll aspects of work treated separately with equal importance
Philip Batin wrote an article a couple of months ago about the next big idea in User Interaction gadgets that adapt to your skills As gadgets become more complicated UIs must be able to teach their users over time Apparently more and more interactive products are being returned In 2002 48 of all returned products were technically fully functional but were rejected for failing to satisfy user needs 20 purely due to customer remorse Even though a product may have all the features one can hope for complexity and bad user experience can prevent users from integrating it into their lives
UserInterfaceThe next big thing in UX
lsquoUIs must be able to teach their users over timersquo
By Andrei Barburas
lsquoComplexity and bad user experience can prevent users from
integrating it into their livesrsquo
90
technology
book the majority of which you probably skipped through
Personally I believe that there are certain end users most likely the majority that use only a limited set of features from any device they buy Mobile phones have become indispensable tools in our daily activities yet the average Joe has no idea about the full potential of a smart phone The same applies to Smart TVs they can do lots of things yet the only thing that we do with them is flip channels and complain how bad the shows are
The bottom line is that itrsquos definitely something worth thinking about not only from an operating system perspective but also from the perspective of applications developers
Level 3 competentbulllsquoCoping with crowdednessrsquo (multiple activities accumulation of information)bullSome perception of actions in relation to goalsbullDeliberate planningbullFormulates routines
Level 4 ProficientbullHolistic view of situationbullPrioritizes importance of aspectsbulllsquoPerceives deviations from the normal patternrsquobullEmploys maxim for guidance with meanings that adapt to the situation at hand
Now just imagine a User Interface that adapts based on what you can do and the abilities you have As you learn new things new levels of complexity are unlocked opening the door to fully knowing your device because you learned by doing and not by reading a complicated
lsquoThe average Joe has no idea about the full potential of a
smart phonersquo
91technology
92classifi eds
93classifi eds
Not knowing what was happening in football was extremely annoying to put it mildly and it wasnrsquot just my own self-denial and avoidance of all things football that was a hindrance the extent to which I had to ask others to go in order to remain ignorant was much more excruciating than Irsquod ever imagined There may even be some damage done to football-related friendships that is irreparable I now feel as though Irsquom walking through an empty stadium after everyone else has gone home
So what now and where to next The season is well and truly over and Irsquom free to do whatever I want I could read the back-dated sports pages check all the stats and find out all the facts if I wanted to I could spend hours catching up on last season and speculating on the next with the friends Irsquove still got left down the pub if I wanted to I can follow all the transfer gossip watch pre-season friendlies and build up all my hopes But as with most addictions that would simply be falling back into a previous state of dependence and everything Irsquove just put myself through wouldrsquove been for nothing So how do I go back to an old habit without a total relapse or would it be better to keep abstaining
All my questions seem to be met with other questions and no solutions On the other hand if you ask me what
Someone once said that insanity is when you keep repeating the same behaviour and expect a different outcome most likely a psychologist aimed at his or her ailing patients But for me these words are more reminiscent of my own conduct over the course of a regular football season Week in week out season after season I would expect Tottenham to win something and more often than not Irsquod be left disappointed So I decided to stop No more football ndash at least not for one full season
The season 201213 is now over and during the whole nine months I didnrsquot watch a single moment of football or read a single article on the subject That was my challenge and I was committed to it What is more despite all the warning signs I didnrsquot relapse After a year of structured punishment I didnrsquot have a clue about what was going on in the English Premier League (or any other league) Only having picked up bits and pieces of information that somehow slipped through the net the past season was like a book with most of its pages missing
By Simon Joseph
On The Volley
The Return of the Repressed or the Point of No Return
lsquoInsanity is when you keep repeating the same behaviour and expect a different outcomersquo
sport
lsquoThe past season was like a book with most of its pages missingrsquo
94
lsquoThere may even be some damage done to football-related friendshipsrsquo
lsquoHas abstaining for a season changed mersquo
it until the cows come home but it was us who made those changes or at least allowed them to happen and those changes will continue to happen with or without me Perhaps then the questions I should be asking are has abstaining for a season changed me Am I still obsessed or have I broken the habit of a lifetime Is following football really that terrible or even a real addiction
One thing is certain this lack of resolution is not completely without satisfaction because like all forms of fixation or obsession therersquos comfort and familiarity to be found in repetition as Tottenham miss out on Championrsquos League football by a single point again The repressed will always return to haunt us or so it seems and before we know it the start of next season will be upon us There will be more pain no doubt and more joy This time however it will take more than a boot camp approach to keep me away and who knows Tottenham might even win the league Come on you Spurs
Tottenham Hotspur means I would still tell you that itrsquos not just a pretty football package itrsquos about kith and kin not just where I came from but how I relate to others around me in the here and now Whatrsquos more millions of people are attracted to football they hunger for it and yearn to connect with it even though I still believe itrsquos a form of ineffective escape from one unsatisfying reality to another Following football is a classic example of cognitive dissonance ndash when you simultaneously entertain two opposing thoughts that appear to cancel each other out Before the start of each season for example we all want our club to win everything or to be taken over by billionaires but know that itrsquos impossible or in the latter case controversial and even undesirable So we invent ways to cope We develop a so-called lsquosiege mentalityrsquo or other harmful patterns of behaviour to relieve the discomfort of incongruity With this in mind the past year was supposed to be an exercise in behaviour modification ndash to discover the root of the problem and treat it effectively But one year on have I really discovered anything at all
The English Premier League whether you watch it or not is still probably the most exciting football league in the world We can complain about the changes made to
sport9
5
By Denson Pierre
The Gold Room
Fantasy Football Gold ndash Champions League 2012-2013 winner Denson Pierre and his prizes
The season petered out in an all-German Champions League Final which did nothing to dispel the record that this was a season of too few new stars or regular spectacle We look forward to the next season as it ought not be too difficult to create more excitement than in the one just pastWe did have the opportunity to hand over the envelopes and trophies to the Sentinel Fantasy Football game winners This year all the major winners from the Sentinel Fantasy Football League were unable to be present for the physical prize giving but the winner of the Gold Game and focus of this column was there to receive his prize for winning the master game in styleSo we retire the Gold Room until the beginning of the new football season See you all again then
96
sport
Matt Parker receives his third place and Manager of the Month prizes for the Sentinel Fantasy Football League
Charles Conneely Sentinel Fantasy Football League 2012-2013 Champion
97sport
wwwczechtourismcom
CZECH REPUBLIC - STUNNINGLY DIFFERENT
98
classifi eds
67
Concerto
By Denson Pierre
ConcertoUtrechtsestraat 60 1017 VP Amsterdam
it is a rush when on a full stomach you can make an instant decision on where your next city-centre lunch will be taken it is almost ecstasy when the venue is situated in a music shop which for decades has been defined by its exceptional range and quality of music available in amsterdam Concerto is the last of the large independent music stores left standing in amsterdam all the others have long since been killed off by everything from the advance in recording and playback technologies to habitual illegal downloaders only now realising that their behaviour has an impact right back down to street level despite what they might think about the giant studios and recording companies
Concerto has not stuck but has twisted Since September it has incorporated a cute cafeacute
and lunch area within its premises as well as introducing a bookshop and lounge area making it possible to spend an almost nostalgic time there over several hours It still has a vast range of the very best music in vinyl (both new and second-hand) and CD form DVDs DJ equipment and even gear used for live musical performances Itrsquos a gold mine
If it has taken this clever adaptation in space utilisation to keep this institution viable and available to Amsterdam-based music lovers then I personally wish to support this venture and help mean this type of music retailer to remain part of the city scene For people of a certain age there is something infinitely more appealing about physically handling recorded material appreciating the artwork in its packaging having a listen and then deciding if it is a purchase you would like to make Even though non-digital stockpiling has become rather passeacute I challenge you to visit Concerto and its new cafeacute and bookshop concept and not end up spending more time in this true city gem than you had anticipated
lsquoIt has incorporated a cute cafeacute and lunch area within its premises as well as introducing a bookshop and lounge arearsquo
city gem
68
city gem
69city gem
city gem70
city gem71
72city gem
lsquoThere is something infinitely more appealing about physically
handling recorded material appreciating the artwork in its
packagingrsquo
73city gem
74classifi eds
75classifi eds
classifi edsclassifi eds76
amsterdam city life
BrinG BaCK
Something that seems to have been watered down considerably in Amsterdamrsquos hospitality industry in recent years is independence of thought styling and designAll you have to do is walk around the city to note that way too many coffeesoup houses and cafeacutes are more or less identikit This also applies to many cafeacutes with unimaginative business leaders who open unoriginal looking spaces and hope that the use of white paint purple or blue lights and house music is all it takes
Luckily there is something brewing to save our days and nights I have come across cafeacute owners who are now seriously considering ending the arrangements they have with the giant drink suppliers There are actually no good arguments left for continuing with these huge multinationals as they are frankly more expensive at wholesale for the same A-class products than the supermarkets on every Amsterdammerrsquos street corner
It looks like space is being created for the smaller brewers to take up the supply of A-class beer to smaller establishments throughout the city The giants can keep their character-free tourist traps and those bars still able to benefit purely from their unbeatable locations throughout the city
The Sentinel says bring back better and more original businesses of scale within the local hospitality industry which will help more cafeacutes and bars not only to become distinguishable by the interior designs they will need to conjure but also through the variety of local and regional beers that could become part of their coherent identity The overriding benefit of such courageous thinking and action would be an immediate return to realistic and reasonable pricing for A-class beer in Amsterdam which remains the staple of the easy consumables as this recession drones on
By Denson Pierre
INDEPENDENT CAFeacuteSBARS
77
78star beer guide
Star Beer
The SentinelStar beer guide
lsquoDifferent beers can seem to weigh on the conscience as much as on the taste budsrsquo
Just like the changing of the seasons different beers can seem to weigh on the conscience as much as on the taste buds Ciney blond is a lovely almost effeminate tasting beer All light smooth fruitiness bolstered by substantial alcohol content
As the temperature increases it can even feel like a thirst quencher A nice session beer and one that could function as an entrance-level quality beer in terms of its complexity For advanced samplers it is a great lower platform to descend to after cruising the space occupied by the 8-plus percentage alcoholic beauties
Ciney blond is brewed by Alken-Maes Mechelen Belgium
By Denson Pierre
CINEY BLOND (7 ABV)
79star beer guide
We find the best most fun most typical exciting or local favourite restaurants etcetera in Amsterdam and bring them to you an easy way to feel like a local
Cafe Kostverloren 040606
Recommended
80recommended
EUROGIFTSXenonweg 9 3812 SZ Amersfoort
Tel 033 - 454 35 75 - Fax 033 - 454 35 79E-mail lmproefeurogiftsnl
Website wwweurogiftsnl
FILMPROEF
ORDERNUMMER 6021022ARTIKELNUMMER 65123
Ware grootte (indien uitgeprint)Kleur opdruk Wit
Mulligans Irish Music BarAmsterdamrsquos best address for live Irish music Five (5) nights a week Check our agenda for upcoming sessions Amstel 100 1017 AC Amsterdamwwwmulligansnl
Cafeacute KostverlorenCafeacute Kostverloren is a contemporary cafe offering the cosiness of a saloon an open kitchen and the intimacy of a living room The large terras is great for sunny days2e Kostverlorenkade 70 Amsterdamwwwcafekostverlorennl
ZestZest is fi ne food warm atmosphere and classy drinks with regular semi-acoustic (live) music and DJs (Thursday to Sunday) Amsterdamrsquos newest and freshestBilderdijkstraat 188 Amsterdamwwwfacebookcomclubzestnl
GollemGollemrsquos Proefl okaal Gollem and Gollem II represent the best addresses serving the fullest range of top Belgian Dutch and international beers in AmsterdamOvertoom 160-161wwwcafegollemnl
IncantoA restaurant with a classic Italian kitchen Venetian chef Simone Ambrosin is known for his pure and simple style of cooking with great feeling for nuanceAmstel 2 Amsterdamwwwrestaurant-incantonl
Planet RoseThe fi rst Caribbean restaurant in the Netherlands specialised in Jamaican cuisine The menu features a daily changing selectionNicolaas Beetsstraat 47 Amsterdamwwwplanetroseinfo
Cafe restaurant EdelCafe restaurant Edel is the perfect place for lunch dinner or to simply enjoy a drink Edel is a unique place in AmsterdamPostjesweg 1 1057 DT Amsterdamwwwedelamsterdamnl
Cafeacute OportoCafeacute Oporto is a traditional Amsterdam lsquobrown cafersquo Welcoming tourists and regular customers alike they offer televised sports wifi and a wide range of reasonably priced beers and spiritsZoutsteeg 1 1012 LX Amsterdamwwwcafeoportonet
BaxA cosy and friendly local cafeacute with a focus on special or interesting beers and good quality food Open 7 days a week with a professional kitchen offering a lunch and dinner serviceTen Katestraat 119 Amsterdamwwwcafebaxnl
To be seen and tasted Fun Drinking amp Music
To Be Seen and Tasted
Fun Drinking amp Music
Fun Drinking amp Music
Connoisseurs Delight
Connoisseurs Delight
Connoisseurs Delight
To Be Seen and Tasted
Neighbourhood cosy
Fun drinking and music
ParckGreat fun beautiful people and simply the best bar food in townOvertoom 428 Amsterdamwwwcafeparcknl
To be seen and tasted
Cafe de Toog1890rsquos grandeur fashioned into Amsterdam-West grand brown cafe-restaurant-cool Classy drinks and mealsNicolaas Beetsstraat 142 hs Amsterdam wwwcafedetoogcom
Opera Prima - Patisserie Bistro TraiteurThe best place in town for lunch exquisite high teas or brunches and all of your luxury catering both private and corporateKinkerstraat 228 Amsterdamwwwoperaprimanl
Recommended
81
Where is this inAmsterdamAnswer to sentinelpostgmailcom
82spotted
Room 2cfilm
ldquoCome on in boys the waterrsquos finerdquo This is arguably the best all-round and funny musical to come out of Hollywood in a generation and certainly one of the best three soundtracks of the same period George Clooney will never be as good or charming as he is here playing the accidental leader of a trio of chain gang escapees in the US south of the 1930s Spirituality meets the Ku Klux Klan all coloured by Virginia bluegrass
ldquoCall me Snakerdquo The coolest handle for a leading man (Kurt Russell) in any movie to date Here he is sent in on a heroic lsquoat all costrsquo one-man mission to rescue the president of the United States from the prison island Manhattan has become in a lsquofuturersquo representation of 1997 Air Force One has crashed there and the countdown is on Classic 1980s turn of the millennium dystopian vision with style pace and gadgetry
By dpmotions
By dpmotions
o Brother Where Art Thou (2000)
escape from new York (1981)
room2c83
84trends
lsquoTrends are great to join and surf like a once in a lifetime tsunamirsquo
By Dirkje Bakker-Pierre
Each and every micro-world has its own specific trends Take the fashion world for example where one day you have to wear high heels and round noses and the next itrsquos flat hairy elephant feet-like boots that must hug your feet Or take the automotive world where once upon a time you could never have enough chrome on your car or the food world where we have quietly moved from fast to green and wholesome or the TV world which used to be about fiction and is now more real than reality Some of these trends are great to join and surf like a once in a lifetime tsunami others can slip by unnoticed and others still keep bugging and bugging you even if you try to avoid them like the plague
The online world and specifically the social media universe eats through trends like a fat chick after a hunger strike Facebook in particular seems to move seamlessly from one hype to the next one day itrsquos pictures with fuzzy edges or a bit of a 1970s filter the next itrsquos a profile picture with you very consciously not looking into the camera (very spontaneously and naturally non-posing you might say) These are mostly harmless things if Irsquom honest and when everyone
stops liking them they fade away as quickly as the sun in our small wet country There is one trend however that has festered within Facebook from the very beginning and which seems to be gradually growing and growing without anyone ever liking the postshellip and I mean EVER
Yes I am talking about daily quotes words of wisdom holy quotes mesmerizingly philosophical quotes cheesy quotes religious quoteshellip How can I describe all of them in one easy sentence pieces of text from (famous) people (it can never be something you thought of yourself) that lsquodisclosersquo previously secret information about being happy in life (or at least previously secret to the person doing the posting I presume) In short texts that belong on tiles hanging on the wall in old Dutch peoplersquos toilets
Why
Here are a few I found in my news feed this week
ldquoA mind is like a parachute It doesnrsquot work if it is not openrdquo ndash Frank Zappa
ldquoIt is not because things are difficult that we do not dare it is because we do not dare that things are difficultrdquo ndash Seneca
ldquoIf you donrsquot take what you are doing seriously then nobody else willrdquo ndash Darryl Dlt Thomson
Bad trends would be good if they werenrsquot so bad
85trends
86classifi eds
87classifieds
One of my personal favourite gemstones is moonstone Itlsquos been around for centuries and is used in many cultures As suggested by its name the stone is highly associated with the moon and moon goddess Diana It brings calm peace and love and is said to become more powerful when the moon is full so thatlsquos the best time to wear it One proverb even claims that moonstone can bring you love that will fly you to the moon Spiritually this amazing stone is said to enhance intuition and is always associated with the self It is a very powerful personal stone which doesnlsquot add or remove any aspects of the personality but merely reflects the person wearing it It is said to be very
MoonstoneBy Evelina Kvartunaite
ndash
lsquoThe stone is highly associated with the moon and moon goddess Dianarsquo
ndash
helpful for people who are very sensitive and it is also used in meditation for reflecting oneself Itlsquos always best to charge your gem when the moon is shining at night either while wearing it or by leaving it on a windowsill that receives moonlight Moonstone is also used in healing and is known for balancing the internal organ systems enabling them to work in stable cycles Itlsquos usually more associated with women but is also known to help men embrace their more emotional side soft creative energies and optimism Perhaps understandably moonstone should have limited exposure to strong direct sunlight
ndash
lsquoIt is said to be very helpful for people who are very sensitiversquo
ndash
88
health amp well-being
ndash
lsquoMore associated with women but is also known to help men embrace their more emotional sidersquo
ndash
89health amp well-being
In his article Batin shows how learning how to use complex products is like learning a computer game Just like the challenges in video games match the skills of the user so should TV interactions or any UI interactions for that matter For reference Batin used the four levels described in the Dreyfus model of skill acquisition
Level 1 novicebullRigid adherence to taught rules or plansbullNo exercise of lsquodiscretionary judgmentrsquo
Level 2 Advanced beginnerbullLimited lsquosituational perceptionrsquobullAll aspects of work treated separately with equal importance
Philip Batin wrote an article a couple of months ago about the next big idea in User Interaction gadgets that adapt to your skills As gadgets become more complicated UIs must be able to teach their users over time Apparently more and more interactive products are being returned In 2002 48 of all returned products were technically fully functional but were rejected for failing to satisfy user needs 20 purely due to customer remorse Even though a product may have all the features one can hope for complexity and bad user experience can prevent users from integrating it into their lives
UserInterfaceThe next big thing in UX
lsquoUIs must be able to teach their users over timersquo
By Andrei Barburas
lsquoComplexity and bad user experience can prevent users from
integrating it into their livesrsquo
90
technology
book the majority of which you probably skipped through
Personally I believe that there are certain end users most likely the majority that use only a limited set of features from any device they buy Mobile phones have become indispensable tools in our daily activities yet the average Joe has no idea about the full potential of a smart phone The same applies to Smart TVs they can do lots of things yet the only thing that we do with them is flip channels and complain how bad the shows are
The bottom line is that itrsquos definitely something worth thinking about not only from an operating system perspective but also from the perspective of applications developers
Level 3 competentbulllsquoCoping with crowdednessrsquo (multiple activities accumulation of information)bullSome perception of actions in relation to goalsbullDeliberate planningbullFormulates routines
Level 4 ProficientbullHolistic view of situationbullPrioritizes importance of aspectsbulllsquoPerceives deviations from the normal patternrsquobullEmploys maxim for guidance with meanings that adapt to the situation at hand
Now just imagine a User Interface that adapts based on what you can do and the abilities you have As you learn new things new levels of complexity are unlocked opening the door to fully knowing your device because you learned by doing and not by reading a complicated
lsquoThe average Joe has no idea about the full potential of a
smart phonersquo
91technology
92classifi eds
93classifi eds
Not knowing what was happening in football was extremely annoying to put it mildly and it wasnrsquot just my own self-denial and avoidance of all things football that was a hindrance the extent to which I had to ask others to go in order to remain ignorant was much more excruciating than Irsquod ever imagined There may even be some damage done to football-related friendships that is irreparable I now feel as though Irsquom walking through an empty stadium after everyone else has gone home
So what now and where to next The season is well and truly over and Irsquom free to do whatever I want I could read the back-dated sports pages check all the stats and find out all the facts if I wanted to I could spend hours catching up on last season and speculating on the next with the friends Irsquove still got left down the pub if I wanted to I can follow all the transfer gossip watch pre-season friendlies and build up all my hopes But as with most addictions that would simply be falling back into a previous state of dependence and everything Irsquove just put myself through wouldrsquove been for nothing So how do I go back to an old habit without a total relapse or would it be better to keep abstaining
All my questions seem to be met with other questions and no solutions On the other hand if you ask me what
Someone once said that insanity is when you keep repeating the same behaviour and expect a different outcome most likely a psychologist aimed at his or her ailing patients But for me these words are more reminiscent of my own conduct over the course of a regular football season Week in week out season after season I would expect Tottenham to win something and more often than not Irsquod be left disappointed So I decided to stop No more football ndash at least not for one full season
The season 201213 is now over and during the whole nine months I didnrsquot watch a single moment of football or read a single article on the subject That was my challenge and I was committed to it What is more despite all the warning signs I didnrsquot relapse After a year of structured punishment I didnrsquot have a clue about what was going on in the English Premier League (or any other league) Only having picked up bits and pieces of information that somehow slipped through the net the past season was like a book with most of its pages missing
By Simon Joseph
On The Volley
The Return of the Repressed or the Point of No Return
lsquoInsanity is when you keep repeating the same behaviour and expect a different outcomersquo
sport
lsquoThe past season was like a book with most of its pages missingrsquo
94
lsquoThere may even be some damage done to football-related friendshipsrsquo
lsquoHas abstaining for a season changed mersquo
it until the cows come home but it was us who made those changes or at least allowed them to happen and those changes will continue to happen with or without me Perhaps then the questions I should be asking are has abstaining for a season changed me Am I still obsessed or have I broken the habit of a lifetime Is following football really that terrible or even a real addiction
One thing is certain this lack of resolution is not completely without satisfaction because like all forms of fixation or obsession therersquos comfort and familiarity to be found in repetition as Tottenham miss out on Championrsquos League football by a single point again The repressed will always return to haunt us or so it seems and before we know it the start of next season will be upon us There will be more pain no doubt and more joy This time however it will take more than a boot camp approach to keep me away and who knows Tottenham might even win the league Come on you Spurs
Tottenham Hotspur means I would still tell you that itrsquos not just a pretty football package itrsquos about kith and kin not just where I came from but how I relate to others around me in the here and now Whatrsquos more millions of people are attracted to football they hunger for it and yearn to connect with it even though I still believe itrsquos a form of ineffective escape from one unsatisfying reality to another Following football is a classic example of cognitive dissonance ndash when you simultaneously entertain two opposing thoughts that appear to cancel each other out Before the start of each season for example we all want our club to win everything or to be taken over by billionaires but know that itrsquos impossible or in the latter case controversial and even undesirable So we invent ways to cope We develop a so-called lsquosiege mentalityrsquo or other harmful patterns of behaviour to relieve the discomfort of incongruity With this in mind the past year was supposed to be an exercise in behaviour modification ndash to discover the root of the problem and treat it effectively But one year on have I really discovered anything at all
The English Premier League whether you watch it or not is still probably the most exciting football league in the world We can complain about the changes made to
sport9
5
By Denson Pierre
The Gold Room
Fantasy Football Gold ndash Champions League 2012-2013 winner Denson Pierre and his prizes
The season petered out in an all-German Champions League Final which did nothing to dispel the record that this was a season of too few new stars or regular spectacle We look forward to the next season as it ought not be too difficult to create more excitement than in the one just pastWe did have the opportunity to hand over the envelopes and trophies to the Sentinel Fantasy Football game winners This year all the major winners from the Sentinel Fantasy Football League were unable to be present for the physical prize giving but the winner of the Gold Game and focus of this column was there to receive his prize for winning the master game in styleSo we retire the Gold Room until the beginning of the new football season See you all again then
96
sport
Matt Parker receives his third place and Manager of the Month prizes for the Sentinel Fantasy Football League
Charles Conneely Sentinel Fantasy Football League 2012-2013 Champion
97sport
wwwczechtourismcom
CZECH REPUBLIC - STUNNINGLY DIFFERENT
98
classifi eds
68
city gem
69city gem
city gem70
city gem71
72city gem
lsquoThere is something infinitely more appealing about physically
handling recorded material appreciating the artwork in its
packagingrsquo
73city gem
74classifi eds
75classifi eds
classifi edsclassifi eds76
amsterdam city life
BrinG BaCK
Something that seems to have been watered down considerably in Amsterdamrsquos hospitality industry in recent years is independence of thought styling and designAll you have to do is walk around the city to note that way too many coffeesoup houses and cafeacutes are more or less identikit This also applies to many cafeacutes with unimaginative business leaders who open unoriginal looking spaces and hope that the use of white paint purple or blue lights and house music is all it takes
Luckily there is something brewing to save our days and nights I have come across cafeacute owners who are now seriously considering ending the arrangements they have with the giant drink suppliers There are actually no good arguments left for continuing with these huge multinationals as they are frankly more expensive at wholesale for the same A-class products than the supermarkets on every Amsterdammerrsquos street corner
It looks like space is being created for the smaller brewers to take up the supply of A-class beer to smaller establishments throughout the city The giants can keep their character-free tourist traps and those bars still able to benefit purely from their unbeatable locations throughout the city
The Sentinel says bring back better and more original businesses of scale within the local hospitality industry which will help more cafeacutes and bars not only to become distinguishable by the interior designs they will need to conjure but also through the variety of local and regional beers that could become part of their coherent identity The overriding benefit of such courageous thinking and action would be an immediate return to realistic and reasonable pricing for A-class beer in Amsterdam which remains the staple of the easy consumables as this recession drones on
By Denson Pierre
INDEPENDENT CAFeacuteSBARS
77
78star beer guide
Star Beer
The SentinelStar beer guide
lsquoDifferent beers can seem to weigh on the conscience as much as on the taste budsrsquo
Just like the changing of the seasons different beers can seem to weigh on the conscience as much as on the taste buds Ciney blond is a lovely almost effeminate tasting beer All light smooth fruitiness bolstered by substantial alcohol content
As the temperature increases it can even feel like a thirst quencher A nice session beer and one that could function as an entrance-level quality beer in terms of its complexity For advanced samplers it is a great lower platform to descend to after cruising the space occupied by the 8-plus percentage alcoholic beauties
Ciney blond is brewed by Alken-Maes Mechelen Belgium
By Denson Pierre
CINEY BLOND (7 ABV)
79star beer guide
We find the best most fun most typical exciting or local favourite restaurants etcetera in Amsterdam and bring them to you an easy way to feel like a local
Cafe Kostverloren 040606
Recommended
80recommended
EUROGIFTSXenonweg 9 3812 SZ Amersfoort
Tel 033 - 454 35 75 - Fax 033 - 454 35 79E-mail lmproefeurogiftsnl
Website wwweurogiftsnl
FILMPROEF
ORDERNUMMER 6021022ARTIKELNUMMER 65123
Ware grootte (indien uitgeprint)Kleur opdruk Wit
Mulligans Irish Music BarAmsterdamrsquos best address for live Irish music Five (5) nights a week Check our agenda for upcoming sessions Amstel 100 1017 AC Amsterdamwwwmulligansnl
Cafeacute KostverlorenCafeacute Kostverloren is a contemporary cafe offering the cosiness of a saloon an open kitchen and the intimacy of a living room The large terras is great for sunny days2e Kostverlorenkade 70 Amsterdamwwwcafekostverlorennl
ZestZest is fi ne food warm atmosphere and classy drinks with regular semi-acoustic (live) music and DJs (Thursday to Sunday) Amsterdamrsquos newest and freshestBilderdijkstraat 188 Amsterdamwwwfacebookcomclubzestnl
GollemGollemrsquos Proefl okaal Gollem and Gollem II represent the best addresses serving the fullest range of top Belgian Dutch and international beers in AmsterdamOvertoom 160-161wwwcafegollemnl
IncantoA restaurant with a classic Italian kitchen Venetian chef Simone Ambrosin is known for his pure and simple style of cooking with great feeling for nuanceAmstel 2 Amsterdamwwwrestaurant-incantonl
Planet RoseThe fi rst Caribbean restaurant in the Netherlands specialised in Jamaican cuisine The menu features a daily changing selectionNicolaas Beetsstraat 47 Amsterdamwwwplanetroseinfo
Cafe restaurant EdelCafe restaurant Edel is the perfect place for lunch dinner or to simply enjoy a drink Edel is a unique place in AmsterdamPostjesweg 1 1057 DT Amsterdamwwwedelamsterdamnl
Cafeacute OportoCafeacute Oporto is a traditional Amsterdam lsquobrown cafersquo Welcoming tourists and regular customers alike they offer televised sports wifi and a wide range of reasonably priced beers and spiritsZoutsteeg 1 1012 LX Amsterdamwwwcafeoportonet
BaxA cosy and friendly local cafeacute with a focus on special or interesting beers and good quality food Open 7 days a week with a professional kitchen offering a lunch and dinner serviceTen Katestraat 119 Amsterdamwwwcafebaxnl
To be seen and tasted Fun Drinking amp Music
To Be Seen and Tasted
Fun Drinking amp Music
Fun Drinking amp Music
Connoisseurs Delight
Connoisseurs Delight
Connoisseurs Delight
To Be Seen and Tasted
Neighbourhood cosy
Fun drinking and music
ParckGreat fun beautiful people and simply the best bar food in townOvertoom 428 Amsterdamwwwcafeparcknl
To be seen and tasted
Cafe de Toog1890rsquos grandeur fashioned into Amsterdam-West grand brown cafe-restaurant-cool Classy drinks and mealsNicolaas Beetsstraat 142 hs Amsterdam wwwcafedetoogcom
Opera Prima - Patisserie Bistro TraiteurThe best place in town for lunch exquisite high teas or brunches and all of your luxury catering both private and corporateKinkerstraat 228 Amsterdamwwwoperaprimanl
Recommended
81
Where is this inAmsterdamAnswer to sentinelpostgmailcom
82spotted
Room 2cfilm
ldquoCome on in boys the waterrsquos finerdquo This is arguably the best all-round and funny musical to come out of Hollywood in a generation and certainly one of the best three soundtracks of the same period George Clooney will never be as good or charming as he is here playing the accidental leader of a trio of chain gang escapees in the US south of the 1930s Spirituality meets the Ku Klux Klan all coloured by Virginia bluegrass
ldquoCall me Snakerdquo The coolest handle for a leading man (Kurt Russell) in any movie to date Here he is sent in on a heroic lsquoat all costrsquo one-man mission to rescue the president of the United States from the prison island Manhattan has become in a lsquofuturersquo representation of 1997 Air Force One has crashed there and the countdown is on Classic 1980s turn of the millennium dystopian vision with style pace and gadgetry
By dpmotions
By dpmotions
o Brother Where Art Thou (2000)
escape from new York (1981)
room2c83
84trends
lsquoTrends are great to join and surf like a once in a lifetime tsunamirsquo
By Dirkje Bakker-Pierre
Each and every micro-world has its own specific trends Take the fashion world for example where one day you have to wear high heels and round noses and the next itrsquos flat hairy elephant feet-like boots that must hug your feet Or take the automotive world where once upon a time you could never have enough chrome on your car or the food world where we have quietly moved from fast to green and wholesome or the TV world which used to be about fiction and is now more real than reality Some of these trends are great to join and surf like a once in a lifetime tsunami others can slip by unnoticed and others still keep bugging and bugging you even if you try to avoid them like the plague
The online world and specifically the social media universe eats through trends like a fat chick after a hunger strike Facebook in particular seems to move seamlessly from one hype to the next one day itrsquos pictures with fuzzy edges or a bit of a 1970s filter the next itrsquos a profile picture with you very consciously not looking into the camera (very spontaneously and naturally non-posing you might say) These are mostly harmless things if Irsquom honest and when everyone
stops liking them they fade away as quickly as the sun in our small wet country There is one trend however that has festered within Facebook from the very beginning and which seems to be gradually growing and growing without anyone ever liking the postshellip and I mean EVER
Yes I am talking about daily quotes words of wisdom holy quotes mesmerizingly philosophical quotes cheesy quotes religious quoteshellip How can I describe all of them in one easy sentence pieces of text from (famous) people (it can never be something you thought of yourself) that lsquodisclosersquo previously secret information about being happy in life (or at least previously secret to the person doing the posting I presume) In short texts that belong on tiles hanging on the wall in old Dutch peoplersquos toilets
Why
Here are a few I found in my news feed this week
ldquoA mind is like a parachute It doesnrsquot work if it is not openrdquo ndash Frank Zappa
ldquoIt is not because things are difficult that we do not dare it is because we do not dare that things are difficultrdquo ndash Seneca
ldquoIf you donrsquot take what you are doing seriously then nobody else willrdquo ndash Darryl Dlt Thomson
Bad trends would be good if they werenrsquot so bad
85trends
86classifi eds
87classifieds
One of my personal favourite gemstones is moonstone Itlsquos been around for centuries and is used in many cultures As suggested by its name the stone is highly associated with the moon and moon goddess Diana It brings calm peace and love and is said to become more powerful when the moon is full so thatlsquos the best time to wear it One proverb even claims that moonstone can bring you love that will fly you to the moon Spiritually this amazing stone is said to enhance intuition and is always associated with the self It is a very powerful personal stone which doesnlsquot add or remove any aspects of the personality but merely reflects the person wearing it It is said to be very
MoonstoneBy Evelina Kvartunaite
ndash
lsquoThe stone is highly associated with the moon and moon goddess Dianarsquo
ndash
helpful for people who are very sensitive and it is also used in meditation for reflecting oneself Itlsquos always best to charge your gem when the moon is shining at night either while wearing it or by leaving it on a windowsill that receives moonlight Moonstone is also used in healing and is known for balancing the internal organ systems enabling them to work in stable cycles Itlsquos usually more associated with women but is also known to help men embrace their more emotional side soft creative energies and optimism Perhaps understandably moonstone should have limited exposure to strong direct sunlight
ndash
lsquoIt is said to be very helpful for people who are very sensitiversquo
ndash
88
health amp well-being
ndash
lsquoMore associated with women but is also known to help men embrace their more emotional sidersquo
ndash
89health amp well-being
In his article Batin shows how learning how to use complex products is like learning a computer game Just like the challenges in video games match the skills of the user so should TV interactions or any UI interactions for that matter For reference Batin used the four levels described in the Dreyfus model of skill acquisition
Level 1 novicebullRigid adherence to taught rules or plansbullNo exercise of lsquodiscretionary judgmentrsquo
Level 2 Advanced beginnerbullLimited lsquosituational perceptionrsquobullAll aspects of work treated separately with equal importance
Philip Batin wrote an article a couple of months ago about the next big idea in User Interaction gadgets that adapt to your skills As gadgets become more complicated UIs must be able to teach their users over time Apparently more and more interactive products are being returned In 2002 48 of all returned products were technically fully functional but were rejected for failing to satisfy user needs 20 purely due to customer remorse Even though a product may have all the features one can hope for complexity and bad user experience can prevent users from integrating it into their lives
UserInterfaceThe next big thing in UX
lsquoUIs must be able to teach their users over timersquo
By Andrei Barburas
lsquoComplexity and bad user experience can prevent users from
integrating it into their livesrsquo
90
technology
book the majority of which you probably skipped through
Personally I believe that there are certain end users most likely the majority that use only a limited set of features from any device they buy Mobile phones have become indispensable tools in our daily activities yet the average Joe has no idea about the full potential of a smart phone The same applies to Smart TVs they can do lots of things yet the only thing that we do with them is flip channels and complain how bad the shows are
The bottom line is that itrsquos definitely something worth thinking about not only from an operating system perspective but also from the perspective of applications developers
Level 3 competentbulllsquoCoping with crowdednessrsquo (multiple activities accumulation of information)bullSome perception of actions in relation to goalsbullDeliberate planningbullFormulates routines
Level 4 ProficientbullHolistic view of situationbullPrioritizes importance of aspectsbulllsquoPerceives deviations from the normal patternrsquobullEmploys maxim for guidance with meanings that adapt to the situation at hand
Now just imagine a User Interface that adapts based on what you can do and the abilities you have As you learn new things new levels of complexity are unlocked opening the door to fully knowing your device because you learned by doing and not by reading a complicated
lsquoThe average Joe has no idea about the full potential of a
smart phonersquo
91technology
92classifi eds
93classifi eds
Not knowing what was happening in football was extremely annoying to put it mildly and it wasnrsquot just my own self-denial and avoidance of all things football that was a hindrance the extent to which I had to ask others to go in order to remain ignorant was much more excruciating than Irsquod ever imagined There may even be some damage done to football-related friendships that is irreparable I now feel as though Irsquom walking through an empty stadium after everyone else has gone home
So what now and where to next The season is well and truly over and Irsquom free to do whatever I want I could read the back-dated sports pages check all the stats and find out all the facts if I wanted to I could spend hours catching up on last season and speculating on the next with the friends Irsquove still got left down the pub if I wanted to I can follow all the transfer gossip watch pre-season friendlies and build up all my hopes But as with most addictions that would simply be falling back into a previous state of dependence and everything Irsquove just put myself through wouldrsquove been for nothing So how do I go back to an old habit without a total relapse or would it be better to keep abstaining
All my questions seem to be met with other questions and no solutions On the other hand if you ask me what
Someone once said that insanity is when you keep repeating the same behaviour and expect a different outcome most likely a psychologist aimed at his or her ailing patients But for me these words are more reminiscent of my own conduct over the course of a regular football season Week in week out season after season I would expect Tottenham to win something and more often than not Irsquod be left disappointed So I decided to stop No more football ndash at least not for one full season
The season 201213 is now over and during the whole nine months I didnrsquot watch a single moment of football or read a single article on the subject That was my challenge and I was committed to it What is more despite all the warning signs I didnrsquot relapse After a year of structured punishment I didnrsquot have a clue about what was going on in the English Premier League (or any other league) Only having picked up bits and pieces of information that somehow slipped through the net the past season was like a book with most of its pages missing
By Simon Joseph
On The Volley
The Return of the Repressed or the Point of No Return
lsquoInsanity is when you keep repeating the same behaviour and expect a different outcomersquo
sport
lsquoThe past season was like a book with most of its pages missingrsquo
94
lsquoThere may even be some damage done to football-related friendshipsrsquo
lsquoHas abstaining for a season changed mersquo
it until the cows come home but it was us who made those changes or at least allowed them to happen and those changes will continue to happen with or without me Perhaps then the questions I should be asking are has abstaining for a season changed me Am I still obsessed or have I broken the habit of a lifetime Is following football really that terrible or even a real addiction
One thing is certain this lack of resolution is not completely without satisfaction because like all forms of fixation or obsession therersquos comfort and familiarity to be found in repetition as Tottenham miss out on Championrsquos League football by a single point again The repressed will always return to haunt us or so it seems and before we know it the start of next season will be upon us There will be more pain no doubt and more joy This time however it will take more than a boot camp approach to keep me away and who knows Tottenham might even win the league Come on you Spurs
Tottenham Hotspur means I would still tell you that itrsquos not just a pretty football package itrsquos about kith and kin not just where I came from but how I relate to others around me in the here and now Whatrsquos more millions of people are attracted to football they hunger for it and yearn to connect with it even though I still believe itrsquos a form of ineffective escape from one unsatisfying reality to another Following football is a classic example of cognitive dissonance ndash when you simultaneously entertain two opposing thoughts that appear to cancel each other out Before the start of each season for example we all want our club to win everything or to be taken over by billionaires but know that itrsquos impossible or in the latter case controversial and even undesirable So we invent ways to cope We develop a so-called lsquosiege mentalityrsquo or other harmful patterns of behaviour to relieve the discomfort of incongruity With this in mind the past year was supposed to be an exercise in behaviour modification ndash to discover the root of the problem and treat it effectively But one year on have I really discovered anything at all
The English Premier League whether you watch it or not is still probably the most exciting football league in the world We can complain about the changes made to
sport9
5
By Denson Pierre
The Gold Room
Fantasy Football Gold ndash Champions League 2012-2013 winner Denson Pierre and his prizes
The season petered out in an all-German Champions League Final which did nothing to dispel the record that this was a season of too few new stars or regular spectacle We look forward to the next season as it ought not be too difficult to create more excitement than in the one just pastWe did have the opportunity to hand over the envelopes and trophies to the Sentinel Fantasy Football game winners This year all the major winners from the Sentinel Fantasy Football League were unable to be present for the physical prize giving but the winner of the Gold Game and focus of this column was there to receive his prize for winning the master game in styleSo we retire the Gold Room until the beginning of the new football season See you all again then
96
sport
Matt Parker receives his third place and Manager of the Month prizes for the Sentinel Fantasy Football League
Charles Conneely Sentinel Fantasy Football League 2012-2013 Champion
97sport
wwwczechtourismcom
CZECH REPUBLIC - STUNNINGLY DIFFERENT
98
classifi eds
69city gem
city gem70
city gem71
72city gem
lsquoThere is something infinitely more appealing about physically
handling recorded material appreciating the artwork in its
packagingrsquo
73city gem
74classifi eds
75classifi eds
classifi edsclassifi eds76
amsterdam city life
BrinG BaCK
Something that seems to have been watered down considerably in Amsterdamrsquos hospitality industry in recent years is independence of thought styling and designAll you have to do is walk around the city to note that way too many coffeesoup houses and cafeacutes are more or less identikit This also applies to many cafeacutes with unimaginative business leaders who open unoriginal looking spaces and hope that the use of white paint purple or blue lights and house music is all it takes
Luckily there is something brewing to save our days and nights I have come across cafeacute owners who are now seriously considering ending the arrangements they have with the giant drink suppliers There are actually no good arguments left for continuing with these huge multinationals as they are frankly more expensive at wholesale for the same A-class products than the supermarkets on every Amsterdammerrsquos street corner
It looks like space is being created for the smaller brewers to take up the supply of A-class beer to smaller establishments throughout the city The giants can keep their character-free tourist traps and those bars still able to benefit purely from their unbeatable locations throughout the city
The Sentinel says bring back better and more original businesses of scale within the local hospitality industry which will help more cafeacutes and bars not only to become distinguishable by the interior designs they will need to conjure but also through the variety of local and regional beers that could become part of their coherent identity The overriding benefit of such courageous thinking and action would be an immediate return to realistic and reasonable pricing for A-class beer in Amsterdam which remains the staple of the easy consumables as this recession drones on
By Denson Pierre
INDEPENDENT CAFeacuteSBARS
77
78star beer guide
Star Beer
The SentinelStar beer guide
lsquoDifferent beers can seem to weigh on the conscience as much as on the taste budsrsquo
Just like the changing of the seasons different beers can seem to weigh on the conscience as much as on the taste buds Ciney blond is a lovely almost effeminate tasting beer All light smooth fruitiness bolstered by substantial alcohol content
As the temperature increases it can even feel like a thirst quencher A nice session beer and one that could function as an entrance-level quality beer in terms of its complexity For advanced samplers it is a great lower platform to descend to after cruising the space occupied by the 8-plus percentage alcoholic beauties
Ciney blond is brewed by Alken-Maes Mechelen Belgium
By Denson Pierre
CINEY BLOND (7 ABV)
79star beer guide
We find the best most fun most typical exciting or local favourite restaurants etcetera in Amsterdam and bring them to you an easy way to feel like a local
Cafe Kostverloren 040606
Recommended
80recommended
EUROGIFTSXenonweg 9 3812 SZ Amersfoort
Tel 033 - 454 35 75 - Fax 033 - 454 35 79E-mail lmproefeurogiftsnl
Website wwweurogiftsnl
FILMPROEF
ORDERNUMMER 6021022ARTIKELNUMMER 65123
Ware grootte (indien uitgeprint)Kleur opdruk Wit
Mulligans Irish Music BarAmsterdamrsquos best address for live Irish music Five (5) nights a week Check our agenda for upcoming sessions Amstel 100 1017 AC Amsterdamwwwmulligansnl
Cafeacute KostverlorenCafeacute Kostverloren is a contemporary cafe offering the cosiness of a saloon an open kitchen and the intimacy of a living room The large terras is great for sunny days2e Kostverlorenkade 70 Amsterdamwwwcafekostverlorennl
