Sunday 23 April 2017. On a sunny afternoon I finally decided to turn a plan that had been in my head for a while into reality. A plan to make my own playlist with all my favourite songs from all genres mixed together. The most important rule: I can only add one song per day. The song I add may be linked to what music I listened to that day, what I did or how I felt. When I told a friend about this list a while back, she made the interesting comment that it’s actually some kind of musical diary. And that musical diary celebrates its third anniversary today.

Lees verder “The Playlist that turned into a Musical Diary” →

Most of you probably know Tom Walker from his song Leave a Light On. A big hit from 2017. Tom remains mainly a one-hit wonder among the general public for the time being, and it would be a shame if he ever goes into the history books like that. I recently wrote that many people no longer buy albums, so they are no longer ‘forced’ to discover more music by the artist. For the time being this seems a bit the case with Tom Walker. That’s why I’d like to focus this time on one of my favourite songs from him, and in particular to its video clip.

Lees verder “Save Praise for a Better Man” →

When I recently read a book for my thesis I came across this question: what does it mean to you to be a man? Now I’m barely interested in all the sociological en psychological debates on topics like gender and sex, but as soon as I read this question I was curious. And I thought the respondent’s answer was worth sharing.

Lees verder “The Alternative Man” →

My enthusiasm had turned into nervousness. When I was working on my website last Tuesday, I was looking forward to share it. But when I put it online I felt some tension. It felt like when I wore my bandana for the first time (it’s been a while since I’ve worn them to be honest); you go in public, but your appearance is difference than normal. You like to show yourself in a way you like, but not in a way others are used to. Not everyone will understand and that might lead to negative and possibly even hurtful reactions. The advantage is that this time I largely controlled it myself. By the way, maybe I should wear my bandana again.

Lees verder “The Illusion of Control” →

I look in the classroom. The silence now lasts ten seconds already. The little noise that was still there when I closed the door has disappeared.  Fifteen seconds. I look at every student. My face has a serious look. Twenty seconds. Some students look at each other. The long silence causes discomfort for some. Twenty-five seconds. Some students can’t suppress an uncomfortable smile. They eagerly await what will happen next. I completely control them by saying nothing. If you can drop a silence and you are the only one who feels comfortable with it, then you are in control of the conversation. Thirty seconds of silence. My face changes from a surly serious look to a smile and I start. “Welcome…”

Lees verder “The Power of Silence… Welcome” →