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ricardo vacapinta @vacapinta.mastodon.coffee.ap.brid.gy · 05/09/2026

Amazing day yesterday going out again to the windy Dutch beaches to see the Strand Beasts race across the sand. strandbeest.com

Child on a beach standing in front of a strand beast

Theo Jansen in front of one of his creations

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ricardo vacapinta @vacapinta.mastodon.coffee.ap.brid.gy · 12/08/2026

Spent this week traveling through rural Spain, guided by friends who live here and know every farm cheese shop and hidden church. And now..a total eclipse...

Spanish medieval town. Me in the foreground looking back

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ricardo vacapinta @vacapinta.mastodon.coffee.ap.brid.gy · 02/08/2026

If anyone is suddenly feeling an urge to learn Ancient Greek, I highly recommend John Taylor's 'Greek to GCSE' which will rapidly take you to reading Greek. Halfway through this slim volume, you are already reading Homer (the Cyclops episode)

Picture of a book: Greek to GCSE by John Taylor

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ricardo vacapinta @vacapinta.mastodon.coffee.ap.brid.gy · 28/06/2026

I had forgotten about this photo. How wonderful. Saw it at a Ruth Orkin photo exhibition in Bologna last week!

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ricardo vacapinta @vacapinta.mastodon.coffee.ap.brid.gy · 02/05/2026

Our little Baobab. C. insists it's named Senghor. But for me Bob the Baobab just flows off the tongue so easily.

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ricardo vacapinta @vacapinta.mastodon.coffee.ap.brid.gy · 01/05/2026

Biked out to the Rijn Kanal this evening - the canal that connects Amsterdam to the Rhine. Such pleasant biking. I cannot imagine ever leaving this country, for the bike paths alone. #Amsterdam

Shadows of two people biking taken from one of the bikes. Bike path goes into the horizon, surrounded by greenery

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ricardo vacapinta @vacapinta.mastodon.coffee.ap.brid.gy · 26/04/2026

They're here!!!! Each year I watch for the swifts returning from Africa to our neighborhood in Amsterdam. Saw a small group doing their swooping and screaming over our heads this morning. Apr 24, 2020 May 3, 2021 May 6, 2022 Apr 29, 2023 Apr 28, 2024 Apr 27 […] [Original post on mastodon.coffee]

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ricardo vacapinta @vacapinta.mastodon.coffee.ap.brid.gy · 09/04/2026

Found a fantastic bookstore in Lisbon called Gondwanaland. Books from the Southern Hemisphere. Many Argentinian writers and other Latin Americans but also African writers. Most books in their original language if possible! Picked up books by Donoso, Chejfec […] [Original post on mastodon.coffee]

Three books shown
Jose Donoso, Coronacion
Sergio Chejfec, Mondo Linterna
Cesar Aira, Actos de Presencia

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ricardo vacapinta @vacapinta.mastodon.coffee.ap.brid.gy · 20/03/2026

It's that time of year to visit the 400 Japanese cherry trees in Amsterdam given to the city by the Japanese women's club in 2000. #Amsterdam

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ricardo vacapinta @vacapinta.mastodon.coffee.ap.brid.gy · 09/03/2026

Did you know that Dutch kids in school have to take a biking theory test and also a practice test where they are judged on safety when they are about 10 years old? I'm always learning things like this thanks to knowing a Dutch family with kids!

classroom with a tv screen showing what looks like a biker approaching a street intersection with arrows and options highlighted

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ricardo vacapinta @vacapinta.mastodon.coffee.ap.brid.gy · 08/03/2026

Heron waiting outside the kitchen for food scraps. But he doesn't know it's Sunday! #Amsterdam

Zoom out. Grey Heron on the sidewalk standing by a door

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ricardo vacapinta @vacapinta.mastodon.coffee.ap.brid.gy · 21/02/2026

I didn't even know there was an Internet Archive Europe until I walked past its HQ here in Amsterdam last week! Attended a talk there yesterday by Brewster Kahle who is in Europe this month! @internetarchiveeurope

photo of an amsterdam building. A flag that says 'Internet Archive Europe' is flying out front

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ricardo vacapinta @vacapinta.mastodon.coffee.ap.brid.gy · 24/01/2026

Tulips in bloom is one of nice things about this time of year. #tulips #tulpen #amsterdam

A table with a vase with red tulips on it. Also books and pens on the table.

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ricardo vacapinta @vacapinta.mastodon.coffee.ap.brid.gy · 17/01/2026

This last week in Rome I saw one of the most beautiful statues I have ever seen: The Boxer at Rest. It is a bronze, life-size statue. Bronze statues are rare (they were melted for weaponry) and this statue was intentionally hidden away only to be rediscovered […] [Original post on mastodon.coffee]

Statue of a muscular man seated. Boxing gloves on his hands.

