A little over two weeks ago, Stephanie and I arrived in Amsterdam. The first few days were a blur as I personally struggled with the time change. Amsterdam is eight hours ahead of Boulder, so the 9 a.m. environment we stepped into upon arriving at the hotel was like 1 a.m. It took my body longer than I expected to adapt. 

Anywho. Here is an easily digestible Q&A for you to read:

1) What do you regret not packing?

My beard trimmer and my Newton running shoes. They're both on their way or in Customs. 

2) Any run-ins with the law?

Yes. I was questioned pointedly by the Amsterdam police after visiting some friends at Spotify. They thought I was a burglar. *Shaggy voice* It wasn't me!

3) Have you learned any Dutch?

Brood is bread. Kaas is cheese. Once I figure out how to say ham, I'll be the mayor of Sandwich Street.

4) Aren't you supposed to be posting loads of travel photos like everyone else does?

Yeah, I don't do that. Here's a bag of chips, er, crisps that I found. 

5) How is Amsterdam different from Boulder?

They like mayonnaise a lot more here. It's freaky.

You know how accepting a new quest in World of Warcraft often takes you to a completely new and different continent, full of strange adversaries and stranger avenues? Life is like that. Except without as many dragons.

I am moving to Amsterdam. My remarkable girlfriend Stephanie was offered a dream job there, which she accepted with twinkling eyes and dancing toes. I will be joining her because I can't bear for her to be alone there, being wooed by unsavory Dutch lotharios.

I'll be in Boulder until early June, so all my commitments will be heroically fulfilled. But if I squeeze your hand a bit harder the next time we meet, it's because we may not do so again for a while.

If you have marvelous connections in Amsterdam, please let me know. Every adventurer needs allies.

I returned from my first trip to NYC last week and have been sluggish about documenting it. Even while I was there, I was pretty bad at capturing the occasion. With the exception of a handful of ponderous tweets and a few iPhone pics of my hotel room, I was too busy with work to narrate my time there.

So I summed it up in 140 characters instead:

New York City’s variety is only exceeded by its capacity for people, hubbub and opportunity. Hailing cabs was difficult for me. Sandwiches!!

There were so many people. It felt like a concert had just let out, but it appears to be that way all the time. And nearly everyone I talked to absolutely loved it – the energy and the optimism it affords. That kind of spirit is contagious, though I confess I longed for my delightful Boulder, Colo. I don’t think I was made for big cities.

I also suck at hailing cabs. I ended up asking the concierge to do it for me. It was awkward. I couldn’t decide if I should be using my thumb or not. I felt like an absurdly motivated hitchhiker.

In all, I had some tasty sandwiches and reconnected with one of my most treasured friends (and her shrewd new husband). Wonderful trip. I didn’t see any of the major stuff (Statue of Liberty, Empire State Building, etc.), but with my dear friend George G Smith Jr. having recently moved there, I’ll have plenty reason to return.

P.S. - They totally have a combination Taco Bell/Dunkin' Donuts in NYC. Holy smokes!