Too Many Rules...

Today isn't over but I learned this weeke that I'm a lot more patient then I previously thought or at the very least, I am more patient when I like someone.... Can someone pass me some ear plugs? thanks.

Do you remember dating in high school. First of all, it wasn't dating. It was "going out". There were no big discussions on where is this going & are you in a relationship. No, you went to a party, hooked up. Then if they came over to your house after school one day, they were your boyfriend. No one had baggage when they were 16.

Now a days, you go on a date and decide if you want to see them again. May be next time you kiss (or more?). Within the first month the nipple has definately made an appearance and it leaves us all to wonder... where is this going? Do they like me? How do they like me.. do they like me enough to want to be with me or am I getting the run around. We're older but not wiser. We are older & more analytical.

Women wonder if they had sex to early. Men don't worry but just wonder when they'll be getting laid next and what hoops do they need to jump through in order to get it. While women wonder if they've given enough hoops so that they'll be "respected". There is a constant back & forth game that becomes exhausting. Essentially, everyone is walking around with their backs up & no one is ready to "jump in" because if you jump in, it takes about 5x as long to climb back out.

We've managed to create such a "gray area" in the dating world where everyone is confused. You hang out but you're not dating... you're dating but not together. You're having sex but you're neither dating nor hanging out because why would you hang out with someone that knows you intimately.

Why is it when you like someone, you can't be with them? What & why is it so hard to let go?

I fooked up....

K.. well, apparently I didn't read the article all THAT well. (I think I was horrified by the age difference). The girl had killed her family so as pointed out: the psychiatric evaluation on the mom would be moot.

BUT it is another case for why you shouldn't let your 12 yr old daughter date a 23 yr old man. I may go to hell for making light of it but I figure if I've kicked an old lady in the head & didn't burn up upon entry into St. Peter's I'm good.

Age doesn't matter... or does it?

The saying is that Age shouldn't matter. If you meet someone & you click, what difference does a couple of years make? Demi & Ashton are doing well. So is Catherine & Michael. Those are two celebrity examples of drastic differences in age. (Hell, Anna Nicole Smith claims that even her relationship worked but I'm sorry ew that is a case for Against there is just not enough viagra or booze out there that will unwrinkle that!)

But yes, I've been guilty of the age gap. I was 22, he was 31. He may have looked like a champ to his friends. Because we all know that when you see an older guy with a younger girl we all think the same thing.... He's in it for the sex & she's in it to be taken care of. Now that I just talked myself into a hole, I should point out that I wasn't trying to be taken care of. Unfortunately in my eyes I kept thinking... what's wrong with you? However, there are numerous examples of relationships where the age gap isn't a problem. My friend's mother is 46 and he's 36.... way to go Mom!!!!

So how about if he's 23 and she's 12? Yes 23-12.

I was just at lunch reading the paper about the multiple homicide that took place in Medicine Hat, Alberta and the accused is a 12 year old girl & her boyfriend, 23. WTF???? Aside from the obviously horrendous circumstances, doesn't anyone else see something wrong with this picture.

First of all, I didn't date when I was 12. I barely could get myself to talk to boys nevermind date them. Which leads me into the next part. The article went on to explain that this wasn't her first relationship that last year (before christmas) she had a 4 week relationship with a 16 year old who says she's a lot more mature then 12. I can stomache 16. I'm still stuck on the 23. So I read on.

Yes, he did come to the house first and met her mother to ensure that yes, it was ok for her to see this man (MAN.. he's a MAN! HELLOOOOOO?????) And the mother was fine with it. OK! WARNING FLAG! WARNING FLAG! Mom! do you smoke crack? What mother in her right mind would allow for her 12 year old daughter to hang out with a 23 year old man.

When I was highschool I had my own rule of thumb to not date anyone older then my brother who was 7 years my senior. I didn't really started having boyfriends etc. until I was about 15 and none of my brother's friends (age 22) would be caught dead with a girl my age for so many obvious reasons. So I kinda used it as the upper end of the agespectrum (acutally, i buffered it at about 5 years). It's a status thing to have an older boyfriend but even there, there are limits.