Black and white photo of an excavation. The statue in the other photo is seen here as found, alone, resting upon a shelf of soil.

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ricardo vacapinta @vacapinta.mastodon.coffee.ap.brid.gy · 28/11/2025

Biked all the way to Amsterdam West (8km away for me) for two special and delicious things: Baklava from Serifoglu. Perfectly balanced, made with pistachios from Gaziantep. Brought back a small box. Coffee from Fried Hats. My favorite coffee in all of […] [Original post on mastodon.coffee]

Plate with a slice of pumpkin pie. Black mug next to it which reads: Fried Hats

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ricardo vacapinta @vacapinta.mastodon.coffee.ap.brid.gy · 21/11/2025

Seeing a movie at the Tuschinski in Amsterdam is such a treat. Probably the most beautiful cinema I've ever been in. #Amsterdam #Tuschinski #ArtDeco

View of a cinema screen in what looks like an old theater with balconies

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ricardo vacapinta @vacapinta.mastodon.coffee.ap.brid.gy · 20/11/2025

Picking up my Christmas Panettone from Chiara's on VanWoustraat! Its that time of year. Might as well have an espresso and a taste of another panettone while I'm here... #Amsterdam #Panettone

tabletop with an espresso with a bit of panettone. Another bag in the background - which holds a panettone box!

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ricardo vacapinta @vacapinta.mastodon.coffee.ap.brid.gy · 16/11/2025

I went to the Minimal exhibition at the Bourse de Commerce in Paris expecting to be unmoved. For the most part this was true. But they had a Lygia Pape work which was astounding. Illuminated threads from floor to ceiling simulating shafts of sunlight […] [Original post on mastodon.coffee]

Golden threads from top to bottom at various angles in an otherwise dark room

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ricardo vacapinta @vacapinta.mastodon.coffee.ap.brid.gy · 18/10/2025

Original manuscript of Wittgensteins Philosophical Investigations at Vienna's Literature Museum. One of the highlights of my trip to Vienna. #vienna #wien #wittgenstein

A museum plaque stating in German that this is Wittgenstein Philosophical Investigations manuscript. A corner of the manuscript can be seen.

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ricardo vacapinta @vacapinta.mastodon.coffee.ap.brid.gy · 14/10/2025

In all the discussions about migrants here in Amsterdam, one key statistic is I think overlooked. If we look at the percentage of Amsterdammers that were foreign-born throughout recent history, it has only been higher than it is now at one point in time: We […] [Original post on mastodon.coffee]

Graph from the 1300's to today showing the percent of Amsterdam residents born abroad. The peak (40%) occurs in the early 1600s, compared to today (35%)

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ricardo vacapinta @vacapinta.mastodon.coffee.ap.brid.gy · 13/10/2025

It only recently occurred to me to walk by the Hilton here in Amsterdam and look up at the corner suite where Yoko and John had their bed-in. Look closely. The phrases 'bed peace' and 'hair peace' are there on the windows. #amsterdam #peace

Zoomed in to see the phrases bed peace and hair peace written inside the glass

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ricardo vacapinta @vacapinta.mastodon.coffee.ap.brid.gy · 20/09/2025

My current active/about-to-read list: Thomas Bernhard - Woodcutters Ingeborg Bachmann - Malina Dino Buzzati - The Stronghold Carlo Ginzburg - Threads and Traces Cristina Rivera Garza - Habia Mucho Neblina o humo no se que Philipp Blom - Fracture Macedonio […] [Original post on mastodon.coffee]

A photo containing four books:
Carlo Ginzburg - Threads and Traces
Cristina Rivera Garza - Habia Mucho Neblina o humo no se que
Philipp Blom - Fracture
Macedonio Fernandez - Museo de la Novela Eterna

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ricardo vacapinta @vacapinta.mastodon.coffee.ap.brid.gy · 30/07/2025

The Linear B class I'm taking at the Leiden U. Linguistics summer school is breaking my brain. But we're getting to the good stuff now which is the relationships between the Homeric epics and Mycenean.

1. A. Description of an ivory cheekpiece painted in red:

--Greek passage-

2 Questions: a. Translate the Homeric passage and/or consult an existing translation (online; see Perseus or the TLG).

The word nopriov in the Homeric passage can be compared to pa-ra-wa-jo as found in the Mycenaean tablet PY Sh 737.

It is assumed that these words both refer to a cheekpiece (part of a horse’s bridle). The Homeric word is a compound containing the preposition map- and the word for ‘ear’. b. What is the word for ‘ear’ in alphabetic Greek? And in Latin? To which of these forms are the Mycenaean and Homeric words closer?

