my 41st birthday at BoomChicago

Tim is the man when it comes to party planning. For my 41st birthday he booked a VIP table at BOOMCHICAGO, a dinner theater show that is part gourmet food and part 'the groundlings' of L.A. The food was awesome and the player's of this show are 'brill' (short for 'brilliant' tim's new british slang he thinks works......please for the love of God don't encourage him, it's cuteness stops by the second 'br'.) Anyway the actors parody of the dutch was un-offesivelessy astute as well as the U.S. and the impromptu stuff transcended language barrier's.

Sharing my birthday was Tim, Destini, Leslie, Sander and one of the most beautiful women I have ever laid eyes on, Crofty (think Angelina Jolie)

Shopping their fashion district was amazing, Leidseplein the square where it's located was filled with massive fashion shops, candies and pastries, cheeses, ect. Cobblestones dating back to the 1500 still carried the shoppers to and fro. *sigh* you don't get a lot of 'to's and fro's' now a'days, and a ice rink (apparently europe loves their ice rinks) busy with locals and tourists alike falling on their rears to techno music (and apparently all of europe loves it's techno, and not JUST the persian cab driver's.)

Just across the square was the famous "Bulldog" coffeeshop. (the location of it might clue you in why so many tourists were falling on their rears ice skating.) For those unaware the Bulldog sells cannabis which is legal to smoke in the Netherlands (and obliviously most of the American and British 18 year old males are aware of this fact, just not they are crap ice skaters) It is totally legit even with its own gift shop. yes I bought the t-shirt. In fact, it host's an On Duty police officer.

The Hotel was the Eden Amsterdam-American hotel, and it was beautiful, with it's fountain to our room with a spiral staircase that led to a viewing window outside overlooking the square. Their staff was awesome, and when they found out it was my birthday, sent up a birthday card with a free drink voucher. Nice Touch, now when in the Netherlands I will recommend the Amsterdam- American hotel to all travelers, and the APEX Waterloo when in Edinburgh, Scotland. One note to travelers though, here the mini bars, which are stocked to the gills with EVERYTHING are electronically monitored so even if you just take something out to look at it you get charged so be careful!

It was the most perfect way to celebrate my birthday, apart from mom and dad not there who would of had a blast, and all my dear "familia" back home (you know who you are) and also I wish Jane, Frank, Lydia and Jacqueline were there as well. But all in spirit.

*wink* Bonnie Langdon