ZestZest is fi ne food warm atmosphere and classy drinks with regular semi-acoustic (live) music and DJs (Thursday to Sunday) Amsterdamrsquos newest and freshestBilderdijkstraat 188 Amsterdamwwwfacebookcomclubzestnl
GollemGollemrsquos Proefl okaal Gollem and Gollem II represent the best addresses serving the fullest range of top Belgian Dutch and international beers in AmsterdamOvertoom 160-161wwwcafegollemnl
IncantoA restaurant with a classic Italian kitchen Venetian chef Simone Ambrosin is known for his pure and simple style of cooking with great feeling for nuanceAmstel 2 Amsterdamwwwrestaurant-incantonl
Planet RoseThe fi rst Caribbean restaurant in the Netherlands specialised in Jamaican cuisine The menu features a daily changing selectionNicolaas Beetsstraat 47 Amsterdamwwwplanetroseinfo
Cafe restaurant EdelCafe restaurant Edel is the perfect place for lunch dinner or to simply enjoy a drink Edel is a unique place in AmsterdamPostjesweg 1 1057 DT Amsterdamwwwedelamsterdamnl
Cafeacute OportoCafeacute Oporto is a traditional Amsterdam lsquobrown cafersquo Welcoming tourists and regular customers alike they offer televised sports wifi and a wide range of reasonably priced beers and spiritsZoutsteeg 1 1012 LX Amsterdamwwwcafeoportonet
BaxA cosy and friendly local cafeacute with a focus on special or interesting beers and good quality food Open 7 days a week with a professional kitchen offering a lunch and dinner serviceTen Katestraat 119 Amsterdamwwwcafebaxnl
To be seen and tasted Fun Drinking amp Music
To Be Seen and Tasted
Fun Drinking amp Music
Fun Drinking amp Music
Connoisseurs Delight
Connoisseurs Delight
Connoisseurs Delight
To Be Seen and Tasted
Neighbourhood cosy
Fun drinking and music
ParckGreat fun beautiful people and simply the best bar food in townOvertoom 428 Amsterdamwwwcafeparcknl
To be seen and tasted
Cafe de Toog1890rsquos grandeur fashioned into Amsterdam-West grand brown cafe-restaurant-cool Classy drinks and mealsNicolaas Beetsstraat 142 hs Amsterdam wwwcafedetoogcom
Opera Prima - Patisserie Bistro TraiteurThe best place in town for lunch exquisite high teas or brunches and all of your luxury catering both private and corporateKinkerstraat 228 Amsterdamwwwoperaprimanl
Recommended
81
Where is this inAmsterdamAnswer to sentinelpostgmailcom
82spotted
Room 2cfilm
ldquoCome on in boys the waterrsquos finerdquo This is arguably the best all-round and funny musical to come out of Hollywood in a generation and certainly one of the best three soundtracks of the same period George Clooney will never be as good or charming as he is here playing the accidental leader of a trio of chain gang escapees in the US south of the 1930s Spirituality meets the Ku Klux Klan all coloured by Virginia bluegrass
ldquoCall me Snakerdquo The coolest handle for a leading man (Kurt Russell) in any movie to date Here he is sent in on a heroic lsquoat all costrsquo one-man mission to rescue the president of the United States from the prison island Manhattan has become in a lsquofuturersquo representation of 1997 Air Force One has crashed there and the countdown is on Classic 1980s turn of the millennium dystopian vision with style pace and gadgetry
By dpmotions
By dpmotions
o Brother Where Art Thou (2000)
escape from new York (1981)
room2c83
84trends
lsquoTrends are great to join and surf like a once in a lifetime tsunamirsquo
By Dirkje Bakker-Pierre
Each and every micro-world has its own specific trends Take the fashion world for example where one day you have to wear high heels and round noses and the next itrsquos flat hairy elephant feet-like boots that must hug your feet Or take the automotive world where once upon a time you could never have enough chrome on your car or the food world where we have quietly moved from fast to green and wholesome or the TV world which used to be about fiction and is now more real than reality Some of these trends are great to join and surf like a once in a lifetime tsunami others can slip by unnoticed and others still keep bugging and bugging you even if you try to avoid them like the plague
The online world and specifically the social media universe eats through trends like a fat chick after a hunger strike Facebook in particular seems to move seamlessly from one hype to the next one day itrsquos pictures with fuzzy edges or a bit of a 1970s filter the next itrsquos a profile picture with you very consciously not looking into the camera (very spontaneously and naturally non-posing you might say) These are mostly harmless things if Irsquom honest and when everyone
stops liking them they fade away as quickly as the sun in our small wet country There is one trend however that has festered within Facebook from the very beginning and which seems to be gradually growing and growing without anyone ever liking the postshellip and I mean EVER
Yes I am talking about daily quotes words of wisdom holy quotes mesmerizingly philosophical quotes cheesy quotes religious quoteshellip How can I describe all of them in one easy sentence pieces of text from (famous) people (it can never be something you thought of yourself) that lsquodisclosersquo previously secret information about being happy in life (or at least previously secret to the person doing the posting I presume) In short texts that belong on tiles hanging on the wall in old Dutch peoplersquos toilets
Why
Here are a few I found in my news feed this week
ldquoA mind is like a parachute It doesnrsquot work if it is not openrdquo ndash Frank Zappa
ldquoIt is not because things are difficult that we do not dare it is because we do not dare that things are difficultrdquo ndash Seneca
ldquoIf you donrsquot take what you are doing seriously then nobody else willrdquo ndash Darryl Dlt Thomson
Bad trends would be good if they werenrsquot so bad
85trends
86classifi eds
87classifieds
One of my personal favourite gemstones is moonstone Itlsquos been around for centuries and is used in many cultures As suggested by its name the stone is highly associated with the moon and moon goddess Diana It brings calm peace and love and is said to become more powerful when the moon is full so thatlsquos the best time to wear it One proverb even claims that moonstone can bring you love that will fly you to the moon Spiritually this amazing stone is said to enhance intuition and is always associated with the self It is a very powerful personal stone which doesnlsquot add or remove any aspects of the personality but merely reflects the person wearing it It is said to be very
MoonstoneBy Evelina Kvartunaite
ndash
lsquoThe stone is highly associated with the moon and moon goddess Dianarsquo
ndash
helpful for people who are very sensitive and it is also used in meditation for reflecting oneself Itlsquos always best to charge your gem when the moon is shining at night either while wearing it or by leaving it on a windowsill that receives moonlight Moonstone is also used in healing and is known for balancing the internal organ systems enabling them to work in stable cycles Itlsquos usually more associated with women but is also known to help men embrace their more emotional side soft creative energies and optimism Perhaps understandably moonstone should have limited exposure to strong direct sunlight
ndash
lsquoIt is said to be very helpful for people who are very sensitiversquo
ndash
88
health amp well-being
ndash
lsquoMore associated with women but is also known to help men embrace their more emotional sidersquo
ndash
89health amp well-being
In his article Batin shows how learning how to use complex products is like learning a computer game Just like the challenges in video games match the skills of the user so should TV interactions or any UI interactions for that matter For reference Batin used the four levels described in the Dreyfus model of skill acquisition
Level 1 novicebullRigid adherence to taught rules or plansbullNo exercise of lsquodiscretionary judgmentrsquo
Level 2 Advanced beginnerbullLimited lsquosituational perceptionrsquobullAll aspects of work treated separately with equal importance
Philip Batin wrote an article a couple of months ago about the next big idea in User Interaction gadgets that adapt to your skills As gadgets become more complicated UIs must be able to teach their users over time Apparently more and more interactive products are being returned In 2002 48 of all returned products were technically fully functional but were rejected for failing to satisfy user needs 20 purely due to customer remorse Even though a product may have all the features one can hope for complexity and bad user experience can prevent users from integrating it into their lives
UserInterfaceThe next big thing in UX
lsquoUIs must be able to teach their users over timersquo
By Andrei Barburas
lsquoComplexity and bad user experience can prevent users from
integrating it into their livesrsquo
90
technology
book the majority of which you probably skipped through
Personally I believe that there are certain end users most likely the majority that use only a limited set of features from any device they buy Mobile phones have become indispensable tools in our daily activities yet the average Joe has no idea about the full potential of a smart phone The same applies to Smart TVs they can do lots of things yet the only thing that we do with them is flip channels and complain how bad the shows are
The bottom line is that itrsquos definitely something worth thinking about not only from an operating system perspective but also from the perspective of applications developers
Level 3 competentbulllsquoCoping with crowdednessrsquo (multiple activities accumulation of information)bullSome perception of actions in relation to goalsbullDeliberate planningbullFormulates routines
Level 4 ProficientbullHolistic view of situationbullPrioritizes importance of aspectsbulllsquoPerceives deviations from the normal patternrsquobullEmploys maxim for guidance with meanings that adapt to the situation at hand
Now just imagine a User Interface that adapts based on what you can do and the abilities you have As you learn new things new levels of complexity are unlocked opening the door to fully knowing your device because you learned by doing and not by reading a complicated
lsquoThe average Joe has no idea about the full potential of a
smart phonersquo
91technology
92classifi eds
93classifi eds
Not knowing what was happening in football was extremely annoying to put it mildly and it wasnrsquot just my own self-denial and avoidance of all things football that was a hindrance the extent to which I had to ask others to go in order to remain ignorant was much more excruciating than Irsquod ever imagined There may even be some damage done to football-related friendships that is irreparable I now feel as though Irsquom walking through an empty stadium after everyone else has gone home
So what now and where to next The season is well and truly over and Irsquom free to do whatever I want I could read the back-dated sports pages check all the stats and find out all the facts if I wanted to I could spend hours catching up on last season and speculating on the next with the friends Irsquove still got left down the pub if I wanted to I can follow all the transfer gossip watch pre-season friendlies and build up all my hopes But as with most addictions that would simply be falling back into a previous state of dependence and everything Irsquove just put myself through wouldrsquove been for nothing So how do I go back to an old habit without a total relapse or would it be better to keep abstaining
All my questions seem to be met with other questions and no solutions On the other hand if you ask me what
Someone once said that insanity is when you keep repeating the same behaviour and expect a different outcome most likely a psychologist aimed at his or her ailing patients But for me these words are more reminiscent of my own conduct over the course of a regular football season Week in week out season after season I would expect Tottenham to win something and more often than not Irsquod be left disappointed So I decided to stop No more football ndash at least not for one full season
The season 201213 is now over and during the whole nine months I didnrsquot watch a single moment of football or read a single article on the subject That was my challenge and I was committed to it What is more despite all the warning signs I didnrsquot relapse After a year of structured punishment I didnrsquot have a clue about what was going on in the English Premier League (or any other league) Only having picked up bits and pieces of information that somehow slipped through the net the past season was like a book with most of its pages missing
By Simon Joseph
On The Volley
The Return of the Repressed or the Point of No Return
lsquoInsanity is when you keep repeating the same behaviour and expect a different outcomersquo
sport
lsquoThe past season was like a book with most of its pages missingrsquo
94
lsquoThere may even be some damage done to football-related friendshipsrsquo
lsquoHas abstaining for a season changed mersquo
it until the cows come home but it was us who made those changes or at least allowed them to happen and those changes will continue to happen with or without me Perhaps then the questions I should be asking are has abstaining for a season changed me Am I still obsessed or have I broken the habit of a lifetime Is following football really that terrible or even a real addiction
One thing is certain this lack of resolution is not completely without satisfaction because like all forms of fixation or obsession therersquos comfort and familiarity to be found in repetition as Tottenham miss out on Championrsquos League football by a single point again The repressed will always return to haunt us or so it seems and before we know it the start of next season will be upon us There will be more pain no doubt and more joy This time however it will take more than a boot camp approach to keep me away and who knows Tottenham might even win the league Come on you Spurs
Tottenham Hotspur means I would still tell you that itrsquos not just a pretty football package itrsquos about kith and kin not just where I came from but how I relate to others around me in the here and now Whatrsquos more millions of people are attracted to football they hunger for it and yearn to connect with it even though I still believe itrsquos a form of ineffective escape from one unsatisfying reality to another Following football is a classic example of cognitive dissonance ndash when you simultaneously entertain two opposing thoughts that appear to cancel each other out Before the start of each season for example we all want our club to win everything or to be taken over by billionaires but know that itrsquos impossible or in the latter case controversial and even undesirable So we invent ways to cope We develop a so-called lsquosiege mentalityrsquo or other harmful patterns of behaviour to relieve the discomfort of incongruity With this in mind the past year was supposed to be an exercise in behaviour modification ndash to discover the root of the problem and treat it effectively But one year on have I really discovered anything at all
The English Premier League whether you watch it or not is still probably the most exciting football league in the world We can complain about the changes made to
sport9
5
By Denson Pierre
The Gold Room
Fantasy Football Gold ndash Champions League 2012-2013 winner Denson Pierre and his prizes
The season petered out in an all-German Champions League Final which did nothing to dispel the record that this was a season of too few new stars or regular spectacle We look forward to the next season as it ought not be too difficult to create more excitement than in the one just pastWe did have the opportunity to hand over the envelopes and trophies to the Sentinel Fantasy Football game winners This year all the major winners from the Sentinel Fantasy Football League were unable to be present for the physical prize giving but the winner of the Gold Game and focus of this column was there to receive his prize for winning the master game in styleSo we retire the Gold Room until the beginning of the new football season See you all again then
96
sport
Matt Parker receives his third place and Manager of the Month prizes for the Sentinel Fantasy Football League
Charles Conneely Sentinel Fantasy Football League 2012-2013 Champion
97sport
wwwczechtourismcom
CZECH REPUBLIC - STUNNINGLY DIFFERENT
98
classifi eds
city gem70
city gem71
72city gem
lsquoThere is something infinitely more appealing about physically
handling recorded material appreciating the artwork in its
packagingrsquo
73city gem
74classifi eds
75classifi eds
classifi edsclassifi eds76
amsterdam city life
BrinG BaCK
Something that seems to have been watered down considerably in Amsterdamrsquos hospitality industry in recent years is independence of thought styling and designAll you have to do is walk around the city to note that way too many coffeesoup houses and cafeacutes are more or less identikit This also applies to many cafeacutes with unimaginative business leaders who open unoriginal looking spaces and hope that the use of white paint purple or blue lights and house music is all it takes
Luckily there is something brewing to save our days and nights I have come across cafeacute owners who are now seriously considering ending the arrangements they have with the giant drink suppliers There are actually no good arguments left for continuing with these huge multinationals as they are frankly more expensive at wholesale for the same A-class products than the supermarkets on every Amsterdammerrsquos street corner
It looks like space is being created for the smaller brewers to take up the supply of A-class beer to smaller establishments throughout the city The giants can keep their character-free tourist traps and those bars still able to benefit purely from their unbeatable locations throughout the city
The Sentinel says bring back better and more original businesses of scale within the local hospitality industry which will help more cafeacutes and bars not only to become distinguishable by the interior designs they will need to conjure but also through the variety of local and regional beers that could become part of their coherent identity The overriding benefit of such courageous thinking and action would be an immediate return to realistic and reasonable pricing for A-class beer in Amsterdam which remains the staple of the easy consumables as this recession drones on
By Denson Pierre
INDEPENDENT CAFeacuteSBARS
77
78star beer guide
Star Beer
The SentinelStar beer guide
lsquoDifferent beers can seem to weigh on the conscience as much as on the taste budsrsquo
Just like the changing of the seasons different beers can seem to weigh on the conscience as much as on the taste buds Ciney blond is a lovely almost effeminate tasting beer All light smooth fruitiness bolstered by substantial alcohol content
As the temperature increases it can even feel like a thirst quencher A nice session beer and one that could function as an entrance-level quality beer in terms of its complexity For advanced samplers it is a great lower platform to descend to after cruising the space occupied by the 8-plus percentage alcoholic beauties
Ciney blond is brewed by Alken-Maes Mechelen Belgium
By Denson Pierre
CINEY BLOND (7 ABV)
79star beer guide
We find the best most fun most typical exciting or local favourite restaurants etcetera in Amsterdam and bring them to you an easy way to feel like a local
Cafe Kostverloren 040606
Recommended
80recommended
EUROGIFTSXenonweg 9 3812 SZ Amersfoort
Tel 033 - 454 35 75 - Fax 033 - 454 35 79E-mail lmproefeurogiftsnl
Website wwweurogiftsnl
FILMPROEF
ORDERNUMMER 6021022ARTIKELNUMMER 65123
Ware grootte (indien uitgeprint)Kleur opdruk Wit
Mulligans Irish Music BarAmsterdamrsquos best address for live Irish music Five (5) nights a week Check our agenda for upcoming sessions Amstel 100 1017 AC Amsterdamwwwmulligansnl
Cafeacute KostverlorenCafeacute Kostverloren is a contemporary cafe offering the cosiness of a saloon an open kitchen and the intimacy of a living room The large terras is great for sunny days2e Kostverlorenkade 70 Amsterdamwwwcafekostverlorennl
ZestZest is fi ne food warm atmosphere and classy drinks with regular semi-acoustic (live) music and DJs (Thursday to Sunday) Amsterdamrsquos newest and freshestBilderdijkstraat 188 Amsterdamwwwfacebookcomclubzestnl
GollemGollemrsquos Proefl okaal Gollem and Gollem II represent the best addresses serving the fullest range of top Belgian Dutch and international beers in AmsterdamOvertoom 160-161wwwcafegollemnl
IncantoA restaurant with a classic Italian kitchen Venetian chef Simone Ambrosin is known for his pure and simple style of cooking with great feeling for nuanceAmstel 2 Amsterdamwwwrestaurant-incantonl
Planet RoseThe fi rst Caribbean restaurant in the Netherlands specialised in Jamaican cuisine The menu features a daily changing selectionNicolaas Beetsstraat 47 Amsterdamwwwplanetroseinfo
Cafe restaurant EdelCafe restaurant Edel is the perfect place for lunch dinner or to simply enjoy a drink Edel is a unique place in AmsterdamPostjesweg 1 1057 DT Amsterdamwwwedelamsterdamnl
Cafeacute OportoCafeacute Oporto is a traditional Amsterdam lsquobrown cafersquo Welcoming tourists and regular customers alike they offer televised sports wifi and a wide range of reasonably priced beers and spiritsZoutsteeg 1 1012 LX Amsterdamwwwcafeoportonet
BaxA cosy and friendly local cafeacute with a focus on special or interesting beers and good quality food Open 7 days a week with a professional kitchen offering a lunch and dinner serviceTen Katestraat 119 Amsterdamwwwcafebaxnl
To be seen and tasted Fun Drinking amp Music
To Be Seen and Tasted
Fun Drinking amp Music
Fun Drinking amp Music
Connoisseurs Delight
Connoisseurs Delight
Connoisseurs Delight
To Be Seen and Tasted
Neighbourhood cosy
Fun drinking and music
ParckGreat fun beautiful people and simply the best bar food in townOvertoom 428 Amsterdamwwwcafeparcknl
To be seen and tasted
Cafe de Toog1890rsquos grandeur fashioned into Amsterdam-West grand brown cafe-restaurant-cool Classy drinks and mealsNicolaas Beetsstraat 142 hs Amsterdam wwwcafedetoogcom
Opera Prima - Patisserie Bistro TraiteurThe best place in town for lunch exquisite high teas or brunches and all of your luxury catering both private and corporateKinkerstraat 228 Amsterdamwwwoperaprimanl
Recommended
81
Where is this inAmsterdamAnswer to sentinelpostgmailcom
82spotted
Room 2cfilm
ldquoCome on in boys the waterrsquos finerdquo This is arguably the best all-round and funny musical to come out of Hollywood in a generation and certainly one of the best three soundtracks of the same period George Clooney will never be as good or charming as he is here playing the accidental leader of a trio of chain gang escapees in the US south of the 1930s Spirituality meets the Ku Klux Klan all coloured by Virginia bluegrass
ldquoCall me Snakerdquo The coolest handle for a leading man (Kurt Russell) in any movie to date Here he is sent in on a heroic lsquoat all costrsquo one-man mission to rescue the president of the United States from the prison island Manhattan has become in a lsquofuturersquo representation of 1997 Air Force One has crashed there and the countdown is on Classic 1980s turn of the millennium dystopian vision with style pace and gadgetry
By dpmotions
By dpmotions
o Brother Where Art Thou (2000)
escape from new York (1981)
room2c83
84trends
lsquoTrends are great to join and surf like a once in a lifetime tsunamirsquo
By Dirkje Bakker-Pierre
Each and every micro-world has its own specific trends Take the fashion world for example where one day you have to wear high heels and round noses and the next itrsquos flat hairy elephant feet-like boots that must hug your feet Or take the automotive world where once upon a time you could never have enough chrome on your car or the food world where we have quietly moved from fast to green and wholesome or the TV world which used to be about fiction and is now more real than reality Some of these trends are great to join and surf like a once in a lifetime tsunami others can slip by unnoticed and others still keep bugging and bugging you even if you try to avoid them like the plague
The online world and specifically the social media universe eats through trends like a fat chick after a hunger strike Facebook in particular seems to move seamlessly from one hype to the next one day itrsquos pictures with fuzzy edges or a bit of a 1970s filter the next itrsquos a profile picture with you very consciously not looking into the camera (very spontaneously and naturally non-posing you might say) These are mostly harmless things if Irsquom honest and when everyone
stops liking them they fade away as quickly as the sun in our small wet country There is one trend however that has festered within Facebook from the very beginning and which seems to be gradually growing and growing without anyone ever liking the postshellip and I mean EVER
Yes I am talking about daily quotes words of wisdom holy quotes mesmerizingly philosophical quotes cheesy quotes religious quoteshellip How can I describe all of them in one easy sentence pieces of text from (famous) people (it can never be something you thought of yourself) that lsquodisclosersquo previously secret information about being happy in life (or at least previously secret to the person doing the posting I presume) In short texts that belong on tiles hanging on the wall in old Dutch peoplersquos toilets
Why
Here are a few I found in my news feed this week
ldquoA mind is like a parachute It doesnrsquot work if it is not openrdquo ndash Frank Zappa
ldquoIt is not because things are difficult that we do not dare it is because we do not dare that things are difficultrdquo ndash Seneca
ldquoIf you donrsquot take what you are doing seriously then nobody else willrdquo ndash Darryl Dlt Thomson
Bad trends would be good if they werenrsquot so bad
85trends
86classifi eds
87classifieds
One of my personal favourite gemstones is moonstone Itlsquos been around for centuries and is used in many cultures As suggested by its name the stone is highly associated with the moon and moon goddess Diana It brings calm peace and love and is said to become more powerful when the moon is full so thatlsquos the best time to wear it One proverb even claims that moonstone can bring you love that will fly you to the moon Spiritually this amazing stone is said to enhance intuition and is always associated with the self It is a very powerful personal stone which doesnlsquot add or remove any aspects of the personality but merely reflects the person wearing it It is said to be very
MoonstoneBy Evelina Kvartunaite
ndash
lsquoThe stone is highly associated with the moon and moon goddess Dianarsquo
ndash
helpful for people who are very sensitive and it is also used in meditation for reflecting oneself Itlsquos always best to charge your gem when the moon is shining at night either while wearing it or by leaving it on a windowsill that receives moonlight Moonstone is also used in healing and is known for balancing the internal organ systems enabling them to work in stable cycles Itlsquos usually more associated with women but is also known to help men embrace their more emotional side soft creative energies and optimism Perhaps understandably moonstone should have limited exposure to strong direct sunlight
ndash
lsquoIt is said to be very helpful for people who are very sensitiversquo
ndash
88
health amp well-being
ndash
lsquoMore associated with women but is also known to help men embrace their more emotional sidersquo
ndash
89health amp well-being
In his article Batin shows how learning how to use complex products is like learning a computer game Just like the challenges in video games match the skills of the user so should TV interactions or any UI interactions for that matter For reference Batin used the four levels described in the Dreyfus model of skill acquisition
Level 1 novicebullRigid adherence to taught rules or plansbullNo exercise of lsquodiscretionary judgmentrsquo
Level 2 Advanced beginnerbullLimited lsquosituational perceptionrsquobullAll aspects of work treated separately with equal importance
Philip Batin wrote an article a couple of months ago about the next big idea in User Interaction gadgets that adapt to your skills As gadgets become more complicated UIs must be able to teach their users over time Apparently more and more interactive products are being returned In 2002 48 of all returned products were technically fully functional but were rejected for failing to satisfy user needs 20 purely due to customer remorse Even though a product may have all the features one can hope for complexity and bad user experience can prevent users from integrating it into their lives
UserInterfaceThe next big thing in UX
lsquoUIs must be able to teach their users over timersquo
By Andrei Barburas
lsquoComplexity and bad user experience can prevent users from
integrating it into their livesrsquo
90
technology
book the majority of which you probably skipped through
Personally I believe that there are certain end users most likely the majority that use only a limited set of features from any device they buy Mobile phones have become indispensable tools in our daily activities yet the average Joe has no idea about the full potential of a smart phone The same applies to Smart TVs they can do lots of things yet the only thing that we do with them is flip channels and complain how bad the shows are
The bottom line is that itrsquos definitely something worth thinking about not only from an operating system perspective but also from the perspective of applications developers
Level 3 competentbulllsquoCoping with crowdednessrsquo (multiple activities accumulation of information)bullSome perception of actions in relation to goalsbullDeliberate planningbullFormulates routines
Level 4 ProficientbullHolistic view of situationbullPrioritizes importance of aspectsbulllsquoPerceives deviations from the normal patternrsquobullEmploys maxim for guidance with meanings that adapt to the situation at hand
Now just imagine a User Interface that adapts based on what you can do and the abilities you have As you learn new things new levels of complexity are unlocked opening the door to fully knowing your device because you learned by doing and not by reading a complicated
lsquoThe average Joe has no idea about the full potential of a
smart phonersquo
91technology
92classifi eds
93classifi eds
Not knowing what was happening in football was extremely annoying to put it mildly and it wasnrsquot just my own self-denial and avoidance of all things football that was a hindrance the extent to which I had to ask others to go in order to remain ignorant was much more excruciating than Irsquod ever imagined There may even be some damage done to football-related friendships that is irreparable I now feel as though Irsquom walking through an empty stadium after everyone else has gone home
So what now and where to next The season is well and truly over and Irsquom free to do whatever I want I could read the back-dated sports pages check all the stats and find out all the facts if I wanted to I could spend hours catching up on last season and speculating on the next with the friends Irsquove still got left down the pub if I wanted to I can follow all the transfer gossip watch pre-season friendlies and build up all my hopes But as with most addictions that would simply be falling back into a previous state of dependence and everything Irsquove just put myself through wouldrsquove been for nothing So how do I go back to an old habit without a total relapse or would it be better to keep abstaining
All my questions seem to be met with other questions and no solutions On the other hand if you ask me what
Someone once said that insanity is when you keep repeating the same behaviour and expect a different outcome most likely a psychologist aimed at his or her ailing patients But for me these words are more reminiscent of my own conduct over the course of a regular football season Week in week out season after season I would expect Tottenham to win something and more often than not Irsquod be left disappointed So I decided to stop No more football ndash at least not for one full season
The season 201213 is now over and during the whole nine months I didnrsquot watch a single moment of football or read a single article on the subject That was my challenge and I was committed to it What is more despite all the warning signs I didnrsquot relapse After a year of structured punishment I didnrsquot have a clue about what was going on in the English Premier League (or any other league) Only having picked up bits and pieces of information that somehow slipped through the net the past season was like a book with most of its pages missing
By Simon Joseph
On The Volley
The Return of the Repressed or the Point of No Return
lsquoInsanity is when you keep repeating the same behaviour and expect a different outcomersquo
sport
lsquoThe past season was like a book with most of its pages missingrsquo
94
lsquoThere may even be some damage done to football-related friendshipsrsquo
lsquoHas abstaining for a season changed mersquo
it until the cows come home but it was us who made those changes or at least allowed them to happen and those changes will continue to happen with or without me Perhaps then the questions I should be asking are has abstaining for a season changed me Am I still obsessed or have I broken the habit of a lifetime Is following football really that terrible or even a real addiction
One thing is certain this lack of resolution is not completely without satisfaction because like all forms of fixation or obsession therersquos comfort and familiarity to be found in repetition as Tottenham miss out on Championrsquos League football by a single point again The repressed will always return to haunt us or so it seems and before we know it the start of next season will be upon us There will be more pain no doubt and more joy This time however it will take more than a boot camp approach to keep me away and who knows Tottenham might even win the league Come on you Spurs
Tottenham Hotspur means I would still tell you that itrsquos not just a pretty football package itrsquos about kith and kin not just where I came from but how I relate to others around me in the here and now Whatrsquos more millions of people are attracted to football they hunger for it and yearn to connect with it even though I still believe itrsquos a form of ineffective escape from one unsatisfying reality to another Following football is a classic example of cognitive dissonance ndash when you simultaneously entertain two opposing thoughts that appear to cancel each other out Before the start of each season for example we all want our club to win everything or to be taken over by billionaires but know that itrsquos impossible or in the latter case controversial and even undesirable So we invent ways to cope We develop a so-called lsquosiege mentalityrsquo or other harmful patterns of behaviour to relieve the discomfort of incongruity With this in mind the past year was supposed to be an exercise in behaviour modification ndash to discover the root of the problem and treat it effectively But one year on have I really discovered anything at all
The English Premier League whether you watch it or not is still probably the most exciting football league in the world We can complain about the changes made to
sport9
5
By Denson Pierre
The Gold Room
Fantasy Football Gold ndash Champions League 2012-2013 winner Denson Pierre and his prizes
The season petered out in an all-German Champions League Final which did nothing to dispel the record that this was a season of too few new stars or regular spectacle We look forward to the next season as it ought not be too difficult to create more excitement than in the one just pastWe did have the opportunity to hand over the envelopes and trophies to the Sentinel Fantasy Football game winners This year all the major winners from the Sentinel Fantasy Football League were unable to be present for the physical prize giving but the winner of the Gold Game and focus of this column was there to receive his prize for winning the master game in styleSo we retire the Gold Room until the beginning of the new football season See you all again then
96
sport
Matt Parker receives his third place and Manager of the Month prizes for the Sentinel Fantasy Football League
Charles Conneely Sentinel Fantasy Football League 2012-2013 Champion
97sport
wwwczechtourismcom
CZECH REPUBLIC - STUNNINGLY DIFFERENT
98
classifi eds
city gem71
72city gem
lsquoThere is something infinitely more appealing about physically
handling recorded material appreciating the artwork in its
packagingrsquo
73city gem
74classifi eds
75classifi eds
classifi edsclassifi eds76
amsterdam city life
BrinG BaCK
Something that seems to have been watered down considerably in Amsterdamrsquos hospitality industry in recent years is independence of thought styling and designAll you have to do is walk around the city to note that way too many coffeesoup houses and cafeacutes are more or less identikit This also applies to many cafeacutes with unimaginative business leaders who open unoriginal looking spaces and hope that the use of white paint purple or blue lights and house music is all it takes
Luckily there is something brewing to save our days and nights I have come across cafeacute owners who are now seriously considering ending the arrangements they have with the giant drink suppliers There are actually no good arguments left for continuing with these huge multinationals as they are frankly more expensive at wholesale for the same A-class products than the supermarkets on every Amsterdammerrsquos street corner
It looks like space is being created for the smaller brewers to take up the supply of A-class beer to smaller establishments throughout the city The giants can keep their character-free tourist traps and those bars still able to benefit purely from their unbeatable locations throughout the city
The Sentinel says bring back better and more original businesses of scale within the local hospitality industry which will help more cafeacutes and bars not only to become distinguishable by the interior designs they will need to conjure but also through the variety of local and regional beers that could become part of their coherent identity The overriding benefit of such courageous thinking and action would be an immediate return to realistic and reasonable pricing for A-class beer in Amsterdam which remains the staple of the easy consumables as this recession drones on
By Denson Pierre
INDEPENDENT CAFeacuteSBARS
77
78star beer guide
Star Beer
The SentinelStar beer guide
lsquoDifferent beers can seem to weigh on the conscience as much as on the taste budsrsquo
Just like the changing of the seasons different beers can seem to weigh on the conscience as much as on the taste buds Ciney blond is a lovely almost effeminate tasting beer All light smooth fruitiness bolstered by substantial alcohol content
As the temperature increases it can even feel like a thirst quencher A nice session beer and one that could function as an entrance-level quality beer in terms of its complexity For advanced samplers it is a great lower platform to descend to after cruising the space occupied by the 8-plus percentage alcoholic beauties
Ciney blond is brewed by Alken-Maes Mechelen Belgium
By Denson Pierre
CINEY BLOND (7 ABV)
79star beer guide
We find the best most fun most typical exciting or local favourite restaurants etcetera in Amsterdam and bring them to you an easy way to feel like a local
Cafe Kostverloren 040606
Recommended
80recommended
EUROGIFTSXenonweg 9 3812 SZ Amersfoort
Tel 033 - 454 35 75 - Fax 033 - 454 35 79E-mail lmproefeurogiftsnl
Website wwweurogiftsnl
FILMPROEF
ORDERNUMMER 6021022ARTIKELNUMMER 65123
Ware grootte (indien uitgeprint)Kleur opdruk Wit
Mulligans Irish Music BarAmsterdamrsquos best address for live Irish music Five (5) nights a week Check our agenda for upcoming sessions Amstel 100 1017 AC Amsterdamwwwmulligansnl
Cafeacute KostverlorenCafeacute Kostverloren is a contemporary cafe offering the cosiness of a saloon an open kitchen and the intimacy of a living room The large terras is great for sunny days2e Kostverlorenkade 70 Amsterdamwwwcafekostverlorennl
ZestZest is fi ne food warm atmosphere and classy drinks with regular semi-acoustic (live) music and DJs (Thursday to Sunday) Amsterdamrsquos newest and freshestBilderdijkstraat 188 Amsterdamwwwfacebookcomclubzestnl
GollemGollemrsquos Proefl okaal Gollem and Gollem II represent the best addresses serving the fullest range of top Belgian Dutch and international beers in AmsterdamOvertoom 160-161wwwcafegollemnl
IncantoA restaurant with a classic Italian kitchen Venetian chef Simone Ambrosin is known for his pure and simple style of cooking with great feeling for nuanceAmstel 2 Amsterdamwwwrestaurant-incantonl
Planet RoseThe fi rst Caribbean restaurant in the Netherlands specialised in Jamaican cuisine The menu features a daily changing selectionNicolaas Beetsstraat 47 Amsterdamwwwplanetroseinfo
Cafe restaurant EdelCafe restaurant Edel is the perfect place for lunch dinner or to simply enjoy a drink Edel is a unique place in AmsterdamPostjesweg 1 1057 DT Amsterdamwwwedelamsterdamnl
Cafeacute OportoCafeacute Oporto is a traditional Amsterdam lsquobrown cafersquo Welcoming tourists and regular customers alike they offer televised sports wifi and a wide range of reasonably priced beers and spiritsZoutsteeg 1 1012 LX Amsterdamwwwcafeoportonet
BaxA cosy and friendly local cafeacute with a focus on special or interesting beers and good quality food Open 7 days a week with a professional kitchen offering a lunch and dinner serviceTen Katestraat 119 Amsterdamwwwcafebaxnl
To be seen and tasted Fun Drinking amp Music
To Be Seen and Tasted
Fun Drinking amp Music
Fun Drinking amp Music
Connoisseurs Delight
Connoisseurs Delight
Connoisseurs Delight
To Be Seen and Tasted
Neighbourhood cosy
Fun drinking and music
ParckGreat fun beautiful people and simply the best bar food in townOvertoom 428 Amsterdamwwwcafeparcknl
To be seen and tasted
Cafe de Toog1890rsquos grandeur fashioned into Amsterdam-West grand brown cafe-restaurant-cool Classy drinks and mealsNicolaas Beetsstraat 142 hs Amsterdam wwwcafedetoogcom
Opera Prima - Patisserie Bistro TraiteurThe best place in town for lunch exquisite high teas or brunches and all of your luxury catering both private and corporateKinkerstraat 228 Amsterdamwwwoperaprimanl
Recommended
81
Where is this inAmsterdamAnswer to sentinelpostgmailcom
82spotted
Room 2cfilm
ldquoCome on in boys the waterrsquos finerdquo This is arguably the best all-round and funny musical to come out of Hollywood in a generation and certainly one of the best three soundtracks of the same period George Clooney will never be as good or charming as he is here playing the accidental leader of a trio of chain gang escapees in the US south of the 1930s Spirituality meets the Ku Klux Klan all coloured by Virginia bluegrass
ldquoCall me Snakerdquo The coolest handle for a leading man (Kurt Russell) in any movie to date Here he is sent in on a heroic lsquoat all costrsquo one-man mission to rescue the president of the United States from the prison island Manhattan has become in a lsquofuturersquo representation of 1997 Air Force One has crashed there and the countdown is on Classic 1980s turn of the millennium dystopian vision with style pace and gadgetry
By dpmotions
By dpmotions
o Brother Where Art Thou (2000)
escape from new York (1981)
room2c83
84trends
lsquoTrends are great to join and surf like a once in a lifetime tsunamirsquo
By Dirkje Bakker-Pierre
Each and every micro-world has its own specific trends Take the fashion world for example where one day you have to wear high heels and round noses and the next itrsquos flat hairy elephant feet-like boots that must hug your feet Or take the automotive world where once upon a time you could never have enough chrome on your car or the food world where we have quietly moved from fast to green and wholesome or the TV world which used to be about fiction and is now more real than reality Some of these trends are great to join and surf like a once in a lifetime tsunami others can slip by unnoticed and others still keep bugging and bugging you even if you try to avoid them like the plague
The online world and specifically the social media universe eats through trends like a fat chick after a hunger strike Facebook in particular seems to move seamlessly from one hype to the next one day itrsquos pictures with fuzzy edges or a bit of a 1970s filter the next itrsquos a profile picture with you very consciously not looking into the camera (very spontaneously and naturally non-posing you might say) These are mostly harmless things if Irsquom honest and when everyone
stops liking them they fade away as quickly as the sun in our small wet country There is one trend however that has festered within Facebook from the very beginning and which seems to be gradually growing and growing without anyone ever liking the postshellip and I mean EVER
Yes I am talking about daily quotes words of wisdom holy quotes mesmerizingly philosophical quotes cheesy quotes religious quoteshellip How can I describe all of them in one easy sentence pieces of text from (famous) people (it can never be something you thought of yourself) that lsquodisclosersquo previously secret information about being happy in life (or at least previously secret to the person doing the posting I presume) In short texts that belong on tiles hanging on the wall in old Dutch peoplersquos toilets
Why
Here are a few I found in my news feed this week
ldquoA mind is like a parachute It doesnrsquot work if it is not openrdquo ndash Frank Zappa
ldquoIt is not because things are difficult that we do not dare it is because we do not dare that things are difficultrdquo ndash Seneca
ldquoIf you donrsquot take what you are doing seriously then nobody else willrdquo ndash Darryl Dlt Thomson
Bad trends would be good if they werenrsquot so bad
85trends
86classifi eds
87classifieds
One of my personal favourite gemstones is moonstone Itlsquos been around for centuries and is used in many cultures As suggested by its name the stone is highly associated with the moon and moon goddess Diana It brings calm peace and love and is said to become more powerful when the moon is full so thatlsquos the best time to wear it One proverb even claims that moonstone can bring you love that will fly you to the moon Spiritually this amazing stone is said to enhance intuition and is always associated with the self It is a very powerful personal stone which doesnlsquot add or remove any aspects of the personality but merely reflects the person wearing it It is said to be very
MoonstoneBy Evelina Kvartunaite
ndash
lsquoThe stone is highly associated with the moon and moon goddess Dianarsquo
ndash
helpful for people who are very sensitive and it is also used in meditation for reflecting oneself Itlsquos always best to charge your gem when the moon is shining at night either while wearing it or by leaving it on a windowsill that receives moonlight Moonstone is also used in healing and is known for balancing the internal organ systems enabling them to work in stable cycles Itlsquos usually more associated with women but is also known to help men embrace their more emotional side soft creative energies and optimism Perhaps understandably moonstone should have limited exposure to strong direct sunlight
ndash
lsquoIt is said to be very helpful for people who are very sensitiversquo
ndash
88
health amp well-being
ndash
lsquoMore associated with women but is also known to help men embrace their more emotional sidersquo
ndash
89health amp well-being
In his article Batin shows how learning how to use complex products is like learning a computer game Just like the challenges in video games match the skills of the user so should TV interactions or any UI interactions for that matter For reference Batin used the four levels described in the Dreyfus model of skill acquisition
Level 1 novicebullRigid adherence to taught rules or plansbullNo exercise of lsquodiscretionary judgmentrsquo
Level 2 Advanced beginnerbullLimited lsquosituational perceptionrsquobullAll aspects of work treated separately with equal importance
Philip Batin wrote an article a couple of months ago about the next big idea in User Interaction gadgets that adapt to your skills As gadgets become more complicated UIs must be able to teach their users over time Apparently more and more interactive products are being returned In 2002 48 of all returned products were technically fully functional but were rejected for failing to satisfy user needs 20 purely due to customer remorse Even though a product may have all the features one can hope for complexity and bad user experience can prevent users from integrating it into their lives
UserInterfaceThe next big thing in UX
lsquoUIs must be able to teach their users over timersquo
By Andrei Barburas
lsquoComplexity and bad user experience can prevent users from
integrating it into their livesrsquo
90
technology
book the majority of which you probably skipped through
Personally I believe that there are certain end users most likely the majority that use only a limited set of features from any device they buy Mobile phones have become indispensable tools in our daily activities yet the average Joe has no idea about the full potential of a smart phone The same applies to Smart TVs they can do lots of things yet the only thing that we do with them is flip channels and complain how bad the shows are
The bottom line is that itrsquos definitely something worth thinking about not only from an operating system perspective but also from the perspective of applications developers
Level 3 competentbulllsquoCoping with crowdednessrsquo (multiple activities accumulation of information)bullSome perception of actions in relation to goalsbullDeliberate planningbullFormulates routines
Level 4 ProficientbullHolistic view of situationbullPrioritizes importance of aspectsbulllsquoPerceives deviations from the normal patternrsquobullEmploys maxim for guidance with meanings that adapt to the situation at hand
Now just imagine a User Interface that adapts based on what you can do and the abilities you have As you learn new things new levels of complexity are unlocked opening the door to fully knowing your device because you learned by doing and not by reading a complicated
lsquoThe average Joe has no idea about the full potential of a
smart phonersquo
91technology
92classifi eds
93classifi eds
Not knowing what was happening in football was extremely annoying to put it mildly and it wasnrsquot just my own self-denial and avoidance of all things football that was a hindrance the extent to which I had to ask others to go in order to remain ignorant was much more excruciating than Irsquod ever imagined There may even be some damage done to football-related friendships that is irreparable I now feel as though Irsquom walking through an empty stadium after everyone else has gone home
So what now and where to next The season is well and truly over and Irsquom free to do whatever I want I could read the back-dated sports pages check all the stats and find out all the facts if I wanted to I could spend hours catching up on last season and speculating on the next with the friends Irsquove still got left down the pub if I wanted to I can follow all the transfer gossip watch pre-season friendlies and build up all my hopes But as with most addictions that would simply be falling back into a previous state of dependence and everything Irsquove just put myself through wouldrsquove been for nothing So how do I go back to an old habit without a total relapse or would it be better to keep abstaining
All my questions seem to be met with other questions and no solutions On the other hand if you ask me what
Someone once said that insanity is when you keep repeating the same behaviour and expect a different outcome most likely a psychologist aimed at his or her ailing patients But for me these words are more reminiscent of my own conduct over the course of a regular football season Week in week out season after season I would expect Tottenham to win something and more often than not Irsquod be left disappointed So I decided to stop No more football ndash at least not for one full season
The season 201213 is now over and during the whole nine months I didnrsquot watch a single moment of football or read a single article on the subject That was my challenge and I was committed to it What is more despite all the warning signs I didnrsquot relapse After a year of structured punishment I didnrsquot have a clue about what was going on in the English Premier League (or any other league) Only having picked up bits and pieces of information that somehow slipped through the net the past season was like a book with most of its pages missing
By Simon Joseph
On The Volley
The Return of the Repressed or the Point of No Return
lsquoInsanity is when you keep repeating the same behaviour and expect a different outcomersquo
sport
lsquoThe past season was like a book with most of its pages missingrsquo
94
lsquoThere may even be some damage done to football-related friendshipsrsquo
lsquoHas abstaining for a season changed mersquo
it until the cows come home but it was us who made those changes or at least allowed them to happen and those changes will continue to happen with or without me Perhaps then the questions I should be asking are has abstaining for a season changed me Am I still obsessed or have I broken the habit of a lifetime Is following football really that terrible or even a real addiction
One thing is certain this lack of resolution is not completely without satisfaction because like all forms of fixation or obsession therersquos comfort and familiarity to be found in repetition as Tottenham miss out on Championrsquos League football by a single point again The repressed will always return to haunt us or so it seems and before we know it the start of next season will be upon us There will be more pain no doubt and more joy This time however it will take more than a boot camp approach to keep me away and who knows Tottenham might even win the league Come on you Spurs
