mitch's blog

Didn't make it to Trance Energy last night because of sore feet. Snowing today in Utrecht, very quiet day compared to yesterday. Little is open beside the fast food joints and the movie theatres.

Taking some time to read An Introduction to General Sytems Thinking, really timely subjects for where I currently stand intellectually. The book draws in examples from many different disciplines, quotes from the most unexpected sources, even Hans Selye. Basically the book gives rules for thinking about systems of all sorts, the antithesis for hyperspecialization in academic disciplines. Weinberg points to some of the current scientific paradigm's shortcomings and how problems of medium numbers can't be solved with experimentation or statistics. That is to say, due to computational contraints systems with n-number (large numbers) of objects will have an exponential number of interactions that can't be modelled with equations because the calculations are just too taxing. Statistics use macro-data to describe individual units (small numbers), meaning individuals actually aren't the unit of study but rather the average of groups.

The convincing example Weinberg gives immediately is that of Newton. Newton described the movement of planetary objects. Instead of considering the unique relationships between all the planets with each other and the sun (even just considering the single variable of gravity leads to a mountain of equations), he reduced the necessary calculations by logically concluding the most important relationship for calculating a planet's trajectory is its gravitational relationship with the sun (seems obvious now, but only because of its elegance provided by Newton).

Also discussed are many philisophical considerations I've been pondering, including the role of observer-object interaction and reality (perception). The other book I brought on the trip is The Doors of Perception by Aldous Huxley where he considers perception and reality through a drug induced change in perception. Of course I've learned that the map is not really the territory (Dr. John Harris lead some interesting lectures on the topic in Abnormal Psych at UPEI, take anything this man teaches), but Huxley really makes you think about it. Ahhhh, is that really a tree? What is a tree? Does that shade of green look like the same shade of green I see through someone else's eyes? Whatever, we just live in the Matrix.

Walking the streets of Utrecht this morning I was glad I chose to stay here over Amsterdam. This is real Holland, not prostitutes and pot shops. The streets are crammed with cyclists and pedestrians, the shops and restaurants are busy, church bells are ringing and street musicians are doing their thing.
Tonight has Trance Energy in store. According to Trance Addict's poll (a Canadian run site btw, a real poll based on what people think) I will be seeing the following ranked DJ's tonight:

1. Armin Van Buuren
5. Above & Beyond
8. Marcus Schulz
17. M.I.K.E.
42. DJ Scot Project
47. Matthew Dekay
48. Marcel Woods
55. Judge Jules
76. Perry O'Neil
86. Cor Fijneman
99. Mark Norman

The subject of ranking anything is touchy, but DJ's seem to have an ability to separate themselves with their timing, tracks chosen and available and mixing skills. Danny Howells (29th ranked, but really a progressive DJ) was in Amsterdam last night, I probably would have passed up all of these DJ's had I known he was there, but his website's listings stop at the end of January. Maybe next time. Null Hypothesis wasn't invited, nor was his new French colleague Gaston Lafleur.

I've added a few pictures to a flickr set here. I have just a basic flickr account so it appears that it will be full quickly.

Currently at an Internet Cafe on the bank of a canal in Utrecht. Amazingly beautiful city with its canals, cobbled streets and shops. There is very little motor vehicle action on the streets, just cyclists and pedestrians. Although I can't understand the people I overhear, the tone of their speech leads me to believe they are a relatively cheerful bunch. At the train station I booked my ticket for Tuesday's high speed rail trip from Rotterdam to Paris where the representative spoke great English, as did the gentleman who got me a McChicken at McDonalds here in Utrecht.
The train from Amsterdam cost 6 euro and took about 40 minutes. The effiency of the service is remarkable. The infrastructure of the whole country is impressive, but when I consider the population density of the country I shouldn't dwell on it's superiority to Canada's.
Regarding hostels, I've found the "party atmosphere" which I wasn't really looking forward to, to be absent. At the two hostels I've stayed at so far, it seems sleep is predominant purpose of staying at a hostel. Last night 4 of the 5 other people in my room were asleep at 8PM, and at 7:30 this morning still weren't awake.
On food, I had some great beef shawarma in Amsterdam last night at Mamas just down the street from the hostel.

