@Arnon, a simple 'no' would have done the trick too. To be ignored is worse than to be critiqued - but I'm sure you're very much aware of this and so that was probably your point. Anyway, it's probably just as well: I suffer from mean hypo's and chances are that before the main course even arrives, I'll have started a fight.

I stand corrected

My apologies, I just noticed your entry saying Le Hollandais is closed this week. As you haven't suggested an alternate location, I won't put you in the embarassing position of having to blatantly say 'no' by suggesting another one myself.
Feel free to call me, however, if you feel like eating curry: 06 25020144.

Drinking too much can be a burden in social contacts. I have lost a lot of ‘friends’ since I stopped drinking alcohol – I did not liked it any more. Some say it is proof of character, one can also state that it is lack of persistence.
Anyway I will start buying NRC Handelsblad on Fridays now (difficult to find where I live).

Is there going to be an article from Arnon in NRC every friday?

I don't drink alcohol and I've also lost a few friends, but that was my own choice. I left them.
But I don't blame alcohol, nor my old friends. If there is any one to blame, then it should be me. As always.

Arnon

Your love letter should be directed to Laura.

Soufles

I ordered a spoon for dessert at Capsouto Freres yesterday. I highly recommend their souffles.

oscar w

Laura, consider it done. (Is Laura a US citizen?)
And where is Capsouto Freres?

Noa

This week is impossible, I'm leaving tomorrow, another time, okay?

Coen

The last twelve years almost every Friday NRC Handelsblad published an article written by me.

Arnon, thanks for your note. Okay, of course. I went to the 'Figurantenbar' in my neighbourhood. After a few drinks everyone started talking like you. I tell you, you have some fanatic fans in Amsterdam. Don't worry, I'm not like them at all ;)

Arnon

Mmm, that's a bit embarrassing (for me). I read NRC Next. I think I'm gonna buy the friday edition from now on. That means, when I got money.

Coen

Life is filled with embarrassments. I started writing in ’94 for NRC Handelsblad, from January 95 to June 96 I wrote a series called “Letter from America” -- published in the book section of the newspaper. After that I wrote a year long a story in installments for the same section called “Everyday Swordfish.”
From 1998 till 2006 I wrote a biweekly column/story for the section of the newspaper called Cultureel Supplement, the column was clled “Grunberg around the world.”
As of last summer I started the series called “Grunberg among the people”; these were weekly installments of stories about Dutch troops in Afghanistan, Lori Berenson in Peru, the political party for pedophiles in the Netherlands, Kosovo, Guantánamo Bay, the Mennonites in Paraguay, Lebanon and recently my life as a chambermaid in Bavaria. The last series of articles was published daily.
Johannes can provide you with more info but he is on a short holiday.
(I cannot stand employees going on a holiday but for Johannes I make an exception.)

Noa

How do I talk exactly?

Arnon

You are right. Thanks for the info. Reading it I realised that I knew a few things already. I have your book 'Grunberg around the world' (well, the Dutch version) for example. Maybe I should pay more attention. But then again, who knows exactly all the things he knows?
For as far I know Johannes, I can understand why you make an exception.

By the way, have you read the reaction of Hanneke Groenteman on your letter in het Parool? She published it on her website www.hannekegroenteman.nl

Carefully.

Jan Thys

Keep in mind - as you are Belgian - that you can only buy the friday edition on Saturday.

Coen

I haven't read Mrs. Groenteman's reaction. But in general I would say a reaction is better than no reaction. Would you recommend reading her reaction?
Or do you think it's better for alle people involved to leave Mrs. Groenteman alone?

Arnon

I can't visit her site at the moment - think her server is down or something - but what I can remember is not that important.
However, personally I think everything what's addressed to a person, is in some way worth reading and should be read by that person. Sometimes just to say it was worth reading or not. In that way I think you should read it.
She also posted a photo for you with it, if i'm not mistaken.

To make a long story short: maybe you should just take a look at yourself. It's a short reaction.

Let's not leave Mrs. Groenteman alone.

Coen/Drindl

Thanks for the tip! Very nice to see the grunberg-effect on Groenteman. She lost some weight! And aren' t her shoes on the picture sexy Victoria Secrets or is this my Freudian interpretation?

Coen

I did see Hanneke Groenteman's response to my letter.
I would say it’s a rather meager response. But the picture was charming – and it was telling that Mrs. Groenteman doesn’t know to make a distinction between Austria and Bavaria.

Arnon

Meager, indeed, but a reaction. Maybe that's because she lost a few pounds.
Google learned me the difference between Austria and Bavaria costumes - I've been to Austria myself two weeks ago, but I didn't see any one like that, unfortunately - but I think that 'Sweet friend R.V.' is to blame.

I hope she will fulfil your wish. Please let me know.

@ Pjötr Nembkow
Thank you for the information