Tottenham Hotspur means I would still tell you that itrsquos not just a pretty football package itrsquos about kith and kin not just where I came from but how I relate to others around me in the here and now Whatrsquos more millions of people are attracted to football they hunger for it and yearn to connect with it even though I still believe itrsquos a form of ineffective escape from one unsatisfying reality to another Following football is a classic example of cognitive dissonance ndash when you simultaneously entertain two opposing thoughts that appear to cancel each other out Before the start of each season for example we all want our club to win everything or to be taken over by billionaires but know that itrsquos impossible or in the latter case controversial and even undesirable So we invent ways to cope We develop a so-called lsquosiege mentalityrsquo or other harmful patterns of behaviour to relieve the discomfort of incongruity With this in mind the past year was supposed to be an exercise in behaviour modification ndash to discover the root of the problem and treat it effectively But one year on have I really discovered anything at all
The English Premier League whether you watch it or not is still probably the most exciting football league in the world We can complain about the changes made to
sport9
5
By Denson Pierre
The Gold Room
Fantasy Football Gold ndash Champions League 2012-2013 winner Denson Pierre and his prizes
The season petered out in an all-German Champions League Final which did nothing to dispel the record that this was a season of too few new stars or regular spectacle We look forward to the next season as it ought not be too difficult to create more excitement than in the one just pastWe did have the opportunity to hand over the envelopes and trophies to the Sentinel Fantasy Football game winners This year all the major winners from the Sentinel Fantasy Football League were unable to be present for the physical prize giving but the winner of the Gold Game and focus of this column was there to receive his prize for winning the master game in styleSo we retire the Gold Room until the beginning of the new football season See you all again then
96
sport
Matt Parker receives his third place and Manager of the Month prizes for the Sentinel Fantasy Football League
Charles Conneely Sentinel Fantasy Football League 2012-2013 Champion
97sport
wwwczechtourismcom
CZECH REPUBLIC - STUNNINGLY DIFFERENT
98
classifi eds
72city gem
lsquoThere is something infinitely more appealing about physically
handling recorded material appreciating the artwork in its
packagingrsquo
73city gem
74classifi eds
75classifi eds
classifi edsclassifi eds76
amsterdam city life
BrinG BaCK
Something that seems to have been watered down considerably in Amsterdamrsquos hospitality industry in recent years is independence of thought styling and designAll you have to do is walk around the city to note that way too many coffeesoup houses and cafeacutes are more or less identikit This also applies to many cafeacutes with unimaginative business leaders who open unoriginal looking spaces and hope that the use of white paint purple or blue lights and house music is all it takes
Luckily there is something brewing to save our days and nights I have come across cafeacute owners who are now seriously considering ending the arrangements they have with the giant drink suppliers There are actually no good arguments left for continuing with these huge multinationals as they are frankly more expensive at wholesale for the same A-class products than the supermarkets on every Amsterdammerrsquos street corner
It looks like space is being created for the smaller brewers to take up the supply of A-class beer to smaller establishments throughout the city The giants can keep their character-free tourist traps and those bars still able to benefit purely from their unbeatable locations throughout the city
The Sentinel says bring back better and more original businesses of scale within the local hospitality industry which will help more cafeacutes and bars not only to become distinguishable by the interior designs they will need to conjure but also through the variety of local and regional beers that could become part of their coherent identity The overriding benefit of such courageous thinking and action would be an immediate return to realistic and reasonable pricing for A-class beer in Amsterdam which remains the staple of the easy consumables as this recession drones on
By Denson Pierre
INDEPENDENT CAFeacuteSBARS
77
78star beer guide
Star Beer
The SentinelStar beer guide
lsquoDifferent beers can seem to weigh on the conscience as much as on the taste budsrsquo
Just like the changing of the seasons different beers can seem to weigh on the conscience as much as on the taste buds Ciney blond is a lovely almost effeminate tasting beer All light smooth fruitiness bolstered by substantial alcohol content
As the temperature increases it can even feel like a thirst quencher A nice session beer and one that could function as an entrance-level quality beer in terms of its complexity For advanced samplers it is a great lower platform to descend to after cruising the space occupied by the 8-plus percentage alcoholic beauties
Ciney blond is brewed by Alken-Maes Mechelen Belgium
By Denson Pierre
CINEY BLOND (7 ABV)
79star beer guide
We find the best most fun most typical exciting or local favourite restaurants etcetera in Amsterdam and bring them to you an easy way to feel like a local
Cafe Kostverloren 040606
Recommended
80recommended
EUROGIFTSXenonweg 9 3812 SZ Amersfoort
Tel 033 - 454 35 75 - Fax 033 - 454 35 79E-mail lmproefeurogiftsnl
Website wwweurogiftsnl
FILMPROEF
ORDERNUMMER 6021022ARTIKELNUMMER 65123
Ware grootte (indien uitgeprint)Kleur opdruk Wit
Mulligans Irish Music BarAmsterdamrsquos best address for live Irish music Five (5) nights a week Check our agenda for upcoming sessions Amstel 100 1017 AC Amsterdamwwwmulligansnl
Cafeacute KostverlorenCafeacute Kostverloren is a contemporary cafe offering the cosiness of a saloon an open kitchen and the intimacy of a living room The large terras is great for sunny days2e Kostverlorenkade 70 Amsterdamwwwcafekostverlorennl
ZestZest is fi ne food warm atmosphere and classy drinks with regular semi-acoustic (live) music and DJs (Thursday to Sunday) Amsterdamrsquos newest and freshestBilderdijkstraat 188 Amsterdamwwwfacebookcomclubzestnl
GollemGollemrsquos Proefl okaal Gollem and Gollem II represent the best addresses serving the fullest range of top Belgian Dutch and international beers in AmsterdamOvertoom 160-161wwwcafegollemnl
IncantoA restaurant with a classic Italian kitchen Venetian chef Simone Ambrosin is known for his pure and simple style of cooking with great feeling for nuanceAmstel 2 Amsterdamwwwrestaurant-incantonl
Planet RoseThe fi rst Caribbean restaurant in the Netherlands specialised in Jamaican cuisine The menu features a daily changing selectionNicolaas Beetsstraat 47 Amsterdamwwwplanetroseinfo
Cafe restaurant EdelCafe restaurant Edel is the perfect place for lunch dinner or to simply enjoy a drink Edel is a unique place in AmsterdamPostjesweg 1 1057 DT Amsterdamwwwedelamsterdamnl
Cafeacute OportoCafeacute Oporto is a traditional Amsterdam lsquobrown cafersquo Welcoming tourists and regular customers alike they offer televised sports wifi and a wide range of reasonably priced beers and spiritsZoutsteeg 1 1012 LX Amsterdamwwwcafeoportonet
BaxA cosy and friendly local cafeacute with a focus on special or interesting beers and good quality food Open 7 days a week with a professional kitchen offering a lunch and dinner serviceTen Katestraat 119 Amsterdamwwwcafebaxnl
To be seen and tasted Fun Drinking amp Music
To Be Seen and Tasted
Fun Drinking amp Music
Fun Drinking amp Music
Connoisseurs Delight
Connoisseurs Delight
Connoisseurs Delight
To Be Seen and Tasted
Neighbourhood cosy
Fun drinking and music
ParckGreat fun beautiful people and simply the best bar food in townOvertoom 428 Amsterdamwwwcafeparcknl
To be seen and tasted
Cafe de Toog1890rsquos grandeur fashioned into Amsterdam-West grand brown cafe-restaurant-cool Classy drinks and mealsNicolaas Beetsstraat 142 hs Amsterdam wwwcafedetoogcom
Opera Prima - Patisserie Bistro TraiteurThe best place in town for lunch exquisite high teas or brunches and all of your luxury catering both private and corporateKinkerstraat 228 Amsterdamwwwoperaprimanl
Recommended
81
Where is this inAmsterdamAnswer to sentinelpostgmailcom
82spotted
Room 2cfilm
ldquoCome on in boys the waterrsquos finerdquo This is arguably the best all-round and funny musical to come out of Hollywood in a generation and certainly one of the best three soundtracks of the same period George Clooney will never be as good or charming as he is here playing the accidental leader of a trio of chain gang escapees in the US south of the 1930s Spirituality meets the Ku Klux Klan all coloured by Virginia bluegrass
ldquoCall me Snakerdquo The coolest handle for a leading man (Kurt Russell) in any movie to date Here he is sent in on a heroic lsquoat all costrsquo one-man mission to rescue the president of the United States from the prison island Manhattan has become in a lsquofuturersquo representation of 1997 Air Force One has crashed there and the countdown is on Classic 1980s turn of the millennium dystopian vision with style pace and gadgetry
By dpmotions
By dpmotions
o Brother Where Art Thou (2000)
escape from new York (1981)
room2c83
84trends
lsquoTrends are great to join and surf like a once in a lifetime tsunamirsquo
By Dirkje Bakker-Pierre
Each and every micro-world has its own specific trends Take the fashion world for example where one day you have to wear high heels and round noses and the next itrsquos flat hairy elephant feet-like boots that must hug your feet Or take the automotive world where once upon a time you could never have enough chrome on your car or the food world where we have quietly moved from fast to green and wholesome or the TV world which used to be about fiction and is now more real than reality Some of these trends are great to join and surf like a once in a lifetime tsunami others can slip by unnoticed and others still keep bugging and bugging you even if you try to avoid them like the plague
The online world and specifically the social media universe eats through trends like a fat chick after a hunger strike Facebook in particular seems to move seamlessly from one hype to the next one day itrsquos pictures with fuzzy edges or a bit of a 1970s filter the next itrsquos a profile picture with you very consciously not looking into the camera (very spontaneously and naturally non-posing you might say) These are mostly harmless things if Irsquom honest and when everyone
stops liking them they fade away as quickly as the sun in our small wet country There is one trend however that has festered within Facebook from the very beginning and which seems to be gradually growing and growing without anyone ever liking the postshellip and I mean EVER
Yes I am talking about daily quotes words of wisdom holy quotes mesmerizingly philosophical quotes cheesy quotes religious quoteshellip How can I describe all of them in one easy sentence pieces of text from (famous) people (it can never be something you thought of yourself) that lsquodisclosersquo previously secret information about being happy in life (or at least previously secret to the person doing the posting I presume) In short texts that belong on tiles hanging on the wall in old Dutch peoplersquos toilets
Why
Here are a few I found in my news feed this week
ldquoA mind is like a parachute It doesnrsquot work if it is not openrdquo ndash Frank Zappa
ldquoIt is not because things are difficult that we do not dare it is because we do not dare that things are difficultrdquo ndash Seneca
ldquoIf you donrsquot take what you are doing seriously then nobody else willrdquo ndash Darryl Dlt Thomson
Bad trends would be good if they werenrsquot so bad
85trends
86classifi eds
87classifieds
One of my personal favourite gemstones is moonstone Itlsquos been around for centuries and is used in many cultures As suggested by its name the stone is highly associated with the moon and moon goddess Diana It brings calm peace and love and is said to become more powerful when the moon is full so thatlsquos the best time to wear it One proverb even claims that moonstone can bring you love that will fly you to the moon Spiritually this amazing stone is said to enhance intuition and is always associated with the self It is a very powerful personal stone which doesnlsquot add or remove any aspects of the personality but merely reflects the person wearing it It is said to be very
MoonstoneBy Evelina Kvartunaite
ndash
lsquoThe stone is highly associated with the moon and moon goddess Dianarsquo
ndash
helpful for people who are very sensitive and it is also used in meditation for reflecting oneself Itlsquos always best to charge your gem when the moon is shining at night either while wearing it or by leaving it on a windowsill that receives moonlight Moonstone is also used in healing and is known for balancing the internal organ systems enabling them to work in stable cycles Itlsquos usually more associated with women but is also known to help men embrace their more emotional side soft creative energies and optimism Perhaps understandably moonstone should have limited exposure to strong direct sunlight
ndash
lsquoIt is said to be very helpful for people who are very sensitiversquo
ndash
88
health amp well-being
ndash
lsquoMore associated with women but is also known to help men embrace their more emotional sidersquo
ndash
89health amp well-being
In his article Batin shows how learning how to use complex products is like learning a computer game Just like the challenges in video games match the skills of the user so should TV interactions or any UI interactions for that matter For reference Batin used the four levels described in the Dreyfus model of skill acquisition
Level 1 novicebullRigid adherence to taught rules or plansbullNo exercise of lsquodiscretionary judgmentrsquo
Level 2 Advanced beginnerbullLimited lsquosituational perceptionrsquobullAll aspects of work treated separately with equal importance
Philip Batin wrote an article a couple of months ago about the next big idea in User Interaction gadgets that adapt to your skills As gadgets become more complicated UIs must be able to teach their users over time Apparently more and more interactive products are being returned In 2002 48 of all returned products were technically fully functional but were rejected for failing to satisfy user needs 20 purely due to customer remorse Even though a product may have all the features one can hope for complexity and bad user experience can prevent users from integrating it into their lives
UserInterfaceThe next big thing in UX
lsquoUIs must be able to teach their users over timersquo
By Andrei Barburas
lsquoComplexity and bad user experience can prevent users from
integrating it into their livesrsquo
90
technology
book the majority of which you probably skipped through
Personally I believe that there are certain end users most likely the majority that use only a limited set of features from any device they buy Mobile phones have become indispensable tools in our daily activities yet the average Joe has no idea about the full potential of a smart phone The same applies to Smart TVs they can do lots of things yet the only thing that we do with them is flip channels and complain how bad the shows are
The bottom line is that itrsquos definitely something worth thinking about not only from an operating system perspective but also from the perspective of applications developers
Level 3 competentbulllsquoCoping with crowdednessrsquo (multiple activities accumulation of information)bullSome perception of actions in relation to goalsbullDeliberate planningbullFormulates routines
Level 4 ProficientbullHolistic view of situationbullPrioritizes importance of aspectsbulllsquoPerceives deviations from the normal patternrsquobullEmploys maxim for guidance with meanings that adapt to the situation at hand
Now just imagine a User Interface that adapts based on what you can do and the abilities you have As you learn new things new levels of complexity are unlocked opening the door to fully knowing your device because you learned by doing and not by reading a complicated
lsquoThe average Joe has no idea about the full potential of a
smart phonersquo
91technology
92classifi eds
93classifi eds
Not knowing what was happening in football was extremely annoying to put it mildly and it wasnrsquot just my own self-denial and avoidance of all things football that was a hindrance the extent to which I had to ask others to go in order to remain ignorant was much more excruciating than Irsquod ever imagined There may even be some damage done to football-related friendships that is irreparable I now feel as though Irsquom walking through an empty stadium after everyone else has gone home
So what now and where to next The season is well and truly over and Irsquom free to do whatever I want I could read the back-dated sports pages check all the stats and find out all the facts if I wanted to I could spend hours catching up on last season and speculating on the next with the friends Irsquove still got left down the pub if I wanted to I can follow all the transfer gossip watch pre-season friendlies and build up all my hopes But as with most addictions that would simply be falling back into a previous state of dependence and everything Irsquove just put myself through wouldrsquove been for nothing So how do I go back to an old habit without a total relapse or would it be better to keep abstaining
All my questions seem to be met with other questions and no solutions On the other hand if you ask me what
Someone once said that insanity is when you keep repeating the same behaviour and expect a different outcome most likely a psychologist aimed at his or her ailing patients But for me these words are more reminiscent of my own conduct over the course of a regular football season Week in week out season after season I would expect Tottenham to win something and more often than not Irsquod be left disappointed So I decided to stop No more football ndash at least not for one full season
The season 201213 is now over and during the whole nine months I didnrsquot watch a single moment of football or read a single article on the subject That was my challenge and I was committed to it What is more despite all the warning signs I didnrsquot relapse After a year of structured punishment I didnrsquot have a clue about what was going on in the English Premier League (or any other league) Only having picked up bits and pieces of information that somehow slipped through the net the past season was like a book with most of its pages missing
By Simon Joseph
On The Volley
The Return of the Repressed or the Point of No Return
lsquoInsanity is when you keep repeating the same behaviour and expect a different outcomersquo
sport
lsquoThe past season was like a book with most of its pages missingrsquo
94
lsquoThere may even be some damage done to football-related friendshipsrsquo
lsquoHas abstaining for a season changed mersquo
it until the cows come home but it was us who made those changes or at least allowed them to happen and those changes will continue to happen with or without me Perhaps then the questions I should be asking are has abstaining for a season changed me Am I still obsessed or have I broken the habit of a lifetime Is following football really that terrible or even a real addiction
One thing is certain this lack of resolution is not completely without satisfaction because like all forms of fixation or obsession therersquos comfort and familiarity to be found in repetition as Tottenham miss out on Championrsquos League football by a single point again The repressed will always return to haunt us or so it seems and before we know it the start of next season will be upon us There will be more pain no doubt and more joy This time however it will take more than a boot camp approach to keep me away and who knows Tottenham might even win the league Come on you Spurs
Tottenham Hotspur means I would still tell you that itrsquos not just a pretty football package itrsquos about kith and kin not just where I came from but how I relate to others around me in the here and now Whatrsquos more millions of people are attracted to football they hunger for it and yearn to connect with it even though I still believe itrsquos a form of ineffective escape from one unsatisfying reality to another Following football is a classic example of cognitive dissonance ndash when you simultaneously entertain two opposing thoughts that appear to cancel each other out Before the start of each season for example we all want our club to win everything or to be taken over by billionaires but know that itrsquos impossible or in the latter case controversial and even undesirable So we invent ways to cope We develop a so-called lsquosiege mentalityrsquo or other harmful patterns of behaviour to relieve the discomfort of incongruity With this in mind the past year was supposed to be an exercise in behaviour modification ndash to discover the root of the problem and treat it effectively But one year on have I really discovered anything at all
The English Premier League whether you watch it or not is still probably the most exciting football league in the world We can complain about the changes made to
sport9
5
By Denson Pierre
The Gold Room
Fantasy Football Gold ndash Champions League 2012-2013 winner Denson Pierre and his prizes
The season petered out in an all-German Champions League Final which did nothing to dispel the record that this was a season of too few new stars or regular spectacle We look forward to the next season as it ought not be too difficult to create more excitement than in the one just pastWe did have the opportunity to hand over the envelopes and trophies to the Sentinel Fantasy Football game winners This year all the major winners from the Sentinel Fantasy Football League were unable to be present for the physical prize giving but the winner of the Gold Game and focus of this column was there to receive his prize for winning the master game in styleSo we retire the Gold Room until the beginning of the new football season See you all again then
96
sport
Matt Parker receives his third place and Manager of the Month prizes for the Sentinel Fantasy Football League
Charles Conneely Sentinel Fantasy Football League 2012-2013 Champion
97sport
wwwczechtourismcom
CZECH REPUBLIC - STUNNINGLY DIFFERENT
98
classifi eds
73city gem
74classifi eds
75classifi eds
classifi edsclassifi eds76
amsterdam city life
BrinG BaCK
Something that seems to have been watered down considerably in Amsterdamrsquos hospitality industry in recent years is independence of thought styling and designAll you have to do is walk around the city to note that way too many coffeesoup houses and cafeacutes are more or less identikit This also applies to many cafeacutes with unimaginative business leaders who open unoriginal looking spaces and hope that the use of white paint purple or blue lights and house music is all it takes
Luckily there is something brewing to save our days and nights I have come across cafeacute owners who are now seriously considering ending the arrangements they have with the giant drink suppliers There are actually no good arguments left for continuing with these huge multinationals as they are frankly more expensive at wholesale for the same A-class products than the supermarkets on every Amsterdammerrsquos street corner
It looks like space is being created for the smaller brewers to take up the supply of A-class beer to smaller establishments throughout the city The giants can keep their character-free tourist traps and those bars still able to benefit purely from their unbeatable locations throughout the city
The Sentinel says bring back better and more original businesses of scale within the local hospitality industry which will help more cafeacutes and bars not only to become distinguishable by the interior designs they will need to conjure but also through the variety of local and regional beers that could become part of their coherent identity The overriding benefit of such courageous thinking and action would be an immediate return to realistic and reasonable pricing for A-class beer in Amsterdam which remains the staple of the easy consumables as this recession drones on
By Denson Pierre
INDEPENDENT CAFeacuteSBARS
77
78star beer guide
Star Beer
The SentinelStar beer guide
lsquoDifferent beers can seem to weigh on the conscience as much as on the taste budsrsquo
Just like the changing of the seasons different beers can seem to weigh on the conscience as much as on the taste buds Ciney blond is a lovely almost effeminate tasting beer All light smooth fruitiness bolstered by substantial alcohol content
As the temperature increases it can even feel like a thirst quencher A nice session beer and one that could function as an entrance-level quality beer in terms of its complexity For advanced samplers it is a great lower platform to descend to after cruising the space occupied by the 8-plus percentage alcoholic beauties
Ciney blond is brewed by Alken-Maes Mechelen Belgium
By Denson Pierre
CINEY BLOND (7 ABV)
79star beer guide
We find the best most fun most typical exciting or local favourite restaurants etcetera in Amsterdam and bring them to you an easy way to feel like a local
Cafe Kostverloren 040606
Recommended
80recommended
EUROGIFTSXenonweg 9 3812 SZ Amersfoort
Tel 033 - 454 35 75 - Fax 033 - 454 35 79E-mail lmproefeurogiftsnl
Website wwweurogiftsnl
FILMPROEF
ORDERNUMMER 6021022ARTIKELNUMMER 65123
Ware grootte (indien uitgeprint)Kleur opdruk Wit
Mulligans Irish Music BarAmsterdamrsquos best address for live Irish music Five (5) nights a week Check our agenda for upcoming sessions Amstel 100 1017 AC Amsterdamwwwmulligansnl
Cafeacute KostverlorenCafeacute Kostverloren is a contemporary cafe offering the cosiness of a saloon an open kitchen and the intimacy of a living room The large terras is great for sunny days2e Kostverlorenkade 70 Amsterdamwwwcafekostverlorennl
ZestZest is fi ne food warm atmosphere and classy drinks with regular semi-acoustic (live) music and DJs (Thursday to Sunday) Amsterdamrsquos newest and freshestBilderdijkstraat 188 Amsterdamwwwfacebookcomclubzestnl
GollemGollemrsquos Proefl okaal Gollem and Gollem II represent the best addresses serving the fullest range of top Belgian Dutch and international beers in AmsterdamOvertoom 160-161wwwcafegollemnl
IncantoA restaurant with a classic Italian kitchen Venetian chef Simone Ambrosin is known for his pure and simple style of cooking with great feeling for nuanceAmstel 2 Amsterdamwwwrestaurant-incantonl
Planet RoseThe fi rst Caribbean restaurant in the Netherlands specialised in Jamaican cuisine The menu features a daily changing selectionNicolaas Beetsstraat 47 Amsterdamwwwplanetroseinfo
Cafe restaurant EdelCafe restaurant Edel is the perfect place for lunch dinner or to simply enjoy a drink Edel is a unique place in AmsterdamPostjesweg 1 1057 DT Amsterdamwwwedelamsterdamnl
Cafeacute OportoCafeacute Oporto is a traditional Amsterdam lsquobrown cafersquo Welcoming tourists and regular customers alike they offer televised sports wifi and a wide range of reasonably priced beers and spiritsZoutsteeg 1 1012 LX Amsterdamwwwcafeoportonet
BaxA cosy and friendly local cafeacute with a focus on special or interesting beers and good quality food Open 7 days a week with a professional kitchen offering a lunch and dinner serviceTen Katestraat 119 Amsterdamwwwcafebaxnl
To be seen and tasted Fun Drinking amp Music
To Be Seen and Tasted
Fun Drinking amp Music
Fun Drinking amp Music
Connoisseurs Delight
Connoisseurs Delight
Connoisseurs Delight
To Be Seen and Tasted
Neighbourhood cosy
Fun drinking and music
ParckGreat fun beautiful people and simply the best bar food in townOvertoom 428 Amsterdamwwwcafeparcknl
To be seen and tasted
Cafe de Toog1890rsquos grandeur fashioned into Amsterdam-West grand brown cafe-restaurant-cool Classy drinks and mealsNicolaas Beetsstraat 142 hs Amsterdam wwwcafedetoogcom
Opera Prima - Patisserie Bistro TraiteurThe best place in town for lunch exquisite high teas or brunches and all of your luxury catering both private and corporateKinkerstraat 228 Amsterdamwwwoperaprimanl
Recommended
81
Where is this inAmsterdamAnswer to sentinelpostgmailcom
82spotted
Room 2cfilm
ldquoCome on in boys the waterrsquos finerdquo This is arguably the best all-round and funny musical to come out of Hollywood in a generation and certainly one of the best three soundtracks of the same period George Clooney will never be as good or charming as he is here playing the accidental leader of a trio of chain gang escapees in the US south of the 1930s Spirituality meets the Ku Klux Klan all coloured by Virginia bluegrass
ldquoCall me Snakerdquo The coolest handle for a leading man (Kurt Russell) in any movie to date Here he is sent in on a heroic lsquoat all costrsquo one-man mission to rescue the president of the United States from the prison island Manhattan has become in a lsquofuturersquo representation of 1997 Air Force One has crashed there and the countdown is on Classic 1980s turn of the millennium dystopian vision with style pace and gadgetry
By dpmotions
By dpmotions
o Brother Where Art Thou (2000)
escape from new York (1981)
room2c83
84trends
lsquoTrends are great to join and surf like a once in a lifetime tsunamirsquo
By Dirkje Bakker-Pierre
Each and every micro-world has its own specific trends Take the fashion world for example where one day you have to wear high heels and round noses and the next itrsquos flat hairy elephant feet-like boots that must hug your feet Or take the automotive world where once upon a time you could never have enough chrome on your car or the food world where we have quietly moved from fast to green and wholesome or the TV world which used to be about fiction and is now more real than reality Some of these trends are great to join and surf like a once in a lifetime tsunami others can slip by unnoticed and others still keep bugging and bugging you even if you try to avoid them like the plague
The online world and specifically the social media universe eats through trends like a fat chick after a hunger strike Facebook in particular seems to move seamlessly from one hype to the next one day itrsquos pictures with fuzzy edges or a bit of a 1970s filter the next itrsquos a profile picture with you very consciously not looking into the camera (very spontaneously and naturally non-posing you might say) These are mostly harmless things if Irsquom honest and when everyone
stops liking them they fade away as quickly as the sun in our small wet country There is one trend however that has festered within Facebook from the very beginning and which seems to be gradually growing and growing without anyone ever liking the postshellip and I mean EVER
Yes I am talking about daily quotes words of wisdom holy quotes mesmerizingly philosophical quotes cheesy quotes religious quoteshellip How can I describe all of them in one easy sentence pieces of text from (famous) people (it can never be something you thought of yourself) that lsquodisclosersquo previously secret information about being happy in life (or at least previously secret to the person doing the posting I presume) In short texts that belong on tiles hanging on the wall in old Dutch peoplersquos toilets
Why
Here are a few I found in my news feed this week
ldquoA mind is like a parachute It doesnrsquot work if it is not openrdquo ndash Frank Zappa
ldquoIt is not because things are difficult that we do not dare it is because we do not dare that things are difficultrdquo ndash Seneca
ldquoIf you donrsquot take what you are doing seriously then nobody else willrdquo ndash Darryl Dlt Thomson
Bad trends would be good if they werenrsquot so bad
85trends
86classifi eds
87classifieds
One of my personal favourite gemstones is moonstone Itlsquos been around for centuries and is used in many cultures As suggested by its name the stone is highly associated with the moon and moon goddess Diana It brings calm peace and love and is said to become more powerful when the moon is full so thatlsquos the best time to wear it One proverb even claims that moonstone can bring you love that will fly you to the moon Spiritually this amazing stone is said to enhance intuition and is always associated with the self It is a very powerful personal stone which doesnlsquot add or remove any aspects of the personality but merely reflects the person wearing it It is said to be very
MoonstoneBy Evelina Kvartunaite
ndash
lsquoThe stone is highly associated with the moon and moon goddess Dianarsquo
ndash
helpful for people who are very sensitive and it is also used in meditation for reflecting oneself Itlsquos always best to charge your gem when the moon is shining at night either while wearing it or by leaving it on a windowsill that receives moonlight Moonstone is also used in healing and is known for balancing the internal organ systems enabling them to work in stable cycles Itlsquos usually more associated with women but is also known to help men embrace their more emotional side soft creative energies and optimism Perhaps understandably moonstone should have limited exposure to strong direct sunlight
ndash
lsquoIt is said to be very helpful for people who are very sensitiversquo
ndash
88
health amp well-being
ndash
lsquoMore associated with women but is also known to help men embrace their more emotional sidersquo
ndash
89health amp well-being
In his article Batin shows how learning how to use complex products is like learning a computer game Just like the challenges in video games match the skills of the user so should TV interactions or any UI interactions for that matter For reference Batin used the four levels described in the Dreyfus model of skill acquisition
Level 1 novicebullRigid adherence to taught rules or plansbullNo exercise of lsquodiscretionary judgmentrsquo
Level 2 Advanced beginnerbullLimited lsquosituational perceptionrsquobullAll aspects of work treated separately with equal importance
Philip Batin wrote an article a couple of months ago about the next big idea in User Interaction gadgets that adapt to your skills As gadgets become more complicated UIs must be able to teach their users over time Apparently more and more interactive products are being returned In 2002 48 of all returned products were technically fully functional but were rejected for failing to satisfy user needs 20 purely due to customer remorse Even though a product may have all the features one can hope for complexity and bad user experience can prevent users from integrating it into their lives
UserInterfaceThe next big thing in UX
lsquoUIs must be able to teach their users over timersquo
By Andrei Barburas
lsquoComplexity and bad user experience can prevent users from
integrating it into their livesrsquo
90
technology
book the majority of which you probably skipped through
Personally I believe that there are certain end users most likely the majority that use only a limited set of features from any device they buy Mobile phones have become indispensable tools in our daily activities yet the average Joe has no idea about the full potential of a smart phone The same applies to Smart TVs they can do lots of things yet the only thing that we do with them is flip channels and complain how bad the shows are
The bottom line is that itrsquos definitely something worth thinking about not only from an operating system perspective but also from the perspective of applications developers
Level 3 competentbulllsquoCoping with crowdednessrsquo (multiple activities accumulation of information)bullSome perception of actions in relation to goalsbullDeliberate planningbullFormulates routines
Level 4 ProficientbullHolistic view of situationbullPrioritizes importance of aspectsbulllsquoPerceives deviations from the normal patternrsquobullEmploys maxim for guidance with meanings that adapt to the situation at hand
Now just imagine a User Interface that adapts based on what you can do and the abilities you have As you learn new things new levels of complexity are unlocked opening the door to fully knowing your device because you learned by doing and not by reading a complicated
lsquoThe average Joe has no idea about the full potential of a
smart phonersquo
91technology
92classifi eds
93classifi eds
Not knowing what was happening in football was extremely annoying to put it mildly and it wasnrsquot just my own self-denial and avoidance of all things football that was a hindrance the extent to which I had to ask others to go in order to remain ignorant was much more excruciating than Irsquod ever imagined There may even be some damage done to football-related friendships that is irreparable I now feel as though Irsquom walking through an empty stadium after everyone else has gone home
So what now and where to next The season is well and truly over and Irsquom free to do whatever I want I could read the back-dated sports pages check all the stats and find out all the facts if I wanted to I could spend hours catching up on last season and speculating on the next with the friends Irsquove still got left down the pub if I wanted to I can follow all the transfer gossip watch pre-season friendlies and build up all my hopes But as with most addictions that would simply be falling back into a previous state of dependence and everything Irsquove just put myself through wouldrsquove been for nothing So how do I go back to an old habit without a total relapse or would it be better to keep abstaining
All my questions seem to be met with other questions and no solutions On the other hand if you ask me what
Someone once said that insanity is when you keep repeating the same behaviour and expect a different outcome most likely a psychologist aimed at his or her ailing patients But for me these words are more reminiscent of my own conduct over the course of a regular football season Week in week out season after season I would expect Tottenham to win something and more often than not Irsquod be left disappointed So I decided to stop No more football ndash at least not for one full season
The season 201213 is now over and during the whole nine months I didnrsquot watch a single moment of football or read a single article on the subject That was my challenge and I was committed to it What is more despite all the warning signs I didnrsquot relapse After a year of structured punishment I didnrsquot have a clue about what was going on in the English Premier League (or any other league) Only having picked up bits and pieces of information that somehow slipped through the net the past season was like a book with most of its pages missing
By Simon Joseph
On The Volley
The Return of the Repressed or the Point of No Return
lsquoInsanity is when you keep repeating the same behaviour and expect a different outcomersquo
sport
lsquoThe past season was like a book with most of its pages missingrsquo
94
lsquoThere may even be some damage done to football-related friendshipsrsquo
lsquoHas abstaining for a season changed mersquo
it until the cows come home but it was us who made those changes or at least allowed them to happen and those changes will continue to happen with or without me Perhaps then the questions I should be asking are has abstaining for a season changed me Am I still obsessed or have I broken the habit of a lifetime Is following football really that terrible or even a real addiction
One thing is certain this lack of resolution is not completely without satisfaction because like all forms of fixation or obsession therersquos comfort and familiarity to be found in repetition as Tottenham miss out on Championrsquos League football by a single point again The repressed will always return to haunt us or so it seems and before we know it the start of next season will be upon us There will be more pain no doubt and more joy This time however it will take more than a boot camp approach to keep me away and who knows Tottenham might even win the league Come on you Spurs
Tottenham Hotspur means I would still tell you that itrsquos not just a pretty football package itrsquos about kith and kin not just where I came from but how I relate to others around me in the here and now Whatrsquos more millions of people are attracted to football they hunger for it and yearn to connect with it even though I still believe itrsquos a form of ineffective escape from one unsatisfying reality to another Following football is a classic example of cognitive dissonance ndash when you simultaneously entertain two opposing thoughts that appear to cancel each other out Before the start of each season for example we all want our club to win everything or to be taken over by billionaires but know that itrsquos impossible or in the latter case controversial and even undesirable So we invent ways to cope We develop a so-called lsquosiege mentalityrsquo or other harmful patterns of behaviour to relieve the discomfort of incongruity With this in mind the past year was supposed to be an exercise in behaviour modification ndash to discover the root of the problem and treat it effectively But one year on have I really discovered anything at all
The English Premier League whether you watch it or not is still probably the most exciting football league in the world We can complain about the changes made to
sport9
5
By Denson Pierre
The Gold Room
Fantasy Football Gold ndash Champions League 2012-2013 winner Denson Pierre and his prizes
The season petered out in an all-German Champions League Final which did nothing to dispel the record that this was a season of too few new stars or regular spectacle We look forward to the next season as it ought not be too difficult to create more excitement than in the one just pastWe did have the opportunity to hand over the envelopes and trophies to the Sentinel Fantasy Football game winners This year all the major winners from the Sentinel Fantasy Football League were unable to be present for the physical prize giving but the winner of the Gold Game and focus of this column was there to receive his prize for winning the master game in styleSo we retire the Gold Room until the beginning of the new football season See you all again then
96
sport
Matt Parker receives his third place and Manager of the Month prizes for the Sentinel Fantasy Football League
Charles Conneely Sentinel Fantasy Football League 2012-2013 Champion
97sport
wwwczechtourismcom
CZECH REPUBLIC - STUNNINGLY DIFFERENT
98
classifi eds
74classifi eds
75classifi eds
classifi edsclassifi eds76
amsterdam city life
BrinG BaCK
Something that seems to have been watered down considerably in Amsterdamrsquos hospitality industry in recent years is independence of thought styling and designAll you have to do is walk around the city to note that way too many coffeesoup houses and cafeacutes are more or less identikit This also applies to many cafeacutes with unimaginative business leaders who open unoriginal looking spaces and hope that the use of white paint purple or blue lights and house music is all it takes
Luckily there is something brewing to save our days and nights I have come across cafeacute owners who are now seriously considering ending the arrangements they have with the giant drink suppliers There are actually no good arguments left for continuing with these huge multinationals as they are frankly more expensive at wholesale for the same A-class products than the supermarkets on every Amsterdammerrsquos street corner
It looks like space is being created for the smaller brewers to take up the supply of A-class beer to smaller establishments throughout the city The giants can keep their character-free tourist traps and those bars still able to benefit purely from their unbeatable locations throughout the city
The Sentinel says bring back better and more original businesses of scale within the local hospitality industry which will help more cafeacutes and bars not only to become distinguishable by the interior designs they will need to conjure but also through the variety of local and regional beers that could become part of their coherent identity The overriding benefit of such courageous thinking and action would be an immediate return to realistic and reasonable pricing for A-class beer in Amsterdam which remains the staple of the easy consumables as this recession drones on
By Denson Pierre
INDEPENDENT CAFeacuteSBARS
77
78star beer guide
Star Beer
The SentinelStar beer guide
lsquoDifferent beers can seem to weigh on the conscience as much as on the taste budsrsquo
Just like the changing of the seasons different beers can seem to weigh on the conscience as much as on the taste buds Ciney blond is a lovely almost effeminate tasting beer All light smooth fruitiness bolstered by substantial alcohol content
As the temperature increases it can even feel like a thirst quencher A nice session beer and one that could function as an entrance-level quality beer in terms of its complexity For advanced samplers it is a great lower platform to descend to after cruising the space occupied by the 8-plus percentage alcoholic beauties
Ciney blond is brewed by Alken-Maes Mechelen Belgium
By Denson Pierre
CINEY BLOND (7 ABV)
79star beer guide
We find the best most fun most typical exciting or local favourite restaurants etcetera in Amsterdam and bring them to you an easy way to feel like a local
Cafe Kostverloren 040606
Recommended
80recommended
EUROGIFTSXenonweg 9 3812 SZ Amersfoort
Tel 033 - 454 35 75 - Fax 033 - 454 35 79E-mail lmproefeurogiftsnl
Website wwweurogiftsnl
FILMPROEF
ORDERNUMMER 6021022ARTIKELNUMMER 65123
Ware grootte (indien uitgeprint)Kleur opdruk Wit
Mulligans Irish Music BarAmsterdamrsquos best address for live Irish music Five (5) nights a week Check our agenda for upcoming sessions Amstel 100 1017 AC Amsterdamwwwmulligansnl
Cafeacute KostverlorenCafeacute Kostverloren is a contemporary cafe offering the cosiness of a saloon an open kitchen and the intimacy of a living room The large terras is great for sunny days2e Kostverlorenkade 70 Amsterdamwwwcafekostverlorennl
ZestZest is fi ne food warm atmosphere and classy drinks with regular semi-acoustic (live) music and DJs (Thursday to Sunday) Amsterdamrsquos newest and freshestBilderdijkstraat 188 Amsterdamwwwfacebookcomclubzestnl
GollemGollemrsquos Proefl okaal Gollem and Gollem II represent the best addresses serving the fullest range of top Belgian Dutch and international beers in AmsterdamOvertoom 160-161wwwcafegollemnl
IncantoA restaurant with a classic Italian kitchen Venetian chef Simone Ambrosin is known for his pure and simple style of cooking with great feeling for nuanceAmstel 2 Amsterdamwwwrestaurant-incantonl
Planet RoseThe fi rst Caribbean restaurant in the Netherlands specialised in Jamaican cuisine The menu features a daily changing selectionNicolaas Beetsstraat 47 Amsterdamwwwplanetroseinfo
Cafe restaurant EdelCafe restaurant Edel is the perfect place for lunch dinner or to simply enjoy a drink Edel is a unique place in AmsterdamPostjesweg 1 1057 DT Amsterdamwwwedelamsterdamnl
Cafeacute OportoCafeacute Oporto is a traditional Amsterdam lsquobrown cafersquo Welcoming tourists and regular customers alike they offer televised sports wifi and a wide range of reasonably priced beers and spiritsZoutsteeg 1 1012 LX Amsterdamwwwcafeoportonet
BaxA cosy and friendly local cafeacute with a focus on special or interesting beers and good quality food Open 7 days a week with a professional kitchen offering a lunch and dinner serviceTen Katestraat 119 Amsterdamwwwcafebaxnl
To be seen and tasted Fun Drinking amp Music
To Be Seen and Tasted
Fun Drinking amp Music
Fun Drinking amp Music
Connoisseurs Delight
Connoisseurs Delight
Connoisseurs Delight
To Be Seen and Tasted
Neighbourhood cosy
Fun drinking and music
ParckGreat fun beautiful people and simply the best bar food in townOvertoom 428 Amsterdamwwwcafeparcknl
To be seen and tasted
Cafe de Toog1890rsquos grandeur fashioned into Amsterdam-West grand brown cafe-restaurant-cool Classy drinks and mealsNicolaas Beetsstraat 142 hs Amsterdam wwwcafedetoogcom
Opera Prima - Patisserie Bistro TraiteurThe best place in town for lunch exquisite high teas or brunches and all of your luxury catering both private and corporateKinkerstraat 228 Amsterdamwwwoperaprimanl
Recommended
81
Where is this inAmsterdamAnswer to sentinelpostgmailcom
82spotted
Room 2cfilm
ldquoCome on in boys the waterrsquos finerdquo This is arguably the best all-round and funny musical to come out of Hollywood in a generation and certainly one of the best three soundtracks of the same period George Clooney will never be as good or charming as he is here playing the accidental leader of a trio of chain gang escapees in the US south of the 1930s Spirituality meets the Ku Klux Klan all coloured by Virginia bluegrass
ldquoCall me Snakerdquo The coolest handle for a leading man (Kurt Russell) in any movie to date Here he is sent in on a heroic lsquoat all costrsquo one-man mission to rescue the president of the United States from the prison island Manhattan has become in a lsquofuturersquo representation of 1997 Air Force One has crashed there and the countdown is on Classic 1980s turn of the millennium dystopian vision with style pace and gadgetry
By dpmotions
By dpmotions
o Brother Where Art Thou (2000)
escape from new York (1981)
room2c83
84trends
lsquoTrends are great to join and surf like a once in a lifetime tsunamirsquo
By Dirkje Bakker-Pierre
Each and every micro-world has its own specific trends Take the fashion world for example where one day you have to wear high heels and round noses and the next itrsquos flat hairy elephant feet-like boots that must hug your feet Or take the automotive world where once upon a time you could never have enough chrome on your car or the food world where we have quietly moved from fast to green and wholesome or the TV world which used to be about fiction and is now more real than reality Some of these trends are great to join and surf like a once in a lifetime tsunami others can slip by unnoticed and others still keep bugging and bugging you even if you try to avoid them like the plague
The online world and specifically the social media universe eats through trends like a fat chick after a hunger strike Facebook in particular seems to move seamlessly from one hype to the next one day itrsquos pictures with fuzzy edges or a bit of a 1970s filter the next itrsquos a profile picture with you very consciously not looking into the camera (very spontaneously and naturally non-posing you might say) These are mostly harmless things if Irsquom honest and when everyone
stops liking them they fade away as quickly as the sun in our small wet country There is one trend however that has festered within Facebook from the very beginning and which seems to be gradually growing and growing without anyone ever liking the postshellip and I mean EVER
Yes I am talking about daily quotes words of wisdom holy quotes mesmerizingly philosophical quotes cheesy quotes religious quoteshellip How can I describe all of them in one easy sentence pieces of text from (famous) people (it can never be something you thought of yourself) that lsquodisclosersquo previously secret information about being happy in life (or at least previously secret to the person doing the posting I presume) In short texts that belong on tiles hanging on the wall in old Dutch peoplersquos toilets
Why
Here are a few I found in my news feed this week
ldquoA mind is like a parachute It doesnrsquot work if it is not openrdquo ndash Frank Zappa
ldquoIt is not because things are difficult that we do not dare it is because we do not dare that things are difficultrdquo ndash Seneca
ldquoIf you donrsquot take what you are doing seriously then nobody else willrdquo ndash Darryl Dlt Thomson
Bad trends would be good if they werenrsquot so bad
85trends
86classifi eds
87classifieds
One of my personal favourite gemstones is moonstone Itlsquos been around for centuries and is used in many cultures As suggested by its name the stone is highly associated with the moon and moon goddess Diana It brings calm peace and love and is said to become more powerful when the moon is full so thatlsquos the best time to wear it One proverb even claims that moonstone can bring you love that will fly you to the moon Spiritually this amazing stone is said to enhance intuition and is always associated with the self It is a very powerful personal stone which doesnlsquot add or remove any aspects of the personality but merely reflects the person wearing it It is said to be very
MoonstoneBy Evelina Kvartunaite
ndash
lsquoThe stone is highly associated with the moon and moon goddess Dianarsquo
ndash
helpful for people who are very sensitive and it is also used in meditation for reflecting oneself Itlsquos always best to charge your gem when the moon is shining at night either while wearing it or by leaving it on a windowsill that receives moonlight Moonstone is also used in healing and is known for balancing the internal organ systems enabling them to work in stable cycles Itlsquos usually more associated with women but is also known to help men embrace their more emotional side soft creative energies and optimism Perhaps understandably moonstone should have limited exposure to strong direct sunlight
ndash
lsquoIt is said to be very helpful for people who are very sensitiversquo
ndash
88
health amp well-being
ndash
lsquoMore associated with women but is also known to help men embrace their more emotional sidersquo
ndash
89health amp well-being
In his article Batin shows how learning how to use complex products is like learning a computer game Just like the challenges in video games match the skills of the user so should TV interactions or any UI interactions for that matter For reference Batin used the four levels described in the Dreyfus model of skill acquisition
Level 1 novicebullRigid adherence to taught rules or plansbullNo exercise of lsquodiscretionary judgmentrsquo
Level 2 Advanced beginnerbullLimited lsquosituational perceptionrsquobullAll aspects of work treated separately with equal importance
Philip Batin wrote an article a couple of months ago about the next big idea in User Interaction gadgets that adapt to your skills As gadgets become more complicated UIs must be able to teach their users over time Apparently more and more interactive products are being returned In 2002 48 of all returned products were technically fully functional but were rejected for failing to satisfy user needs 20 purely due to customer remorse Even though a product may have all the features one can hope for complexity and bad user experience can prevent users from integrating it into their lives
UserInterfaceThe next big thing in UX
lsquoUIs must be able to teach their users over timersquo
By Andrei Barburas
lsquoComplexity and bad user experience can prevent users from
integrating it into their livesrsquo
90
technology
book the majority of which you probably skipped through
