Short Stories

There was an atmosphere of mysticism and mythology at the  Roadburn  festival two weeks ago. I noticed that most of the bands I saw portrayed various landscapes in their visual backdrops (CHVE, Buried at Sea, Jakob), along with ritual imagery and dilapidated buildings (Dark Buddha Rising, Amenra). Photos: Tim Bugbee What I gleaned from the musicians who were interviewed at Roadburn was the combined notion of people working together to create ‘authentic’ music and experiences that go beyond preconceived frameworks.  For example, Neurosis spoke of their musical process as being a type of religious journey. Wanting to retreat into a cave to get in touch with nature and their music, Neurosis creates something shared from within, taking it out of their heads and directing it at the audience. Neurosis mentioned with all honesty that in their former years they considered the audience to be their enemy. However, now celebrating their 30th anniversary, Neurosis no longer view us as the enemy. W

Before I muse about being a non-citizen, I will briefly explain why. Today I completed a series of Dutch knowledge tests, the  Inburgeringsexamen , which translates to the civic integration exam. Legally, I am recognised as a ‘foreign national’ who has been living in the Netherlands for almost five years. I am also considered to be a contributor to the knowledge-based economy in the Netherlands. So, what does this mean if (nay, when) I successfully pass?  It means I become a permanent resident of the Netherlands with the possibility to move to other European Union Member states. However, I am still legally considered to be an Australian citizen until I renounce my citizenship due to being  a citizen of another country or entitled to become a citizen of another country . The same goes for the Netherlands. I can only become a  Dutch citizen if I give up my other nationality . So, I think I’ll stick to being  a non-EU national who is a long-term resident , just for the time being.  While