Happy New Year!

I wish all the nice people in my life a prosperous, happy new year. If you haven't been nice this year, well, shape up! :)

Tonight's Menu:
*Stuffed courgette rolls
*Fillet of Beef
*Selection of Swedish, Spanish and English cheeses

In Sweden, we have a tradition of well-respected actors to read out the poem "Ring, klocka ring!" by Lord Alfred Tennyson. Read the story in Swedish and listen to the beautiful renditions here.

Ring, klocka, ring i bistra nyårsnatten
mot rymdens norrskenssky och markens snö;
det gamla året lägger sig att dö...
Ring själaringning över land och vatten!

Ring in det nya och ring ut det gamla
i årets första, skälvande minut.
Ring lögnens makt från världens gränser ut,
och ring in sanningens till oss som famla.

Ring våra tankar ut ur sorgens häkten,
och ring hugsvalelse till sargad barm.
Ring hatet ut emellan rik och arm
och ring försoning in till jordens släkten.

Ring ut vad dödsdömt räknar sina dagar
och forngestaltningar av split och kiv.
Ring in ett ädlare, ett högre liv
med bättre syften, mera rena lagar.

Ring ut bekymren, sorgerna och nöden,
och ring den frusna tiden åter varm.
Ring ut till tystnad diktens gatularm,
men ring till sångarhjärtan skaparglöden.

Ring ut den stolthet, som blott räknar anor,
förtalets lömskhet, avundens försåt.
Ring in det rätta på triumfens stråt,
och ring till seger mänsklighetens fanor.

Ring, klocka, ring... och seklets krankhet vike;
det dagas, släktet fram i styrka går!
Ring ut, ring ut de tusen krigens år,
ring in den tusenåra fredens rike!

Ring in den tid, då andarna befrias
ur själviskhetens sammansnörda band.
Ring mörkrets skuggor bort ur alla land;
ring honom in, den bidande Messias.

A glimpse of sunlight & Happy Birthday to Wendy!

Woke up very late today. We decided to take a walk to Bo01. I haven't been there that many times since the break. Kind of emotional at times, but still ok and it's getting better all the time. We had coffee and sandwich in Espresso House by the water. We took a lot of photos by Turning Torso. On the way home we had hot chocolate in a cafe nearby called Gusto. The guy behind the counter was quite cute, we thought. Since it's Wendy's birthday today, and mine was just a few days ago, we decided to celebrate tonight. However, Wendy caught a nasty cold, and I didn't feel too hot myself, so we stayed in, watched a few episodes of Kitchen Nightmares, and had kebab instead. Could be worse. :)

Wendy Woo hooo!!

My friend Wendy arrived yesterday. So far, we've spent alot of time talking, sleeping late, and doing a small tour of Malmö and places she used to go to when she lived here some 8 years ago. We went to the supermarket today and did some shopping for New Years'. Tonight, after some nice food, Wendy learned alot of bass, and we put it all together in songs like "That's Alright Mama", Beatles "Misery" and "Distant Sun" by Crowded House. Enjoy the video coming up!

I'm in love

...with my new bike called Pilen. Very robust and smooth to ride, and I can actually sit up on this one. Phew. Wendy comes tomorrow, woo hooo....

Reunion in Oskarshamn ´07

Yesterday I brought my friend Martin to Oskarshamn, where we met up with Tina, Mia, KG, Johan, Helena and Katarina. We were in a pub called Kråkan. Everyone knew each other, or of each other from before. We had a few beers, loads of laughs and some food too. Great tradition, which we can maintain hopefully, for years to come. Since it's my birthday today, I got a present, a really funny magazine about Björn Skifs. Very cool!

Oh what the hell, you talked me into it baby!

Karaoke? Anyone?

words & music by billy hayes - jay johnson)
I'll have a blue christmas without you
Ill be so blue just thinking about you
Decorations of red on a green christmas tree
Wont be the same dear, if youre not here with me

And when those blue snowflakes start falling
Thats when those blue memories start calling
Youll be doin all right, with your christmas of white
But Ill have a blue, blue blue blue christmas

Merry Christmas!

Oh lord! Enough said. Phew, gettin hot in here... ;)

Fenomenet HasseåTage

Tjofadderittan!

Få har betytt så mycket för svensk komedihistoria som Herr Danielsson och Herr Alfredson. De har funnits på tapeten sedan jag, en sann 70-talist, föddes. Under sin storhetstid, betraktade de kritiskt samhällets klimat med visst mått av raj-raj och hela tiden med glimten i ögat. När man idag lyssnar på de gamla revyerna så som "80-öresrevyn på Skeppet" och "Under Dubbelgöken" inser man hur otäckt långt före sin tid de var i sina betraktningar. Allt som sades där, håller fortfarande måttet och känns fortfarande skrämmande aktuellt. Njut av hur sannolikheten vänds och vrids på så till den milda grad att den nästan blir sann. När den blivit det, gå då över till TV-trailer för nystartandet av TV2 1969. Hur man ställer sig till att betala TV-licensen, samt övergång från analogt till digitalt nät känns på något sätt kusligt bekant när man ser detta 40 år gamla klipp. Världen kanske inte snurrar så fort, trots allt?

