On My New Flat and Very Little Else

“You never know what worse luck your bad luck has saved you from.”
“You forget what you want to remember, and you remember what you want to forget.” 
-Cormac McCarthy



Hey guys,

Another quick update (we've seen a lot of those lately). I'm currently writing you from my new and very own flat for the first time, and seeing how that's supposedly some kind of major development (I have my own place!), it felt as if I needed to dedicate an entry to it. 

So, what's it like? I live in Leuven, which is a minor city close to Brussels (the capital of Belgium). It's fairly small but cosy, and mainly known as the home of one of Belgium's largest universities and my alma mater, the KUL. Unlike most cities with massive universities, this one is truly dictated by it. As a result, it has two faces. During the week, it's filled with young people either on their way to class, getting drunk or getting laid. In the weekends, it's fairly empty. 

The flat I chose isn't the biggest, but it's certainly big enough for me. It's located right in the centre, in a small street leading to the Oude Markt (Old Market), the main location for festivities. Most famous for being the "Longest Bar in the World," it's basically just a collection of bars and a handful of fast-food places. It's very cosy, but also quite loud (duh). The flat itself is on the fifth floor of a building that houses a McDonalds, but as long as I keep my door shut, the odour is fine.

I had some friends over yesterday, and they seemed to like it. Because of its location, it's obviously a prime spot for everyone to gather before going out. Tomorrow I'll have someone staying over for the first time, so I should get some feedback on the couch.

The past few days I've mainly been buying stuff for the flat, when I wasn't working. Christ, I've buying so much stuff lately. It's coming together nicely, however. As of right now, I think all I really need is a drying rack for my laundry, a laundry basket and a place to store my books. They're currently standing underneath my window, and my friends seemed to like it that way (as do I, it adds a personal touch). It's not extremely convenient, however (what, with the curtains and all) so I'll have to see how I manage.

There's a one-year lease with three months' notice, so I reckon I'll find out whether I like it or not and go from there. A part of me is already aching to leave again, but I'm not 19 anymore. Besides, there's plenty of reasons why it's convenient to be living at home once again. For one, it's incredibly cheap. The Guardian posted an article just last week on London prices and how it's pretty normal to pay five pounds for a beer in the English capital (pints, obviously). The first round of drinks I paid two days ago cost me 7.40 euros. That's roughly six pounds, and absolutely ridiculous. For six pounds, I'd have one beer in Soho. Rent is more than manageable (again, the flat is not insanely luxurious), but it allows me to save some money over the next 12 months. The only thing that isn't particularly cheap is public transport (and it's ridiculously ineffective, but that's a whole different story), but I still hope I'll get to see my relatives on a regular basis. After all, they're all located within 90 minutes of me by train.

It's incredibly unfair to compare Leuven to London. It's a nice, cosy city that has everything I need, for now. My friends are here, and the top spot to go out is literally on my doorstep. Compared to London, it should (and will) be far easier to combine a social life with my work schedule. Sure, nothing compares to the Big Smoke, and it's very tempting to go back as soon as I can. I planned two consecutive days off for November, so if my bosses cooperate, I'll hopefully be able to come visit soon. I always mocked people who lost their hearts to a particular place, but perhaps I'm starting to understand. London is pretty awesome, guys.

So, to summarise. I like my flat. The lease is only for a year, which is perfect, but in general, it's a nice place. I've yet to truly make it my own (add a nice decorative lamp, put up some photos and posters), but so far, I feel okay here. It's far from perfect--it's loud, the on-suite bathroom doesn't have a toilet, storage space is limited and the constant presence of fraternities on a night out (even at 2 p.m.) is making my blood boil. But to quote the genius that is Tim Minchin: "It's not perfect, but it's mine." We'll work on a housewarming party, although I sincerely doubt my flat will hold more than 10 people.

In fact, I'll leave you with the genius himself.


Song of the Day: The surprisingly deep and very beautiful 
It's Not Perfect - Tim Minchin
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dg3PberzvXo

Bonus: I love the BBC's cover of God Only Knows that is currently sweeping the internet, but it's still only my second-favourite cover version of the Beach Boys' phenomenal hit. So, for your enjoyment:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x7ogV49WGco

On Housing and Staying Busy

Every reader, as he reads, is actually the reader of himself. The writer's work is only a kind of optical instrument he provides the reader so he can discern what he might never have seen in himself without this book. The reader's recognition in himself of what the book says is the proof of the book's truth.

-Marcel Proust

Hey guys,

Just a little update to let you all know how I'm doing down here in Belgium (a few of you have asked for it). I've found a flat, right in the centre of Leuven. Signed for it on Monday, paid the deposit and my first month of rent today, collecting the keys on Friday and moving on Sunday. Yes, Belgian bureaucracy is a pain in the ass. I'm moving my stuff there on Sunday but I probably won't be moving in just yet, as they're still working on the internet (something I really need for work).

It's not perfect—far from it, in fact. But it's nice and central and the lease is only for a year and it's spacious enough just for me. I mean, I literally used to live in a tent—I don't need much. At least I'll have a place of my own, for the time being, and I'll get to live close to my friends, which is one of the main reasons why I left London in the first place. A one-year lease also means I won't be moving back for at least 12 months, so I deeply apologise to those few of you who were still gunning for that.

I still needed a bunch of stuff for the flat, but luckily, our local variant of Home Depot is closing one of its flagship stores and all of the articles were 70% percent off. Which is why I managed to buy an ironing board (because all adults own their own ironing board), a 12-piece set of kitchen tools complete with an art-deco rack (including a pizza slicer, which is vital considering the fact I eat about five pizzas/week), plates, a 24-piece cutlery set, coffee mugs (I'm still buying the Troy and Abed in the Morning one), an oven plate, two separate cooking knives and an alarm clock for 44 euros (I'm guessing it's about 35 pounds, or maybe 60 US dollars). Now all I need is some bed sheets, drapes, a microwave oven and a bin.

For those of you who frequent Leuven: My place is right at the Oude Markt and I have a spare couch, so if you're ever in need of  somewhere to sleep, please let me know. I've yet to test the couch, but I'll be sure to let you know and provide you with a sleeping bag/plaid.

Now, onto something else. De Morgen's Fernand van Damme (in Dutch) recently posted an entry detailing how being busy is the new cool for 20-somethings. He talked about how we all seem to stuff our planners as full as possible with work, breakfast dates and city trips and tried to link it to how we're scared of being alone, and the conclusions our minds may reach when we're forced to contemplate on that factoid. It's worth the read, if you speak Dutch, and you can find the piece by clicking here.

He's not entirely successful in trying to draw his conclusion ( it gets awfully tacky), but he does make a fair point, and I do believe that plenty of you will recognise what it is he's writing about. I know I've noticed it in myself. Where I once used to live life without a day-planner, teaching surfing and largely enjoying the quiet moments in between, I now find myself trying to cram as much work and activities into my days in a feeble attempt to escape the fact that when I'm not doing stuff, my mind tends to wander into dangerous places. And I've heard the same message from plenty of you, or recognised the behaviour. I'm not judging anyone or trying to tell you why that may be wrong or right, but it is something worth thinking about. When you're not busy working or going to that concert or meeting your middle-school science partner for cocktails, that is.

I guess that's it for now. Like I said, short update on how I'm doing (technically it's about what I'm doing, I suppose). It looks like I'm truly here to stay, for now at least. I'm not entirely sure how I feel about that, but we always feel like that right after we've made a big decision. And that first night of drinks at De Weerelt will surely sway my mind.

Have a good one guys.

Song of the Day: Charles Bradley - Where Do We Go From Here

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bcqb7kzekoc