A Very Cool Start in the Venice of the North

Hey all,

We made it!  We got to Amsterdam without any trouble.  Just the normal stuff you have to deal with when you fly.  It was a beautiful sunny day when we left Barcelona but when we arrived in Amsterdam we were hit with cold worse than Paris.

Brrr...

Really glad we didn't pack all our cold weather gear away in our suitcases!

We have a really nice apartment right in between a couple of canals. This is a shot of our living room-kitchen.  It's really big and the rest of the place is the same way.

We are only a few streets away from the Red Light District, Chinatown, and the main part of town with all the museums and attractions.  Walking distance to just about everything!  

Except the circus tent.  That's quite a distance away, but luckily a straight shot on the metro.  Jonathon and Ian both get reimbursed for their travel, so it makes it easy.

The first two days we spent here in Amsterdam were quite interesting.  We didn't do anything major, just wandered around and saw the sights.  Like I've said, we've been here before, so we revisited some places we'd enjoyed the first time around and got our bearings.  Then, the next day we tried wandering new turf.  That's always exciting.

One thing we discovered was our first windmill.  I'd seen one once before from the air, but that only counts if you haven't seen anything else.  *grin*  This one was pretty cool.  Not a working windmill, but one even better in some ways.  It was a windmill that had been renovated into a bar!

I have to say it's a very cool place.  Inside is very cozy and the people who tend bar are friendly and quick with a refill.  It's a little like going into your neighborhood pub at home.  You feel welcome the second you step inside.

They had a taster of all their draft beers which I got.  I love that kind of offer.  I've found several of my new favorites that way.  The inside  of the pub is lined with shelves covered in beer bottles.   We were told they weren't from the bar--no--that honor lies with one of the patrons who collected them over the years.  When he ran out of room at home, he brought them down to the pub.  Every month he comes in and cleans a section.  It was great.

After our refreshment stop, we went down to the harbor area and picked up our Amsterdam Museum Pass.  This puppy gets us in to 35 museums in Amsterdam and close to 400 in the Netherlands proper!  And we have a full year to use it!  PLUS, it is like the one I did in Paris.  You can go back to the museum as many times as you want.  

We visited the Maritime Museum first--just a big schooner outside.  It was a replica of an East Indian Trading ship and it was great to see how the sailors lived for months on end.  

They had a video presentation about the trading routes they built and it was enlightening.  I'd read about the EIT in several romance novels, so it was good to get the rest of the story.

We'll go back another day and see the rest of the museum.  We ran out of time and were getting hungry, so we headed down into the main part of town to eat.

Since Dutch food is difficult to find in Amsterdam--seriously, it's probably there, but we sure couldn't find anything-we discovered a great Argentinian restaurant and ate there.  Jon had spareribs and I had steak and it was awesome.  The guy who served us was a delight and we had a wonderful first meal.  We wandered around afterwards walking our meal off and then headed home.  Jonathon had an early day, so we wanted a good nights sleep.  

 The last few days he's been working, so I've been doing my part and putting our house together.  This is my favorite part of moving.  Setting up our apartment and making it a home.  I want Jonathon to come back each day and feel comfortable after work.  And he says it makes him relax better when he sees familiar things around him.  So I make it so.

I got that all done, did some grocery shopping and found something pretty cool while doing so.  Just around the corner from our apartment is one of the biggest flea markets around.  Another awesome!  It's got a little bit of everything, so I'll enjoy exploring it.

Anyway, the next three months should be interesting and enjoyable.  We've already had one celebration--we went out last night for our traditional Saint Patrick's Day drink.  Now we can say we have done that in six different countries!  LOL

You all have a great beginning to your week.  I'll be back on Wednesday with a closer look at one of Amsterdam's biggest attractions.  The Coffee Houses.  Space Cake anyone?  

Hugs,

CJ England  

Follow Your Dreams

http://cjengland.com

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/CJsaysFollowYourDreams/

The Lighter Side Gets Naked

Hey all,

I just have to tell you about my last Sunday in Barcelona.  I had nothing major to do.  Just wandered around and enjoyed myself.  I went to the big park in town and just meandered in the sunshine.  I walked up Las Rambles one last time and applauded all the street performers.  I ate gelatos all the way through the Gothic quarter and found a last cool item to purchase that reminded me of my time in the city.

When it started to get dark, I headed home by walking the beach.  I wound up having dinner at this little restaurant.  I ate fish and chips and drank beer as I people watched and listen to the waves crash on the shore.  It was delightful.  A perfect ending to my day.

Now I'll bet you're wondering where the Naked part comes in.  Well, it's a two parter.  LOL  

As I was first walking along the boardwalk, there were people everywhere.  It's Sunday afternoon...everyone's out enjoying themselves. 

