Last update: January 27th 2008

Some people who have had informal business dinners with me will probably remember how I triggered roundtable Q&A's; asking all people present about their favourite movie, book, band, etc. I always find this a highly interesting and enjoyable way to get a conversation going and learn more about your contacts and new people you meet. Here's some of the answers I would normally give during such a 'game' of trivia.

Favourite drinks: Beer, especially the heavy Kasteel Bier or Grolsch Kanon brews. Drambuie. Ice cold water. Ice tea.

Favourite way to relax: Spending a full day at the sauna, sweating, swimming, relaxing with a book, etc. Or lying in my huge hammock in the attic reading a book. Or watching an atmospheric movie, surrounded by candles.

Favourite sport: To be honest, I'm not much into sport. I prefer the hassle free, non-competitive individual sport above any teamsport. At the moment I really enjoy my frequent sessions of fitness.

Hobbies:

• Listening to music
• Writing concert, CD and DVD reviews for Dutch Progressive Rock Page
  
• Write articles for business magazines
• Going to concerts, theater, etc.
• Playing bass guitar
• Reading and collecting books (mainly books related to H.P. Lovecrafts Cthulhu Mythos, books about travels in Asia or books on Buddhism)

Favourite way to blow off steam: Play some in-your-face bass guitar. Loud !

Favourite city: Barcelona, no doubt about it. It's got an amazingly romantic and friendly vibe. There's lots of beautiful things to see (La Sagrada Familia, Parc Guel, etc) and you can relax and have a beer on the beach or on Paseo de Gracia, or stroll down Las Ramblas.

Favourite movie: The Fisher King with Robin Williams and Jeff Bridges. Dunno, it's just the perfect mix of comedy, drama and action and for some way I can really relate to all of the four main characters. Besides Marillion's Brave movie, this is one of the few movies that can make me cry (if combined favourite drink - see above).
Other films I like are The Lord of the Rings (part 1, 2 and 3), Memento, Donnie Darko, as well as films with great dialogue like those of Tarantino or the View Askew movies by Kevin Smith.

Favourite animal: My cat, Gringo. Gringo is a bit of a weird species. He either thinks he's a dog or his was a dog in a former live; he brings back balls I throw and he sits up and gives a paw !

Favourite car: I'm not your 'typical male'. I don't care much about cars and I don't like soccer at all.

Favourite soccer club: See favourite car.

Favourite book: I'm not sure, I've read many books but there isn't one that strikes me as the best of them all. Still, Lord of the Rings is a masterpiece, even though I don't read that kind of fantasy stuff anymore. The movie was pretty damn good as well. My favourite business related book is Arthur Hughes' Strategic Database Marketing. I also have a lot of pretty damn good books on Buddhism.

Favourite bands: Porcupine Tree. My other favourite contemporary bands are Porcupine Tree, RPWL, Sylvan, Quidam and Spock's Beard.

Favourite CD: IQ - Subterranea, but there's a whole bunch of other brilliant CDs in my collection as well.

Favourite food: I don't like most of the traditional Dutch foods. I rather prefer something spicy with rice, chicken, etc.

Biggest weakness: I guess I'm a bit of a workaholic. No, I'm sure I'm a workaholic. I have to keep busy. As soon as I come home from work I have the uncontrollable urge to get behind the PC and work. As a result, I don't get out enough and probably don't spend enough time with the kids. Other weakness is without a doubt my impatience.

Couldn't live without: Music.

Pet hate: People who are dishonest or arrogant.

Favourite Comedies/Comedians: Freek de Jonge, Youp van 't Hek, Harry Jekkers, Theo Maassen, Herman Finkers, Friends, Seinfeld, anything with Rick Mayall.

Worst experience: The death of our daughter Amber in the final stages of my (ex-)wife's pregnancy. Coming to the conclusion that family life wasn't working out for me after a 14 year relationship wasn't much fun either.

Positive personality traits: I'm honest, open and loyal. Friendly and normally in a good humorous mood. Hard working, dedicated.

Negative personality traits: I can be stubborn and occasionally 'highly inflamable' as far as my temper is concerned (call it passionate), although studies in Buddhism have made me much calmer recently. I hate to depend on others in whatever way. I might have slight problems dealing with criticism, especially when I've put a lot of energy and passion into something. Also, I can be quite impatient. Still, I think I'm quite a nice guy. ;-)

First Job: Paperboy.

Want to know more ? Here's a long list in Dutch.

Something missing in this list ? Feel free to contact me.