(this is the result of playing with a mac whilst imbibing alcohol)
And then to my health... Not fantastic. I didn't get any answers from neither the doctor or the tests, but my back sill hurts badly. Thank God no cramps today. One theory on the table is Borrelia, but seems unlikly as I don't have any marks n my body. Or do I? Sofias going to check my scalp tonight - and then I may be able to exclude that theory. It's a mistery. I have a telephone appointment with my doctor on Tuesday. We'll take it from there. Apparently there was something weird with the reumatism factor of my blood. That will have to be investigated further in any case. Yeay...
My place in the sun.
ived through great company. Once at the coattage we were taken care of by mother Lotta who served a wonderful meal which we partook on the porch and sat talking there for a couple of hours. The weather during our stay was more autumnal than summery but enjoyable in every way. Strong winds swept dramatically over the valley, the sun was mostly in our presance and there was NO rain. We went for a walk down to the sea, had coffee and a long lunch in their pergola, missed the store closing at two o'clock, lay in the sun doing nothing, picked blackberries, improvised dinner and had drinks (Mojito - from now on known as "The Mallard" and one invented by us with blackberries "Raptor di Mora"in the pergola lit by candles and lanterns and warmed by quilts. Not a bad day all in all.
We had a good Sunday that started off with pancakes. Yummy. Then we tried to complete our Rgent's Canal walk that we started at Easter. This time we walked from Angel until Regent's Park - we still have Little Venice to go. It was very good with nice weather, good food from Camden Market and nice sights. Recommended. Follow the link (click on the picture) to follow our adventure on flickr.
"The one with the power to vanquish the Dark Lord approaches... born to those who have thrice defied him, born as the seventh month dies... and the Dark Lord will mark him as his equal, but he will have power the Dark Lord knows not... and either must die at the hand of the other for neither can live while the other survives... the one with the power to vanquish the Dark Lord will be born as the seventh month dies..."
We had a great risotto, some wine (or grape juice for thos to imature to like wine, ie me) and good conversation. Freddy was lavished with attention from 9 grown ups trying to keep him satisfied at all costs. There was a lot of dancing going on. It was a good night and I'm impressed by their house, but getting to Brixton really gives you QT with tfl. Something one can never get too much of. NOT.
fun. I was a bit tired getting there, but by the time it was time to go back home I was in a fabulous mood. I had Pimm's and Captain Morgan's spiced with coke, charred lamb chops (me like) and burgers. Although the weather forecast hadn't been promising it was absolutely fine all evening and we stayed out on the roof terrace (with a 360 degree view of east London) until quite late. There was good conversation, the rebirth of the macarena (to how many types of music can YOU do the 
macarena?), playing around with cameras (my posing got surprisingly better as the evening progressed - thanx to my good friend Mr Pimm?) - it was all good. We finished off the evening with a trip to Brick Lane (there might have been some singing walking up - we made the east and the west end... sorta) where we stood in a long but very efficient queue for bagels. I had a salmon and cream cheese one for the road (yummy!) and then we got half a dozen to take home. Now I'm mostly tired.
this morning to Österlen, on the east coast, where we had booked two Go-Devils to ride the railway between St Olof and Gärsnäs. We rode through forest and meadows and fields and felt the pleasures of being out doors. It wasn't sunny, even chilly at times, but lovely all the same. There were corn flowers and poppies along the way, as well as funny cows and Babi-like calves. We had coffee and sweet cakes by a lake, and Rikard even went for a quick dip (brrrr...). This is something I can easily see myself doing again. It wasn't too hard, even if up hill was a bit excerting, and it was lovely not having to think of where to go (just one way really - forwards!) and us eing alone on the tracks. (I only had my mobile phone camera - so no good pics, but a soon as I can I'll link to Linda's and Jonas'.)