Time Out

I have driven up to my parents' house in the archipelago. Complete solitude and silence by the ocean is what cures the soul more than anything else. Sitting in front of one of the fireplaces is just lovely.
I have been through so much since Midsummer's - first bad, stressful and depressing things, which later turned into more and more positive things happening in my life. Gradually, I have found myself exchanging the life I used to lead for a much richer one. I have started meeting more people than before. New different, vibrant and interesting people with a lot of passion for what they like and do. It's infectous and I find myself being more like I used to be - happy, positive and passionate.

However, this time-out from everyone and everything is very well needed. I need time to reflect and to breathe. I need to be by myself for a little while.

Thanks to everyone who has made these past six months really fun and enjoyable. Merry Christmas to you - and I will catch up with you guys in the New Year.

Love, L

Open mike at Bodoni

Just came home from singer/songwriters' night at Bodoni. Went so so I thought. People there were like you expect them to be in a hotel bar - very chatty and not really listening. I really liked the girl who played before me. She was very very good indeed. Felt a bit humiliating going up after that... Teresia came along and I have challenged her to go up and do a song before summer. We'll see. She plays guitar very well. We also went to knitting course (that sounds extremely naff) tonight, and I'm taking on the huge project of knitting a "pippi" sweater, just because it's so adorable, and 70s retro-cool!

Speaking of buskers...

Here is a clip of me and the kids performing in the streets the other day. They were extremely brave and charismatic. I was very proud that day, and just happy to show the younger ones how great it can be to do this sort of thing. Probably a once in a lifetime event for many of them. If I look a bit like a midget, it's a) because I am short and b) because I didn't have a strap, so I had to prop the guitar on my leg and go for it anyway. Unfortunately, Bruce didn't show up that day...

Enjoy & Merry Christmas!

Busking & Ode to Bruce!

I have been busking for quite a long time in the streets of Malmö, and occasionally in Copenhagen with my friend Jessica. We started out more than 10 years ago, and in recent years we haven't really done any of it because of, well, I don't know really. I remember singing the "lie la lie" bit of The Boxer for roughly 20 mins non-stop and people gave us a lot of money even though we didt sing any verses.

I have started busking with my students too. We went down there with some hot drinks and good spirits (nooo not those spirits...) the other day, as mentioned before. Whilst in uni, I wrote an essay on busking in London. I and Jonas, my classmate, went there and interviewed loads of people on the streets.

Being very fascinated by the busker-phenomenon, I could barely believe it tonight, when I saw a clip of Bruce Springsteen busking with a fan on the streets of Copenhagen in the 80s. What a generous man! So down-to-Earth even though this was at his absolute peak, career-wise. His Oklahoma home may have blown away, and I found myself being likewise.

sheer bliss

Jamming with Jessica and Eddie tonight was fantastic. We did all the Elvis songs including American Trilogy in 3 part harmony. Wow, those moments makes you wish you did this sort of thing for a living... A friend of theirs, a homeless man, was there. He had built his own guitar in 1978. I brought the dobro over, and he showed me how to play in open G tuning. Will practise a little, then put up the result here.
I also loved singing the Elvis version of Bridge over troubled water in 3 part harmony... oh my my....sheer bliss! It's good to be alive.

Bluegrass and stuff

Tonight after finishing the blasted Xmas shopping, I will go to Jessica and Eddie's. Will bring the banjo and dobro over, and we'll be playing some songs from the Seeger Sessions such as "Pay me my money down", "Oklahoma Home" and "Jesse James". I am not a flawless player by any means, but I know quite alot of chords and some picking patterns and rolls. Will be excellent to try it out with others. Some other bloke was coming too apparently, someone who can play slide guitar quite well. Looking forward to this alot!

Yesterday I danced around in the kitchen for about an hour, and I found myself longing for the dance floor like crazy. The adrenaline rush is amazing. Great stuff, and highly addictive.

Last week at work

Only a few days left till the end of term. I can't say it will be great to go on a break this year. Of course, it's nice to rest, but I can't say I really need to rest. Quite the contrary, I feel restless. I want to do things, experience new things, learn something new, meet new people. Eager to move forward. We've had quite a tough term at work, but I always choose to look at things in a positive way. Many things have been excellent here also. I am wondering whether it would be nice to change jobs next year. At the same time, I am quite happy here. Time will tell, I suppose.

I won't buy many Christmas presents this year. I think it's silly to exchange money. I would like, however, to start a tradition whereby you give one present to people, and spend more time thinking about what to get, or make. I'd rather have one present that someone thought would be perfect for me and that they spent some time thinking about and vice versa. Will try to head out there in the Djungle today though to get it over with. Will be weird not buying anything for someone special this year.

Will go to my parents' for Christmas and stay until my birthday. I miss the sea. I miss hearing the roaring sound of waves against the rocks. I miss listening to the sound of silence and the wind blowing. I love the fresh air. I love the lack of traffic. I love the forest. Paradise, here I come...