I can't help but think what does a 23 year old want to hang around a 12 year for? What is wrong with you that you can't hang out with someone closer to you in age? She's a little girl. Not to mention that 23 year old men have only one thing on their mind and this mother sending her out there to hang out with him? I wouldn't even let my 17 year old daughter hang out with a 23 year old. (Oh, I should mention here that I'll be living in a house high on a mountain with a moat because if I do have a daughter she will be EXACTLY like me. And if I have a son, I will so be the mom that completely deny that he got your daughter in trouble... no! not my boy... that's impossible. he's so good to his momma! and then I'd whoop his ass)

The article went on to explain he had a girlfriend that dumped him and was since then quite distraught. Um????? You are still being a Pedafile? Didn't Michael Jackson JUST get charged with the same behaviour? Granted it was with boys but come on! We have to embrace the Gays too!

I don't know. There was so many things wrong with the whole story that I really don't know where to begin. May be the mom should also undergo psychiatric evaluation along with the accused.

Some Pics...

ZANZIBAR!!!

I just realized I hadn't posted since returning home from Europe. The flight home was pretty uneventful except the part where they were holding the plane for me as I was very late and almost missed it... oops.

Yes, I get to the gate & the attendent informs her co-worker that they could put my luggage back on the plane. The comment made me pause for a second but decided not to dwell on that & chalk it up to being some "Dry British Humour". (Ya, right, I wasn't totally convinced that I had my luggage til it was safely making rounds on the belt back in Vancouver)

Anyways, I sat next to a lovely woman named Jay (short for Jaybladee bla... I don't remember) After chatting for some time & some wine, I find these things out:

J: My dad builds hotels

Me: My dad builds hotels! (Yes, I yelled. Plugged ears & wine does not make for a quiet Leanne)

J: Yes, we're building a hotel out in Zanzibar

Holy Crap, do you know how hard it was to bite my lip and not yell ZANZIBAR back in her face?


I dare you to stop reading & yell: ZANZIBAR... but it's not complete til you throw your hands in the air with a slight wave, at the same time...

Funnest word ever.

Sometimes Pain IS fun

Let me explain my friend Andy to you all. I met him through my ex as Andy was his roomate for a couple of years. After J & I broke up, Andy and I became friends and I liken us to a kind of brother-sister bond as he likes the beat the crap out of me.

Unfortunately I egg him on. Since I started taking kickboxing, I think I'm tough. Actually, I always thought I was tough becuase I survived my older brother but now I think I'm a tough chick that knows how to throw a wicked punch.

But when he has me face down on the cement asking me "Who's tough now?" that I realize Ok Leanne, you do have limitations... I will, of course, never admit to this as I'm told I'm more stubborn then am loud.

It's true. I don't believe I'm stubborn and realize how ironic it sounds when I say that to the day I die I will not admit that I'm stubborn.

Anyways, I wanted to fill you in on this background so as this next part doesn't sound weird. So here we are in the cab friday night heading back from Blue's Comedy Show to Yaggers. Missed Yaggers and hadn't been there in over a month. So Andy & I are in our usual ass-clown mode of trash talking & fighting in the cab when he pulled some sort of move on me & pinned me against the front seat of the cab.

I plead with the cab driver for help as it actually hurt. The only response I got from the cab driver was "Sometimes pain IS fun".

UH-huh.. right. Thanks for that little window into your freaky sex life. Please pull over and let me out as I no longer feel comfortable sitting in the back seat. I was worried he was next going to ask me to walk across his back in my stillettos. The last time I did that, I twisted my ankle so NEVER AGAIN!

London Bridge is Falling down

So while in London I've been wondering to myself where Bridget Jones has been hanging out. For those of you that have either seen the movie or read the book (which is waaaay better) you'd know of that infamous highlight scene where she is walking across the bridge? yes.... that one. I have failed to figure out which bridge it was so I walked across both the London Bridge and the Tower Bridge (which I think it was) in attempts to make light of my day I thought I would re-create such a scene of my own.