I usually feel perfectly well the day after but considering the amount of alcohol we've imbibed tomorrow might be an exception to the rule. Next step: going to sleep and hopefully sleeping soundly and not thinking too much about the class I'm skipping tomorrow. Goooo Senior Staff!
decided to sell stuff at the flea market in town and we had to be there at around six. We set up shop and stayed until a short while after noon. It was fun although pricing was hard (5, 10, 20, 50 kroner?), it was difficult to tell if haggling was worth while, and it was COLD. I made a net profit of around 200 kr, which isn't much but more then f I had stayed home (sleeping) and given my stuff away. Half a week's worth of food? It was nice spending time with Sofia and with Rikard who became a honorary member of our sales team making sure the clothes rack didn't collapse (not as stable as we might have liked). So I'm happy, but very, very tired. The rest of this weekend must be spent studying judicial filosophy for my exam in a week+.Today was the third day of my week long internship at a court house. Not considering that I haven't been able to speak properly these last THREE days (I've lost my voice) and having to be drugged up on paracetamol it's been great. We started of with a guided tour of the facilities, including the detention area before being given an assignment and seeing the work being done. We researched and answered some questions from the public (and I do hope they controlled what we said before replying with our text) and then tried to consider the cases for the next day – especially the question of punishment in case of a guilty sentence. We were even allowed in on the preparation for a case on living arrangements for a child. Everybody at the court is being very nice to us and it's fun seeing more of Gisela on a daily basis. Can't say I am loving commuting again, with my bus leaving at 7.30 in the morning, but at least it's a nice trip .
Tuesday we followed a number of criminal hearings: drunk driving abroad, violence towards an official and damage. It was all terribly interesting and I feel I learned loads from just following the proceedings, listening to and seeing the parties LIVE, and then taking part of the sentence and some of the reasoning behind it. The initials in the cases we read became people and I was reminded of how important the courts work is and that it affects real people and lives. As a bonus certain aspects of our studies have started to become clearer – some situations have been conveniently illustrated for our benefit (sort of). One of the judges gave me a ride back to Lund at the end of the day and I found, upon returning home, that that evenings course in Legal English had been cancelled so I could stay home and be pathetically ill.
Today we witnessed more criminal cases. It's just as fascinating still, and I'm learning SO much. We got a taste of cancelled proceedings due to lack of interpretor (unexpected), due to the defendant not showing up (the excuse being valid is yet to be determined), people with defence attorneys and those representing themselves (get a lawyer- it's good advice) and an interpretated proceeding regarding both crime and detention. A little of everything. I am so happy I've ended up at the court instead of a firm. Am feeling a bit ill at ease though and I admire those who do this on a daily basis and manage to remain compassionate and still make difficult but necessary decisions. I don't think I could manage that. I felt so sad for so many – kept feeling a lump in my throat. And still I do believe those who commit crimes must be punished. It seems though that criminal aren't just evil people (which of course I already knew but also felt now) – many are ordinary people who made mistakes. A very good experience whatever career path one may take in the future.
Only to days left. A pity. Though I am looking forward to not having to commute. A bicycle ride away is a good distance.
We went to see the flat on Saturday. I'm very happy – I think it'll make a good home. The tenant who lives there now was somewhat confused, but that shouldn't be a problem in the end. Feels good to have a more physical experience and grasp of my future home. Afterwards we went into town and did some shopping (a present for the baby amongst other things) and had a nice time together. The music at H&M was so extremely loud and overpowering that I just wanted to escape. Who is it that becomes more motivated to shop under those circumstances? And those who actually like it – are they a financially interesting target group? This query belongs to the group ”What are they thinking commercially?” where you can also find my wonderings about horrific lighting in changing rooms. , at least, won't by MORE clothing If I look grotesque whilst trying them on. I'm more likely to feel there is no point in buying anything. Later that day we grilled hamburgers and ate them with Gorgonzola sauce and home made onion rings. Very satisfying. I woke with a sore throat on Sunday and it just got worse as the day progressed. All I wanted to do when finally arriving at my flat that night was to sleep and take pain killers – which I didn't have *buahaahahh*. I feel sorry for my self. It did help some that I had received such a nice gift from Linus (for my birthday, but in advance) *love*. I now have a wonderful ”NO RAPTORS” T-shirt. That's love for you.
