the Pi'd Pi'per of Amsterdam

One day, on one of my regular walks to Hema, I noticed some graffiti written on boards that were attached to scaffolding and bearing the following messages: "Purchasing Milosevic," "Pining for a World that Will Not Explode," and "Shirley Likes it Mundane." Above each of these messages, written in script, was "Laser 3.14."


I thought this was pretty random until I noticed a message, in the same form (on a board) at the Albert Heijn supermarket at Museumplein that said, "She Never Showed the Need to Clip my Wings." I started to wonder if there was some riddle for people to solve.




Last week, we went shopping by the American Book Center in downtown Amsterdam. A postcard of a hooded person writing a message on a board caught my attention. I asked the clerk about it and it ends up that Laser, a graffiti artist, was having an exposition at the American Book Center's Treehouse, which is a sort of annex. to the shop. According to the clerk, Laser always puts the number of pi after his name on his "work." The clerk also alluded that Laser's messages tend to have a political bent.


Then Tuesday, as I took the tram to my Dutch class, I caught sight of another Laser oeuvre. This one said, "Severence my dear Coca Cola." Here's a link to pictures on the web of Laser's messages.


Here's the link to the map that covers where I went. You'll need to cut and paste it into a different window. I was having problems setting a link directly from the page. http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?ie=UTF8&hl=en&msa=0&msid=113083164752241475047.00044ba4499595d1e406b&ll=52.359353,4.888144&spn=0.023011,0.079994&z=14

I'm Dreaming of a White Chreaster....

Amelie receiving a Chreaster present.

So we woke up this morning to a city bathed in white snow. We feared it could malign our plans to go to a farm, but luckily it melted by 11:00AM. By noon, we were at the Kinderboerderij Bijlmerweide, which was about 15 minutes away. It is subsidized by the government and is run by volunteers.

We were greeted by all sorts of Easter bunnies and there were a bunch of activities for Liliane, some games, a tractor ride, an egg hunt. Liliane employed her animal sounds to a giant sow named Polly. We also saw an angora goat, some baby goats, peacocks, cattle, donkeys, chicks and chickens. There was a nice playground and although it was rather wet, Liliane took full advantage of it. The snow came and went a few times while there. After about two hours, we went home.

Upon return from the farm, Peter Cottontail had set up an Easter egg hunt for Liliane that consisted of three Kinder-brand chocolate eggs with prizes in the middle. She found two right away and one remains outstanding. For our Easter dinner, we will be having almond-encrusted turkey, petites pommes and green beans. Neither Dan nor I can take credit for preparing this meal, all thanks goes to our local supermarket, Albert Heijn. Dessert is Bonne Maman brand creme caramel.

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the elusive egg is not upon the books or in the mouth of the alligator (at far left). It is elsewhere in the picture.