I headed my way up the steps to the london bridge (taking note that these are the famous steps to which "Nancy" from Olive twist was killed (kinda creepy) and I burst forward squinching my face up into a smarmy look of self assurance which is both annoying and endearing at the same time (think Rene Zellweger). I threw on my ipod so I have some sort of I'm every woman soundtrack to guide my way and I head across the walkway with the following voice over:

Diary of Leanne Gillespie
Tuesday April 18, 2006
Weight: 132lbs
Ciggies: 2 (v.g)
Alcohol Units: 5 (am on vacation so it is excused)
Right. So am filling my day with culture and contemporary design so as to appear that I am dignified and well rounded designer when I return home. (note to self, ensure that I look up Joseph Albers when upon returning home so know how to properly reference him)

Am excited to return home & see newly acquired boyfriend. Will wear new pants so when I depart from plane am cute & international and he will have no choice but to fall madly in love with me. I just hope that the amount of walking done on trip will cancel out the amount of pasta eaten in Italy.

For those that have read the Diary of Bridget Jones, you should find that quite amusing for those who haven't... Pick up a book god dammit. I love that book. It is one that I have read a few times as it is a comedy and the knowing the ending does not ruin the rest of the read for you. It's light & charming... enough said.

I have to say that today was the bet day in London so far as I went to Tate & the Design museum and I got to ensconce myself in modern design which has lit a small fire under my ass. I still don't know if I'm ready to get back to work but am inspired creatively none the less.

Last night was a bit of shit show. A friend tipped me off to head to Clampham Common even by myself & have a blast. "Tom" in my hostel advised me that it actually isn't the best place to go if you do not know exactly where it is you're heading. So after a discussion it was decied that I could go to Camden alone. So I did.

I got there & it was a bit desolate but I was out so I decided to go for one drink at a pub where I met a couple of locals. I was informed that yes, it wasn't a good idea to go to Clampham Common alone as it is the place where gays go and have sex in the park. I bemused that it explains why "Tom" mentioned that he'd have fun there but may be I not so much.

One local that wasn't working today so he took me back to Leicester Sqare to a club for dancing. I had a great time as I love dancing and after a few beers was quite intoxicated. He walked me down to Trafalgar Square to ensure I got onto the bus. I was trying to head back to Gloucester. Did you know that Gloucester Place and Gloucester Road ARE NOT NEAR EACHOTHER!!!!!!!!!!!!

Yes, in Van you could be at place, road, crescent etc.. under the same name & they are generally near eachother .. no, in LONDON, they are about half an hour away by car with no traffic.

Picture it. London. 2:30 am. Me: Drunk & Lost. Ya, good times. I apparently wanted Road where as I headed to Place and was ass backwards with buses that ran every half an hour. I was at least at a stop on the Tube (it stopped running at 12:30) so I could figure out where I was with my little map book but still had to wait for the proper bus to catch me. The trash people whom I had made friends with at this point where of no help when I started crying so I cussed them out.

I finally caught the right bus as I stood in the street and waved it down cuz I was between stops. Once I put my head onto my pillow was I able to heat up somewhat. The whole adventure probably took me about over an hour (at least)

Note to self: never go out alone again.

I do go home tomorrow and like I said before am sad. I don't want to leave. WELL.. I don't want to leave Europe. I could do without London.

Side bar. Am shocked to see the number of cute guys walking around. Especially today as I went into the "city of london" and there were suits all over the place. I half expected to see a city of Colin Firths walking around which I do not find appealing in the least. No bad teeth to speak of yet.

However, I am looking forward to having a bath, sleeping in my own bed and having the luxury of just laying on my couch and catching up on taped 24 episodes.

It's been a blast... I hope to come back soon.

On second thought.

I said I wouldn't bash Tom on the public forum... ya, whatever. The dude is a flaming weirdo. Aside from the fact he has this high pitched soft voice he speaks with, the guy sleeps with a stuffed gorilla. Last night I noticed the stuffed animals (yes, plural. There is also a stuffed bunny). But I never noticed he was spooning the gorilla til this morning.... naked. Ya, I need a new room. I only know he's naked because his pjama bottoms were lying beside his bed. There was no rome exposure going on here.

Anyways, I have yet to meet anyone in London to hang out with. Hence the blogging about nothing. Went to the national museum today. That was alright, but if I see one more Jesus Renaissance painting on this trip, I may throw it across the room.

Off to try on my new clothes!!!

All hail the Queen....

Ugh...

