tgoorden Thomas Goorden

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from duesseldorf to tgoorden - 5 years ago (Last updated: 2 years ago)

comment date January 23, 2008, 9:56 am (UTC)
He was the great host of the BW unconference weekend in Antwerp.

The greatest host! It is hard to believe that there is a person like Thomas who is absolutey relaxed about 25 people jumping around his house, entering every single room and not letting him a second of privacy. Although I was not hosted by him I spent more time at his place during the BW unconference that at my hosts place. THANKS a MILLION!!! Would have loved to dance tango with you :-) He was the great host of the BW unconference weekend in Antwerp.
It is hard to believe that there is a person like Thomas who is absolutey relaxed about 25 people jumping around his house, entering every single room and not letting him a second of privacy. Although I was not hosted by him I spent more time at his place during the BW unconference that at my hosts place. THANKS a MILLION!!! Would have loved to dance tango with you :-)
UPDATE: His couch is comfy, his housemates friendly, his cats purring like motors - it was a BIG pleasure seing you again and time staying at your wonderful house! BTW: Thanks for having proofread my article about Antwerp. Next time we will both be less overworked, promised?!

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from elsyaranda to tgoorden - 4 years ago (Last updated: 4 years ago)

comment date May 4, 2009, 9:13 am (UTC)
They host me in Antwerp

Thomas and Lizbeth, thanks for being such superb hosts! It was a very relaxing weekend and it was extremely interesting to hear you and Julien debating about the guy with the gun! Thanks for the great meals and the amazing hospitality. comment date May 4, 2009, 9:14 am (UTC)
They hosted me in Antwerp
Thomas and Lizbeth, thanks for being such superb hosts! It was a very relaxing weekend and it was extremely interesting to hear you and Julien debating about the guy with the gun! Thanks for the great meals and the amazing hospitality.

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from amylin to tgoorden - 6 years ago (Last updated: 5 years ago)

comment date August 22, 2007, 4:42 pm (UTC)
I met Thomas at the New Zealand CouchSurfing Collective, and then stayed as a guest at his place in Antwerp.

I'm so glad that Thomas was able to make it out to NZ on his vacation, and so f'in happy that he came to live/work at the Collective. He's such a kind, down-to-earth, super-smart and gifted person, sure to make you laugh in any situation...he's got an infectious personality, in a good way, not a bad germ :) He even hosted me and 2 friends in Antwerp (the 2 friends being a completely last-second thing). His apartment is comfortable, and he is an excellent host.

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from sitarane to tgoorden - 5 years ago

comment date July 4, 2008, 11:43 am (UTC)
Amsterdam Bewelcome Collective

If you think yourself the best debater in the world, try this guy. Every time he speaks, it sounds like a speech. I'm fucking jealous! Other than that, he's efficient, relaxed and a great joke-teller.

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from guaka to tgoorden - 5 years ago

comment date July 2, 2008, 3:53 pm (UTC)
We first met at the New Zealand Collective.

T is smart, talkative, always busy and energetic. He's both an excellent host and guest and very involved in the hospitality exchange community.

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from pettergoldstine to tgoorden - 5 years ago

comment date July 1, 2008, 5:57 pm (UTC)
SHE is bringing all of us together.

I think you and I will have quite a lot of discussions in times to come.
I think we will probably work together as well. Our interests overlap in many areas, this, I believe, will prove to be fruitful friendship.

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from fake51 to tgoorden - 5 years ago

comment date February 2, 2008, 6:28 pm (UTC)
BW 'nference in Antwerp Jan 08

Thomas is a very accommodating and friendly host. For two days (actually three, I guess) he let a large number of people gather in his house to discuss interesting matters and throughout there was nothing but helpfulness and good spirit.
He's a fun and interesting person to speak with, quite knowledged and with a lot of opinions so there's a good chance for discussion :) At the same time he's very open so you feel at ease around him. I definitely recommend meeting him if you have the chance.
Thanks for the great work with the meeting. If you're ever in London, let us know :)

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from midsch to tgoorden - 5 years ago

comment date January 23, 2008, 9:24 pm (UTC)
We met at the 1st (un)conference in Antwerp

Knowing Thomas virtually from CS, openCS und BW/BV for quite a while it was nice to meet him in person. He is full of energy and bubbling over with ideas, but unlike many others he's able to get things started and even done. A true pirate. Waving my Jolly Roger to salute you!

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from steinwinde to tgoorden - 5 years ago

comment date January 23, 2008, 8:14 pm (UTC)
Thomas organized the BeWelcome conference January 2008, provided space and everything. I attended the meeting.

He's the perfect organizer, very hospitable, very helpful. Absolutely trustworthy. Besides this his house gives you an excellent starting point to explore Antwerp.

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from jeanyves to tgoorden - 5 years ago

comment date January 22, 2008, 5:14 pm (UTC)
We met in Antwerpen at Thomas place

Thomas organized one of the first "un-conference" in BeWelcome. Not a lot people were expected, but in fact a lot came to is place.
It was really great how Thomas organized and manage the situation (discussions, meal, hosting, welcoming).
Thomas is very skilled person for group brainstorming managment and communication, he is also great for a party and very helpful for his host.
Thank you Thomas !

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from polarfox to tgoorden - 5 years ago

comment date January 22, 2008, 1:45 pm (UTC)
We met at the unconference in Antwerp, January 2008 at his place.

Thomas is a great guy and supreme host. He combines a lot of rare abilities, from intelligence, to moderation and simply friendly and well organised hosting, while being always relaxed at the same time although there are 25 persons jumping around in his flat.
So when ever you should have the chance to visit meet him, take the it. You'll definitely wont regret it, neither him nor the city of Antwerp, which I have fallen in love for.

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from claudiaab to tgoorden - 6 years ago (Last updated: 5 years ago)

comment date October 28, 2007, 11:33 pm (UTC)
I basically knew him from forum posts in our volunteer forum and it was great to see the face to those posts finally :)

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Thomas hosted the Un-Conference in Antwerp, so even if I didn't stay for the night I can praise his qualities as a host ;)

Unfortunately we didn't really talk too much, but my first 'real life impression' was very positive! I'm looking forward to meeting him more often and also talking to him, of course!

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Thomas managed to create a wonderful, friendly, relaxed and open atmosphere for a very well-structured and constructive conference. Great location and a wonderful team of hosts :) Thanks to all three of you!!

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from abrahamhaim to tgoorden - 6 years ago

comment date September 26, 2007, 6:09 pm (UTC)
In Antwerp

I stayed for a few days with Thomas and his roommates in Antwerp and had a really good time there! Got to meet a lot of cool people at his house-warming/birthday party and see a lot of the city. He's just moved into a real big place right by the city-center, so it will definitely be perfect for "BeWelcome"ing. I found Thomas through CS, and he convinced me to go ahead and join the new network, so now I'm writing him a reference here too! He gets my recommendation for any potential host or guest :-)

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from chmac to tgoorden - 6 years ago

comment date August 22, 2007, 3:47 pm (UTC)
I met Thomas on the pirated high seas of the internet then in real life in Edinburgh.

Thomas is a level headed, smart thinker. Unphased in the heat of a discussion, he's an asset to any campaign. Welcome back at my place any time.

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from thorgal67 to tgoorden - 6 years ago

comment date July 24, 2007, 12:22 am (UTC)
He invited me at his place for some vegetarian cooking and conversation

An interesting guy whom i first met online and who has some great ideas about interconnectivity of online communities. He writes he is extravert but I must have caught him on a quiet day because he look perfectly natural to me LOL. I'm sure we'll see more of each other, and i'm looking forward to working with you.