Broadcasting today from Stateroom 102, aboard the Viking VE River Cruiser currently docked in Amsterdam. That’s right — you heard me =- Amsterdam in Europe, like with the Euros and everything. We’re on the Tulips and Windmills 10-day cruise. The room is pretty tight — we should have never invited George along — he brought, like, six large suitcases. Phil’s not a problem — he’ll be passed out in the lounge if he doesn’t totter overboard. We took a nice walk into parts of A’dam on our own while waiting for the room. Very nice walk. And we plan to glom on to a guided tour in about an hour. Dinner’s not till 7. Had my first Heineken within 5 hours of landing — it’s complimentary with lunch and dinner. Burp!

The seven-hour flight went well, as far as unbearable experiences go. I watched part of an old Chris Rock special and two movies: Daddio, with Dakota Johnson and Sean Penn (two state-related names) — very good! It’s just the two of them — driver and passenger — talking in a cab. Electric. And Brooklyn, with Saoirse Ronan — also good! Here are Dakota and Sean.

And here’s Saoirse, wearing something either by Louis Vuitton or the Scott Paper Towel Company. Just roll it around me, hon — we’re late!

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From The Onion:

Death Of Chopped-Up Woman Ruled A Suicide

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Two long walks around Am’dam. Great city. Tons of canals: it’s the Venice of the North. But we won’t be able to see the Anne Frank House or the Van Gogh Museum because all the tickets for them are Van Gone.

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The puzzle was a paean to baseball, no doubt to honor opening day. Answers led you to phrases that were missing, in order, first, second, third, and home. For example, for the clue “I’ve done this before,” the answer was NOT MY RODEO, i.e., leaving out FIRST.

Son Volt then shared this tune by Blue Rodeo.

For home the clue was “Rave over, metaphorically,” and the answer was WRITE ABOUT, i.e., omitting home. It caused Commenter Nancy to share this story:

I was 10-years-old and into maybe my 5th week at my 8-week sleep-away camp, when I got this postcard from my mother:

Dear Nancy,
I am having a wonderful time in NY.
Love, Mom

She then went on to chastise me. Evidently, every postcard that I had sent her in the past 4 weeks — camp counsellors made us send a postcard home every week — had said exactly the same thing: and only that one thing: “I am having a wonderful time at camp.”

The following year, when I was 11, my postcards home were newsier.

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Rex mentioned Keir Dullea today which reminded me of Noel Coward’s line after meeting him briefly: “Keir Dullea, gone tomorrow.”

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Tired from the overnight flight. See you next time!