 Then I see this woman.  Very heavy, wearing rag-bag type clothing.  I don't notice anything amiss at first, until she flashes her breasts at me.

Back the truck up!  What just happened?  I probably wouldn't have even blinked, but not only did she flash them, she gave them a bit of a squeeze as well.  Like she was enjoying herself.  It was kinda creepy.

Honestly, I think she was homeless and maybe a few sandwiches short of a picnic.  But no one else seemed to notice, so I was left with the impression she was a regular.  Maybe she does her act every Sunday in front of God and everyone.

So I kept walking and found my restaurant.  I nibbled on my food and was quietly enjoying myself.  I love to people watch and while it was thinning out-it was close to 7pm by now--there were still quite a few out and about.

I noticed a guy, sitting in the sand quite a distance from me.  I couldn't make out his features, but he was playing a guitar and seemed to be pleased with life.  I smiled, wishing I could have brought my guitar with us.  I could have gone down and played with him.  I looked away, thinking about other things, and then a few minutes later I looked his way again.

Guitar guy was now with a girl.  And as I watched them, as authors often do, I came up with a story about what was going on.  By his body language, he was into her, but she didn't seem as sure.  She was leaning away one moment, then leaning in the next.  It was fun to see the whole courtship thing.

I was done with dinner, so I flagged down the waiter for the bill.  Then I looked back at our couple.  And blinked.  Twice.

He was naked.

That's right.  Naked.  As the proverbial jaybird.  And on one of the public beaches (not normally a nude beach)  I couldn't see anything fun.  LOL  He was too far away.  But he was a natural brunette.  THAT I could see.

He was dancing in the waves, not sure if he was going in or not.  I wondered if I needed to re-evaluate the whole courtship thing.  Either he was VERY secure with his masculinity, REALLY well hung, or she'd already seen him in his--OMG it's fucking cold--state.

He finally jumped in, swam around and eventually climbed out.  She went down to meet him, but after a bit of a chat, he jumped back in.  Was he trying to show her how big and tough he was?  How the cold didn't affect him?

I went in to pay and by the time I came out, so had he.  I was curious enough to walk down and see what he looked like.  Was he hero material or an idiot who'd had one too many cervasas?

By the time I got to him, he was dressed and huddled in a ball with the object of his affections standing over him.  He wasn't too good looking.  Reminded me of a stoner with glassy eyes and sloppy smile.

But that could have been hypothermia.  The symptoms are the same.

So, that was my last full day out in Barcelona.  It was fun, interesting and, well...a little weird.  But in all honesty, that pretty much sums the city up in a nutshell.

Have a good one and I'll be back on Monday with our first full week of fun in Amsterdam!

Hugs,

CJ England  

Follow Your Dreams

http://cjengland.com

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/CJsaysFollowYourDreams/

Welkom in Amsterdam

Hey all,

According to Google, the above means 'Welcome to Amsterdam'.  And as you read this, Jonathon and I will be wandering around that great town taking in the sights.

As I've said, I've been to Amsterdam before--three times on layovers, but this will be the first time we've spent a good block of time there.  I know there are quite a few things to do and we hope to spend some time touring around the countryside. 

There is a canal trip we are going to go on--an overnight trip to a danish village--complete with a tour of a windmill, a tulip farm and a wooden shoe factory.  We're looking forward to that.

There are museums, parks, restaurants and other attractions we have on our list and several months to do them.  And I'll keep you up to date on all that I find here.

Now you know that Amsterdam has a few sections of town that are considered... "naughty".  I've been there already and enjoyed the freedom of the coffee houses.  I've wandered through the red light district and not known where to look as I passed by the women on display.  I may not go into the red light district again, been there, done that, but I have to admit I liked spending an afternoon sitting outside a coffee house and enjoying a smoke now and then.

Anyway, once we get settled, I'll be back with more on our trip and the fun stuff we have planned.   And I'll be back on Friday with another trip to the Lighter side!!!

Hugs to all,

CJ England  

Follow Your Dreams

http://cjengland.com

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/CJsaysFollowYourDreams/

Getting Ready To Move Along...

Hey all,

I've only got another day here in Barcelona.  The last couple of weeks I've tried to see everything I hadn't had a chance to yet and with being sick lately, it's not been easy.  But I don't know if I'll ever be back in Spain again so I didn't want to miss anything.  I've seen lots of museums, parks, architecture, beaches and so many other things.

I've tried to consider what part of Barcelona I'll miss the most and it's hard to pick just one thing.  I love the architecture here, the dozens of restaurants we've tried, and most of all, I think the wonderful atmosphere of the city itself.

If I had to choose one place I like the best, I'd say it is the Gothic quarter.  The rabbit warren of alleys, the different churches, the beauty of the architecture and even the people themselves.  One day you can find yourself being entertained by a wonderful street artist doing Spanish guitar, the next you can watch children playing three card Monty as they mimic their parents. (Not so sure that's a good thing.)

