Amsterdam

Back from Amsterdam. Amazingly, not much went wrong (despite not doing anything about the trip until that day morning -- thanks to a deadline the day before).

Didn't get a chance to take many photos, or even go around much. An interesting city, anyway, with numerous bikes, narrow roads, and an almost rural feel to it. After (and before) the snow and cold here, the weather over there was much appreciated.

snow, peacemaker, and v-day pic

I just got back home, and I'm not sure if I had really seen such snow before. Anyway, unlike last week, I wasn't on my bike (took the bus, instead) which was perhaps a good idea. And the University cancelled all classes today (and tomorrow), which was also, perhaps, a good idea.

Saw an ad about this game. Really cool. Someone should make such games for all the conflicts around the world.

And, the picture is on the occasion of V-Day. (If you're curious where that came from, this may help.)

Global warming (and why I don't have a car!)

Global warming is real for sure, and presumably far from being a local phenomenon: how else would you explain the freezing cold (in Fahrenheit, mind you) and this?

Anyway, in an effort to keep the warming a little more local, I have turned down the thermostat way down (well, at least by my usually warm standards), and taken to wearing a jacket, and sometimes even gloves, at home! Thanks to a pair of ski-gloves which I can wear over my (usual) gloves, I can still survive the 10 minutes it takes to bike from home to office. brr...