It's like the friend who's the asshole, but he's *our* asshole.

So at first I was a little irritated I didn't go anywhere for my 4-day weekend. B had invited me out to Malta, but she was going with her new guy-friend and I didn't want to be a third wheel. Based on how that relationship is panning out, however, I probably should have gone to keep the awk factor down, but whoops, who knew, right? Next time.

I was going to go to Belgium but then found out a friend of mine was going to be in Frankfurt. I then found out the hard way you have to buy rail tickets at least 3 days in advance (so this was nixing Belgium as well) if you don't want to pay Bitch Price. But it's often cheaper to fly--which is why I had been planning to fly to Frankfurt instead. HOWEVER. I clicked on the flight via Orbitz and the site was all "oh moo moo, that's not available anymore." Funny thing was, that message popped up no matter which flight I chose. So don't fuckin' use Orbitz, what a joke.

So I was all, fine, universe, bite me. I'll stay home and go to Amsterdam. Which I did and it was fun. (I could tell not long after getting there that the sky planned on opening up big-time, so after some token sight-seeing, I spent a good part of the afternoon in a semi-open-front restaurant, reading and eating frites with mayonnaise. Yup, you read that right. But the mayonnaise here is different than back home. It was good! I get it!)

Anyway, more importantly, my friend in Germany decided to come to me instead! So he drove up yesterday and we hung out, it was a lot of fun to see a good friend from home. I took him downtown, we were going to see X-Men but then decided we wanted to wander instead. I finally got to try bitterballen, he told me about the new horrendous-sounding prank in Japan, Kancho, that little kids do (often to the teachers?!) that sounds like sexual assault to both of us, and I introduced him to stroopwafels. (He made me take him to the stroopwafel vendor this AM so he could take a couple packages home. I noticed they were placed on the front passenger seat upon departure...)

We watched Boogie Nights on his ipad and I'm pretty sure I want one of those now. It looked incredible. Best travel toy ever. And perhaps just best toy ever.

This morning we found a little breakfast shop while we searched for the stroopwafel vendor. It was a cute pseudo-British place called "Kensington" with photos of William and Kate everywhere and a giant painting of Princess Di with paparazzi in the background. Apt? Anyway, we both ordered the English breakfast adventurously, not knowing what it was. Or rather, it's more that I've had many "English breakfasts," mostly in the UK and Cape Town and was curious to see how close it came. Not much, as it turns out. (Runny) scrambled eggs (still acceptable), two dry SUPERTHIN pieces of toast, beans (as in "pork and"), 3 sausage links and 2-3 limpish but mostly tasty bacon strips.

The whole reason we went in was because I was lured by the sight of fresh biscuits. And like an asshole American, I totally asked for "two biscuits" when I saw our breakfast did not come with them. The server was very nice about it, but apparently those were scones. ("Biscuits" are always "cookies." I knew that.) So he brought us each a scone with a side of what I swear to god was whipped cream and strawberry jam. We both agreed we could have been just fine with the awesome scones. (Well, and the tea, which arrived in the tackiest, most god-forsaken teapot ever. I'll go back and take a picture.)

But now my friend has driven back to Germany (or is doing so as I type) since he has a flight out in the early AM.

Hmph. So now it's all rainy and I'm all meh because it sucks when good company leaves. But it's a public holiday today and tomorrow is the start of my trial, so I guess I had better go enjoy the afternoon whether I like it or not!