I've seen some great things while I've been in Barcelona.  Festivals where I've learned a lot about the history of this city, performances of different aspects of Catalonian culture, as well as just the daily way people go about their lives.  Sitting in a cafe and watching the world go by can teach you so much.

When I left Paris, I thought THAT would be my favorite city on the tour, but now, I'm thinking Barcelona may win that top honor.  But, who knows, once we're done with Amsterdam I may decide that one is the best.

I guess I'll need a few more cities to choose from before I  can make a final decision.  LOL  

Anyway, I'll be back next time with a quick blog about our first day in Amsterdam  Until then, you all have a great next few days!!!

Hugs,

CJ England  

Follow Your Dreams

http://cjengland.com

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/CJsaysFollowYourDreams/

The Lighter Side of The News

Hey all,

I found a great new site today.  I was doing some research on something else and came across this news feed by a guy named Mark Stevenson.  Apparently Mark likes to find all the odd, unique and weird news stories and report on them.

Like what you ask?

How about a guy who after a domestic dispute is ordered by the judge to take his wife out to dinner? Or a couple whose naked bondage play wind them up in jail because they decide to do their thang in the back of a car in full view of everyone.  Or the dude who walks into Walmart naked and winds up stealing only a pair of socks.

I'm not sure where Mark finds all these stories--he must have a lot of time on his hands--but they are all pretty good and a hoot to read.  He's got a Facebook page too.  HERE.  You can like him and keep up to date with all the lighter news around the planet.

Want more examples?  How about these hysterical headlines...

Emu escapes from Vt. farm, on the lam for 5 weeks

Dad shoots daughter's laptop over Facebook post

Purple squirrel goes free, leaving mystery behind

And my personal favorite...

Cops: Nude burglar covered in peanut butter, chocolate



It just goes to show you how messed up the human condition really is.  But I guess we should really thank these guys.  They'll give me Friday fodder for the next thousand years!

I'll see you on Monday!

Hugs,

CJ England  

Follow Your Dreams

http://cjengland.com

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/CJsaysFollowYourDreams/

Irony...Thy Name is Man

Hey all,

Did you read the article about the dude who had a heart attack while eating a "triple bypass burger"?   I mean I feel for the guy, truly, but honestly this has got to be the best bit of irony I've seen in a good while.

Heart Attack Grill Patron Collapses

I don't know how the guy is doing now, but I doubt he'll live down his fifteen minutes of fame anytime soon.  I mean, some people can be made famous for awesomely cool things like a history making speech or maybe even saving a child from drowning.

But this guy will go to his grave knowing he swept the internet because he went to crazily named burger joint, had a high cholesterol sandwich and his own body revolted against him

Honestly, not the way I'd want to be remembered

See you next time,

Hugs,

CJ England  

Follow Your Dreams

http://cjengland.com

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/CJsaysFollowYourDreams/

Ridiculous or Retro?

Hey all,

Good thing I'm not the fashion police.  I mean I usually love stuff they hate and look at what they hate and think, hmmm, that's not so bad.  But then I'm a jeans and T-shirt kind of gal who likes to dress up only when the time is right.

But I always check out the best and the worst on the Red Carpet and if I see an article like THIS ONE I usually will give it a look-see.  Just 'cause I'm curious.  And honestly, for the life of me I can't see why this guy is so worked up over these uniforms.

With the hullabaloo he is making,  I'd half expected the uniforms to have some horrible insignia or color, but instead I see an angular looking red white and blue logo that IMHO, looks pretty cool.  I don't see the problem, but then again, I just know what I like, and I don't worry about some of the stuff this guy is griping about.

Will NIKE change it?  Who knows?  They are VERY media conscious, but they're also money conscious, and I'll bet they spent a chunk of change on this little number.  

Personally, if I have a problem with this uniform at all it's because the USA flag and the NIKE emblem are the same size.  Seriously?  I think our flag should deserve a bigger place of prominence than the advertiser's name.  

Don't you?

See you next time!

Hugs,

CJ England  

Follow Your Dreams

http://cjengland.com

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/CJsaysFollowYourDreams/

A Lighter Look at Sci-Fi / Fantasy

Hey all,

I found something fun the other day.  It's been around for awhile, but somehow I'd missed it.  Very surprising once you know where I found the thing.

As most of you know I love the LOL Site.  The kittahs, puppies, celebrities and politics are my favorites.  Until I saw this new area of LOL...now I've got another one to visit every day.  *grin*

For those of you who love sci-fi and fantasy, you'll enjoy this one.  You can give it a look yourself, but like the other LOL sections, they take a picture--in this case sci fi / fantasy, and caption it.  I spent all night laughing my head off at some of the captions...  But I have to say my favorite part of this new area is where they take a sci fi book cover and comment on it.  THOSE are great!  Check out a few of my favorites and then go see the rest for yourself!

