Derek Vandivere
vandivere.net
Derek Vandivere
@vandivere.net
Ex American Dutch guy living in Amsterdam. Professionally, an enterprise architect. Recreationally, spends too much time making vegetarian food, playing jazz and classical trombone, and tending to the cats.

Posts mainly stuff about Amsterdam
Can't wait to see this show in February next year!
npr.org NPR @npr.org · 2d
In matching, brilliant blue suits, David Byrne and his band squeeze behind the Desk to perform four songs, including Talking Heads' "Life During Wartime." n.pr/4pFYoun
David Byrne: Tiny Desk Concert
In matching, brilliant blue suits, David Byrne and his band squeeze behind the Desk to perform four songs, including Talking Heads' "Life During Wartime."
n.pr
December 1, 2025 at 2:46 PM
Another case in point: blame stupid policies and bad admin on asylum seekers:
November 29, 2025 at 10:27 AM
What's the collective noun for 10 grey herons who are living their best lives at the jus-closwd fish stall on the Albert Cuypmarkt in #amsterdam?
November 28, 2025 at 4:55 PM
You've got to love any tech conference that asks me to speak and uses this picture in my speaker shot without even asking.
November 27, 2025 at 6:18 PM
Reposted by Derek Vandivere
If you like book history, Welsh or Arthurian literature, or sometimes wish you could pull your lip over your head like a reverse hoodie, you may enjoy this 🧵 #medievalsky
Gwefl son of Gwastad: when he was sad he would let his one lip droop down to his navel and the other would be a cowl on his head.

Gỽeuyl mab gỽestat. y dyd y bei drist y gollyngei y lleill weuyl idaỽ y waeret hyt y uogel. ar llall a uydei yn pennguch ar y penn.
November 26, 2025 at 9:25 PM
Currently trying to figure out which #trombone mute to use for the bit in our next piece that says "on cue, whale sounds."
November 25, 2025 at 8:43 PM
A movie that takes place where you're from

<not even anything in the tri-county area>

Closest I can come is that Jack Ryan visited a hangar I had a summer job in on NAS Pax River in _Executive Orders_.
A movie that takes place where you're from
November 25, 2025 at 1:34 PM
Well, that's pretty goddam nifty!
BREAKING: This is huge news, the EU's equivalent of the 🇺🇸Supreme Court's 2015 Obergefell v. Hodges ruling.

🇪🇺Court of Justice just ruled all 🇪🇺countries must recognise same-sex marriages granted in other member states.

This effectively legalises gay marriage across 🇪🇺
www.reuters.com
November 25, 2025 at 11:36 AM
The latest installment in "odd things leave on our bench": as well as a jacket, a skirt,a baggie with (presumably) cocaine and €90, now serve been gifted a pumpkin three weeks after Halloween.
#amsterdam
November 23, 2025 at 5:02 PM
When you're walking backstage just before the sound check and startle the shit out of yourself
November 16, 2025 at 1:59 PM
You know you're in a proper Dutch mens troon when they have 7 different products for setting your hair.
November 12, 2025 at 5:35 PM
Well, this seems dodgy - came in as a chat request, *apparently* from Bluesky...and a really weird link address.

Oh, just noticed the bit at the end "message should not be shared with others." It must be a phishing attempt.

So, if you get one of these, I'd recommend ignoring it.
November 10, 2025 at 10:43 AM
Another view of the park
November 9, 2025 at 2:32 PM
It's a lovely day for a walk in Zuid Kennermerland National Park
November 9, 2025 at 2:08 PM
Emergency power nap after heavy lunch this unseasonably sunny day...
November 7, 2025 at 1:19 PM
Not a huge hip hop fan, to be honest, but this kinda blew my mind. Made me think of the Art of Noise from back in the 80s:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=h0-k...
clipping.: Tiny Desk Concert
YouTube video by NPR Music
www.youtube.com
November 6, 2025 at 2:34 PM
Reposted by Derek Vandivere
Can I tell my NYC mayor story again today? Ok, fine.
November 5, 2025 at 8:06 AM
Well, this Dutch member of D66 who was born in Fairfax County general hospital is feeling a lot more optimistic for the world this morning than a couple weeks ago!

Looks like an optimistic message that highlights the value of immigrants and the humanity of trans folks might be a winner.
November 5, 2025 at 8:44 AM
He's definitely getting noticed over here...
November 3, 2025 at 6:24 PM
Looks like there's been a bit of a translation error here in the Netherlands, unless this is a special Al Jolson version of the song.
November 3, 2025 at 6:21 PM
How I spent yesterday afternoon...solo went pretty well, and it's always nice when your hair matches your horn.

(Credit: Tjerk Laan Photography)
November 3, 2025 at 11:05 AM
Good to see that Hegseth is recognizing that logistics is vitally important to an Army but there really must be better ways of moving spare parts.
November 2, 2025 at 8:12 PM
Another Sunday, another gig - this time the 75th birthday of our big band in the Bullekerk. #jazzsky
November 2, 2025 at 1:00 PM
If I ever get invited to a Gatsby themed party I'm going to dress up as a green light.
November 1, 2025 at 5:54 PM
Reposted by Derek Vandivere
Aaand the new Tiger Singh Bhatia story just went live, so here it is, for your reading pleasure

www.frivolouscomma.com/three-card-c...
Three Card Caper
“You want me to prove this guy is cheating?” “Oh no,” says Atul, holding his hands up, palms facing me. “If he was cheating, we’d have caught him. We need you to prove he’s not cheating.”
www.frivolouscomma.com
October 31, 2025 at 8:16 PM