Retrospective 3: Getting Fresh @ Appelsap

Victor Crezee - What say you and me get married?
(image by Dennis Branko)

1st August 2010


Ain't no party like a hip hop party, and a 10 year anniversary at that.


"Appelsap" ("Apple juice"), Amsterdam's annual, open air, free hip hop festival in the Oost celebrated 10 years of rhymes, breaks, and beats on Sunday afternoon/evening.

This city just continues to spread musical love - the second full day free open air concert I've been to this summer: cue the mention of the Roots Festival, a whole day World music festival which was also free in June this year.

A categorically different strategy on bringng families and communities together, I have observed. The thing is, the whole mentality on what sorts of events bring the community together is 180 degrees different to Australia.

With there being nearly 5000 people at Appelsap, it was strange to observethe amount of community love. I felt like an event like this in my hometown would have brought out the pre pubescent wannabes in combination with the general dregs of society from the Outer suburbs, and been a huge arena for dickhead-like behaviour.

The audience here consisted of some very hip Daddy O's, families, and mostly insanely street chic twenty and thirty somethings. Sure, there was a bit of ego around the place, but nothing that spilled over into acts of aggression or power. It was serious love for the music and the hip hop community all around.

Speaking of ego, I know I said I felt really safe and comfortable, but there was a very peculiar and strange, isolated incident which occured, which relates to me saying I wish I had some photos to show you on here, but I almost got beaten up by an aggressive festival punter for pulling out my Fisheye camera. ( And did not have any ill effects on my love for this festival whatsoever.)

There I was, sitting innocently after an hour or two of burning up the (asphalt) dancefloor , by the cupcake stand. I wanted to take a photo of the very atmospheric outdoor decorations, so I pulled out the camera, and my supa brite Lomo flash caught the attention of one paranoid, possibly schizophrenic little lady.

From 5 metres away from me, her eyes make contact with me, with a glare that could burn a hole through Titanium.

I was initially confused. Then scared. Very, very scared.

She then proceeded to march over to me to interrogate me about my intentions with heresaid photo. In dutch, I might add.

"Errr, engels?" I said, almost cowering in terror under the picnic table. (Please don't hit me. I don't have any health insurance yet.)

"Why you gotta take photos?"

"I wasn't aiming at you..." (...Ms Paranoid. Are you a F grade MC celebrity or something? Is your entourage hiding behind the giant bassline speaker over there?)

"Don't be taking no photos around here." ( Did I miss something? Is there a flourescent light screaming "Amateur photographers will be shot. B-Boys with cameras only"?)

"Delete it," she ordered.

"Er. I can't. "

"Why not?" she bellowed.

"It's not digital."

She looked at me, shook her head and waved her finger in my face.

"Don't let me catch you takin' no more photos around here."

It is with a bit of relief (to be alive) and a bit of regret that I can only present to you with a few photos from Appelsap from talented polished photographers Dennis Branko, and Dennis de Groot.


God daaaaaaaamn:

what a good looking city.

Oosterpark Massive

(image from Appelsap Official website)

What up Appelsap?????

(images from Dennis Branko)

La Melodia - A Fierce MC. I thoroughly enjoyed your energy. Applause.
(image by Dennis De Groot)

Vic Crezee - You had me from "Double Up". A little note: You look good from a dancefloor.
(image by Dennis de Groot)

Mr Wix
(image by Dennis de Groot)

DJ Abstract
(image by Dennis de Groot)

Retrospective 2: Here she saw, in Herisau

Grotere kaart weergeven

20th June 2010

Switzerland was astoundingly beautiful. There was no avoiding the nature (but,why would you want to?) and the breathtaking views at every turn. I would love to go back some day for a little bit longer. Tranquil, connected and blissful. Some photos from my first day in Herisau, Laura's home town.

The view from Laura's apartment living room.

The view from Laura's kitchen window.

A little meander through the village.