Personally I believe that there are certain end users most likely the majority that use only a limited set of features from any device they buy Mobile phones have become indispensable tools in our daily activities yet the average Joe has no idea about the full potential of a smart phone The same applies to Smart TVs they can do lots of things yet the only thing that we do with them is flip channels and complain how bad the shows are
The bottom line is that itrsquos definitely something worth thinking about not only from an operating system perspective but also from the perspective of applications developers
Level 3 competentbulllsquoCoping with crowdednessrsquo (multiple activities accumulation of information)bullSome perception of actions in relation to goalsbullDeliberate planningbullFormulates routines
Level 4 ProficientbullHolistic view of situationbullPrioritizes importance of aspectsbulllsquoPerceives deviations from the normal patternrsquobullEmploys maxim for guidance with meanings that adapt to the situation at hand
Now just imagine a User Interface that adapts based on what you can do and the abilities you have As you learn new things new levels of complexity are unlocked opening the door to fully knowing your device because you learned by doing and not by reading a complicated
lsquoThe average Joe has no idea about the full potential of a
smart phonersquo
91technology
92classifi eds
93classifi eds
Not knowing what was happening in football was extremely annoying to put it mildly and it wasnrsquot just my own self-denial and avoidance of all things football that was a hindrance the extent to which I had to ask others to go in order to remain ignorant was much more excruciating than Irsquod ever imagined There may even be some damage done to football-related friendships that is irreparable I now feel as though Irsquom walking through an empty stadium after everyone else has gone home
So what now and where to next The season is well and truly over and Irsquom free to do whatever I want I could read the back-dated sports pages check all the stats and find out all the facts if I wanted to I could spend hours catching up on last season and speculating on the next with the friends Irsquove still got left down the pub if I wanted to I can follow all the transfer gossip watch pre-season friendlies and build up all my hopes But as with most addictions that would simply be falling back into a previous state of dependence and everything Irsquove just put myself through wouldrsquove been for nothing So how do I go back to an old habit without a total relapse or would it be better to keep abstaining
All my questions seem to be met with other questions and no solutions On the other hand if you ask me what
Someone once said that insanity is when you keep repeating the same behaviour and expect a different outcome most likely a psychologist aimed at his or her ailing patients But for me these words are more reminiscent of my own conduct over the course of a regular football season Week in week out season after season I would expect Tottenham to win something and more often than not Irsquod be left disappointed So I decided to stop No more football ndash at least not for one full season
The season 201213 is now over and during the whole nine months I didnrsquot watch a single moment of football or read a single article on the subject That was my challenge and I was committed to it What is more despite all the warning signs I didnrsquot relapse After a year of structured punishment I didnrsquot have a clue about what was going on in the English Premier League (or any other league) Only having picked up bits and pieces of information that somehow slipped through the net the past season was like a book with most of its pages missing
By Simon Joseph
On The Volley
The Return of the Repressed or the Point of No Return
lsquoInsanity is when you keep repeating the same behaviour and expect a different outcomersquo
sport
lsquoThe past season was like a book with most of its pages missingrsquo
94
lsquoThere may even be some damage done to football-related friendshipsrsquo
lsquoHas abstaining for a season changed mersquo
it until the cows come home but it was us who made those changes or at least allowed them to happen and those changes will continue to happen with or without me Perhaps then the questions I should be asking are has abstaining for a season changed me Am I still obsessed or have I broken the habit of a lifetime Is following football really that terrible or even a real addiction
One thing is certain this lack of resolution is not completely without satisfaction because like all forms of fixation or obsession therersquos comfort and familiarity to be found in repetition as Tottenham miss out on Championrsquos League football by a single point again The repressed will always return to haunt us or so it seems and before we know it the start of next season will be upon us There will be more pain no doubt and more joy This time however it will take more than a boot camp approach to keep me away and who knows Tottenham might even win the league Come on you Spurs
Tottenham Hotspur means I would still tell you that itrsquos not just a pretty football package itrsquos about kith and kin not just where I came from but how I relate to others around me in the here and now Whatrsquos more millions of people are attracted to football they hunger for it and yearn to connect with it even though I still believe itrsquos a form of ineffective escape from one unsatisfying reality to another Following football is a classic example of cognitive dissonance ndash when you simultaneously entertain two opposing thoughts that appear to cancel each other out Before the start of each season for example we all want our club to win everything or to be taken over by billionaires but know that itrsquos impossible or in the latter case controversial and even undesirable So we invent ways to cope We develop a so-called lsquosiege mentalityrsquo or other harmful patterns of behaviour to relieve the discomfort of incongruity With this in mind the past year was supposed to be an exercise in behaviour modification ndash to discover the root of the problem and treat it effectively But one year on have I really discovered anything at all
The English Premier League whether you watch it or not is still probably the most exciting football league in the world We can complain about the changes made to
sport9
5
By Denson Pierre
The Gold Room
Fantasy Football Gold ndash Champions League 2012-2013 winner Denson Pierre and his prizes
The season petered out in an all-German Champions League Final which did nothing to dispel the record that this was a season of too few new stars or regular spectacle We look forward to the next season as it ought not be too difficult to create more excitement than in the one just pastWe did have the opportunity to hand over the envelopes and trophies to the Sentinel Fantasy Football game winners This year all the major winners from the Sentinel Fantasy Football League were unable to be present for the physical prize giving but the winner of the Gold Game and focus of this column was there to receive his prize for winning the master game in styleSo we retire the Gold Room until the beginning of the new football season See you all again then
96
sport
Matt Parker receives his third place and Manager of the Month prizes for the Sentinel Fantasy Football League
Charles Conneely Sentinel Fantasy Football League 2012-2013 Champion
97sport
wwwczechtourismcom
CZECH REPUBLIC - STUNNINGLY DIFFERENT
98
classifi eds
75classifi eds
classifi edsclassifi eds76
amsterdam city life
BrinG BaCK
Something that seems to have been watered down considerably in Amsterdamrsquos hospitality industry in recent years is independence of thought styling and designAll you have to do is walk around the city to note that way too many coffeesoup houses and cafeacutes are more or less identikit This also applies to many cafeacutes with unimaginative business leaders who open unoriginal looking spaces and hope that the use of white paint purple or blue lights and house music is all it takes
Luckily there is something brewing to save our days and nights I have come across cafeacute owners who are now seriously considering ending the arrangements they have with the giant drink suppliers There are actually no good arguments left for continuing with these huge multinationals as they are frankly more expensive at wholesale for the same A-class products than the supermarkets on every Amsterdammerrsquos street corner
It looks like space is being created for the smaller brewers to take up the supply of A-class beer to smaller establishments throughout the city The giants can keep their character-free tourist traps and those bars still able to benefit purely from their unbeatable locations throughout the city
The Sentinel says bring back better and more original businesses of scale within the local hospitality industry which will help more cafeacutes and bars not only to become distinguishable by the interior designs they will need to conjure but also through the variety of local and regional beers that could become part of their coherent identity The overriding benefit of such courageous thinking and action would be an immediate return to realistic and reasonable pricing for A-class beer in Amsterdam which remains the staple of the easy consumables as this recession drones on
By Denson Pierre
INDEPENDENT CAFeacuteSBARS
77
78star beer guide
Star Beer
The SentinelStar beer guide
lsquoDifferent beers can seem to weigh on the conscience as much as on the taste budsrsquo
Just like the changing of the seasons different beers can seem to weigh on the conscience as much as on the taste buds Ciney blond is a lovely almost effeminate tasting beer All light smooth fruitiness bolstered by substantial alcohol content
As the temperature increases it can even feel like a thirst quencher A nice session beer and one that could function as an entrance-level quality beer in terms of its complexity For advanced samplers it is a great lower platform to descend to after cruising the space occupied by the 8-plus percentage alcoholic beauties
Ciney blond is brewed by Alken-Maes Mechelen Belgium
By Denson Pierre
CINEY BLOND (7 ABV)
79star beer guide
We find the best most fun most typical exciting or local favourite restaurants etcetera in Amsterdam and bring them to you an easy way to feel like a local
Cafe Kostverloren 040606
Recommended
80recommended
EUROGIFTSXenonweg 9 3812 SZ Amersfoort
Tel 033 - 454 35 75 - Fax 033 - 454 35 79E-mail lmproefeurogiftsnl
Website wwweurogiftsnl
FILMPROEF
ORDERNUMMER 6021022ARTIKELNUMMER 65123
Ware grootte (indien uitgeprint)Kleur opdruk Wit
Mulligans Irish Music BarAmsterdamrsquos best address for live Irish music Five (5) nights a week Check our agenda for upcoming sessions Amstel 100 1017 AC Amsterdamwwwmulligansnl
Cafeacute KostverlorenCafeacute Kostverloren is a contemporary cafe offering the cosiness of a saloon an open kitchen and the intimacy of a living room The large terras is great for sunny days2e Kostverlorenkade 70 Amsterdamwwwcafekostverlorennl
ZestZest is fi ne food warm atmosphere and classy drinks with regular semi-acoustic (live) music and DJs (Thursday to Sunday) Amsterdamrsquos newest and freshestBilderdijkstraat 188 Amsterdamwwwfacebookcomclubzestnl
GollemGollemrsquos Proefl okaal Gollem and Gollem II represent the best addresses serving the fullest range of top Belgian Dutch and international beers in AmsterdamOvertoom 160-161wwwcafegollemnl
IncantoA restaurant with a classic Italian kitchen Venetian chef Simone Ambrosin is known for his pure and simple style of cooking with great feeling for nuanceAmstel 2 Amsterdamwwwrestaurant-incantonl
Planet RoseThe fi rst Caribbean restaurant in the Netherlands specialised in Jamaican cuisine The menu features a daily changing selectionNicolaas Beetsstraat 47 Amsterdamwwwplanetroseinfo
Cafe restaurant EdelCafe restaurant Edel is the perfect place for lunch dinner or to simply enjoy a drink Edel is a unique place in AmsterdamPostjesweg 1 1057 DT Amsterdamwwwedelamsterdamnl
Cafeacute OportoCafeacute Oporto is a traditional Amsterdam lsquobrown cafersquo Welcoming tourists and regular customers alike they offer televised sports wifi and a wide range of reasonably priced beers and spiritsZoutsteeg 1 1012 LX Amsterdamwwwcafeoportonet
BaxA cosy and friendly local cafeacute with a focus on special or interesting beers and good quality food Open 7 days a week with a professional kitchen offering a lunch and dinner serviceTen Katestraat 119 Amsterdamwwwcafebaxnl
To be seen and tasted Fun Drinking amp Music
To Be Seen and Tasted
Fun Drinking amp Music
Fun Drinking amp Music
Connoisseurs Delight
Connoisseurs Delight
Connoisseurs Delight
To Be Seen and Tasted
Neighbourhood cosy
Fun drinking and music
ParckGreat fun beautiful people and simply the best bar food in townOvertoom 428 Amsterdamwwwcafeparcknl
To be seen and tasted
Cafe de Toog1890rsquos grandeur fashioned into Amsterdam-West grand brown cafe-restaurant-cool Classy drinks and mealsNicolaas Beetsstraat 142 hs Amsterdam wwwcafedetoogcom
Opera Prima - Patisserie Bistro TraiteurThe best place in town for lunch exquisite high teas or brunches and all of your luxury catering both private and corporateKinkerstraat 228 Amsterdamwwwoperaprimanl
Recommended
81
Where is this inAmsterdamAnswer to sentinelpostgmailcom
82spotted
Room 2cfilm
ldquoCome on in boys the waterrsquos finerdquo This is arguably the best all-round and funny musical to come out of Hollywood in a generation and certainly one of the best three soundtracks of the same period George Clooney will never be as good or charming as he is here playing the accidental leader of a trio of chain gang escapees in the US south of the 1930s Spirituality meets the Ku Klux Klan all coloured by Virginia bluegrass
ldquoCall me Snakerdquo The coolest handle for a leading man (Kurt Russell) in any movie to date Here he is sent in on a heroic lsquoat all costrsquo one-man mission to rescue the president of the United States from the prison island Manhattan has become in a lsquofuturersquo representation of 1997 Air Force One has crashed there and the countdown is on Classic 1980s turn of the millennium dystopian vision with style pace and gadgetry
By dpmotions
By dpmotions
o Brother Where Art Thou (2000)
escape from new York (1981)
room2c83
84trends
lsquoTrends are great to join and surf like a once in a lifetime tsunamirsquo
By Dirkje Bakker-Pierre
Each and every micro-world has its own specific trends Take the fashion world for example where one day you have to wear high heels and round noses and the next itrsquos flat hairy elephant feet-like boots that must hug your feet Or take the automotive world where once upon a time you could never have enough chrome on your car or the food world where we have quietly moved from fast to green and wholesome or the TV world which used to be about fiction and is now more real than reality Some of these trends are great to join and surf like a once in a lifetime tsunami others can slip by unnoticed and others still keep bugging and bugging you even if you try to avoid them like the plague
The online world and specifically the social media universe eats through trends like a fat chick after a hunger strike Facebook in particular seems to move seamlessly from one hype to the next one day itrsquos pictures with fuzzy edges or a bit of a 1970s filter the next itrsquos a profile picture with you very consciously not looking into the camera (very spontaneously and naturally non-posing you might say) These are mostly harmless things if Irsquom honest and when everyone
stops liking them they fade away as quickly as the sun in our small wet country There is one trend however that has festered within Facebook from the very beginning and which seems to be gradually growing and growing without anyone ever liking the postshellip and I mean EVER
Yes I am talking about daily quotes words of wisdom holy quotes mesmerizingly philosophical quotes cheesy quotes religious quoteshellip How can I describe all of them in one easy sentence pieces of text from (famous) people (it can never be something you thought of yourself) that lsquodisclosersquo previously secret information about being happy in life (or at least previously secret to the person doing the posting I presume) In short texts that belong on tiles hanging on the wall in old Dutch peoplersquos toilets
Why
Here are a few I found in my news feed this week
ldquoA mind is like a parachute It doesnrsquot work if it is not openrdquo ndash Frank Zappa
ldquoIt is not because things are difficult that we do not dare it is because we do not dare that things are difficultrdquo ndash Seneca
ldquoIf you donrsquot take what you are doing seriously then nobody else willrdquo ndash Darryl Dlt Thomson
Bad trends would be good if they werenrsquot so bad
85trends
86classifi eds
87classifieds
One of my personal favourite gemstones is moonstone Itlsquos been around for centuries and is used in many cultures As suggested by its name the stone is highly associated with the moon and moon goddess Diana It brings calm peace and love and is said to become more powerful when the moon is full so thatlsquos the best time to wear it One proverb even claims that moonstone can bring you love that will fly you to the moon Spiritually this amazing stone is said to enhance intuition and is always associated with the self It is a very powerful personal stone which doesnlsquot add or remove any aspects of the personality but merely reflects the person wearing it It is said to be very
MoonstoneBy Evelina Kvartunaite
ndash
lsquoThe stone is highly associated with the moon and moon goddess Dianarsquo
ndash
helpful for people who are very sensitive and it is also used in meditation for reflecting oneself Itlsquos always best to charge your gem when the moon is shining at night either while wearing it or by leaving it on a windowsill that receives moonlight Moonstone is also used in healing and is known for balancing the internal organ systems enabling them to work in stable cycles Itlsquos usually more associated with women but is also known to help men embrace their more emotional side soft creative energies and optimism Perhaps understandably moonstone should have limited exposure to strong direct sunlight
ndash
lsquoIt is said to be very helpful for people who are very sensitiversquo
ndash
88
health amp well-being
ndash
lsquoMore associated with women but is also known to help men embrace their more emotional sidersquo
ndash
89health amp well-being
In his article Batin shows how learning how to use complex products is like learning a computer game Just like the challenges in video games match the skills of the user so should TV interactions or any UI interactions for that matter For reference Batin used the four levels described in the Dreyfus model of skill acquisition
Level 1 novicebullRigid adherence to taught rules or plansbullNo exercise of lsquodiscretionary judgmentrsquo
Level 2 Advanced beginnerbullLimited lsquosituational perceptionrsquobullAll aspects of work treated separately with equal importance
Philip Batin wrote an article a couple of months ago about the next big idea in User Interaction gadgets that adapt to your skills As gadgets become more complicated UIs must be able to teach their users over time Apparently more and more interactive products are being returned In 2002 48 of all returned products were technically fully functional but were rejected for failing to satisfy user needs 20 purely due to customer remorse Even though a product may have all the features one can hope for complexity and bad user experience can prevent users from integrating it into their lives
UserInterfaceThe next big thing in UX
lsquoUIs must be able to teach their users over timersquo
By Andrei Barburas
lsquoComplexity and bad user experience can prevent users from
integrating it into their livesrsquo
90
technology
book the majority of which you probably skipped through
Personally I believe that there are certain end users most likely the majority that use only a limited set of features from any device they buy Mobile phones have become indispensable tools in our daily activities yet the average Joe has no idea about the full potential of a smart phone The same applies to Smart TVs they can do lots of things yet the only thing that we do with them is flip channels and complain how bad the shows are
The bottom line is that itrsquos definitely something worth thinking about not only from an operating system perspective but also from the perspective of applications developers
Level 3 competentbulllsquoCoping with crowdednessrsquo (multiple activities accumulation of information)bullSome perception of actions in relation to goalsbullDeliberate planningbullFormulates routines
Level 4 ProficientbullHolistic view of situationbullPrioritizes importance of aspectsbulllsquoPerceives deviations from the normal patternrsquobullEmploys maxim for guidance with meanings that adapt to the situation at hand
Now just imagine a User Interface that adapts based on what you can do and the abilities you have As you learn new things new levels of complexity are unlocked opening the door to fully knowing your device because you learned by doing and not by reading a complicated
lsquoThe average Joe has no idea about the full potential of a
smart phonersquo
91technology
92classifi eds
93classifi eds
Not knowing what was happening in football was extremely annoying to put it mildly and it wasnrsquot just my own self-denial and avoidance of all things football that was a hindrance the extent to which I had to ask others to go in order to remain ignorant was much more excruciating than Irsquod ever imagined There may even be some damage done to football-related friendships that is irreparable I now feel as though Irsquom walking through an empty stadium after everyone else has gone home
So what now and where to next The season is well and truly over and Irsquom free to do whatever I want I could read the back-dated sports pages check all the stats and find out all the facts if I wanted to I could spend hours catching up on last season and speculating on the next with the friends Irsquove still got left down the pub if I wanted to I can follow all the transfer gossip watch pre-season friendlies and build up all my hopes But as with most addictions that would simply be falling back into a previous state of dependence and everything Irsquove just put myself through wouldrsquove been for nothing So how do I go back to an old habit without a total relapse or would it be better to keep abstaining
All my questions seem to be met with other questions and no solutions On the other hand if you ask me what
Someone once said that insanity is when you keep repeating the same behaviour and expect a different outcome most likely a psychologist aimed at his or her ailing patients But for me these words are more reminiscent of my own conduct over the course of a regular football season Week in week out season after season I would expect Tottenham to win something and more often than not Irsquod be left disappointed So I decided to stop No more football ndash at least not for one full season
The season 201213 is now over and during the whole nine months I didnrsquot watch a single moment of football or read a single article on the subject That was my challenge and I was committed to it What is more despite all the warning signs I didnrsquot relapse After a year of structured punishment I didnrsquot have a clue about what was going on in the English Premier League (or any other league) Only having picked up bits and pieces of information that somehow slipped through the net the past season was like a book with most of its pages missing
By Simon Joseph
On The Volley
The Return of the Repressed or the Point of No Return
lsquoInsanity is when you keep repeating the same behaviour and expect a different outcomersquo
sport
lsquoThe past season was like a book with most of its pages missingrsquo
94
lsquoThere may even be some damage done to football-related friendshipsrsquo
lsquoHas abstaining for a season changed mersquo
it until the cows come home but it was us who made those changes or at least allowed them to happen and those changes will continue to happen with or without me Perhaps then the questions I should be asking are has abstaining for a season changed me Am I still obsessed or have I broken the habit of a lifetime Is following football really that terrible or even a real addiction
One thing is certain this lack of resolution is not completely without satisfaction because like all forms of fixation or obsession therersquos comfort and familiarity to be found in repetition as Tottenham miss out on Championrsquos League football by a single point again The repressed will always return to haunt us or so it seems and before we know it the start of next season will be upon us There will be more pain no doubt and more joy This time however it will take more than a boot camp approach to keep me away and who knows Tottenham might even win the league Come on you Spurs
Tottenham Hotspur means I would still tell you that itrsquos not just a pretty football package itrsquos about kith and kin not just where I came from but how I relate to others around me in the here and now Whatrsquos more millions of people are attracted to football they hunger for it and yearn to connect with it even though I still believe itrsquos a form of ineffective escape from one unsatisfying reality to another Following football is a classic example of cognitive dissonance ndash when you simultaneously entertain two opposing thoughts that appear to cancel each other out Before the start of each season for example we all want our club to win everything or to be taken over by billionaires but know that itrsquos impossible or in the latter case controversial and even undesirable So we invent ways to cope We develop a so-called lsquosiege mentalityrsquo or other harmful patterns of behaviour to relieve the discomfort of incongruity With this in mind the past year was supposed to be an exercise in behaviour modification ndash to discover the root of the problem and treat it effectively But one year on have I really discovered anything at all
The English Premier League whether you watch it or not is still probably the most exciting football league in the world We can complain about the changes made to
sport9
5
By Denson Pierre
The Gold Room
Fantasy Football Gold ndash Champions League 2012-2013 winner Denson Pierre and his prizes
The season petered out in an all-German Champions League Final which did nothing to dispel the record that this was a season of too few new stars or regular spectacle We look forward to the next season as it ought not be too difficult to create more excitement than in the one just pastWe did have the opportunity to hand over the envelopes and trophies to the Sentinel Fantasy Football game winners This year all the major winners from the Sentinel Fantasy Football League were unable to be present for the physical prize giving but the winner of the Gold Game and focus of this column was there to receive his prize for winning the master game in styleSo we retire the Gold Room until the beginning of the new football season See you all again then
96
sport
Matt Parker receives his third place and Manager of the Month prizes for the Sentinel Fantasy Football League
Charles Conneely Sentinel Fantasy Football League 2012-2013 Champion
97sport
wwwczechtourismcom
CZECH REPUBLIC - STUNNINGLY DIFFERENT
98
classifi eds
classifi edsclassifi eds76
amsterdam city life
BrinG BaCK
Something that seems to have been watered down considerably in Amsterdamrsquos hospitality industry in recent years is independence of thought styling and designAll you have to do is walk around the city to note that way too many coffeesoup houses and cafeacutes are more or less identikit This also applies to many cafeacutes with unimaginative business leaders who open unoriginal looking spaces and hope that the use of white paint purple or blue lights and house music is all it takes
Luckily there is something brewing to save our days and nights I have come across cafeacute owners who are now seriously considering ending the arrangements they have with the giant drink suppliers There are actually no good arguments left for continuing with these huge multinationals as they are frankly more expensive at wholesale for the same A-class products than the supermarkets on every Amsterdammerrsquos street corner
It looks like space is being created for the smaller brewers to take up the supply of A-class beer to smaller establishments throughout the city The giants can keep their character-free tourist traps and those bars still able to benefit purely from their unbeatable locations throughout the city
The Sentinel says bring back better and more original businesses of scale within the local hospitality industry which will help more cafeacutes and bars not only to become distinguishable by the interior designs they will need to conjure but also through the variety of local and regional beers that could become part of their coherent identity The overriding benefit of such courageous thinking and action would be an immediate return to realistic and reasonable pricing for A-class beer in Amsterdam which remains the staple of the easy consumables as this recession drones on
By Denson Pierre
INDEPENDENT CAFeacuteSBARS
77
78star beer guide
Star Beer
The SentinelStar beer guide
lsquoDifferent beers can seem to weigh on the conscience as much as on the taste budsrsquo
Just like the changing of the seasons different beers can seem to weigh on the conscience as much as on the taste buds Ciney blond is a lovely almost effeminate tasting beer All light smooth fruitiness bolstered by substantial alcohol content
As the temperature increases it can even feel like a thirst quencher A nice session beer and one that could function as an entrance-level quality beer in terms of its complexity For advanced samplers it is a great lower platform to descend to after cruising the space occupied by the 8-plus percentage alcoholic beauties
Ciney blond is brewed by Alken-Maes Mechelen Belgium
By Denson Pierre
CINEY BLOND (7 ABV)
79star beer guide
We find the best most fun most typical exciting or local favourite restaurants etcetera in Amsterdam and bring them to you an easy way to feel like a local
Cafe Kostverloren 040606
Recommended
80recommended
EUROGIFTSXenonweg 9 3812 SZ Amersfoort
Tel 033 - 454 35 75 - Fax 033 - 454 35 79E-mail lmproefeurogiftsnl
Website wwweurogiftsnl
FILMPROEF
ORDERNUMMER 6021022ARTIKELNUMMER 65123
Ware grootte (indien uitgeprint)Kleur opdruk Wit
Mulligans Irish Music BarAmsterdamrsquos best address for live Irish music Five (5) nights a week Check our agenda for upcoming sessions Amstel 100 1017 AC Amsterdamwwwmulligansnl
Cafeacute KostverlorenCafeacute Kostverloren is a contemporary cafe offering the cosiness of a saloon an open kitchen and the intimacy of a living room The large terras is great for sunny days2e Kostverlorenkade 70 Amsterdamwwwcafekostverlorennl
ZestZest is fi ne food warm atmosphere and classy drinks with regular semi-acoustic (live) music and DJs (Thursday to Sunday) Amsterdamrsquos newest and freshestBilderdijkstraat 188 Amsterdamwwwfacebookcomclubzestnl
GollemGollemrsquos Proefl okaal Gollem and Gollem II represent the best addresses serving the fullest range of top Belgian Dutch and international beers in AmsterdamOvertoom 160-161wwwcafegollemnl
IncantoA restaurant with a classic Italian kitchen Venetian chef Simone Ambrosin is known for his pure and simple style of cooking with great feeling for nuanceAmstel 2 Amsterdamwwwrestaurant-incantonl
Planet RoseThe fi rst Caribbean restaurant in the Netherlands specialised in Jamaican cuisine The menu features a daily changing selectionNicolaas Beetsstraat 47 Amsterdamwwwplanetroseinfo
Cafe restaurant EdelCafe restaurant Edel is the perfect place for lunch dinner or to simply enjoy a drink Edel is a unique place in AmsterdamPostjesweg 1 1057 DT Amsterdamwwwedelamsterdamnl
Cafeacute OportoCafeacute Oporto is a traditional Amsterdam lsquobrown cafersquo Welcoming tourists and regular customers alike they offer televised sports wifi and a wide range of reasonably priced beers and spiritsZoutsteeg 1 1012 LX Amsterdamwwwcafeoportonet
BaxA cosy and friendly local cafeacute with a focus on special or interesting beers and good quality food Open 7 days a week with a professional kitchen offering a lunch and dinner serviceTen Katestraat 119 Amsterdamwwwcafebaxnl
To be seen and tasted Fun Drinking amp Music
To Be Seen and Tasted
Fun Drinking amp Music
Fun Drinking amp Music
Connoisseurs Delight
Connoisseurs Delight
Connoisseurs Delight
To Be Seen and Tasted
Neighbourhood cosy
Fun drinking and music
ParckGreat fun beautiful people and simply the best bar food in townOvertoom 428 Amsterdamwwwcafeparcknl
To be seen and tasted
Cafe de Toog1890rsquos grandeur fashioned into Amsterdam-West grand brown cafe-restaurant-cool Classy drinks and mealsNicolaas Beetsstraat 142 hs Amsterdam wwwcafedetoogcom
Opera Prima - Patisserie Bistro TraiteurThe best place in town for lunch exquisite high teas or brunches and all of your luxury catering both private and corporateKinkerstraat 228 Amsterdamwwwoperaprimanl
Recommended
81
Where is this inAmsterdamAnswer to sentinelpostgmailcom
82spotted
Room 2cfilm
ldquoCome on in boys the waterrsquos finerdquo This is arguably the best all-round and funny musical to come out of Hollywood in a generation and certainly one of the best three soundtracks of the same period George Clooney will never be as good or charming as he is here playing the accidental leader of a trio of chain gang escapees in the US south of the 1930s Spirituality meets the Ku Klux Klan all coloured by Virginia bluegrass
ldquoCall me Snakerdquo The coolest handle for a leading man (Kurt Russell) in any movie to date Here he is sent in on a heroic lsquoat all costrsquo one-man mission to rescue the president of the United States from the prison island Manhattan has become in a lsquofuturersquo representation of 1997 Air Force One has crashed there and the countdown is on Classic 1980s turn of the millennium dystopian vision with style pace and gadgetry
By dpmotions
By dpmotions
o Brother Where Art Thou (2000)
escape from new York (1981)
room2c83
84trends
lsquoTrends are great to join and surf like a once in a lifetime tsunamirsquo
By Dirkje Bakker-Pierre
Each and every micro-world has its own specific trends Take the fashion world for example where one day you have to wear high heels and round noses and the next itrsquos flat hairy elephant feet-like boots that must hug your feet Or take the automotive world where once upon a time you could never have enough chrome on your car or the food world where we have quietly moved from fast to green and wholesome or the TV world which used to be about fiction and is now more real than reality Some of these trends are great to join and surf like a once in a lifetime tsunami others can slip by unnoticed and others still keep bugging and bugging you even if you try to avoid them like the plague
The online world and specifically the social media universe eats through trends like a fat chick after a hunger strike Facebook in particular seems to move seamlessly from one hype to the next one day itrsquos pictures with fuzzy edges or a bit of a 1970s filter the next itrsquos a profile picture with you very consciously not looking into the camera (very spontaneously and naturally non-posing you might say) These are mostly harmless things if Irsquom honest and when everyone
stops liking them they fade away as quickly as the sun in our small wet country There is one trend however that has festered within Facebook from the very beginning and which seems to be gradually growing and growing without anyone ever liking the postshellip and I mean EVER
Yes I am talking about daily quotes words of wisdom holy quotes mesmerizingly philosophical quotes cheesy quotes religious quoteshellip How can I describe all of them in one easy sentence pieces of text from (famous) people (it can never be something you thought of yourself) that lsquodisclosersquo previously secret information about being happy in life (or at least previously secret to the person doing the posting I presume) In short texts that belong on tiles hanging on the wall in old Dutch peoplersquos toilets
Why
Here are a few I found in my news feed this week
ldquoA mind is like a parachute It doesnrsquot work if it is not openrdquo ndash Frank Zappa
ldquoIt is not because things are difficult that we do not dare it is because we do not dare that things are difficultrdquo ndash Seneca
ldquoIf you donrsquot take what you are doing seriously then nobody else willrdquo ndash Darryl Dlt Thomson
Bad trends would be good if they werenrsquot so bad
85trends
86classifi eds
87classifieds
One of my personal favourite gemstones is moonstone Itlsquos been around for centuries and is used in many cultures As suggested by its name the stone is highly associated with the moon and moon goddess Diana It brings calm peace and love and is said to become more powerful when the moon is full so thatlsquos the best time to wear it One proverb even claims that moonstone can bring you love that will fly you to the moon Spiritually this amazing stone is said to enhance intuition and is always associated with the self It is a very powerful personal stone which doesnlsquot add or remove any aspects of the personality but merely reflects the person wearing it It is said to be very
MoonstoneBy Evelina Kvartunaite
ndash
lsquoThe stone is highly associated with the moon and moon goddess Dianarsquo
ndash
helpful for people who are very sensitive and it is also used in meditation for reflecting oneself Itlsquos always best to charge your gem when the moon is shining at night either while wearing it or by leaving it on a windowsill that receives moonlight Moonstone is also used in healing and is known for balancing the internal organ systems enabling them to work in stable cycles Itlsquos usually more associated with women but is also known to help men embrace their more emotional side soft creative energies and optimism Perhaps understandably moonstone should have limited exposure to strong direct sunlight
ndash
lsquoIt is said to be very helpful for people who are very sensitiversquo
ndash
88
health amp well-being
ndash
lsquoMore associated with women but is also known to help men embrace their more emotional sidersquo
ndash
89health amp well-being
In his article Batin shows how learning how to use complex products is like learning a computer game Just like the challenges in video games match the skills of the user so should TV interactions or any UI interactions for that matter For reference Batin used the four levels described in the Dreyfus model of skill acquisition
Level 1 novicebullRigid adherence to taught rules or plansbullNo exercise of lsquodiscretionary judgmentrsquo
Level 2 Advanced beginnerbullLimited lsquosituational perceptionrsquobullAll aspects of work treated separately with equal importance
Philip Batin wrote an article a couple of months ago about the next big idea in User Interaction gadgets that adapt to your skills As gadgets become more complicated UIs must be able to teach their users over time Apparently more and more interactive products are being returned In 2002 48 of all returned products were technically fully functional but were rejected for failing to satisfy user needs 20 purely due to customer remorse Even though a product may have all the features one can hope for complexity and bad user experience can prevent users from integrating it into their lives
UserInterfaceThe next big thing in UX
lsquoUIs must be able to teach their users over timersquo
By Andrei Barburas
lsquoComplexity and bad user experience can prevent users from
integrating it into their livesrsquo
90
technology
book the majority of which you probably skipped through
Personally I believe that there are certain end users most likely the majority that use only a limited set of features from any device they buy Mobile phones have become indispensable tools in our daily activities yet the average Joe has no idea about the full potential of a smart phone The same applies to Smart TVs they can do lots of things yet the only thing that we do with them is flip channels and complain how bad the shows are
The bottom line is that itrsquos definitely something worth thinking about not only from an operating system perspective but also from the perspective of applications developers
Level 3 competentbulllsquoCoping with crowdednessrsquo (multiple activities accumulation of information)bullSome perception of actions in relation to goalsbullDeliberate planningbullFormulates routines
Level 4 ProficientbullHolistic view of situationbullPrioritizes importance of aspectsbulllsquoPerceives deviations from the normal patternrsquobullEmploys maxim for guidance with meanings that adapt to the situation at hand
Now just imagine a User Interface that adapts based on what you can do and the abilities you have As you learn new things new levels of complexity are unlocked opening the door to fully knowing your device because you learned by doing and not by reading a complicated
lsquoThe average Joe has no idea about the full potential of a
smart phonersquo
91technology
92classifi eds
93classifi eds
Not knowing what was happening in football was extremely annoying to put it mildly and it wasnrsquot just my own self-denial and avoidance of all things football that was a hindrance the extent to which I had to ask others to go in order to remain ignorant was much more excruciating than Irsquod ever imagined There may even be some damage done to football-related friendships that is irreparable I now feel as though Irsquom walking through an empty stadium after everyone else has gone home
So what now and where to next The season is well and truly over and Irsquom free to do whatever I want I could read the back-dated sports pages check all the stats and find out all the facts if I wanted to I could spend hours catching up on last season and speculating on the next with the friends Irsquove still got left down the pub if I wanted to I can follow all the transfer gossip watch pre-season friendlies and build up all my hopes But as with most addictions that would simply be falling back into a previous state of dependence and everything Irsquove just put myself through wouldrsquove been for nothing So how do I go back to an old habit without a total relapse or would it be better to keep abstaining
All my questions seem to be met with other questions and no solutions On the other hand if you ask me what
Someone once said that insanity is when you keep repeating the same behaviour and expect a different outcome most likely a psychologist aimed at his or her ailing patients But for me these words are more reminiscent of my own conduct over the course of a regular football season Week in week out season after season I would expect Tottenham to win something and more often than not Irsquod be left disappointed So I decided to stop No more football ndash at least not for one full season
The season 201213 is now over and during the whole nine months I didnrsquot watch a single moment of football or read a single article on the subject That was my challenge and I was committed to it What is more despite all the warning signs I didnrsquot relapse After a year of structured punishment I didnrsquot have a clue about what was going on in the English Premier League (or any other league) Only having picked up bits and pieces of information that somehow slipped through the net the past season was like a book with most of its pages missing
By Simon Joseph
On The Volley
The Return of the Repressed or the Point of No Return
lsquoInsanity is when you keep repeating the same behaviour and expect a different outcomersquo
sport
lsquoThe past season was like a book with most of its pages missingrsquo
94
lsquoThere may even be some damage done to football-related friendshipsrsquo
lsquoHas abstaining for a season changed mersquo
it until the cows come home but it was us who made those changes or at least allowed them to happen and those changes will continue to happen with or without me Perhaps then the questions I should be asking are has abstaining for a season changed me Am I still obsessed or have I broken the habit of a lifetime Is following football really that terrible or even a real addiction
One thing is certain this lack of resolution is not completely without satisfaction because like all forms of fixation or obsession therersquos comfort and familiarity to be found in repetition as Tottenham miss out on Championrsquos League football by a single point again The repressed will always return to haunt us or so it seems and before we know it the start of next season will be upon us There will be more pain no doubt and more joy This time however it will take more than a boot camp approach to keep me away and who knows Tottenham might even win the league Come on you Spurs
Tottenham Hotspur means I would still tell you that itrsquos not just a pretty football package itrsquos about kith and kin not just where I came from but how I relate to others around me in the here and now Whatrsquos more millions of people are attracted to football they hunger for it and yearn to connect with it even though I still believe itrsquos a form of ineffective escape from one unsatisfying reality to another Following football is a classic example of cognitive dissonance ndash when you simultaneously entertain two opposing thoughts that appear to cancel each other out Before the start of each season for example we all want our club to win everything or to be taken over by billionaires but know that itrsquos impossible or in the latter case controversial and even undesirable So we invent ways to cope We develop a so-called lsquosiege mentalityrsquo or other harmful patterns of behaviour to relieve the discomfort of incongruity With this in mind the past year was supposed to be an exercise in behaviour modification ndash to discover the root of the problem and treat it effectively But one year on have I really discovered anything at all
The English Premier League whether you watch it or not is still probably the most exciting football league in the world We can complain about the changes made to
sport9
5
By Denson Pierre
The Gold Room
Fantasy Football Gold ndash Champions League 2012-2013 winner Denson Pierre and his prizes
The season petered out in an all-German Champions League Final which did nothing to dispel the record that this was a season of too few new stars or regular spectacle We look forward to the next season as it ought not be too difficult to create more excitement than in the one just pastWe did have the opportunity to hand over the envelopes and trophies to the Sentinel Fantasy Football game winners This year all the major winners from the Sentinel Fantasy Football League were unable to be present for the physical prize giving but the winner of the Gold Game and focus of this column was there to receive his prize for winning the master game in styleSo we retire the Gold Room until the beginning of the new football season See you all again then
96
sport
Matt Parker receives his third place and Manager of the Month prizes for the Sentinel Fantasy Football League
Charles Conneely Sentinel Fantasy Football League 2012-2013 Champion
97sport
wwwczechtourismcom
CZECH REPUBLIC - STUNNINGLY DIFFERENT
98
classifi eds
amsterdam city life
BrinG BaCK
Something that seems to have been watered down considerably in Amsterdamrsquos hospitality industry in recent years is independence of thought styling and designAll you have to do is walk around the city to note that way too many coffeesoup houses and cafeacutes are more or less identikit This also applies to many cafeacutes with unimaginative business leaders who open unoriginal looking spaces and hope that the use of white paint purple or blue lights and house music is all it takes
Luckily there is something brewing to save our days and nights I have come across cafeacute owners who are now seriously considering ending the arrangements they have with the giant drink suppliers There are actually no good arguments left for continuing with these huge multinationals as they are frankly more expensive at wholesale for the same A-class products than the supermarkets on every Amsterdammerrsquos street corner
It looks like space is being created for the smaller brewers to take up the supply of A-class beer to smaller establishments throughout the city The giants can keep their character-free tourist traps and those bars still able to benefit purely from their unbeatable locations throughout the city
The Sentinel says bring back better and more original businesses of scale within the local hospitality industry which will help more cafeacutes and bars not only to become distinguishable by the interior designs they will need to conjure but also through the variety of local and regional beers that could become part of their coherent identity The overriding benefit of such courageous thinking and action would be an immediate return to realistic and reasonable pricing for A-class beer in Amsterdam which remains the staple of the easy consumables as this recession drones on
By Denson Pierre
INDEPENDENT CAFeacuteSBARS
77
78star beer guide
Star Beer
The SentinelStar beer guide
lsquoDifferent beers can seem to weigh on the conscience as much as on the taste budsrsquo
Just like the changing of the seasons different beers can seem to weigh on the conscience as much as on the taste buds Ciney blond is a lovely almost effeminate tasting beer All light smooth fruitiness bolstered by substantial alcohol content
As the temperature increases it can even feel like a thirst quencher A nice session beer and one that could function as an entrance-level quality beer in terms of its complexity For advanced samplers it is a great lower platform to descend to after cruising the space occupied by the 8-plus percentage alcoholic beauties
Ciney blond is brewed by Alken-Maes Mechelen Belgium
By Denson Pierre
CINEY BLOND (7 ABV)
79star beer guide
We find the best most fun most typical exciting or local favourite restaurants etcetera in Amsterdam and bring them to you an easy way to feel like a local
Cafe Kostverloren 040606
Recommended
80recommended
EUROGIFTSXenonweg 9 3812 SZ Amersfoort
Tel 033 - 454 35 75 - Fax 033 - 454 35 79E-mail lmproefeurogiftsnl
Website wwweurogiftsnl
FILMPROEF
ORDERNUMMER 6021022ARTIKELNUMMER 65123
Ware grootte (indien uitgeprint)Kleur opdruk Wit
Mulligans Irish Music BarAmsterdamrsquos best address for live Irish music Five (5) nights a week Check our agenda for upcoming sessions Amstel 100 1017 AC Amsterdamwwwmulligansnl
Cafeacute KostverlorenCafeacute Kostverloren is a contemporary cafe offering the cosiness of a saloon an open kitchen and the intimacy of a living room The large terras is great for sunny days2e Kostverlorenkade 70 Amsterdamwwwcafekostverlorennl
ZestZest is fi ne food warm atmosphere and classy drinks with regular semi-acoustic (live) music and DJs (Thursday to Sunday) Amsterdamrsquos newest and freshestBilderdijkstraat 188 Amsterdamwwwfacebookcomclubzestnl
GollemGollemrsquos Proefl okaal Gollem and Gollem II represent the best addresses serving the fullest range of top Belgian Dutch and international beers in AmsterdamOvertoom 160-161wwwcafegollemnl
IncantoA restaurant with a classic Italian kitchen Venetian chef Simone Ambrosin is known for his pure and simple style of cooking with great feeling for nuanceAmstel 2 Amsterdamwwwrestaurant-incantonl
Planet RoseThe fi rst Caribbean restaurant in the Netherlands specialised in Jamaican cuisine The menu features a daily changing selectionNicolaas Beetsstraat 47 Amsterdamwwwplanetroseinfo
Cafe restaurant EdelCafe restaurant Edel is the perfect place for lunch dinner or to simply enjoy a drink Edel is a unique place in AmsterdamPostjesweg 1 1057 DT Amsterdamwwwedelamsterdamnl
Cafeacute OportoCafeacute Oporto is a traditional Amsterdam lsquobrown cafersquo Welcoming tourists and regular customers alike they offer televised sports wifi and a wide range of reasonably priced beers and spiritsZoutsteeg 1 1012 LX Amsterdamwwwcafeoportonet
BaxA cosy and friendly local cafeacute with a focus on special or interesting beers and good quality food Open 7 days a week with a professional kitchen offering a lunch and dinner serviceTen Katestraat 119 Amsterdamwwwcafebaxnl
To be seen and tasted Fun Drinking amp Music
To Be Seen and Tasted
Fun Drinking amp Music
Fun Drinking amp Music
Connoisseurs Delight
Connoisseurs Delight
Connoisseurs Delight
To Be Seen and Tasted
Neighbourhood cosy
Fun drinking and music
ParckGreat fun beautiful people and simply the best bar food in townOvertoom 428 Amsterdamwwwcafeparcknl
To be seen and tasted
Cafe de Toog1890rsquos grandeur fashioned into Amsterdam-West grand brown cafe-restaurant-cool Classy drinks and mealsNicolaas Beetsstraat 142 hs Amsterdam wwwcafedetoogcom
Opera Prima - Patisserie Bistro TraiteurThe best place in town for lunch exquisite high teas or brunches and all of your luxury catering both private and corporateKinkerstraat 228 Amsterdamwwwoperaprimanl
Recommended
81
Where is this inAmsterdamAnswer to sentinelpostgmailcom
82spotted
Room 2cfilm
ldquoCome on in boys the waterrsquos finerdquo This is arguably the best all-round and funny musical to come out of Hollywood in a generation and certainly one of the best three soundtracks of the same period George Clooney will never be as good or charming as he is here playing the accidental leader of a trio of chain gang escapees in the US south of the 1930s Spirituality meets the Ku Klux Klan all coloured by Virginia bluegrass
ldquoCall me Snakerdquo The coolest handle for a leading man (Kurt Russell) in any movie to date Here he is sent in on a heroic lsquoat all costrsquo one-man mission to rescue the president of the United States from the prison island Manhattan has become in a lsquofuturersquo representation of 1997 Air Force One has crashed there and the countdown is on Classic 1980s turn of the millennium dystopian vision with style pace and gadgetry
By dpmotions
By dpmotions
o Brother Where Art Thou (2000)
escape from new York (1981)
room2c83
84trends
lsquoTrends are great to join and surf like a once in a lifetime tsunamirsquo
By Dirkje Bakker-Pierre
Each and every micro-world has its own specific trends Take the fashion world for example where one day you have to wear high heels and round noses and the next itrsquos flat hairy elephant feet-like boots that must hug your feet Or take the automotive world where once upon a time you could never have enough chrome on your car or the food world where we have quietly moved from fast to green and wholesome or the TV world which used to be about fiction and is now more real than reality Some of these trends are great to join and surf like a once in a lifetime tsunami others can slip by unnoticed and others still keep bugging and bugging you even if you try to avoid them like the plague