My friend Wendy will probably come and see me on Dec 27. It's been quite a long time since I've seen her. Other than that I have signed up for Lindyhop beginner's course in february, and course 2 feb-march. Dimman will come along to the first one, and the second one I will attend myself. Can't wait!

Busking with the kids

Was up early this morning and couldn't really sleep last night. Too much singing over the last few days have resulted in too high adrenaline levels. Now it's 8-something and I'm knackered. We had 2luciatåg today in school and then the older kids, me and 2 other teachers went downtown to go busking. Last year we made 375 kr in 2 hours, and this year we managed to get no less than 1000! Great fun! Will be tricky to beat next year.

School is over soon, and I can feel myself being more tired as a result. I must go to bed. BBL...

Lucia etc.

Rarely have I spent so many hours a day practising music in some form. I spend about 5 hours a day at work with different small groups practising for Lucia on Thursday. I come home, then feel like it all ended on a high note at work, so of course I move on to my own favourite music. I play along with dvds, play the banjo for a bit and sing more than I care to admit to others.

I also picked up Spanish again and it's a great privilege having a private tutor from Chile, teaching you all the tricks, as well as giving me thorough info on mid-priced Chile produced wines... Not too shabby, eh folks?

Have a good one, and catch you later!

Maria visiting

My friend Maria and I have known each other a lifetime. She came down from Stockholm to visit, albeit very briefly. We had dinner at JPs, and talked alot. Afterwards, we went to tangopalatset for some lindyhop. The course was great, like last time, and I remembered more than I thought I did. It's frustrating because you want to know everything straight away. I wish I could get someone to come there with me on a regular basis. Nobody I brought has been really hooked. Oh well, I will just go by myself or something. The tango-man was there, and forced me to dance for awhile before I managed to sneak away. We couldn't stay till the end because Maria was totally knackered, but it was ok anyway. Wish I had done some more dancing though :(

What's the best hang-over cure?

Oh lordy (pick a bail o cotton)... I drank too much yesterday. Not very clever, but damn, it was fun. Per came over and we sang, played and for a few hours. Good fun, but mixing wine, glögg, vodka, whiskey, cheese and lussebullar wasn't so nice. At least not afterwards.
What is the best hang-over cure? I tried Treo and loads of water. I have heard all kinds of weird ones, like Wostershire sauce (sp??), and egg yolks.... It doesn't sound very apetizing though. I think I'll skip it (don't skip it, N!) and head for some McDonalds later.
My friend Maria who now lives in Stockholm, is coming down to visit today. She was the first one to see my apartment with me before I put a bid in. Tonight we will go to Tangopalatset for some lindyhop, nice bums and, oh no, god forbid, more wine...

Elvis Comeback Special

Tonight I have spent a few hours watching a DVD I bought of Elvis Comeback special from 1968. Amazingly, it looks as if it were recorded not so long ago. You can see it on peoples' hairstyles etc, but he looks very vibrant and young, and I can't believe this concert was filmed 40 years ago!!! I was not even born yet! Cool package, 7 hours worth of bloopers, variations, extras... you get it all basically. Pretty fun!

I knitted at the same time, a lovely scarf, which will be so cool! Picture proof coming up...

Should be tidying but oh lord, how boring is that?

Elvis left the building, unfortunately.

What a sad ending of a wonderful person's life. He was polite, well-mannered, friendly, extremely generous, and very talented. I think it was pretty sad that he died only aged 42. He would have been 72 years old this year.

It's late and I'm knackered.

Went to make up store with Annika today. It was great - just to have someone take care of you for an hour, after a stressful day at work. Put up the fabric on the wall today finally. Isn't it fabulous??

Resonator made in Heaven

Watch this guy play his heart out - quite fab isn't it? Imagine in the old days, in the American South. Not many cars went by, gravel roads so dry the dust would fly everywhere as they passed. You can maybe hear the sound of the slide, if you listen carefully?

Read about the dobro and resonator here. If you like this kind of country blues or Delta blues as it is also known, have a listen to Eric Clapton's Unplugged, and some Robert Johnson. It is also widely used in bluegrass music.

The end of the road, and the beginning of something extraordinary

I admit that I have spent a fair bit of money recently. But the word "admit" seems too harsh, since I am an adult and it is my money, and nobody elses. I have wanted, deliberately, to rebuild my life. To do that, I have decided I need a few things (I would actually like to refer to them as necessities). I have bought a new bed. I thought it was worth every penny. I have spent some money on buying some new clothes and shoes, so now I actually feel quite decent when I leave the house. I don't wear tracksuit bottoms and sneakers everyday. It actually does make me much happier and I feel more attractive. I have bought a sound system, which I have wanted my whole life. Music is my life, and all normal beings have a stereo of some sort. Now, so do I. I have also bought a banjo and a dobro that I have fallen in love with and which occupy alot of my time. Life is all about learning, right now. I will also buy a decent ladies bike. Oh and a computer...

