the visa gods have smiled upon me this day. the last two have been the best (hottest) of this drenched summer and coincided drunkenly perfect with back-to-back "going away" parties. all is right when the seemingly endless amount of 30 racks depletes and there are ten bottles of wine left for ponging.

a fine send off indeed, even though I had to wake up at 6 (but did at 7:30) for my appointment at the consulate. I owe my brahski Joseph something very special, maybe from Amsterdam, for the wake-up call. you like brunettes?