11:41pm (@home)
Everyone told me upon moving to Amsterdam I would need two things: a bong and a raincoat. Needless to say, I have neither, but definitely need one of them and especially over these past few days. A raincoat, that is. It's been raining this week without much respite, fluctuating from a spitting mist to a heavy rain. A far cry from the blinding sunshine of Miami Beach, I'll tell you that much, but a welcome change. And believe it or not, it doesn't really distract from the charm and the warmth of the city itself. I don't think Amsterdam would be Amsterdam without this weather. It's a very wet place in general - the rain...the canals...the beer.
Pindakaas has been good - working on our own projects during the day (thus far) and then class at night. Alvaro Sotomayor, a ECD at Wieden+Kennedy, will be the teacher of our Tuesday night class. Great guy, had quick introductions, threw us a few morsels of feedback each, handed us our first brief (which I'm sure I will write about later), then took us to a new "American" bar a few blocks away. American bar meaning that they serve only American beer. It was funny to see Anchor Steam and Flying Dog on tap at a Dutch bar in the middle of Amsterdam. Was nice to kick back with the crew and discuss with everyone where we had been in the world... Much to learn from my international peers but I'd imagine our full work days together at Pindakaas will allow that naturally.
Came home late last night to the end of the David Gray concert at the Melkweg directly across the street. P and I were hoping we'd hear a few riffs of "Babylon" or something of the sort, but with no such luck. You can always tell when there is a concert or a happening at the Melkweg when you find hundreds of bicycles abandoned on the sidewalk/street. The noise level off the street follows suit with the concerts as well: from a few distant voices in the Leidesplein to a chatty crowd of smokers at a break in the show to an overpowering cacophony of concertgoers, swooning over the performer following the event. And, as has been the past few nights, my sleep follows that pattern as well. :) [[reminds me of living in my 58th street apt with flora in new york - the noise from the large crowds of concertgoers here miiiiight just equal that of the queensboro bridge traffic]] Either way, im cool with it and it actually lessens any feelings of loneliness i might have here...
Another long day at the agency today then class afterward. Two teachers from RIOT agency - Nathan, an Executive Creative Director there, and Todd, a Creative Director. Two down to earth guys that seem to have a good grasp on the digital landscape in the industry. We will be working on one main brief for their class over the quarter (which is great, much more time to develop and polish). More on that brief later as well.
Set a goal for myself to win a pencil (D&AD) this year. It's possible. With hard work, it is possible.
Barefoot to bed and into my cocoon.
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