Back from Ibiza after all the partying, it’s time to get some routine back into my life. I start off by going for a long 16KM run. Running is an active way for me to relax and burn off some energy. Being outdoors feels great and helps clear my mind, giving me a sense of freedom. Other than that, I don’t have much planned for Monday. Although the weather is a little less warm, it’s still lovely outside.
On Tuesday, I meet up with Isabeau in Amsterdam for a walk through Amsterdamse Bos. While I was in Ibiza, I went for a run and unexpectedly bumped into her. Being the spiritual people we both are, we felt there must have been a reason for that encounter. So we decided to meet up in Amsterdam and catch up. I think it’s been at least five or six years since we last saw each other, yet it doesn’t feel that way at all. I tell her about the past few years and my travels, and she shares what she’s been through recently. We enjoy a lovely walk outdoors through Amsterdamse Bos. We both enjoy going into depth when talking about life, and there’s a sense of familiarity that makes it easy to discuss things with each other. That’s special. We also have a few things in common, one of which is that neither of us currently has a job, yet we both trust that everything will work out. In that sense, our paths cross.
Speaking of work, I do actually have a job lined up for that week. Temporary work, namely tearing down a beach shack. I’m doing it together with my friend Billy, who has been working there all summer. I had already helped out with the beach beds a few times during the summer, and now it’s time to do some heavy lifting and take everything apart. Every day we make great progress, and the weather is good. Early starts, plenty of physical work and occasionally I run a few K’s. My body needs a little time to adjust to this level of activity, so I sleep well and end each day with a satisfying feeling.
Over the weekend, I read a book and watch The Matrix for the first time. It’s a film that really grabs me because of its philosophical storyline, in which the main character questions his own perception of the world and reality as he searches for his true character and identity. It feels very relatable to the phase of life I’m currently going through myself. It’s also striking that a film from 1999 already includes a reference to AI. Definitely worth spending a Saturday evening watching a movie like that.
On Sunday, I head to Amsterdam to support my friend Donny in his marathon. It remains an incredible achievement for anyone, especially when you realise how many hours of training each individual has put in to make it happen. Hats off to Donny for a fantastic time just shy of 4 hours!
On Monday, I’m back at the beach shack for another day of work, and it’s Billy’s birthday. We have cake during lunch and spend the day carrying roof panels in the sunshine. Things are really starting to speed up, especially when you spend a full day working and can see just how much you’ve accomplished. I squeeze in a 10KM run as well, so the week gets off to an active start.
Tuesday is pretty much the same in terms of work. On Wednesday, I only work in the morning before heading out for a round of golf with my parents and younger brother, whose birthday is the following day. A nice family moment, simply enjoying some time together and hitting a few golf balls.
Bad weather is forecasted for Friday, so we plan the work around it and decide to work on Saturday instead. I make good use of Friday by going for a long 18KM run. Lovely! I enjoy a nice meal at home and take it easy.
Saturday’s weather isn’t exactly much better, making it a challenging day to remove some roofing panels in winds of force 7. That requires quite a bit of concentration, but everything goes well with my limited construction experience from Australia. Digging holes and moving sand has also become much easier now that I’m working alongside people I know and enjoy spending time with, rather than some random bloke constantly telling me to hurry up.
Billy joins me and my parents for dinner that Saturday evening, bringing another wonderful working week to a close.
That weekend is ADE, but after all the partying in Ibiza, I’m not particularly eager to go out again. Especially with work going on, I feel a certain responsibility to make sure the tearing down of the beach shack goes smoothly. Still, a few weeks earlier I had added some ADE parties to my calendar just to keep an eye on them. One of them was Detroit House at the A’DAM Tower.
The party takes place on Sunday morning from 6:00 to 11:00 AM, making it a proper afterparty for all the ADE partygoers. I had saved this one because Kevin Saunderson was playing. He’s an older-generation DJ whom I once saw perform at a festival about seven years ago. In fact, that was one of my first encounters with house music. I still remember how amazing I thought it was, which is why I had looked up where he would be playing.
