Dear Tom,

Tom. He's great. I talk to him very often. It's so weird that I can be best buddies with a guy I've never even met. If you see this, thank you for everything you've done for me.

I got this picture the other day from him. The guy on the right is Frankie Manning. (Photographer: unknown)

Hectic few days & the sound of silence

Went to "Kallis" again yesterday. It's so close that I really don't have any excuse not to go there. 16 degrees in the water, very nice. I've spent the last few days socialising and working. Went to a BBQ at Johan Norin's house on Friday. Great fun, and I ended up sleeping on the sofa. Yesterday, Ulrike had a party. Loads of people there, and I really enjoyed it. I talked mostly to Olle and Johanna though.

Today I've emptied my car which was full of cardboard boxes. I'm very pleased. Basement next...

Cigars sans Churchill

I just logged on here after saying goodbye to Singe who was here tonight. Robert was here too and we tried out 4 cigars. It was nice! We had malt whisky with it and rounded it all off with some coffee. Very nice indeed, and we intend to keep the tradition going.

I want to add that I have never ever in my life tried smoking a cigarette, and I never will. I have never tried any drugs either. The occassional cigar every 6 months or so, I don't see as being so harmful. Mostly, it's a fun event.

Clear, blue skies.

Well, not much to say really. Today I wish I was a kid again, up in the sky somewhere, like I was in this picture. Things just seemed less complicated back then.

Ten things to be happy about.

Today is a weird day. I've felt confused lately, hence my need for organising the place. It just all of a sudden feels like I've found the missing link, somehow. Today, I feel at home here in my apartment. I really like it. I want to clean up. I want to do the dishes. I even want to pay the bills and make the cd cases. It's really very liberating.

10 things to be happy about today:

1. Hugo, the cat, is looking at me with his sparkling eyes right now.
2. I found a hole in the wall to put the trash in. (Yes, I'm officially retarded)
3. I fit into Sara's skinny jeans today.
4. I finished 2 cd covers.
5. I booked a washing time, on time.
6. I'm still smiling from last night.
7. I have great friends.
8. The sun was shining.
9. I've just started changing email from outlook to gmail.
10. I feel OK with the fact that I will make myself go to bed before 11.

Phew. I think I'm okay again.

The not-so-fine art of recycling

Yes.. the environment. Sure, the idea of recycling is great. However, the tenants in my apartment have recently been exposed to somewhat of a shock. Going from chucking unsorted trash in a huge container (=easy and doable) to having a super neat little house with 20 different containers for everything from mom's old underwear to your sister's hairbrush, all in one day, is just too much for (lazy) people to handle. Let's face it. The human race is a lazy bunch. In the process of organising my home, I've discovered a thing or two. You must overcome the psychological barriers before you can put things back where they belong. Whether it be to put stuff that you don't use so often higher up in your cupboard, or whatever. If it's too hard work for some reason, people just simply won't do it.

The recycling house is gorgeous. It's taken me ages though to 1. buy little containers for boxes, tins and bottles. Will soon fix the last one for plastic. That's all I have space for. But what about the remaining 16 things you need to sort? How do you do that in an apartment that is 42m2? I've also spent a fair bit of time trying to figure out the most basic thing: where do you put your normal trashbag from the kitchen? There IS no container for that!

It feels easier to run for President than to chuck my rubbish. Recycling, sure, but not on these terms. It's too complicated and too much hard work for the average person.

Despite my negative outlook, I went there today, to try to learn more and maybe, just maybe feel more at ease with the whole concept. You know what? They just built it, and now, outside, there's a note reading:

"Many of you have not been using the recycling area appropriately. We have therefore decided to close it as of September 1st. Please take your trash to the other recycling house, 5 mins away, where we have cameras".

Oh, I feel so fucking inspired. We are only human after all, and people should realise that big changes aren't possible overnight. Good thinking, but not realistic. Think of the obstacles people have built-in first, before spending so much money on trying to change the world in 24 hours. I'm all for change, but it must be gradual, so that people have time to adjust accordingly.

Now, where should I put my kitchen trash bag...? *sigh*

Let's start clean slated, shall we?

The view from the sauna window. There are plenty of saunas there.

What scares me is going from 18 degrees (today) to this:

Today I went with two colleagues from work to "Kallis". It was fantastic, like last time. If you had too much on your mind when entering, you could be sure it had all conveniently vanished when leaving. The warm breeze against your skin. The sunrays embracing you. The sound of the waves and the birds. I just loved it. I sat down with a mug of coffee just watching and listening.

Get rid of the stress in life. Start dancing, go swimming in the sea all year around. Steal a kiss or two. You're all set, right there.

Mmmmm.

Oh, and last night I went dancing in town. It was one of the best times I've had! Dancing with Johan was a bit of a hallelujah moment for me. He's great, and I always learn alot from him.