2010

Cheers to a New Year, and another chance for us to get it right.

one white duck....

Pictures from today, a very cold winterday. Went down to the park ..... wanted to take pictures .... got a lot of bad conscience when I arrived at the ducks to take photos ..... and they happily came toward me, thinking I had food. ... poor little things .... the pond almost covered with ice .... no water for swiming.

This evening we had lots of snow. It is so beautiful. Took a picture out into the darkness. Looks most like a microscope magnification of blood vessels....

Istanbul next

.... so now.... meatballs are ready, saffron buns baked, the presents bought ..... soon hit off to Istanbul.

Santa Lucia

Lucia is celebrated on 13 December. There are two main traditions of celebrating Lucia, which has its base in Sweden, another in Sicily. The Swedish tradition has its origin in both pagan and Christian traditions. According to folklore, it was a dangerous night because many supernatural forces were in motion then. It was believed also that the animals could talk during Lucia night. All Christmas preparations would be ready til Lucia. Here I am, long time ago, as Lucia, in Spain. They didn't know what was going on....had never heard about it, but really liked when I dressed like Lucia, played the song, and offered some gingerbread. In our bar in Marbella in the 70s.

around and around and....

You do not want the morning sun into the bedroom window. On the other hand it's wonderful with evening sun on the veranda. Everingham family has solved the problem by building a house that rotates. The octagonal villa outside of Sydney is located on a rotating disc which is controlled by a computer. The electric motor can spin the entire house 360 degrees in less than half an hour and is not bigger than the motor in a washing machine.

All gifts are purchased..... Christmas spirit..... have had friends visits... a small foretaste of Christmas.... good food and drink.

a tiger or a rabbit?!

Here is the cover, which could not be more untimely. The interview and pictures of the new issue of "Golf Digest" was made long before Tiger Woods infidelity scandals became public. Golf magazine shows the world's most famous golfer with the world's most famous president. The cover is adorned by a fake photo of Tiger as Barack Obama's caddy....

Chris Gardner

Tonight I saw, a not entirely new movie, but which I have not seen. ''The Pursuit of Happyness''. The word "Happyness" in the title is purposely spelled with a "y" instead of the correct "i". It has a personal meaning to Chris Gardner, upon whom the movie is based. I prefere a film that dramatizes the life of an actual person or people. A biographical story. And this made me think about a lot.....how we treat each other, how tough and cold life can be for many people....... to never give up ..... how greatful I should be ..... etc.

global warming...

This abandoned rose on my balcony, in full bloom, at Christmas time... (in Sweden). Entirely without care, it passed the vinter so far ....... global warming (?)

Absolut

A hotel in the form of a 60 meter high Absolut bottle. Does that sound like a ''crazy American dream''? Soon the hotel will be ready in Åhus, Skåne. Åhus - "The Home of Absolute" - may soon have a new building to be proud of. In a twelve floors giant bottle, with the same dimensions as Absolut Vodka, containing 60 rooms and space for vodka bars and restaurants.

rights and freedoms

Human rights are basic rights and freedoms to which all humans are entitled. Examples of rights and freedoms which have come to be commonly thought of as human rights include civil and political rights, such as the right to life and liberty, freedom of expression, and equality before the law, and economic, social and cultural rights, including the right to participate in culture, the right to food, the right to work, and the right to education. 

homemade

Today I baked bread. An old family recipe, with plenty of rye flour, cracked rye kernels, syrup, buttermilk, and as usual it tasted wonderful. Will bring to the shop tomorrow, for my coworkers.

stormy weather

So, it's here again, the usual autumn storms. Trees falling, the bridge between Sweden and Denmark closed, accidents, etc. I was out in the storm, the cold rain lashed from the side, umbrella is impossible. Such weather should be banned ....but I'm happy to have a warm, cosy home.

Once Online, Always Online

It is important to be aware that once you put a photo online, it is always online. Robots categorize and record every piece of activity that goes on within the realm of the Internet on a daily (even hourly) basis. Therefore, once you upload a photo, it will become cataloged in the Internet archives.  Years down the road, these photos will still be available online through Internet archives. Therefore, it is important only to upload tasteful photos that you would be proud to share with future generations. 