I'm in London (that's not the ugh part) but in order for me to have arrived here, I had to get up at 3:45am London time and get my ass on a shuttle bus, fly 2.5 hours, train for 45min, underground for another 10min, then walk to my "hostel".

Let me catch you a little up to speed since our last post.

Hit that pub crawl.... managed to bounce off the sidewalk. Yes, bounce. Not fall, not trip, not go down and then clamour up but bounce. I'm walking along, chatting with a fellow, holding my drink because apparently you can just take them from the bar and well, my drunk shuffle worked against me causing me to stumble down HARD onto my left knee. You know, the one I took out with the metal piling back in Valencia? Anwyays, faster then I went down, I hopped back up to realize I was in searing pain. After some assessment by Sam & I, it is decided that it does not affect my drinking arm and that yes, I can keep going but sans drinking cuz well, I'm a mess.

Anyways, I punched through... and managed to stay up ALL night long (story to follow in person). Then hit the Sistine Chapel. OH MY GOD... that is zooey.. I got there later in the day and the masses of people do not allow you to stand still and view things but rather you are pushed through. I never really got a chance to look at Rapheal's work too long but I did have a chance to admire the Chapel. Sam and I rounded out our Rome experience with a dinner on the Piazza and I decided right there that I never wanted to leave. I totally came to Rome thinking it was going to be crap & I LOVED IT. I loved it the way I loved New York. I love the chaos of it, the business, how there are so many nationalities in one place and that you really do feel like you are in the centre of it all. So I was sitting on the edge of a cafe, enjoying the sights, listening to background music and it's a little bit warm.... I just wanted to freeze that moment there... but unfortnately, time marches on.

So now I'm in London. It's kinda dreary here and the people in my hostel are weird. But i think that of every place I stay but these ones are as the 3 people in my room are currently living there I got Lucas from France, he's looking for a job, and Italian girl who always looks confused and "Tom". I put it in brackets because when I first showed up he kept trying to make eye contact with me to smile but after my trek i wasn't in the mood and then later he held the door open and told me his name... he seems extra sensitive... OK so I'm being politically correct. Talk to me in person & I'll really let you know.

Anyways... I have finally bought my pair of slutty European shoes and managed to find a store that I love so tommorrow I'm going to do some damage to my credit rating (i mean card!)So I'm off to search for some dinner... I found my new book to read (i've torn through 3 whilst being here) but I'm reading the Stand by Stephen King... if you know the book, you'd know how big it is.. now add a couple hundred pages as I bought a version where he went back and added things he had previously edited out... Well, it should keep me occupied for the next few days & my long ass journey home.

TTFN!

Ciao

I forgot to mention that I met the one and not only Mohammed Ali. These two egyptian guys decided to follow us into the Metro last night and walk us partly home. I think I would have rather had them with me as opposed to happy jack but c'est la vie.

Managed to got to the Vatican today and went into St. Peter's Basillica. Amazingly enough, I did not burn up upon entry so all you fools out there that thought I was evil... Guess I won't be seeing you in hell after all... (wait.. i still have a few more years don't I?)

After taking it all in... It really is enormous. The square alone can hold up to 300 000 people, we wandered down to ancient rome and gazed at the ruins and the Coleseum. I'm totally spent right now and am only online to promote my fundraiser. Tonight we are going on a pub crawl where it is free drinks between 8-9. It is essentially our last night together til Sam returns from her cruise ship contract so we're going out in style.

I hope I see you on the far side.....

When in Rome.....

pull out your penis....
WHAT???

yes, you read it here first.... Actually this blog is dedicated to Andy Yu who has been there through all of my innocently sick thoughts...

I am walking home this evening with sam after filling our minds with Roman culture and beer (the latter makes the former very classy especially if you are in the spanish steps).... ANYWAYS Sam and I are nearing our Hostel when a young homeless gentlemen asks Sam:
You like me? Yes, Very Big?...

We look and well.. IT was OUT... yes.. It... OUT

so I put the map up to shield my eyes when he decides he did not like me ignoring him and slapped my leg with his right hand.. when we all know that is the jerk off hand... ANDY! I have spooje on my leg... Now I may have had spooje in many places but it's never been on the back of my calf from a stranger (Hey Sticky.. are you glad you logged in today??)

