The King of Available Light is no longer

.......................................u2 - photo: lex van rossen

Lex van Rossen is no longer. We all knew he didn't have much time left, but still, I didn't think his death would come that soon. He died last Saturday, 57 years young. I got the message yesterday.

Lex was one of Holland's finest photographers and, to me as to a lot of people, one of the finest people to work with.

With his camera he captured some of the most memorable concerts I saw as as music journalist. Thereby freezing a few of my dearest musical memories. As he did for others. Never using a flashlight. What made him a true 'King of Available Light'.

I will always remember the little get togethers at festivals like Lowland's and North Sea Jazz.

Wherever you are now Lex, I wish you light.

Sunday in the dunes

Under the weather

Flu reigns in Holland. Is it because of the one day snow we had last week? I don't know, but half the country is home ill.
My brother had to miss a nice little dinner party we had planned with our parents last Wednesday because of the flu. Too bad, but he was sick as a dog and so was his wife and little daughter.
I didn't catch it, I'm sure. I don't have the symptoms. But still... I don't feel too good.
I don't know what it is. I called in sick Friday. I felt a little guilty because it was my turn for the the weekend shift this weekend, and now a colleague had to take over. And how bad did I feel really, I asked myself?
To tell you the truth, not terribly bad. Not so bad that I couldn't stand up straight. I never even lost my appetite (my mother used to draw the line there: when you lost your appetite you were officially ill). I just was so goddamn tired all the time! And my throat was hurting.
Now I hate to take these things seriously, so when the works doctor called yesterday (on my day off actually) to ask me when I would start working again, I told her: probably tomorrow. Not even to get rid of her. There is a lot of work waiting for me. And I have too much energy to just sit around the house.
The problem is, I have too little energy for a whole day working. I found that out yesterday afternoon when I went out to a few stores to get me some stuff. I was out for just an hour and a half, I think. Still I returned home exhausted. As if I had run a marathon.
So I stayed home this morning. I got some work done though and even got to the office late in the afternoon. But I feel very tired now.
Now I'm thinking: do I need to see a doctor? Have my blood checked? My gf pointed out to me that my glands are swollen. But what does that tell me?
Humm, I wish I had the flu!
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ps: in front of my house I found this little fellow. He looked a bit lost. I hope he's found his way back home by now.

Snow

5It's snowing in Holland. I'm sitting at home watching the snowflakes fall. The old city entrance 'Amsterdamse Poort" just across the street looks beautiful in a white coat.

3On the other side of the house the snow gathers on my balcony. Oeps, my cat, was curious at first, almost begged me to open the door. When I did it took him three seconds to come to the final conclusion: .............................. It's freezing cold outside!!!

Joy has been through the mills...

2007 is 'Year Of The Mill'. My friend Joy has been looking forward to it for years now... As you can see: 'He has been through the mills'. Or as we in Holland like to say: 'Hij loopt met molentjes'

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