The online world and specifically the social media universe eats through trends like a fat chick after a hunger strike Facebook in particular seems to move seamlessly from one hype to the next one day itrsquos pictures with fuzzy edges or a bit of a 1970s filter the next itrsquos a profile picture with you very consciously not looking into the camera (very spontaneously and naturally non-posing you might say) These are mostly harmless things if Irsquom honest and when everyone
stops liking them they fade away as quickly as the sun in our small wet country There is one trend however that has festered within Facebook from the very beginning and which seems to be gradually growing and growing without anyone ever liking the postshellip and I mean EVER
Yes I am talking about daily quotes words of wisdom holy quotes mesmerizingly philosophical quotes cheesy quotes religious quoteshellip How can I describe all of them in one easy sentence pieces of text from (famous) people (it can never be something you thought of yourself) that lsquodisclosersquo previously secret information about being happy in life (or at least previously secret to the person doing the posting I presume) In short texts that belong on tiles hanging on the wall in old Dutch peoplersquos toilets
Why
Here are a few I found in my news feed this week
ldquoA mind is like a parachute It doesnrsquot work if it is not openrdquo ndash Frank Zappa
ldquoIt is not because things are difficult that we do not dare it is because we do not dare that things are difficultrdquo ndash Seneca
ldquoIf you donrsquot take what you are doing seriously then nobody else willrdquo ndash Darryl Dlt Thomson
Bad trends would be good if they werenrsquot so bad
85trends
86classifi eds
87classifieds
One of my personal favourite gemstones is moonstone Itlsquos been around for centuries and is used in many cultures As suggested by its name the stone is highly associated with the moon and moon goddess Diana It brings calm peace and love and is said to become more powerful when the moon is full so thatlsquos the best time to wear it One proverb even claims that moonstone can bring you love that will fly you to the moon Spiritually this amazing stone is said to enhance intuition and is always associated with the self It is a very powerful personal stone which doesnlsquot add or remove any aspects of the personality but merely reflects the person wearing it It is said to be very
MoonstoneBy Evelina Kvartunaite
ndash
lsquoThe stone is highly associated with the moon and moon goddess Dianarsquo
ndash
helpful for people who are very sensitive and it is also used in meditation for reflecting oneself Itlsquos always best to charge your gem when the moon is shining at night either while wearing it or by leaving it on a windowsill that receives moonlight Moonstone is also used in healing and is known for balancing the internal organ systems enabling them to work in stable cycles Itlsquos usually more associated with women but is also known to help men embrace their more emotional side soft creative energies and optimism Perhaps understandably moonstone should have limited exposure to strong direct sunlight
ndash
lsquoIt is said to be very helpful for people who are very sensitiversquo
ndash
88
health amp well-being
ndash
lsquoMore associated with women but is also known to help men embrace their more emotional sidersquo
ndash
89health amp well-being
In his article Batin shows how learning how to use complex products is like learning a computer game Just like the challenges in video games match the skills of the user so should TV interactions or any UI interactions for that matter For reference Batin used the four levels described in the Dreyfus model of skill acquisition
Level 1 novicebullRigid adherence to taught rules or plansbullNo exercise of lsquodiscretionary judgmentrsquo
Level 2 Advanced beginnerbullLimited lsquosituational perceptionrsquobullAll aspects of work treated separately with equal importance
Philip Batin wrote an article a couple of months ago about the next big idea in User Interaction gadgets that adapt to your skills As gadgets become more complicated UIs must be able to teach their users over time Apparently more and more interactive products are being returned In 2002 48 of all returned products were technically fully functional but were rejected for failing to satisfy user needs 20 purely due to customer remorse Even though a product may have all the features one can hope for complexity and bad user experience can prevent users from integrating it into their lives
UserInterfaceThe next big thing in UX
lsquoUIs must be able to teach their users over timersquo
By Andrei Barburas
lsquoComplexity and bad user experience can prevent users from
integrating it into their livesrsquo
90
technology
book the majority of which you probably skipped through
Personally I believe that there are certain end users most likely the majority that use only a limited set of features from any device they buy Mobile phones have become indispensable tools in our daily activities yet the average Joe has no idea about the full potential of a smart phone The same applies to Smart TVs they can do lots of things yet the only thing that we do with them is flip channels and complain how bad the shows are
The bottom line is that itrsquos definitely something worth thinking about not only from an operating system perspective but also from the perspective of applications developers
Level 3 competentbulllsquoCoping with crowdednessrsquo (multiple activities accumulation of information)bullSome perception of actions in relation to goalsbullDeliberate planningbullFormulates routines
Level 4 ProficientbullHolistic view of situationbullPrioritizes importance of aspectsbulllsquoPerceives deviations from the normal patternrsquobullEmploys maxim for guidance with meanings that adapt to the situation at hand
Now just imagine a User Interface that adapts based on what you can do and the abilities you have As you learn new things new levels of complexity are unlocked opening the door to fully knowing your device because you learned by doing and not by reading a complicated
lsquoThe average Joe has no idea about the full potential of a
smart phonersquo
91technology
92classifi eds
93classifi eds
Not knowing what was happening in football was extremely annoying to put it mildly and it wasnrsquot just my own self-denial and avoidance of all things football that was a hindrance the extent to which I had to ask others to go in order to remain ignorant was much more excruciating than Irsquod ever imagined There may even be some damage done to football-related friendships that is irreparable I now feel as though Irsquom walking through an empty stadium after everyone else has gone home
So what now and where to next The season is well and truly over and Irsquom free to do whatever I want I could read the back-dated sports pages check all the stats and find out all the facts if I wanted to I could spend hours catching up on last season and speculating on the next with the friends Irsquove still got left down the pub if I wanted to I can follow all the transfer gossip watch pre-season friendlies and build up all my hopes But as with most addictions that would simply be falling back into a previous state of dependence and everything Irsquove just put myself through wouldrsquove been for nothing So how do I go back to an old habit without a total relapse or would it be better to keep abstaining
All my questions seem to be met with other questions and no solutions On the other hand if you ask me what
Someone once said that insanity is when you keep repeating the same behaviour and expect a different outcome most likely a psychologist aimed at his or her ailing patients But for me these words are more reminiscent of my own conduct over the course of a regular football season Week in week out season after season I would expect Tottenham to win something and more often than not Irsquod be left disappointed So I decided to stop No more football ndash at least not for one full season
The season 201213 is now over and during the whole nine months I didnrsquot watch a single moment of football or read a single article on the subject That was my challenge and I was committed to it What is more despite all the warning signs I didnrsquot relapse After a year of structured punishment I didnrsquot have a clue about what was going on in the English Premier League (or any other league) Only having picked up bits and pieces of information that somehow slipped through the net the past season was like a book with most of its pages missing
By Simon Joseph
On The Volley
The Return of the Repressed or the Point of No Return
lsquoInsanity is when you keep repeating the same behaviour and expect a different outcomersquo
sport
lsquoThe past season was like a book with most of its pages missingrsquo
94
lsquoThere may even be some damage done to football-related friendshipsrsquo
lsquoHas abstaining for a season changed mersquo
it until the cows come home but it was us who made those changes or at least allowed them to happen and those changes will continue to happen with or without me Perhaps then the questions I should be asking are has abstaining for a season changed me Am I still obsessed or have I broken the habit of a lifetime Is following football really that terrible or even a real addiction
One thing is certain this lack of resolution is not completely without satisfaction because like all forms of fixation or obsession therersquos comfort and familiarity to be found in repetition as Tottenham miss out on Championrsquos League football by a single point again The repressed will always return to haunt us or so it seems and before we know it the start of next season will be upon us There will be more pain no doubt and more joy This time however it will take more than a boot camp approach to keep me away and who knows Tottenham might even win the league Come on you Spurs
Tottenham Hotspur means I would still tell you that itrsquos not just a pretty football package itrsquos about kith and kin not just where I came from but how I relate to others around me in the here and now Whatrsquos more millions of people are attracted to football they hunger for it and yearn to connect with it even though I still believe itrsquos a form of ineffective escape from one unsatisfying reality to another Following football is a classic example of cognitive dissonance ndash when you simultaneously entertain two opposing thoughts that appear to cancel each other out Before the start of each season for example we all want our club to win everything or to be taken over by billionaires but know that itrsquos impossible or in the latter case controversial and even undesirable So we invent ways to cope We develop a so-called lsquosiege mentalityrsquo or other harmful patterns of behaviour to relieve the discomfort of incongruity With this in mind the past year was supposed to be an exercise in behaviour modification ndash to discover the root of the problem and treat it effectively But one year on have I really discovered anything at all
The English Premier League whether you watch it or not is still probably the most exciting football league in the world We can complain about the changes made to
sport9
5
By Denson Pierre
The Gold Room
Fantasy Football Gold ndash Champions League 2012-2013 winner Denson Pierre and his prizes
The season petered out in an all-German Champions League Final which did nothing to dispel the record that this was a season of too few new stars or regular spectacle We look forward to the next season as it ought not be too difficult to create more excitement than in the one just pastWe did have the opportunity to hand over the envelopes and trophies to the Sentinel Fantasy Football game winners This year all the major winners from the Sentinel Fantasy Football League were unable to be present for the physical prize giving but the winner of the Gold Game and focus of this column was there to receive his prize for winning the master game in styleSo we retire the Gold Room until the beginning of the new football season See you all again then
96
sport
Matt Parker receives his third place and Manager of the Month prizes for the Sentinel Fantasy Football League
Charles Conneely Sentinel Fantasy Football League 2012-2013 Champion
97sport
wwwczechtourismcom
CZECH REPUBLIC - STUNNINGLY DIFFERENT
98
classifi eds
78star beer guide
Star Beer
The SentinelStar beer guide
lsquoDifferent beers can seem to weigh on the conscience as much as on the taste budsrsquo
Just like the changing of the seasons different beers can seem to weigh on the conscience as much as on the taste buds Ciney blond is a lovely almost effeminate tasting beer All light smooth fruitiness bolstered by substantial alcohol content
As the temperature increases it can even feel like a thirst quencher A nice session beer and one that could function as an entrance-level quality beer in terms of its complexity For advanced samplers it is a great lower platform to descend to after cruising the space occupied by the 8-plus percentage alcoholic beauties
Ciney blond is brewed by Alken-Maes Mechelen Belgium
By Denson Pierre
CINEY BLOND (7 ABV)
79star beer guide
We find the best most fun most typical exciting or local favourite restaurants etcetera in Amsterdam and bring them to you an easy way to feel like a local
Cafe Kostverloren 040606
Recommended
80recommended
EUROGIFTSXenonweg 9 3812 SZ Amersfoort
Tel 033 - 454 35 75 - Fax 033 - 454 35 79E-mail lmproefeurogiftsnl
Website wwweurogiftsnl
FILMPROEF
ORDERNUMMER 6021022ARTIKELNUMMER 65123
Ware grootte (indien uitgeprint)Kleur opdruk Wit
Mulligans Irish Music BarAmsterdamrsquos best address for live Irish music Five (5) nights a week Check our agenda for upcoming sessions Amstel 100 1017 AC Amsterdamwwwmulligansnl
Cafeacute KostverlorenCafeacute Kostverloren is a contemporary cafe offering the cosiness of a saloon an open kitchen and the intimacy of a living room The large terras is great for sunny days2e Kostverlorenkade 70 Amsterdamwwwcafekostverlorennl
ZestZest is fi ne food warm atmosphere and classy drinks with regular semi-acoustic (live) music and DJs (Thursday to Sunday) Amsterdamrsquos newest and freshestBilderdijkstraat 188 Amsterdamwwwfacebookcomclubzestnl
GollemGollemrsquos Proefl okaal Gollem and Gollem II represent the best addresses serving the fullest range of top Belgian Dutch and international beers in AmsterdamOvertoom 160-161wwwcafegollemnl
IncantoA restaurant with a classic Italian kitchen Venetian chef Simone Ambrosin is known for his pure and simple style of cooking with great feeling for nuanceAmstel 2 Amsterdamwwwrestaurant-incantonl
Planet RoseThe fi rst Caribbean restaurant in the Netherlands specialised in Jamaican cuisine The menu features a daily changing selectionNicolaas Beetsstraat 47 Amsterdamwwwplanetroseinfo
Cafe restaurant EdelCafe restaurant Edel is the perfect place for lunch dinner or to simply enjoy a drink Edel is a unique place in AmsterdamPostjesweg 1 1057 DT Amsterdamwwwedelamsterdamnl
Cafeacute OportoCafeacute Oporto is a traditional Amsterdam lsquobrown cafersquo Welcoming tourists and regular customers alike they offer televised sports wifi and a wide range of reasonably priced beers and spiritsZoutsteeg 1 1012 LX Amsterdamwwwcafeoportonet
BaxA cosy and friendly local cafeacute with a focus on special or interesting beers and good quality food Open 7 days a week with a professional kitchen offering a lunch and dinner serviceTen Katestraat 119 Amsterdamwwwcafebaxnl
To be seen and tasted Fun Drinking amp Music
To Be Seen and Tasted
Fun Drinking amp Music
Fun Drinking amp Music
Connoisseurs Delight
Connoisseurs Delight
Connoisseurs Delight
To Be Seen and Tasted
Neighbourhood cosy
Fun drinking and music
ParckGreat fun beautiful people and simply the best bar food in townOvertoom 428 Amsterdamwwwcafeparcknl
To be seen and tasted
Cafe de Toog1890rsquos grandeur fashioned into Amsterdam-West grand brown cafe-restaurant-cool Classy drinks and mealsNicolaas Beetsstraat 142 hs Amsterdam wwwcafedetoogcom
Opera Prima - Patisserie Bistro TraiteurThe best place in town for lunch exquisite high teas or brunches and all of your luxury catering both private and corporateKinkerstraat 228 Amsterdamwwwoperaprimanl
Recommended
81
Where is this inAmsterdamAnswer to sentinelpostgmailcom
82spotted
Room 2cfilm
ldquoCome on in boys the waterrsquos finerdquo This is arguably the best all-round and funny musical to come out of Hollywood in a generation and certainly one of the best three soundtracks of the same period George Clooney will never be as good or charming as he is here playing the accidental leader of a trio of chain gang escapees in the US south of the 1930s Spirituality meets the Ku Klux Klan all coloured by Virginia bluegrass
ldquoCall me Snakerdquo The coolest handle for a leading man (Kurt Russell) in any movie to date Here he is sent in on a heroic lsquoat all costrsquo one-man mission to rescue the president of the United States from the prison island Manhattan has become in a lsquofuturersquo representation of 1997 Air Force One has crashed there and the countdown is on Classic 1980s turn of the millennium dystopian vision with style pace and gadgetry
By dpmotions
By dpmotions
o Brother Where Art Thou (2000)
escape from new York (1981)
room2c83
84trends
lsquoTrends are great to join and surf like a once in a lifetime tsunamirsquo
By Dirkje Bakker-Pierre
Each and every micro-world has its own specific trends Take the fashion world for example where one day you have to wear high heels and round noses and the next itrsquos flat hairy elephant feet-like boots that must hug your feet Or take the automotive world where once upon a time you could never have enough chrome on your car or the food world where we have quietly moved from fast to green and wholesome or the TV world which used to be about fiction and is now more real than reality Some of these trends are great to join and surf like a once in a lifetime tsunami others can slip by unnoticed and others still keep bugging and bugging you even if you try to avoid them like the plague
The online world and specifically the social media universe eats through trends like a fat chick after a hunger strike Facebook in particular seems to move seamlessly from one hype to the next one day itrsquos pictures with fuzzy edges or a bit of a 1970s filter the next itrsquos a profile picture with you very consciously not looking into the camera (very spontaneously and naturally non-posing you might say) These are mostly harmless things if Irsquom honest and when everyone
stops liking them they fade away as quickly as the sun in our small wet country There is one trend however that has festered within Facebook from the very beginning and which seems to be gradually growing and growing without anyone ever liking the postshellip and I mean EVER
Yes I am talking about daily quotes words of wisdom holy quotes mesmerizingly philosophical quotes cheesy quotes religious quoteshellip How can I describe all of them in one easy sentence pieces of text from (famous) people (it can never be something you thought of yourself) that lsquodisclosersquo previously secret information about being happy in life (or at least previously secret to the person doing the posting I presume) In short texts that belong on tiles hanging on the wall in old Dutch peoplersquos toilets
Why
Here are a few I found in my news feed this week
ldquoA mind is like a parachute It doesnrsquot work if it is not openrdquo ndash Frank Zappa
ldquoIt is not because things are difficult that we do not dare it is because we do not dare that things are difficultrdquo ndash Seneca
ldquoIf you donrsquot take what you are doing seriously then nobody else willrdquo ndash Darryl Dlt Thomson
Bad trends would be good if they werenrsquot so bad
85trends
86classifi eds
87classifieds
One of my personal favourite gemstones is moonstone Itlsquos been around for centuries and is used in many cultures As suggested by its name the stone is highly associated with the moon and moon goddess Diana It brings calm peace and love and is said to become more powerful when the moon is full so thatlsquos the best time to wear it One proverb even claims that moonstone can bring you love that will fly you to the moon Spiritually this amazing stone is said to enhance intuition and is always associated with the self It is a very powerful personal stone which doesnlsquot add or remove any aspects of the personality but merely reflects the person wearing it It is said to be very
MoonstoneBy Evelina Kvartunaite
ndash
lsquoThe stone is highly associated with the moon and moon goddess Dianarsquo
ndash
helpful for people who are very sensitive and it is also used in meditation for reflecting oneself Itlsquos always best to charge your gem when the moon is shining at night either while wearing it or by leaving it on a windowsill that receives moonlight Moonstone is also used in healing and is known for balancing the internal organ systems enabling them to work in stable cycles Itlsquos usually more associated with women but is also known to help men embrace their more emotional side soft creative energies and optimism Perhaps understandably moonstone should have limited exposure to strong direct sunlight
ndash
lsquoIt is said to be very helpful for people who are very sensitiversquo
ndash
88
health amp well-being
ndash
lsquoMore associated with women but is also known to help men embrace their more emotional sidersquo
ndash
89health amp well-being
In his article Batin shows how learning how to use complex products is like learning a computer game Just like the challenges in video games match the skills of the user so should TV interactions or any UI interactions for that matter For reference Batin used the four levels described in the Dreyfus model of skill acquisition
Level 1 novicebullRigid adherence to taught rules or plansbullNo exercise of lsquodiscretionary judgmentrsquo
Level 2 Advanced beginnerbullLimited lsquosituational perceptionrsquobullAll aspects of work treated separately with equal importance
Philip Batin wrote an article a couple of months ago about the next big idea in User Interaction gadgets that adapt to your skills As gadgets become more complicated UIs must be able to teach their users over time Apparently more and more interactive products are being returned In 2002 48 of all returned products were technically fully functional but were rejected for failing to satisfy user needs 20 purely due to customer remorse Even though a product may have all the features one can hope for complexity and bad user experience can prevent users from integrating it into their lives
UserInterfaceThe next big thing in UX
lsquoUIs must be able to teach their users over timersquo
By Andrei Barburas
lsquoComplexity and bad user experience can prevent users from
integrating it into their livesrsquo
90
technology
book the majority of which you probably skipped through
Personally I believe that there are certain end users most likely the majority that use only a limited set of features from any device they buy Mobile phones have become indispensable tools in our daily activities yet the average Joe has no idea about the full potential of a smart phone The same applies to Smart TVs they can do lots of things yet the only thing that we do with them is flip channels and complain how bad the shows are
The bottom line is that itrsquos definitely something worth thinking about not only from an operating system perspective but also from the perspective of applications developers
Level 3 competentbulllsquoCoping with crowdednessrsquo (multiple activities accumulation of information)bullSome perception of actions in relation to goalsbullDeliberate planningbullFormulates routines
Level 4 ProficientbullHolistic view of situationbullPrioritizes importance of aspectsbulllsquoPerceives deviations from the normal patternrsquobullEmploys maxim for guidance with meanings that adapt to the situation at hand
Now just imagine a User Interface that adapts based on what you can do and the abilities you have As you learn new things new levels of complexity are unlocked opening the door to fully knowing your device because you learned by doing and not by reading a complicated
lsquoThe average Joe has no idea about the full potential of a
smart phonersquo
91technology
92classifi eds
93classifi eds
Not knowing what was happening in football was extremely annoying to put it mildly and it wasnrsquot just my own self-denial and avoidance of all things football that was a hindrance the extent to which I had to ask others to go in order to remain ignorant was much more excruciating than Irsquod ever imagined There may even be some damage done to football-related friendships that is irreparable I now feel as though Irsquom walking through an empty stadium after everyone else has gone home
So what now and where to next The season is well and truly over and Irsquom free to do whatever I want I could read the back-dated sports pages check all the stats and find out all the facts if I wanted to I could spend hours catching up on last season and speculating on the next with the friends Irsquove still got left down the pub if I wanted to I can follow all the transfer gossip watch pre-season friendlies and build up all my hopes But as with most addictions that would simply be falling back into a previous state of dependence and everything Irsquove just put myself through wouldrsquove been for nothing So how do I go back to an old habit without a total relapse or would it be better to keep abstaining
All my questions seem to be met with other questions and no solutions On the other hand if you ask me what
Someone once said that insanity is when you keep repeating the same behaviour and expect a different outcome most likely a psychologist aimed at his or her ailing patients But for me these words are more reminiscent of my own conduct over the course of a regular football season Week in week out season after season I would expect Tottenham to win something and more often than not Irsquod be left disappointed So I decided to stop No more football ndash at least not for one full season
The season 201213 is now over and during the whole nine months I didnrsquot watch a single moment of football or read a single article on the subject That was my challenge and I was committed to it What is more despite all the warning signs I didnrsquot relapse After a year of structured punishment I didnrsquot have a clue about what was going on in the English Premier League (or any other league) Only having picked up bits and pieces of information that somehow slipped through the net the past season was like a book with most of its pages missing
By Simon Joseph
On The Volley
The Return of the Repressed or the Point of No Return
lsquoInsanity is when you keep repeating the same behaviour and expect a different outcomersquo
sport
lsquoThe past season was like a book with most of its pages missingrsquo
94
lsquoThere may even be some damage done to football-related friendshipsrsquo
lsquoHas abstaining for a season changed mersquo
it until the cows come home but it was us who made those changes or at least allowed them to happen and those changes will continue to happen with or without me Perhaps then the questions I should be asking are has abstaining for a season changed me Am I still obsessed or have I broken the habit of a lifetime Is following football really that terrible or even a real addiction
One thing is certain this lack of resolution is not completely without satisfaction because like all forms of fixation or obsession therersquos comfort and familiarity to be found in repetition as Tottenham miss out on Championrsquos League football by a single point again The repressed will always return to haunt us or so it seems and before we know it the start of next season will be upon us There will be more pain no doubt and more joy This time however it will take more than a boot camp approach to keep me away and who knows Tottenham might even win the league Come on you Spurs
Tottenham Hotspur means I would still tell you that itrsquos not just a pretty football package itrsquos about kith and kin not just where I came from but how I relate to others around me in the here and now Whatrsquos more millions of people are attracted to football they hunger for it and yearn to connect with it even though I still believe itrsquos a form of ineffective escape from one unsatisfying reality to another Following football is a classic example of cognitive dissonance ndash when you simultaneously entertain two opposing thoughts that appear to cancel each other out Before the start of each season for example we all want our club to win everything or to be taken over by billionaires but know that itrsquos impossible or in the latter case controversial and even undesirable So we invent ways to cope We develop a so-called lsquosiege mentalityrsquo or other harmful patterns of behaviour to relieve the discomfort of incongruity With this in mind the past year was supposed to be an exercise in behaviour modification ndash to discover the root of the problem and treat it effectively But one year on have I really discovered anything at all
The English Premier League whether you watch it or not is still probably the most exciting football league in the world We can complain about the changes made to
sport9
5
By Denson Pierre
The Gold Room
Fantasy Football Gold ndash Champions League 2012-2013 winner Denson Pierre and his prizes
The season petered out in an all-German Champions League Final which did nothing to dispel the record that this was a season of too few new stars or regular spectacle We look forward to the next season as it ought not be too difficult to create more excitement than in the one just pastWe did have the opportunity to hand over the envelopes and trophies to the Sentinel Fantasy Football game winners This year all the major winners from the Sentinel Fantasy Football League were unable to be present for the physical prize giving but the winner of the Gold Game and focus of this column was there to receive his prize for winning the master game in styleSo we retire the Gold Room until the beginning of the new football season See you all again then
96
sport
Matt Parker receives his third place and Manager of the Month prizes for the Sentinel Fantasy Football League
Charles Conneely Sentinel Fantasy Football League 2012-2013 Champion
97sport
wwwczechtourismcom
CZECH REPUBLIC - STUNNINGLY DIFFERENT
98
classifi eds
The SentinelStar beer guide
lsquoDifferent beers can seem to weigh on the conscience as much as on the taste budsrsquo
Just like the changing of the seasons different beers can seem to weigh on the conscience as much as on the taste buds Ciney blond is a lovely almost effeminate tasting beer All light smooth fruitiness bolstered by substantial alcohol content
As the temperature increases it can even feel like a thirst quencher A nice session beer and one that could function as an entrance-level quality beer in terms of its complexity For advanced samplers it is a great lower platform to descend to after cruising the space occupied by the 8-plus percentage alcoholic beauties
Ciney blond is brewed by Alken-Maes Mechelen Belgium
By Denson Pierre
CINEY BLOND (7 ABV)
79star beer guide
We find the best most fun most typical exciting or local favourite restaurants etcetera in Amsterdam and bring them to you an easy way to feel like a local
Cafe Kostverloren 040606
Recommended
80recommended
EUROGIFTSXenonweg 9 3812 SZ Amersfoort
Tel 033 - 454 35 75 - Fax 033 - 454 35 79E-mail lmproefeurogiftsnl
Website wwweurogiftsnl
FILMPROEF
ORDERNUMMER 6021022ARTIKELNUMMER 65123
Ware grootte (indien uitgeprint)Kleur opdruk Wit
Mulligans Irish Music BarAmsterdamrsquos best address for live Irish music Five (5) nights a week Check our agenda for upcoming sessions Amstel 100 1017 AC Amsterdamwwwmulligansnl
Cafeacute KostverlorenCafeacute Kostverloren is a contemporary cafe offering the cosiness of a saloon an open kitchen and the intimacy of a living room The large terras is great for sunny days2e Kostverlorenkade 70 Amsterdamwwwcafekostverlorennl
ZestZest is fi ne food warm atmosphere and classy drinks with regular semi-acoustic (live) music and DJs (Thursday to Sunday) Amsterdamrsquos newest and freshestBilderdijkstraat 188 Amsterdamwwwfacebookcomclubzestnl
GollemGollemrsquos Proefl okaal Gollem and Gollem II represent the best addresses serving the fullest range of top Belgian Dutch and international beers in AmsterdamOvertoom 160-161wwwcafegollemnl
IncantoA restaurant with a classic Italian kitchen Venetian chef Simone Ambrosin is known for his pure and simple style of cooking with great feeling for nuanceAmstel 2 Amsterdamwwwrestaurant-incantonl
Planet RoseThe fi rst Caribbean restaurant in the Netherlands specialised in Jamaican cuisine The menu features a daily changing selectionNicolaas Beetsstraat 47 Amsterdamwwwplanetroseinfo
Cafe restaurant EdelCafe restaurant Edel is the perfect place for lunch dinner or to simply enjoy a drink Edel is a unique place in AmsterdamPostjesweg 1 1057 DT Amsterdamwwwedelamsterdamnl
Cafeacute OportoCafeacute Oporto is a traditional Amsterdam lsquobrown cafersquo Welcoming tourists and regular customers alike they offer televised sports wifi and a wide range of reasonably priced beers and spiritsZoutsteeg 1 1012 LX Amsterdamwwwcafeoportonet
BaxA cosy and friendly local cafeacute with a focus on special or interesting beers and good quality food Open 7 days a week with a professional kitchen offering a lunch and dinner serviceTen Katestraat 119 Amsterdamwwwcafebaxnl
To be seen and tasted Fun Drinking amp Music
To Be Seen and Tasted
Fun Drinking amp Music
Fun Drinking amp Music
Connoisseurs Delight
Connoisseurs Delight
Connoisseurs Delight
To Be Seen and Tasted
Neighbourhood cosy
Fun drinking and music
ParckGreat fun beautiful people and simply the best bar food in townOvertoom 428 Amsterdamwwwcafeparcknl
To be seen and tasted
Cafe de Toog1890rsquos grandeur fashioned into Amsterdam-West grand brown cafe-restaurant-cool Classy drinks and mealsNicolaas Beetsstraat 142 hs Amsterdam wwwcafedetoogcom
Opera Prima - Patisserie Bistro TraiteurThe best place in town for lunch exquisite high teas or brunches and all of your luxury catering both private and corporateKinkerstraat 228 Amsterdamwwwoperaprimanl
Recommended
81
Where is this inAmsterdamAnswer to sentinelpostgmailcom
82spotted
Room 2cfilm
ldquoCome on in boys the waterrsquos finerdquo This is arguably the best all-round and funny musical to come out of Hollywood in a generation and certainly one of the best three soundtracks of the same period George Clooney will never be as good or charming as he is here playing the accidental leader of a trio of chain gang escapees in the US south of the 1930s Spirituality meets the Ku Klux Klan all coloured by Virginia bluegrass
ldquoCall me Snakerdquo The coolest handle for a leading man (Kurt Russell) in any movie to date Here he is sent in on a heroic lsquoat all costrsquo one-man mission to rescue the president of the United States from the prison island Manhattan has become in a lsquofuturersquo representation of 1997 Air Force One has crashed there and the countdown is on Classic 1980s turn of the millennium dystopian vision with style pace and gadgetry
By dpmotions
By dpmotions
o Brother Where Art Thou (2000)
escape from new York (1981)
room2c83
84trends
lsquoTrends are great to join and surf like a once in a lifetime tsunamirsquo
By Dirkje Bakker-Pierre
Each and every micro-world has its own specific trends Take the fashion world for example where one day you have to wear high heels and round noses and the next itrsquos flat hairy elephant feet-like boots that must hug your feet Or take the automotive world where once upon a time you could never have enough chrome on your car or the food world where we have quietly moved from fast to green and wholesome or the TV world which used to be about fiction and is now more real than reality Some of these trends are great to join and surf like a once in a lifetime tsunami others can slip by unnoticed and others still keep bugging and bugging you even if you try to avoid them like the plague
The online world and specifically the social media universe eats through trends like a fat chick after a hunger strike Facebook in particular seems to move seamlessly from one hype to the next one day itrsquos pictures with fuzzy edges or a bit of a 1970s filter the next itrsquos a profile picture with you very consciously not looking into the camera (very spontaneously and naturally non-posing you might say) These are mostly harmless things if Irsquom honest and when everyone
stops liking them they fade away as quickly as the sun in our small wet country There is one trend however that has festered within Facebook from the very beginning and which seems to be gradually growing and growing without anyone ever liking the postshellip and I mean EVER
Yes I am talking about daily quotes words of wisdom holy quotes mesmerizingly philosophical quotes cheesy quotes religious quoteshellip How can I describe all of them in one easy sentence pieces of text from (famous) people (it can never be something you thought of yourself) that lsquodisclosersquo previously secret information about being happy in life (or at least previously secret to the person doing the posting I presume) In short texts that belong on tiles hanging on the wall in old Dutch peoplersquos toilets
Why
Here are a few I found in my news feed this week
ldquoA mind is like a parachute It doesnrsquot work if it is not openrdquo ndash Frank Zappa
ldquoIt is not because things are difficult that we do not dare it is because we do not dare that things are difficultrdquo ndash Seneca
ldquoIf you donrsquot take what you are doing seriously then nobody else willrdquo ndash Darryl Dlt Thomson
Bad trends would be good if they werenrsquot so bad
85trends
86classifi eds
87classifieds
One of my personal favourite gemstones is moonstone Itlsquos been around for centuries and is used in many cultures As suggested by its name the stone is highly associated with the moon and moon goddess Diana It brings calm peace and love and is said to become more powerful when the moon is full so thatlsquos the best time to wear it One proverb even claims that moonstone can bring you love that will fly you to the moon Spiritually this amazing stone is said to enhance intuition and is always associated with the self It is a very powerful personal stone which doesnlsquot add or remove any aspects of the personality but merely reflects the person wearing it It is said to be very
MoonstoneBy Evelina Kvartunaite
ndash
lsquoThe stone is highly associated with the moon and moon goddess Dianarsquo
ndash
helpful for people who are very sensitive and it is also used in meditation for reflecting oneself Itlsquos always best to charge your gem when the moon is shining at night either while wearing it or by leaving it on a windowsill that receives moonlight Moonstone is also used in healing and is known for balancing the internal organ systems enabling them to work in stable cycles Itlsquos usually more associated with women but is also known to help men embrace their more emotional side soft creative energies and optimism Perhaps understandably moonstone should have limited exposure to strong direct sunlight
ndash
lsquoIt is said to be very helpful for people who are very sensitiversquo
ndash
88
health amp well-being
ndash
lsquoMore associated with women but is also known to help men embrace their more emotional sidersquo
ndash
89health amp well-being
In his article Batin shows how learning how to use complex products is like learning a computer game Just like the challenges in video games match the skills of the user so should TV interactions or any UI interactions for that matter For reference Batin used the four levels described in the Dreyfus model of skill acquisition
Level 1 novicebullRigid adherence to taught rules or plansbullNo exercise of lsquodiscretionary judgmentrsquo
Level 2 Advanced beginnerbullLimited lsquosituational perceptionrsquobullAll aspects of work treated separately with equal importance
Philip Batin wrote an article a couple of months ago about the next big idea in User Interaction gadgets that adapt to your skills As gadgets become more complicated UIs must be able to teach their users over time Apparently more and more interactive products are being returned In 2002 48 of all returned products were technically fully functional but were rejected for failing to satisfy user needs 20 purely due to customer remorse Even though a product may have all the features one can hope for complexity and bad user experience can prevent users from integrating it into their lives
UserInterfaceThe next big thing in UX
lsquoUIs must be able to teach their users over timersquo
By Andrei Barburas
lsquoComplexity and bad user experience can prevent users from
integrating it into their livesrsquo
90
technology
book the majority of which you probably skipped through
Personally I believe that there are certain end users most likely the majority that use only a limited set of features from any device they buy Mobile phones have become indispensable tools in our daily activities yet the average Joe has no idea about the full potential of a smart phone The same applies to Smart TVs they can do lots of things yet the only thing that we do with them is flip channels and complain how bad the shows are
The bottom line is that itrsquos definitely something worth thinking about not only from an operating system perspective but also from the perspective of applications developers
Level 3 competentbulllsquoCoping with crowdednessrsquo (multiple activities accumulation of information)bullSome perception of actions in relation to goalsbullDeliberate planningbullFormulates routines
Level 4 ProficientbullHolistic view of situationbullPrioritizes importance of aspectsbulllsquoPerceives deviations from the normal patternrsquobullEmploys maxim for guidance with meanings that adapt to the situation at hand
Now just imagine a User Interface that adapts based on what you can do and the abilities you have As you learn new things new levels of complexity are unlocked opening the door to fully knowing your device because you learned by doing and not by reading a complicated
lsquoThe average Joe has no idea about the full potential of a
smart phonersquo
91technology
92classifi eds
93classifi eds
Not knowing what was happening in football was extremely annoying to put it mildly and it wasnrsquot just my own self-denial and avoidance of all things football that was a hindrance the extent to which I had to ask others to go in order to remain ignorant was much more excruciating than Irsquod ever imagined There may even be some damage done to football-related friendships that is irreparable I now feel as though Irsquom walking through an empty stadium after everyone else has gone home
So what now and where to next The season is well and truly over and Irsquom free to do whatever I want I could read the back-dated sports pages check all the stats and find out all the facts if I wanted to I could spend hours catching up on last season and speculating on the next with the friends Irsquove still got left down the pub if I wanted to I can follow all the transfer gossip watch pre-season friendlies and build up all my hopes But as with most addictions that would simply be falling back into a previous state of dependence and everything Irsquove just put myself through wouldrsquove been for nothing So how do I go back to an old habit without a total relapse or would it be better to keep abstaining
All my questions seem to be met with other questions and no solutions On the other hand if you ask me what
Someone once said that insanity is when you keep repeating the same behaviour and expect a different outcome most likely a psychologist aimed at his or her ailing patients But for me these words are more reminiscent of my own conduct over the course of a regular football season Week in week out season after season I would expect Tottenham to win something and more often than not Irsquod be left disappointed So I decided to stop No more football ndash at least not for one full season
The season 201213 is now over and during the whole nine months I didnrsquot watch a single moment of football or read a single article on the subject That was my challenge and I was committed to it What is more despite all the warning signs I didnrsquot relapse After a year of structured punishment I didnrsquot have a clue about what was going on in the English Premier League (or any other league) Only having picked up bits and pieces of information that somehow slipped through the net the past season was like a book with most of its pages missing
By Simon Joseph
On The Volley
The Return of the Repressed or the Point of No Return
lsquoInsanity is when you keep repeating the same behaviour and expect a different outcomersquo
sport
lsquoThe past season was like a book with most of its pages missingrsquo
94
lsquoThere may even be some damage done to football-related friendshipsrsquo
lsquoHas abstaining for a season changed mersquo
it until the cows come home but it was us who made those changes or at least allowed them to happen and those changes will continue to happen with or without me Perhaps then the questions I should be asking are has abstaining for a season changed me Am I still obsessed or have I broken the habit of a lifetime Is following football really that terrible or even a real addiction
One thing is certain this lack of resolution is not completely without satisfaction because like all forms of fixation or obsession therersquos comfort and familiarity to be found in repetition as Tottenham miss out on Championrsquos League football by a single point again The repressed will always return to haunt us or so it seems and before we know it the start of next season will be upon us There will be more pain no doubt and more joy This time however it will take more than a boot camp approach to keep me away and who knows Tottenham might even win the league Come on you Spurs
Tottenham Hotspur means I would still tell you that itrsquos not just a pretty football package itrsquos about kith and kin not just where I came from but how I relate to others around me in the here and now Whatrsquos more millions of people are attracted to football they hunger for it and yearn to connect with it even though I still believe itrsquos a form of ineffective escape from one unsatisfying reality to another Following football is a classic example of cognitive dissonance ndash when you simultaneously entertain two opposing thoughts that appear to cancel each other out Before the start of each season for example we all want our club to win everything or to be taken over by billionaires but know that itrsquos impossible or in the latter case controversial and even undesirable So we invent ways to cope We develop a so-called lsquosiege mentalityrsquo or other harmful patterns of behaviour to relieve the discomfort of incongruity With this in mind the past year was supposed to be an exercise in behaviour modification ndash to discover the root of the problem and treat it effectively But one year on have I really discovered anything at all
The English Premier League whether you watch it or not is still probably the most exciting football league in the world We can complain about the changes made to
sport9
5
By Denson Pierre
The Gold Room
Fantasy Football Gold ndash Champions League 2012-2013 winner Denson Pierre and his prizes
The season petered out in an all-German Champions League Final which did nothing to dispel the record that this was a season of too few new stars or regular spectacle We look forward to the next season as it ought not be too difficult to create more excitement than in the one just pastWe did have the opportunity to hand over the envelopes and trophies to the Sentinel Fantasy Football game winners This year all the major winners from the Sentinel Fantasy Football League were unable to be present for the physical prize giving but the winner of the Gold Game and focus of this column was there to receive his prize for winning the master game in styleSo we retire the Gold Room until the beginning of the new football season See you all again then
96
sport
Matt Parker receives his third place and Manager of the Month prizes for the Sentinel Fantasy Football League
Charles Conneely Sentinel Fantasy Football League 2012-2013 Champion
97sport
wwwczechtourismcom
CZECH REPUBLIC - STUNNINGLY DIFFERENT
98
classifi eds
We find the best most fun most typical exciting or local favourite restaurants etcetera in Amsterdam and bring them to you an easy way to feel like a local
Cafe Kostverloren 040606
Recommended
80recommended
EUROGIFTSXenonweg 9 3812 SZ Amersfoort
Tel 033 - 454 35 75 - Fax 033 - 454 35 79E-mail lmproefeurogiftsnl
Website wwweurogiftsnl
FILMPROEF
ORDERNUMMER 6021022ARTIKELNUMMER 65123
Ware grootte (indien uitgeprint)Kleur opdruk Wit
Mulligans Irish Music BarAmsterdamrsquos best address for live Irish music Five (5) nights a week Check our agenda for upcoming sessions Amstel 100 1017 AC Amsterdamwwwmulligansnl
Cafeacute KostverlorenCafeacute Kostverloren is a contemporary cafe offering the cosiness of a saloon an open kitchen and the intimacy of a living room The large terras is great for sunny days2e Kostverlorenkade 70 Amsterdamwwwcafekostverlorennl
ZestZest is fi ne food warm atmosphere and classy drinks with regular semi-acoustic (live) music and DJs (Thursday to Sunday) Amsterdamrsquos newest and freshestBilderdijkstraat 188 Amsterdamwwwfacebookcomclubzestnl
GollemGollemrsquos Proefl okaal Gollem and Gollem II represent the best addresses serving the fullest range of top Belgian Dutch and international beers in AmsterdamOvertoom 160-161wwwcafegollemnl
IncantoA restaurant with a classic Italian kitchen Venetian chef Simone Ambrosin is known for his pure and simple style of cooking with great feeling for nuanceAmstel 2 Amsterdamwwwrestaurant-incantonl
Planet RoseThe fi rst Caribbean restaurant in the Netherlands specialised in Jamaican cuisine The menu features a daily changing selectionNicolaas Beetsstraat 47 Amsterdamwwwplanetroseinfo
Cafe restaurant EdelCafe restaurant Edel is the perfect place for lunch dinner or to simply enjoy a drink Edel is a unique place in AmsterdamPostjesweg 1 1057 DT Amsterdamwwwedelamsterdamnl
Cafeacute OportoCafeacute Oporto is a traditional Amsterdam lsquobrown cafersquo Welcoming tourists and regular customers alike they offer televised sports wifi and a wide range of reasonably priced beers and spiritsZoutsteeg 1 1012 LX Amsterdamwwwcafeoportonet
BaxA cosy and friendly local cafeacute with a focus on special or interesting beers and good quality food Open 7 days a week with a professional kitchen offering a lunch and dinner serviceTen Katestraat 119 Amsterdamwwwcafebaxnl
To be seen and tasted Fun Drinking amp Music
To Be Seen and Tasted
Fun Drinking amp Music
Fun Drinking amp Music
Connoisseurs Delight
Connoisseurs Delight
Connoisseurs Delight
To Be Seen and Tasted
Neighbourhood cosy
Fun drinking and music
ParckGreat fun beautiful people and simply the best bar food in townOvertoom 428 Amsterdamwwwcafeparcknl
To be seen and tasted
Cafe de Toog1890rsquos grandeur fashioned into Amsterdam-West grand brown cafe-restaurant-cool Classy drinks and mealsNicolaas Beetsstraat 142 hs Amsterdam wwwcafedetoogcom
Opera Prima - Patisserie Bistro TraiteurThe best place in town for lunch exquisite high teas or brunches and all of your luxury catering both private and corporateKinkerstraat 228 Amsterdamwwwoperaprimanl
Recommended
81
Where is this inAmsterdamAnswer to sentinelpostgmailcom
82spotted
Room 2cfilm
ldquoCome on in boys the waterrsquos finerdquo This is arguably the best all-round and funny musical to come out of Hollywood in a generation and certainly one of the best three soundtracks of the same period George Clooney will never be as good or charming as he is here playing the accidental leader of a trio of chain gang escapees in the US south of the 1930s Spirituality meets the Ku Klux Klan all coloured by Virginia bluegrass
ldquoCall me Snakerdquo The coolest handle for a leading man (Kurt Russell) in any movie to date Here he is sent in on a heroic lsquoat all costrsquo one-man mission to rescue the president of the United States from the prison island Manhattan has become in a lsquofuturersquo representation of 1997 Air Force One has crashed there and the countdown is on Classic 1980s turn of the millennium dystopian vision with style pace and gadgetry
By dpmotions
By dpmotions
o Brother Where Art Thou (2000)
escape from new York (1981)
room2c83
84trends
lsquoTrends are great to join and surf like a once in a lifetime tsunamirsquo
By Dirkje Bakker-Pierre
Each and every micro-world has its own specific trends Take the fashion world for example where one day you have to wear high heels and round noses and the next itrsquos flat hairy elephant feet-like boots that must hug your feet Or take the automotive world where once upon a time you could never have enough chrome on your car or the food world where we have quietly moved from fast to green and wholesome or the TV world which used to be about fiction and is now more real than reality Some of these trends are great to join and surf like a once in a lifetime tsunami others can slip by unnoticed and others still keep bugging and bugging you even if you try to avoid them like the plague
The online world and specifically the social media universe eats through trends like a fat chick after a hunger strike Facebook in particular seems to move seamlessly from one hype to the next one day itrsquos pictures with fuzzy edges or a bit of a 1970s filter the next itrsquos a profile picture with you very consciously not looking into the camera (very spontaneously and naturally non-posing you might say) These are mostly harmless things if Irsquom honest and when everyone
stops liking them they fade away as quickly as the sun in our small wet country There is one trend however that has festered within Facebook from the very beginning and which seems to be gradually growing and growing without anyone ever liking the postshellip and I mean EVER
Yes I am talking about daily quotes words of wisdom holy quotes mesmerizingly philosophical quotes cheesy quotes religious quoteshellip How can I describe all of them in one easy sentence pieces of text from (famous) people (it can never be something you thought of yourself) that lsquodisclosersquo previously secret information about being happy in life (or at least previously secret to the person doing the posting I presume) In short texts that belong on tiles hanging on the wall in old Dutch peoplersquos toilets
