It's been rather hectic the last few days.

Wednesday to the VU to arrange the last course before I can graduate. Thursday talking about my new job, and Friday Sasha's birthday. Yesterday explaining games in Amsterdam... it's nice that it's Sunday now.

It's very quiet and I'm happy we don't have to go anywhere today. I'll work on the first homework assignment for Internet Programming.

Hind! Hind! Hind!

I said it now the costs of the SMSes (€ 1,60 per vote) are mentioned more detailed.

Jim's first song was a really easy one (Uptown Girl) -- he did it not bad but it was a bit spiritless. First song of Dewi: also not bad, but she was too nervous again. Jamai didn't sing very well but he definately is a showman. Perhaps it's also that the song wasn't made for him.

The second song of Hind was a bit boring -- but what a voice. Jim's second song was more difficult than the first song he did: it showed immediately because he performed it pretty bad. I liked Dewi's second song a lot. I don't know about Jamai's 2nd: not good, not bad.

My results for tonight:


1. Hind
2. Dewi
3. Jamai
4. Jim

I went to give demonstrations of games in the V&D Amsterdam-Noord, at the Buikslotermeerplein. Sasha went to the V&D in Amstelveen.

It was a nice day. Had great lunch in La Place.

We spent the afternoon in the Van Gogh Museum in Amsterdam. Really very worth seeing; there's now a special exhibition on the artists and authors that inspired Van Gogh in his own work.

In the evening Jaap and Mieke came for dinner, and we played a game as well.

Yes, like every year: a birthday on the 21st of February... congratulations Sasha!

Nali ti snaesh che az te obicham!

Wonderful music, hilarious movie.

Incredible amount of car-crashes, too.

As we discussed the subject a couple of times last week, I thought it might be interesting to read the original UN resolution 1441.

Although quite formal, it's surprisingly readable for this type of document I think. The structure is classic:

The Security Council,

Recalling all its previous resolutions, in particular [...],
Recalling also its resolution [...]
Recognizing ...
[...]

Commending the Secretary-General and members of the League of Arab States and its Secretary-General for their efforts in this regards,
Determined to secure full compliance with its decisions,
Acting under Chapter VII of the Carter of the United Nations,

1. Decides that Iraq has been and remains in material breach of its obligations [...]

[...]
5. Decides that Iraq shall provide
UNMOVIC [...]
[...]
14. Decides to remain seized of the matter.

I'll finally start working fulltime, after nearly 2,5 years of having a parttime job and an internship.

This morning we agreed on the employment conditions and I'll start per March 1st at Chess.

It had been a while since I was at the VU. Quite nice to see that the computerrooms have improved a lot -- there are now flatscreens in most of the rooms.

First I spoke with Mr. Van Wouwe, my study advisor. After all, I'm almost done with my internship.Before I can graduate officially I still have to do 1 more course. However, I really want to start working at Chess per March 1st.

Therefore I'm really happy that Mr. Van Wouwe told me about a course that I can still join. It is basically a practical assignment: Internet Programming. It's about the technologies I've been using at Net.Footworks for two years, and of course in Guus Bosman.nl; I don't expect it to be very hard.

After this I went to see Ralf; he had a lot of valuable remarks. Looks like I'll be able to finish the very biggest part of my paper before March 1st, so that's nice to hear. I also saw an old classmate again, Michiel. He's now working for the VU at a project.

Now I'll see Jennie, then in a hurry back to Haarlem to have lunch.

When we had dinner we saw flash-lights and smoke on the Adriaan. First we thought somebody is shooting pictures, but it turns out to be a training for the firebrigade. I suppose the flash is for the pictures that are meant for this website.