For Christmas I don't want anything really. I have everything I need now. Maybe some razorblades for the hob. :) Anything involving an experience I think, makes the ideal gift for most people who work hard, come home to a place full of stuff they can't wait to get rid of, or don't know what to do with.

After that I plan to put aside the money that is left for taxes and possible renovation of bathroom. I won't have this money to spend in a month or two, and I must be alot more careful. But I have bought exactly what I needed to start over, and I don't feel bad. Quite the contrary.

All I want for Christmas is Gordon!

"It's very pungant and obtrusive so treat it with the upmost respect."

Isn't this the most wonderful, passionate way of describing a truffle oil? So, kids, if you're aspiring to become a head chef and they want you to deceipher different flavours in your interview... Get to work. And work hard. :)

Hmm... how would I describe the flavour of stale cheese?

Dinner with Friends

On Thursday, I invited Sara and Dimman for dinner. I used the huge plates and was actually amazed to realise that they fit on the tiny kitchen table. Excellent! We had pork chops with yummy gravy and rice. The best part was, as always, the laughter. We always laugh non-stop. As you can see, Hugo (my cat) was relaxed and easy to please.

Lunch at School

Without further due, here is another attempt at posting a video of my wonderful, cute students performing a few weeks back... Enjoy! Gotta love 'em!

Recording live radio

Yesterday I went to see my teacher Hasse Larsson from the producer course I attended a few years ago. I called him up awhile back to see if I could just come along and watch or maybe learn a thing or two sometime. Last night we were in the OB bus owned by Swedish Radio - recording a live show where Hasse Kvinnaböske performed. It was a great night with lots of great banter in the truck, and it was great to see how many people were involved sound-wise. Sound was going from the live desk to the desk in studio 7, then from there to the bus, then a stereomix from the bus went on the air. (I think). Quite impressive. Having spent 2 weeks at MTV Europe, London 10 years ago, I thought it was interesting to compare these two forms of broadcasting and the way things are done. I always seem active and eager to take the first step inside this world, but then I don't have what it takes to continue. Quite sad really, but it enriches my life anyway. It seems a very competitive business, and I never felt I had what it takes to be number one.

When Irish Eyes are Smiling...

My social life has always been decent, and I have made sure to maintain friendship and keep in touch with people even though I was in a relationship. Some people don't though, it seems. Some of the friendships that were formed during that time were with other couples, and it's a different story today. Today I find it freeing to avoid being the third wheel.

A month or two ago, I found myself still doing things the way I was used to. And my friends acted no different than when I was in the relationship. But now the rope has loosened a great deal, and I find myself meeting alot of different people in places I wouldn't have met anyone before. Friends of friends. Someone I met online. Old friends that I haven't talked to for 5 years. It's very rewarding and also, I must say, very refreshing. It's as if things are happening on their own almost.

Yesterday someone wrote to me. A girl I met in Dublin, over a weekend, 10 years (or more?) ago. We share the same taste in music and we met through talking online about a band that we both like. We met, only once, but had one hell of a good time, along with another new person from Australia. We lost touch after that, but as she wrote yesterday the thought of popping over to Dublin for some Guiness and fun occurred to me.

Glory glory hallelujah for Ryan. (and Guiness, needless to say)

I'm spinning Around

Yesterday saw the light of another spinning season for me. I used to go spinning on a regular basis and it's a good way of staying fit. It also serves as a good means of distraction. I admit I really love heavy techno with spinning. It's quite cool to just have a pumping beat and a voice telling you: "keep steppin at your own pace!" You find yourself in a trance-like situation and it's fabulous, you can do your thing and free your mind from all distracting things around you in your everyday life.

Thoroughly recommend it!

I'm on top of the world

Quick note to myself:

I will never, ever, allow anyone to tell me how to do things, how to say things, and how to live my life.

My life is MINE and MINE alone. I decide what I do, say, wear and feel. Nobody else but me has any say in the matter. Slightly self-centered, yes, but everyone should consider caring about themselves a bit more, rather than spending time and energy trying to live their lives aiming so hard to please others.

Over and out.

Me, Sara & Carrie - together at last.

I have changed alot of things in my life during the past 5 months. I've gotten to know alot of new fun people and I've started doing things I hadn't even dreamt of trying before. Like dancing, like loving music to the fullest again. Like going on a wild shopping spree (like a girly girl, when most of my life, I've been a bit of a tomboy.) Talking to different men in differerent places, I find it to be a bit of a Carrie-situation actually. Quite enjoying it!

Sara and I went shopping in true Carrie-fashion today. Recently, I bought a few pairs of shoes and boots, a nice jacket and some dresses. And boy does that make me feel like the hot mama I deserve to be! :)

Enough said. Sunday bloody Sunday - work tomorrow. I may go to bed with my new shoes on, they are just so gorgeous!

