one.point.zero - Colin O'Brien's weblog

I don’t usually follow up on those memes that tend to circulate from weblog to weblog but, after being told I don’t talk about Brussels enough, I decided I couldn’t pass up on Don Olivero’s invitation to describe my local favourites (it all seems to have started here).

My favorite ‘grab-a-bite’: That would probably be Exki as there’s usually one in the neighbourhood, they have several veggie options and they don’t cover everything in mayo. It tastes good too and it’s not as expensive as it looks. If I’m in the Center, they make a mean veggie platter at De Pistolei (Rue de la Madeleine).

My favourite shops: for reading material, I enjoy Sterling Books, they always seem to have a selection compatible with my tastes, and the laid-back atmosphere with sofas for digging in before purchase is nice. I also regularly visit Peinture Fraiche (10, rue du Tabellion in Ixelles) for design books and pop in to Quartiers Latins for books about Brussels.

There are no clothes shops that really do it for me in Brussels, I usually make my purchases elsewhere or online. Music is also purchased online, in digital or analog format. I like Plaizier for odd little bits and pieces.

My favorite restaurants: Le Dolma’s vegetarian buffet, pure ecstasy. The seitan curry at Thai City is worth a visit too.

My favorite ‘take my friends when in town’: The tavern at the Toone puppet theatre.

5 other things to mention: The Galler shop on the Grand-Place for reasonably-priced chocolate that still remains Belgian and isn’t overloaded with junk like certain other well-known brands.

The sewer museum, where you can actually go down into the sewers, guided by people who work there. Hopefully the recent renovations didn’t kill the atmosphere. Also, it’s free if you live in the city.

The Saint-Nicolas church, just off the Grand-Place in the center (Rue Tabora) – take a look inside at the fifth pillar on the left, there’s a cannonball wedged in there from a siege of the city in the 17th century.

The Plasticarium (by appointment only), home to the largest collection of plastic space age furniture in the world.

The Erasmus house in Anderlecht, it’s like stepping back in time.

I’m not sure I want to inflict this on others, but if they feel like playing the game, the following people can try: François, Xavier, Hans and Eric

A party at Brussels’ Fuse nightclub called “Bombz over Brussels” features a background image that seems strangely familiar yet again.

Stop ripping my design and get your own skyline, you gang of amateur crooks. Just because it’s on the internet doesn’t make it free!

These ones look like a bunch of kids so I’m not going to set the rabid lawyers on them or anything but I could do without their site crediting someone else.

Is the Belgian government on drugs or something? They’ve just voted a law allowing motorbikes onto cycle paths. As if it wasn’t difficult enough to get people cycling in town.

Imagine the chaos on shared paths like the one in Brussels’ Rue de la Loi/Wetstraat which are bad enough as it is.

While many cities and countries attempt to make life for cyclists easier, Belgium faces the other way. And the FEBIAC, which is supposed to represent motorists and cyclists, only ever acts in the name of the former. It’s depressing…

Looks like I’ve been ripped off by proxy this time.

First Microsoft’s ad agency appropriates my design without permission, now this guy lifts it from Microsoft.

Maybe I should sell it to a stock illustration agency.

update: he has now removed it.

This is what the upcoming Brussels auto show is promoting:

We ain’t out of the shithole yet…

A supposedly new bank has been doing some heavy promo throughout Brussels for a while. First with bill posters in the usual places and some advertising in the free press, now with an “office” on the Place de la Monnaie/Muntplein.

This outfit is basically selling itself as a non-ethical investment bank. Placing your money in such great causes as weapons trade, post-war/disaster reconstruction (Halliburton), Wal-Mart, etc. Appealing to those people who like to be different by giving society the finger, or those who just don’t care. I don’t know…

Hell, most banks do that anyway. They just don’t use it as a key selling point.

For what it’s worth, the design just looks too hip to be a bank to begin with. The only phone number is a Belgian mobile one, pretty strange for a Europe-wide organisation. And they’ve made sure their origins are difficult to trace.

It smells of viral marketing from a mile away. I don’t know who’s behind it or what they’re promoting, but there’s a lot of money being thrown at this one.

update 17/10: It’s a stunt by Netwerk Vlaanderen to expose unethical investing by Belgian banks.

I thought it was about time I posted something about this as I receive emails every day on the subject, including strange offers of revenge. Yes, I am aware one of my designs has been ripped off. For those who haven’t seen it yet, take a look at the previous version of this site, then take a look at this site for a Microsoft event featuring his royal Gatesness himself. (hat tip to Eric for spotting it first)

When I saw this, I emailed someone at Microsoft Belgium who forwarded my mail down the line until it reached the agency that did the work for them. Someone from the agency called me up, obviously feeling quite uncomfortable with the situation. The story goes that they were part of a pitch for this job and made several propositions including one rough featuring my illustration. When that one was chosen, they didn’t get permission for it (or most probably redraw it), they just went ahead and used it (badly traced at that).

Was it really an oversight or was it deliberate? I don’t know and I don’t really care to be honest. I got compensation for its use, probably less than I could have gotten if I really wanted to be nasty, but that’s not my style. The deal’s done and, hopefully, they’ll think twice next time about using something without permission.

Remember kids: you always get found out on the internet.

The two bottom photos on a post about the atomium from the cool hunter website look strangely familiar...

Following up on the cycle path story I posted a few days ago, the decision to not make the changes has been upheld.

The mayor promises permanent cycle paths will be implemented after the elections (impressive talent: he seems to know the results already)

While major cities in Europe make giant steps towards sustainability, Brussels slowly sinks under the weight of backpatting, lobbies and its complex administration.

On Friday morning, work began on painting a cycle path on the central boulevards of Brussels between De Brouckère and Midi as well as reducing car lanes to 2 instead of 4. These modifications had been planned for a long time as part of a global traffic reduction plan for the city centre and were approved by the various instances in charge of these matters. This was also to be a real-life test and open to revocation after the test period if things didn't work out.

However, it never got that far. Within minutes of the work beginning, several business owners (who, it's said, have a reputation for these things) complained directly to the Mayor (Freddy Thielemans) who intervened personally and immediately cancelled all work. The next city council meeting on Thursday the 8th of June will confirm or infirm his decision.

For this reason, as many voices as possible are needed to question the mayor's unilateral decision and show him these changes do matter. Quality of life in the centre affects everyone who goes there, not only people who live in the area. If you can, please be present at the consultative commission taking place on the 7th of June and let your voice be heard. The mayor will be there and so will the business owners who complained. It's time our “leaders” looked further than their own nose.

The event takes place on June 7th at 20h15 at:
Athénée Léon Lepage
30 Rue des Riches Claire
1000 Brussels
(map)