Yearbook of 2008

Best Book: The three books by Stieg Larsson. Highly recommended. After finishing the first book at 5 in the morning I couldn't sleep. Had to know what would happend next, so I was at the bookstore knocking at the door when they opened. Highly addictive. Should have been 10 books but Stieg Larsson sadly passed away before he had to to write more.

Best CD: Easy. 'Venus In Overdrive' by Rick Springfield. It's a complete album, it has everything and you want to cry, you want to dance - it's so perfect you wonder if he'll ever be able to make another album again.

On The TV: Grey's Anatomy.

Discovered the show last spring and catched up during the summer. McDreamy and McSteamy rules. However, new season is a disapointment. Don't think it'll survive much longer. And on that note, ER is doing their last season. I miss it already. I have followed every episode - the

first aired in Sweden when I lived in a dorm at Stockholm University, 1994. It's a long time ago, much has changed.

Best Concert: 3 Doors Down at KB-halle. Magic. It was one of those life altering moments, when you know you won't be the same afterwards. Life is short, the world is enormous. A piece of the tasty Humble Pie is actually a good idea, from time to time.

Best Song: As I put Rick Springfield up as the best album I will but 3 Doors Down here for "It's Not My Home". Means a lot.

The Sexiest Man: I haven't seen John Sykes this year!! But I saw Bret Michaels, so he'll be the one. Only in the absence of Sykes, of course. But Jeff Scott Soto should have all the credit, thinking about it. He OWNED Firefest. My god, he was HOT. I confess to taking him for granted these days, such a down to earth guy - but seeing him at Firefest made me remember what an artist he really is. He's the one. Sorry Bret.

Neal Schon (above) and Paul Stanley (below) at Arrow Classic Rock in Nijmegen

Best Moment: There has been some good days. It's not all tears and sorrow. Seeing Kiss again, at Arrow Rock was cool. Journey with

'the new singer', when I closed my eyes it was Steve Perry for sure. Dare at Sweden Rock of course. Boyfriend and I have really been to a lot of concerts this year. Not as much as I used to, in the old days, but a lot for being 2008 and me living where I live. We didn't see Van Halen at Madison Square Garden, but apart from that we've seen what we wanted. More or less. Kansas doing a club gig in Malmö. Down of course and 3 Doors Down. But also Ted Nugent and Pretty Maids - twice.

Getting my precious iPhone was a great moment too, actually it's a great moment everytime I use it :-)

But I think, maybe, time spending with my friends has meant the most to me. My friends at the festival and outside. I am not a big talker and and I guess it all got too much, even for me. So, thank you for your patience.

Worst Moment: When I realised it was J they wrote about in the newspaper. That he was gone. Losing Michelle of course. And my sisters best friend A. It all happen in 12 days. Nothing will be the same. And yet, everything is the same. There's not a day without me thinking about them. Losing Uncle C wasn't expected either. I am still processing. Finding clues, talking slowly about them. But since I don't talk about my friends and family that much I know I am not an easy person to help.

Awesome Internet Experience: HardRockRadioLive.com - MadIan's show on Fridays!

Best Gig: Down at KB in Malmö. I dreaded th

e moment seeing any of the Pantera guys again. But seeing Rex and Phil it gave me closure. The music was filled with the energy I have missed so much from Pantera. Thank you for welcoming a Pantera follower and making her feel like home.

Drink of the Year: Margaritas (the Amy way, thank you) and planty of water!!!

Best Movie: 'Juno' is one of the most refreshing movies I have seen. Loved the dialogue and actors. I will see it many more times.

Eyes of The Year: J, let me never forget your beautiful, loving eyes behind the Harry Potter-specs.

Best Ian Gillan Tune of The Year: I still listen to 'Haunted' and 'Clouds & Rain' when I want to remember the past.

The Place of The Year: Manhattan, New York City

Best Metal Club: Nottingham Rock City, UK

Nicest Person: Mattias - BFF as the kids wo

uld say, uh? ;-)

Asshole of 2008: I still can't put it in printing. But anyone who knows me knows who he is. One day I'll write a book about him... or not about him as much as the ways he uses.

To summarize: I don't remember anything about Sweden Rock Festival 2008, I don't know how I got thru it. I am truly greatful for everyone helping out, covering for me during the festival week. Not asking questions, not mentioning my bloated face. Everyone keeping a happy smile and a joke ready.