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ricardo vacapinta @vacapinta.mastodon.coffee.ap.brid.gy · 27/07/2025

One of those great Netherlands weekends where we took the train to wander around the labyrinthine Drents museum, grabbed rental bikes and went biking all over the Drenthe countryside, stopping to see prehistoric monuments (pictured here as well as our bikes […] [Original post on mastodon.coffee]

megalithic stone monument in the foreground with large rocks perched on each other. Behind it two bikes and in the background fields.

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ricardo vacapinta @vacapinta.mastodon.coffee.ap.brid.gy · 04/07/2025

I've been listening to Mexican Cumbia lately. Sharing two songs. One is by the band 'Dulce Rosario y Los Sepulteros' or 'Dulce Rosario and the Undertakers' They perfomed in black undertaker dress except for Dulce who wore colorful baby doll outfits! I've […] [Original post on mastodon.coffee]

Album cover which says 'Los Sepulteros y Dulce Rosario. Five men dressed in black undertaker outfits posing around a grave. Sitting with them is a red-haired woman in a baby doll dress.

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ricardo vacapinta @vacapinta.mastodon.coffee.ap.brid.gy · 28/06/2025

Preserved hammerhead shark head in the Palazzo Poggi, Bologna.

Hammerhead shark head mounted in a display cabinet

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ricardo vacapinta @vacapinta.mastodon.coffee.ap.brid.gy · 28/06/2025

Have spent the week in Bologna at the incredible film festival Cinema Ritrovato which shows hundreds of movies, newly restored or rediscovered after having been lost. The purest celebration of Cinema. Saw a restored Chaplin Gold Rush in the Piazza Maggiore […] [Original post on mastodon.coffee]

View of a large open air screen with I'll Cinema Ritrovato on it. Orchestra seen at the base.

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ricardo vacapinta @vacapinta.mastodon.coffee.ap.brid.gy · 25/06/2025

In Ravenna Italy where the mosaic theme is so dominant even kebab shops have their own mosaics.

Bright red yellow and blue mosaic of a kebab

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ricardo vacapinta @vacapinta.mastodon.coffee.ap.brid.gy · 17/06/2025

Every June 16th, we eat Gorgonzola cheese sandwiches with a glass of Burgundy and wish we were in Dublin! #bloomsday2025

A plate with a gorgonzola cheese sandwich with mustard and cucumber and a glass of red wine

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ricardo vacapinta @vacapinta.mastodon.coffee.ap.brid.gy · 15/06/2025

This is the second time we've seen Isabelle Huppert live in Amsterdam. But this time the director was the avant-garde opera/theater director Romeo Castellucci. We have traveled to Paris and Brussels just to see a Castellucci production. The premise was […] [Original post on mastodon.coffee]

The actress Isabelle Huppert holding the hands of two other cast members - young male dancers who performed figurative interpretations of some parts of the play.

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ricardo vacapinta @vacapinta.mastodon.coffee.ap.brid.gy · 05/06/2025

At the Nederlandsche bank coffee bar you order using sign language. Don't know sign language? That's ok a little video screen will teach you. All the regulars are experts now. Good value coffee and lots of free laptop workspaces for the public too. The money museum is also fascinating. #Amsterdam

Video screen on a counter. You can select words such as cappuccino and a short video will play of someone showing you the sign language

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ricardo vacapinta @vacapinta.mastodon.coffee.ap.brid.gy · 31/05/2025

Saw a group of older people today blocking streets and waving banners that said 'Grandparents for Climate' This was heartening to see. Was in Den Bosch to see an exhibition on Time and Clocks. And to eat a Bossche Bol of course.

A group of people waving banners that say Grootouders voor het Klimaat

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ricardo vacapinta @vacapinta.mastodon.coffee.ap.brid.gy · 27/05/2025

Got some great books at an Art book sale on Saturday. This book has a small scuff and so cost me only 5 euros. It is a beautiful book. The prints are of great actors performing specific roles with a short history and some context. So beautiful that a woman at […] [Original post on mastodon.coffee]

A book of Japanese prints
Hokuei
Master of Osaka
Kabuki prints

Print of a Japanese actor holding an umbrella

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ricardo vacapinta @vacapinta.mastodon.coffee.ap.brid.gy · 26/05/2025

I am at this moment reading 11 books and its gotten to be too much! Lio Mangubat - Silk, Silver, Spices, Slaves Luis F. Galiano - Los Maestros del Mundo Daniel Kehlmann - The Director Hannah Arendt - The Life of the Mind Theodor Pietsch - The Curious Death of […] [Original post on mastodon.coffee]

A stack of books mentioned by title and author in the post

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ricardo vacapinta @vacapinta.mastodon.coffee.ap.brid.gy · 15/05/2025

Jan Mankes was a great and underappreciated Dutch painter. He was a pacifist working in the early 20th century and his paintings have a warm serenity to them. Masterful but also quick, they radiate light and a soft beauty. Combined show right now at the […] [Original post on mastodon.coffee]

Painting of owl perched at the edge of a white cup.

