When did you start your first notebook?
Tomorrow, August 8th, is Bullet Journal Day, this year marking its 13th occurrence. And every year when the date rolls around, I ask myself the same question: when did I start mine?
STORIES - Shakalaka!
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The substances I inhale
After the press preview and opening day of Tutankhamun: The Immersive Exhibition, James Cassidy from FKP looked at me and said: "Tell me Peter, what substances do you inhale before you come up with these ideas?" Fair Question.
Raye's 10,000 Hours
Malcolm Gladwell once wrote that mastery takes 10,000 hours. Ten thousand hours of deliberate practice, failure, repetition, and relentless dedication before greatness becomes possible. (Here’s a recent video expaining what he really meant.) It's a theory that has inspired millions — but rarely does it play out quite so publicly, quite so painfully, and ultimately quite so triumphantly as it has…
We can work it out …
There is a weekly niche podcast by (to me) legendary producer Owen Cutts) called Mr Cutts’ Chop Shop ( Patreon link ). It’s about music, life, tea, slurping and much more. This week’s episode was a Beatles (Soul) Cover Special. The palette cleanser of the show was the Stevie Wonder cover of We Can Work it Out. The moment made me realize that there are always things to discover, no matter how much…
The Magic That Makes Cirque du Soleil Different: A Reflection on Wonder
Photo by Liesbeth Hoornaert There's something profound that happens in the darkness of a theater when the lights dim and the first notes of a Cirque du Soleil show begin. I experienced this firsthand on opening night, not as a performer or crew member, but simply as someone in the audience—and what I witnessed around me was nothing short of magical. The Sound of Wonder Sitting in the Big Top,…
Saturday Morning Magic: Raising the Grand Chapiteau
It's Saturday morning, and while most people are settling into a leisurely breakfast and weekend relaxation, I find myself on the road, heading toward something extraordinary. As I drive, I'm struck by a strong sense of gratitude—not just for this moment, but for the incredible journey that brought me here. When I was five of six years old, I would spend hours at my great aunt's house and garden…
What surprised me when bringing Studio Ghibli in Concert to life
I have to be honest – a year ago, I had never heard of Joe Hisaishi. Then, Manu and I were discussing the possibility of creating a Studio Ghibli in Concert project, and I thought: "Okay, why not?" I wasn't prepared for what was about to happen. The first time I delved a bit deeper into the project and put on "One Summer's Day" from Spirited Away, I stopped whatever I was doing. That melody...…
Organic is gold
Gary Vaynerchuk at this week’s Possible event in Miami (Possible) I have been evangelizing organic content for so long, it had to pay off one day. I have always said that your own website, your own content, is basically the only thing that you are in control of. Organic contents gives a brand credibility and it drastically improves your search ratings, of course. But mainly, it tells your story…
Stay Gold
I recently saw the impressive show “The Outsiders” in New York City. In the show there is a poem by Robert Frost that plays an important part. The show even derived one of its baselines from it. Stay Gold. Robert Frost is one of the most celebrated figures in American poetry, He was the author of numerous poetry collections, including New Hampshire (Henry Holt and Company, 1923). Born in San…
The miracle of the sand
I have always said that sand sculpture events are the most incredible ones to work on. It has been 25 years since I first was involved in a sand project. 26 years since I first stood in awe in front of these huge works of art. Not only life, but also sand finds a way. It is addictive. It is mesmerizing. It is a unique combination of production and artistry. I get to work with building contractors,…
What makes us long for The Dire Straits Experience?
All photos by Lorenzo Suvee I have been working with The Dire Straits Experience since 2016. The collaboration started a bit hesitantly, but over the years it has grown into much more than a work relationship. Every spring and fall we present at least 2 shows in Belgium and the fan base keeps growing. There is something weird about this. I just saw 2 concerts and I already know that in a few…
The Genius of Refik Anadol
When someone asks me what it is that draws me to the work of Refik Anadol, I usually say it’s the combination of technology and art. But the strange thing is that when you are facing one of his works, you don’t think of the technology behind it. You experience beauty, ever changing beauty and yes, that beauty is based on technology, data and artificial intelligence. The technical aspect is mind…
How to party like Gatsby
Trek je mooiste jurk aan, lift je feeststemming tot het hoogste niveau en dompel je onder in het feestgedruis. Zo bondig kan het zijn als je naar een party gaat. Maar of dat genoeg is om te feesten à la Jay Gatsby? We schrijven het jaar 1922 en iedereen hoorde al van de mysterieuze miljonair Jay Gatsby, een visionair, een dromer en een showman. Zijn missie is helder en klaar: het grootste en…
Blowing minds since 1997
The Shakalaka! origin story A few years ago I came across the Holstee Manifesto . Around the same time I got to know a company in Malaysia called Mindvalley. Their CEO is a guy called Vishen Lakhiani and his vision on running a company blew me away. I distinctly remember seeing his 50 minute presentation Why Happiness is the New Productivity on a Sunday afternoon and watching it again immediately…