Back in the Saddle

I returned from a fine trip to Amsterdam. I'll write a lot more later, but Amsterdam is very enjoyable city to visit - friendly people, wonderful sites, superb food and easy to get around. I recommend it for a vacation to anyone. We also saw Haarlem and The Hague on day trips - both were equally fine visits.

Soccer

Mrs. B and I both enjoyed watching a number of soccer games in the evenings after a long day of touring and a fine dinner. I suppose I am now as much of a soccer fan as I am of other major sports. [That's not a high bar, btw.] Soccer is an exciting sport to watch once one gets familiar with the rules and how goals are set up. In excitement, I compare it to baseball or hockey - both often have low scoring and long set-ups for explosive moments. Rugby is a better game, but ...

And to commemorate this conversion, I composed a triad of poems that also might qualify for a record short collection of poems. They are below, with titles in bold italics.

Goals

Nil.

Score 1st Half

Nil,
Nil.

Final Score

Still,
Nil,
Nil.

[I could not resist having a bit of fun at the expense of soccer :)))) ]

Actions

I checked the model this AM and Krypto might soon want to sell some emerging market stocks to put into cash. The model says do it, but I might wait another day or two to get a stronger signal.

Word of the Day

"Madstone" - noun [$1000]
Madstone means a stone supposed to have the power of allaying or curing the madness caused by the bite of a "mad" animal.
Sentence: Perhaps the next team Le Bleu of France should all wear charms containing a madstone to avoid the vicious infighting and dissension that seems to have been their downfall in this World Cup.