Idea Import

There are some things in the Netherlands that I wish I could take back home:

1. Junk Mail Handling - Everybody puts a sticker on their door that says what kinda mail they accept. There are different levels. Erik chooses no advertisements. He gets very little mail.
   
2. Stores Next To House - Right now Kim, Kaley and Kovi are walking to a carousel in the market area. Music, HEB equivalent, parks, museums etc. are in walking distance. Soccer stadium next door.
   
3. Bike and Pedestrian Friendly - There´s lanes for each: bikes, pedestrians and cars.
   
4. Art - Most everybody seems to be real into art.
   
5. Field Hockey - This is a popular sport here and looks like a lot of fun.
   
6. Farms - There are farms sorta mixed in with everything. You can be in downtown and walk 20 minutes and see cows and corn fields.
   
7. Sunday - Things just about stop on Sunday.
   
8. Pot - Just legalize it. It´s not that bigga deal. I guess it´s less dangerous than alcohol and more energy efficient :D
   
9. Construction - Looks like construction work is a craft here; not a slap it up and build another one. I talked to a landscaper yesterday. He´s got a degree in ecology and is real into landscaping.
   
10. Toilet - It takes a little to get used to, but when you go #2 it falls on dry land - no sinking under. When you flush it knocks it over the waterfall into a hole and miraculously cleans it. The big plus is that you don´t get the not-that-often stray backsplash up your butt. Also, if your kid accidentally swallows a dime, you´ve got the perfect setup for digging through. You could even install an inspection light.
    
11. Cheese, Bread and Wine - It´s the real thing.
    
12. Fruit Syrup - You pour a tiny bit of this in the bottom of a glass and fill with water... and wallah... instant fruit drink.
    
13. Trains and Trams
    

Bad things:

1. Mopeds - Get these idiots off the bike lanes.
   
2. Toilet - Go quick, because it starts stinking quick. Forget reading Reader´s Digest.
   
3. Spicy Food Absent - Well unless Erik cooks.
   

America is the place where you can take all 13 ideas and make it happen. What a great place we live. Opportunity.