Almost a month without writing a new blog post. That is rather indicative of my decreased interest in the 50plus matter via this medium. Also, due to personal circumstances like colds and unforeseen changes with a great impact, I have not been fit in the past month.
Basic income still has my full support, and I express that via retweeting basic income posts on Twitter.
My job applications have not resulted in any success so far, neither for minor nor for middle positions. So I am taking it slowly these days, hereby increasing my energy levels.
Filed my tax return this morning, and was happy with the easy process for the company part of the return. All in all it took me only about 45 minutes to complete it. No sweat.
My research into parallel, probable, reincarnational and other selves has bloomed in the past month. I have managed to get useful information via theory books and in practice. The latter basically through dreaming. Before falling asleep I suggested to myself to meet reincarnational selves and so I did, sometimes in the twilight zone between wakefulness and falling asleep, and sometimes in a dream. From my early years onwards I have always had good dream recollection, and in the past years I have written down a lot of them.
I will certainly continue the research, and get skilled in lucid dreaming. Via the Elias FB forum I have been motivated in hunting for focuses (reincarnational selves) in a special group setting. That I will continue as well.
The book publication preparations for the Dutch translation of 'Free will after life' are going very well. The cover creation and the editing process are finished; next step: positioning myself and the book for the media.
This is my last blog post on being 50 plus in Amsterdam. Maybe at some point I'll start a new one when I am about to write the new research book. Not sure yet.
Hope you have enjoyed the posts.
maandag 7 maart 2016
woensdag 10 februari 2016
Basic income: some basic information
After sharing my previous blog I received quite a lot of positive reactions on twitter for my plea for a basic income. I was surprised to notice the enormous activity going on worldwide with regards to this topic.
And I was pleased about that. So I decided that basic income deserves some more promotion from my side as well. Today I'll give some basic information about it which I mainly found on the web site of Basic Income Earth Network (BIEN), founded in 1986, at http://www.basicincome.org/
This Network has grown massively in the past 10 years, after expanding their focus on Europe to a worldwide focus in 2004. Their aim is "to serve as a link between individuals and groups committed to or interested in basic income", and it "fosters informed discussions on this topic [...]"
What is a basic income in the first place? BIEN defines it on their web site as "an income unconditionally granted to all on an individual basis, without means test or work requirement".
Following their web site information, the idea of a basic income is not new. Already in the 16th century humanists came up with the idea of a minimum income, and in the 18th century the unconditional factor of an income was brought up. The idea of an unconditional basic income first appeared in the middle of the 19th century. In the 20th century basic income discussions took place in England between the world wars, in the USA in the 1960s and 70s, and since the late 70s and early 80s North-Western Europe has been debating the subject. But apparently it was Alaska who introduced a real basic income through a permanent fund for all its inhabitants.
Nowadays quite some debating is going in several countries in Europe, such as Switzerland, Portugal, France and UK about the pro-s and con's and about the feasibility of introducing a basic income.
Finland and a few cities in the Netherlands are right now the only ones who are on the edge of starting a basic income experiment. And the whole world will be watching.
And I was pleased about that. So I decided that basic income deserves some more promotion from my side as well. Today I'll give some basic information about it which I mainly found on the web site of Basic Income Earth Network (BIEN), founded in 1986, at http://www.basicincome.org/
This Network has grown massively in the past 10 years, after expanding their focus on Europe to a worldwide focus in 2004. Their aim is "to serve as a link between individuals and groups committed to or interested in basic income", and it "fosters informed discussions on this topic [...]"
What is a basic income in the first place? BIEN defines it on their web site as "an income unconditionally granted to all on an individual basis, without means test or work requirement".
Following their web site information, the idea of a basic income is not new. Already in the 16th century humanists came up with the idea of a minimum income, and in the 18th century the unconditional factor of an income was brought up. The idea of an unconditional basic income first appeared in the middle of the 19th century. In the 20th century basic income discussions took place in England between the world wars, in the USA in the 1960s and 70s, and since the late 70s and early 80s North-Western Europe has been debating the subject. But apparently it was Alaska who introduced a real basic income through a permanent fund for all its inhabitants.
Nowadays quite some debating is going in several countries in Europe, such as Switzerland, Portugal, France and UK about the pro-s and con's and about the feasibility of introducing a basic income.
Finland and a few cities in the Netherlands are right now the only ones who are on the edge of starting a basic income experiment. And the whole world will be watching.
donderdag 4 februari 2016
Continuing the job search - a plea for a basic income
The manuscript editing, the contract proposal review and the creation of the backcover text have all been taken care of. My to-do list for this week with regards to book publishing is now empty. I always enjoy checking off action items.
So I had some spare time to hunt for income sources again. I started scrolling through the job web sites, and did not find any relevant vacancies. Then I remembered the open job posting for professional blogger that I had noticed before my holiday and which has my interest. And I applied. Hopefully I get lucky!