Why
Here are a few I found in my news feed this week
ldquoA mind is like a parachute It doesnrsquot work if it is not openrdquo ndash Frank Zappa
ldquoIt is not because things are difficult that we do not dare it is because we do not dare that things are difficultrdquo ndash Seneca
ldquoIf you donrsquot take what you are doing seriously then nobody else willrdquo ndash Darryl Dlt Thomson
Bad trends would be good if they werenrsquot so bad
85trends
86classifi eds
87classifieds
One of my personal favourite gemstones is moonstone Itlsquos been around for centuries and is used in many cultures As suggested by its name the stone is highly associated with the moon and moon goddess Diana It brings calm peace and love and is said to become more powerful when the moon is full so thatlsquos the best time to wear it One proverb even claims that moonstone can bring you love that will fly you to the moon Spiritually this amazing stone is said to enhance intuition and is always associated with the self It is a very powerful personal stone which doesnlsquot add or remove any aspects of the personality but merely reflects the person wearing it It is said to be very
MoonstoneBy Evelina Kvartunaite
ndash
lsquoThe stone is highly associated with the moon and moon goddess Dianarsquo
ndash
helpful for people who are very sensitive and it is also used in meditation for reflecting oneself Itlsquos always best to charge your gem when the moon is shining at night either while wearing it or by leaving it on a windowsill that receives moonlight Moonstone is also used in healing and is known for balancing the internal organ systems enabling them to work in stable cycles Itlsquos usually more associated with women but is also known to help men embrace their more emotional side soft creative energies and optimism Perhaps understandably moonstone should have limited exposure to strong direct sunlight
ndash
lsquoIt is said to be very helpful for people who are very sensitiversquo
ndash
88
health amp well-being
ndash
lsquoMore associated with women but is also known to help men embrace their more emotional sidersquo
ndash
89health amp well-being
In his article Batin shows how learning how to use complex products is like learning a computer game Just like the challenges in video games match the skills of the user so should TV interactions or any UI interactions for that matter For reference Batin used the four levels described in the Dreyfus model of skill acquisition
Level 1 novicebullRigid adherence to taught rules or plansbullNo exercise of lsquodiscretionary judgmentrsquo
Level 2 Advanced beginnerbullLimited lsquosituational perceptionrsquobullAll aspects of work treated separately with equal importance
Philip Batin wrote an article a couple of months ago about the next big idea in User Interaction gadgets that adapt to your skills As gadgets become more complicated UIs must be able to teach their users over time Apparently more and more interactive products are being returned In 2002 48 of all returned products were technically fully functional but were rejected for failing to satisfy user needs 20 purely due to customer remorse Even though a product may have all the features one can hope for complexity and bad user experience can prevent users from integrating it into their lives
UserInterfaceThe next big thing in UX
lsquoUIs must be able to teach their users over timersquo
By Andrei Barburas
lsquoComplexity and bad user experience can prevent users from
integrating it into their livesrsquo
90
technology
book the majority of which you probably skipped through
Personally I believe that there are certain end users most likely the majority that use only a limited set of features from any device they buy Mobile phones have become indispensable tools in our daily activities yet the average Joe has no idea about the full potential of a smart phone The same applies to Smart TVs they can do lots of things yet the only thing that we do with them is flip channels and complain how bad the shows are
The bottom line is that itrsquos definitely something worth thinking about not only from an operating system perspective but also from the perspective of applications developers
Level 3 competentbulllsquoCoping with crowdednessrsquo (multiple activities accumulation of information)bullSome perception of actions in relation to goalsbullDeliberate planningbullFormulates routines
Level 4 ProficientbullHolistic view of situationbullPrioritizes importance of aspectsbulllsquoPerceives deviations from the normal patternrsquobullEmploys maxim for guidance with meanings that adapt to the situation at hand
Now just imagine a User Interface that adapts based on what you can do and the abilities you have As you learn new things new levels of complexity are unlocked opening the door to fully knowing your device because you learned by doing and not by reading a complicated
lsquoThe average Joe has no idea about the full potential of a
smart phonersquo
91technology
92classifi eds
93classifi eds
Not knowing what was happening in football was extremely annoying to put it mildly and it wasnrsquot just my own self-denial and avoidance of all things football that was a hindrance the extent to which I had to ask others to go in order to remain ignorant was much more excruciating than Irsquod ever imagined There may even be some damage done to football-related friendships that is irreparable I now feel as though Irsquom walking through an empty stadium after everyone else has gone home
So what now and where to next The season is well and truly over and Irsquom free to do whatever I want I could read the back-dated sports pages check all the stats and find out all the facts if I wanted to I could spend hours catching up on last season and speculating on the next with the friends Irsquove still got left down the pub if I wanted to I can follow all the transfer gossip watch pre-season friendlies and build up all my hopes But as with most addictions that would simply be falling back into a previous state of dependence and everything Irsquove just put myself through wouldrsquove been for nothing So how do I go back to an old habit without a total relapse or would it be better to keep abstaining
All my questions seem to be met with other questions and no solutions On the other hand if you ask me what
Someone once said that insanity is when you keep repeating the same behaviour and expect a different outcome most likely a psychologist aimed at his or her ailing patients But for me these words are more reminiscent of my own conduct over the course of a regular football season Week in week out season after season I would expect Tottenham to win something and more often than not Irsquod be left disappointed So I decided to stop No more football ndash at least not for one full season
The season 201213 is now over and during the whole nine months I didnrsquot watch a single moment of football or read a single article on the subject That was my challenge and I was committed to it What is more despite all the warning signs I didnrsquot relapse After a year of structured punishment I didnrsquot have a clue about what was going on in the English Premier League (or any other league) Only having picked up bits and pieces of information that somehow slipped through the net the past season was like a book with most of its pages missing
By Simon Joseph
On The Volley
The Return of the Repressed or the Point of No Return
lsquoInsanity is when you keep repeating the same behaviour and expect a different outcomersquo
sport
lsquoThe past season was like a book with most of its pages missingrsquo
94
lsquoThere may even be some damage done to football-related friendshipsrsquo
lsquoHas abstaining for a season changed mersquo
it until the cows come home but it was us who made those changes or at least allowed them to happen and those changes will continue to happen with or without me Perhaps then the questions I should be asking are has abstaining for a season changed me Am I still obsessed or have I broken the habit of a lifetime Is following football really that terrible or even a real addiction
One thing is certain this lack of resolution is not completely without satisfaction because like all forms of fixation or obsession therersquos comfort and familiarity to be found in repetition as Tottenham miss out on Championrsquos League football by a single point again The repressed will always return to haunt us or so it seems and before we know it the start of next season will be upon us There will be more pain no doubt and more joy This time however it will take more than a boot camp approach to keep me away and who knows Tottenham might even win the league Come on you Spurs
Tottenham Hotspur means I would still tell you that itrsquos not just a pretty football package itrsquos about kith and kin not just where I came from but how I relate to others around me in the here and now Whatrsquos more millions of people are attracted to football they hunger for it and yearn to connect with it even though I still believe itrsquos a form of ineffective escape from one unsatisfying reality to another Following football is a classic example of cognitive dissonance ndash when you simultaneously entertain two opposing thoughts that appear to cancel each other out Before the start of each season for example we all want our club to win everything or to be taken over by billionaires but know that itrsquos impossible or in the latter case controversial and even undesirable So we invent ways to cope We develop a so-called lsquosiege mentalityrsquo or other harmful patterns of behaviour to relieve the discomfort of incongruity With this in mind the past year was supposed to be an exercise in behaviour modification ndash to discover the root of the problem and treat it effectively But one year on have I really discovered anything at all
The English Premier League whether you watch it or not is still probably the most exciting football league in the world We can complain about the changes made to
sport9
5
By Denson Pierre
The Gold Room
Fantasy Football Gold ndash Champions League 2012-2013 winner Denson Pierre and his prizes
The season petered out in an all-German Champions League Final which did nothing to dispel the record that this was a season of too few new stars or regular spectacle We look forward to the next season as it ought not be too difficult to create more excitement than in the one just pastWe did have the opportunity to hand over the envelopes and trophies to the Sentinel Fantasy Football game winners This year all the major winners from the Sentinel Fantasy Football League were unable to be present for the physical prize giving but the winner of the Gold Game and focus of this column was there to receive his prize for winning the master game in styleSo we retire the Gold Room until the beginning of the new football season See you all again then
96
sport
Matt Parker receives his third place and Manager of the Month prizes for the Sentinel Fantasy Football League
Charles Conneely Sentinel Fantasy Football League 2012-2013 Champion
97sport
wwwczechtourismcom
CZECH REPUBLIC - STUNNINGLY DIFFERENT
98
classifi eds
EUROGIFTSXenonweg 9 3812 SZ Amersfoort
Tel 033 - 454 35 75 - Fax 033 - 454 35 79E-mail lmproefeurogiftsnl
Website wwweurogiftsnl
FILMPROEF
ORDERNUMMER 6021022ARTIKELNUMMER 65123
Ware grootte (indien uitgeprint)Kleur opdruk Wit
Mulligans Irish Music BarAmsterdamrsquos best address for live Irish music Five (5) nights a week Check our agenda for upcoming sessions Amstel 100 1017 AC Amsterdamwwwmulligansnl
Cafeacute KostverlorenCafeacute Kostverloren is a contemporary cafe offering the cosiness of a saloon an open kitchen and the intimacy of a living room The large terras is great for sunny days2e Kostverlorenkade 70 Amsterdamwwwcafekostverlorennl
ZestZest is fi ne food warm atmosphere and classy drinks with regular semi-acoustic (live) music and DJs (Thursday to Sunday) Amsterdamrsquos newest and freshestBilderdijkstraat 188 Amsterdamwwwfacebookcomclubzestnl
GollemGollemrsquos Proefl okaal Gollem and Gollem II represent the best addresses serving the fullest range of top Belgian Dutch and international beers in AmsterdamOvertoom 160-161wwwcafegollemnl
IncantoA restaurant with a classic Italian kitchen Venetian chef Simone Ambrosin is known for his pure and simple style of cooking with great feeling for nuanceAmstel 2 Amsterdamwwwrestaurant-incantonl
Planet RoseThe fi rst Caribbean restaurant in the Netherlands specialised in Jamaican cuisine The menu features a daily changing selectionNicolaas Beetsstraat 47 Amsterdamwwwplanetroseinfo
Cafe restaurant EdelCafe restaurant Edel is the perfect place for lunch dinner or to simply enjoy a drink Edel is a unique place in AmsterdamPostjesweg 1 1057 DT Amsterdamwwwedelamsterdamnl
Cafeacute OportoCafeacute Oporto is a traditional Amsterdam lsquobrown cafersquo Welcoming tourists and regular customers alike they offer televised sports wifi and a wide range of reasonably priced beers and spiritsZoutsteeg 1 1012 LX Amsterdamwwwcafeoportonet
BaxA cosy and friendly local cafeacute with a focus on special or interesting beers and good quality food Open 7 days a week with a professional kitchen offering a lunch and dinner serviceTen Katestraat 119 Amsterdamwwwcafebaxnl
To be seen and tasted Fun Drinking amp Music
To Be Seen and Tasted
Fun Drinking amp Music
Fun Drinking amp Music
Connoisseurs Delight
Connoisseurs Delight
Connoisseurs Delight
To Be Seen and Tasted
Neighbourhood cosy
Fun drinking and music
ParckGreat fun beautiful people and simply the best bar food in townOvertoom 428 Amsterdamwwwcafeparcknl
To be seen and tasted
Cafe de Toog1890rsquos grandeur fashioned into Amsterdam-West grand brown cafe-restaurant-cool Classy drinks and mealsNicolaas Beetsstraat 142 hs Amsterdam wwwcafedetoogcom
Opera Prima - Patisserie Bistro TraiteurThe best place in town for lunch exquisite high teas or brunches and all of your luxury catering both private and corporateKinkerstraat 228 Amsterdamwwwoperaprimanl
Recommended
81
Where is this inAmsterdamAnswer to sentinelpostgmailcom
82spotted
Room 2cfilm
ldquoCome on in boys the waterrsquos finerdquo This is arguably the best all-round and funny musical to come out of Hollywood in a generation and certainly one of the best three soundtracks of the same period George Clooney will never be as good or charming as he is here playing the accidental leader of a trio of chain gang escapees in the US south of the 1930s Spirituality meets the Ku Klux Klan all coloured by Virginia bluegrass
ldquoCall me Snakerdquo The coolest handle for a leading man (Kurt Russell) in any movie to date Here he is sent in on a heroic lsquoat all costrsquo one-man mission to rescue the president of the United States from the prison island Manhattan has become in a lsquofuturersquo representation of 1997 Air Force One has crashed there and the countdown is on Classic 1980s turn of the millennium dystopian vision with style pace and gadgetry
By dpmotions
By dpmotions
o Brother Where Art Thou (2000)
escape from new York (1981)
room2c83
84trends
lsquoTrends are great to join and surf like a once in a lifetime tsunamirsquo
By Dirkje Bakker-Pierre
Each and every micro-world has its own specific trends Take the fashion world for example where one day you have to wear high heels and round noses and the next itrsquos flat hairy elephant feet-like boots that must hug your feet Or take the automotive world where once upon a time you could never have enough chrome on your car or the food world where we have quietly moved from fast to green and wholesome or the TV world which used to be about fiction and is now more real than reality Some of these trends are great to join and surf like a once in a lifetime tsunami others can slip by unnoticed and others still keep bugging and bugging you even if you try to avoid them like the plague
The online world and specifically the social media universe eats through trends like a fat chick after a hunger strike Facebook in particular seems to move seamlessly from one hype to the next one day itrsquos pictures with fuzzy edges or a bit of a 1970s filter the next itrsquos a profile picture with you very consciously not looking into the camera (very spontaneously and naturally non-posing you might say) These are mostly harmless things if Irsquom honest and when everyone
stops liking them they fade away as quickly as the sun in our small wet country There is one trend however that has festered within Facebook from the very beginning and which seems to be gradually growing and growing without anyone ever liking the postshellip and I mean EVER
Yes I am talking about daily quotes words of wisdom holy quotes mesmerizingly philosophical quotes cheesy quotes religious quoteshellip How can I describe all of them in one easy sentence pieces of text from (famous) people (it can never be something you thought of yourself) that lsquodisclosersquo previously secret information about being happy in life (or at least previously secret to the person doing the posting I presume) In short texts that belong on tiles hanging on the wall in old Dutch peoplersquos toilets
Why
Here are a few I found in my news feed this week
ldquoA mind is like a parachute It doesnrsquot work if it is not openrdquo ndash Frank Zappa
ldquoIt is not because things are difficult that we do not dare it is because we do not dare that things are difficultrdquo ndash Seneca
ldquoIf you donrsquot take what you are doing seriously then nobody else willrdquo ndash Darryl Dlt Thomson
Bad trends would be good if they werenrsquot so bad
85trends
86classifi eds
87classifieds
One of my personal favourite gemstones is moonstone Itlsquos been around for centuries and is used in many cultures As suggested by its name the stone is highly associated with the moon and moon goddess Diana It brings calm peace and love and is said to become more powerful when the moon is full so thatlsquos the best time to wear it One proverb even claims that moonstone can bring you love that will fly you to the moon Spiritually this amazing stone is said to enhance intuition and is always associated with the self It is a very powerful personal stone which doesnlsquot add or remove any aspects of the personality but merely reflects the person wearing it It is said to be very
MoonstoneBy Evelina Kvartunaite
ndash
lsquoThe stone is highly associated with the moon and moon goddess Dianarsquo
ndash
helpful for people who are very sensitive and it is also used in meditation for reflecting oneself Itlsquos always best to charge your gem when the moon is shining at night either while wearing it or by leaving it on a windowsill that receives moonlight Moonstone is also used in healing and is known for balancing the internal organ systems enabling them to work in stable cycles Itlsquos usually more associated with women but is also known to help men embrace their more emotional side soft creative energies and optimism Perhaps understandably moonstone should have limited exposure to strong direct sunlight
ndash
lsquoIt is said to be very helpful for people who are very sensitiversquo
ndash
88
health amp well-being
ndash
lsquoMore associated with women but is also known to help men embrace their more emotional sidersquo
ndash
89health amp well-being
In his article Batin shows how learning how to use complex products is like learning a computer game Just like the challenges in video games match the skills of the user so should TV interactions or any UI interactions for that matter For reference Batin used the four levels described in the Dreyfus model of skill acquisition
Level 1 novicebullRigid adherence to taught rules or plansbullNo exercise of lsquodiscretionary judgmentrsquo
Level 2 Advanced beginnerbullLimited lsquosituational perceptionrsquobullAll aspects of work treated separately with equal importance
Philip Batin wrote an article a couple of months ago about the next big idea in User Interaction gadgets that adapt to your skills As gadgets become more complicated UIs must be able to teach their users over time Apparently more and more interactive products are being returned In 2002 48 of all returned products were technically fully functional but were rejected for failing to satisfy user needs 20 purely due to customer remorse Even though a product may have all the features one can hope for complexity and bad user experience can prevent users from integrating it into their lives
UserInterfaceThe next big thing in UX
lsquoUIs must be able to teach their users over timersquo
By Andrei Barburas
lsquoComplexity and bad user experience can prevent users from
integrating it into their livesrsquo
90
technology
book the majority of which you probably skipped through
Personally I believe that there are certain end users most likely the majority that use only a limited set of features from any device they buy Mobile phones have become indispensable tools in our daily activities yet the average Joe has no idea about the full potential of a smart phone The same applies to Smart TVs they can do lots of things yet the only thing that we do with them is flip channels and complain how bad the shows are
The bottom line is that itrsquos definitely something worth thinking about not only from an operating system perspective but also from the perspective of applications developers
Level 3 competentbulllsquoCoping with crowdednessrsquo (multiple activities accumulation of information)bullSome perception of actions in relation to goalsbullDeliberate planningbullFormulates routines
Level 4 ProficientbullHolistic view of situationbullPrioritizes importance of aspectsbulllsquoPerceives deviations from the normal patternrsquobullEmploys maxim for guidance with meanings that adapt to the situation at hand
Now just imagine a User Interface that adapts based on what you can do and the abilities you have As you learn new things new levels of complexity are unlocked opening the door to fully knowing your device because you learned by doing and not by reading a complicated
lsquoThe average Joe has no idea about the full potential of a
smart phonersquo
91technology
92classifi eds
93classifi eds
Not knowing what was happening in football was extremely annoying to put it mildly and it wasnrsquot just my own self-denial and avoidance of all things football that was a hindrance the extent to which I had to ask others to go in order to remain ignorant was much more excruciating than Irsquod ever imagined There may even be some damage done to football-related friendships that is irreparable I now feel as though Irsquom walking through an empty stadium after everyone else has gone home
So what now and where to next The season is well and truly over and Irsquom free to do whatever I want I could read the back-dated sports pages check all the stats and find out all the facts if I wanted to I could spend hours catching up on last season and speculating on the next with the friends Irsquove still got left down the pub if I wanted to I can follow all the transfer gossip watch pre-season friendlies and build up all my hopes But as with most addictions that would simply be falling back into a previous state of dependence and everything Irsquove just put myself through wouldrsquove been for nothing So how do I go back to an old habit without a total relapse or would it be better to keep abstaining
All my questions seem to be met with other questions and no solutions On the other hand if you ask me what
Someone once said that insanity is when you keep repeating the same behaviour and expect a different outcome most likely a psychologist aimed at his or her ailing patients But for me these words are more reminiscent of my own conduct over the course of a regular football season Week in week out season after season I would expect Tottenham to win something and more often than not Irsquod be left disappointed So I decided to stop No more football ndash at least not for one full season
The season 201213 is now over and during the whole nine months I didnrsquot watch a single moment of football or read a single article on the subject That was my challenge and I was committed to it What is more despite all the warning signs I didnrsquot relapse After a year of structured punishment I didnrsquot have a clue about what was going on in the English Premier League (or any other league) Only having picked up bits and pieces of information that somehow slipped through the net the past season was like a book with most of its pages missing
By Simon Joseph
On The Volley
The Return of the Repressed or the Point of No Return
lsquoInsanity is when you keep repeating the same behaviour and expect a different outcomersquo
sport
lsquoThe past season was like a book with most of its pages missingrsquo
94
lsquoThere may even be some damage done to football-related friendshipsrsquo
lsquoHas abstaining for a season changed mersquo
it until the cows come home but it was us who made those changes or at least allowed them to happen and those changes will continue to happen with or without me Perhaps then the questions I should be asking are has abstaining for a season changed me Am I still obsessed or have I broken the habit of a lifetime Is following football really that terrible or even a real addiction
One thing is certain this lack of resolution is not completely without satisfaction because like all forms of fixation or obsession therersquos comfort and familiarity to be found in repetition as Tottenham miss out on Championrsquos League football by a single point again The repressed will always return to haunt us or so it seems and before we know it the start of next season will be upon us There will be more pain no doubt and more joy This time however it will take more than a boot camp approach to keep me away and who knows Tottenham might even win the league Come on you Spurs
Tottenham Hotspur means I would still tell you that itrsquos not just a pretty football package itrsquos about kith and kin not just where I came from but how I relate to others around me in the here and now Whatrsquos more millions of people are attracted to football they hunger for it and yearn to connect with it even though I still believe itrsquos a form of ineffective escape from one unsatisfying reality to another Following football is a classic example of cognitive dissonance ndash when you simultaneously entertain two opposing thoughts that appear to cancel each other out Before the start of each season for example we all want our club to win everything or to be taken over by billionaires but know that itrsquos impossible or in the latter case controversial and even undesirable So we invent ways to cope We develop a so-called lsquosiege mentalityrsquo or other harmful patterns of behaviour to relieve the discomfort of incongruity With this in mind the past year was supposed to be an exercise in behaviour modification ndash to discover the root of the problem and treat it effectively But one year on have I really discovered anything at all
The English Premier League whether you watch it or not is still probably the most exciting football league in the world We can complain about the changes made to
sport9
5
By Denson Pierre
The Gold Room
Fantasy Football Gold ndash Champions League 2012-2013 winner Denson Pierre and his prizes
The season petered out in an all-German Champions League Final which did nothing to dispel the record that this was a season of too few new stars or regular spectacle We look forward to the next season as it ought not be too difficult to create more excitement than in the one just pastWe did have the opportunity to hand over the envelopes and trophies to the Sentinel Fantasy Football game winners This year all the major winners from the Sentinel Fantasy Football League were unable to be present for the physical prize giving but the winner of the Gold Game and focus of this column was there to receive his prize for winning the master game in styleSo we retire the Gold Room until the beginning of the new football season See you all again then
96
sport
Matt Parker receives his third place and Manager of the Month prizes for the Sentinel Fantasy Football League
Charles Conneely Sentinel Fantasy Football League 2012-2013 Champion
97sport
wwwczechtourismcom
CZECH REPUBLIC - STUNNINGLY DIFFERENT
98
classifi eds
Where is this inAmsterdamAnswer to sentinelpostgmailcom
82spotted
Room 2cfilm
ldquoCome on in boys the waterrsquos finerdquo This is arguably the best all-round and funny musical to come out of Hollywood in a generation and certainly one of the best three soundtracks of the same period George Clooney will never be as good or charming as he is here playing the accidental leader of a trio of chain gang escapees in the US south of the 1930s Spirituality meets the Ku Klux Klan all coloured by Virginia bluegrass
ldquoCall me Snakerdquo The coolest handle for a leading man (Kurt Russell) in any movie to date Here he is sent in on a heroic lsquoat all costrsquo one-man mission to rescue the president of the United States from the prison island Manhattan has become in a lsquofuturersquo representation of 1997 Air Force One has crashed there and the countdown is on Classic 1980s turn of the millennium dystopian vision with style pace and gadgetry
By dpmotions
By dpmotions
o Brother Where Art Thou (2000)
escape from new York (1981)
room2c83
84trends
lsquoTrends are great to join and surf like a once in a lifetime tsunamirsquo
By Dirkje Bakker-Pierre
Each and every micro-world has its own specific trends Take the fashion world for example where one day you have to wear high heels and round noses and the next itrsquos flat hairy elephant feet-like boots that must hug your feet Or take the automotive world where once upon a time you could never have enough chrome on your car or the food world where we have quietly moved from fast to green and wholesome or the TV world which used to be about fiction and is now more real than reality Some of these trends are great to join and surf like a once in a lifetime tsunami others can slip by unnoticed and others still keep bugging and bugging you even if you try to avoid them like the plague
The online world and specifically the social media universe eats through trends like a fat chick after a hunger strike Facebook in particular seems to move seamlessly from one hype to the next one day itrsquos pictures with fuzzy edges or a bit of a 1970s filter the next itrsquos a profile picture with you very consciously not looking into the camera (very spontaneously and naturally non-posing you might say) These are mostly harmless things if Irsquom honest and when everyone
stops liking them they fade away as quickly as the sun in our small wet country There is one trend however that has festered within Facebook from the very beginning and which seems to be gradually growing and growing without anyone ever liking the postshellip and I mean EVER
Yes I am talking about daily quotes words of wisdom holy quotes mesmerizingly philosophical quotes cheesy quotes religious quoteshellip How can I describe all of them in one easy sentence pieces of text from (famous) people (it can never be something you thought of yourself) that lsquodisclosersquo previously secret information about being happy in life (or at least previously secret to the person doing the posting I presume) In short texts that belong on tiles hanging on the wall in old Dutch peoplersquos toilets
Why
Here are a few I found in my news feed this week
ldquoA mind is like a parachute It doesnrsquot work if it is not openrdquo ndash Frank Zappa
ldquoIt is not because things are difficult that we do not dare it is because we do not dare that things are difficultrdquo ndash Seneca
ldquoIf you donrsquot take what you are doing seriously then nobody else willrdquo ndash Darryl Dlt Thomson
Bad trends would be good if they werenrsquot so bad
85trends
86classifi eds
87classifieds
One of my personal favourite gemstones is moonstone Itlsquos been around for centuries and is used in many cultures As suggested by its name the stone is highly associated with the moon and moon goddess Diana It brings calm peace and love and is said to become more powerful when the moon is full so thatlsquos the best time to wear it One proverb even claims that moonstone can bring you love that will fly you to the moon Spiritually this amazing stone is said to enhance intuition and is always associated with the self It is a very powerful personal stone which doesnlsquot add or remove any aspects of the personality but merely reflects the person wearing it It is said to be very
MoonstoneBy Evelina Kvartunaite
ndash
lsquoThe stone is highly associated with the moon and moon goddess Dianarsquo
ndash
helpful for people who are very sensitive and it is also used in meditation for reflecting oneself Itlsquos always best to charge your gem when the moon is shining at night either while wearing it or by leaving it on a windowsill that receives moonlight Moonstone is also used in healing and is known for balancing the internal organ systems enabling them to work in stable cycles Itlsquos usually more associated with women but is also known to help men embrace their more emotional side soft creative energies and optimism Perhaps understandably moonstone should have limited exposure to strong direct sunlight
ndash
lsquoIt is said to be very helpful for people who are very sensitiversquo
ndash
88
health amp well-being
ndash
lsquoMore associated with women but is also known to help men embrace their more emotional sidersquo
ndash
89health amp well-being
In his article Batin shows how learning how to use complex products is like learning a computer game Just like the challenges in video games match the skills of the user so should TV interactions or any UI interactions for that matter For reference Batin used the four levels described in the Dreyfus model of skill acquisition
Level 1 novicebullRigid adherence to taught rules or plansbullNo exercise of lsquodiscretionary judgmentrsquo
Level 2 Advanced beginnerbullLimited lsquosituational perceptionrsquobullAll aspects of work treated separately with equal importance
Philip Batin wrote an article a couple of months ago about the next big idea in User Interaction gadgets that adapt to your skills As gadgets become more complicated UIs must be able to teach their users over time Apparently more and more interactive products are being returned In 2002 48 of all returned products were technically fully functional but were rejected for failing to satisfy user needs 20 purely due to customer remorse Even though a product may have all the features one can hope for complexity and bad user experience can prevent users from integrating it into their lives
UserInterfaceThe next big thing in UX
lsquoUIs must be able to teach their users over timersquo
By Andrei Barburas
lsquoComplexity and bad user experience can prevent users from
integrating it into their livesrsquo
90
technology
book the majority of which you probably skipped through
Personally I believe that there are certain end users most likely the majority that use only a limited set of features from any device they buy Mobile phones have become indispensable tools in our daily activities yet the average Joe has no idea about the full potential of a smart phone The same applies to Smart TVs they can do lots of things yet the only thing that we do with them is flip channels and complain how bad the shows are
The bottom line is that itrsquos definitely something worth thinking about not only from an operating system perspective but also from the perspective of applications developers
Level 3 competentbulllsquoCoping with crowdednessrsquo (multiple activities accumulation of information)bullSome perception of actions in relation to goalsbullDeliberate planningbullFormulates routines
Level 4 ProficientbullHolistic view of situationbullPrioritizes importance of aspectsbulllsquoPerceives deviations from the normal patternrsquobullEmploys maxim for guidance with meanings that adapt to the situation at hand
Now just imagine a User Interface that adapts based on what you can do and the abilities you have As you learn new things new levels of complexity are unlocked opening the door to fully knowing your device because you learned by doing and not by reading a complicated
lsquoThe average Joe has no idea about the full potential of a
smart phonersquo
91technology
92classifi eds
93classifi eds
Not knowing what was happening in football was extremely annoying to put it mildly and it wasnrsquot just my own self-denial and avoidance of all things football that was a hindrance the extent to which I had to ask others to go in order to remain ignorant was much more excruciating than Irsquod ever imagined There may even be some damage done to football-related friendships that is irreparable I now feel as though Irsquom walking through an empty stadium after everyone else has gone home
So what now and where to next The season is well and truly over and Irsquom free to do whatever I want I could read the back-dated sports pages check all the stats and find out all the facts if I wanted to I could spend hours catching up on last season and speculating on the next with the friends Irsquove still got left down the pub if I wanted to I can follow all the transfer gossip watch pre-season friendlies and build up all my hopes But as with most addictions that would simply be falling back into a previous state of dependence and everything Irsquove just put myself through wouldrsquove been for nothing So how do I go back to an old habit without a total relapse or would it be better to keep abstaining
All my questions seem to be met with other questions and no solutions On the other hand if you ask me what
Someone once said that insanity is when you keep repeating the same behaviour and expect a different outcome most likely a psychologist aimed at his or her ailing patients But for me these words are more reminiscent of my own conduct over the course of a regular football season Week in week out season after season I would expect Tottenham to win something and more often than not Irsquod be left disappointed So I decided to stop No more football ndash at least not for one full season
The season 201213 is now over and during the whole nine months I didnrsquot watch a single moment of football or read a single article on the subject That was my challenge and I was committed to it What is more despite all the warning signs I didnrsquot relapse After a year of structured punishment I didnrsquot have a clue about what was going on in the English Premier League (or any other league) Only having picked up bits and pieces of information that somehow slipped through the net the past season was like a book with most of its pages missing
By Simon Joseph
On The Volley
The Return of the Repressed or the Point of No Return
lsquoInsanity is when you keep repeating the same behaviour and expect a different outcomersquo
sport
lsquoThe past season was like a book with most of its pages missingrsquo
94
lsquoThere may even be some damage done to football-related friendshipsrsquo
lsquoHas abstaining for a season changed mersquo
it until the cows come home but it was us who made those changes or at least allowed them to happen and those changes will continue to happen with or without me Perhaps then the questions I should be asking are has abstaining for a season changed me Am I still obsessed or have I broken the habit of a lifetime Is following football really that terrible or even a real addiction
One thing is certain this lack of resolution is not completely without satisfaction because like all forms of fixation or obsession therersquos comfort and familiarity to be found in repetition as Tottenham miss out on Championrsquos League football by a single point again The repressed will always return to haunt us or so it seems and before we know it the start of next season will be upon us There will be more pain no doubt and more joy This time however it will take more than a boot camp approach to keep me away and who knows Tottenham might even win the league Come on you Spurs
Tottenham Hotspur means I would still tell you that itrsquos not just a pretty football package itrsquos about kith and kin not just where I came from but how I relate to others around me in the here and now Whatrsquos more millions of people are attracted to football they hunger for it and yearn to connect with it even though I still believe itrsquos a form of ineffective escape from one unsatisfying reality to another Following football is a classic example of cognitive dissonance ndash when you simultaneously entertain two opposing thoughts that appear to cancel each other out Before the start of each season for example we all want our club to win everything or to be taken over by billionaires but know that itrsquos impossible or in the latter case controversial and even undesirable So we invent ways to cope We develop a so-called lsquosiege mentalityrsquo or other harmful patterns of behaviour to relieve the discomfort of incongruity With this in mind the past year was supposed to be an exercise in behaviour modification ndash to discover the root of the problem and treat it effectively But one year on have I really discovered anything at all
The English Premier League whether you watch it or not is still probably the most exciting football league in the world We can complain about the changes made to
sport9
5
By Denson Pierre
The Gold Room
Fantasy Football Gold ndash Champions League 2012-2013 winner Denson Pierre and his prizes
The season petered out in an all-German Champions League Final which did nothing to dispel the record that this was a season of too few new stars or regular spectacle We look forward to the next season as it ought not be too difficult to create more excitement than in the one just pastWe did have the opportunity to hand over the envelopes and trophies to the Sentinel Fantasy Football game winners This year all the major winners from the Sentinel Fantasy Football League were unable to be present for the physical prize giving but the winner of the Gold Game and focus of this column was there to receive his prize for winning the master game in styleSo we retire the Gold Room until the beginning of the new football season See you all again then
96
sport
Matt Parker receives his third place and Manager of the Month prizes for the Sentinel Fantasy Football League
Charles Conneely Sentinel Fantasy Football League 2012-2013 Champion
97sport
wwwczechtourismcom
CZECH REPUBLIC - STUNNINGLY DIFFERENT
98
classifi eds
Room 2cfilm
ldquoCome on in boys the waterrsquos finerdquo This is arguably the best all-round and funny musical to come out of Hollywood in a generation and certainly one of the best three soundtracks of the same period George Clooney will never be as good or charming as he is here playing the accidental leader of a trio of chain gang escapees in the US south of the 1930s Spirituality meets the Ku Klux Klan all coloured by Virginia bluegrass
ldquoCall me Snakerdquo The coolest handle for a leading man (Kurt Russell) in any movie to date Here he is sent in on a heroic lsquoat all costrsquo one-man mission to rescue the president of the United States from the prison island Manhattan has become in a lsquofuturersquo representation of 1997 Air Force One has crashed there and the countdown is on Classic 1980s turn of the millennium dystopian vision with style pace and gadgetry
By dpmotions
By dpmotions
o Brother Where Art Thou (2000)
escape from new York (1981)
room2c83
84trends
lsquoTrends are great to join and surf like a once in a lifetime tsunamirsquo
By Dirkje Bakker-Pierre
Each and every micro-world has its own specific trends Take the fashion world for example where one day you have to wear high heels and round noses and the next itrsquos flat hairy elephant feet-like boots that must hug your feet Or take the automotive world where once upon a time you could never have enough chrome on your car or the food world where we have quietly moved from fast to green and wholesome or the TV world which used to be about fiction and is now more real than reality Some of these trends are great to join and surf like a once in a lifetime tsunami others can slip by unnoticed and others still keep bugging and bugging you even if you try to avoid them like the plague
The online world and specifically the social media universe eats through trends like a fat chick after a hunger strike Facebook in particular seems to move seamlessly from one hype to the next one day itrsquos pictures with fuzzy edges or a bit of a 1970s filter the next itrsquos a profile picture with you very consciously not looking into the camera (very spontaneously and naturally non-posing you might say) These are mostly harmless things if Irsquom honest and when everyone
stops liking them they fade away as quickly as the sun in our small wet country There is one trend however that has festered within Facebook from the very beginning and which seems to be gradually growing and growing without anyone ever liking the postshellip and I mean EVER
Yes I am talking about daily quotes words of wisdom holy quotes mesmerizingly philosophical quotes cheesy quotes religious quoteshellip How can I describe all of them in one easy sentence pieces of text from (famous) people (it can never be something you thought of yourself) that lsquodisclosersquo previously secret information about being happy in life (or at least previously secret to the person doing the posting I presume) In short texts that belong on tiles hanging on the wall in old Dutch peoplersquos toilets
Why
Here are a few I found in my news feed this week
ldquoA mind is like a parachute It doesnrsquot work if it is not openrdquo ndash Frank Zappa
ldquoIt is not because things are difficult that we do not dare it is because we do not dare that things are difficultrdquo ndash Seneca
ldquoIf you donrsquot take what you are doing seriously then nobody else willrdquo ndash Darryl Dlt Thomson
Bad trends would be good if they werenrsquot so bad
85trends
86classifi eds
87classifieds
One of my personal favourite gemstones is moonstone Itlsquos been around for centuries and is used in many cultures As suggested by its name the stone is highly associated with the moon and moon goddess Diana It brings calm peace and love and is said to become more powerful when the moon is full so thatlsquos the best time to wear it One proverb even claims that moonstone can bring you love that will fly you to the moon Spiritually this amazing stone is said to enhance intuition and is always associated with the self It is a very powerful personal stone which doesnlsquot add or remove any aspects of the personality but merely reflects the person wearing it It is said to be very
MoonstoneBy Evelina Kvartunaite
ndash
lsquoThe stone is highly associated with the moon and moon goddess Dianarsquo
ndash
helpful for people who are very sensitive and it is also used in meditation for reflecting oneself Itlsquos always best to charge your gem when the moon is shining at night either while wearing it or by leaving it on a windowsill that receives moonlight Moonstone is also used in healing and is known for balancing the internal organ systems enabling them to work in stable cycles Itlsquos usually more associated with women but is also known to help men embrace their more emotional side soft creative energies and optimism Perhaps understandably moonstone should have limited exposure to strong direct sunlight
ndash
lsquoIt is said to be very helpful for people who are very sensitiversquo
ndash
88
health amp well-being
ndash
lsquoMore associated with women but is also known to help men embrace their more emotional sidersquo
ndash
89health amp well-being
In his article Batin shows how learning how to use complex products is like learning a computer game Just like the challenges in video games match the skills of the user so should TV interactions or any UI interactions for that matter For reference Batin used the four levels described in the Dreyfus model of skill acquisition
Level 1 novicebullRigid adherence to taught rules or plansbullNo exercise of lsquodiscretionary judgmentrsquo
Level 2 Advanced beginnerbullLimited lsquosituational perceptionrsquobullAll aspects of work treated separately with equal importance
Philip Batin wrote an article a couple of months ago about the next big idea in User Interaction gadgets that adapt to your skills As gadgets become more complicated UIs must be able to teach their users over time Apparently more and more interactive products are being returned In 2002 48 of all returned products were technically fully functional but were rejected for failing to satisfy user needs 20 purely due to customer remorse Even though a product may have all the features one can hope for complexity and bad user experience can prevent users from integrating it into their lives
UserInterfaceThe next big thing in UX
lsquoUIs must be able to teach their users over timersquo
By Andrei Barburas
lsquoComplexity and bad user experience can prevent users from
integrating it into their livesrsquo
90
technology
book the majority of which you probably skipped through
Personally I believe that there are certain end users most likely the majority that use only a limited set of features from any device they buy Mobile phones have become indispensable tools in our daily activities yet the average Joe has no idea about the full potential of a smart phone The same applies to Smart TVs they can do lots of things yet the only thing that we do with them is flip channels and complain how bad the shows are
The bottom line is that itrsquos definitely something worth thinking about not only from an operating system perspective but also from the perspective of applications developers
Level 3 competentbulllsquoCoping with crowdednessrsquo (multiple activities accumulation of information)bullSome perception of actions in relation to goalsbullDeliberate planningbullFormulates routines
Level 4 ProficientbullHolistic view of situationbullPrioritizes importance of aspectsbulllsquoPerceives deviations from the normal patternrsquobullEmploys maxim for guidance with meanings that adapt to the situation at hand
Now just imagine a User Interface that adapts based on what you can do and the abilities you have As you learn new things new levels of complexity are unlocked opening the door to fully knowing your device because you learned by doing and not by reading a complicated
lsquoThe average Joe has no idea about the full potential of a
smart phonersquo
91technology
92classifi eds
93classifi eds
Not knowing what was happening in football was extremely annoying to put it mildly and it wasnrsquot just my own self-denial and avoidance of all things football that was a hindrance the extent to which I had to ask others to go in order to remain ignorant was much more excruciating than Irsquod ever imagined There may even be some damage done to football-related friendships that is irreparable I now feel as though Irsquom walking through an empty stadium after everyone else has gone home
So what now and where to next The season is well and truly over and Irsquom free to do whatever I want I could read the back-dated sports pages check all the stats and find out all the facts if I wanted to I could spend hours catching up on last season and speculating on the next with the friends Irsquove still got left down the pub if I wanted to I can follow all the transfer gossip watch pre-season friendlies and build up all my hopes But as with most addictions that would simply be falling back into a previous state of dependence and everything Irsquove just put myself through wouldrsquove been for nothing So how do I go back to an old habit without a total relapse or would it be better to keep abstaining
All my questions seem to be met with other questions and no solutions On the other hand if you ask me what
Someone once said that insanity is when you keep repeating the same behaviour and expect a different outcome most likely a psychologist aimed at his or her ailing patients But for me these words are more reminiscent of my own conduct over the course of a regular football season Week in week out season after season I would expect Tottenham to win something and more often than not Irsquod be left disappointed So I decided to stop No more football ndash at least not for one full season
The season 201213 is now over and during the whole nine months I didnrsquot watch a single moment of football or read a single article on the subject That was my challenge and I was committed to it What is more despite all the warning signs I didnrsquot relapse After a year of structured punishment I didnrsquot have a clue about what was going on in the English Premier League (or any other league) Only having picked up bits and pieces of information that somehow slipped through the net the past season was like a book with most of its pages missing
By Simon Joseph
On The Volley
The Return of the Repressed or the Point of No Return
lsquoInsanity is when you keep repeating the same behaviour and expect a different outcomersquo
sport
lsquoThe past season was like a book with most of its pages missingrsquo
94
lsquoThere may even be some damage done to football-related friendshipsrsquo
lsquoHas abstaining for a season changed mersquo
it until the cows come home but it was us who made those changes or at least allowed them to happen and those changes will continue to happen with or without me Perhaps then the questions I should be asking are has abstaining for a season changed me Am I still obsessed or have I broken the habit of a lifetime Is following football really that terrible or even a real addiction
One thing is certain this lack of resolution is not completely without satisfaction because like all forms of fixation or obsession therersquos comfort and familiarity to be found in repetition as Tottenham miss out on Championrsquos League football by a single point again The repressed will always return to haunt us or so it seems and before we know it the start of next season will be upon us There will be more pain no doubt and more joy This time however it will take more than a boot camp approach to keep me away and who knows Tottenham might even win the league Come on you Spurs