Back to basics and complete efficiency

This weekend I've pulled myself together and dealt with loads of stuff that needed doing. Took the banjo in for service, did the dishes, took the ipod speakers to ONOFF so I can now listen to Elvis, full blast again! Yay! Friday, I went to BAKFICKAN, a pub nearby - very very nice place indeed! I really liked it! I picked up my new Stig Lindberg fabric for the wall on Friday. Gorgeous and so cool - it totally makes me feel like Im in the right era. :) Managed to fix the vinylplayer I think, but not the hum in the speaker system. Someone claimed you need a small transformer box attatched with rca slots on both ends when you play music from the computer into your hifi system. Well, I don't stream from the computer, but from my mixer. So, I don't know, basically, whether or not I need to buy one. Hmmm. Tricky.
This weekend saw the light of a couple of new things in my life: watching TV, going to the movies (first time since May) and cooking a fab dinner for a friend, complete with candles and wine. Lovely!

And once again...

Once again, I have come to the conclusion that I am not ready for any type of relationship. Why don't I learn? I had to tell the two guys that are chasing me on Match to stay away, this morning. Can't deal with it, it makes me feel like I can't breathe. A shame really, but I hope it has to do with what I went through 5 months ago.

So, free like a bird. Again.

Technical failure

Murphy's Law struck, once again, this week.

In preparing for the party, my graphics card went bezerk, and Hugo who was then in the kitchen, at that same moment happened to crash my ipod speakers. (They are now stuck on max level and you can't turn it on or off.) As if this weren't enough, my vinyl player (new) isn't running, and the massive hum in the speaker system has returned, despite the fact that I bought a new, fancy audio cable for it. Mhmmm. Gets quite frustrating. Patience, my friends, patience is key. I changed my tyres this week, finally, and one of them was a spare. Turns out that winter tyres are fucked, so I need to buy 2 new ones.

Where should I begin? :)

*presses "IGNORE" and continues playing the banjo as if nothing happened" Oh, I'll be damned if the strap hasn't come undone because of a lose screw which is now caught inside. Music shop, next! *sigh* :)

Housewarming

The housewarming party last night was splendid! People arrived around 7 and the last guests left the building (not Elvis, unfortunately) at three. Martin helped me in the kitchen, as any good, modern man should :), and for that I am very grateful.
Annika, my old colleague came along with her husband Christer. It was fun to meet him, because I'd never met him before. He seemed very nice. My cousin Johanna came along too for a bit. Therese Björk, an old colleague of mine was there. I hadn't seen her for several years so that was cool. I have decided to go to her salon and cut my hair next time. She is a hairdresser. Jessica, Eddie and Glen were there, so of course we had to play and jam some! Per almost fainted when i took out my new banjo. We did a cool version of "pay me my money down" and it was so cool. I want to play in a bluegrass band! How awesome would that not be?

Dimman brought Laila along as well as an expensive Cuban cigar for me. Quite enjoyed that! Some colleagues from work showed up too: Anna-Karin, Krille, Erik and Martina. Most of them are now working elsewhere, but I thought that was good, otherwise there would be too much job-talk!

Around midnight, we recorded what will possibly be an award-winning version of We Are the World! It was magnificent and great fun! My neighbor (mean old hag!) came down in her nightgown at 2 and told me that she could hear the "dunka dunka" :) so we had to keep it down.

All in all, a great night with lots of fun! Thanks to all of you who came along and made this a fun evening / night to remember! Will put up a video for We are the World asap.

What a day for a Daydream

I have always been a bit of a dreamer. Daydreaming was one of my best subjects in school actually. Don't know why. I find myself doing it even now.

I will from now on try to stick to what is real, nothing more, nothing less.

The Love that Never Died

I am in love. With music. It's been awhile since I was this hooked. I can't stop dancing, singing, moving, playing... It's incredible. I haven't done that for a long time with the passion that I'm feeling now. It's also a cool feeling to be alone in a room and dance around without anybody there. Try it, if you haven't. I recommend some Elvis tunes for that purpose: Hound Dog and Trouble are my two favourites right now. Despite the fact that I get revitalised by 50s rock n roll, my choice of music took a complete turn today when I have only listened to Fred Astaire and Ella Fitzgerald. I always loved those two. Nice scraping 40s sound in my Bose speakers! :)

I love the Springsteen album where he plays American classics like "We Shall Overcome" and "Pay me my money down", and apparently there is a live version of this: Live in Dublin! I must must must have that!

Music fills the hole in your soul if you ever had one. I thoroughly recommend it for anyone who feels like something is missing in their lives.

Light a candle. Turn out the lights. Listen. Carefully.

Can you feel it? The power of music is greater than I had ever realised.

Fuck! I must jump up and dance! AGAIN Dammit!

A sign?

I couldn't resist posting about something I saw in the shop today. I am slowly getting used to using the washing machines here and remembering my washing times, after having had the luxoury of washing whenever I wanted. (Dagens I-lands problem!)

I think that maybe this detergent will perhaps inspire to wash more often. Or maybe it's just a sign that I should do the washing more often??

Ms Carling sent me to Heaven and back!