I wouldn't mind working for a while in a non-interesting job, but my educational level is too high to be eligible for even an interview. I do of course send out applications for such jobs now and then, with a negative result. When I request an explanation, I usually get the information that due to the enormously high amount of applications, the employer is able to pick exactly the candidate that he/she is looking for, with the optimal experience, age (they don't say that of course) and educational level. One time I received a notification that the employer did not even have the possibity to go through all applications; they just selected a part of them and went through it.
The job market in the Netherlands for 50+ (and younger) people is so extremely tight these days, mainly because of the structural automatization and outsourcing effects, that I would like to suggest to the government to seriously start considering a basic income, at least for the unemployed.
Switzerland is considering a basic income for all inhabitants, Finland is studying the possibilities for it, and in the Netherlands some cities are on the edge of experimenting with a basic income.
Can't wait for an introduction of it in Amsterdam!!
So I had some spare time to hunt for income sources again. I started scrolling through the job web sites, and did not find any relevant vacancies. Then I remembered the open job posting for professional blogger that I had noticed before my holiday and which has my interest. And I applied. Hopefully I get lucky!
I wouldn't mind working for a while in a non-interesting job, but my educational level is too high to be eligible for even an interview. I do of course send out applications for such jobs now and then, with a negative result. When I request an explanation, I usually get the information that due to the enormously high amount of applications, the employer is able to pick exactly the candidate that he/she is looking for, with the optimal experience, age (they don't say that of course) and educational level. One time I received a notification that the employer did not even have the possibity to go through all applications; they just selected a part of them and went through it.
The job market in the Netherlands for 50+ (and younger) people is so extremely tight these days, mainly because of the structural automatization and outsourcing effects, that I would like to suggest to the government to seriously start considering a basic income, at least for the unemployed.
Switzerland is considering a basic income for all inhabitants, Finland is studying the possibilities for it, and in the Netherlands some cities are on the edge of experimenting with a basic income.
Can't wait for an introduction of it in Amsterdam!!
dinsdag 2 februari 2016
Working on the publication preparations after a sunny holiday
A week break, it was lovely. I went last minute to Corralejo on the Canary Island Fuerteventura with my mum, my 50th birthday present from my brother who deserves a gold medal. We had a relaxed and sunny stay with bikini temperatures, lying next to the pool in the adult-only section of the Atlantis suite resort. I have never slept so noiseless in my entire life, I think. And we ate a lot. There was a substantial choice of very eatible food for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Nice staff and relaxed co-tourists.
Lots of kite-surfing on the Corralejo beaches.
Before the holiday I had a good and productive meeting with my publisher. We set up action items and a few deadlines. We discovered we are aligned, and we got on well. Pleasant atmosphere.
One of my action items was to go through and finish the manuscript for publication. I did that this morning, and sent the file to the publisher. Last week he created a contract proposal; I will go through that tomorrow and provide feedback. On Thursday I will create a text for the back cover of the book, and next week will be dedicated to creating a list with marketing targets for lectures and PR purposes.
Very pleased with these publication preparations. The book will become available around April/May is our current estimation. Looking forward to that!
In the meantime I aim to find some source(s) of income, in the writing area. I noticed a few weeks ago that a blogging site is recruiting professional bloggers for a couple of areas, such as science. Sending them my application can't hurt.
Lots of kite-surfing on the Corralejo beaches.
Before the holiday I had a good and productive meeting with my publisher. We set up action items and a few deadlines. We discovered we are aligned, and we got on well. Pleasant atmosphere.
One of my action items was to go through and finish the manuscript for publication. I did that this morning, and sent the file to the publisher. Last week he created a contract proposal; I will go through that tomorrow and provide feedback. On Thursday I will create a text for the back cover of the book, and next week will be dedicated to creating a list with marketing targets for lectures and PR purposes.
Very pleased with these publication preparations. The book will become available around April/May is our current estimation. Looking forward to that!
In the meantime I aim to find some source(s) of income, in the writing area. I noticed a few weeks ago that a blogging site is recruiting professional bloggers for a couple of areas, such as science. Sending them my application can't hurt.
maandag 18 januari 2016
Changing my position in the world
I finally took the step to de-activate my medium-counseling website, which no longer serves a purpose. Maybe I could have done that a half year ago, but I wasn't feeling the need nor the want to stop the site. Clearly I needed some time to process the termination of the practice.
To be honest, I like having a web site. When I worked for the multinational, there was almost always an internal web site for me to manage. However, counseling and mediumship are no longer a work avenue for me to explore, so the matching web site has become unnecessary, and even misleading.I enjoyed its design, and its easiness of updating documents as well as creating new pages though.
Last week I took the decision last week to explore a writing career consisting of a.o. book writing, copywriting and blogging. So now I have a new excuse to create and maintain a web site. :-)
This morning I checked out the available domains, and found various open ones that could serve my upcoming career. I called the hosting company, SoHosted, employing very friendly and supportive people, and explained the situation: my wish to de-activate the current medium-counseling web site (with no possibility to be found online) and, when ready, to start a new web site, using the design and structure of the current web site. No problem for the guy who helped me. He renamed the wwwroot directory, and told me that they could easily link the directory at some point in time to a new domain of my choice. Easy-peasy!
