Elevator

Years ago, when I was working at the temp office, I was used to receive people looking for a (new) job every day. The enthusiasm of some applicants was appealing, but sometimes their expectations were in contradiction to reality. Looking for 'big money', or awaiting a 'flash career'. Stories of successful careers are admirable and thus the golden boys are creating their future. Planning their way up.

It doesn't take a management book to understand you have to do it all by yourself. That's where the expression came from: "There is no elevator leading to success. You'll have to walk the stairs yourself."

Headlines

Occasionally I still read a newspaper. Though most of the times I prefer websites and television to get informed about the things that shake the world.

Not much good news though. Mostly a lot of war, violence and, being a victim of these times, economic despair. No wonder people read the way I do: picking up the headlines of the news and then quickly move to the comics!

Make Over

Remember Zappa? Guess I've been seeing too many shows about possible make overs lately. They are trying to pimp up your car, refurnish...no, rebuild, your entire house and, last but certainly not least, redesign, reshape and rebuild your entire body. Hmm, would have been nice, but after a while it's all going back in its former shape. Nothing lasts forever. But, hey! I still see the same guy in the mirror every day.

Nah, it really doesn't matter. That's what Zappa told us. 'You are what you is.'

[Original painting: 25 pieces (!) of 40x40cm. The first sketch is incorporated in this painting]

We

May 5th is known as the end of World War II at The Netherlands. Most people are not aware of the fact that former "Nederlands Indië", nowadays known as Indonesia, still was a part of our kingdom in those days. A part of our country which was not yet free. Liberation of the Asian parts of The Netherlands lasted until August 15th 1945. 

Anyway...war is over? No. One should think we had learned our lessons of the cruel experiences of the past. But instead, the battle continues. Even now WWII has formally retired, battles continue in many countries of our planet.

Not an honourable way of thanking the thousands that gave their life for our freedom. Churchill used two fingers to make the V for Victory. "We will never surrender", he said. I suggest we rephrase this: "We will have peace." Let's use three fingers from now on, to make a WE...for all of us!

Freedom is not just a dream

Must have seen this movie four or five times by now. 'Instinct', a 1999 American movie. Anthony Hopkins plays Dr. Ethan Powell, an anthropologist who lives in the African jungle, amidst a group of gorillas. To protect the group, he attacks some phoney Wilderness Park Rangers, and is sent to prison. Dr. Theo Caulder, played by Cuba Cooding Jr., tries to find out what really happend in the jungle. Instead of finding answers, he becomes entangled in a quest to learn the true history and nature of humankind. 
At the end of the film, Powell writes a farewell letter to Caulder: “Dear Theo, I'm sorry I'm not there to say good-bye. You were right. Freedom is not just a dream. It's there on the other side of those fences we build all by ourselves”

A phrase which has become a motto to me: Freedom is not just a dream.
[In The Netherlands, May 5th is celebrated as liberation day to commemorate the ending of WWII]

Take a look at the painting, based on this entry. (Detail above). This painting is for sale!