Enjoy!!!

This is just one of dozens of covers that made me chuckle.  It's one of the latest and a great example of the genre they are spoofing.

No daughter of Earth’s is going out dressed like that! Now come back here and put some real clothes on, young lady.

 Gotta love Clint Eastwood and as THIS Harry, I just busted up.

A classic.  Good 'ol Spock.  He's a hoot!

Twilight is one of the favorites to diss on this site.  This one has got to be one of the best.

Take a look at all the fun pictures on this part of LOL.  Go to SCIFI LOL.  Like I said, if you enjoy a good sci fi show, you'll really have fun at this LOL.  

I'll be back on Monday with more rants and raves!!!!

Hugs,

CJ England  

Follow Your Dreams

http://cjengland.com

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/CJsaysFollowYourDreams/

The Mutual Weirdness We Call Love

Hey all,

I saw this quote on a friend's facebook page and thought it was great.  The mutual weirdness we call love is such a perfect way to describe the malady so many of us are afflicted with.  

I make my business out of writing about love and how people fall in and out of it.  And I can tell you that love can be totally weird at times.  You'd think it would be easy.  After all don't scientists say it's just a chemical reaction and we don't have much of a choice in the matter?  Well I only have one thing to say to that...

Bullshit!

Forgive my french.  But while LOVE might begin as a chemical reaction (aka attraction), it certainly doesn't end with it.  In fact, IMHO, love is much more than that.

Love isn't only physical, though that part of it can be A LOT of fun!  :-)  It's also mental and spiritual.  And that's where the weirdness can really come in.  I agree with Dr. Suess, it's when our weirdnesses click that attraction is kicked up a notch and can have the potential into turning into something more.  Into something life changing.  Into LOVE.

It may not always happen that way, of course, but most of us spend our whole lives--if we're honest with ourselves--looking for that love.   For that special and intriguing weirdness that can make us one with another person.

I really didn't expect to find my soulmate (my perfect weirdness) in a man I'd known for most of my life.  We went to school together, dated a bit after college, but then lost touch with each other while he was in the military.  But then we saw each other again after several years and bamm!

Instant weirdness.

Yes, it started with that heart thumping, lip nibbling attraction I write about.  But then, to my utter delight it continued, morphing into friendship, respect and ultimately love.  And every day we're together I count myself lucky that I, knowing just how weird my weirdness really is, actually found someone that fit so well with me.

So have you found your mutual weirdness with someone?  If so, count yourself fortunate.  Weirdness isn't as easy to come by as you might think.  But if you haven't yet, don't give up.  It's said there is someone out there for everyone.

I guess it's just a matter of making those weirdnesses match.

Until next time...

Hugs,

CJ England  

Follow Your Dreams

http://cjengland.com

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/CJsaysFollowYourDreams/

The Real Jurassic Park?

Hey all,

Have you read the latest?  Apparently, science fiction has stepped into the real world and Jurassic Park is one step closer.  At least the flora area of it.

In Moscow, a team of scientists, has done something pretty amazing.  They've managed to to resurrect a 30,000 year old plant in a experiment that paves the way for the revival of other species.  The plant seeds, Silene Stenophylla, were found in a burrow and according to the scientists, they are fertile.

Scientists say this could be the first step in the reanimating of not just flora but fauna as well.  They are now looking for frozen tissue from the squirrels who buried the seeds.  And if that works, in the future, maybe they'll try even mammoths!

Now, I'm not sure how I feel about this.  On one hand, I always thought the ideas behind the Jurassic Park were awesomely creative.  Imagine being able to see dinosaurs and other creatures of the past, now, in the present?

On the other hand...I DID see the movie.  And knowing human nature and greed and all that...it might not be such a good idea.  After all, who polices the science?

I mean, first it's a pretty little white flower, next, you open your door and find a nasty tempered Velociraptor standing on your stoop.  Not the way I want to start my morning.

Would I go visit a version of Jurassic Park?  Probably.  I mean to be able to see things I've only imagined?  To see just how close our scientist's renderings of all the creatures has been to the reality?  Talk about cool!

But I think we need to remember what Jeff Goldblum, as Dr. Ian Malcolm in Jurassic Park said, "Your scientists were so preoccupied with whether or not they could, they didn't stop to think if they should."

An excellent point, this.  And one that should be thought out before we go any further with this type of research.  After all, do you really want to take a swim in your pool and find a Sarcosuchus--Super Croc--waiting for you?

Call me cynical, but I'd rather have a turtle.

See you on Wednesday,

Hugs,

CJ England  

Follow Your Dreams

http://cjengland.com

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/CJsaysFollowYourDreams/