What personality type are you?

Here's a personality type test for you. I am an ESFP. I can't say that surprised me. What surprises me is that I just realized that I think the old saying "opposites attract" still goes a long way!

Eye surgery

I've had a lazy eye since I was born three months premature. It prevents binocular vision, and I have never even thought about doing anything about it.

I was never bothered with it. I'm quite comfortable with who I am and what I can do and I don't need to prove myself to people. But I do find, that when I started dancing I have a bit of a hard time looking people in the eyes, basically because I'm physically a bit unable to!

Tom, my friend in America, has suggested and talked alot about eye surgery. I'm seriously thinking about it. Not only would it look nicer, it would make me more comfortable, confident and the eye itself less runny if it's windy out, etc. I'll have a think about it anyway...

Oooooo

I helped the sound guy at Mejeriet tonight, quite neat. Dancing was so good... I'm so tired and my feet are hurting.

I want to thank everyone in my life for making today especially nice.

When dancing briefly became a competition

Confession: I never thought I was competitive. But you know what? I am, a little bit. Almost all the people I hang out with are now in the intermediate - advanced class, while I'm still in intermediate. Most of those friends, however, have been dancing for a good year or so more than me, so fair enough. But a few of them have been moved up even though we started at the same time. This was a bit of a blow to the ego, I must admit.. I've worked so hard, and eat, breathe and sleep dancing, pretty much. But yet, I have to accept the fact that a. I think that I'm in the correct level and b. some people are faster learners than others. I just hope I can see / feel / get feedback on more progress soon.

Dancing for five hours yesterday hurt my feet. I was helping out as an extra in the beginner - intermediate class, then went on to my own intermediate class (which is excellent, by the way) and finally onto the jazz routines class. Johan N, Håkan and I went out for dinner afterwards.

Dancing again tonight to Atle Big Band in Mejeriet, Lund. Will be great!

Höstfint

Yesterday I went for coffee with Sara. We sat outdoors in the sun, contemplating and discussing big issues. Afterwards, we went past a plant store and I bought some nice things for my balcony. It's getting colder and I hope I'll be able to use it for quite a long time still.

Dancing in Lund today. I can't wait, as usual. I'll be an extra in the beginner/intermediate class first, then go to my own intermediate class, and after that on to the charleston class.

Jason Mraz i Lund

Just nu känner jag inte för att skriva på engelska, och tänker inte heller göra det. Ikväll var Mårten, jag, Emma V och Maria Davidsson på en konsert med vår favvis Jason Mraz i Lund. Perfekt konsert - ljudet var på topp och fansen (vi) jublade!


Detta klipp är från en tidigare konsert i Amsterdam. Häftig ny värld där publikhavet blinkar av filmande mobiltelefoner... Blunda och njut av denna härliga låt.

Livsnjutarklubben

Ja, det var en fin kväll. Jag, Johan Åkers, Micke Rundberg, Roberg Klingvall, Maria Schilling och Lovisa Malmgren Appelqvist. Tyvärr dök inte alla upp vid bryggan, och tyvärr rådde lite missförstånd vad gällde bad, och tyvärr funkade inte högtalarna utan sladd. Men vi som var där hade fantastisk tur. En solnedgång utan dess like, bad av Lina och Micke, och champagnen tog vi med oss hem, där Robert höll välkomsttal genom mitt fönster. Vi åt middag och hade mycket trevligt. Jag önskar att alla människor kunde prioritera det goda i livet, så som vi valde att göra denna kväll (och faktiskt de flesta andra kvällar också...)

Flowers, candles and cleaning sollution

I've spent quite some time cleaning up in here recently. It needed doing. Sitting here with my coffee, fresh roses and candles makes me quite proud of myself. Anyone for a dance?

Mmmmm

Sometimes I think I'm so in love with this dance that I don't need anything else. Luckily I still have some ketchup in the fridge.

Oh shit.

Mindfulness

I was having a conversation with someone a few days ago about mindfulness. It reminded me, again, how important it is to stop and try to be present right here, instead of either dwelling on the past or thinking about what's to come. There's nothing you can do about the past, and sure, you can think about the future - but if you do, you risk wasting alot of precious time that you could have spent actually living your life today. I know alot of people who say that life flies by way too quickly. If you feel this way, try the things I've mentioned below for a few days. I promise, you will remember those days very clearly.

As for me, I don't think too much about what I should or shouldn't have done. I do, however, let my mind wander sometimes. Right now, for example, I think about my DC trip. So I need to get on with business in the following fashion:

A few things to try:
1. When you take your shower in the morning - how does the soap feel on your skin? Is the water hot or cold? When you feel your mind wander off, think about the above again. Force yourself to focus on those things alone.

2. When you have breakfast - What does your sandwich taste like? When you're touching it, what texture does it have? What flavours can you deceipher?

3. Walking/cycling/driving to work - look around you? Have you seen those particular trees before? How many are there? What colour are the leaves?

In short, try to just live in the moment. Feel textures, look at colours, what do things taste like? It's takes alot of pracise, but I can assure you, things will slow down, and you'll feel so much more relaxed. Things will also seem more meaningful all of a sudden, and not just this big mess of time that just seems to pass with an endless amount of activities.

Good luck! I'll start now for a few days...

Party at Mårten's parents' place

Went to a party yesterday at Mårten's parents' farm. It's a great place and they have lots of animals there like Highland Cattle, horses. I went with Olle in his car, and we stopped in Sjöbo to buy food for the BBQ. Had a lot of good talks with him. The BBQ was nice, but silly me had forgotten the hot dogs at home! They have an outdoor tub that we had a bath in and you could see the stars. Fantastic! I reckon my parents should have one like it.