I have to share this videoclip with you. Yesterday I saw Gunhild Carling perform, and it was one of the coolest things I've seen. She totally blew me away. I was curious and have listened to her music alot today. Bagpipes rock! For those of you who don't know, if I ever get married, I would like it to take place in a Scottish castle with pipers, and with kilt dresscode! :)

Lindyhop at Heptown

I have tried something extraordinary. I managed to challenge myself and try out lindyhop at last night's crash course at Tangopalatset. I brought some colleagues with me: Marga, Marie and Göran, and Anna Karin. They were all fascinated by the fact that you actually feel like you have moved back in time to re-live the 20s and 30s - the dancers were amazing too. You can read about lindyhop in Malmö and retro living here. In the course, we had to switch partners every minute or so which was really good I think. I danced with someone whose name I cannot remember. He was indeed a very good leader and he claimed that he knew me from somewhere. Didn't have a chance to ask from where... We learned a basic routine, and I thought it was really fun!

Afterwards, we had a chance to practise what we had just learned to a live band and the splendid Gunhild Carling. I had never heard her before, but I'd say it was one of the best performances I've seen. That woman can do anything on stage! She is a multi-instrumentalist and even got the megaphone out for that true Billie Holiday sound. Amazing. I wanted to snog her, but since I'm not gay, I decided against it.

My friend Mårten (who got me into this in the first place) was there too, looking fabulous I must say. Very cool retro-style clothes. Who needs Harry's? Who needs Hipp? Who needs Etage? I really don't know what I've been missing. Mårten claims that once you've tried it you're hooked. It may be the case here too. Anna Karin was so fascinated by this and loved it so much that she's decided to come along to the course in February! Yay! The more, the merrier! Mårten showed me some moves afterwards. It's so much easier when you try it at your own pace and get someone to tell you how to do things. That was really nice. Below, you can hear him sing "I found a new baby". Very brave!

The evening ended with Marga's 60-something-tango-friend dancing with me for about an hour. He was a bit odd. His beard was tied up in a braid and he had a feather for when it got too hot. None the less, I got to dance some tango to swing music! :)

50 First Dates

Yeah, that movie was ok. I am not a fan of Drew Barrimore though. I was getting ready to go on a date with Baker Boy today. Again, he cancelled. I am quite fed up, and the prospect of going out with him doesn't appeal to me at all. Thumbs down, and it's a no no for me. Bye bye! From now on he shall be known as Wimpy Boy instead.

I am looking forward to tonight's dancing. I am not good at dancing at all,(I haven't really done any dancing in that sense) but it just seems so fun! I mangaged to persuade 5 other people from work to come along too, which is super cool! Nice to look at some nice bums anyway, if nothing else.

Yesterday, I got a phonecall from my colleague / neighbour Theresia who wanted to have a drink or two so I spent a few hours at her place.

Universal Marimekko Syndrome (UMS)

I've been thinking about it alot lately. What's that?, I hear you ask.
Well, I have this hypothesis that people who lead unhappy lives quite often end up with what I've suitably named the Universal Marimekko Syndrome.

People around me are completely obsessed by interior design and buy tons and tons of decorating magazines. DIY programmes on television are more popular than ever, and people find themselves stuck with morgages they cannot afford to pay. I, too, found myself in that same trap whilst in the house with my ex. I admit. I really have no idea what happened, in retrospect. I found myself watching the programmes, buying the magazines, thinking about exactly what colour code I needed on which wall that was to be painted, so it would fit perfectly together.

As if to make up something that wasn't there. Maybe I tried to paint up a happy picture for others to look at, as if trying to prove something to myself and others. Everyone must have Marimekko on the wall and on the kitchen table. You now must buy retro style wall paper by Boråstapeter. How about one of those... whatsitcalledagain... oh yeah, FatBoy bean bags?? Only SEK 2000. Tempted?

If your answer is "yes", I say you are stuck in the trap and got a serious case of UMS. Beware! Your life may prove not to be as happy and cheerful as you are trying to show off to others when hysterically tidying your house for the guests whilst placing your perfectly ironed marimekko table cloth on your designer table.

Advice: Go back to basics. Find out what you used to enjoy. I now have a great stereo, the Berså plates, and ONLY things that I want because I feel good with them around me. Not things that I want to show off to others in order to create an illusion of happiness, when it's not there.

Have a good think, then GET RID OF THE BLOODY MARIMEKKO, get down to business with your loved one (or if you are single like me, find some hot person and snog a bit)and tell them and other people how much you love them and care about them. Spend time in real life with your real life friends. Make sure you make close friends that will be there for you no matter what. GET RID OF THE MARIMEKKO and start living your life today.

We will all die one day. I beg to differ, but I do not want my coffin covered with a marimekko flag. Neither do I wish for those attending the ceremony to sit on Fatboy bean bags. None of those things mean anything. Trust me. I'll go for the Berså pattern on the coffin instead. Oh the irony.

In the country!

