This blog is the continuation of WRITER's CRAMPS
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Monday, 31 December 2012
Tuesday, 5 January 2010
Monday, 4 January 2010
FUN MONDAY - Looking forward to something
Our host Mariposa wants to know
"the things we are looking forward to this year. It could be an event, a date, or anything."
Honnestly I don't know what I am looking for. I love surprises, nice once of course and I would be very happy if such a thing arrives. But so far there is no special event to expect this year, at least I don't know any.
The only things I am looking forward to are my travels to start with my roundtrip through Morocco in May, like I did last year through the South. This time I will do the imperial cities, which will also be in the north of Morocco. We will visit Agadir, Fez, Meknes, Marrakesh (where I have been already) and Rabat, mostly the historical buildings and places.
I found these photos on the net, only the one with the lamps is from me, I took it in Marrakesh. I think it will be a very interesting trip !
Also on my travel list is Berlin and of course the visit to my friends in the UK in August.
Otherwise I am really looking forward to a wonderful spring weather and a hot summer and NO RAIN !
Sunday, 3 January 2010
WEEKLY WINNERS - Brussels Firework
More participants here at Sarcastic Mom Weekly winners
On New Years Eve at midnight I watched the very beautiful firework in Brussels, which lasted for 25 min.
the crowd waiting
Grand'Place in Christmas dress
and some pictures of the firework
Saturday, 2 January 2010
NEW YEAR's EVE IN BRUSSELS CASINO
The last 3 years we had celebrated New Year's Eve only the two of us sitting or laying like a roman emperior (Mr. G.) in front of the TV with all kind of special food you won't eat every day. The 5 cats where distributed on all available beds or chairs in the house and from time to time one checked what we were doing. But we did nothing but watching TV. At midnight we went outside, looking at fireworks of the neighbours, raised a glass of champagne and with the best New Year wishes went to bed. After 37 years of all kind of New Year's celebrations, I was quite happy with that.
But not this year (2009) I couldn't cope with the idea of sitting in front of a screen the whole evening like a one century old lady. I needed something special. Fortunately I have my friend Ilona who is always ready to share some adventures with me as Mr. G. became a couch potatoe in the last years.
My plan was, sharing a nice supper with Mr. G (motto : love goes through the stomac) watch a movie with him, then kiss him good night with the promise I won't call at midnight and wake him up, and then go with Ilona to the Casino of Brussels before watching the firework at midnigtht. And that I have done ! and had a great New Year's Eve.
After turning around in Brussels to find a parking place I finally found one where it was not allowed to park, but I didn't care I thought I would win the amount of the fine when I play ! Ilona was a little doubtful about that, but at the end, my car was still sitting there without fine.
I had seen the Casino from outside but had never been in there.
We entered and discovered a new world. I had already been in casinos (also in Las Vegas) but some rules were new in Belgium, now you have to register and you get a member card. Before you only had to prove that you were over 21. This prove was very easy, even the doorman believed us.
A friendly young woman took our identity card, scanned it and then took a picture of me on which I had 3 double chins and looked like a caricature. Ilona too. We laughed and laughed about the result and found it better then any photoshopped picture of us. The young lady was slightly surprised that two joyful oldies knew apparently something about computers. And then we entered the huge gambling hall. It looked beautiful in its New Year's decoration and the slot machines were shining. There also were poker tables, baccarat, black Jack and of course roulette ! that's what I like. Unfortunately it was English roulette and not the one I was used too, but as usual without thinking I played before knowing the slightly different rules and lost the 20 € I intended to spend. What a pity, I had hoped to win as always and come out with a little benefit. That will be for next time.
The croupier was a young woman who looked like a 16 years old teen and obviously had just left school. I had such a fun by observing her "dancing" at the table, rubbing her hands each time before she took the chips, checking with a scanner the money we had to throw on the table. Then she put the little ball in the roulette, turned, spread her arms and like a priest and consecrated the table telling us "rien ne va plus".
There were lots of people, and to my surprise a lot of women in their 3rd youth. Some of them were here obviously for fun like us, but some others sat at the slot machines with bitter faces and looked fearful at the rolling pictures. A man sat there too with a bundle of 100 € bills in his hand and fed the machine. Above us was a balcony all around the room, and in the restaurant was a New Year celebration with a show and a singer and couples who danced. They had a very nice overview on all the gamblers.
We bought a drink and walked around enjoying this special athmosphere. Looking at some men and women who obviously were real gamblers I thought it must be awful if you are game addicted and there was no fun anymore. Just the need to win.
