Magere Hein

I watch the Dutch Eredivisie. The football is not exactly good, but since there are five or six teams that can win it, it's quite exciting. One of those is, I'm glad to report, my beloved Feyenoord. regards, Hein

The first Dutch King since 1890. I think you're probably right: he will mess it up. For years there's been some support for the idea that we should actually call him Queen Willem-Alexander. A (rather nasty) republican website published this picture: regards, Hein

What were the odds on that happening? I have 2 friends called William Hill. What are the odds? Depends. Are they related by birth? regards, Hein

Yup, she's abdicated. There were a few hints in what she said to journalists in the last few days and when a TV speech by the queen was announced for 19:00h it was clear what she had in mind. I didn't see the speech, but as I understand it, she's announced het abdication for April 30, and that day Willem-Alexander will be sworn in as king. A king for a change. He'll probably make a mess of it, so I have good hope he'll be the last Dutch monarch. ETA: BBC has the story in all gory details. regards, Hein

Kui sa arvad, et ka mina olen kohalik, siis eksid rängalt Minu võõrkeele oskuste hulka kuulub teiste seas ka inglise keel. Elagu Eesti! My Estonian is a bit rusty, but let me try a translation anyway: regards, Hein

No, I know nothing about Bleicher. It's not a floor, it's a chessboard. It's part of a medieval painting showing the Grim Reaper playing the game. regards, Hein

Havel je mrtvý a pryč. Smiřte se s tím! Moje vznášedlo je plné úhořů! Nem fogok vásárolni ezt a rekordot, akkor karcos. Will you lot speak English FFS! Sorry, maar that is niet vriendelijk. Ik denk dat Zijn 's hoog tijd om te hebben een vaste draad voor andere talen dan Engels. About that text: it shows nicely that machine translations are far from perfect. Corrected for spelling and grammar it would be like: I would also use different words. Anyway, I now doubt the quality of my sentence. Does any member here speak Hungarian? About the message: It's an interesting suggestion. There's no unwritten rule that English is the only language permitted here. I doubt many members have language skills in Foreign, though. regards, Hein

Havel je mrtvý a pryč. Smiřte se s tím! Moje vznášedlo je plné úhořů! Nem fogok vásárolni ezt a rekordot, akkor karcos. regards, Hein

I unpinned it for lack of traffic. regards, Hein

Ball boys, as they're called (ball girls exist too, reportedly) are not employed and rarely paid. In most clubs it's something children, supporters of the home team, are willing to do just to make their friends jealous. This one, I guess in a wish to help his team win by stalling, did what he did undoubtedly against his instructions. I expect he won't get the task again. Asking is what a footballer is supposed to do. This one, I guess in a wish to help his team win by getting on, did what he did against the rules. As he was sent off, he'll be suspended for several matches to contemplate his sins. HTH. regards, Hein

It's in the job description. regards, Hein

Definitely old school, is our Dennis. He also has a strange way to pronounce "wankers" (00:18). regards, Hein

From that (and a few more obits the Independent posted) I conclude that it's not time to give up hope for an obit of Gerard Helders yet. 17 days and counting, though. regards, Hein

When somebody can be arsed to make one. Topic closed. regards, Hein

I agree. What do you think they taste like? And Sean you have an ill-fitted hat. If a tree falls in the middle of the forest and there's no one around to hear it, do you fuck kids? Talking to oneself in public used to be, before the arrival of cell phones, a diagnostic of mental illness. regards, Hein

Woohoo! Go Fort! regards, Hein

The snow gives some pretty pictures, though. regards, Hein

The snow gives some pretty pictures, though. regards, Hein

Please, for the love of fucking Christ, stop it. We all know where Wikipedia's "Deaths In 2013" page is. Then why isn't Chikokola on that list? Isn't that an Abba song? Didn't Ray Davies meet her in a club down in old Soho? If not, it was a close brush.

Indeed. Yves Debay. regards, Hein

Oh? Wanna take a bet? regards, Hein

Now the waiting game starts. Will UK media pick up the story and give me my first ever Theme Team points? Damn, should have entered him. But I've had him in my personal top 50. It looks like you were quite right by not entering him. No obit yet. I'll keep looking for one, but I'm afraid he's List of the Lost material. regards, Hein

Do we want to be 'just like the Germans'? That's a question I can't answer for you, but as far as the Netherlands are concerned I think the German got exactly the republic I'd like to have here when we sack the Oranges. Exactly, apart from the way the prez is elected, which should be by popular vote. regards, Hein

Mad but brave. Not a first for Germans. regards, Hein

Oh, I thought it was the ever popular tornado cut. regards, Hein