Derek Vandivere
@vandivere.net
Ex American Dutch guy living in Amsterdam. Professionally, an enterprise architect. Recreationally, spends too much time making vegetarian food, playing jazz and classical trombone, and tending to the cats.
Posts mainly stuff about Amsterdam
Posts mainly stuff about Amsterdam
When you're walking backstage just before the sound check and startle the shit out of yourself
November 16, 2025 at 1:59 PM
When you're walking backstage just before the sound check and startle the shit out of yourself
You know you're in a proper Dutch mens troon when they have 7 different products for setting your hair.
November 12, 2025 at 5:35 PM
You know you're in a proper Dutch mens troon when they have 7 different products for setting your hair.
Well, this seems dodgy - came in as a chat request, *apparently* from Bluesky...and a really weird link address.
Oh, just noticed the bit at the end "message should not be shared with others." It must be a phishing attempt.
So, if you get one of these, I'd recommend ignoring it.
Oh, just noticed the bit at the end "message should not be shared with others." It must be a phishing attempt.
So, if you get one of these, I'd recommend ignoring it.
November 10, 2025 at 10:43 AM
Well, this seems dodgy - came in as a chat request, *apparently* from Bluesky...and a really weird link address.
Oh, just noticed the bit at the end "message should not be shared with others." It must be a phishing attempt.
So, if you get one of these, I'd recommend ignoring it.
Oh, just noticed the bit at the end "message should not be shared with others." It must be a phishing attempt.
So, if you get one of these, I'd recommend ignoring it.
Another view of the park
November 9, 2025 at 2:32 PM
Another view of the park
It's a lovely day for a walk in Zuid Kennermerland National Park
November 9, 2025 at 2:08 PM
It's a lovely day for a walk in Zuid Kennermerland National Park
Emergency power nap after heavy lunch this unseasonably sunny day...
November 7, 2025 at 1:19 PM
Emergency power nap after heavy lunch this unseasonably sunny day...
Not a huge hip hop fan, to be honest, but this kinda blew my mind. Made me think of the Art of Noise from back in the 80s:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=h0-k...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=h0-k...
clipping.: Tiny Desk Concert
YouTube video by NPR Music
www.youtube.com
November 6, 2025 at 2:34 PM
Not a huge hip hop fan, to be honest, but this kinda blew my mind. Made me think of the Art of Noise from back in the 80s:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=h0-k...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=h0-k...
Reposted by Derek Vandivere
Can I tell my NYC mayor story again today? Ok, fine.
November 5, 2025 at 8:06 AM
Can I tell my NYC mayor story again today? Ok, fine.
Well, this Dutch member of D66 who was born in Fairfax County general hospital is feeling a lot more optimistic for the world this morning than a couple weeks ago!
Looks like an optimistic message that highlights the value of immigrants and the humanity of trans folks might be a winner.
Looks like an optimistic message that highlights the value of immigrants and the humanity of trans folks might be a winner.
November 5, 2025 at 8:44 AM
Well, this Dutch member of D66 who was born in Fairfax County general hospital is feeling a lot more optimistic for the world this morning than a couple weeks ago!
Looks like an optimistic message that highlights the value of immigrants and the humanity of trans folks might be a winner.
Looks like an optimistic message that highlights the value of immigrants and the humanity of trans folks might be a winner.
He's definitely getting noticed over here...
Podcast De Dag: Zohran Mamdani, rijzende ster van de Democraten
Podcast De Dag: Zohran Mamdani, rijzende ster van de Democraten
Wie is de man die morgen waarschijnlijk burgermeester van New York wordt en internationaal opeens de aandacht trekt?
nos.nl
November 3, 2025 at 6:24 PM
He's definitely getting noticed over here...
Looks like there's been a bit of a translation error here in the Netherlands, unless this is a special Al Jolson version of the song.
November 3, 2025 at 6:21 PM
Looks like there's been a bit of a translation error here in the Netherlands, unless this is a special Al Jolson version of the song.
How I spent yesterday afternoon...solo went pretty well, and it's always nice when your hair matches your horn.
(Credit: Tjerk Laan Photography)
(Credit: Tjerk Laan Photography)
November 3, 2025 at 11:05 AM
How I spent yesterday afternoon...solo went pretty well, and it's always nice when your hair matches your horn.
(Credit: Tjerk Laan Photography)
(Credit: Tjerk Laan Photography)
Good to see that Hegseth is recognizing that logistics is vitally important to an Army but there really must be better ways of moving spare parts.