Yesterday we partook in a bike tour of Tuscany which I have to say saved Florence for me... Aside from all of the free shooters I recieved the first night and meeting some of the best people i had ever... I found Florence to be a bit of an Italian Tourist Trap. But the 21km ride through the hillside with a wine tour and lunch was so muc fun and a good break we needed from walking and looking at things... I haven't been able to straddle anything since so it is hindering my Rome experience somewhat but after being marked by the guy in the street I don't think I have to worry about it.

After hitting an all time Ultra Bitch High today... (I honestly don't know how Sam puts up with me... she REALLY does love me) I finally melted and embraced Rome... LOVE IT ... LOVE IT.... LOVE IT... Oh my God.

Today alone saw:
Republica - traffic circle from hell that has no traffic lights and you play a real life game of frogger but losing isn't an option
Spanish steps - Third time is a charm and managed to trip up them landing square on my elbow.
Trevi Fountain - absolutely breathtaking and there are 3 cdn coins (nickels) in there now.
FIRST COIN: your wish SECOND COIN: Luck THIRD COIN: return to Rome
Pantheon - awe inspiring.. I wrote my paper on this in art school and actually retained some of the information!
Piazza Navona - fountains and restaurants where the used car salesmen of waitering work... they stand outside and beckon you to enter then treat you like crap once you submit.
Campo di Fiori - piazza where sam found her bar SLOPPY SAMS.. and we also saw mrs robinson... we got pics... We believe dude was put up to the challenge.... wowsa
And one more that I can not remember the name of for the life of me. It has a tomb of a unmarked soldier.

Ciao for Now.

Did I say bring on the Italian men?

Let me set this scenario up for you...

You are from the Dominican so you obviously want to go to Florence to open a Scottish bar that plays hip hop music right? At least the guy that is in love with me did that. I got warned about all of the attention that you could receive while you are in Italy and they were not kidding. I was out for all of 15 minutes before being asked out by a guy in a store. Then we went for a drink and the Dominican decides that I am quite lovely so Sam and I drink for free and 15 or more shooters later we somehow make it home BUT not before some car drives by me AND SPANKS ME ON THE ASS!!!!!!!!!

I thought I would quickly duck into this cafe after having waited 3 hours in line to get into the Uffizi Gallery however I was able to see the works of Botticelli, Leonardo, Michaelangelo etc..... up close so I suppose it was worth it??


Ciao for Now.

Hola

i think that is my new favourite word... it´s just such a happy greeting.

It´s half way through my trip and I thought I´d do a little inventory.

Bum: black and blue
knee: disfigured (don´t know if i mentioned i walked into a metal piling in valencia)
Tan: off-balance and pink
Film: 8 rolls in
Passport: we still have them
Men: still a geek magnet...

So Spain is done and we´re heading to Italy tomorrow... was trying to figure out how we´ll get from Milan to Florence am a bit worried about that and don´t want to spend my italian vacation stuck in the train station in Milan.

As for barcelona it was nice a bit whirlwind as we tried to see as much as we possible could and I´m up to 8 rolls of film now and want some chilling time.

Bring on the Italian Men!!!!!

I was wrong.... Barcelona Rules....

I will probably be saying that about every city I visit but it´s true.. Barcelona rules.

Valencia was fun. Vacation town. Met a cdn from Victoria named Sandra... also met a bunch of spaniards from the west of spain visiting... As Ryan would tell me, watch out for those damn spaniards... you were right Ryan, they´re a tricky bunch.


Arrived in Barcelona yesterday and there is sooooooooooo much to see and do that there isn´t really a way to get it all in. All I know is that some of the coolest things I have seen yet have been in this city as some of my favourites are here....
Picasso (although I saw his work at the guggenheim) Gaudy... seriously wows me and there is Toulouse Lautrec exhibit at the nat´l museum that I´m looking fwd to. Hopefully this time I won´t lose the poster I buy.

anyways.. keeping it short as Sticky yelled at me that I shouldn´t be updating my blog so much .. BUT in my defense we had internet where we were staying so it was easy.


I probably won´t report back til next week... Will give a good synopsis then..