Venice Beach

Today my daughter sent pictures from Venice Beach, LA, where she is visiting her sister. Different but beautiful images.

Lady GaGa

my daughter Victoria

My daughter thinks it's as fun as I think, to dress up. These images were taken in L.A. halloween. As Lady GaGa she really succeeded.

Goose

Today we had goose at Östarps Gästis, a tradition in my part of Sweden. Always nice. For dessert, apple cake with vanilla sauce. Coffee and chocolate cake at my parents house, so now it's diet untill Christmas, I hope ......

Today we had a wonderful autumn day, and the first frost has settled over the landscape. Beautiful.

good morning

Today I woke up to yet another gray autumn day. But you can see the beauty in everything, so I took this picture from my bedroom window, a beautiful sight.

octomom

14-children mother Nadya Suleman did yesterday with her eight youngest an''Halloween walk''. She made a huge mistake when she as jobless, single and with 6 children, wanted to be pregnant again, but now it's done, and humor she seems to have, and it requires in her situation. Or does she just want to have even more attention!?

at work

Arne Jacobsen, Bruno Mathsson, Superellipse-table, Ant-chair and PH-lamp, Swedish and Danish design classics, all under one roof in Vinslöv.

"To avoid criticism do nothing, say nothing, be nothing"

"Whoever gossips to you will gossip about you" 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hds3jvjZY-Y

16-year-old....

..... will sail alone around the world! Her pink sailboat, "Ella's Pink Lady", is 10 meters long. The trip is 38 000 km and will take her from Sydney, around the world, and back again. In just over eight months - or 240 days - she will be all alone aboard the boat. Jessica Watson will, if she completes the journey, becoming the youngest to have sailed solo around the world. Good luck, brave girl!!

Rabih, wow!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LhEGNZapFxc

9 years and from Sweden

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FB5Qejo0Qc0

http://thesecret.tv/movie/trailer.html

cold

Today we had a nice autumn day, but oh, I'm freezing. Not used to this cold, after living in southern Spain for many years. Do not look forward to winter in this part of the world....

Sweden-Denmark

Right now, Sweden-Denmark, football, World Cup Qualifiers. Come on Sweden!

tough guys.......

This I love. Do not mess up with the wrong person. Two champs in fighting sports were out at a bachelor party, dressed as drag queens , when two tough guys wanted to beat them up. No luck this time ... hahaha. I am against all forms of violence, but this is so funny.

Look at this:

http://www.aftonbladet.se/webbtv/nyheter/utrikes/article5928298.ab

snow!

This is how it looks in northern Sweden today. Glad I live in the south part of the country. Here we have, at least over 10C.

Pickpockets!

Most vulnerable to thieves are the tourists who visit Barcelona in Spain. Las Ramblas, is said to be the perfect place to get valuable contents stolen. 

Italy's capital Rome. Be aware of being robbed if you move near the Trevi Fountain and the Pantheon. Thieves cut the camera strap and steal your camera in an instant. 

Czech capital of Prague is in third place. Charles Bridge, with all the statues along the railing, provides many opportunities for the thief.  

In fourth place is Madrid in Spain. At the flea market, El Rastro, and even in the metro works different groupings of pickpockets.  

Paris in France is the fifth in the list of cities where you should watch out for pickpockets. Especially in the metro.  

Florence, Italy. There you should keep extra hard on your wallet.  

In seventh place, Buenos Aires, Argentina. If someone suddenly accidentally spilling mustard on you, and then being helpful and try to wipe away the mess, you should be on your guard.  

Eight of the list is Amsterdam in the Netherlands. Thieves take the opportunity to steal from you when you think that everything is relaxed and friendly.  

In Athens, Greece be aware of pickpockets.  

Number ten is Hanoi, Vietnam. Hanoi's older neighborhoods attract pickpockets.

Today I made almond biscuits, according to the good old 
tradition.

weather problem.....

No one who is not in it, can imagine the d*** weather we have in Sweden today. Rainy, windy and cold. But it's nice to curl up on the sofa, with some candles, good music, and cozy up ....

more Coogee Beach

Coogee Beach is a good place to eat, surf and swim. I love Sydney and I long to get there again, soon. And of course to see my daughter.