Amsterdam

Time for more pictures now that we've moved on to Amsterdam.

Leidseplein

What can I say?  I'm all about the food.

Pindakaas met hagelslag (Peanut butter and chocolate sprinkles.  Genius.)

Ontbijtkoek (spiced cake)

Bridget's mothership.

Dredging bicycles.

Update and Outtake

I thought I would post here and let you know that there won't be a new chapter of "Chuck vs. Sound of Music II" today.  I only finished the first draft yesterday and there's still a lot of work that must be done before it will be ready to post next week.  Thank you for understanding.

But fear not! I'm posting a outtake from my files.  Here is my alternate, unused beginning to chapter 1 of SOM2.  I was mostly just noodling around, trying to get my SOM voice back since it had been several months since I'd finished the first story.  Read it after the break.

Musical References

As you know, I haven't been changing the lyrics of songs in "Chuck vs. the Sound of Music II" as much as I did in the first story.  I did, however, promise that if I didn't do lyrics, there would be at least one reference to music in each chapter.  I occasionally sneak an extra one in the title of a chapter.  I'm not sure how many people will get the reference to the title of Chapter 21, so here's some help.

I am a huge fan of Elton John's early work from the 1970's.  (Don't judge me.)  Anyway, as I was trying to think of a title for today's chapter, a line from this song hit me.  I knew I had to use it.

Yes, yes he did.  He just sang, "Someone saved my life tonight, sugar bear."  You're welcome.

The other reference was to Mozart's "Eine Kleine Nachtmusik."  It's one of those pieces you hear all the time, but don't necessarily pay much attention to it.  And it really was in a ketchup commercial.  (Try to ignore the talking and listen to the music in the background.)

So there you go.  You learn something new every day.

Here's the entire first movement if you're so inclined.  (Don't worry.  It's only about 6 minutes long.  You'll thank me.)

Some Awesome Neckties!

Behold the wonder of the Father's Day ties from chapter 20.

The Eiffel Tower

The one Lizzie picked out the first year.

Hula girl ties are always really classy.

And finally, my personal favorite, the skull tie.  (Lizzie was going through a phase.)

Thanks to ziohenry for reminding me to post these treasures!

Hungry?

The family is still in Paris, but they don't go sightseeing.  However, there are still photos to share.

The McBaguette!

 You're welcome.

Nun beach volleyball

As you probably already know, the incomparable Frea O'Scanlin has written fantastic story called, Set, Spike, Dive!  If you haven't read the first chapter yet, go do so right now.  You can read it here.

During the course of one of our recent conversations, I off-handedly commented that it would be interesting to play beach volleyball in a nun's habit.  A dare ensued to write an outtake for SOM1.  There was peer pressure.  There was giggling.  Then there was an idea that wouldn't let go.  Here is the result.  Enjoy.

La Vie D'amour

In Chapter 18, the family travels from London to Paris and visits one of the most iconic landmarks in the world.  If you haven't read the chapter yet, stop right now and read it here.

Ready? Take a look after the break.