I didn't know what it'd feel like losing someone close. I don't think I know now either. My life is great, I am happy. Most of the days I am happy. Still I go around like my head is stuck in a black cloud and I don't know how to get out of it. That's when John Waite comes around, his music takes me out of the cloud or at least mark it with a silver lining. Same with 3 Doors Down. Their title track 'Away From The Sun' nailed me on the spot.

It's down to this

I've got to make this life make sense

Can anyone do what I've done

I missed life

I missed the colours of the world

Can anyone go where I am

'Cause now again I've found myself

So far down, away from the sun

That shines into the darkest place

I'm so far down, away from the sun again

Away from the sun again

I'm over this

I'm tired of living in the dark

Can anyone see me down here

The feeling's gone

There's nothing left to lift me up

Back into the world I've known

'Cause now again I've found myself

So far down, away from the sun

That shines into the darkest place

I'm so far down, away from the sun

That shines the life away from me

To find my way back into the arms

That care about the ones like me

I'm so far down, away from the sun again

Final words: I think I should be more aware of life. How precious it is. Live life to the fullest and all that. Michelle is a rolemodel, she did the unexpected. She found love and she moved to Sweden and she got her own band here and she did good. She learned the language and she worked hard. She didn't give up her marrige easily, but she did what she had to do.

I don't do enough. I should work harder to get what I want. I just talk about the things I want to do, I don't actually do them. I used to, but it's as if I am to comfortable now. I don't like myself this way. Blame everyone else, but your self. I read an article about a Swedish woman my age who lived in New York City during the 9/11 and she worked with the Red Cross and did really good. She came back home after that and started working with the same I did before, in the Swedish Prison & probation service. (She probably got the job I applied for when I was going to move here.)

She didn't stay around for long at the job, she got new tasks and wrote papers and had ideas and the highest people in the system listened to her. Now she's moving back to NYC, working for the UN, representing the Swedish Prison & Probation service... I could have done that job. Or rather, I would love to have that job. It'd suite me perfectly. But it's not me. I don't struggle. I give up - or rather find new ways. I never know what it is I want. I get bored. When I get bored I want to do something else. And I change track, instead of evolving.

My fault.

My personality.

I have no idea how to find happiness. I am not even sure happiness exist in the shape I want it to be. But then again, it might. I do feel happy, not every day, but it's there. Not 'Charlotte in SATC'-happy, but it's there.

J always told me I could do anything I want to so that's what I'll try to tell me. How will I be able to remember it? Who shall tell me now, without sounding forged or fake?

Why?

I miss him so much.

If I Had My Life To Live Over

Looking for an photograph in my very old mailbox, from when I got my first iBook in 1999, I found this very beautiful poem sent to me from Michelle in 2000.

IF I HAD MY LIFE TO LIVE OVER

by Erma Bombeck

(Written after she found out she was dying from cancer.)

I would have gone to bed when I was sick instead of pretending the earth would go into a holding pattern if I weren't there for the day.

I would have burned the pink candle sculpted like a rose before it melted in storage.

I would have talked less and listened more.

I would have invited friends over to dinner even if the carpet was stained, or the sofa faded.

I would have eaten the popcorn in the 'good' living room and worried much less about the dirt when someone wanted to light a fire in the fireplace.

I would have taken the time to listen to my grandfather ramble about his youth.

I would never have insisted the car windows be rolled up on a summer day because my hair had just been teased and sprayed.

I would have sat on the lawn with my children and not worried about grass stains.

I would have cried and laughed less while watching television - and more while watching life.

I would never have bought anything just because it was practical, wouldn't show soil, or was

guaranteed to last a lifetime.

Instead of wishing away nine months of pregnancy,I'd have cherished every moment and realized that the wonderment growing inside me was the only chance in life to assist God in a miracle.

When my kids kissed me impetuously, I would never have said, "Later. Now go get washed up for dinner."

There would have been more "I love you"s. More "I'm sorrys."

But mostly, given another shot at life, I would seize every minute...look at it and really see it...live it...and never give it back.

Stop sweating the small stuff. Don't worry about who doesn't like you, who has more, or who's doing what.

Instead, let's cherish the relationships we have with those who DO love us.

Let's think about what God HAS blessed us with.

