Winter in Amsterdam

It's been far too long since I've written here. It's time to start again. It's winter in Amsterdam, and it's much nicer to be inside than out. I actually appreciated the dreary weather here when I studied here in 2005 -- it feels better to stay in and read and write while freezing rain and winds slap against those unfortunate enough to need to be out.

I've been busy looking for a permanent home here, and in the meantime living in various friends' and friends-of-friends' houses while they're off vacationing in warmer places. I feel like a bit of a sucker having paid for my current landlord's airfare to Panama in exchange for the keys to his poorly-heated house. But I was there last year. Now it's my turn to suffer.

I'm not suffering because of the house, that's an exaggeration. Things are, for the most part, actually going my way. My plans are all falling into place: I've got an office; am busy officially establishing myself as a tax-paying resident; and am in negotiation to buy a home. Unfortunately, the unplanned development (my favorite kind) of the past few months seems to have fallen apart. But life goes on.

I've got a radio show with some friends here. Here's a direct link to the latest show.