Travel Blog

The 18 of us left Amsterdam 2 days ago and arrived in Brussels.  This country is known for (1) Chocolate, (2) Waffles, (3) Beer, (4) Capital of the EU, and (5) Jean Claude van Damm aka Muscles from Brussels.  Since arriving, I’ve eaten chocolate non-stop, waffles twice a day, drank 8 different types of beer, enjoyed an amazingly informative tour at the Chantillon Brewery, saw same EU federal buildings, but alas, no Jean Claude, most likely womanizing in Los Angeles. 

My friend Dan accompanied me to a tobacco shop yesterday and assisted in picking out a briar wood pipe, made by Brebbia.  I am now a pipe smoker.  The aromatic mango tobacco was an absolute pleasure to smoke, particularly paired with a Chimay sitting at a corner tavern surrounded by Wallonians.  When I get to London, I will find myself a red velvet smoking jacket and my alter ego will be complete. 

Speaking of alter egos, I want to pay tribute to an alter ego of a dear friend of mine in Kaohsiung, Zoey Kennedy.  Everyone should take on an alter ego to do evil. 

Any clever suggestions for my alter ego name, please chime in.

Tomorrow, I leave for Amsterdam. 

A sentence like that deserves its own space.  Like staring at a blank canvas moments before inspiration, this sentence is brimming with so much anticipation it is almost overwhelming.  It has been almost a year since I was last back in California.  Eric Allday, turning 40 next week, and Cat had gathered a crew of Santa Barbara Burners to celebrate said birthday with a beer tour through Belgium and a long weekend in Amsterdam.  No was not an option.  Here is a picture of the beautiful man.

The amortization of Amsterdam comes after the trip.  As with all things natural, you gain some, you will pay some.  I speak only of non-monetary payments.  Terms of payment to be determined.  Equilibrium.  But the lissajous ups and downs of life is what defines the interesting times that we live in. 

Starting tomorrow, I am going to be irresponsible and rack up a huge debt of emotional hedonism.  Scheduled payment begins 1 week + 1 day.  It’s going be worth every neuron I destroy.

Here’s to you, Eric!  Happy Birthday.  And a gargantuan thanks to Cat for organizing the week.  See you in two days.