Theo Bruinsma

  L'un de mes endroits préférés pour sortir était le Dancers, un club situé à l'intersection des rues Harrison et Second. C'était un espace sombre où des lumières colorées clignotaient au rythme d'un battement industriel constant, créant une atmosphère de sensualité incontournable, avec des gens qui dansaient sur le comptoir du bar. J'avais maladroitement demandé à plusieurs jeunes femmes de danser avec moi, mais à chaque fois, elles avaient refusé. Juste au moment où le découragement s'installait, j'ai repéré une femme séduisante près de la piste de danse, appuyée contre un pilier, de longs cheveux bouclés cascadant sur ses épaules nues, et ses grands yeux marron encadrés par des sourcils épais et parfaitement soignés. En m'approchant d'elle, je me préparais à un autre refus, car elle aussi risquait de décliner ma demande. Je lui ai donc posé la question cliché : « Tu viens souvent ici ? » À ma grande surprise, cela a engagé la conversation. Et il s...

In de vroege jaren tachtig, tijdens mijn late tienerjaren, worstelde ik met een onzekerheid: mijn „prins Charles-oren.” Ze stonden open als een paar spinnakerzeilen. Telkens wanneer ik met een meisje van mijn leeftijd praatte in een Nederlandse discotheek, hield ik haar strategisch aan mijn linkerkant, ervan overtuigd dat mijn rechteroor nog verder openstond. Mijn hele leven had ik mijn haar lang gedragen om ze te verbergen. En destijds was de modieuze trend in Nederland een kapsel dat lang was vanboven maar kort aan de zijkanten, waardoor de oren volledig blootlagen.

De laatste trein naar Bunnik: Reflecties over medische ethiek, het Nederlandse kastensysteem en een 40-jarige familiedistorie Het was een typisch Nederlandse, grijze dag—noch regen noch zon sierde de hemel. De trein had net het station van Utrecht verlaten, op weg naar Bunnik. Ik was nu nog maar enkele minuten verwijderd van mijn ontmoeting met Angelique. De laatste keer dat ik haar had gezien was 25 jaar geleden, toen ze mij bezocht in San Francisco.

In the early 1980s in my late teenage years I had an insecurity: my "Prince Charles ears." They stuck out like a pair of spinnaker sails. Whenever I conversed with a female my age at a Dutch disco, I strategically kept her on my left side, convinced my right ear stuck out even more. All my life I had worn my hair long to conceal them. And at the time, the fashionable trend in Holland was a haircut long in the front but short on the sides, completely exposing the ears.

  Après être arrivé sous terre par le train depuis Nice, j'ai gravi les marches, pénétré dans Monaco et immédiatement remarqué la propreté impeccable des rues. En levant les yeux vers les bâtiments, j'ai constaté à quel point ils étaient parfaitement entretenus. Tout autour de moi semblait neuf et frais.

L'Inspiration derrière le Poème : Les Oiseaux de Grue de Monaco Patrice Pastor s'impose comme un maître visionnaire du développement moderne, façonnant des structures d'envergure internationale d'une qualité exceptionnelle qui élèvent la ligne d'horizon au rang de galerie de sculptures architecturales. Il est sans doute l'un des meilleurs au monde pour marier harmonieusement l'ingénierie structurelle et la vision artistique, donnant vie à des repères emblématiques qui redéfinissent le luxe et fixent un standard monumental pour l'architecture moderne.

Was I dreaming? I was in Monaco on a beautiful, sunny day. As I walked along the Mediterranean shore, hundreds of overcrowded, inflatable boats suddenly appeared out of nowhere, rushing toward the beach, while countless more lined the horizon. The scene mirrored the real-world border crisis that took place last month on the Spanish island territory of Ceuta. And now here in Monaco the crisis escalated rapidly.

  When I returned to San Francisco from Dallas in 1988, I worked in a factory as a manual laborer for several months. The company was called O’Keeffe’s and they manufactured skylight windows and sunroofs. In the fall of 1989, at the age of 23, I became a full-time student at the College of Marin in Kentfield, California.

In 1987 I attended a summer conference of Ayn Rand’s philosophy called Objectivism. The conference was held at the University of California, San Diego (UCSD) in La Jolla and was attended by the Who’s Who of Objectivism. It was organized by George Reisman and his wife, Edith Packer. George Reisman was an economics professor at Pepperdine University and a prominent Objectivist. The UCSD campus was high up on a rock overlooking the ocean. It was a beautiful and clean campus. Perfect weather. It was great to be there, and to be alive. I was only 22 years old then. I didn’t have much of an education, but I had a great interest in ideas after reading The Fountainhead .

The people of the Netherlands are told they live in a democracy. But do they really? In the picture above, King Willem-Alexander stands next to President Trump, with his wife Queen Máxima beside him. Standing off to the side is Prime Minister Rob Jetten, the elected leader of the Netherlands. This arrangement is highly symbolic. The elected representative of the people is placed on the sideline — “offside,” to use a soccer term — while the unelected monarchs occupy the center of the frame.