Tottenham Hotspur means I would still tell you that itrsquos not just a pretty football package itrsquos about kith and kin not just where I came from but how I relate to others around me in the here and now Whatrsquos more millions of people are attracted to football they hunger for it and yearn to connect with it even though I still believe itrsquos a form of ineffective escape from one unsatisfying reality to another Following football is a classic example of cognitive dissonance ndash when you simultaneously entertain two opposing thoughts that appear to cancel each other out Before the start of each season for example we all want our club to win everything or to be taken over by billionaires but know that itrsquos impossible or in the latter case controversial and even undesirable So we invent ways to cope We develop a so-called lsquosiege mentalityrsquo or other harmful patterns of behaviour to relieve the discomfort of incongruity With this in mind the past year was supposed to be an exercise in behaviour modification ndash to discover the root of the problem and treat it effectively But one year on have I really discovered anything at all
The English Premier League whether you watch it or not is still probably the most exciting football league in the world We can complain about the changes made to
sport9
5
By Denson Pierre
The Gold Room
Fantasy Football Gold ndash Champions League 2012-2013 winner Denson Pierre and his prizes
The season petered out in an all-German Champions League Final which did nothing to dispel the record that this was a season of too few new stars or regular spectacle We look forward to the next season as it ought not be too difficult to create more excitement than in the one just pastWe did have the opportunity to hand over the envelopes and trophies to the Sentinel Fantasy Football game winners This year all the major winners from the Sentinel Fantasy Football League were unable to be present for the physical prize giving but the winner of the Gold Game and focus of this column was there to receive his prize for winning the master game in styleSo we retire the Gold Room until the beginning of the new football season See you all again then
96
sport
Matt Parker receives his third place and Manager of the Month prizes for the Sentinel Fantasy Football League
Charles Conneely Sentinel Fantasy Football League 2012-2013 Champion
97sport
wwwczechtourismcom
CZECH REPUBLIC - STUNNINGLY DIFFERENT
98
classifi eds
84trends
lsquoTrends are great to join and surf like a once in a lifetime tsunamirsquo
By Dirkje Bakker-Pierre
Each and every micro-world has its own specific trends Take the fashion world for example where one day you have to wear high heels and round noses and the next itrsquos flat hairy elephant feet-like boots that must hug your feet Or take the automotive world where once upon a time you could never have enough chrome on your car or the food world where we have quietly moved from fast to green and wholesome or the TV world which used to be about fiction and is now more real than reality Some of these trends are great to join and surf like a once in a lifetime tsunami others can slip by unnoticed and others still keep bugging and bugging you even if you try to avoid them like the plague
The online world and specifically the social media universe eats through trends like a fat chick after a hunger strike Facebook in particular seems to move seamlessly from one hype to the next one day itrsquos pictures with fuzzy edges or a bit of a 1970s filter the next itrsquos a profile picture with you very consciously not looking into the camera (very spontaneously and naturally non-posing you might say) These are mostly harmless things if Irsquom honest and when everyone
stops liking them they fade away as quickly as the sun in our small wet country There is one trend however that has festered within Facebook from the very beginning and which seems to be gradually growing and growing without anyone ever liking the postshellip and I mean EVER
Yes I am talking about daily quotes words of wisdom holy quotes mesmerizingly philosophical quotes cheesy quotes religious quoteshellip How can I describe all of them in one easy sentence pieces of text from (famous) people (it can never be something you thought of yourself) that lsquodisclosersquo previously secret information about being happy in life (or at least previously secret to the person doing the posting I presume) In short texts that belong on tiles hanging on the wall in old Dutch peoplersquos toilets
Why
Here are a few I found in my news feed this week
ldquoA mind is like a parachute It doesnrsquot work if it is not openrdquo ndash Frank Zappa
ldquoIt is not because things are difficult that we do not dare it is because we do not dare that things are difficultrdquo ndash Seneca
ldquoIf you donrsquot take what you are doing seriously then nobody else willrdquo ndash Darryl Dlt Thomson
Bad trends would be good if they werenrsquot so bad
85trends
86classifi eds
87classifieds
One of my personal favourite gemstones is moonstone Itlsquos been around for centuries and is used in many cultures As suggested by its name the stone is highly associated with the moon and moon goddess Diana It brings calm peace and love and is said to become more powerful when the moon is full so thatlsquos the best time to wear it One proverb even claims that moonstone can bring you love that will fly you to the moon Spiritually this amazing stone is said to enhance intuition and is always associated with the self It is a very powerful personal stone which doesnlsquot add or remove any aspects of the personality but merely reflects the person wearing it It is said to be very
MoonstoneBy Evelina Kvartunaite
ndash
lsquoThe stone is highly associated with the moon and moon goddess Dianarsquo
ndash
helpful for people who are very sensitive and it is also used in meditation for reflecting oneself Itlsquos always best to charge your gem when the moon is shining at night either while wearing it or by leaving it on a windowsill that receives moonlight Moonstone is also used in healing and is known for balancing the internal organ systems enabling them to work in stable cycles Itlsquos usually more associated with women but is also known to help men embrace their more emotional side soft creative energies and optimism Perhaps understandably moonstone should have limited exposure to strong direct sunlight
ndash
lsquoIt is said to be very helpful for people who are very sensitiversquo
ndash
88
health amp well-being
ndash
lsquoMore associated with women but is also known to help men embrace their more emotional sidersquo
ndash
89health amp well-being
In his article Batin shows how learning how to use complex products is like learning a computer game Just like the challenges in video games match the skills of the user so should TV interactions or any UI interactions for that matter For reference Batin used the four levels described in the Dreyfus model of skill acquisition
Level 1 novicebullRigid adherence to taught rules or plansbullNo exercise of lsquodiscretionary judgmentrsquo
Level 2 Advanced beginnerbullLimited lsquosituational perceptionrsquobullAll aspects of work treated separately with equal importance
Philip Batin wrote an article a couple of months ago about the next big idea in User Interaction gadgets that adapt to your skills As gadgets become more complicated UIs must be able to teach their users over time Apparently more and more interactive products are being returned In 2002 48 of all returned products were technically fully functional but were rejected for failing to satisfy user needs 20 purely due to customer remorse Even though a product may have all the features one can hope for complexity and bad user experience can prevent users from integrating it into their lives
UserInterfaceThe next big thing in UX
lsquoUIs must be able to teach their users over timersquo
By Andrei Barburas
lsquoComplexity and bad user experience can prevent users from
integrating it into their livesrsquo
90
technology
book the majority of which you probably skipped through
Personally I believe that there are certain end users most likely the majority that use only a limited set of features from any device they buy Mobile phones have become indispensable tools in our daily activities yet the average Joe has no idea about the full potential of a smart phone The same applies to Smart TVs they can do lots of things yet the only thing that we do with them is flip channels and complain how bad the shows are
The bottom line is that itrsquos definitely something worth thinking about not only from an operating system perspective but also from the perspective of applications developers
Level 3 competentbulllsquoCoping with crowdednessrsquo (multiple activities accumulation of information)bullSome perception of actions in relation to goalsbullDeliberate planningbullFormulates routines
Level 4 ProficientbullHolistic view of situationbullPrioritizes importance of aspectsbulllsquoPerceives deviations from the normal patternrsquobullEmploys maxim for guidance with meanings that adapt to the situation at hand
Now just imagine a User Interface that adapts based on what you can do and the abilities you have As you learn new things new levels of complexity are unlocked opening the door to fully knowing your device because you learned by doing and not by reading a complicated
lsquoThe average Joe has no idea about the full potential of a
smart phonersquo
91technology
92classifi eds
93classifi eds
Not knowing what was happening in football was extremely annoying to put it mildly and it wasnrsquot just my own self-denial and avoidance of all things football that was a hindrance the extent to which I had to ask others to go in order to remain ignorant was much more excruciating than Irsquod ever imagined There may even be some damage done to football-related friendships that is irreparable I now feel as though Irsquom walking through an empty stadium after everyone else has gone home
So what now and where to next The season is well and truly over and Irsquom free to do whatever I want I could read the back-dated sports pages check all the stats and find out all the facts if I wanted to I could spend hours catching up on last season and speculating on the next with the friends Irsquove still got left down the pub if I wanted to I can follow all the transfer gossip watch pre-season friendlies and build up all my hopes But as with most addictions that would simply be falling back into a previous state of dependence and everything Irsquove just put myself through wouldrsquove been for nothing So how do I go back to an old habit without a total relapse or would it be better to keep abstaining
All my questions seem to be met with other questions and no solutions On the other hand if you ask me what
Someone once said that insanity is when you keep repeating the same behaviour and expect a different outcome most likely a psychologist aimed at his or her ailing patients But for me these words are more reminiscent of my own conduct over the course of a regular football season Week in week out season after season I would expect Tottenham to win something and more often than not Irsquod be left disappointed So I decided to stop No more football ndash at least not for one full season
The season 201213 is now over and during the whole nine months I didnrsquot watch a single moment of football or read a single article on the subject That was my challenge and I was committed to it What is more despite all the warning signs I didnrsquot relapse After a year of structured punishment I didnrsquot have a clue about what was going on in the English Premier League (or any other league) Only having picked up bits and pieces of information that somehow slipped through the net the past season was like a book with most of its pages missing
By Simon Joseph
On The Volley
The Return of the Repressed or the Point of No Return
lsquoInsanity is when you keep repeating the same behaviour and expect a different outcomersquo
sport
lsquoThe past season was like a book with most of its pages missingrsquo
94
lsquoThere may even be some damage done to football-related friendshipsrsquo
lsquoHas abstaining for a season changed mersquo
it until the cows come home but it was us who made those changes or at least allowed them to happen and those changes will continue to happen with or without me Perhaps then the questions I should be asking are has abstaining for a season changed me Am I still obsessed or have I broken the habit of a lifetime Is following football really that terrible or even a real addiction
One thing is certain this lack of resolution is not completely without satisfaction because like all forms of fixation or obsession therersquos comfort and familiarity to be found in repetition as Tottenham miss out on Championrsquos League football by a single point again The repressed will always return to haunt us or so it seems and before we know it the start of next season will be upon us There will be more pain no doubt and more joy This time however it will take more than a boot camp approach to keep me away and who knows Tottenham might even win the league Come on you Spurs
Tottenham Hotspur means I would still tell you that itrsquos not just a pretty football package itrsquos about kith and kin not just where I came from but how I relate to others around me in the here and now Whatrsquos more millions of people are attracted to football they hunger for it and yearn to connect with it even though I still believe itrsquos a form of ineffective escape from one unsatisfying reality to another Following football is a classic example of cognitive dissonance ndash when you simultaneously entertain two opposing thoughts that appear to cancel each other out Before the start of each season for example we all want our club to win everything or to be taken over by billionaires but know that itrsquos impossible or in the latter case controversial and even undesirable So we invent ways to cope We develop a so-called lsquosiege mentalityrsquo or other harmful patterns of behaviour to relieve the discomfort of incongruity With this in mind the past year was supposed to be an exercise in behaviour modification ndash to discover the root of the problem and treat it effectively But one year on have I really discovered anything at all
The English Premier League whether you watch it or not is still probably the most exciting football league in the world We can complain about the changes made to
sport9
5
By Denson Pierre
The Gold Room
Fantasy Football Gold ndash Champions League 2012-2013 winner Denson Pierre and his prizes
The season petered out in an all-German Champions League Final which did nothing to dispel the record that this was a season of too few new stars or regular spectacle We look forward to the next season as it ought not be too difficult to create more excitement than in the one just pastWe did have the opportunity to hand over the envelopes and trophies to the Sentinel Fantasy Football game winners This year all the major winners from the Sentinel Fantasy Football League were unable to be present for the physical prize giving but the winner of the Gold Game and focus of this column was there to receive his prize for winning the master game in styleSo we retire the Gold Room until the beginning of the new football season See you all again then
96
sport
Matt Parker receives his third place and Manager of the Month prizes for the Sentinel Fantasy Football League
Charles Conneely Sentinel Fantasy Football League 2012-2013 Champion
97sport
wwwczechtourismcom
CZECH REPUBLIC - STUNNINGLY DIFFERENT
98
classifi eds
lsquoTrends are great to join and surf like a once in a lifetime tsunamirsquo
By Dirkje Bakker-Pierre
Each and every micro-world has its own specific trends Take the fashion world for example where one day you have to wear high heels and round noses and the next itrsquos flat hairy elephant feet-like boots that must hug your feet Or take the automotive world where once upon a time you could never have enough chrome on your car or the food world where we have quietly moved from fast to green and wholesome or the TV world which used to be about fiction and is now more real than reality Some of these trends are great to join and surf like a once in a lifetime tsunami others can slip by unnoticed and others still keep bugging and bugging you even if you try to avoid them like the plague
The online world and specifically the social media universe eats through trends like a fat chick after a hunger strike Facebook in particular seems to move seamlessly from one hype to the next one day itrsquos pictures with fuzzy edges or a bit of a 1970s filter the next itrsquos a profile picture with you very consciously not looking into the camera (very spontaneously and naturally non-posing you might say) These are mostly harmless things if Irsquom honest and when everyone
stops liking them they fade away as quickly as the sun in our small wet country There is one trend however that has festered within Facebook from the very beginning and which seems to be gradually growing and growing without anyone ever liking the postshellip and I mean EVER
Yes I am talking about daily quotes words of wisdom holy quotes mesmerizingly philosophical quotes cheesy quotes religious quoteshellip How can I describe all of them in one easy sentence pieces of text from (famous) people (it can never be something you thought of yourself) that lsquodisclosersquo previously secret information about being happy in life (or at least previously secret to the person doing the posting I presume) In short texts that belong on tiles hanging on the wall in old Dutch peoplersquos toilets
Why
Here are a few I found in my news feed this week
ldquoA mind is like a parachute It doesnrsquot work if it is not openrdquo ndash Frank Zappa
ldquoIt is not because things are difficult that we do not dare it is because we do not dare that things are difficultrdquo ndash Seneca
ldquoIf you donrsquot take what you are doing seriously then nobody else willrdquo ndash Darryl Dlt Thomson
Bad trends would be good if they werenrsquot so bad
85trends
86classifi eds
87classifieds
One of my personal favourite gemstones is moonstone Itlsquos been around for centuries and is used in many cultures As suggested by its name the stone is highly associated with the moon and moon goddess Diana It brings calm peace and love and is said to become more powerful when the moon is full so thatlsquos the best time to wear it One proverb even claims that moonstone can bring you love that will fly you to the moon Spiritually this amazing stone is said to enhance intuition and is always associated with the self It is a very powerful personal stone which doesnlsquot add or remove any aspects of the personality but merely reflects the person wearing it It is said to be very
MoonstoneBy Evelina Kvartunaite
ndash
lsquoThe stone is highly associated with the moon and moon goddess Dianarsquo
ndash
helpful for people who are very sensitive and it is also used in meditation for reflecting oneself Itlsquos always best to charge your gem when the moon is shining at night either while wearing it or by leaving it on a windowsill that receives moonlight Moonstone is also used in healing and is known for balancing the internal organ systems enabling them to work in stable cycles Itlsquos usually more associated with women but is also known to help men embrace their more emotional side soft creative energies and optimism Perhaps understandably moonstone should have limited exposure to strong direct sunlight
ndash
lsquoIt is said to be very helpful for people who are very sensitiversquo
ndash
88
health amp well-being
ndash
lsquoMore associated with women but is also known to help men embrace their more emotional sidersquo
ndash
89health amp well-being
In his article Batin shows how learning how to use complex products is like learning a computer game Just like the challenges in video games match the skills of the user so should TV interactions or any UI interactions for that matter For reference Batin used the four levels described in the Dreyfus model of skill acquisition
Level 1 novicebullRigid adherence to taught rules or plansbullNo exercise of lsquodiscretionary judgmentrsquo
Level 2 Advanced beginnerbullLimited lsquosituational perceptionrsquobullAll aspects of work treated separately with equal importance
Philip Batin wrote an article a couple of months ago about the next big idea in User Interaction gadgets that adapt to your skills As gadgets become more complicated UIs must be able to teach their users over time Apparently more and more interactive products are being returned In 2002 48 of all returned products were technically fully functional but were rejected for failing to satisfy user needs 20 purely due to customer remorse Even though a product may have all the features one can hope for complexity and bad user experience can prevent users from integrating it into their lives
UserInterfaceThe next big thing in UX
lsquoUIs must be able to teach their users over timersquo
By Andrei Barburas
lsquoComplexity and bad user experience can prevent users from
integrating it into their livesrsquo
90
technology
book the majority of which you probably skipped through
Personally I believe that there are certain end users most likely the majority that use only a limited set of features from any device they buy Mobile phones have become indispensable tools in our daily activities yet the average Joe has no idea about the full potential of a smart phone The same applies to Smart TVs they can do lots of things yet the only thing that we do with them is flip channels and complain how bad the shows are
The bottom line is that itrsquos definitely something worth thinking about not only from an operating system perspective but also from the perspective of applications developers
Level 3 competentbulllsquoCoping with crowdednessrsquo (multiple activities accumulation of information)bullSome perception of actions in relation to goalsbullDeliberate planningbullFormulates routines
Level 4 ProficientbullHolistic view of situationbullPrioritizes importance of aspectsbulllsquoPerceives deviations from the normal patternrsquobullEmploys maxim for guidance with meanings that adapt to the situation at hand
Now just imagine a User Interface that adapts based on what you can do and the abilities you have As you learn new things new levels of complexity are unlocked opening the door to fully knowing your device because you learned by doing and not by reading a complicated
lsquoThe average Joe has no idea about the full potential of a
smart phonersquo
91technology
92classifi eds
93classifi eds
Not knowing what was happening in football was extremely annoying to put it mildly and it wasnrsquot just my own self-denial and avoidance of all things football that was a hindrance the extent to which I had to ask others to go in order to remain ignorant was much more excruciating than Irsquod ever imagined There may even be some damage done to football-related friendships that is irreparable I now feel as though Irsquom walking through an empty stadium after everyone else has gone home
So what now and where to next The season is well and truly over and Irsquom free to do whatever I want I could read the back-dated sports pages check all the stats and find out all the facts if I wanted to I could spend hours catching up on last season and speculating on the next with the friends Irsquove still got left down the pub if I wanted to I can follow all the transfer gossip watch pre-season friendlies and build up all my hopes But as with most addictions that would simply be falling back into a previous state of dependence and everything Irsquove just put myself through wouldrsquove been for nothing So how do I go back to an old habit without a total relapse or would it be better to keep abstaining
All my questions seem to be met with other questions and no solutions On the other hand if you ask me what
Someone once said that insanity is when you keep repeating the same behaviour and expect a different outcome most likely a psychologist aimed at his or her ailing patients But for me these words are more reminiscent of my own conduct over the course of a regular football season Week in week out season after season I would expect Tottenham to win something and more often than not Irsquod be left disappointed So I decided to stop No more football ndash at least not for one full season
The season 201213 is now over and during the whole nine months I didnrsquot watch a single moment of football or read a single article on the subject That was my challenge and I was committed to it What is more despite all the warning signs I didnrsquot relapse After a year of structured punishment I didnrsquot have a clue about what was going on in the English Premier League (or any other league) Only having picked up bits and pieces of information that somehow slipped through the net the past season was like a book with most of its pages missing
By Simon Joseph
On The Volley
The Return of the Repressed or the Point of No Return
lsquoInsanity is when you keep repeating the same behaviour and expect a different outcomersquo
sport
lsquoThe past season was like a book with most of its pages missingrsquo
94
lsquoThere may even be some damage done to football-related friendshipsrsquo
lsquoHas abstaining for a season changed mersquo
it until the cows come home but it was us who made those changes or at least allowed them to happen and those changes will continue to happen with or without me Perhaps then the questions I should be asking are has abstaining for a season changed me Am I still obsessed or have I broken the habit of a lifetime Is following football really that terrible or even a real addiction
One thing is certain this lack of resolution is not completely without satisfaction because like all forms of fixation or obsession therersquos comfort and familiarity to be found in repetition as Tottenham miss out on Championrsquos League football by a single point again The repressed will always return to haunt us or so it seems and before we know it the start of next season will be upon us There will be more pain no doubt and more joy This time however it will take more than a boot camp approach to keep me away and who knows Tottenham might even win the league Come on you Spurs
Tottenham Hotspur means I would still tell you that itrsquos not just a pretty football package itrsquos about kith and kin not just where I came from but how I relate to others around me in the here and now Whatrsquos more millions of people are attracted to football they hunger for it and yearn to connect with it even though I still believe itrsquos a form of ineffective escape from one unsatisfying reality to another Following football is a classic example of cognitive dissonance ndash when you simultaneously entertain two opposing thoughts that appear to cancel each other out Before the start of each season for example we all want our club to win everything or to be taken over by billionaires but know that itrsquos impossible or in the latter case controversial and even undesirable So we invent ways to cope We develop a so-called lsquosiege mentalityrsquo or other harmful patterns of behaviour to relieve the discomfort of incongruity With this in mind the past year was supposed to be an exercise in behaviour modification ndash to discover the root of the problem and treat it effectively But one year on have I really discovered anything at all
The English Premier League whether you watch it or not is still probably the most exciting football league in the world We can complain about the changes made to
sport9
5
By Denson Pierre
The Gold Room
Fantasy Football Gold ndash Champions League 2012-2013 winner Denson Pierre and his prizes
The season petered out in an all-German Champions League Final which did nothing to dispel the record that this was a season of too few new stars or regular spectacle We look forward to the next season as it ought not be too difficult to create more excitement than in the one just pastWe did have the opportunity to hand over the envelopes and trophies to the Sentinel Fantasy Football game winners This year all the major winners from the Sentinel Fantasy Football League were unable to be present for the physical prize giving but the winner of the Gold Game and focus of this column was there to receive his prize for winning the master game in styleSo we retire the Gold Room until the beginning of the new football season See you all again then
96
sport
Matt Parker receives his third place and Manager of the Month prizes for the Sentinel Fantasy Football League
Charles Conneely Sentinel Fantasy Football League 2012-2013 Champion
97sport
wwwczechtourismcom
CZECH REPUBLIC - STUNNINGLY DIFFERENT
98
classifi eds
86classifi eds
87classifieds
One of my personal favourite gemstones is moonstone Itlsquos been around for centuries and is used in many cultures As suggested by its name the stone is highly associated with the moon and moon goddess Diana It brings calm peace and love and is said to become more powerful when the moon is full so thatlsquos the best time to wear it One proverb even claims that moonstone can bring you love that will fly you to the moon Spiritually this amazing stone is said to enhance intuition and is always associated with the self It is a very powerful personal stone which doesnlsquot add or remove any aspects of the personality but merely reflects the person wearing it It is said to be very
MoonstoneBy Evelina Kvartunaite
ndash
lsquoThe stone is highly associated with the moon and moon goddess Dianarsquo
ndash
helpful for people who are very sensitive and it is also used in meditation for reflecting oneself Itlsquos always best to charge your gem when the moon is shining at night either while wearing it or by leaving it on a windowsill that receives moonlight Moonstone is also used in healing and is known for balancing the internal organ systems enabling them to work in stable cycles Itlsquos usually more associated with women but is also known to help men embrace their more emotional side soft creative energies and optimism Perhaps understandably moonstone should have limited exposure to strong direct sunlight
ndash
lsquoIt is said to be very helpful for people who are very sensitiversquo
ndash
88
health amp well-being
ndash
lsquoMore associated with women but is also known to help men embrace their more emotional sidersquo
ndash
89health amp well-being
In his article Batin shows how learning how to use complex products is like learning a computer game Just like the challenges in video games match the skills of the user so should TV interactions or any UI interactions for that matter For reference Batin used the four levels described in the Dreyfus model of skill acquisition
Level 1 novicebullRigid adherence to taught rules or plansbullNo exercise of lsquodiscretionary judgmentrsquo
Level 2 Advanced beginnerbullLimited lsquosituational perceptionrsquobullAll aspects of work treated separately with equal importance
Philip Batin wrote an article a couple of months ago about the next big idea in User Interaction gadgets that adapt to your skills As gadgets become more complicated UIs must be able to teach their users over time Apparently more and more interactive products are being returned In 2002 48 of all returned products were technically fully functional but were rejected for failing to satisfy user needs 20 purely due to customer remorse Even though a product may have all the features one can hope for complexity and bad user experience can prevent users from integrating it into their lives
UserInterfaceThe next big thing in UX
lsquoUIs must be able to teach their users over timersquo
By Andrei Barburas
lsquoComplexity and bad user experience can prevent users from
integrating it into their livesrsquo
90
technology
book the majority of which you probably skipped through
Personally I believe that there are certain end users most likely the majority that use only a limited set of features from any device they buy Mobile phones have become indispensable tools in our daily activities yet the average Joe has no idea about the full potential of a smart phone The same applies to Smart TVs they can do lots of things yet the only thing that we do with them is flip channels and complain how bad the shows are
The bottom line is that itrsquos definitely something worth thinking about not only from an operating system perspective but also from the perspective of applications developers
Level 3 competentbulllsquoCoping with crowdednessrsquo (multiple activities accumulation of information)bullSome perception of actions in relation to goalsbullDeliberate planningbullFormulates routines
Level 4 ProficientbullHolistic view of situationbullPrioritizes importance of aspectsbulllsquoPerceives deviations from the normal patternrsquobullEmploys maxim for guidance with meanings that adapt to the situation at hand
Now just imagine a User Interface that adapts based on what you can do and the abilities you have As you learn new things new levels of complexity are unlocked opening the door to fully knowing your device because you learned by doing and not by reading a complicated
lsquoThe average Joe has no idea about the full potential of a
smart phonersquo
91technology
92classifi eds
93classifi eds
Not knowing what was happening in football was extremely annoying to put it mildly and it wasnrsquot just my own self-denial and avoidance of all things football that was a hindrance the extent to which I had to ask others to go in order to remain ignorant was much more excruciating than Irsquod ever imagined There may even be some damage done to football-related friendships that is irreparable I now feel as though Irsquom walking through an empty stadium after everyone else has gone home
So what now and where to next The season is well and truly over and Irsquom free to do whatever I want I could read the back-dated sports pages check all the stats and find out all the facts if I wanted to I could spend hours catching up on last season and speculating on the next with the friends Irsquove still got left down the pub if I wanted to I can follow all the transfer gossip watch pre-season friendlies and build up all my hopes But as with most addictions that would simply be falling back into a previous state of dependence and everything Irsquove just put myself through wouldrsquove been for nothing So how do I go back to an old habit without a total relapse or would it be better to keep abstaining
All my questions seem to be met with other questions and no solutions On the other hand if you ask me what
Someone once said that insanity is when you keep repeating the same behaviour and expect a different outcome most likely a psychologist aimed at his or her ailing patients But for me these words are more reminiscent of my own conduct over the course of a regular football season Week in week out season after season I would expect Tottenham to win something and more often than not Irsquod be left disappointed So I decided to stop No more football ndash at least not for one full season
The season 201213 is now over and during the whole nine months I didnrsquot watch a single moment of football or read a single article on the subject That was my challenge and I was committed to it What is more despite all the warning signs I didnrsquot relapse After a year of structured punishment I didnrsquot have a clue about what was going on in the English Premier League (or any other league) Only having picked up bits and pieces of information that somehow slipped through the net the past season was like a book with most of its pages missing
By Simon Joseph
On The Volley
The Return of the Repressed or the Point of No Return
lsquoInsanity is when you keep repeating the same behaviour and expect a different outcomersquo
sport
lsquoThe past season was like a book with most of its pages missingrsquo
94
lsquoThere may even be some damage done to football-related friendshipsrsquo
lsquoHas abstaining for a season changed mersquo
it until the cows come home but it was us who made those changes or at least allowed them to happen and those changes will continue to happen with or without me Perhaps then the questions I should be asking are has abstaining for a season changed me Am I still obsessed or have I broken the habit of a lifetime Is following football really that terrible or even a real addiction
One thing is certain this lack of resolution is not completely without satisfaction because like all forms of fixation or obsession therersquos comfort and familiarity to be found in repetition as Tottenham miss out on Championrsquos League football by a single point again The repressed will always return to haunt us or so it seems and before we know it the start of next season will be upon us There will be more pain no doubt and more joy This time however it will take more than a boot camp approach to keep me away and who knows Tottenham might even win the league Come on you Spurs
Tottenham Hotspur means I would still tell you that itrsquos not just a pretty football package itrsquos about kith and kin not just where I came from but how I relate to others around me in the here and now Whatrsquos more millions of people are attracted to football they hunger for it and yearn to connect with it even though I still believe itrsquos a form of ineffective escape from one unsatisfying reality to another Following football is a classic example of cognitive dissonance ndash when you simultaneously entertain two opposing thoughts that appear to cancel each other out Before the start of each season for example we all want our club to win everything or to be taken over by billionaires but know that itrsquos impossible or in the latter case controversial and even undesirable So we invent ways to cope We develop a so-called lsquosiege mentalityrsquo or other harmful patterns of behaviour to relieve the discomfort of incongruity With this in mind the past year was supposed to be an exercise in behaviour modification ndash to discover the root of the problem and treat it effectively But one year on have I really discovered anything at all
The English Premier League whether you watch it or not is still probably the most exciting football league in the world We can complain about the changes made to
sport9
5
By Denson Pierre
The Gold Room
Fantasy Football Gold ndash Champions League 2012-2013 winner Denson Pierre and his prizes
The season petered out in an all-German Champions League Final which did nothing to dispel the record that this was a season of too few new stars or regular spectacle We look forward to the next season as it ought not be too difficult to create more excitement than in the one just pastWe did have the opportunity to hand over the envelopes and trophies to the Sentinel Fantasy Football game winners This year all the major winners from the Sentinel Fantasy Football League were unable to be present for the physical prize giving but the winner of the Gold Game and focus of this column was there to receive his prize for winning the master game in styleSo we retire the Gold Room until the beginning of the new football season See you all again then
96
sport
Matt Parker receives his third place and Manager of the Month prizes for the Sentinel Fantasy Football League
Charles Conneely Sentinel Fantasy Football League 2012-2013 Champion
97sport
wwwczechtourismcom
CZECH REPUBLIC - STUNNINGLY DIFFERENT
98
classifi eds
87classifieds
One of my personal favourite gemstones is moonstone Itlsquos been around for centuries and is used in many cultures As suggested by its name the stone is highly associated with the moon and moon goddess Diana It brings calm peace and love and is said to become more powerful when the moon is full so thatlsquos the best time to wear it One proverb even claims that moonstone can bring you love that will fly you to the moon Spiritually this amazing stone is said to enhance intuition and is always associated with the self It is a very powerful personal stone which doesnlsquot add or remove any aspects of the personality but merely reflects the person wearing it It is said to be very
MoonstoneBy Evelina Kvartunaite
ndash
lsquoThe stone is highly associated with the moon and moon goddess Dianarsquo
ndash
helpful for people who are very sensitive and it is also used in meditation for reflecting oneself Itlsquos always best to charge your gem when the moon is shining at night either while wearing it or by leaving it on a windowsill that receives moonlight Moonstone is also used in healing and is known for balancing the internal organ systems enabling them to work in stable cycles Itlsquos usually more associated with women but is also known to help men embrace their more emotional side soft creative energies and optimism Perhaps understandably moonstone should have limited exposure to strong direct sunlight
ndash
lsquoIt is said to be very helpful for people who are very sensitiversquo
ndash
88
health amp well-being
ndash
lsquoMore associated with women but is also known to help men embrace their more emotional sidersquo
ndash
89health amp well-being
In his article Batin shows how learning how to use complex products is like learning a computer game Just like the challenges in video games match the skills of the user so should TV interactions or any UI interactions for that matter For reference Batin used the four levels described in the Dreyfus model of skill acquisition
Level 1 novicebullRigid adherence to taught rules or plansbullNo exercise of lsquodiscretionary judgmentrsquo
Level 2 Advanced beginnerbullLimited lsquosituational perceptionrsquobullAll aspects of work treated separately with equal importance
Philip Batin wrote an article a couple of months ago about the next big idea in User Interaction gadgets that adapt to your skills As gadgets become more complicated UIs must be able to teach their users over time Apparently more and more interactive products are being returned In 2002 48 of all returned products were technically fully functional but were rejected for failing to satisfy user needs 20 purely due to customer remorse Even though a product may have all the features one can hope for complexity and bad user experience can prevent users from integrating it into their lives
UserInterfaceThe next big thing in UX
lsquoUIs must be able to teach their users over timersquo
By Andrei Barburas
lsquoComplexity and bad user experience can prevent users from
integrating it into their livesrsquo
90
technology
book the majority of which you probably skipped through
Personally I believe that there are certain end users most likely the majority that use only a limited set of features from any device they buy Mobile phones have become indispensable tools in our daily activities yet the average Joe has no idea about the full potential of a smart phone The same applies to Smart TVs they can do lots of things yet the only thing that we do with them is flip channels and complain how bad the shows are
The bottom line is that itrsquos definitely something worth thinking about not only from an operating system perspective but also from the perspective of applications developers
Level 3 competentbulllsquoCoping with crowdednessrsquo (multiple activities accumulation of information)bullSome perception of actions in relation to goalsbullDeliberate planningbullFormulates routines
Level 4 ProficientbullHolistic view of situationbullPrioritizes importance of aspectsbulllsquoPerceives deviations from the normal patternrsquobullEmploys maxim for guidance with meanings that adapt to the situation at hand
Now just imagine a User Interface that adapts based on what you can do and the abilities you have As you learn new things new levels of complexity are unlocked opening the door to fully knowing your device because you learned by doing and not by reading a complicated
lsquoThe average Joe has no idea about the full potential of a
smart phonersquo
91technology
92classifi eds
93classifi eds
Not knowing what was happening in football was extremely annoying to put it mildly and it wasnrsquot just my own self-denial and avoidance of all things football that was a hindrance the extent to which I had to ask others to go in order to remain ignorant was much more excruciating than Irsquod ever imagined There may even be some damage done to football-related friendships that is irreparable I now feel as though Irsquom walking through an empty stadium after everyone else has gone home
So what now and where to next The season is well and truly over and Irsquom free to do whatever I want I could read the back-dated sports pages check all the stats and find out all the facts if I wanted to I could spend hours catching up on last season and speculating on the next with the friends Irsquove still got left down the pub if I wanted to I can follow all the transfer gossip watch pre-season friendlies and build up all my hopes But as with most addictions that would simply be falling back into a previous state of dependence and everything Irsquove just put myself through wouldrsquove been for nothing So how do I go back to an old habit without a total relapse or would it be better to keep abstaining
All my questions seem to be met with other questions and no solutions On the other hand if you ask me what
Someone once said that insanity is when you keep repeating the same behaviour and expect a different outcome most likely a psychologist aimed at his or her ailing patients But for me these words are more reminiscent of my own conduct over the course of a regular football season Week in week out season after season I would expect Tottenham to win something and more often than not Irsquod be left disappointed So I decided to stop No more football ndash at least not for one full season
The season 201213 is now over and during the whole nine months I didnrsquot watch a single moment of football or read a single article on the subject That was my challenge and I was committed to it What is more despite all the warning signs I didnrsquot relapse After a year of structured punishment I didnrsquot have a clue about what was going on in the English Premier League (or any other league) Only having picked up bits and pieces of information that somehow slipped through the net the past season was like a book with most of its pages missing
By Simon Joseph
On The Volley
The Return of the Repressed or the Point of No Return
lsquoInsanity is when you keep repeating the same behaviour and expect a different outcomersquo
sport
lsquoThe past season was like a book with most of its pages missingrsquo
94
lsquoThere may even be some damage done to football-related friendshipsrsquo
lsquoHas abstaining for a season changed mersquo
it until the cows come home but it was us who made those changes or at least allowed them to happen and those changes will continue to happen with or without me Perhaps then the questions I should be asking are has abstaining for a season changed me Am I still obsessed or have I broken the habit of a lifetime Is following football really that terrible or even a real addiction
One thing is certain this lack of resolution is not completely without satisfaction because like all forms of fixation or obsession therersquos comfort and familiarity to be found in repetition as Tottenham miss out on Championrsquos League football by a single point again The repressed will always return to haunt us or so it seems and before we know it the start of next season will be upon us There will be more pain no doubt and more joy This time however it will take more than a boot camp approach to keep me away and who knows Tottenham might even win the league Come on you Spurs
Tottenham Hotspur means I would still tell you that itrsquos not just a pretty football package itrsquos about kith and kin not just where I came from but how I relate to others around me in the here and now Whatrsquos more millions of people are attracted to football they hunger for it and yearn to connect with it even though I still believe itrsquos a form of ineffective escape from one unsatisfying reality to another Following football is a classic example of cognitive dissonance ndash when you simultaneously entertain two opposing thoughts that appear to cancel each other out Before the start of each season for example we all want our club to win everything or to be taken over by billionaires but know that itrsquos impossible or in the latter case controversial and even undesirable So we invent ways to cope We develop a so-called lsquosiege mentalityrsquo or other harmful patterns of behaviour to relieve the discomfort of incongruity With this in mind the past year was supposed to be an exercise in behaviour modification ndash to discover the root of the problem and treat it effectively But one year on have I really discovered anything at all
The English Premier League whether you watch it or not is still probably the most exciting football league in the world We can complain about the changes made to
sport9
5
By Denson Pierre
The Gold Room
Fantasy Football Gold ndash Champions League 2012-2013 winner Denson Pierre and his prizes
The season petered out in an all-German Champions League Final which did nothing to dispel the record that this was a season of too few new stars or regular spectacle We look forward to the next season as it ought not be too difficult to create more excitement than in the one just pastWe did have the opportunity to hand over the envelopes and trophies to the Sentinel Fantasy Football game winners This year all the major winners from the Sentinel Fantasy Football League were unable to be present for the physical prize giving but the winner of the Gold Game and focus of this column was there to receive his prize for winning the master game in styleSo we retire the Gold Room until the beginning of the new football season See you all again then
96
sport
Matt Parker receives his third place and Manager of the Month prizes for the Sentinel Fantasy Football League
Charles Conneely Sentinel Fantasy Football League 2012-2013 Champion
97sport
wwwczechtourismcom
CZECH REPUBLIC - STUNNINGLY DIFFERENT
98
classifi eds
One of my personal favourite gemstones is moonstone Itlsquos been around for centuries and is used in many cultures As suggested by its name the stone is highly associated with the moon and moon goddess Diana It brings calm peace and love and is said to become more powerful when the moon is full so thatlsquos the best time to wear it One proverb even claims that moonstone can bring you love that will fly you to the moon Spiritually this amazing stone is said to enhance intuition and is always associated with the self It is a very powerful personal stone which doesnlsquot add or remove any aspects of the personality but merely reflects the person wearing it It is said to be very
MoonstoneBy Evelina Kvartunaite
ndash
lsquoThe stone is highly associated with the moon and moon goddess Dianarsquo
ndash
helpful for people who are very sensitive and it is also used in meditation for reflecting oneself Itlsquos always best to charge your gem when the moon is shining at night either while wearing it or by leaving it on a windowsill that receives moonlight Moonstone is also used in healing and is known for balancing the internal organ systems enabling them to work in stable cycles Itlsquos usually more associated with women but is also known to help men embrace their more emotional side soft creative energies and optimism Perhaps understandably moonstone should have limited exposure to strong direct sunlight
ndash
lsquoIt is said to be very helpful for people who are very sensitiversquo
ndash
88
health amp well-being
ndash
lsquoMore associated with women but is also known to help men embrace their more emotional sidersquo
ndash
89health amp well-being
In his article Batin shows how learning how to use complex products is like learning a computer game Just like the challenges in video games match the skills of the user so should TV interactions or any UI interactions for that matter For reference Batin used the four levels described in the Dreyfus model of skill acquisition
Level 1 novicebullRigid adherence to taught rules or plansbullNo exercise of lsquodiscretionary judgmentrsquo
Level 2 Advanced beginnerbullLimited lsquosituational perceptionrsquobullAll aspects of work treated separately with equal importance
Philip Batin wrote an article a couple of months ago about the next big idea in User Interaction gadgets that adapt to your skills As gadgets become more complicated UIs must be able to teach their users over time Apparently more and more interactive products are being returned In 2002 48 of all returned products were technically fully functional but were rejected for failing to satisfy user needs 20 purely due to customer remorse Even though a product may have all the features one can hope for complexity and bad user experience can prevent users from integrating it into their lives
UserInterfaceThe next big thing in UX
lsquoUIs must be able to teach their users over timersquo
By Andrei Barburas
lsquoComplexity and bad user experience can prevent users from
integrating it into their livesrsquo
90
technology
book the majority of which you probably skipped through
Personally I believe that there are certain end users most likely the majority that use only a limited set of features from any device they buy Mobile phones have become indispensable tools in our daily activities yet the average Joe has no idea about the full potential of a smart phone The same applies to Smart TVs they can do lots of things yet the only thing that we do with them is flip channels and complain how bad the shows are
The bottom line is that itrsquos definitely something worth thinking about not only from an operating system perspective but also from the perspective of applications developers
Level 3 competentbulllsquoCoping with crowdednessrsquo (multiple activities accumulation of information)bullSome perception of actions in relation to goalsbullDeliberate planningbullFormulates routines
Level 4 ProficientbullHolistic view of situationbullPrioritizes importance of aspectsbulllsquoPerceives deviations from the normal patternrsquobullEmploys maxim for guidance with meanings that adapt to the situation at hand
Now just imagine a User Interface that adapts based on what you can do and the abilities you have As you learn new things new levels of complexity are unlocked opening the door to fully knowing your device because you learned by doing and not by reading a complicated
lsquoThe average Joe has no idea about the full potential of a
smart phonersquo
91technology
92classifi eds
93classifi eds
Not knowing what was happening in football was extremely annoying to put it mildly and it wasnrsquot just my own self-denial and avoidance of all things football that was a hindrance the extent to which I had to ask others to go in order to remain ignorant was much more excruciating than Irsquod ever imagined There may even be some damage done to football-related friendships that is irreparable I now feel as though Irsquom walking through an empty stadium after everyone else has gone home
