Thursday, December 31, 2009

New years eve 2009.

There was a poker tournament at my work. Rolf "Ace" Slotboom, a famous Dutch professional poker player was organizing the event. There were 37 players spread over four tables.

My table with Rolf as the dealer. I had a crappy seat right next to him and the table was very full so I couldn't see too well.

The table where one of the directors is dealing.

The table where Elvira, another professional poker player and I -think- Rolfs girlfriend is dealing.

I was kicked out by a player holding Kx against my QQ. I went all in and had all the odds but he got another K on the river so I lost. I got to leave work an hour early which was nice. The sub was covered in snow while I waited for the ferry back. It was strangely quiet before all hell would break loose a few hours later.

I walked home first to drop off stuff and later walked in to town past the American Hotel fountain.

I met friends for dinner at a Thai restaurant. Here are Gerrit, Mic and Nantko. Mic isn't really deranged, he just acts like it... I wish he'd keep his hands above the table in photos *grin*

Nantko, Danny, Torsten, Renate and Marjolein. Kees was sitting between me and Marjolein but he's not pictured.

Lambik.

By the time we walked to the pub, Rembrandt square had started filling up.

10 past midnight. People get on the streets to see the fireworks.

Which are always very good.

Somehow many people seem to be able to get their hands on professional stuff which I don't mind.

We always share the sidewalk with people from the gay bar next door. Very happy people :-)

I went for a quick walk around the block with Mic. But they had organised something on Rembrandt square and there was tons of coppers so it wasn't very adventurous like previous years. Amsterdam seems to be getting a little bit more boring every year. Thanks city council!

Laser light.

Nantko and Alex back in Mulligans.

Dick and Gerrit.

View towards the back around 2:30 just before they announced the last round.

Wednesday, December 30, 2009

Travel, mostly.

My tram in the morning: Empty. Exactly how we like it! Please remember this image when viewing the last picture of todays blog...

Waiting for the ferry. It was soooooo cold. Not just cold but also wet. Makes it so much worse!

Footsteps to work places.

Two ships left the dock today. One new one came in. The cranes gave it a warm welcome.

On the way home I had to wait almost half an hour before my tram came. It was mad-busy in town. I guess all the new-years eve tourists are arriving...

And because my tram was late, it was also the fullest one I have EVER been on. There was even a little girls standing between me and the person sitting next to me! (Not the one in the photo...)

Tuesday, December 29, 2009

Dinner and drinks with Eva

Another day, another ship. This dock next door is rather busy to my surprise. There are always a few boats in repairs, and not small ones either. It's cool to see.

After work I met Eva for dinner and drink. We talked lots and lots and it was a lovely evening.

Christmas decorations in the window. It started snowing slowly around 10PM.

By midnight about 3cm had fallen! I need to buy a new hat...

Monday, December 28, 2009

Views.

Waiting for the ferry...

Puddle on my way to work. I liked the reflection.

When I left work, I was greeted by the moon. It was only 5PM...

(Click to enlarge)
On the ferry home I stood at the front of the boat. The view was great.

Sunday, December 27, 2009

It's Gerrit! :-)

My bonsais are doing well!

I had dinner at Wagamama with Gerrit.

Walking towards the new Rembrandtplein.

The session in Mulligans was wild.

Saturday, December 26, 2009

The next Christmas dinner.

I woke up... At 10 o'clock :-)

Spent a few hours behind the computer.

Did laundry.

Prepared salads for a dinner with friends that night.

Took the tram to Nantko and saw a band on the way.

Danny and Kees digging in to (I believe) my salad.

Marjolein and Nantko. It was a lovely evening, even though the photos don't really show... Then again, everybody was busy eating hehe :-)

Friday, December 25, 2009

Christmas day.

My mom and dad during Christmas breakfast.

The birdhouse in their garden. Birds were coming and going.

In the evening I went back home by train. I waited at the inviting station of Alkmaar Noord...

Thursday, December 24, 2009

Christmas eve.

On the day before Christmas a lot of people stay home. Hence public transport masses had more than halved which was delightful.

After work I went to my parents. They weren't home yet so I turned on the Christmas tree.

I found this note on the table.

It guided me to this :-)

My mom and dad always get a ridiculous amount of Christmas cards.

First things first. My sister and I used to fight over this glass. Just because it's a fantastic glass.