[1] I'm making my first-ever trip to Europe this weekend to return next week, on business. It's to Amsterdam, which I understand is beautiful, historic and, um, let's say "liberal" to avoid any unnecessary shouting, so please pray for me as I fly through the volcano plume to meet with my Viking overlords to discuss things Viking overlords want to discuss.
[2] In that, if there's any Pyro readers in Amsterdam who want to get together on Sunday afternoon to find out how short and fat I am in person, make a list here in the comments and we can figure out a place to meet. Someplace close to the airport would be best for me. The rest of my week is fully booked, though maybe Thursday afternoon might also work.
[3] I'm also looking for suggestions regarding a power coverter for my trip. Obviously it can't be mail-order, but if you know something really good at Radio Shack or Best Buy, I'd appreciate it.
20 comments:
As you 'fly through the volcanic plume'. You better not.
If God wants the power to be converted, He'll convert it.
Have fun in Amsterdam. My husband and I are from VERY conservative, Dutch towns in the Midwest (neighboring town had a Tulip Festival), and decided to go to Amsterdam for our honeymoon. I guess we thought everyone there would be a version of our Dutch grandmothers (my grandma was a dead ringer for Corrie Ten Boom). Hey, we were young! I'd like to see a picture of our faces when we were riding the bus and the guy got on wearing a spiked dog collar and a purple mohawk. Fun times!!
David - that is perfect! LOL
so please pray for me as I fly through the volcano plume to meet with my Viking overlords to discuss things Viking overlords want to discuss.
Perhaps the plume will be gone by then.
[3] I'm also looking for suggestions regarding a power coverter for my trip. Obviously it can't be mail-order, but if you know something really good at Radio Shack or Best Buy, I'd appreciate it
I don't have a suggestion for a model, but I can suggest a feature to look for. Last time I went overseas, I got a power converter that included a USB port, for all USB-capable chargers. It was mind-numbingly convenient.
Basically, it was a box with retractable prongs on 3 sides: the US prongs, the UK tri-prongs, and the two circular prongs used elsewhere in Europe. It could handle all 3 as inputs, too--along with the USB port on the other side.
A fuse in the USB circuit blew, though, so buyer beware. I got it at Fry's, IIRC.
Amsterdam's electrical power runs on a 50 Hz cycle, with a voltage of 220 volts with two round pins. Since power in the United States runs at 60 Hz and 110 volts.
Modern computer power adapters can handle the 22o voltage - for those all you need is cheapo physical adapter that Radio Shack should have.
If you want to power other things, Radio Shack - or Frye's, et. al. - should have universal type adapters that handle the volts and mechanical interface.
Vikings hiring Turks, volcanoes spewing. . .
World, be afraid.
As a Dane, I am deeply offensed by you linking the vikings to the Dutch. As a punishment, we might send the entire viking army to loot, burn and take slaves. Be ware!
PS: The word verification to post this comment is 'cults'...
"If God wants the power to be converted, He'll convert it."
That made me laugh so hard my stomach hurt.
Which technically isn't difficult, given that I'm home resting after a surprise appendectomy.
Still, if I busted something, David, I'm sending you the bill. ;)
That volcano...as a dear friend put it, all it took was for God to squeeze one tiny pimple on the surface of our tiny planet, to bring half the world to a standstill and remind us that we're not in charge.
And may you have a safe and wonderful trip, Frank.
Oh my... still laughing at David's line.
And praying for Rachael. QUIT LAUGHING!
Just for the record, The Dutch are not the only people in Amsterdam, and if Larry the Cucumber can be a terror of the sea, anyone can.
Let the only ashes that rest on you be from the volcano, and not from the numerous marijuana cafes.
The day before the volcano spew its ashes, I listened to an NPR program that mentioned spewing some sort of particles in the atmosphere to deflect global warming. I had a chuckle when the volcano blew.
Frank:
If you had time, I would have suggested the Rijksmuseum to see some of Rembrandt's biblical paintings, but they are undergoing renovations and only have four on display right now, of which only one is of one of his "big" biblical subjects:
Jeremiah Lamenting the Destruction of Jerusalem (link)
There is also a painting of The Prophetess Anna (link), but the other two are a rather pedestrian painting of Isaac and Rebeccah modelled after a bourgeois couple of the time (man, I haven't used that word in years) and a painting based on the apocryphal book of Tobit.
Of course, they have many other artworks on display as well, but I don't know if you're into classical art of either religious or secular variety.
Rhesa had her purse and camera bag stolen there. Be cautious of shady waiters.
Frank,
Please give Queen Margrethe my regards.
I am pretty sure the guy with the purple spiked hair and the dog collar was on my train from London to Yorkshire...maybe it was twins.
As previously mentioned, you might want to double-check if you need a power CONVERTER (which changes their 220V/50hz power to our patriotic 110V/60Hz power) or just an ADAPTER (which just lets you plug plugs into plugs, but leaves the power alone).
Most devices with an external power brick (laptops, external hard drives, etc.) will convert the power just fine if you can plug them into the wall (which is why you get the adapter). If USB is particularly an issue, then just plug your device into the laptop. That's never been a problem for me. If you've got something more specific, like an electric razor, you might actually need the converter.
However, please note that items plugged in via converters can still misbehave. Electric razors and toothbrushes come to mine; I burned my face in India once by trusting that my power converter and electric razor were better than they actually were.
And one final note is that all converters that I'm aware of should NOT be left plugged in when not in use. They don't like that. Most also warn against using for more than 2 hours at a time.
BTW, I just found out that Friday is officially the Queen's birthday party, and everyone is going to wear orange.
I always come places when they are the most fun.
Post a Comment