Monthly Archives: September 2011

Just Another Thursday Night in Leiden

Posted on September 30, 2011 by Brandon

This is how the locals spend their Thursday nights. No, really. They get dressed up in bondage gear, put on some thunderous techno and terrorize their neighbors with bizarre pyrotechnic displays on barges in the middle of otherwise calm canals. … Continue reading →

Posted in Burning Man, Europe, Holland, video, weird | Comments Off on Just Another Thursday Night in Leiden

La Merce Part 1 – What Goes Up…

Posted on September 29, 2011 by Brandon

After attending my first La Merce this past weekend, I’ve come to this conclusion: more regional celebrations should include dancing statues, human towers and insane, satanic parades. The annual festival in Barcelona is a crazy mix of Catalan civic pride, fireworks, blunderbuss guns and an … Continue reading →

Posted in Europe, Spain, sports, video, weird | Comments Off on La Merce Part 1 – What Goes Up…

Europe in Three Minutes or Less # 17 – A Trip to a Dutch Park

Posted on September 22, 2011 by Brandon

This one’s more interesting than you might think. It has deer! And an odd tea house!

Posted in coffee, Europe, food, Holland, video | Comments Off on Europe in Three Minutes or Less # 17 – A Trip to a Dutch Park

Rise of the Machines

Posted on September 20, 2011 by Brandon

Leiden, my current port of call, is known for both its university and its museums. Possibly the weirdest one in town is the Boerhaave. Located in a 16th century nunnery turned plague hospital turned mental asylum, this museum is devoted entirely … Continue reading →

Posted in Europe, Holland, video, weird | Comments Off on Rise of the Machines

A Weird Night in Bloemendaal

Posted on September 19, 2011 by Brandon

Bloemendaal is one of the wealthiest communities in the Netherlands. Its streets are windy and lined with houses that are attached several million Euro price-tags. You can tell it’s a ritzy place because, among other things, the people who live … Continue reading →

Posted in Europe, Holland, music, weird | Comments Off on A Weird Night in Bloemendaal

What TV Commercials Look Like in the South of France

Posted on September 16, 2011 by Brandon

Things get really interesting at the 1:35 mark. Click and see for yourself.

Posted in Europe, France, video, weird | Comments Off on What TV Commercials Look Like in the South of France

The Rundown

Posted on September 16, 2011 by Brandon

Over the past year, I’ve attempted to make a serious attempt at attempting to become a freelance writer. Because me make words nice, no? Here’s an unceremonious, and incomplete, list of articles that have appeared in recent months with my … Continue reading →

Posted in Europe, periodicals, United States | Comments Off on The Rundown

The Awesome Might of Hanggai

Posted on September 5, 2011 by Brandon

I knew almost nothing about Hanggai prior to catching their set at the Melkweg in Amsterdam over the weekend. “They’re Mongolian punk rockers,” I was told. Really, that’s all I needed to know. I was sold. Lead-singer Yiliqi took the stage … Continue reading →

Posted in Europe, Holland, Mongolia, music, video, weird | 3 Comments

Europe in Three Minutes or Less # 16 – Late Night Eats in Amsterdam

Posted on September 1, 2011 by Brandon
Posted in Europe, food, Holland, video | Comments Off on Europe in Three Minutes or Less # 16 – Late Night Eats in Amsterdam

When the Goths Have Their Picnic….

Posted on September 1, 2011 by Brandon

Back in July, I found myself at a goth convention in Utrecht. It’s not often that I find myself at goth conventions. This closest thing I’ve come to is Bats Day at Disneyland back in the ’90s and that was … Continue reading →

Posted in Europe, Holland, weird | Comments Off on When the Goths Have Their Picnic….