Blog

Nov

Around the city 2011

Submitted by XL-Network on Mon, 2011-11-14 23:51

Last Sunday it was that time again... rowing around the canals of Groningen. I wanted to participate myself, but I couldn't get enough people together to fill a boat. I do however got the chance to steer, which is second best. It isn't a straight track, but it's all narrow passages and corners where steering is as much a challenge as rowing. Below you can see my ladies and gentle men, who were quite at age, trying their very best.

Nov

New website

Submitted by XL-Network on Sun, 2011-11-06 12:42

After some five years it became time to replace / move the website of my Bible study group. This had to do with the fact that we 'only' got 3 GB of storage space at our old provider, Antagonist. Because we create a 40 MB audio recording every two weeks we reached a point where the supplied space doesn't allow any more recordings. Otherwise I like the old provider (my middle brother also hosts his website there).

Oct

Surprise

Submitted by XL-Network on Sat, 2011-10-29 21:08

After a long day of steering, rowing, waiting and some more steering I went home around 7 PM by velomobile. The bike was feeling up to it because I reached speeds of 40 km/h (and more). But first I had to get out of the city. Next to the Paterswoldseweg there is a separate cycle path and between that and the main road there are parked cars. Not a ideal situation where you have to keep a very close eye for turning drivers. Tonight I was surprised by one of those turning drivers, but fortunately he saw me which prevented a collision.

Oct

To the Drive-In

Submitted by XL-Network on Fri, 2011-10-28 22:56

This week I received a email from a fellow theater sports member that they put up a big screen at the old sugar factory to show two movies. On Friday night (tonight) they showed Drive and Saturday evening it was Grease's turn. Since it's not very pleasant to watch a movie by myself I asked if someone would join me, and they did. Bernd, another fellow theater sports member, 'volunteered' yesterday.

Oct

1700 euro for Villa Joep

Submitted by XL-Network on Thu, 2011-10-27 15:07

For Roll over America I found a number of sponsors who wanted to sponsor me for a number cents per kilometer. Not for myself, but for Villa Joep who goes to battle against Neuroblastoma cancer. Eventually the fantastic amount of 1700 euro's was given. Some time ago I drank some coffee / tea with Jeanine, Regional manager of Villa Joep.

Oct

Cheating my way to 55 km/h

Submitted by XL-Network on Sun, 2011-10-23 13:31

Yesterday I was so happy with the sound of my bike (or actually the lack of sound) that I forgot to mention the following. When I left Sinner Bikes Arjen asked me if I've ever ridding in a electric assist Mango. Well no I haven't, so this was a good opportunity. The bike was well adjusted to my length so I could just hop in and go. Arjen put the assist, which is mounted in the pedals, on my maximum sport setting. My first push on the pedals propelled me forward. Okay... this takes a bit of getting used to. But it's cool. Within a few seconds I reached 30 km/h.

Oct

Quiet please

Submitted by XL-Network on Sat, 2011-10-22 17:59

Because the pins of the velcro strips of my foam cover came loose I decided to visit Sinner Bikes after my weekly rowing for a new pin. A 5 minute job and because of the good service it was free. I also was looking to put something between my headlight and the body of my bike. When I'm riding on uneven terrain, cobble stone roads in particular, it makes a hell of a lot of noise. So I was searching to put something in between. And there was Felix with the brilliant idea to put a piece of inner tube around the headlight.

Oct

Performing in Leeuwarden

Submitted by XL-Network on Sat, 2011-10-22 17:10

Last night a group of six people (four players and two supporters) went to Leeuwarden to play against, I mean with, De Noordsterren. A wonderful evening of improvisation, working together and above all... fun! I could write down a long story about how nice, good and funny it all was, but I'm not going to do that. First of all, it's not writing down material. And second of all, I invite you to come and watch. That's way much more fun!

Oct

Groningen's Backyard and some maintenance

Submitted by XL-Network on Sun, 2011-10-16 02:09

What's this? Does Groningen have a backyard, and I'm maintaining it? Relax, it's about a new TV show which will air spring 2012 on local TV. I've been asked to help and think about sketches and finding characters. Saturday afternoon there was some kind of 'audition' where we could try stuff out on a couch (no, don't overthink it). Basically it came down to us picking out a piece of wardrobe and trying to find our character and sit on the couch to see how it looks on camera. It all went pretty well and the next week I'll hear if I 'got the job'.

Oct

Look at him go!

Submitted by XL-Network on Wed, 2011-10-12 23:52

I promised to add some visuals of the 4 mile of Groningen. In the meanwhile the photo's which were taken half way and at the finish are available at the 4 mile website and I've 'copied' (cough) them to my site. Oh yeah... I'm the one with the black shirt, cool sunglasses and number 2123.

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