[Marco82]

I was in Amsterdam once when they were having these celebrations - they had loads of little guys 'blacked up' throwing sweets to all the kids. I didnt have a clue what was going on - it seemed well fucked up!

Some explanation about the "black slaves" as Robert called them. The story goes that Sinterklaas (Saint Nicholas) helpers (zwarte Pieten/ black Petes) are black because they represent the Moors that lived in Spain and Portugal a couple of hundred years ago. Apart from the three weeks a year that he is in the Netherlands, Sinterklaas lives in Spain, so that's the link between the two. Why he lives in Spain is something that nobody really knows, because Saint Nicholas was the bishop of Myra (part of modern day Turkey) and his relics are in Bari (Italy).

Another story that goes around is that the zwarte Pieten are black because they have to go through the chimneys to put presents in childrens shoes.

Here some explanation about the whole Sinterklaas/ Saint Nicholas thing for those who are interested but can't be arsed to google it up

[Squeaky]

You sure did your homework Marco.

One of my neighbours is from Australia and she bought dolls of the black petes for her family. Apparently it's impossible to get black dolls there. I called them black slaves but you have to admit, how strange must this look for outstanders

[reid]

Black slaves did sound a bit funny - especially with the colonial past and everything

[Marco82]

You sure did your homework Marco.

One of my neighbours is from Australia and she bought dolls of the black petes for her family. Apparently it's impossible to get black dolls there. I called them black slaves but you have to admit, how strange must this look for outstanders

That's the beauty of local or national traditions, that nobody else understands it.

[mr.pure]

But then again, Spain and Portugal are very close to Africa over the straits so it's more than likely that the "helpers" were in fact slaves.

[Lorrie]

Spent the day in the hospital, waiting for mom to come out of surgery. Successful, thank goodness!

[cracky]

^ Hope she makes a full recovery Lorrie, my mum goes into hospital sometime this week for a long stay.

[dregz]

Hope the SSDB mums recover quick time.

Pure you got a good point there mate.
Apparently the 'Zwarte Piet' surfaced in the Netherlands early 19th century, alot of countries were still practicing slavery back then so it's unlikey that any black figures at that time would be considered as anything but slaves. Even those belonging to Santa.

[Superstarr]

Hope she makes a full recovery and gets well soon Lorrie. I also hope you're mum comes out of hospital as quick as possible cracky.

[sab]

OOoooooh poorly Mammas. Get well soon. Hope its not to serious for them both.

Spend the day reading a job advert several million times. The old dilema "do i, dont i apply" Less money but my dream job. Decision made = going to apply will get more satisfaction from the post if i get it. Also it means entering into that sordid world known as erghhhhhhhhhh 9 -5.

[Funke]

been cleaning the house for the past week or so for my upcoming party =]

anyways, i've encountered a slight problem...
the gas bbq's grill and hot plate seem to have rusted and with the methods i'm using at the moment it'll probably take me at least another 5 goes at cleaning it to get it rust free.
Well, the method at the moment involves "easy off bam"/"calcium, lime, rust" cleaners and a metal bristled brush. tough work as well =[

anyone have any tips on an easier way to get it cleaned?

btw sab, what's that dream job of yours? as long as it makes you happy then it's all good.
you can sacrifice other things for superstars (ehehe) but definitely not satisfaction and happiness

Lorrie, i hope your mum makes a speedy recovery and is feeling better than ever

[steve-o]

hope the mums make speedy recoveries in time for xmas guys

FP you're prob stuck doing what you're doing mate

I just got back from the o store down here, had that 40% off voucher... was pretty average, everything heavily overpriced like usual, I ended up getting a Tical tee to match my meths, an I trefoil Adelaide tee and a clasp belt, all were way overpriced and the discount brought them back to reality lol

and I just noticed they didnt remove the tamperproof ink tag from the belt ffs now I gotta go back in and get them to remove it... idiots!!!

[cracky]

Thanks guys, its not a quick fix at all for my mum, infact not alot can be done for her, they can look after her better in the place she is going, hopefully all will be well.

[mr.pure]

Yeah, sorry to hear about the Mums.
My old man's being going through it for a couple of years now.
Tough times ahead.

[nikosg]

hope all the mums get better soon guys!!!


well today my little one caught up with his bro who by some freaky chance lives two suburbs away even though they were bought from over an hours drive away! such a cute catchup! so funny!

my boy Gardener is on the left, bailey on right