Bruxelles Dreaming

I just returned home from a long long weekend in Belgium. I was headquartered out in Mechelen, a small town just outside of Brussels with 1 of the best Belgians going, and her husband, an expatriated Canadian and longtime friend. They did their absolute best to encourage the impending move to Belgium. And so we did:

Much househunting. Finally settling on an apartment that defied almost all criteria Chiara and I had set. It’s small, with no outdoor space and an only so-so kitchen. But it’s in a sweet neighborhood smack dab in Brussels, with an, albeit tiny, spare bedroom.

One job interview. Of sorts. With a Dutch artist who’s opening a new gallery in Brussels and needs a rep. I could be that guy. Although it’s a commission job and involves mostly cold call sales, it’s at least something.

Watched local side KV Mechelen, of Belgian B League, win a nailbiter at the Mechelen stadium. Live and up close. Corey and I also spent a fair amount of time looking for KV Mechelen scarves, but to no avail. Yet.

Realize how important it is that I get my French out from every nook and cranny it now lies dormant, and set it on fire to burn brightly as a beacon of job-worthiness. It will certainly also involve the acquisition of new vocabulary and grammar. On those rare days when it is not cloudy in Belgium, my go-to phrase “Il fait beaucoup du brouillard,” [It’s very foggy] will not help me at all.

Some Belgian beer drinking. And some hockey watching. Including the Canucks on Hockey Night in Canada. And that following a Leafs Habs tilt that went to a shootout. Awesome! Victories to the Habs and Canucks made me happy.

But time ran out in Belgium. For now. Plenty more jobs to look for from Rome, and of course prepare for the move. But a newlook, newidea 2007 beckons.

By Liesbeth Smit|2006-12-06T14:56:00+00:00December 6 2006|

“Ryan is the most enthusiastic, positive workshop leader I have ever had the pleasure of working with. I’ve been to several of his workshops and after each session I came away with a sense of achievement and feeling that I had learnt something new.”

Chris, London

“Ryan is an extremely qualified, talented, and professional teacher and coach. I’d recommend Ryan’s services to anyone!”

Derek, Amsterdam,

“Ryan is a natural at teaching and you get the feeling he puts his heart and soul into helping others. I look forward to doing more workshops with Ryan.”

Shauna, Tunbridge Wells

“As a coach Ryan’s ability to zone in and identify the main agenda for each sessions was amazing. His coaching helped me reflect, make decisions and make positive changes in my business.”

Tracy, Dublin

“Ryan’s improv workshop is incredibly fun but also ruthlessly effective. Participants are taught to drop their inhibitions, let their imagination flow and and embrace the positive attitude at the heart of improv. They are also treated to Ryan’s personal blend of enthusiasm, wit and generosity.”

Jeremy, Brussels

“Your Taking It Easy session helped me relax more into the truth of a scene and let it grow more organically instead of pushing too hard to make it funny or dramatic. I loved that you were really clear about what you wanted us to get and how the exercises played into the scene work we did later. I really got a lot from one short session.”

Andrew, Brighton

“I thoroughly enjoyed the workshop. I learned how beautiful authenticity is, with such little moments as sharing your breakfast. Being in the moment is so amazing to see and to feel.”

Laura, Amsterdam

“Working with you was an absolute blast! I’ll take your writing advice with me wherever I go.”

Marton, Budapest

“Very inspiring and useful workshop. Picked me up from where I’m at and helped me develop strategies to improve developing scenes and my performance skills.”

Anonymous, Switzerland

“The skills I learned from those two weekends, which were two of the most enjoyable weekends I’ve ever had, have been an invaluable tool I use to this day in my daily life, both at work and in personal interactions.”

Andy, Brussels

“Ryan seemed to know just what to do to get the best from everyone. I would jump at the opportunity to do another workshop led by him.”

Calum, Brighton

“Because of you my fear of speaking or presenting in front of an audience has lessened a great deal.”

Samora, Amsterdam

“Ryan’s coaching sessions really improved my public speaking skills and made my presentations much more interesting for my audience.”

Furio S., Berlin

“I really admire your energy, creativity and knowledge and I’ve learned a lot from your training sessions.”

Natasha, Amsterdam,

“I loved loved loved your workshop. I liked the way it was structured and meaningful. Time flew unnoticed. I liked the shortness of the exercises, the surprise and fun, and the fact that you gave me so much to explore. I now can be in an empty prison cell or in a desert island and never feel alone or bored anymore. Now I can expand my world.”

Elsa, Lisbon

“Ryan is an incredible teacher. He took a straggling group of beginners and turned us into a viable company of improvisational actors who regularly perform together – in front of actual, paying, repeat customers.”

Carrie, Brussels

“Plenty of energy, enthusiasm, good clear guidance on how to make the scene ‘deliver results’ without killing the improviser… Ryan’s enthusiasm for improv is infectious.”

James, Brighton

“Thank you for your positive spirit, energy and creativity. Your public speaking sessions really helped me feel more comfortable standing in front of a group of people.”

Serena, Amsterdam

“I especially enjoyed the clarity in all of what you were doing – I always understood what it was that you were teaching. I never felt lost. That was really awesome.”

Martin, Tampere

“I’ve benefitted immensely from this journey which I would recommend to anyone looking to learn more about themselves in a fun, immersive way.”

Simon, Amsterdam

“Ryan really made the most out of the workshop. No time-wasting. He gets to the point quickly, in a clear and effective way.”

Pedro, Lisbon

“Ryan is a great teacher, very serious (and very funny!) gives great coaching during scenes! I had a great time studying with him!!”

Alon, Tel Aviv

“Absolutely brilliant! Exceptional work!”

Anonymous, Impro Hotel

“I LOVED the fucking GREAT and positive energies in the workshop. They so got me going. Perhaps the highest moment during this festival was laughing in the workshop (to the dances… :)).”

Ben, Tel Aviv

“Thank you so much for passing your writing knowledge onto me. I learned a lot and had a lot of fun too.”

Larissa, Amsterdam,

“I’ve learned so much from you and thank you for giving me that nudge to get out of my comfort zone.”

Imaan, Amsterdam

Bruxelles Dreaming

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Bruxelles Dreaming

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