So what now and where to next The season is well and truly over and Irsquom free to do whatever I want I could read the back-dated sports pages check all the stats and find out all the facts if I wanted to I could spend hours catching up on last season and speculating on the next with the friends Irsquove still got left down the pub if I wanted to I can follow all the transfer gossip watch pre-season friendlies and build up all my hopes But as with most addictions that would simply be falling back into a previous state of dependence and everything Irsquove just put myself through wouldrsquove been for nothing So how do I go back to an old habit without a total relapse or would it be better to keep abstaining
All my questions seem to be met with other questions and no solutions On the other hand if you ask me what
Someone once said that insanity is when you keep repeating the same behaviour and expect a different outcome most likely a psychologist aimed at his or her ailing patients But for me these words are more reminiscent of my own conduct over the course of a regular football season Week in week out season after season I would expect Tottenham to win something and more often than not Irsquod be left disappointed So I decided to stop No more football ndash at least not for one full season
The season 201213 is now over and during the whole nine months I didnrsquot watch a single moment of football or read a single article on the subject That was my challenge and I was committed to it What is more despite all the warning signs I didnrsquot relapse After a year of structured punishment I didnrsquot have a clue about what was going on in the English Premier League (or any other league) Only having picked up bits and pieces of information that somehow slipped through the net the past season was like a book with most of its pages missing
By Simon Joseph
On The Volley
The Return of the Repressed or the Point of No Return
lsquoInsanity is when you keep repeating the same behaviour and expect a different outcomersquo
sport
lsquoThe past season was like a book with most of its pages missingrsquo
94
lsquoThere may even be some damage done to football-related friendshipsrsquo
lsquoHas abstaining for a season changed mersquo
it until the cows come home but it was us who made those changes or at least allowed them to happen and those changes will continue to happen with or without me Perhaps then the questions I should be asking are has abstaining for a season changed me Am I still obsessed or have I broken the habit of a lifetime Is following football really that terrible or even a real addiction
One thing is certain this lack of resolution is not completely without satisfaction because like all forms of fixation or obsession therersquos comfort and familiarity to be found in repetition as Tottenham miss out on Championrsquos League football by a single point again The repressed will always return to haunt us or so it seems and before we know it the start of next season will be upon us There will be more pain no doubt and more joy This time however it will take more than a boot camp approach to keep me away and who knows Tottenham might even win the league Come on you Spurs
Tottenham Hotspur means I would still tell you that itrsquos not just a pretty football package itrsquos about kith and kin not just where I came from but how I relate to others around me in the here and now Whatrsquos more millions of people are attracted to football they hunger for it and yearn to connect with it even though I still believe itrsquos a form of ineffective escape from one unsatisfying reality to another Following football is a classic example of cognitive dissonance ndash when you simultaneously entertain two opposing thoughts that appear to cancel each other out Before the start of each season for example we all want our club to win everything or to be taken over by billionaires but know that itrsquos impossible or in the latter case controversial and even undesirable So we invent ways to cope We develop a so-called lsquosiege mentalityrsquo or other harmful patterns of behaviour to relieve the discomfort of incongruity With this in mind the past year was supposed to be an exercise in behaviour modification ndash to discover the root of the problem and treat it effectively But one year on have I really discovered anything at all
The English Premier League whether you watch it or not is still probably the most exciting football league in the world We can complain about the changes made to
sport9
5
By Denson Pierre
The Gold Room
Fantasy Football Gold ndash Champions League 2012-2013 winner Denson Pierre and his prizes
The season petered out in an all-German Champions League Final which did nothing to dispel the record that this was a season of too few new stars or regular spectacle We look forward to the next season as it ought not be too difficult to create more excitement than in the one just pastWe did have the opportunity to hand over the envelopes and trophies to the Sentinel Fantasy Football game winners This year all the major winners from the Sentinel Fantasy Football League were unable to be present for the physical prize giving but the winner of the Gold Game and focus of this column was there to receive his prize for winning the master game in styleSo we retire the Gold Room until the beginning of the new football season See you all again then
96
sport
Matt Parker receives his third place and Manager of the Month prizes for the Sentinel Fantasy Football League
Charles Conneely Sentinel Fantasy Football League 2012-2013 Champion
97sport
wwwczechtourismcom
CZECH REPUBLIC - STUNNINGLY DIFFERENT
98
classifi eds
ndash
lsquoMore associated with women but is also known to help men embrace their more emotional sidersquo
ndash
89health amp well-being
In his article Batin shows how learning how to use complex products is like learning a computer game Just like the challenges in video games match the skills of the user so should TV interactions or any UI interactions for that matter For reference Batin used the four levels described in the Dreyfus model of skill acquisition
Level 1 novicebullRigid adherence to taught rules or plansbullNo exercise of lsquodiscretionary judgmentrsquo
Level 2 Advanced beginnerbullLimited lsquosituational perceptionrsquobullAll aspects of work treated separately with equal importance
Philip Batin wrote an article a couple of months ago about the next big idea in User Interaction gadgets that adapt to your skills As gadgets become more complicated UIs must be able to teach their users over time Apparently more and more interactive products are being returned In 2002 48 of all returned products were technically fully functional but were rejected for failing to satisfy user needs 20 purely due to customer remorse Even though a product may have all the features one can hope for complexity and bad user experience can prevent users from integrating it into their lives
UserInterfaceThe next big thing in UX
lsquoUIs must be able to teach their users over timersquo
By Andrei Barburas
lsquoComplexity and bad user experience can prevent users from
integrating it into their livesrsquo
90
technology
book the majority of which you probably skipped through
Personally I believe that there are certain end users most likely the majority that use only a limited set of features from any device they buy Mobile phones have become indispensable tools in our daily activities yet the average Joe has no idea about the full potential of a smart phone The same applies to Smart TVs they can do lots of things yet the only thing that we do with them is flip channels and complain how bad the shows are
The bottom line is that itrsquos definitely something worth thinking about not only from an operating system perspective but also from the perspective of applications developers
Level 3 competentbulllsquoCoping with crowdednessrsquo (multiple activities accumulation of information)bullSome perception of actions in relation to goalsbullDeliberate planningbullFormulates routines
Level 4 ProficientbullHolistic view of situationbullPrioritizes importance of aspectsbulllsquoPerceives deviations from the normal patternrsquobullEmploys maxim for guidance with meanings that adapt to the situation at hand
Now just imagine a User Interface that adapts based on what you can do and the abilities you have As you learn new things new levels of complexity are unlocked opening the door to fully knowing your device because you learned by doing and not by reading a complicated
lsquoThe average Joe has no idea about the full potential of a
smart phonersquo
91technology
92classifi eds
93classifi eds
Not knowing what was happening in football was extremely annoying to put it mildly and it wasnrsquot just my own self-denial and avoidance of all things football that was a hindrance the extent to which I had to ask others to go in order to remain ignorant was much more excruciating than Irsquod ever imagined There may even be some damage done to football-related friendships that is irreparable I now feel as though Irsquom walking through an empty stadium after everyone else has gone home
So what now and where to next The season is well and truly over and Irsquom free to do whatever I want I could read the back-dated sports pages check all the stats and find out all the facts if I wanted to I could spend hours catching up on last season and speculating on the next with the friends Irsquove still got left down the pub if I wanted to I can follow all the transfer gossip watch pre-season friendlies and build up all my hopes But as with most addictions that would simply be falling back into a previous state of dependence and everything Irsquove just put myself through wouldrsquove been for nothing So how do I go back to an old habit without a total relapse or would it be better to keep abstaining
All my questions seem to be met with other questions and no solutions On the other hand if you ask me what
Someone once said that insanity is when you keep repeating the same behaviour and expect a different outcome most likely a psychologist aimed at his or her ailing patients But for me these words are more reminiscent of my own conduct over the course of a regular football season Week in week out season after season I would expect Tottenham to win something and more often than not Irsquod be left disappointed So I decided to stop No more football ndash at least not for one full season
The season 201213 is now over and during the whole nine months I didnrsquot watch a single moment of football or read a single article on the subject That was my challenge and I was committed to it What is more despite all the warning signs I didnrsquot relapse After a year of structured punishment I didnrsquot have a clue about what was going on in the English Premier League (or any other league) Only having picked up bits and pieces of information that somehow slipped through the net the past season was like a book with most of its pages missing
By Simon Joseph
On The Volley
The Return of the Repressed or the Point of No Return
lsquoInsanity is when you keep repeating the same behaviour and expect a different outcomersquo
sport
lsquoThe past season was like a book with most of its pages missingrsquo
94
lsquoThere may even be some damage done to football-related friendshipsrsquo
lsquoHas abstaining for a season changed mersquo
it until the cows come home but it was us who made those changes or at least allowed them to happen and those changes will continue to happen with or without me Perhaps then the questions I should be asking are has abstaining for a season changed me Am I still obsessed or have I broken the habit of a lifetime Is following football really that terrible or even a real addiction
One thing is certain this lack of resolution is not completely without satisfaction because like all forms of fixation or obsession therersquos comfort and familiarity to be found in repetition as Tottenham miss out on Championrsquos League football by a single point again The repressed will always return to haunt us or so it seems and before we know it the start of next season will be upon us There will be more pain no doubt and more joy This time however it will take more than a boot camp approach to keep me away and who knows Tottenham might even win the league Come on you Spurs
Tottenham Hotspur means I would still tell you that itrsquos not just a pretty football package itrsquos about kith and kin not just where I came from but how I relate to others around me in the here and now Whatrsquos more millions of people are attracted to football they hunger for it and yearn to connect with it even though I still believe itrsquos a form of ineffective escape from one unsatisfying reality to another Following football is a classic example of cognitive dissonance ndash when you simultaneously entertain two opposing thoughts that appear to cancel each other out Before the start of each season for example we all want our club to win everything or to be taken over by billionaires but know that itrsquos impossible or in the latter case controversial and even undesirable So we invent ways to cope We develop a so-called lsquosiege mentalityrsquo or other harmful patterns of behaviour to relieve the discomfort of incongruity With this in mind the past year was supposed to be an exercise in behaviour modification ndash to discover the root of the problem and treat it effectively But one year on have I really discovered anything at all
The English Premier League whether you watch it or not is still probably the most exciting football league in the world We can complain about the changes made to
sport9
5
By Denson Pierre
The Gold Room
Fantasy Football Gold ndash Champions League 2012-2013 winner Denson Pierre and his prizes
The season petered out in an all-German Champions League Final which did nothing to dispel the record that this was a season of too few new stars or regular spectacle We look forward to the next season as it ought not be too difficult to create more excitement than in the one just pastWe did have the opportunity to hand over the envelopes and trophies to the Sentinel Fantasy Football game winners This year all the major winners from the Sentinel Fantasy Football League were unable to be present for the physical prize giving but the winner of the Gold Game and focus of this column was there to receive his prize for winning the master game in styleSo we retire the Gold Room until the beginning of the new football season See you all again then
96
sport
Matt Parker receives his third place and Manager of the Month prizes for the Sentinel Fantasy Football League
Charles Conneely Sentinel Fantasy Football League 2012-2013 Champion
97sport
wwwczechtourismcom
CZECH REPUBLIC - STUNNINGLY DIFFERENT
98
classifi eds
In his article Batin shows how learning how to use complex products is like learning a computer game Just like the challenges in video games match the skills of the user so should TV interactions or any UI interactions for that matter For reference Batin used the four levels described in the Dreyfus model of skill acquisition
Level 1 novicebullRigid adherence to taught rules or plansbullNo exercise of lsquodiscretionary judgmentrsquo
Level 2 Advanced beginnerbullLimited lsquosituational perceptionrsquobullAll aspects of work treated separately with equal importance
Philip Batin wrote an article a couple of months ago about the next big idea in User Interaction gadgets that adapt to your skills As gadgets become more complicated UIs must be able to teach their users over time Apparently more and more interactive products are being returned In 2002 48 of all returned products were technically fully functional but were rejected for failing to satisfy user needs 20 purely due to customer remorse Even though a product may have all the features one can hope for complexity and bad user experience can prevent users from integrating it into their lives
UserInterfaceThe next big thing in UX
lsquoUIs must be able to teach their users over timersquo
By Andrei Barburas
lsquoComplexity and bad user experience can prevent users from
integrating it into their livesrsquo
90
technology
book the majority of which you probably skipped through
Personally I believe that there are certain end users most likely the majority that use only a limited set of features from any device they buy Mobile phones have become indispensable tools in our daily activities yet the average Joe has no idea about the full potential of a smart phone The same applies to Smart TVs they can do lots of things yet the only thing that we do with them is flip channels and complain how bad the shows are
The bottom line is that itrsquos definitely something worth thinking about not only from an operating system perspective but also from the perspective of applications developers
Level 3 competentbulllsquoCoping with crowdednessrsquo (multiple activities accumulation of information)bullSome perception of actions in relation to goalsbullDeliberate planningbullFormulates routines
Level 4 ProficientbullHolistic view of situationbullPrioritizes importance of aspectsbulllsquoPerceives deviations from the normal patternrsquobullEmploys maxim for guidance with meanings that adapt to the situation at hand
Now just imagine a User Interface that adapts based on what you can do and the abilities you have As you learn new things new levels of complexity are unlocked opening the door to fully knowing your device because you learned by doing and not by reading a complicated
lsquoThe average Joe has no idea about the full potential of a
smart phonersquo
91technology
92classifi eds
93classifi eds
Not knowing what was happening in football was extremely annoying to put it mildly and it wasnrsquot just my own self-denial and avoidance of all things football that was a hindrance the extent to which I had to ask others to go in order to remain ignorant was much more excruciating than Irsquod ever imagined There may even be some damage done to football-related friendships that is irreparable I now feel as though Irsquom walking through an empty stadium after everyone else has gone home
So what now and where to next The season is well and truly over and Irsquom free to do whatever I want I could read the back-dated sports pages check all the stats and find out all the facts if I wanted to I could spend hours catching up on last season and speculating on the next with the friends Irsquove still got left down the pub if I wanted to I can follow all the transfer gossip watch pre-season friendlies and build up all my hopes But as with most addictions that would simply be falling back into a previous state of dependence and everything Irsquove just put myself through wouldrsquove been for nothing So how do I go back to an old habit without a total relapse or would it be better to keep abstaining
All my questions seem to be met with other questions and no solutions On the other hand if you ask me what
Someone once said that insanity is when you keep repeating the same behaviour and expect a different outcome most likely a psychologist aimed at his or her ailing patients But for me these words are more reminiscent of my own conduct over the course of a regular football season Week in week out season after season I would expect Tottenham to win something and more often than not Irsquod be left disappointed So I decided to stop No more football ndash at least not for one full season
The season 201213 is now over and during the whole nine months I didnrsquot watch a single moment of football or read a single article on the subject That was my challenge and I was committed to it What is more despite all the warning signs I didnrsquot relapse After a year of structured punishment I didnrsquot have a clue about what was going on in the English Premier League (or any other league) Only having picked up bits and pieces of information that somehow slipped through the net the past season was like a book with most of its pages missing
By Simon Joseph
On The Volley
The Return of the Repressed or the Point of No Return
lsquoInsanity is when you keep repeating the same behaviour and expect a different outcomersquo
sport
lsquoThe past season was like a book with most of its pages missingrsquo
94
lsquoThere may even be some damage done to football-related friendshipsrsquo
lsquoHas abstaining for a season changed mersquo
it until the cows come home but it was us who made those changes or at least allowed them to happen and those changes will continue to happen with or without me Perhaps then the questions I should be asking are has abstaining for a season changed me Am I still obsessed or have I broken the habit of a lifetime Is following football really that terrible or even a real addiction
One thing is certain this lack of resolution is not completely without satisfaction because like all forms of fixation or obsession therersquos comfort and familiarity to be found in repetition as Tottenham miss out on Championrsquos League football by a single point again The repressed will always return to haunt us or so it seems and before we know it the start of next season will be upon us There will be more pain no doubt and more joy This time however it will take more than a boot camp approach to keep me away and who knows Tottenham might even win the league Come on you Spurs
Tottenham Hotspur means I would still tell you that itrsquos not just a pretty football package itrsquos about kith and kin not just where I came from but how I relate to others around me in the here and now Whatrsquos more millions of people are attracted to football they hunger for it and yearn to connect with it even though I still believe itrsquos a form of ineffective escape from one unsatisfying reality to another Following football is a classic example of cognitive dissonance ndash when you simultaneously entertain two opposing thoughts that appear to cancel each other out Before the start of each season for example we all want our club to win everything or to be taken over by billionaires but know that itrsquos impossible or in the latter case controversial and even undesirable So we invent ways to cope We develop a so-called lsquosiege mentalityrsquo or other harmful patterns of behaviour to relieve the discomfort of incongruity With this in mind the past year was supposed to be an exercise in behaviour modification ndash to discover the root of the problem and treat it effectively But one year on have I really discovered anything at all
The English Premier League whether you watch it or not is still probably the most exciting football league in the world We can complain about the changes made to
sport9
5
By Denson Pierre
The Gold Room
Fantasy Football Gold ndash Champions League 2012-2013 winner Denson Pierre and his prizes
The season petered out in an all-German Champions League Final which did nothing to dispel the record that this was a season of too few new stars or regular spectacle We look forward to the next season as it ought not be too difficult to create more excitement than in the one just pastWe did have the opportunity to hand over the envelopes and trophies to the Sentinel Fantasy Football game winners This year all the major winners from the Sentinel Fantasy Football League were unable to be present for the physical prize giving but the winner of the Gold Game and focus of this column was there to receive his prize for winning the master game in styleSo we retire the Gold Room until the beginning of the new football season See you all again then
96
sport
Matt Parker receives his third place and Manager of the Month prizes for the Sentinel Fantasy Football League
Charles Conneely Sentinel Fantasy Football League 2012-2013 Champion
97sport
wwwczechtourismcom
CZECH REPUBLIC - STUNNINGLY DIFFERENT
98
classifi eds
book the majority of which you probably skipped through
Personally I believe that there are certain end users most likely the majority that use only a limited set of features from any device they buy Mobile phones have become indispensable tools in our daily activities yet the average Joe has no idea about the full potential of a smart phone The same applies to Smart TVs they can do lots of things yet the only thing that we do with them is flip channels and complain how bad the shows are
The bottom line is that itrsquos definitely something worth thinking about not only from an operating system perspective but also from the perspective of applications developers
Level 3 competentbulllsquoCoping with crowdednessrsquo (multiple activities accumulation of information)bullSome perception of actions in relation to goalsbullDeliberate planningbullFormulates routines
Level 4 ProficientbullHolistic view of situationbullPrioritizes importance of aspectsbulllsquoPerceives deviations from the normal patternrsquobullEmploys maxim for guidance with meanings that adapt to the situation at hand
Now just imagine a User Interface that adapts based on what you can do and the abilities you have As you learn new things new levels of complexity are unlocked opening the door to fully knowing your device because you learned by doing and not by reading a complicated
lsquoThe average Joe has no idea about the full potential of a
smart phonersquo
91technology
92classifi eds
93classifi eds
Not knowing what was happening in football was extremely annoying to put it mildly and it wasnrsquot just my own self-denial and avoidance of all things football that was a hindrance the extent to which I had to ask others to go in order to remain ignorant was much more excruciating than Irsquod ever imagined There may even be some damage done to football-related friendships that is irreparable I now feel as though Irsquom walking through an empty stadium after everyone else has gone home
So what now and where to next The season is well and truly over and Irsquom free to do whatever I want I could read the back-dated sports pages check all the stats and find out all the facts if I wanted to I could spend hours catching up on last season and speculating on the next with the friends Irsquove still got left down the pub if I wanted to I can follow all the transfer gossip watch pre-season friendlies and build up all my hopes But as with most addictions that would simply be falling back into a previous state of dependence and everything Irsquove just put myself through wouldrsquove been for nothing So how do I go back to an old habit without a total relapse or would it be better to keep abstaining
All my questions seem to be met with other questions and no solutions On the other hand if you ask me what
Someone once said that insanity is when you keep repeating the same behaviour and expect a different outcome most likely a psychologist aimed at his or her ailing patients But for me these words are more reminiscent of my own conduct over the course of a regular football season Week in week out season after season I would expect Tottenham to win something and more often than not Irsquod be left disappointed So I decided to stop No more football ndash at least not for one full season
The season 201213 is now over and during the whole nine months I didnrsquot watch a single moment of football or read a single article on the subject That was my challenge and I was committed to it What is more despite all the warning signs I didnrsquot relapse After a year of structured punishment I didnrsquot have a clue about what was going on in the English Premier League (or any other league) Only having picked up bits and pieces of information that somehow slipped through the net the past season was like a book with most of its pages missing
By Simon Joseph
On The Volley
The Return of the Repressed or the Point of No Return
lsquoInsanity is when you keep repeating the same behaviour and expect a different outcomersquo
sport
lsquoThe past season was like a book with most of its pages missingrsquo
94
lsquoThere may even be some damage done to football-related friendshipsrsquo
lsquoHas abstaining for a season changed mersquo
it until the cows come home but it was us who made those changes or at least allowed them to happen and those changes will continue to happen with or without me Perhaps then the questions I should be asking are has abstaining for a season changed me Am I still obsessed or have I broken the habit of a lifetime Is following football really that terrible or even a real addiction
One thing is certain this lack of resolution is not completely without satisfaction because like all forms of fixation or obsession therersquos comfort and familiarity to be found in repetition as Tottenham miss out on Championrsquos League football by a single point again The repressed will always return to haunt us or so it seems and before we know it the start of next season will be upon us There will be more pain no doubt and more joy This time however it will take more than a boot camp approach to keep me away and who knows Tottenham might even win the league Come on you Spurs
Tottenham Hotspur means I would still tell you that itrsquos not just a pretty football package itrsquos about kith and kin not just where I came from but how I relate to others around me in the here and now Whatrsquos more millions of people are attracted to football they hunger for it and yearn to connect with it even though I still believe itrsquos a form of ineffective escape from one unsatisfying reality to another Following football is a classic example of cognitive dissonance ndash when you simultaneously entertain two opposing thoughts that appear to cancel each other out Before the start of each season for example we all want our club to win everything or to be taken over by billionaires but know that itrsquos impossible or in the latter case controversial and even undesirable So we invent ways to cope We develop a so-called lsquosiege mentalityrsquo or other harmful patterns of behaviour to relieve the discomfort of incongruity With this in mind the past year was supposed to be an exercise in behaviour modification ndash to discover the root of the problem and treat it effectively But one year on have I really discovered anything at all
The English Premier League whether you watch it or not is still probably the most exciting football league in the world We can complain about the changes made to
sport9
5
By Denson Pierre
The Gold Room
Fantasy Football Gold ndash Champions League 2012-2013 winner Denson Pierre and his prizes
The season petered out in an all-German Champions League Final which did nothing to dispel the record that this was a season of too few new stars or regular spectacle We look forward to the next season as it ought not be too difficult to create more excitement than in the one just pastWe did have the opportunity to hand over the envelopes and trophies to the Sentinel Fantasy Football game winners This year all the major winners from the Sentinel Fantasy Football League were unable to be present for the physical prize giving but the winner of the Gold Game and focus of this column was there to receive his prize for winning the master game in styleSo we retire the Gold Room until the beginning of the new football season See you all again then
96
sport
Matt Parker receives his third place and Manager of the Month prizes for the Sentinel Fantasy Football League
Charles Conneely Sentinel Fantasy Football League 2012-2013 Champion
97sport
wwwczechtourismcom
CZECH REPUBLIC - STUNNINGLY DIFFERENT
98
classifi eds
92classifi eds
93classifi eds
Not knowing what was happening in football was extremely annoying to put it mildly and it wasnrsquot just my own self-denial and avoidance of all things football that was a hindrance the extent to which I had to ask others to go in order to remain ignorant was much more excruciating than Irsquod ever imagined There may even be some damage done to football-related friendships that is irreparable I now feel as though Irsquom walking through an empty stadium after everyone else has gone home
So what now and where to next The season is well and truly over and Irsquom free to do whatever I want I could read the back-dated sports pages check all the stats and find out all the facts if I wanted to I could spend hours catching up on last season and speculating on the next with the friends Irsquove still got left down the pub if I wanted to I can follow all the transfer gossip watch pre-season friendlies and build up all my hopes But as with most addictions that would simply be falling back into a previous state of dependence and everything Irsquove just put myself through wouldrsquove been for nothing So how do I go back to an old habit without a total relapse or would it be better to keep abstaining
All my questions seem to be met with other questions and no solutions On the other hand if you ask me what
Someone once said that insanity is when you keep repeating the same behaviour and expect a different outcome most likely a psychologist aimed at his or her ailing patients But for me these words are more reminiscent of my own conduct over the course of a regular football season Week in week out season after season I would expect Tottenham to win something and more often than not Irsquod be left disappointed So I decided to stop No more football ndash at least not for one full season
The season 201213 is now over and during the whole nine months I didnrsquot watch a single moment of football or read a single article on the subject That was my challenge and I was committed to it What is more despite all the warning signs I didnrsquot relapse After a year of structured punishment I didnrsquot have a clue about what was going on in the English Premier League (or any other league) Only having picked up bits and pieces of information that somehow slipped through the net the past season was like a book with most of its pages missing
By Simon Joseph
On The Volley
The Return of the Repressed or the Point of No Return
lsquoInsanity is when you keep repeating the same behaviour and expect a different outcomersquo
sport
lsquoThe past season was like a book with most of its pages missingrsquo
94
lsquoThere may even be some damage done to football-related friendshipsrsquo
lsquoHas abstaining for a season changed mersquo
it until the cows come home but it was us who made those changes or at least allowed them to happen and those changes will continue to happen with or without me Perhaps then the questions I should be asking are has abstaining for a season changed me Am I still obsessed or have I broken the habit of a lifetime Is following football really that terrible or even a real addiction
One thing is certain this lack of resolution is not completely without satisfaction because like all forms of fixation or obsession therersquos comfort and familiarity to be found in repetition as Tottenham miss out on Championrsquos League football by a single point again The repressed will always return to haunt us or so it seems and before we know it the start of next season will be upon us There will be more pain no doubt and more joy This time however it will take more than a boot camp approach to keep me away and who knows Tottenham might even win the league Come on you Spurs
Tottenham Hotspur means I would still tell you that itrsquos not just a pretty football package itrsquos about kith and kin not just where I came from but how I relate to others around me in the here and now Whatrsquos more millions of people are attracted to football they hunger for it and yearn to connect with it even though I still believe itrsquos a form of ineffective escape from one unsatisfying reality to another Following football is a classic example of cognitive dissonance ndash when you simultaneously entertain two opposing thoughts that appear to cancel each other out Before the start of each season for example we all want our club to win everything or to be taken over by billionaires but know that itrsquos impossible or in the latter case controversial and even undesirable So we invent ways to cope We develop a so-called lsquosiege mentalityrsquo or other harmful patterns of behaviour to relieve the discomfort of incongruity With this in mind the past year was supposed to be an exercise in behaviour modification ndash to discover the root of the problem and treat it effectively But one year on have I really discovered anything at all
The English Premier League whether you watch it or not is still probably the most exciting football league in the world We can complain about the changes made to
sport9
5
By Denson Pierre
The Gold Room
Fantasy Football Gold ndash Champions League 2012-2013 winner Denson Pierre and his prizes
The season petered out in an all-German Champions League Final which did nothing to dispel the record that this was a season of too few new stars or regular spectacle We look forward to the next season as it ought not be too difficult to create more excitement than in the one just pastWe did have the opportunity to hand over the envelopes and trophies to the Sentinel Fantasy Football game winners This year all the major winners from the Sentinel Fantasy Football League were unable to be present for the physical prize giving but the winner of the Gold Game and focus of this column was there to receive his prize for winning the master game in styleSo we retire the Gold Room until the beginning of the new football season See you all again then
96
sport
Matt Parker receives his third place and Manager of the Month prizes for the Sentinel Fantasy Football League
Charles Conneely Sentinel Fantasy Football League 2012-2013 Champion
97sport
wwwczechtourismcom
CZECH REPUBLIC - STUNNINGLY DIFFERENT
98
classifi eds
93classifi eds
Not knowing what was happening in football was extremely annoying to put it mildly and it wasnrsquot just my own self-denial and avoidance of all things football that was a hindrance the extent to which I had to ask others to go in order to remain ignorant was much more excruciating than Irsquod ever imagined There may even be some damage done to football-related friendships that is irreparable I now feel as though Irsquom walking through an empty stadium after everyone else has gone home
So what now and where to next The season is well and truly over and Irsquom free to do whatever I want I could read the back-dated sports pages check all the stats and find out all the facts if I wanted to I could spend hours catching up on last season and speculating on the next with the friends Irsquove still got left down the pub if I wanted to I can follow all the transfer gossip watch pre-season friendlies and build up all my hopes But as with most addictions that would simply be falling back into a previous state of dependence and everything Irsquove just put myself through wouldrsquove been for nothing So how do I go back to an old habit without a total relapse or would it be better to keep abstaining
All my questions seem to be met with other questions and no solutions On the other hand if you ask me what
Someone once said that insanity is when you keep repeating the same behaviour and expect a different outcome most likely a psychologist aimed at his or her ailing patients But for me these words are more reminiscent of my own conduct over the course of a regular football season Week in week out season after season I would expect Tottenham to win something and more often than not Irsquod be left disappointed So I decided to stop No more football ndash at least not for one full season
The season 201213 is now over and during the whole nine months I didnrsquot watch a single moment of football or read a single article on the subject That was my challenge and I was committed to it What is more despite all the warning signs I didnrsquot relapse After a year of structured punishment I didnrsquot have a clue about what was going on in the English Premier League (or any other league) Only having picked up bits and pieces of information that somehow slipped through the net the past season was like a book with most of its pages missing
By Simon Joseph
On The Volley
The Return of the Repressed or the Point of No Return
lsquoInsanity is when you keep repeating the same behaviour and expect a different outcomersquo
sport
lsquoThe past season was like a book with most of its pages missingrsquo
94
lsquoThere may even be some damage done to football-related friendshipsrsquo
lsquoHas abstaining for a season changed mersquo
it until the cows come home but it was us who made those changes or at least allowed them to happen and those changes will continue to happen with or without me Perhaps then the questions I should be asking are has abstaining for a season changed me Am I still obsessed or have I broken the habit of a lifetime Is following football really that terrible or even a real addiction
One thing is certain this lack of resolution is not completely without satisfaction because like all forms of fixation or obsession therersquos comfort and familiarity to be found in repetition as Tottenham miss out on Championrsquos League football by a single point again The repressed will always return to haunt us or so it seems and before we know it the start of next season will be upon us There will be more pain no doubt and more joy This time however it will take more than a boot camp approach to keep me away and who knows Tottenham might even win the league Come on you Spurs
Tottenham Hotspur means I would still tell you that itrsquos not just a pretty football package itrsquos about kith and kin not just where I came from but how I relate to others around me in the here and now Whatrsquos more millions of people are attracted to football they hunger for it and yearn to connect with it even though I still believe itrsquos a form of ineffective escape from one unsatisfying reality to another Following football is a classic example of cognitive dissonance ndash when you simultaneously entertain two opposing thoughts that appear to cancel each other out Before the start of each season for example we all want our club to win everything or to be taken over by billionaires but know that itrsquos impossible or in the latter case controversial and even undesirable So we invent ways to cope We develop a so-called lsquosiege mentalityrsquo or other harmful patterns of behaviour to relieve the discomfort of incongruity With this in mind the past year was supposed to be an exercise in behaviour modification ndash to discover the root of the problem and treat it effectively But one year on have I really discovered anything at all
The English Premier League whether you watch it or not is still probably the most exciting football league in the world We can complain about the changes made to
sport9
5
By Denson Pierre
The Gold Room
Fantasy Football Gold ndash Champions League 2012-2013 winner Denson Pierre and his prizes
The season petered out in an all-German Champions League Final which did nothing to dispel the record that this was a season of too few new stars or regular spectacle We look forward to the next season as it ought not be too difficult to create more excitement than in the one just pastWe did have the opportunity to hand over the envelopes and trophies to the Sentinel Fantasy Football game winners This year all the major winners from the Sentinel Fantasy Football League were unable to be present for the physical prize giving but the winner of the Gold Game and focus of this column was there to receive his prize for winning the master game in styleSo we retire the Gold Room until the beginning of the new football season See you all again then
96
sport
Matt Parker receives his third place and Manager of the Month prizes for the Sentinel Fantasy Football League
Charles Conneely Sentinel Fantasy Football League 2012-2013 Champion
97sport
wwwczechtourismcom
CZECH REPUBLIC - STUNNINGLY DIFFERENT
98
classifi eds
Not knowing what was happening in football was extremely annoying to put it mildly and it wasnrsquot just my own self-denial and avoidance of all things football that was a hindrance the extent to which I had to ask others to go in order to remain ignorant was much more excruciating than Irsquod ever imagined There may even be some damage done to football-related friendships that is irreparable I now feel as though Irsquom walking through an empty stadium after everyone else has gone home
So what now and where to next The season is well and truly over and Irsquom free to do whatever I want I could read the back-dated sports pages check all the stats and find out all the facts if I wanted to I could spend hours catching up on last season and speculating on the next with the friends Irsquove still got left down the pub if I wanted to I can follow all the transfer gossip watch pre-season friendlies and build up all my hopes But as with most addictions that would simply be falling back into a previous state of dependence and everything Irsquove just put myself through wouldrsquove been for nothing So how do I go back to an old habit without a total relapse or would it be better to keep abstaining
All my questions seem to be met with other questions and no solutions On the other hand if you ask me what
Someone once said that insanity is when you keep repeating the same behaviour and expect a different outcome most likely a psychologist aimed at his or her ailing patients But for me these words are more reminiscent of my own conduct over the course of a regular football season Week in week out season after season I would expect Tottenham to win something and more often than not Irsquod be left disappointed So I decided to stop No more football ndash at least not for one full season
The season 201213 is now over and during the whole nine months I didnrsquot watch a single moment of football or read a single article on the subject That was my challenge and I was committed to it What is more despite all the warning signs I didnrsquot relapse After a year of structured punishment I didnrsquot have a clue about what was going on in the English Premier League (or any other league) Only having picked up bits and pieces of information that somehow slipped through the net the past season was like a book with most of its pages missing
By Simon Joseph
On The Volley
The Return of the Repressed or the Point of No Return
lsquoInsanity is when you keep repeating the same behaviour and expect a different outcomersquo
sport
lsquoThe past season was like a book with most of its pages missingrsquo
94
lsquoThere may even be some damage done to football-related friendshipsrsquo
lsquoHas abstaining for a season changed mersquo
it until the cows come home but it was us who made those changes or at least allowed them to happen and those changes will continue to happen with or without me Perhaps then the questions I should be asking are has abstaining for a season changed me Am I still obsessed or have I broken the habit of a lifetime Is following football really that terrible or even a real addiction
One thing is certain this lack of resolution is not completely without satisfaction because like all forms of fixation or obsession therersquos comfort and familiarity to be found in repetition as Tottenham miss out on Championrsquos League football by a single point again The repressed will always return to haunt us or so it seems and before we know it the start of next season will be upon us There will be more pain no doubt and more joy This time however it will take more than a boot camp approach to keep me away and who knows Tottenham might even win the league Come on you Spurs
Tottenham Hotspur means I would still tell you that itrsquos not just a pretty football package itrsquos about kith and kin not just where I came from but how I relate to others around me in the here and now Whatrsquos more millions of people are attracted to football they hunger for it and yearn to connect with it even though I still believe itrsquos a form of ineffective escape from one unsatisfying reality to another Following football is a classic example of cognitive dissonance ndash when you simultaneously entertain two opposing thoughts that appear to cancel each other out Before the start of each season for example we all want our club to win everything or to be taken over by billionaires but know that itrsquos impossible or in the latter case controversial and even undesirable So we invent ways to cope We develop a so-called lsquosiege mentalityrsquo or other harmful patterns of behaviour to relieve the discomfort of incongruity With this in mind the past year was supposed to be an exercise in behaviour modification ndash to discover the root of the problem and treat it effectively But one year on have I really discovered anything at all
The English Premier League whether you watch it or not is still probably the most exciting football league in the world We can complain about the changes made to
sport9
5
By Denson Pierre
The Gold Room
Fantasy Football Gold ndash Champions League 2012-2013 winner Denson Pierre and his prizes
The season petered out in an all-German Champions League Final which did nothing to dispel the record that this was a season of too few new stars or regular spectacle We look forward to the next season as it ought not be too difficult to create more excitement than in the one just pastWe did have the opportunity to hand over the envelopes and trophies to the Sentinel Fantasy Football game winners This year all the major winners from the Sentinel Fantasy Football League were unable to be present for the physical prize giving but the winner of the Gold Game and focus of this column was there to receive his prize for winning the master game in styleSo we retire the Gold Room until the beginning of the new football season See you all again then
96
sport
Matt Parker receives his third place and Manager of the Month prizes for the Sentinel Fantasy Football League
Charles Conneely Sentinel Fantasy Football League 2012-2013 Champion
97sport
wwwczechtourismcom
CZECH REPUBLIC - STUNNINGLY DIFFERENT
98
classifi eds
lsquoThere may even be some damage done to football-related friendshipsrsquo
lsquoHas abstaining for a season changed mersquo
it until the cows come home but it was us who made those changes or at least allowed them to happen and those changes will continue to happen with or without me Perhaps then the questions I should be asking are has abstaining for a season changed me Am I still obsessed or have I broken the habit of a lifetime Is following football really that terrible or even a real addiction
One thing is certain this lack of resolution is not completely without satisfaction because like all forms of fixation or obsession therersquos comfort and familiarity to be found in repetition as Tottenham miss out on Championrsquos League football by a single point again The repressed will always return to haunt us or so it seems and before we know it the start of next season will be upon us There will be more pain no doubt and more joy This time however it will take more than a boot camp approach to keep me away and who knows Tottenham might even win the league Come on you Spurs
Tottenham Hotspur means I would still tell you that itrsquos not just a pretty football package itrsquos about kith and kin not just where I came from but how I relate to others around me in the here and now Whatrsquos more millions of people are attracted to football they hunger for it and yearn to connect with it even though I still believe itrsquos a form of ineffective escape from one unsatisfying reality to another Following football is a classic example of cognitive dissonance ndash when you simultaneously entertain two opposing thoughts that appear to cancel each other out Before the start of each season for example we all want our club to win everything or to be taken over by billionaires but know that itrsquos impossible or in the latter case controversial and even undesirable So we invent ways to cope We develop a so-called lsquosiege mentalityrsquo or other harmful patterns of behaviour to relieve the discomfort of incongruity With this in mind the past year was supposed to be an exercise in behaviour modification ndash to discover the root of the problem and treat it effectively But one year on have I really discovered anything at all
The English Premier League whether you watch it or not is still probably the most exciting football league in the world We can complain about the changes made to
sport9
5
By Denson Pierre
The Gold Room
Fantasy Football Gold ndash Champions League 2012-2013 winner Denson Pierre and his prizes
The season petered out in an all-German Champions League Final which did nothing to dispel the record that this was a season of too few new stars or regular spectacle We look forward to the next season as it ought not be too difficult to create more excitement than in the one just pastWe did have the opportunity to hand over the envelopes and trophies to the Sentinel Fantasy Football game winners This year all the major winners from the Sentinel Fantasy Football League were unable to be present for the physical prize giving but the winner of the Gold Game and focus of this column was there to receive his prize for winning the master game in styleSo we retire the Gold Room until the beginning of the new football season See you all again then
96
sport
Matt Parker receives his third place and Manager of the Month prizes for the Sentinel Fantasy Football League
Charles Conneely Sentinel Fantasy Football League 2012-2013 Champion
97sport
wwwczechtourismcom
CZECH REPUBLIC - STUNNINGLY DIFFERENT
98
classifi eds
By Denson Pierre
The Gold Room
Fantasy Football Gold ndash Champions League 2012-2013 winner Denson Pierre and his prizes
The season petered out in an all-German Champions League Final which did nothing to dispel the record that this was a season of too few new stars or regular spectacle We look forward to the next season as it ought not be too difficult to create more excitement than in the one just pastWe did have the opportunity to hand over the envelopes and trophies to the Sentinel Fantasy Football game winners This year all the major winners from the Sentinel Fantasy Football League were unable to be present for the physical prize giving but the winner of the Gold Game and focus of this column was there to receive his prize for winning the master game in styleSo we retire the Gold Room until the beginning of the new football season See you all again then
96
sport
Matt Parker receives his third place and Manager of the Month prizes for the Sentinel Fantasy Football League
Charles Conneely Sentinel Fantasy Football League 2012-2013 Champion
97sport
wwwczechtourismcom
CZECH REPUBLIC - STUNNINGLY DIFFERENT
98
classifi eds
Matt Parker receives his third place and Manager of the Month prizes for the Sentinel Fantasy Football League
Charles Conneely Sentinel Fantasy Football League 2012-2013 Champion
97sport
wwwczechtourismcom
CZECH REPUBLIC - STUNNINGLY DIFFERENT
98
classifi eds
wwwczechtourismcom
CZECH REPUBLIC - STUNNINGLY DIFFERENT
98
classifi eds