A new browser war... thank god!

Whee, I'm back to bloggin' again. Had a bit of a rough time lately... had to finish a website beside doing all my regular work. During the time I was developing the new website, the War of the Browsers started again. And to be honest... it was about time. I won't tire you with details, but since Internet Explorer doesn't stick to web-standards, web development can be a big pain in the ass. Your site looks good in Internet Explorer OR it looks good in all other browsers; it takes a lot of tricks to make them look the same in all browsers. Take a look at www.rakaz.nl for instance... looks great in a proper browser, but Internet Explorer doesnt display it at all.

Let's hope Microsoft will finally 'finish' their web browser now they have competition from Firefox. It's about time for Microsoft to implement full support for web standards and standards like semi-transparent png images... All other browsers do, why doesn't Micro$oft? It would make the life of web developers a lot easier. Meanwhile I can only advice you to swich to Firefox, the breeze of fresh air for the internetter.

Buckler lul

Yesterday evening, I watched the very entertaining documentary "Journeys With George" by Alexandra Pelosi on tv. Alexandra follows George W. Bush for one year during his campaign for the presidential elections in 2000. At one moment in the documetary, Bush drinks Buckler beer and shows the bottle to the camera proudly pointing out it is non-alcoholic.



A famous expression by a Dutch comedian immediately flashed through my head. In the early nineties, this comedian destroyed the image of Buckler beer in The Netherlands by characterizing a man drinking it as 'Buckler lul' (Buckler dick). Has there ever been a more appropriate use of the phrase Buckler lul than in this case? Bush embodies everything a 'Buckler lul' should: someone who presents himsef as an overly righteous, a christian moralist defending family values. And: going to war in Iraq after false accusations, making the poor even poorer, the rich richer, executing as many death penalties as possible, trying to block progression in gay rights, refusing to sign the Kyoto treaty to make sure future generations can live on an inhabitable planet, etc. etc. etc.

Well... it was nice to see him as a human being with humour in this documantary. It puts my disgust for Bush in perspective, but still... PLEASE let Kerry win.

Inconvenient phonecalls

Why is it that people always manage to call me at moments I can't pick up the phone? I am writing a variety of papers for my graduation, so I'm at home, available for a nice chat most of the day. Still, I only get called when I'm about to order my bread at the bakery, when I'm in the shower or on the toilet. It happens so often I don't even take the trouble to return those phonecalls anymore, unless of course if they leave a message. Totally annoying.

Madonna, two weeks after

As I write this, I'm still not totally recovered from the awesome Madonna concert in Arnhem, exactly two weeks ago today. What a fabulous show; one of the most memorable nights of my life.



I was standing just a few feet from the stage, with Madge almost at touchable distance. Around me only women and many outrageous gay guys. (Apparently we're the only ones crazy enough to stand in line for hours and hours to conquer a spot close to Her Royal Highness, Queen of the queens.) I've jumped, sung, danced, cheered and of course listened the entire concert in a ecstatic state of mind. I've screamed the lungs out of my body after each song. My voice was gone for days and my throat has been sore for more than a week, but I'd do it again anytime...

Official opening

Well... my first attempt to maintain a weblog is a fact. I hope I can find the time to keep writing here for a long time to come. I'm not sure yet what to tell you and what parts of my life I should keep to myself, but we'll see.

I'll be back.