10 minutes before midnight we went out on the streets, joining the crowd and waited for the firework to come.
Of course it is not allowed to take pictures or film in the casino because of the risk of blackmailing, (you could blackmail the man or woman who plays here secretely) but I found this little video, just to show you the athmosphere.
Proud owner of a new "gold" card
Casino de Bruxelles
Maurice Less | MySpace Vidéo
But not this year (2009) I couldn't cope with the idea of sitting in front of a screen the whole evening like a one century old lady. I needed something special. Fortunately I have my friend Ilona who is always ready to share some adventures with me as Mr. G. became a couch potatoe in the last years.
My plan was, sharing a nice supper with Mr. G (motto : love goes through the stomac) watch a movie with him, then kiss him good night with the promise I won't call at midnight and wake him up, and then go with Ilona to the Casino of Brussels before watching the firework at midnigtht. And that I have done ! and had a great New Year's Eve.
After turning around in Brussels to find a parking place I finally found one where it was not allowed to park, but I didn't care I thought I would win the amount of the fine when I play ! Ilona was a little doubtful about that, but at the end, my car was still sitting there without fine.
I had seen the Casino from outside but had never been in there.
We entered and discovered a new world. I had already been in casinos (also in Las Vegas) but some rules were new in Belgium, now you have to register and you get a member card. Before you only had to prove that you were over 21. This prove was very easy, even the doorman believed us.
A friendly young woman took our identity card, scanned it and then took a picture of me on which I had 3 double chins and looked like a caricature. Ilona too. We laughed and laughed about the result and found it better then any photoshopped picture of us. The young lady was slightly surprised that two joyful oldies knew apparently something about computers. And then we entered the huge gambling hall. It looked beautiful in its New Year's decoration and the slot machines were shining. There also were poker tables, baccarat, black Jack and of course roulette ! that's what I like. Unfortunately it was English roulette and not the one I was used too, but as usual without thinking I played before knowing the slightly different rules and lost the 20 € I intended to spend. What a pity, I had hoped to win as always and come out with a little benefit. That will be for next time.
The croupier was a young woman who looked like a 16 years old teen and obviously had just left school. I had such a fun by observing her "dancing" at the table, rubbing her hands each time before she took the chips, checking with a scanner the money we had to throw on the table. Then she put the little ball in the roulette, turned, spread her arms and like a priest and consecrated the table telling us "rien ne va plus".
There were lots of people, and to my surprise a lot of women in their 3rd youth. Some of them were here obviously for fun like us, but some others sat at the slot machines with bitter faces and looked fearful at the rolling pictures. A man sat there too with a bundle of 100 € bills in his hand and fed the machine. Above us was a balcony all around the room, and in the restaurant was a New Year celebration with a show and a singer and couples who danced. They had a very nice overview on all the gamblers.
We bought a drink and walked around enjoying this special athmosphere. Looking at some men and women who obviously were real gamblers I thought it must be awful if you are game addicted and there was no fun anymore. Just the need to win.
10 minutes before midnight we went out on the streets, joining the crowd and waited for the firework to come.
Of course it is not allowed to take pictures or film in the casino because of the risk of blackmailing, (you could blackmail the man or woman who plays here secretely) but I found this little video, just to show you the athmosphere.
Proud owner of a new "gold" card
Casino de Bruxelles
Maurice Less | MySpace Vidéo
Friday, 1 January 2010
SHOW & TELL
More participants here
My first post this year ! It's strange to write 2010 for 9 years we had to write two zeros and now only one !
I will show you some of the Christmas presents I have got
This was the living room before the gift battle started ! We celebrated in Malmedy (Belgian Ardennes) in an old farmhouse.
and then the unwrapping
Of course I got cats ! The little black one bends in all directions. The beautiful handpainted vase was originally a toilet water sprayer, but I took of the top and put a rose in as I don't use any eau de toilet. It looks very pretty in my room.
The cat face is to put on your luggage with your home adress ! that really came on purpose. I also got this beautiful plate with the two cats sleeping in a ying yang position.
My ears will shine now with these earrings, one in coral and the other with turquoise and zircons. A brooch and a special real rose which doesn't need any water ! Strange, I will see. So far it still looks very fresh.
and here is the battle field after we all had unwrapped our gifts. Dog Jersey is exhausted !
but there are still sweets to eat and wine to drink !
******
31 morning
31 night
1st January morningI got this per email this morning ! I hope it's not your case today !
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