Just down the road from Laura's place, the cows graze, in sunny bliss.

Herisau

Herisau

A visual merchandising delight: Chocolate in the local Herisau Supermarket

Retrospective #1: World Cup 2010 Finale

11th July 2010, World Cup Finale, Oranje (NL) Vs The Red Fury (ESP)

The first time in 32 years that Holland has reached the Finals.

The cycle from my hood, to Museumplein to join 160,000 other peeps, the shower of orange flowers, and the escape from claustrophobia to a cosier neighborhood street party in the Old South.

3.30pm: The Brown Bar opposite my house starts to buzz.

6.05pm: "I'll meet you at Museumplein in ten mins.. Wait, there's how many people there?! Do you think we should change the plans???" ; Corner of Bilderdijkstraat and De Clerqstraat

4.08pm: A pretty orange peacock; Corner of Bilderdijkstraat and De Clerqstraat

4:10pm: Museumplein, facing the West

4:11pm: Museumplein facing the Rijksmuseum

8:00pm: A great address for watching the madness, Museumplein

8:25pm: Museumplein facing the Rijksmuseum

8:27pm: The choppers convene for the shower of Orange, Museumplein

8:29pm: Let it rain, let it rain, let it rain, Museumplein

9:35pm: Escaped the claustrophobia to a neighborhood widescreen party in the Old South

Fly in, Fly out

There are things you do in life that you never thought you would do. Or have the opportunity to do. Or rather, be GIVEN the opportunity to do.

This is mostly what this blog is about. Taking the time to sit back and lament about the things that my eyes see, my hands touch, my ears hear, and appreciating the moments, the gestures, the experiences.

I went to Manchester this morning for work. I came back from Manchester this evening. I was in another country for approximately 7.5 hours.

I woke up at 6 am and cycled myself and my briefcase to a train station, got on a aeroplane to England and spent the day in discussions with an advertising agency about how to creatively solve some commercial concerns that my company are experiencing. I got back on an aeroplane and then cycled me and my briefcase back home. I was home by 8pm.

Bizarre.

Buzz Words - Buzz off

I accidentally used a marketing term in a Skype conversation with my friend Vanessa this evening, in reference to a person we both know.

"I mean, her USP is based on the fact that she... oh my god. I did not just say that did I?"

Oh yes Rani. Yes - you - did.

USP.

It stands for Unique Selling Point.

I am now talking to my friends in such manner that I am describing people like products in an advertising brief.

I think it's time for a holiday.

Today's forecast:

"Steamy with an afternoon change in fortune."


There's a change in the air here in Amsterdam.

The weather has been flitting from sunny and lazy, to humid and steamy.

This is the type of weather whereby I become the 5th element. I am so in my element, that I feel like a completely different person.

I know a change is on the cards. I don't know what, but I can feel it.

(Artwork by one of my favourite visual artists, Chloe Early. It describes exactly how I am feeling right now.)

Baby's first digital leash

Triumph or tragedy?

I have been given a Blackberry for work.

I resisted. Ooh, how I resisted. I was like Scarlett O'Hara, under Rhett Butler's charming clutches; struggling, fussing, cussing.

When they asked me if I wanted one, I said "no, thanks."

When they suggested, I said "how about a good old fashioned Nokia instead? You can call anytime between Monday and Friday - 8.30am until 5.30pm. Email access is overated. Calendar synchronisation is an organisational myth!"

Then it turned into more of an issue, like "If you had a Blackberry, and responded to your email at 8.35 this morning, situation X might not have turned out like that" and then I knew, it was more like "Organise one, or perhaps organise another job."

I relented.

I think this is part and parcel of the "growing up" thing.

I would still like to think that I have not lost ownership of my soul, free time, or dignity by being in possession of this black plastic device. Allow me to be disillusioned for at least a minute.

At least I know (and now you all know) I didn't sell out; I got beaten down.

So, the company has me on a digital leash.

At least it's shiny.