dzyrl.bsky.social
Language learner, Europhile, cinema-goer, politics nerd. Day job at Bon, Brussels office of Agentschap Integratie en Inburgering.
English/French/Dutch/Spanish
3,576 posts
763 followers
275 following
Getting Started
Active Commenter
comment in response to
post
Our German neighbours drove back to Germany yesterday so they could vote, after having a problem with getting a postal vote in time. (We’re in Belgium.)
comment in response to
post
At PAD, when the platform numbers finally appear on the board, and you pivot to start running, the shop islands prevent you from seeing where many of the platforms are and how to reach them. We career round sandwich counters, off licenses etc. like a mad flock of overgrown starlings.
comment in response to
post
And then there are the francophone politicians who really can’t speak Dutch. (These days, some of them do a good job, but not all.)
comment in response to
post
I’ve not noticed it yet in Belgium, other than the famous adverts for Dovy Keukens: We maken uw keuken in België (We make your kitchen, in Belgium)
comment in response to
post
It just didn’t appeal to me. I’m not a fan of biopics. Glad now I didn’t bother.
comment in response to
post
I’ve heard some Brits pronounce Czechia with cz and ch both sounding the same (ch for cheese). How are they getting on with Türkiye?
comment in response to
post
I’m about 5 years older than Steve and I really remember the absolute fear when a news flash interrupted the football, to announce the Iraqi invasion of Kuwait. I really thought it was the beginning of the end and that we would all die.
comment in response to
post
Oh no!
comment in response to
post
IKR? Awkward.
comment in response to
post
I was reassured by a colleague pointing out that we don’t actually make any life and death decisions and that most mistakes are fixable.
comment in response to
post
Thanks for making me chuckle. My anxiety dreams involve me leaving my laptop (which is the property of the Flemish Government) on public transport and triggering some very localised diplomatic incident.
comment in response to
post
But only some parts. I’ve lived in the UK and in Belgium (and flown into Paris and Amsterdam a few times) and clapping on landing isn’t really a Thing in these places.
comment in response to
post
I have (in the Balkans).
comment in response to
post
Who are these people who insist on clapping?
I have clapped at the end of the film WHEN THE DIRECTOR WAS THERE at a special screening with a Q&A. Occasionally, a few audience members try to clap in the cinema after a regular showing, but it dies out v quickly when no one joins in.
comment in response to
post
My stepdad was a much older dad and we did get comments (mostly from kids at school). In practical terms, it meant that he retired with school age children still financially dependent on him, but he was lucky to remain healthy and active into his 90s.
comment in response to
post
Sadly, I think you are right. I’m so damn tired though. (Have been at my desk since 8.20.)
comment in response to
post
Whereas I am mulling the feasibility of working from bed. (Probably viable for a couple of meetings but I will need my desk for the rest of the day.)
comment in response to
post
Now hoping that my constant switching between French, English and Dutch on all devices will have a similar effect, rather than just breaking my brain.
comment in response to
post
Doesn’t work on my (non-Android) phone.
comment in response to
post
I also have lousy eyesight, so I have to enlarge the tiny menus and read about 3 words at a time.
comment in response to
post
Do I need to use a second phone to scan the QR code now displayed on my actual phone? Hahaha. Nope, not happening.
comment in response to
post
I used to be a civil servant. I had lots and lots of lovely training. Mwahahaha.
comment in response to
post
I hope you can find an alternative. I stopped using Air BnB as a guest some time ago as it had become such a miserable experience.
comment in response to
post
Our local hockey team in Leuven, Belgium, had a “Canadian night” for yesterday’s match against Herentals. This seemed to mainly involve flags and “Canadian” snacks but it’s not entirely clear if we were also showing solidarity (I like to think so.)
comment in response to
post
Tinc por
comment in response to
post
Yeah, we already had theatre tickets for that night, so we went with it.
comment in response to
post
Our younger kid and their partner had a romantic dinner last night in IKEA, which I think is a genius idea. We went to the theatre and managed to book a table in the theatre bar to eat before the play. Most restaurants and bars here were super busy.
comment in response to
post
Courage ! 🤞
comment in response to
post
Today, someone delivered a parcel (for our housemate) and actually announced over the intercom that this was why he was there, rather than just demanding that I open the door.
Probably a one-off.
comment in response to
post
Haha. The chocolate box is PERFECT and I’m really looking forward to the play.
comment in response to
post
Is that a …. Fondue set… in the background of the last one?
comment in response to
post
Gracies. Només coneixia les Orenetes de Kabul.
comment in response to
post
My kids got gifts from both Sinterklaas and Father Christmas. There have to be advantages to belonging to multiple cultures, as well as speaking other languages of course.
comment in response to
post
Aww, take care of yourself. Hope today goes well.
comment in response to
post
Smaller
comment in response to
post
Oh for fucks’ sake
comment in response to
post
I’m just excited when I buy something I don’t have to assemble myself.
comment in response to
post
We used to buy all our stationery there, before we moved to a different area of Brussels.
comment in response to
post
Oh no!
comment in response to
post
Hooray!
comment in response to
post
I’ve cooked proper food 2 days in a row and honestly I think that’s me done for the week, possibly the month. Honestly don’t know how I did this every single day when my kids were young.