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ricardo vacapinta @vacapinta.mastodon.coffee.ap.brid.gy · 08/05/2025

Picked up this book randomly: Stockhausen serves Imperialism by Cornelius Cardew. He was Stockhausen's assistant it seems but was also a major figure in avant garde music. Really interesting collection of essays. His music score 'Treatise' looks to be a […] [Original post on mastodon.coffee]

Cover of a book called Stockhausen serves Imperialism by Cornelius Cardew

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ricardo vacapinta @vacapinta.mastodon.coffee.ap.brid.gy · 05/05/2025

Every May 5th, the Netherlands celebrates Freedom Day. Freedom from the Nazis is how it started but much more general now. As part of the celebration you will see Freedom meals sometimes given at tables seating hundreds of people. Or sometimes like below it's […] [Original post on mastodon.coffee]

Signboard on the street which says Soup and Jazz (free)

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ricardo vacapinta @vacapinta.mastodon.coffee.ap.brid.gy · 02/05/2025

My grandfather is in the center of this photo with his hands on the railings. The photo was taken May 1, 1937 in the state of Michoacan, Mexico and the rally was by Syndicalists, who advocated direct overthrow by the Workers. This was aligned with Gildardo […] [Original post on mastodon.coffee]

Some men in a an elevated kiosk addressing other men in Mexican workers outifts (white clothing and sombreros). Flags can be seen including one with the figure of Zapata. One man in the center has his hands on the railings and appears to be addressing the crowd.

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ricardo vacapinta @vacapinta.mastodon.coffee.ap.brid.gy · 26/04/2025

Kings day sales or as I call it Young Capitalists Day. Kids sell their stuff and set up games booths like this throw whipped cream at Trump game. Some kids take only cash, others insist you pay them via Tikkie - a QR code direct bank payment app.

Foreground with a kid selling toys and games. Background is a park with lots if other kids doing the same.

Large board with holes where people put their heads in with one pre filled with Trump

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ricardo vacapinta @vacapinta.mastodon.coffee.ap.brid.gy · 18/04/2025

if anyone says they have been on Gmail too long to switch now, I offer them this which is my welcome message from gmail .. from April 2004! My process has been: 1) set up new email (Proton in my case) 2) Change important accounts right away. Should be a […] [Original post on mastodon.coffee]

Email dated April 21, 2004. Text reads:

Gmail is different. Here's what you need to know. First off, welcome. And thanks for agreeing to help us test Gmail. By now you probably know the key ways in which Gmail differs from traditional webmail services. Searching instead of filing. A free gigabyte of storage. Messages displayed in context as conversations. So what else is new? Gmail has many other special features that will become apparent as you use your account. You'll find answers to most of your questions in our searchable help section, which includes a Getting Started quide. You'l find information there on such topics as:

« How to use address auto-complete

« Setting up filters for incoming mail
--etc etc---
mostly, we hope you'll enjoy experimenting. with Google's approach to email. Speedy Delivery, The Gmail Team

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ricardo vacapinta @vacapinta.mastodon.coffee.ap.brid.gy · 08/04/2025

I love seeing this city improve. This was a car parking lot only a few months ago. Now it's a walking path by the canal with trees and flower beds and benches. For Amsterdammers: this is Stadhouderskade between Bolstraat and the Rijksmuseum! #Amsterdam

Walking path by a canal. Trees and flower beds on the left. A few people sitting on benches

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ricardo vacapinta @vacapinta.mastodon.coffee.ap.brid.gy · 05/04/2025

A few years ago I was in a model train store in Germany and bought this. It's policemen in helmets forcibly carrying away a protester. I wish this could become less relevant to our lives but unfortunately the opposite is true.

A tiny model of three policemen in helmets carrying a protester. I think it's meant to represent Greta.

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ricardo vacapinta @vacapinta.mastodon.coffee.ap.brid.gy · 03/04/2025

The weather today in Amsterdam meant everyone was out biking somewhere. This is the wide Sarphatistraat crammed with bikers. #Amsterdam

Street corner in Amsterdam with lots of bikers in the foreground

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ricardo vacapinta @vacapinta.mastodon.coffee.ap.brid.gy · 03/04/2025

Out on an evening walk last night and heard cool sounds coming from inside the Serra sculpture in Museumplein. Electronic musicians inside performing! So we stood nearby and enjoyed it. Part of an underground music festival: sotufestival.com/2025/home

A Richard Serra conical sculpture. Electronics can be seen peeking out.

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