This one will be quick. At a sketchy "cafe" in Amsterdam. Amsterdam seems pretty laid back, people biking all over the place. Thinking that because they drive on the right side of the road would make being a pedestrian easier, the cyclists and trams have made me reconsider. The Netherland's transportation system is unreal.
Forgot to comment on how I also liked the English when standing in queue. They are pros.
I've snapped a few photos, I'll try to get them on flickr soon, also have ripped some radio via my mp3 player which could be thrown into a podcast.

Yesterday I ended up sleeping for most of the afternoon, getting back in sync. Skype has been working fabulously for communications. I'm staying at the Astor Museum hostel. Has a lot of character, seems clean enough, and is right across the street from the British Museum. This morning I walked to Piccadilly Circus, and finally found some restaurants. Too many in fact. The Theatre district around Piccadilly Circus reminds me quite a bit of Times Square in New York. At an internet cafe on Charing Cross right beside the Astoria, where I will be seeing Broken Social Scene tonight. Might try the London Zoo this afternoon, Amsterdam tomorrow.
Overall the English don't seem to be as they are portrayed. They don't seem plain and boring. They do seem very friendly and I appreciate their use of "please" and "thank you".

Arrived in London about three hours ago. Flight was about 60% full so I lucked out and had a row to myself. After flying in a holding pattern over Heathrow for about ten minutes, the plane went through the cloud cover that still covers the city and emerged with the London Eye and the rest of the downtown's sites in view. Getting through customs took about 10 minutes and by that time my luggage was waiting for me on the other side. Smooth Underground ride to Russell Square station, dropped off my bag at the hostel as check-in isn't until 2:00 (front desk girl was from Toronto), walked around for the past couple of hours getting my Magellan sense and I'm here now.

One element of my trip which took some consideration was the use of a cell phone. A mobile phone adds some peace of mind for myself and others, and is really a necessary tool for travelling. For instance, delayed or cancelled flights can be handled quicker usually by phoning the airline's reservations line than waiting in line.

As usual, Peter Rukavina provides some handy insight on cell phone usage in Europe. With limited time, buying an unlocked GSM phone which was my preferred option wasn't available. Instead I will be renting a phone for a month through roadpost.com with coverage in all of the countries I am visiting. Outgoing and incoming calls are charged at a rate above $2.00 per minute, but incoming calls and messaging in the UK are free. The solution for outgoing calls is SkypeOut.

The trip across the big blue sea is nearly at hand. You can follow me across the ocean thanks to fboweb.com. Pretty neat, flights can be imported into Google Earth. On Monday February 6 try Air Canada Flight 860.

The itinerary for the trip has been finalized and looks a bit like this:

Monday February 6 - Leave Halifax 9:10PM
Tuesday February 7 - Arrive Heathrow, stay in London
Wednesday February 8 - Stay in London, catch Broken Social Scene at the Astoria
Thursday February 9 - Jet over to Schiphol, Stay in Amsterdam
Friday February 10 - Stay in Utrecht
Saturday February 11 - Stay in Utrecht, attend Trance Energy 2006
Sunday February 12 - Stay in Utrecht
Monday February 13 - Stay in Rotterdam
Tuesday February 14 - High speed train to Paris
Wednesday February 15 - Stay in Paris
Thursday February 16 - Stay in Paris
Friday February 17 - Stay in Paris
Saturday February 18 - Fly up to Glasgow via London
Sunday February 19 - Stay in Glasgow
Monday February 20 - Stay in Edinburgh
Tuesday February 21 - Stay in Edinburgh
Wednesday February 22 - Stay in Edinburgh
Thursday February 23 - Flight down to London
Friday February 24 - Stay in London
Saturday February 25 - Stay in London
Sunday February 26 - Stay in London
Monday February 27 - Fly back to Halifax

According to a Yahoo.com news headline, there are 1 million orphans on Moscow's streets. With a total population of a bit more than 10 million, that is quite a few.