Get ready for another unique Stan The Man experience…
I had pencilled this event into my calendar because I also had a birthday lunch in Amsterdam that Sunday afternoon, making it easy to combine the two. Since I wasn’t entirely sure whether I would go, I hadn’t bought a ticket yet. In the week leading up to the event, I had seen plenty of tickets still available, so I didn’t feel any urgency to buy one. I figured I could just pick one up on Ticketswap on Sunday morning while on the train, from someone cancelling at the last minute. Often you can even get a better deal that way, that’s what I thought.
So, that Sunday I already had the birthday lunch planned. I put my bike on the train, planned to spend a few hours at the party and then head to lunch. Perfect planning!
I’m sitting on the train shortly after 7:00 AM and open my phone to buy a ticket on Ticketswap… Oops… sold out! Fuck… And I’m already on the train… Well, there goes my plan, I think.
I decide to stay on the train anyway and head there. From Amsterdam Central Station, I take the ferry across the IJ and arrive at the venue. There’s a huge queue for another party taking place at the same location. I ask a few rather spaced-out partygoers whether they happen to have a spare ticket, but all I get in return is a confused look from behind a pair of sunglasses.
I keep a close eye on my phone, hoping a ticket might pop up on Ticketswap through its lottery system. Unfortunately, nothing. The people around me can’t help either. I walk around the building and eventually sit down near another entrance on the side. I check Ticketswap again and try my luck on another app, but neither works out.
And there I am, at 8:00 AM. Fresh as a daisy compared to the other partygoers, many of whom have already been going all night. I give up, let my phone slide down into my pocket and look up. And who do I see walking towards me? DJ Kevin Saunderson himself… On his own, almost like a sign from above. A god, perhaps? You be the judge.
I approach him and tell him about the festival a few years ago where he played alongside his son. I also explain that I haven’t managed to get hold of a ticket at the last minute. I ask him if I can come in with him.
“We can try,” he says.
He knocks on the glass door and security opens it. He asks, “Is this the artist entrance?”
“Yes, sir.”
He gestures for me to follow him inside. We’re immediately welcomed, and before I know it, I’m in the lift heading up to the party. A few handshakes are exchanged, and when he heads into the artists’ area, I thank him profoundly and tell him I’ll see him on the dance floor.
And just like that, Stan the Man is inside.
A beautiful memory and an unforgettable experience.
You readers are probably thinking: what a crazy guy, going to a party, on his own at 8:00 in the morning!
Yes, absolutely. Completely on my own, and still happily enjoying myself. This is the payoff for taking the risk and deciding to go anyway. It’s a special memory for me.
The party is great, the music is fantastic, and I’ve got a great story to tell at the birthday lunch later that day. It’s Dino’s 30th birthday, so we enjoy a lovely lunch and catch up after Ibiza. Definitely a Sunday to remember!
On Monday, there’s still plenty of work waiting for us at the beach club. It’s quite an intense day, with a lot of containers being collected. There’s still plenty to clear up, so I keep myself busy that week with work, running and spending time at home.
On Friday, we move the last remaining items into the warehouse, and we’re officially finished with tearing down the beach shack. I’ve spent more than two and a half weeks working, and I’ve genuinely enjoyed this work. Even though it’s not exactly the most glamorous job in the world, it really shows me how important the people you work with are and how much of a difference they make. Working hard can be incredibly enjoyable when you’re doing it together.
We wrap up the work in style and head out for a game of bowling on Saturday as a little celebration. A beer, some bitterballen and a few rounds of bowling. The perfect ingredients for a good time!
On Sunday, I head to Groningen to watch a match at Pelle’s, together with Boyd and Joram, and catch up with my friends again. Golden!
All in all, some enjoyable and productive weeks: working, exercising and spending my time meaningfully with friends and family. I feel fulfilled and grateful.
No responses yet