Was woken up by O this morning at 8 am and we headed back. I've had some fresh air this weekend that's for sure, in all kinds of ways.

Dance with me!

I would pay a lot of money to have someone nice right here to dance with, when I hear this. In a dream world, of course, that nice someone would be here dancing because he wanted to.

Continued...

Here is a photo of Erik from yesterday. Makes me smile to see all the happy people I hang out with.

Blues dancing & BBQ at St 21

Yesterday I went to Hepcat Store in Lund, where they sell retro gear etc, to have BBQ and to dance blues on their dusty old attic. It was love at first sight, and what a charming place it was! I could have danced all night. I would have liked to stayed the night there on the floor. In blues dancing, I just learned that you're not supposed to connect with the hips, only the upper part of your body.

Party tomorrow at Mårtens' parents'. Swell!

Dinner with friends #3

Thinking of whom to invite for dinner next time (as well as Livsnjutarklubben and my party on Oct 3rd, that is.)

Possible line-up: Johan N, Ali, Anton, Matilda, Magdalena. Hmm. Yes, that will be swell.

Must set a date, and send out invitations.

Flow

Today was a great day. Flow flow flow- more of the same, I say!

I also enjoyed going out for dinner with Johan N. We always have a laugh, and a great time.

Livsnjutarklubben

Jag har just startat en klubb som heter Livsnjutarklubben. Den är liten, och mycket exklusiv. Förra veckan rökte vi en cigarr som kostade 218 kronor, till exempel. Medlemmar förutom jag själv äro: Mr Robert Klingvall, Mr Micke Rundberg, Ms Maria Schilling och Mr Hans-Inge Magnusson. Ytterligare några till är inbjudna på inträdesprov: Ms Lovisa Appelqvist, Mr Anders "Ali" Lindgren samt Mr Johan Åkers. Vi får väl se om de har vad som krävs. Dresscode är numera införd, tjusigt ska det vara. Musiken är speciellt utvald för att förhöja själva livsnjuteriet. Är ni avundssjuka än?

Trazan & Banarne

Growing up, these guys were my Gods. Hell, they still are. I miss them terribly and know every song by heart.

TGIF!

Dancing yesterday was exhausting but amazing. I feel a lot of improvent going on. I can't wait for the beginner's course tomorrow.

Last day of work before the weekend. Phew. I will go to a party tonight, and tomorrow Cats Corner has a club night where we dress up. I've been invited to a pre-party. Should be fun!

I'll sleep when I'm dead.

Went to the Turning Torso yesterday with Sonja, and took a few photos there. Luxurious and fun!

I've realized lately that I need to sleep more than I do, and that's the main objective for this week. I've been very sensitive to sounds in general and it's stressful in a school environment where I spend a lot of time working.

Thanks to Krister who quickly sorted out the network here so I can use both computers and run them off the same broadband. Nifty!!

When you're bored

When you're bored, waiting to go to bed, relaxing with a cup of coffee, you can keep yourself amused, by visiting Keds hompage. There, you can create your own designs. I think my first five-minute attempt was fun!

Dancing was great tonight - yes yes yes!

Take a bow!

Frankie and Dawn, wonderful wonderful wonderful. Let's all hope we'll be this vital and joyful when we're 94 y'all!

There is some truth in this.

There is some truth in this.

Before the shit hits the fan..

Photographer: Unknown.
I managed to leave work completely clean slated on Friday. A clean, empty desk. Relief. Sitting in the sauna early afternoon looking out of the huge window overlooking the sea, didn't exactly hurt either. The water temp. is still 16 degrees. So far, so good. In the evening I went to the pub with friends of mine.

Today I'll just stay at home taking it easy, before dancing-heaven/hell breaks loose next week: Monday, dance in Lund, Thursday dance in Malmö, Sat - Sun: beginner's weekend (signed up as a lead this time), club night on Sat with live band, and straight after beginner's course ends on Sun, my intermediate course starts in Lund. Hectic, yes. But I can't wait. Exciting! I feel like I've come a long way since I started. Hopefully next weekend will result in alot of fun, but maybe also some progress. I have a feeling my trip to DC (with lessons, social dances and maybe some private lessons) will be the next big thing after Herräng.

Since I never really celebrate my birthday (Dec 26th...) I've decided to go to Stockholm and the Snowball event this year and celebrate a little bit. Dancing? On my birthday? Yes, please!

New Lindy season in Malmö

Went to a dips / tricks mini course today. It was fun, although I wish they would have covered more basic stuff for when you do the dips, it's not just a move (trust me, I try to do it as a move, and look and feel like a dead fish). I get frustrated, but I know things can't happen in one day. Not even in two or twenty.

Also helped Mårten with sound today, will learn the digital mixing console later, if they need help with the sound.

I didn't dance as much as I had wished, but I can clearly feel the lack of body control and focus when I'm not sleeping enough. Some times are better than others. Today wasn't one of my best, but you know... I still had the occasional great dance or two.

Being a positive spirit

I think this comic strip says it all, doesn't it? This is why I don't like being active in the union. "bla bla complain complain complain"... Yes? No?

The sun is shining. I'm lucky to be alive. Dancing starts tomorrow.

Well, at least I'm not the only lazy person around here!

Yeah, I need to assemble these items from IKEA still. But I've provided some evidence which shows that I'm not the only lazy cat around here.

:) Happiness is...

When things in your life seem not to go your way, suddenly, something will come along which change all that in an instant.

Tonight was one of those moments. My God, the dancing was extraordinary. I just enjoyed every second of it... Please give me more, I'm addicted.

Sometimes I feel I could do this all day long. Thanks again to Johan for taking time to help me and just goofing around dancing.