Back In The Saddle

I realize it’s been a while since I made a post here. Its been a combination of not thinking I have anything to say, being a little lazy, and being really stressed by this whole apartment buying situation. For the last few weeks I have been pursuing the Utrecht apartment that I saw and liked. I’ve been playing the bidding game, waiting for responses, and making new bids. The whole process is dragging out, and it’s getting me down. It looks now like this will all be resolved one way or the other by the end of the month now.

I spoke yesterday with a mortgage advisor, I guess I should say my mortgage adviser. I have a mortgage in place, so it’s really just almost waiting for the current owner to say yes or no. What struck me was how much it’s all going to cost me. I sat down last night and, armed with the monthly mortgage amount, worked out expected costs for things like phone, internet, TV, gas, electric, and so on. It sure does all add up!

I notice it so much because for the last five years my rent has been fixed at a very low price, I have a roomate, and everything is included in the price that I am paying. So I have been very lucky. It’s just going to come as a shock to me when I do eventually get something sorted. And these are the planned costs that are freaking me out! What if something unexpected comes along and needs a chunk of change? I think my wings are going to get clipped, I’m going to have to take less trips, eat out less, and drink less. But I’m sure it will all be worth it!

I’m off to Munich this weekend, and this is my last planned trip for a while. Actually, after this one, I have nothing planned, and this is so not like me. I normally like to have my next trip planned at all times, so I am never without plans. However, after this weekend, its’ going to happen!

A Decision

I decided on Wednesday this week to make an offer for the apartment in Utrecht. I had a reservation about an unused shop unit under the apartment. I found out this week that I could go to the local council, and inquire as to the status of the building underneath. They were able to tell me the planning status of the whole property, so I got a good picture of the whole area. So, with my fears alleviated somewhat, I was able to head off to work with my thought process almost completed

I had already talked through the offer process with a friend of mine, so all that remained was to put together an offer letter. That done, all I had to do was sit and wait. At the end of the day, I received confirmation that my offer had been received, and they would contact me when they had consulted with the owner. And still I wait. I thought the process might have moved quicker than this.

However, there is nothing I can do about it. So I will just wait patiently, and see what happens. I’m off to Rome this weekend to see Scotland play their last match of this seasons Six Nations tournament. I was in Rome for the game two years ago, and loved it. Have kilt, will travel!

The Calcutta Cup

Finally! Scotland won a rugby match at the weekend! We beat the English! No tries were scored again, but a confident team performance saw the English well beaten by a score of 15-9. It was a cold damp day in Edinburgh, conditions which always seem to suit the Scottish team. I’ve now been at Murrayfield for three matches against the English, and I’ve seen three victories. In 2000, 2006, and now 2008. And on all three occassions the weather was damp, cold and generally inclement.

Standing for the players to come out, I felt the hairs on the back of my neck stand up, and suddenly I felt we could win for the first time all week. Flower Of Scotland was sung loudly and proudly, with more passion than I can recall from any other match recently.

The game started in the pouring rain, and I could tell we were looking better than the previous three weeks. This game was won with a strong confident performance. The victory never looked in doubt, and it was so nice to get a win. The English were all depressed, very glum and sad. I think they thought they would just have to turn up to beat us. Great to see them so depressed about the result

And why do I hate the English so? On the morning of the game my friend and I were walking down a street in Edinburgh, all dressed up in kilt and rugby gear. This middle aged guy walks towards us, and snarls in a heavy English accent ‘You guys have absolutely NO chance this afternoon’. ‘Thanks pal’, I responded. Not a hint of banter or humour in his comment, it was all malice. I wish I could have met him again that night

But one Swallow does not make the summer, so whilst it was great to win, Scottish Rugby as been under performing this season. So I think it will be more telling to see what happens next weekend in Rome. Another performance like this next week, and indeed we may have turned the corner. If the team under performs next week, then I think the SRU will be looking for a new coach.

Oh, and on the way back to Amsterdam, I finally bought the headphones at the airport!

2nd Look

I’ve just made an appointment to go back and see the apartment for a second time. I’ve been thinking about it for the last week, and I haven’t been able to talk myself out of it yet. I am normally pretty good at talking myself out of things (I’ve been debating about buying a $200 set of headphones since Xmas, and I still can’t decide on that!). I am convinced that if I thought about it long and hard enough, I could talk myself out of breathing! So I’m going back, and taking a friend of mine with me to give me a second opinion.