Now I feel content and ready to take a next step that is closer to my heart's desires than the practice turned out to be.
This week I dedicate to going through my translated manuscript, and to preparing my meeting with the publisher this Friday. Afterwards: time to investigate the possibilities to write for a living, possibly as a freelancer. Maybe coupled with a part time job (when available) to cover the fixed costs for living.
Looking forward to it!
To be honest, I like having a web site. When I worked for the multinational, there was almost always an internal web site for me to manage. However, counseling and mediumship are no longer a work avenue for me to explore, so the matching web site has become unnecessary, and even misleading.I enjoyed its design, and its easiness of updating documents as well as creating new pages though.
Last week I took the decision last week to explore a writing career consisting of a.o. book writing, copywriting and blogging. So now I have a new excuse to create and maintain a web site. :-)
This morning I checked out the available domains, and found various open ones that could serve my upcoming career. I called the hosting company, SoHosted, employing very friendly and supportive people, and explained the situation: my wish to de-activate the current medium-counseling web site (with no possibility to be found online) and, when ready, to start a new web site, using the design and structure of the current web site. No problem for the guy who helped me. He renamed the wwwroot directory, and told me that they could easily link the directory at some point in time to a new domain of my choice. Easy-peasy!
Now I feel content and ready to take a next step that is closer to my heart's desires than the practice turned out to be.
This week I dedicate to going through my translated manuscript, and to preparing my meeting with the publisher this Friday. Afterwards: time to investigate the possibilities to write for a living, possibly as a freelancer. Maybe coupled with a part time job (when available) to cover the fixed costs for living.
Looking forward to it!
zaterdag 16 januari 2016
A dive into Scandinavian literature
In the eighties of last century I studied Scandinavian languages and their literature at the University of Amsterdam. In those years we had to pick a main language before starting the first year, and mine was Swedish. In the second year we were supposed to make another choice, between cultural studies, language/grammar science and literature study. I took up the latter, as a frequent reader of fiction.
With great joy I immersed myself in learning Swedish and taking all kinds of related and mandatory classes. However, I liked the sound of Norwegian a lot, so I learned that language as well, and I ended up taking quite some classes in Norwegian literature, next to many more ones in Swedish literature and drama.
My professor, no longer among us, had a phd degree in drama studies. I saw many Scandinavian drama productions in the theatres of Amsterdam in those days, by Strindberg, Ibsen, Lars Noren, etcetera. Good times. Great bonding experiences.
One year after his passing his two daughters have invited the Scandinavists to his library, giving us the opportunity to buy some of his over 1000 books at a very reasonable price.
(Picture portraits August Strindberg, borrowed from Wikipedia
With two of my former co-students, now friends, we'll go there this afternoon. Pure nostalgia. Looking forward to take a last look at the books, and I maybe even use the opportunity to buy one or two.
During my studies I bought various Swedish and Norwegian novels, for the pleasure of reading them, and for the literature classes. My favorite authors are: Strindberg (his drama works), Ibsen (especially Peer Gynt), Jonas Lie, Tarjei Vesaas, Ivar Lo Johansson, Harry Martinsson, Vilhemn Moberg, Goran Tunstrom, and Knut Hamsun. I also like the Stig Larsson trilogy, and other contemporary writers.
With great joy I immersed myself in learning Swedish and taking all kinds of related and mandatory classes. However, I liked the sound of Norwegian a lot, so I learned that language as well, and I ended up taking quite some classes in Norwegian literature, next to many more ones in Swedish literature and drama.
My professor, no longer among us, had a phd degree in drama studies. I saw many Scandinavian drama productions in the theatres of Amsterdam in those days, by Strindberg, Ibsen, Lars Noren, etcetera. Good times. Great bonding experiences.One year after his passing his two daughters have invited the Scandinavists to his library, giving us the opportunity to buy some of his over 1000 books at a very reasonable price.
(Picture portraits August Strindberg, borrowed from Wikipedia
With two of my former co-students, now friends, we'll go there this afternoon. Pure nostalgia. Looking forward to take a last look at the books, and I maybe even use the opportunity to buy one or two.
During my studies I bought various Swedish and Norwegian novels, for the pleasure of reading them, and for the literature classes. My favorite authors are: Strindberg (his drama works), Ibsen (especially Peer Gynt), Jonas Lie, Tarjei Vesaas, Ivar Lo Johansson, Harry Martinsson, Vilhemn Moberg, Goran Tunstrom, and Knut Hamsun. I also like the Stig Larsson trilogy, and other contemporary writers.
woensdag 13 januari 2016
Excellent community spirit leads to great results
This morning I received the excellent news that our eco-friendly (water-regulating) local neighborhood park Domela Nieuwenhuisplantsoen will be conserved, and will probably even receive an upgrade.
Feeling quite satisfied with the result and this development in our neighborhood!
Also, this morning I noticed a vacancy for a job that interests me. Tomorrow morning I will dedicate my time to write a hopefully impressive and attractive application letter.
(Image is borrowed from bruderheim.ca)
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