Thanks very much for your comments on my post last week, "rejection; the only way a writer can succeed". Very useful ideas from wise friends.

It's no good trying to keep up old friendships. It's painful for both sides. The fact is, one grows out of people, and the only thing is to face it. -- W. Somerset Maugham

Amsterdam is as lovely as ever and it is very good to see my dear friends here.

Tonight we went to a musical play, Little Shop of Horrors, which I had never seen before.

Flight delays due to weather. I missed connecting flights once, twice, thrice.

I got food poisoning right as I left Chicago and spent most of my time in the airplane or airport W/C with all of the unpleasantness that implies. Usually I like the transatlantic crossing b/c it gives me time to read. This trip I mostly just slumped in my seat.

They detoured me through Frankfurt. It's a long story.

I spent a total of 24 hours to get here. With food poisoning.

At JFK, Stephanie behind the Delta desk was working to find me a flight across the Atlantic. You know, at least to get me to the right continent that evening. I was having trouble standing up. I said Is there a medic? I'm pretty dehydrated, can't keep anything down, and I just -- I tapped my veins -- need some water.

She was dialing the medic but commented they might not clear me for flying so I stopped her. Can you just get me to Frankfurt?

My baggage is still at JFK. Clothes, toiletries, software I need, misc gifts for friends over here.

I feel oddly relaxed. I have not been smoking or drinking. My stomach finally tolerates Maria's delicious black bean soup but nothing stronger. I'm not a real smoker anyway.

Steady night rain in Amsterdam we biked to the play in then biked home in.

I did show up with a handful of daisies for the household. If you offer me shelter in your home I'm at least bringing daisies. Their son Andrew, age six, is fluent in Dutch and English and is bright, kind, and articulate. I'll be housesitting for several days while they travel to Legoland in Denmark. Maybe luggage will turn up. Maybe they will ship it to India.

Mary Anne, whom I miss quite a lot and who I wish would move to Chicago, forwards to me and other friends and family the following imperative:

YOU HAVE 20 MINUTES TO TELL 10 FRIENDS THAT YOU LOVE THEM

SO .......

I LOVE YOU!

GO!

In the message the phrase I LOVE YOU! occurs in bold purple type. I get irked by email messages that contain an imperative however whimsical, or that constitute a link in a chain email scam. I never comply with them, with the exception of this one. I did tell ten of my friends, Mary Anne among them, that I love them. I did so mentally and it was valid and true. There was no stipulation that the delivery occur verbally.

There are many people whom I love and no one I hate. Each day I am quite grateful.

Randomly: an interesting wiki about John Archibald Wheeler. Wotta guy.
( Pictured: not Wheeler. Darwin. (Wotta guy.) )