Having done two presentations during the day I left for Kastrup to fly SAS to London City Airport on Thursday. It was sooo civilised – and I haven't been spoilt with that flying these past two years. We had assigned seats, the plane wasn't full to the brim, people didn't act like a herd of rampant cattle, I was allowed a paper. Those small things that make all the difference. I fellt grown up – in a good way. Landing at LCY was delightful. The decent was outright cool; suddenly your flying low above London – behold the Barbican and Linus' office, hello Gherkin, oooo Limehouse, soon to be home, oh-oops are we going to land in the water? No, we managed to reach dry land. Then the trip into Bank took 25 min and cost around £2. Sweet love. Linus meet up with me at Bank and we continued to the West End since we had tickets for the evening show of Les Misérables. Hihi! I have a long running love story with this musical. Mum and Dad went to London in 1986 to celebrate their 25th anniversary and they went to see it bringing back a tape with selected music from the show. Listed to it and my Dad telling the story and I loved it and learned the songs off by heart. As I was approaching my 15th birthday we went to London and I got to experience it for myself. It felt like coming home and I was so happy. That X-mas (I think) I was given the CD with the complete soundtrack and I listed to it in much the same way I had the tape. Now, a short time before my 28th birthday, I got to see it once again. Happiness. I must admit I found Javert's part being sung too much in staccato, Marius being portrayed by a wimp and the tempo all through being too fast and hurried. And horror! They had removed the solo number of Gavroche (which is a crime) but this didn't diminish my experience. Mmmmm...
There are some days on which I simply shouldn't have to exist – for my own sake as well as other's. These days reoccur cyclically. Enough said. I got back home from school and all I really wanted to do was to hit people, perhaps be more violent than that, and then lie in bed crying beneath my duvet. To top it off my elbow hurt like hell (from using my computer mouse?). I was suppose to attend legal English class – for an interactive language exercise. It doesn't take a genius to realise the impossibility of it. Sitting in a class talking in English with my brat class mates in a forced manner? Never! I was blood thirsty enough as it was. So I played hooky and stayed home moping. It was great.
More accurately: Kristina and Sofia. We did it again – together we scrutinised yet another wardrobe (that is its contents). The victim of the hour was Sofias twin sister Mona and we did good. Most of her clothes are lovely so we ended up developing combinations and forcing her to Mix and Match more liberally more than we needed to make use of the trash can. It was fun. Directly afterwards I went to a party where we had dinner, drank ”punch” (a Swedish sweet liqueur) and I talked to amongst others my old colleague Johan. I got home at half four. Sunday wasn't much of a day to be honest.
A long time ago I decided NEVER to travel with Ryanair again. They're bad, with unpleasant policies, bad terms and I do not trust their safety (or NON-safety). More often than not they're not that much cheaper either. But then I was to book my trips for the spring semester in January and I was foolish enough to check out Ryanair – since SAS and Easyjet were very pricey one specific day. The ticket being MUCH cheaper I booked it despite my earlier resolution. I decision I was to regret. IN February I received an e-mail that my flight had been rebooked from the evening to early morning – no go! I was able to apply for a refund on line, since the change to the schedule was more than 3 hours.I received no confirmation. Mid March I started to grow concerned, reapplied, no confirmation. When the day passed when (according to ryanair) my application should have been processed I decided to phone them up. From Sweden one has to call a service line, i sort of English, that costs around 40p a minute. Happyhappy joyjoy. After a lot of explaining from my part I got a lazy answer: my application was logged in the computer. That's something at least. It wasn't until March 27 that I received a confirmation, by mail, that the fare would be credited to my account. Don't fly Ryanair. The price isn't worth the trouble.
Linus came over for a long week end. It was wonderful. Meeting up for lunch on Friday was luxurious. We had a lovely time, and unusually much of it AND managed to go to a ball as well. We went to ”Storaste Kroppkakan” (literally ”The Biggest Body Cake”) and had a great time. Kroppkakor is a dish made out of potatoes and sort of bacon (the bacon is in the middle of a ball of mashed potatoes which is boiled) served with lingonberries, cream and melted butter. I had never eaten any before but I must say the food agreed with me. I had 6.5 kroppkakor (each the size of tennis ball) – which was one half too much. It was pointed out to me that I could have entered in the eating competition and come in third. But I know myself better than to do something like that. With my instinct to compete it would have been a very bad idea. Knowing that there was a competition going on was enough to push me to eat a lot, almost too much. I danced and talked with some old friends and had drinks in both my old office and in another office. We tried a drink from one guys stay in Malta: ”Sniffer”? What you had to do was to light the fumes of Cointreau poured into a large glass that you then extinguished with your hand thus capturing the alcoholic vapour then and breath it in after which one breaths in some Cointreau through the other nostril and then drinks what's left of the Cointreau in the glass. It didn't work too well but we had a good time anyway. Kids, don't do this at home! Sunday was Pizza Time!