LOVE SPAIN!!!!!!!

everything hurts in large amts

Well, am happy to report that my ass has taken on colours that I never thought were conceivable... (cross between purple & green) don't worry there are photos..

Best questions of the day:

How does someone sneak into Canada so they can smuggle into the states??
yes, cuz i want the american dream & Canada doesn't check cargo so i can jump from the ship & swim ashore yes?
AND

where are you from? oh.. I can show you my laminated menu of many services that I offer as a gigolo....


and also to note.. the french smell.

Valencia Rules!

Sam is here with me now.... YEY!!!

So my views on Valencia have changed somewhat... When I first arrived at this place I thought it was a bit of a hole. (Mind you I was also bitter at the fact I hadn´t slept, eaten and that Sam was still in Amsterdam sans passport.)

However, the dingy hostel women (I could slap this women without feeling any remorse I tell you... Might be the accent.. might be the CONSTANT smiling) anyways... she showed me a good route to take for a walk... and well, I started to see how this was a nice place ... still poor yes, but all the monuments date back to about 14 something or other... They´re all ominous in size and are beautiful.. took a roll and a half of film... And everywhere you are,there are little plazas where restaurants line them and no one ever sits inside but rather there are many tables and chairs littered about. And this goes on all night long... Unlike Vancouver, there are no noise complaints about it either.

I truly fell in love with Valencia when I was sitting at a table. It was a comfortable heat that night, all the tables are filled with people, there was a man walking around playing the accordian and you could here the cathedral´s bells ringing in the distance.

I took Sam to the same place last night. We ordered wine. My first night, I ordered wine and I get a glass..... We order it and the waitress drops off a bottle. Um, ok... guess we´ll drink that then. Thank god she brought us bread.

We also were able to make it down to the beach yesterday and got to check out the Mediterranean... All I could think when I saw it was that yes, this is very pretty down here and .... Imagine how many people have died in this sea. Ya, that´s what I comment on. I think I´m warped.

We met another Canadian from Victoria last night and are meeting up with her tonight to go out and tomorrow we head up to Barcelona.... so until then... ADIOS!

Schizam!!!!

Or should I say "Holy Shit"

The worst has happened... Just as I was posting this last night, Sam had her purse stolen out of the internet cafe along with her passport, trav chqs, diary, souvenirs what have you....

I have yet to sleep.

She went to the police, who sent her to the airport to the military police who sent her back to the hotel informing her the military police can not do anything for a non-holland resident. So we´re up half the night figuring out our stuff just to rise at the early hour of 5:30 and find out YES! they found her passport... BUT the sneaky catch is that the officer that claimed the passport has gone off duty and will not be back until 10pm tonight. So I´m in Valencia alone and Sam is wandering around Amsterdam by herself. She vowed to never return to that country as she is two for two with stuff being stolen. Turns out the sneaky or not-so-sneaky crooks in this case tried to cash her trav chqs and use her passport as ID. Ya, dumbass you really look like a tall blonde cdn girl.

Valencia is different. I didn´t have any clue as to what to expect. I´ve never been to mexico so I guess I could liken this place to that. I was given a route and started my wondering. I found the architecture awesome and some of the monuments unreal... I think this city will be a total relax and enjoy kinda place as I´m planning a venture to the beach tomorrow.

As I was walking around. I note some similarities to home. (I´m constantly comparing Vancouver to where ever it is that I am) One thing to note is that pretty much the homeless people are the same anywhere. Was thinking gee, this is just like home. You hit any park and you see a slough of people sleeping all around... I was going to take this one picture (I´ve already gone through a roll of film today)anyways.. about to take a picture when the guy stands up and undoes his pants...hmmm... k.. almost like van except at home they´re not so ¨ballsy¨ no pun intended.

But the verdict thus far. Amsterdam: with the exception of some minor crime (Sam really shouldn´t have left her bag under her chair) I like

Valencia: growing on me.. still to tired I think to completely enjoy it..

TTFN!

Day 2

I'm hitting the internet a lot as I'm still trying to confirm a couple of details & some people at home fail to realize that I'm on vacation & keep asking ?'s of me.

But for all those that have wished me well... thanks! the apparent concensus is that I should either get laid or at the very least make out w/ someone.