November 2, 2025 at 8:12 PM
Good to see that Hegseth is recognizing that logistics is vitally important to an Army but there really must be better ways of moving spare parts.
If I ever get invited to a Gatsby themed party I'm going to dress up as a green light.
November 1, 2025 at 5:54 PM
If I ever get invited to a Gatsby themed party I'm going to dress up as a green light.
Reposted by Derek Vandivere
Aaand the new Tiger Singh Bhatia story just went live, so here it is, for your reading pleasure
www.frivolouscomma.com/three-card-c...
www.frivolouscomma.com/three-card-c...
Three Card Caper
“You want me to prove this guy is cheating?”
“Oh no,” says Atul, holding his hands up, palms facing me. “If he was cheating, we’d have caught him. We need you to prove he’s not cheating.”
www.frivolouscomma.com
October 31, 2025 at 8:16 PM
Aaand the new Tiger Singh Bhatia story just went live, so here it is, for your reading pleasure
www.frivolouscomma.com/three-card-c...
www.frivolouscomma.com/three-card-c...
Funny result from the Dutch election - NSC (New Social Contract), which went from 0 to 20 back to 0 seats in three elections, has indeed won a single municipality in the kingdom: St. Eustasius.
October 30, 2025 at 2:07 PM
Funny result from the Dutch election - NSC (New Social Contract), which went from 0 to 20 back to 0 seats in three elections, has indeed won a single municipality in the kingdom: St. Eustasius.
Looks like good news in our election - the extreme right party may no longer be the biggest party, and it looks like the best showing in D66 hostory
DUTCH EXIT POLL
Outstanding for Jetten’s D66, above all expectations
Wilders about in line with expectations
Timmermans: solid but disappointing; lost seats
CDA solid but on lower side of expectations
Outstanding for Jetten’s D66, above all expectations
Wilders about in line with expectations
Timmermans: solid but disappointing; lost seats
CDA solid but on lower side of expectations
October 29, 2025 at 8:42 PM
Looks like good news in our election - the extreme right party may no longer be the biggest party, and it looks like the best showing in D66 hostory
Reposted by Derek Vandivere
This is a fun read
In case you didn't catch it at the time, here's the first in the series, free to read
gizmodo.com/lightspeed-p...
gizmodo.com/lightspeed-p...
LIGHTSPEED Presents: 'Bhatia, P.I.' by Shiv Ramdas
It's storytime! Read a science fiction/fantasy short story from Lightspeed Magazine here at io9.
gizmodo.com
October 29, 2025 at 4:02 PM
This is a fun read
Looking for something to do in #amsterdam this Sunday? As part of the ADE, the collected wind ensembles of the city are putting on a 200 person concert called Amsterdam Blaast! with a specially commissioned piece inspired by the city.
www.amsterdam-dance-event.nl/en/program/2...
www.amsterdam-dance-event.nl/en/program/2...
DGTL presents: Amsterdam Blaast! — ADE
Electronic music gathers here
www.amsterdam-dance-event.nl
October 22, 2025 at 9:33 AM
Looking for something to do in #amsterdam this Sunday? As part of the ADE, the collected wind ensembles of the city are putting on a 200 person concert called Amsterdam Blaast! with a specially commissioned piece inspired by the city.
www.amsterdam-dance-event.nl/en/program/2...
www.amsterdam-dance-event.nl/en/program/2...
Well, how about that. I'm staying an extra night in Manchester for work by myself, take a wrong turn on my way to a restaurant, and find one of my favorite bands is playing tonight and isn't sold out! Looks like in seeing Cat Empire tonight!
October 21, 2025 at 5:27 PM
Well, how about that. I'm staying an extra night in Manchester for work by myself, take a wrong turn on my way to a restaurant, and find one of my favorite bands is playing tonight and isn't sold out! Looks like in seeing Cat Empire tonight!
Oh, not much, just getting a standing ovation at the Concertgebouw...
October 19, 2025 at 6:29 PM
Oh, not much, just getting a standing ovation at the Concertgebouw...
Holy shit it's really happening
October 19, 2025 at 11:50 AM
Holy shit it's really happening
Fuck yeah I'm an artist
October 19, 2025 at 11:09 AM
Fuck yeah I'm an artist
Off to find the artists' entrance of the Concertgebouw!
October 19, 2025 at 10:11 AM
Off to find the artists' entrance of the Concertgebouw!