I’ve now seen two different mortgage advisors, so I know now what I can and can’t afford, which definetely helps when searching for a new apartment!

Nerves are still there, but they are starting to give way to a small wave of excitement. Still a long way to go, but it feels like I am on the right track. And if things don’t work out with this one, then I am all the more informed for the next one that I see and like.

Its such a big step to be making, and I can imagine it’s up there with getting married as the biggest decision that a person can make. I guess this one would be second to marriage. At least if this doesn’t work out or I change my mind, I can sell it, and walk away. I’m not likely to produce baby apartments to complicate things, so thats good. It just all seems so permanent and grown up. I like this apartment, but what if I wait, I might see one next month that I like even more?

I know thats silly, because if we went through life thinking like that, we’d never do anything. I just have to make the best decision I can with the information I have available at the time . I just hope I make the right one!

The Apartment Search Hits Utrecht

This week I went to look at an apartment in Utrecht. I work in Utrecht, and socialize in Utrecht a fair bit now, so I’m not adverse to moving to Utrecht. The apartment I saw was in the vicinity of the centraal train station, and a short walk from the center of town. The location was perfect.

The apartment itself was something quite special, and for the first time I got an indication of the much talked about ‘feeling’. I could really see myself with this one. However, it transpires that it may be slightly out of my budget

I had a meeting last night with a Mortgage Broker to get an indication of what i could afford. I realized last night that the world of mortgages is a minefield, so many options, each with so many numbers attached. How I’m supposed to make an educated decision is beyond me. I think there will have to be a lot of blind faith placed in the mortgage broker, and a belief that I’m not getting screwed

The further I get into this apartment searching, and the actual research for the whole house buying process, the more scared I become. Almost every part of me is screaming to leave it and run away to my safe rental life. It’s what I know. But deep down I know that this is the right thing to be doing

The Utrecht apartment, I’m trying to decide if its worth me going for a second look. I’ve got a lot of thinking to do for sure

Scottish Rugby

This past weekend I was in Dublin to watch Scotland take on Ireland at Croke Park. For the first time, I think I have lost faith in the Scottish Rugby set up. I attended all Scotlands games in the Rugby World Cup, with the excpetion of the Tuesday night match in Edinburgh. I thought that we played reasonably well in the RWC. Having watched Scotland regularly home and away for eight years now, I was impressed with the direction we were going in. Caught up in the excitement of the RWC, I booked myself up to attend all the matches of the 2008 Six Nations Championship.

Three matches in, I’m wishing that I had not. The performances have been getting worse, and the one against the Irish was the worst one I’ve seen recently. The side seem to hold onto poseession well enough, but they are completely devoid of ideas. They seem quite adept at going across the pitch from one side to the other, without the ability to make progress and make strides in a forward direction. Eventually, someone will get bored with this sideways routine, and either drop the ball, or kick posession away. And we are on the defensive again

The defense, something that had been very resolute, has went from creaking in the French game, to being completely broken against the Irish. Time and time again, they got through our line. Every time the broke, you thought they would score. I think inexperience on the behalf of some of their players meant that a couple of try scoring opportunities were missed

Scotland finally scored a try in the second half, their only try now in six halves of rugby this season. Sadly, no more came. Then the moment of the reason for my despair happened. Loosing badly, with no way seemingly back into the game, Frank Hadden, the coach, replaced Hugo Southwell with Dan Parks. Chris Paterson moved to full back, with Parks taking over at ten. What flair that Paterson brings was gone. Parks, whilst a solid player, is not going to inspire a side back to victory. For me, this was a damage limitation replacement. Try not to let the Irish score any more Dan, kick the ball away

This was the moment I lost faith in Frank Hadden. I think he is devoid of ideas, and has no idea of his best team anymore, or how to win matches. I believe that he should step aside after the current Six Nations tournament. We need new ideas at the top. Jake White, I saw you say you were looking for a challenge. Well, welcome to Scotland Mr White, we have one for you

As for me, two games to go. Rome will be nice. I was there in 2006, and had a great weekend. Looking forward to going back there again. As for Edinburgh, and the England game, if we loose by less than 20 points we will be doing well.