The investigation into the "Dossiers du Rocher" continues to make headlines in Monaco. At the center is Patrice Pastor, chairman of Groupe Pastor. Pastor is represented by Thierry Herzog, one of France’s most prominent lawyers. The scandal has raised questions about influence and real estate dealings in Monaco’s highest circles. Prince Albert II has distanced himself from those implicated in the scandal by throwing his advisers under the bus.  The Dossiers du Rocher has raised questions about how much Prince Albert himself knew about the corruption. And who is to say Prince Albert wasn’t on the take himself. In Monaco his crown may be above the law, but he is not above the temptations of greed, immorality and vanity. History has shown this to be the diet of all European monarchs.  Patrice Pastor, despite denying any involvement in leaking the emails that exposed the Dossiers du Rocher scandal, may ironically be one of the unlikely heroes in this saga — exposing what many beli...

  Patrice Pastor in the Village of Monaco: A Real-World Reflection of Patrick McGoohan's 'The Prisoner' After arriving underground by train from Nice, I walked up the stairs, stepped into Monaco, and immediately noticed how clean the streets were. I looked up at the buildings and saw how perfectly maintained they were. Everything around me seemed new and fresh.

The crane is the most common bird in Monaco The Inspiration Behind the Poem Patrice Pastor stands out as a visionary master of modern development, crafting world-class structures of exceptional quality that elevate the skyline into a gallery of soaring architectural sculptures. He may be one of the best in the world at seamlessly blending structural engineering with artistic vision, shaping iconic landmarks that redefine luxury and set a monumental standard for modern architecture. So when I read that Patrice Pastor was suspected of being behind the leak of the Dossiers du Rocher scandal in Monaco, I took an immediate liking to him. To me, it meant he also was a man of conviction with a strong sense of justice -- someone willing to trade swords with the so-called King of Monaco and the King's men. Exposing Prince Albert and his inner circle for handing out construction contracts under the table to inferior real-estate developers took tremendous courage. And as the saying goes: ...

  The History and Themes Behind the Satire This satirical poem draws inspiration from the dramatic events surrounding Dutch politics, specifically mirroring the tension and sudden tragedy of historical political assassinations. By using a fairy-tale motif ("Mirror Mirror" and "The Neverlands"), the poem provides a biting commentary on the relationship between systemic corruption, the monarchy, and political silencing. "Mirror Mirror on the wall Who is the most popular of them all" "Professor Pim" the mirror said The man the Queen wanted dead The Queen hated Professor Pim For he had called her son dumb and dim With only a few days away Professor Pim would have a say The Queen's ministers had warned her The election was around the corner If Professor Pim would become the Prime Minister of the Neverlands He would hold her future in his hands Without a poison apple around A useful idiot had to be found The Queen's men found such a man And qui...

  There was a song during the eighties by the Scottish rock band, Simple Minds, called “ Promised You a Miracle .” But I always heard it as “Promised You America.”

As a teenager growing-up in Holland, I used to watch numerous American TV shows. The one that I really liked was Miami Vice starring Don Johnson. At this time in Holland there were only two television channels, and they didn’t commence until 3pm in the afternoon and ended slightly passed 11pm. Another one I really liked was  Magnum, P.I.  starring Tom Selleck. And though Magnum, P.I. was featured only once a week, it provided me with enough inspiration to enter the world of palm trees, white beaches, beautiful women and a red Ferrari. But if not a red Ferrari, I would have gladly settled for the convertible Rolls-Royce Corniche as occasionally featured in my other favorite TV show, Hart to Hart , starring Robert Wagner and Stefanie Powers. For me, Don Johnson, Tom Selleck, and Robert Wagner as portrayed on television were the ideal men living in the ideal world.

Frank Sinatra and Grace Kelly in High Society (1956) Frank Sinatra Singing for the Princess Grace Foundation of Monaco in Dallas, Texas DALLAS, TEXAS: In October 1986, a significant event took place at the Hilton Anatole Hotel (then called the Loews Anatole): the Princess Grace Foundation gala, and the royal family of Monaco was in attendance. Several days before the event, all staff scheduled to work underwent background checks. Though we waiters were not privy to specific details, we noticed numerous men in suits loitering around and we suspected they were federal agents.

Elitism vs. Elegance: Encounters with Wolfgang Puck, Robert Duvall, and Depeche Mode at the Crescent Court Hotel DALLAS, TEXAS -- 1985-89: Luckily, a new hotel had opened up in Dallas, and I was able to work some banquet shifts there. It was a 5-star hotel called The Crescent Court Hotel.

King Willem-Alexander and his mother Princess Beatrix smiling at the people who pay for their palaces Behind the Democracy: How the Dutch Monarchy Exercises Silent Control Over the Government According to Article 1 of the Dutch Constitution, every individual in the Netherlands should be treated equally under the law. However, there is one family who is above the law: the superior royal Dutch family. This is a huge contradiction in Dutch society and culture. The Dutch legislature should either abolish Article 1 or the monarchy and revert back to a republic, which the Netherlands originally was.

The Man Queen Beatrix Feared: Did the Dutch Establishment Intentionally Leave Pim Fortuyn Unprotected? Had Pim Fortuyn lived just nine more days, he would almost certainly have become the next Prime Minister of the Netherlands.  The obvious question that has lingered for years is: Who benefited the most from his death?