blogs

Nr. 30:
I discovered that the world should be divided not into good and bad people but into cowards and non-cowards. Ninety-five percent of cowards are capable of the vilest things, lethal things, at the mildest threat.

https://www.theparisreview.org/blog/2018/06/12/forty-five-things-i-learned-in-the-gulag/

Fireworks in the US later today. In ten days in France (ok, it's my birthday, so go ahead if it makes you feel good). Yesterday quite a bit of natural fireworks: thunder. And what kept me busy for most of the night was the result of the get-together with Leo. I must say I'm really impressed. A solid plan. Very interesting projects. Down to earth approach. So I left the cafe yesterday a happy man.

This afternoon I'll have a talk with Maarten at the TUe. Looking forward to that !

Headline at nu.nl: "Majoor Bosshardt overleden." She died at an age of 94 ! Retired from her Salvation Army work in 1978, but stayed active for that organisation till her death. I don't know much about her other the things I read in the news and some things I saw on TV, but I'm touched by this news.

It's a rainy day, lucky so far: 3 out of the 4 bike rides were dry(ish). Hopefully Eindhoven will be a bit dry in an hours time. Yesterday evening Eugene dropped by. Nice seeing him after 2 or more years (can't remember exactly). He now lives in Meerhoven since May. So it's good to have a friend close by.

And going to work ... uhh, why ? have to start some simulations, didn't do much work last Thursday. Still have to finish my revised, improved updated report. Sigh.

Sent in an application for "Researcher Actuators" at the Holst Centre in Eindhoven. When I read the description again I'm not so sure if I'm the right man for the job, but anyhow.

Gerd and Ellen (our neighbours) asked us over for some drinks last night. It was a very nice evening. Talked about a wide range of subjects. Of course a lot about our children: Hannah, Ravi and JJ.

Forgot to mention the burglar attempt last Friday evening at the neighbours house. Franny was lying in our bed and she heard a noise. When she got up she looked outside (it was only 20:45, so lot's of light) and she saw two young men in the backyard of Gerd and Ellen. She called out and they ran away. They were trying to pry open the backdoor with a screwdriver (they left plenty marks). Luckily they didn't succeed. The neighbours were on holiday, so we called the police and the brother of Ellen. Funny thing was that Ger's brother came to feed the cat.

Spent the night at Henk and Debby's. Arrived late in Rotterdam, took tram line 4 instead of 8. Got out on the Berglaan and walked to the Crooswijkse bocht. I looked at the maps, and generally knew which direction to take. But, when walking in unknown territory without a landmark to set your sights on you start feel a bit queesy when it takes long without recognizing something. Of course it took only 10 minutes or so to reach Henk's house.