I'm back in Amsterdam after a wonderful trip to the US. (update! see my photos here) My sister Star has creatively assembled a comprehensive slideshow series documenting the Northern California part of the trip where we celebrated her wedding and my 40th birthday. I then traveled to Denver and St. Paul for the political conventions with the Missile Dick Chicks, and had a 40 hour stop in NYC before reuniting with Leigh in Amsterdam. Ma & Pa Smith arrived the same day (photos) and we hit the ground running for 4 days of sight seeing. Lots of photos to be posted soon (see above), but we have our hands full recovering from jet lag and planning the next adventure.

Just back from the always fascinating and fun ICMPC conference in Sapporo, Japan.

I have many photos to post of my travels in Kyoto and Tokyo after the conference, but for now, I've posted photos of a jam night that a group of the attendees played at, at the Half-Note bar in downtown Susukino precinct of Sapporo. It was a fun and creative night that I had a chance to enjoy (as a listener), thanks to everyone who played!

Only two months later, finally we have photos online of our trip to Hamburg and Scandinavia.

Afterwards Leigh and I were in NYC, and I stayed a few more weeks in my apartment there. Photos from that leg are up now.

Now I'm in California celebrating my sister Star's marriage to Marcey with my family. Photos uploaded in two months or less! Leigh is in Amsterdam getting ready for his trip to Japan.

I am quickly writing from Oslo at the beginning of our Norway adventure. Photos and details in a later post.

Leaving Amsterdam for two months, it was a rush the last week to get ready, and also Ziggy visited. I posted a bunch of photos but did not have time to write about them. Check out pictures from my trip to Ruigoord with Pieter, our boat ride for Aminah`s birthday, and Ziggy visiting Amsterdam, plus the La Commedia premiere.

We move back to where it all started, Geldersekade 14-4029, 1012 BH Amsterdam, in the red light district. Same exact apartment, 4029. Our current landlord is moving back from South Africa and so there was no possibility of extending our lease. In fact we are leaving 2 months early. Works out better with the other travels we have planned.

I had a mini-holiday with my sister Star and her partner Marcey visiting from San Francisco. Each day of their 4 day visit got nicer and warmer. The highlight for everyone I think was a canal tour on a small boat with the St. Nicolas Boat club, who only take donations for payments. What a find!

See the other photos, and also check out Star's site for her perspective.

Last year I had to work, this time it was Leigh's turn to sweat out a deadline while I partied. I don't much care about royals' birthdays or flag waving--but I'll take a street party with orange attire and a mass flea market any day.

Hosts Davy, Aminah, Amber, Leigh, and myself were bored and brainstorming ideas for some fun. The superhero party was born! Photo evidence.

I'm once again in that interesting city for work. Who knows, so are you?

We've had mostly cold and rainy weather in March, but the last couple of days have been milder. Spring seems in the air, but the tulips are found more in the flower market than in the earth. Still, signs of new life are all around. Found a crazy exotic fruit at the market.