present

Arnon,

It was a very nice and interesting evening last night. Thank you for signing the book. Amita wanted to give you a small present, but we didn't know that you were going to sign books.

Hope

I hope that tomorrow we will see a picture of the Mud Wrestling for Peace. Yes, this is a request.

@Ilanit

It was unfortunate that you couldn't be present last night. You had to leave for New York didn't you ?.

Mark Schaevers read some excerpts from your conversations with Arnon. It was about food and writing letters. Very nice.

So it'll probably be podcasted later on?

About mr. Brouwers and not wanting to meet you

I recently read exerpts from your letters to mr. A.F.Th.v.d.H. The last one was pretty childish, I think.

Mark S./Ilanet

Herman,
You forget the STD.

Dens

Is there any correlation between the title and the content of your message?

While you're at it: how would you define 'childish'?

I thank you for your kindness.

I never intended to comment on the frictions between Arnon Grunberg and his colleague Van Der Heijden, but what struck was the latter saying:

"Omdat noch Humo noch Het Parool mij ruimte had geboden op de open brief te reageren, [...]"

I have no intention of criticizing Het Parool's coutsey rules, but the Belgian law obliges the media of publishing any (!) reaction of the person who's name is mentioned. In Dutch this is called 'Recht van Antwoord'.

Van Der Heijden states (unintentionally?) that the magazine Humo surpassed the Belgian law.
Although it is very much so that a certain amateurism is part of the magazine, I would argue that losing any notion of proportion should be out of the question.

I had a very pleasant evening. I thought about saying 'hello' and getting a signed copy to the infamous 'Pablo del Pueblo', but then desided to be a coward instead. As always :o)
(The actvities at Petrol afterwards were very disappointingly boring. It was announced that writer JMH Berckmans is currently on intensive care. My thoughts are with him.)

Arnon, next time try not to laugh when reading a letter you wrote to someone who is present in the backstage.

On the picture, your friend Mark?

Rules of Desire

Please be advised of the following considerations on the controversy between Mr. VdH. and Mr. Grunberg:

p://blogger.xs4all.nl/cornets5/archive/2007/11/02/312805.aspx

I wouldn't know if there is a correlation betwee subjectitle and my posting. Let's hope there isn't, do we not?

Childish is picking an argument, and losing the arguments sake, but focussing on a thing that has nothing to do with the whole thing.

Interesting blogentry on the whole situation.

correction

I should have written 'courtsey'
and
'what struck was ' - that should have been: 'what struck me was'

Here is another try for the correct URL; otherwise add http:
http://blogger.xs4all.nl/cornets5/archive/2007/11/02/312805.aspx

Available to love

Mr. Arnon, can I love you?

I was already collecting the columns in Humo…

@ Rutger
Thank you, your considerations are mine too.

Despite the fact that it took too long before Mr. Grunberg got on stage and despite the dressing gown of the storytelling lady and despite the fact that I doze off during the act of Admiral Freebie and despite the fact that I almost choked during the interview with Mr. Brouwers, I really had a wonderful evening.
The laughter of Mr. Grunberg while reading his new mailbox column was infectious and I couldn't stop giggling for the rest of the night. Thanks Mr. Grunberg for making me laugh. Thanks also for signing Tirza and the 3 Sgt. Kosher's Jewish Hearts Club postcards, this was very generous of you.

Vera

Are you kidding me? Did the STD come up again?
this is sooooooooooo TMI

Pjotr Humo

What did Humo do to you that you should call them -apparently a little pissed off- amateurs? (and what's wrong with being an amateur?)

@ Ilanit

What is TMI, Sorry but I can't place that abbreviation. But I must say that I thought this anecdote to be a little over the top.

Mieke

TMI= Too Much Information.
Did you wrestle?

Wulfy

To answer your question: Humo has never done me any harm. On the contrary I would say.

Now more on the cotent of your reaction: What made you think I was aggitated?
I never wrote that Humo is run by amateurs, nor that the magazine is amateuristic itself. I reccomond a second reading

Do you think you're capable of doing the rereading, the understanding etc.? If not I'll be kind enough to assist you.

Mieke

Could you tell us more about the anecdote?

@ Ilanit

Yes I did wrestle. I had the honour of facing Arnon himself. I lost but I managed to throw some mud in his face, with your compliments.

@ Oscar

Marc just talked about the discussion between Ilanit and Arnon on this blog and how it was connected to some of the letters in his last book.

Pjotr

I'm a little stupid so I have missed the point, fortunately there are everywhere people out there who are offering help, so...

I suggest that Pjotr does the rewriting before we do any form of rereading.
If he is up to it of course.

Zo'n compilatie van die humo-brieven, daar zat ik echt op te wachten. En zoals zo vaak bleek dat omstreeks hetzelfde moment dat ik op iets zat te wachten er iemand bezig was datgene waar ik op zat te wachten te realiseren.
Ik heb het in één keer uitgelezen, tijdens een treinreis met veel overstappen.

Mieke

You're my girl!!!

Dens

First you read only excerpts of my letter; then you jump to the conclusion that this letter was childish, and then you ask me if I’m available for love. In my handbook for seduction I read that this is not the right sequence.

Pablo

I believe it was in my first post that I stated English isn't my mothertongue and that I welcome any helping hands.

I suggest you read my handbook one time as well. I'm sorry if my mating ritual offended you.

Wulfy

Saying you're stupid isn't helping anyone.

I said that that the magazine is characterized by a certain amount of amteurism. e.g. when someone wrote a a column under Arnon's name publication wasn't much of a problem.

Earlier I miswrote 'agitated'. I sincerely apologize for it.

ELSEVIER

Anyone read the review of Because I Desire You (Omdat ik u begeer) in Elsevier magazine?
The header of the review is "Giftige epistels" - Venomous epistles and the content isn't much better.

I'm reading 'because I desire you' now and I quite like it. In combination with Grunberg around the world it's fulfilling. Sometimes it reminds me of Goethe, who's life was too documented. I do like a good footnote.

Because I desire You, Omdat ik u begeer

I finished the book today..
I have written a letter to you , Arnon, With a request. Would you like to read it?