I’m off shopping for wooden spoons

bloodredshoes

I think this is my first and only post of this week. The reason for this is that nothing has really happened this week. I’ve just been busy at work, with not much going on in my home life that has inspired me to write anything

Last night I went to see bloodredshoes in Utrecht. And today I feel worn out by the experience! I don’t think I can have slept too well last night. I feel like I was out until 0500, roaring drunk, two hours sleep, and a massive hangover. When in actual fact I was home by midnight, six hours sleep, and only a few beers last night. Must be old age!

The show itself was really, really good. They’re a two piece band from Brighton, England. A guy on drums, who is a fantastic drummer, and a girl on the guitar, who is incredibly cute. Both share the vocals. He strikes me as an incredibly gifted musician, he’s able to frantically play punk rock drums, and sing at the same time. The speed at which he plays is quite impressive. I’ve seen other two piece bands play, most notably the Black Keys and the White Stripes, and I have to say I am more impressed by bloodredshoes than I was by the two bands I mention.

Quite a bold claim perhaps. I am not the biggest fan of two piece bands, I feel they are limited in the sound they can make with only the two of them there. But these guys last night seemed to succeed with a variety of sounds and pace, which makes me think these guys have a good future.

Very rock and roll moment at the end of the show. At the climax of the end of show drums, he stands up, throws the drumsticks in the crowd, comes out from behind the kit, disconnecting his ear pieces, and throws himself into the crowd and goes surfing. It was only a small venue, and it was packed. Very cool!

Dublin for me this weekend, off tomorrow morning to see if Scotland can notch their first win of the tournament against the Irish. I won’t hold my breath!

A Valentines Date with Megadeth

The Paradiso, Amsterdam, was last night the scene for an epic Megadeth show. The venue was sold out, and despite the early start (8pm) the place was packed. From a safe spot on the balcony directly above the whirling, thrashing masses, I was able to enjoy a magnificent 100 minute metal show. Dave Mustaine may be in his late 40s, but he plays better than ever.

On more than one occasion I was aware of a huge smile being on my face, as I head banged away. It would be fair to say that I loved the show. Complete escapism, getting involved in the show and air drumming, air guitaring, and head banging through the show. The music seems to posses you, become part of you, and you just get so involved in the music.

A couple of mighty encores came at the end of the show, with my personal favorite, the sing along, ‘Peace Sells But Whos Buying’. That has to be my favorite Megadeth song, alongside ‘Hanger 18′, and ‘A Tout Le Monde’

And one last thing, I think I must have been the only person in the venue last night that was also there two weeks ago to see Iron & Wine! Two great bands, two fantastic shows, and I enjoyed them both. I guess that means I have an eclectic musical taste!

Another Apartment

I went to see another apartment in Amsterdam this week. I found it on the funda website. This one is in a similar location to the one from last week. It was on the fourth floor, and had a great view out of a huge window in the front room. Again, I love the location, and this time I loved the front room. However, the kitchen and the bedroom were a little on the small side. After last weeks experience, I talked with a few guys in the office. And it seems that when you see a place that is for you, you just seem to know, you get a feeling, and that helps you decide that you have found the right place.

So, whilst I got that feeling in the front room of the apartment, the rest of the apartment didn’t quite match up. Close but no cigar!

Kiltman Goes To Cardiff

It’s Thursday now, and it’s taken me this long to get over the trauma of Cardiff. I returned from Cardiff this past Sunday evening. I was there to watch Scotland play Wales at rugby, where we lost badly, again. Now Cardiff is a great place, with fantastic beer called Brains. I love that stuff, I could drink it all the time.

Anyway, back to the trauma. After the game, the streets of Cardiff were packed with people in various states of drunkenness. Like most of my fellow Scotsman, I was wearing a kilt. There seems to be a particular breed of female that attends the rugby in Wales. Slightly larger ladies, short dyed hair, late forties/early fifties, not very attractive. These ladies seem to think that it is okay to demand that you show them what is under your kilt. Then, when you don’t, it is okay to shout abuse at you. And then when you ignore them further they think it is okay to grab at the bottom of your kilt, and attempt to pull it up so they can see underneath it. And when I object to this, it’s all my fault, and I’m in the wrong. Turn the tables now for a moment, if I did this to a woman walking down the street, I’d be getting arrested. It’s quite a scary experience to have all these old woman trying to grope you on the street

Dublin is up next for me. I’m still debating if I should wear the kilt or not