Antwerp Calling: counting down to 500,000

Within a couple of weeks (somewhere early Dec), this blog will have reached 500,000 readers. A joyous moment I will celebrate by over-dosing on Belgian chocolates, an experience you can share by mailing me a print-screen if you happen to be reader #500,000.

Nevertheless, I”m experiencing the slow but persistent emergence of doubt about the value of personal “user generated content” (like in blogging) from the viewpoint of me, the author. After two years I often feel like I’ve become an unpaid copywriter & photographer.

Not that I ever wanted or needed to earn one cent through blogging, but still, being an inspired author covering a multitude of subjects regarding Antwerp, I used to put in a lot of time and effort, with currently only rising numbers of anonymous drive-by visitors in return.  Visitors who just devour my content and click “next blog” 20 seconds later.

Many bloggers with a consumptive audience have already switched to alternative and more personal, more interactive social media like Facebook, with blogging slowly becoming a one way street I’m increasingly uncomfortable with. [Check the 1/10/100 rule]

At present I’m taking a yet undefined break – I’m still pondering the issue, looking at the options and will decide how to proceed when I return (“an Antwerp picture blog” was suggested, as I own thousands of shots), but I do wonder if anyone feels or has felt the same. [Update Sat Nov 28, 2009: the 500,000 visitor mark was reached around 4 am (GMT+1). Thanks for being such loyal readers.]

Kate Ryan – Evidemment: dedicated to those who lost someone, but continued loving

Antwerp singer Kate Ryan performing “Evidemment”: dedicated to those who lost someone, but continued loving. Did you?

[Kate performed near my home last summer and we briefly met. She still dedicates her music to the memory of her mother]

Is Facebook killing off your blog too?

Much like in “Video killed the radio star”, Facebook (and Twitter, and all the other Web 2 networking sites) has been killing off countless local Antwerp blogs this year. I was stunned counting the sheer number of fellow bloggers who no longer bother to post, since Facebook is a much easier medium, providing a personalized, targeted audience, fast comments & lots of interaction.  Are you still blogging?

If you are, do check my visitor counter: when it reaches 500,000 make sure to mail me a print-screen. I still got some chocolates left and I’m looking forward to join you in celebrating having been read by half a million visitors.

Exclusive Video: the planned destruction of Antwerp, Belgium

Watch how bent politicians are planning the factual destruction of large populated areas of Antwerp city. How would you react?

[Update: Antwerp VLD politician Ludo V.C. (in spite of a strong YES vote by his party) and Antwerp Mayor Patrick J. decided to follow their personal conscience and will vote NO in the upcoming referendum regarding this planned killer project. I admire and applaud their honest concern for the wellbeing of their fellow Antwerp citizens. Let's all bury this insane destruction of Antwerp-city under an avalanche of NO votes October 18. Update 18 Oct 2009: during a city referendum today 60% of Antwerp voters rejected the "Lange Wapper" overpass/bridge (the threshold being 50%). What happens next will be decided by the government in Brussels]

Never disappoint your audience: rule one of lasting success

And if you must, do everything to fake you really care about your audience (video: Georges Michael parody). Dedicated to a former local friend who was forced to fake who she really was too. Would you renounce your true nature or beliefs for cash?

Antwerp: erotic underwear model promotes riding a bike

During national car-free day last weekend, Antwerp city used this “woman” dressed in erotic underwear to promote “riding a bike” near the riverbanks. She gave me a free photo shoot, although several shots are way too provocative to post at this place.

Come on guys, try riding a bike dressed like this

Thank you for loving me again ;-)

With Facebook & Twitter unfortunately luring away most of my readers, I wonder what I said to please you today

Video: Antwerp Killer “Lange Wapper” Bridge evokes massive protest

No, you’re not watching a weird stop-smoking educational video (the smoke you see is a digital effect), but a protest video to stop the planned Antwerp “Lange Wapper” killer bridge that will turn large parts of Antwerp-city into a polluted and noisy danger-zone (check endangered zone: half of downtown Antwerp), a heavily polluted town where thousands of children will inhale toxic particles and diesel fumes, just by living near a planned new bridge that could easily have been replaced by a tunnel.

Historic Antwerp cathedral dwarfed by the planned nearby huge traffic viaduct, an insane concept

[Video and discussion in English]. “Yes We Can” stop that noisy killer bridge, inspired by corporate greed and bent politicians. [Protest website in Dutch]. How would you react if some money-grabbing politicians endangered the health of your children?

[Update 18 Oct 2009: during a city referendum today 60% of Antwerp voters rejected the "Lange Wapper" overpass/bridge (the threshold being 50%). What happens next will be decided by the government in Brussels.]

Free Belgian beer for everyone!

bollekesfeest beer festival Antwerp, Belgium - Aug 21, 2009

The annual Antwerp “bollekes” beer festival (http://www.bollekesfeest.be) was celebrated this year by a crowd of 100,000 during a three day weekend at the end of August 2009. The opening on Friday Aug 21 featured free beer, along with the entire city council and Mayor throwing chocolates in the form of small hands, an ancient tradition.

But before I happily continue posting more stories, I feel it’s time for a blog format make-over. Like Bob Dylan once said, “The Times They Are a-Changin’ “, with an ever increasing number of former regular readers exclusively focusing on social networking tools like Facebook and Twitter. I know, my hit-rate is still high at 300-400 daily visitors, with a blog counter almost reaching half a million uniques, but after three years it’s time for a format change. There’s no stopping Facebook, is there?

Parts of Antwerp Calling will be relocated to a Belgian network I’m already posting on for ages (in Dutch, the language spoken by my close friends & relatives), while I will focus on covering predominantly visual local stories at Antwerp Calling in English, whenever I find the time. I’ll make sure you will enjoy the updated format. See You Later, Alligator

Missing in action: the summer 2009 edition

North Sea coast, Zeeland, Holland, August 2009

I know you may feel an uncontrollable urge to find out where I am these warm days in August, since I’ve only posted a couple of generic write ups lately. But don’t be alarmed: although it’s unusually sunny, most of my friends & family have boarded a plane headed for the Mediterranean, so all we could do was indulge in some seasonal dolce far niente along the beach in Holland, just a short drive from busy Antwerp city.

No, I won’t answer my cell-phone, but feel free to join me at the location conveniently posted above. Ice cold bottles of Spanish Cava available for free on site. Obviously, if you don’t make it, I will make sure to read all your comments, unless my keyboard dies due to a suntan lotion overdose. See you later.