Belgium - 4

Things are going well, albeit slower than I would have hoped. Starting a business in Belgium is a lot more tedious than in other countries, but then again they have a much lower rate of failure for small businesses here.

I didn't manage to post a “benespection” at all last year, and to be honest I've been keeping my head down and getting things done so I haven't spotted much worth taking a photo of, let alone actually taken the photo.

Another year, another free box of chocolates from the suppliers at work. This year I managed to fly my parents over from down under for Christmas in the snow (albeit unintentionally). Could there be any more snow and ice?

Now that they're here, I intend to prove my theory that there's a Belgian Beer for everyone, and my ultimate goal is to get my Mum (who doesn't drink alcohol aside from the rare glass of wine) to admit that's the case.

I wish you all the best for 2011!

The Atomium, once a temporary structure left over from the Expo 58 World's Fair and now a Belgian landmark. Standing at ≅100-metres tall, its height is as imposing as its shininess, especially following the recent renovation.

Today I jumped off the thing.

After a bit of time off work recently (a long weekend to recover from financial year close), I couldn't help myself and caved in and bought a TV. For years I've been saving my money and not really buying anything, but with this whole “global recession” thing not really shifting, it's time to push some money back into the economy. Things are pretty cheap for the time being, too. Well, and the move into a bigger apartment may have had something to do with it.

I like my movies, and we're sitting several metres away from the screen, so after lots of debating I opted for a Samsung UE55C6700 (55" LED “smart-TV” with no 3D junk) which arrived this time last week which will go nicely with the Pioneer VSX-920-K we picked up for dirt-cheap last week. I'm heading back over there to watch some movies on it now, but in the meantime you can enjoy a brief bit of benespection.

A and I decided to move in together a little over a month ago, and having found a place we have spent most of this month moving in. After a bit of convincing, A agreed to an apartment in the area of the Marolles (where I was living), and we found a huge ≅150m² loft-style apartment right on the edge of the district, purely by accident.

Moving only a few blocks from my old apartment seems a bit odd, but I think I might miss my old ≅75m² place overlooking Place Rouppe… a bit…

I've added a few photos here of my side of the move, as I haven't really got much to say at this point.

Christmas is very fast approaching, and Brussels is becoming decidedly cold again. It's that time of the year when most people in the office are mentally on holidays, whilst still being physically present, so trying to get things done tends to grind along at snail's pace.

If you think you're cold, we've recently had the windows replaced at the office. Late-Autumn/Early-Winter is clearly not the first choice when deciding on when to replace office windows, and I can tell you: it's pretty cold for those who just sit at their desk most of the day. Brrrr!

Things have been pretty busy, and despite these benespection posts taking a little time to prepare it's easier than summoning the effort to start ranting about things. Here are a handful of things “benespected” (am I taking that too far now?) over the last few months.

Work has been hell since returning from holidays, and it looks like it's only going to get worse. I hope you enjoyed the tiny selection of photos taken while there enjoying the sun and the relaxation.

I have hundreds of photos to sift through now, but I think I presented the most interesting photo of each day.

I don't have much to post lately. Sorry folks.

For the last two years, I have dedicated the arbitrary date of December 13^th to recording a snapshot of my life. In what is quickly becoming an annual tradition after last year's repeat of much the same, I present to you this year's effort.

To set the scene, you need to know that it's been unusually cold across Western Europe lately. Today was certainly no exception, and as the previous night was spent avoiding my company's Christmas Party in favour of another company's, you can understand that things were a little difficult…

As with the last two years, all photos here have been taken hastily with my Nokia E70 and have not been modified.

Tonight we visited Walibi for Halloween. For a change, “we” not only means friends, but sadly half of my office came along tonight as a gift from one of our vendors.

I'm sorry Walibi: You had me, but you lost me.

If you're a regular reader, you've probably noticed that I've had a terrible time lately trying to update the blog. Things have been ridiculously busy for me lately, to the point where my spare time has completely evaporated.

I am trying to change the situation, but until then posts might be a little later than usual. That doesn't mean that I still haven't seen some odd stuff around the place, so it's time for me to use my invented word again; it's time for another (tiny) dose of benespection.

Since 2002 the city of Brussels has organised a bunch of live music events around town each summer, and last year it came to my front door. Despite certain folk petitioning against its return, it has once again graced my neighbourhood and presented me with some new talent to consider.

As always, this year I missed several events, and certainly the festival lasts longer than the three days presented here. Nevertheless, once it arrives on my doorstep I cannot ignore the Brussels Summer Festival.

Earlier this month, I came across Ommegang as I was heading home one evening. This has now become an annual event here in Brussels, and I had heard rumours of its existence.

Essentially it's a medieval festival, with many re-enactments. The event also has daily jousting on the Sablon! On this particular evening I decided to follow the parade on it way through the city as I walked home.

At the rear of the parade was free beer, courtesy of Charles Quint, and very nice beer it was, indeed!

One last day in the Ardennes before heading back to reality — that is to say, home and ultimately work.

So it hasn't been so much of a road-trip, with two long stop-overs in picturesque locations, but at least it's been a holiday!

Ahh, Belgian weather! It's amazing sometimes how you can cross the border into this small country and suddenly the weather turns sour.

That's not to say that the weather here is always bad like everyone says, but it does seem to be overcast more often than not.