Spent the weekend with my old friends Naemi and Magnus. For those of you who don't know, Naemi and I met around 1995 when we both took French in Folkuniversitetet. Our teacher was a weird character called Laurent Mauvais. Mauvais as in "bad". He was quite a bad teacher, so Naemi and myself spent more time at home playing and singing and dancing and drinking gin and tonic than studying French. Those were the good old days!
Magnus and I met in my hometown, Oskarshamn around 1992 I would think. We used to have alot of fun together way back when!
The two of them met for the first time in Malmö in my apartment, and now they have fled citylife for the quieter countryside town of Lessebo. They live there with their two adorable sons Hannes and Anton.
On the way home today, I got a flat tyre and Magnus came and helped me change it. Had to happen at some point I guess. Tomorrow I will change to winter tyres.

In Real Life?

In the future, what exactly will define the difference between different kinds of friendship? Thinking back on my social life 10 years ago, I spent alot of time with musicians, playing music together, doing what I loved doing. Then you had your true friends - friends you could call any time night or day to talk, if you needed it. Aquaintances was never a big thing for me. That, to me, also seems like a way of bragging to others how many friends you have, without actually maintaining the friendship itself. We all have aquaintances. But what I think most people want, are true, good, close friends.
Today, of course, there is the Facebook phenomenon. I signed up, being curious of the idea, but find it a waste of time sometimes. The idea of sharing a video on someone's FunWall is appealing of course, because that's what friends do. The problem occurs when you receive 10 posts from the same person (in my case, a person whom I haven't even talked to for twenty years). Those 10 posts are being mass-distributed to all the people on your friends list. You get so many of those things that it doesn't appeal anymore. The result? You have wasted an hour doing it. Instead one could have gone for a walk in the beautiful park. Or, god forbid, MET one of the friends on your list IRL!
Read an interesting article about Facebook in Swedish here.

Out of here, off to see some IRL friends now.

Saturday - reflections.

Yesterday everything in my life just somehow seemed to come together again, slowly. For example, I realised it was Saturday. I also realised I should buy some proper food and start cooking. I spent alot of time in town, in cafés and in a restaurant, by myself, just reflecting on things. It seemed to do the trick for me, as today, I feel totally back on track and up to speed again. I have spent the last month or so in some sort of vaccuum and it feels like the bubble has now burst and I can see things more clearly.

In town there were people collecting money for Rosa Bandet - cancer research. The display was fantastic (see image). Dimman and I ended the evening by going to Harry's - a bar in Malmö. It was jam-packed with people dancing and having a laugh. Went home at 2.30 in the morning. Quite enjoyed myself, but I cannot believe the crap music people dance to in those places. Not my scene, but fun nonetheless.

Make Up Store and a bit of Swing!

Hi folks!

Had a super exciting evening. First I went to Make Up Store with my friend Annika. They had some demos of new make up styles for the autumn. She won first price in their lottery, which was fascinating, since it's quite rare to win anything. We were both very chuffed!

I bought some new clothes today and felt extremely nice and comfortable in them. I must do that more often. Had an invitation from Mårten last Friday to go to see a Big Band play at Tangopalatset today. I went along with my friend Therese, who looked stunning, as usual. In fact, we both did! Unfortunately, we didn't get to dance, but maybe next time. It was one of the coolest things I have ever experienced. Really must start trying this out. Wow... I have grown up with this music so it's in my body and soul - I think it would do alot of good things for me!

Weekend Fun!

Hola a todos!

This weekend I have barely been home at all. On Friday I went to a newly found friend's house for lots of music, drinking and really great talks. He lives very close, so it's handy if any of us feels like a coffee.. I came home at 5 a.m. Can't remember the last time I was out that long. Probably 10 years ago.

Saturday I continued the fun in Lund with my almost-sister Mia Ottosson. I adored the pasta at Fellini. Go there, if you are ever in Lund - great place! On the way home I was ambitiously invited to a Dallas-themed party in town. Too knackered to go, however.

Sent out an invitation for a house-warming today - hope alot of people can come!

Bodoni

Tonight I saw many talented songwriters at Bodoni in Malmö. I went by myself. It's very soothing to sit for a few hours and just listen. I thoroughly enjoyed it tonight, despite the fact that I was the last act. Some people stayed on, and they seemed to like it. Fun nonetheless, my first time there alone.

Having a Neil Finn Hallelujah moment

Photographer: unknown. Photo is not from the Stockholm show.

Crowded House at their best. The show was really fun with quite alot of banter and loads of great music and lyrics. What I don't understand is how people who don't even like the music and look as if they are falling asleep kindly position themselves right in front of Neil and people in the crowd who are there to have a great time. Managed to have a superb time, however.


Hats off and salutes to my friend Maria who did an excellent job yesterday in preparing a fab party at her flat in Södermalm, Stockholm. The small flat was full of people - most of whom I had never met before. We played and sang and danced all night until some godawful hour. It was absolutely fabulous, more of the same, I say! Looking forward to next weekend already. This week will see the last of the house - cleaning it and clearing it completely. It will be good to have that over with and to move on with my life. I do miss the house, and it is sometimes hard going back, but I am glad I spent so much time there after the split. It makes it easier to feel relief instead of grief when leaving it behind. There are other houses in this world. Plus, I now have a FAB apartment and I can do things any way I please without having to compromise about everything. It's also quite a good feeling! Will work alot this week also, so it will be busy busy. I quite enjoy having things to do, however, so it will be nice.
Over and out.

