Le Barack of Obama

I just watched Obama's DNC acceptance speech. Someone should tell this guy he's running for President of America, not France.

Obama on the free market, "In Washington they call this, the ownership society. What that really means is, you're on your own."

Those words sound familiar. Oh, that's right, they are the basis for the political and social philosophies of Castro, Lenin, and Mao.

Pictures of Amsterdam Because I Haven't Taken Many of the Hague

Probably can't read that. It says "Durty Nelly's". Clear infringement on the Ocala/Gainesville establishment's trademark.

Willie's New Groove

I realize that Willie (for those of you just joining us, Willie is the baby blue bike I have been riding) has dominated the conversation. That is how things operate in Holland. Today is no exception. I have been easy on Willie Soft Spot (the soft spot refers to an unfortunately placed sticker on Willie's cross bar). The truth is, Willie's seat has been punishing my "soft spot" since I picked him up two days ago. I do not have any tools here so I had yet to remedy the problem until today. For some reason the seat was pointing up at about a 45 degree angle from the road. Luckily, the attorney I am working for has a crescent wrench and now things are kosher. I felt like an outsider before, with my wobbly wheeled bike that performed abortions on my potential children. Now I feel like a Dutch resident. I think that's what it takes to belong. You need a bike that can be mounted with pride, not trepidation.

I apologize for the abundance of words at the expense of pictures. I will include some eye candy for my ADD readers as soon as I get a chance. The medieval city of Gent, Belgium is probably on tap for this weekend which will likely reap hundreds of pictures.

Speaking of Belgium, I have a homework assignment for you. The next time you are at the liquor store, see if you can find a beer called, Kasteel. I think I mentioned it earlier. It is as ubiquitous as it is delicious over here but I bet we can't get it in America.

Super-Soaked

I forgot to mention that my shower head broke on the first day. The faucet and shower head are located in the center of the tub rather than on the (logical) end of the shower. It appears that the Dutch do not believe in cleaning themselves from above because the shower has only a small hook on which to hang the hand held shower head. This hook is not sturdy enough to hold said shower head in the event that you should want to end the shower and turn off the water. In hindsight, I should have taken the shower head down and then turned off the water but, typical American, I assumed that I could just end the water flow when I wanted. The shower head fell and snapped leaving a super-soaker for a shower head. I begged my parents to buy me the latest super-soaker when I was a kid. Mom, save your money. Buy me a decent shower head. The Beatles’, “Happiness is a Warm Gun”, plays in my head as I take a shower. The water pressure has to be adjusted according to which body part I am cleaning as some body parts are more sensitive to water pressure than others.

I had my first real day of work today. Yesterday was all formalities. I actually read our client’s indictment and talked about the case with my bosses. The attorneys on this case seem like very nice people. They have a pretty laid back approach which lends itself well to my personality. I had to be at work by 2:00 so I mounted Willie and took off into the Den Haag traffic. Unfortunately, it was raining. I knew this when I left but I had no idea just how constant the rain would be. It wasn’t raining hard, just a drizzle. But it rained the whole way and I began to worry about my laptop which was resting in my backpack. I don’t think this backpack is waterproof although I suspect it is water resistant. Not wanting to risk ruining my lifeline to the rest of the world, I took off my rain jacket and wrapped the backpack in it. As always, I figured in getting lost time but the rain, coupled with Willie’s back wheel injury, slowed us down more than I expected. By the time I reached the tribunal I had nearly fallen over by getting caught in the tram tracks, stopped three times to look at the map, and gotten soaked from head to toe. Fortunately, my computer and ipod went unharmed.

I walked through security with a chip on my shoulder. The guards weren’t sure what to do with me. That place is locked down for real. The guards change everyday and they do not understand the whole intern concept. Every guard asks for an extension to call. This is an impossible task since the ADC does not really have an appropriate extension and even if they did, I don’t know the number. I just started working. My new bosses basically laughed at me for being wet and stupid which was a welcomed grumpy mood breaker.

The case I am working on is exciting. If this guy did everything they say he did, he raped about a hundred people and killed another two hundred in one day. Stay dry.

World Tour

Excuses to visit:

9/12 Billy Joe Shaver Haarlem, NL

11/12 My Morning Jacket Amsterdam, NL

11/20 GZA/Genius Den Haag, NL

Peace

Willie Nelson

I met with my team today and picked up the bike that Brent Hicks has so graciously lent me. The bike needs a new back wheel and front and back light but other than that it isn't too bad. I'm thinking of calling it, Willie Nelson. Blue Skies was the song that popped into my head and I think Willie when I think that song. I will post a picture of Willie (the bike) when I get a chance. My work day was only an hour long but I am still in the process of getting settled.

Today included my first trip to the grocery store. The Dutch have hand baskets like we do but theirs have a long retractable handle and rollers. Another example of something the Dutch do better.