Yesterday was a bit of a shit show I must admit. I stated earlier in an earlier post that walking down the street at night was a bit like being in mexico as you are cat called at constantly... They're not who I'm so afraid of as I am of the crazy drunk Germans.

I'm sitting in the heineken brewery minding my own business watching a video on their advertising when I get acosted by this drunk German who was on his stag. He then proceeded to follow me around the place... thank god for exits. He thought it was strange I come all the way to europe & visit amsterdam.

Then last night I decided that I needed to have the amsterdam experience (interpret what you wish... no i did not get a prostitute) but after visiting a cafe, Sam & I hit a club where one FREAKY guy sat and stared at me & mimicked my movements. We finally left when he started to pet my hair... my yelping didn't help either.

Unfortunately, the next club was just as fruitful where one guy (who had to be high) thought that yes, come over & punch me (what is up w/ that??) well, it didn't start there. He did try & serenade the house song to me & then told me to do myself a favour & not look at him (this should go into the bad pick-up entry) After some jabs at me. Sam informs him that may be I'm not the girl you should really be hitting.
When he left he asks if I was going w/ him... um???? no. Don't know if he was german or dutch or what but I just looked at Sam & she tells me that my geek magnet has gone international.. which is just super... I'm the International Geek Magnet.

Nice to know it is me.

oh, ya, there were a couple of museums in there too but it's not as fun to write about me looking at stuff. However I think that the Van Gogh is a must see.

Let the Adventures Begin!!!

We ducked into this easy internet cafe for a quick break as it is bloody windy here in Amsterdam. I'm told it's unusual but it's annoying nonetheless as Sam & I were sitting in Dam square having a lovely picnic and a menu whips by almost decapitating us both with one slice.

I'm starting to get into the vacation groove. I knew it would take me a couple of days as I'm more wound up then a toy top but Amsterdam is growing on me. I still can't pronounce any of the street names or dutch words for that matter but everyone here speaks english so it really isn't a problem.

Aside from my sore ass (see yesterday's post) things are good. Got to see my dutch bf.. (still in love I am... What's a few thousand km's, a longtime relationship & children havet to do with anything?) uh.. ya, I've said this before & I'll say it again... I know when we parted ways in January, I thought I would never see or hear from him again but this time I'm pretty sure of it.

This interaction with him makes me wonder why is it that certain people come into your life? I live with the total belief that everything happens for a reason. I really can not fathom the idea of the chaos theory but rather one event is essentially in relation or a result of another and we slowly progress through life.

So what is the purpose of my meeting Daan back in January and starting up an email correspondance relationship only to have it climax with a lunch encounter in Amsterdam? It puzzles me.

Other then that. Sam & have filled up our days with culture from the Anne Frank House, the Van Gogh museum and the fancy dancy red light district where men out number the women 20:1. We hit a few pubs there last night and when you walk down the street you feel like you're in Mexico.

Hey! wfft! Look at me...
Hey pretty girl...
Bonjourno...

doesn't stop...

Other things I've noticed or I'm getting fairly good at really quickly is spotting different nationalities. I've noticed that dutch people actually start speaking dutch to me off the bat rather then english & my look of confusion generally gives it away but some general characteristics of other countries I've noticed so far go as:

Dutch: TALL! such high ratio of tall people that I finally found a place where I blend. And everyone here is quite attractive. Another bonus. People that dress well as a whole. So refreshing.

English: bushy.. seriously people, find some tweezers & a mirror. Your eyebrows are so long that they try & grab at me as I walk by. And there is no middle ground. I've seen young. Guys generally have their soccer jerseys on & their hair carved into or you get the old men with their droopy faces, long mid sections & hair growing so far out that you wonder if it acts like cat wiskers to feel their way through.

American..... WELL... we can just delve into this pot for several hours but it was uncanny this morning at the museum. We could spot them a mile away. Everyone from other places generally dress quite stylish and every American is wearing white sneakers. I suppose this is better for their joints as they're supporting so much excess weight! Seriously people put down the McChicken & pick up an apple. Your heart is working overtime here with all the walking you must be doing.

Well.... my time's up! I head to Spain on Monday... I'll keep you posted on my finds.