Crowded House in Stockholm

Hi all,
Been a bit quiet around here lately. Almost too quiet, to be honest. Moving from a house with more than one person in it and changing some friends around is quite dramatic from time to time. It's positive for the most part, and I have met some new really nice people recently, with whom I have a lot in common.
Posting this from the airport today, as I am off to see Crowded House for the first time since the Together Alone tour. Will be maginificent, I'm sure. I only have good memories: seeing Neil Finn on my New Zealand trip, singing with him in Copenhagen, waiting backstage with my mom once. Been a long journey with them in the car.
Maria will host a party tomorrow, and it will be very exciting, mostly because I barely know anybody there. It excites me to meet new people at the moment.
Have a great weekend peeps!

Sova Sova Sova Säng Säng Säng (sleep sleep sleep bed bed bed)

I got my bed today. I haven't been this excited since I last saw Gordon Ramsay take his shirt off on television. Will sleep like a QUUUUEEEENNNN tonight.
Halleluia.

Finally!

... is not only the title of an excellent standard jazz tune, but also the feeling I have inside tonight. I have finally moved to the apartment. I managed to unpack most things in one day, and Maria helped me move all the boxes. I'm feeling right at home here, and luckily, so do the cats. I think they can sense that this now feels like a home, as opposed to the house, which felt like something spotted in a horror movie from Russia for the last month or so - moving boxes everywhere, and no television - there was nothing to do but to sit infront of the computer.

Now, on the other hand, I have (those 2 of you who read my blog regularly may find me annoying now) again, one spatula, one breadknife, one bed... It's so much easier to choose and to not feel stressed about having too much to choose from.

I have mixed emotions about coming here. It's always a big deal when you move. I have moments when I feel sad still, but for the most part, this is very exciting.

There's a First for everything

There is a first for everything.

I went out with Dimman yesterday to Ölkaféet in Malmö, a great place to be on a night like last!

Dimman brought with him a very exclusive cigar which we shared. I used to HATE the smell of it, especially in hotel corridors... But smoking it was something different. It was actually rather pleasant. I have never ever smoked in my life, not even a cigarette. I don't intend to, but this evening and this moment was special.

Thanks Dimman for a cooooooooool evening! After having stuffed myself with kebab, I went home, slightly intoxicated.

Why don't men in their 50s take care of their wives?

Thomas, Eddie and Jessica at GALLIA, close to Södervärn, Malmö.

Just a thought.
Why is it that some men in their 50s seem to think they are God's gift to women, at the same time as they have a wife and family to take care of?
Last night when I was out and about, I got up to play a few songs with Jessica, and a man who had been chatting me up before that, now was totally in awe. So he bought me a rose and started being all clingy and yucky, so I had to tell him to stop. After awhile he took his rose back and left the pub. :) Maybe he was going to try it with somebody else, or maybe give it to his wife, who knows? It was quite amusing really.

Tonight I will go out and play with Dimman, a friend of mine. Play, as in drink some wine.

Woke up this morning and FINALLY smelled the coffee

After having been on a few dates recently, and most recently with a guy that I quite liked, I have come to the conclusion that I am nowhere near ready for any type of relationship. I get my emotions mixed up all the time. Had I jumped into something with anybody new right now, it wouldn't have worked out, because I am not ready, and I need to work out where I stand today first, on my own, before I commit to any type of romantic extravaganza. I would have liked to, but I realise it would have been on the wrong terms, and it will leave me unhappy in the long run.

Sometimes, I find myself just longing for someone to talk to, like I used to with my boyfriend who lived here. It's so different when you are able to share stuff on a day-to-day basis with someone, compared to when you don't have that previlege anymore. I quite enjoy my own company now, however. It's great just doing what I want, when I want and how I want. It's very freeing obviously.

It's quite a good thing that it happened the other day, and it made me finally wake up and smell the coffee. I need to be single for awhile now to get used to that, and to just feel like myself again. New apartment! Candles! Flowers! Chocolate! Champagne! Bathtub!

First Date

Who knows if this will lead to something, but I must say after having met Mr M today, my heart is beating a little faster.

Sex and the City

Yes.

I admit.

I have watched four consecutive episodes today.

All in all to be inspired, to feel good and to come alive.

It all starts now baby!

Who will be my Mr Big, I wonder in wonder.

The BIG move

Hugo and Bibbi, my beloved cat-babies will move with me on the 28th. They are getting ready for the big move, adapting quite well around the house as it is being emptied of belongings.

Hugo offered to help today, but I didn't understand what he said so he had to show me by sitting on the box.

Berså Hurså? A Tribute to my childhood & Stig Lindberg

I have spent about an hour packing all my coffee cups and mugs in a moving box. Being very careful not to break anything, I placed the plates on the bottom. I have decided to go mostly with my Berså stuff, because it brings back special memories for me, I've always eaten on those since I was a kid, plus they are marvellous to look at. It makes me think of when we used to have a summer house on Hunö, in the archipelago of Misterhult in Sweden.