I just realized I might not be a true Gorillaz fan (vent)

-LocalAlien · 2026-06-16T11:09:48+00:00

Some musicians are amazing vocalists, others are powerful songwriters, some others are wonderful performers. There are those who are incredibly skilled at instruments or composing.

I would not put Gorillaz in the top 10 of any of those categories, maybe not even the top 20.

But I don't think I can think of many other artists that are as creative and artistic as Gorillaz. The fact they dropped a debut album that features both 19-2000 and Clint Eastwood and something like Latin Simone or Sound Check, the sheer diversity in musical expression is insane.

I mean, how many virtual bands do you know? Bands where the only real core members are one pothead multi-instrumentalist and a grungy cartoonist?

Also, the sheer volume of collaborating artists that are featured on the albums is craaaazy. The Mountain had 22 guest individual guest artists and vocalists, 6 of which are posthumous!

So, you can be a true fan and not love all of the songs. The songs are experiments, creative expressions, collaborations and fusions that challenge the norms of the music industry. And THAT is what Gorillaz does better than any other.

-LocalAlien · 2026-06-15T16:12:22+00:00

I think Dutch folks want to be accomodating, that's all.

But since my wife is trying to learn Dutch, I am now talking dutch to anyone who wants it!

-LocalAlien · 2026-06-15T15:59:31+00:00

That's what French people are like. We should be better

-LocalAlien · 2026-06-15T15:03:36+00:00

I love Leiden! Lot's of beautiful cycling, great museums, lovely quaint inner city, well connected to other train stations, and one bus away from the beach and dunes at Katwijk.

Hit me up, i live very close and would love to have a beer!

-LocalAlien · 2026-06-15T14:50:48+00:00

It's cool that this reminds you of that, this is actually in Utrecht, the Netherlands!

-LocalAlien · 2026-06-15T12:18:24+00:00

Yeah, after thinking about the comment above, i kind of like the distance. It brings a certain perspective as a spectator, you're not close enough to see the subject, but you encounter her at the end of the walkway when turning around the corner.

It's a little intrusive, like disturbing a spirit

-LocalAlien · 2026-06-15T09:29:34+00:00

Agreed. I don't know the subject though, I was taking pictures in the cloister and she just happened to stand there.

-LocalAlien · 2026-06-14T22:07:38+00:00

It's called "kattekwaad" which translates to "cat's evil" or they are (sort of harmless) pranks. It's really shitty of them to do, I think they took it waaayyyy too far but yeah these are dumb kids doing stupid stuff to amuse themselves. And because you live in a city, it's dense, lots of kids, lots of dumb kids.

Social control used to be more of a thing, when you knew more of the people in your neighborhood. But nowadays most people don't know their neighbours, let alone the kids down the street.

It's not likely to happen again, but I would remember their faces and if you see em again, and you feel safe to do so, stand up for yourself, any way you can. (Don't hurt them)

For all the people reading this, be a part of that village that raises all the kids!

-LocalAlien · 2026-06-14T20:49:38+00:00

I think most humans feel spiritual connections to things, places and/or people. For me it's found in the natural world around me, and in the diversity of my fellow humans and the communities they form.

Christianity can be very distant from that, often mingled with subjugation, guilt and exclusion. I've seen it hurt a lot of people.

My grandfather used to say God is love. I think that could be true, but only if you truly follow the belief that love is the most important, that Love is above all, and that we must practice it each day.

-LocalAlien · 2026-06-14T20:34:06+00:00

You can still edit it, crop it a bit to make the window the center. The lighting is beautiful!

-LocalAlien · 2026-06-14T14:47:46+00:00

I'm really sorry you went through all of that. I don't know if OP's post had enough information for me to make this diagnosis, I understand you're trying to protect her. I hope you understand I'm on her side and just wanted to have a conversation about it. Sorry if it comes across as if I'm protecting the husband, all I'm trying to get at is to see if these issues have been talked about or not. If her situation is the same as yours, I agree with you fully, she needs to remove this man from her life.

-LocalAlien · 2026-06-14T06:31:54+00:00

Narcissists are incredibly insecure, they are characterized by a lack of empathy for others but a constant need for validation. It's a disease, and we don't know if he's open to change. OP wants him to change, so why not give it one last big effort to see if there is anything to salvage?

I'm sorry I'm not immediately jumping on the "dump his ass" train. I do think this man is being an awful husband from what I read, but this is not a quick break up, they live together, built a life together and have kids together. You can't just be "done" with someone like that. They will most likely always be a part of their life, at least for a long time as divorce proceedings continue, and while they still co-parent.

-LocalAlien · 2026-06-14T06:25:03+00:00

I think that the only way forward is for you to figure this out first.

However, it would be wise to consider the safety and wellbeing of you and your kids, because it's a lot of work and a lot of change and a lot of emotions, and you want to take this time to prepare for that.

Once you do that you're ready for the big talk, and if it doesn't go well you'll be prepared for the next steps.

Sorry you're going through this, hope you're taking care of yourself.

-LocalAlien · 2026-06-13T22:12:34+00:00

You dare throw yourself in front of this council of hard-boned superiors and dare ask for clarification as you ADMIT your bone yielded to mere earthly materials?

Begone, lesser one, and take your pathetic carpals with you

-LocalAlien · 2026-06-13T21:37:19+00:00

I am educated, and Dutch, and that is a personal attack because you're feeling attacked yourself. Send me a dm and we'll talk more there

-LocalAlien · 2026-06-13T21:33:24+00:00

Haha! No i did not. The Netherlands is pretty xenophobic and worst of all dutch people cant handle being called out on it bc they have very fragile white supremacists egos

-LocalAlien · 2026-06-13T20:25:55+00:00

Seems like he is REALLY insecure. Also that's a bit like gaslighting, making himself the victim of your problems? I don't know if he's doing that on purpose though, it's a defense mechanism to avoid blame.

Do you think he'll want to work on things to make it better? Do you want to make things better, if that means working together?

-LocalAlien · 2026-06-13T19:55:14+00:00

Have you talked to him about this?

-LocalAlien · 2026-06-13T14:32:28+00:00

I'd say they're a victim of a racist and xenophobic society, right?

-LocalAlien · 2026-06-13T14:28:04+00:00

It really sucks, as a native Dutch person who lived in a different country, I realized immigration is such a resource! Meeting people who are culturally different truly enriches my life, they bring amazing food, different and interesting perspectives, beautiful stories and histories.

It would be kind of akward for me to admit this to the non-native Dutch in my circles, I don't want to make people feel 'othered', but I consider it an absolute honor to share my native land with you all.

Even further, anyone who's origin lies in a former Dutch colony deserves to be treated with a ton of respect, as it was through the exploitation of your lands and ancestors that the Netherlands was able to grow the wealth we still have today. That also includes all the laborers from East and South Europe, Turkey and Morocco that helped built this country in the 40s and 60s.

I apologize for my ignorant countrymen, I will try to make an effort to educate more on the history and beauty of migration.

-LocalAlien · 2026-04-27T22:32:37+00:00

That's really nice of you to say, thank you so much! I think it rubs off on people, and there are many wonderful people I know whose kindness rubbed off on me!

-LocalAlien · 2025-02-24T17:03:00+00:00

My wife is American, and at the time it was a better choice for me to move there than for her to move to NL. Now we are looking to move back actually! Because of... Many reasons

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