Last Friday, my friend Arthur van Beek handed me the virgin edition (download pdf) of DE TANKER, his very own newspaper. That actually makes him the editor in chief and art director of DE TANKER. And I think it looks great! Feels and smells like a real newspaper too. It is supposed to be some sort of lubricant for the city of Amsterdam and it’s somewhat focussed on the Amsterdam North harbour area (NDSM docks). I don’t know about all that, but it does make for some excellent inspiring reading (I’m only halfway so far). He aims to release four editions the first year and six the second year. I hope he manages to do just that, given these critical newspaper times…

Yesterday Arthur caught me by surprise (again) when he asked me if I would be willing to become one of the writers for DE TANKER. I instantly happily accepted. He specifically asked for pieces about music. And to be bold and not affraid to stir things up… In my mind that kind of warped into writing inspirational pieces about my expertises and passions (not just about music). Not sure yet, what I can get away with here, but we’ll see. Anyway, the first edition should appear somewhere in 2010. Can’t wait.

I just returned from a splendid holiday in Martinvelle, France. Me and my family camped in the garden of our friends Floor and Brendan who have a house there. Martinvelle is a very small and quiet village and our friends were perfect hosts! We are sure to return there often.

Confiture de prunes et mûres, made by Jip (my daughter) and Floor.

… sadly not me.

I never realized my work could possibly be too good to receive an award, but from what I now came to understand the jury of the Aanmoedigingsprijs 2009 (Encouragement Award 2009) decided just that. Which is a dubious honor to say the least. The jury apparently came to the conclusion that I didn’t need encouraging, because I seem to be doing fine as it is. Oh, and then they miraculously neglected to explain this puzzling fact to me, the audience and the press… which makes the whole thing a bit weird and nasty. Me, I say it’s never too late to encourage someone… but hey, that’s just me.

That being said, I heartily congratulate Yael Bonekamp. She’s a very worthy and well deserved award winner!

I would still like to thank Margriet Pronk, who recommended me for this award in the first place. And Martin Bernhard, who did a good job showcasing my Rockin’ Chair to the lovely audience last night. I may post some photo’s and/or video here later.

And now for something completely different. I recently got selected to take part in Creative Coach Pool (CCP). CCP is a project by Kunstenlab and Amsterdam School of Management (ASOM) and is part of Ongezouten, a local project which aims to connect the creative sector, businesses and education, in order to stimulate innovation.

Basically, what CCP does is connecting a selection of artists with a selection of (small) business owners, one on one. The goal is to enhance the creative climate of these companies (and the business climate of the artists). A creative climate attributes to innovation and change in an inspiring environment. As an artist/creative coach I am to ask questions about the company I’m looking at. The idea being, that my point of view is probably slightly different from the business owner’s point of view, which could make my questions beneficial to the creative climate in this company.

All this is new and exciting stuff to me! Yesterday was my first introductionary session with Hof van Twello, a beautiful and very versatile agricultural business. I’m curious where these coaching sessions will lead me… I can’t disclose any session details here, but I will keep you posted about the general experience.

… several things at the same time again, so here’s a short update (in no particular order).

A website for Patrick Mangnus, a website for Baufrau, development of the Havenkwartier website, organizing ass-crack stage-hack #6, an esc.rec. release of POKE20 (together with production house ON), an esc.rec. release of remixes by Transfolmer, an esc.rec. release of new work by Robert Witt, a festival in Havenkwartier Deventer, an exhibition in Havenkwartier Deventer, the continuation of a special Deventer 2030 project, preparations for a live performance of Quatre Mains Aléatoire in pop venue Romein, investigating possible contribution(s) to Into The Great Wide Open festival, redesigning my own personal website.