And what we are doing each day to promote yourselves mentally, physically, emotionally, as well as spiritually.

Life is too short to let it pass you by.

We only have one shot at this and then it's gone.

I hope you all have a blessed day.

------

I think this actually is how Michelle lived life, with no regrets. To stay positive. To use the time we have.

...at least I hope so.

Holiday!

I am leaving the office for the holidays now...

Hate this season but I love the time off work!!

Earth shaking morning

At 6.20 this morning I couldn't decide weather the dryer had gone mental or if the timber trailers finally made it thru the walls.
Switching off the dryer I realised the noise came from the outside or from the house, from the basement. I have no idea where the cats were. I heard the boyfriend getting up (more like storming up) and coming (rushing) down saying it's an earthquake. No idea how he'd knew that. But of course I knew he was right. I stood there, in the kitchen, one hand on the glas cabinette and the other in the air, like trying to stop whatever was coming. It was over as soon as it started, but it felt like several minutes.

So, this is what it would be like to live in California?
I don't think I could ever get used to that.

Nickelback vs Hinder

As long as the Boyfriend and I have been together he has been a fan of Nickelback. I never been. He's tried to make me listen to them but I have refused. Apart from in his car, where he decides the music. I never really liked them, it's as easy as that.
However, recently they're playing the 2nd last album at the gym, so every morning I hear 3-4 songs by them and that's a good way to make me like something. Or at least, to open my mind.

When boyfriend recieved the latest Nickelback album "Dark Horse" to review he asked if I wanted to hear it and I said yes (sometimes I surprise my self). And you know, it's not that bad. It is actually really good. Sound like the album Hinder should have made... Fuck me for saying it out loud (or writing it). But it's true. 'Take It To The Limit' isn't as good as 'Extreme Behaviour'. But then again, '"Extreme" was amazing and I still listen to it every week. I am not sure it'll be another "Temple Bar" (John Waite) or "Away From The Sun" (3 Doors Down) but it's definitly not an album that will be forgotten.

All of a sudden we entered the world of winter. It still feels very surreal. You may think there are polar bears walking the streets of Sweden, but it's more like something out of the sea. It's raining all the time. So, when we drove into this wonderful winter scenary it was difficult not getting carried away. If it hadn't been for the very sad reasons being there in the first place I would have thrown myself in the snow, making angels and snow men and end up with a terrible cold - but being very happy.

Rest in peace my dear uncle C.

Photos

We've decided to sell our house. It's not like we have to, but we want to. My darling boyfriend had filled the top floor with everything that's been hidden in our attic. When I say everything I mean everything and when I say filled I mean filled. 'Most of the stuff is yours' he said. I looked at all the boxes and recognised some of them. Haven't seen them since I moved away from Stockholm. For example I found a paper bad filled with Ikea catalouges and magazines. All from 2001 - 2003. History. Dreaming of the perfect apartment. Then the perfect house. Still thinking it'd bring me the ultimate happiness. Maybe my apartment gave me that, the happiness. But I don't think the house has contributed that much.

Anyway, glancing at the boxes I could easily see that the majority of them wasn't mine. A box with maybe one of mine items was stuffed with the boyfriend's things. I did however find my huge John Lennon book that I thought had been stolen, it was buried underneath Boyfriend's Garfield collection. I don't mind. Seeing it again was wonderful, like a long lost friend. I've been looking for it. Every time we've prepared for New York. But I had filed it as 'stolen'. I even went thru a list of 'friends' that could have taken it it. Like the guy I refused to kiss/date who stole my Mick Jagger biography I'd gotten for Xmas. I never even read it. My John Lennon book is big however, it's not just something you put in your pocket. But you could put it in a briefcase. Or plastic bag. But it's not stolen. I still have it. What a relief. Speaking of finding lost things; Boyfriend asked me about the Greedie's version of 'Merry Jingle' and I went upstairs to get it. Took me forever to find it, allthough it was filed under Thin Lizzy / Compliations. What more I found was the 'Lizzy Songs' CD that I have been looking for. I knew I had it, John Norum is playing 'Massacre' on it. But I couldn't find it. It went so far that I had to get a 2nd copy. Today I found it. Filed under Thin Lizzy / Compliations. With only 3 cds between my original copy and the new copy. How do you explain that?

But still, this wasn't what I was going to write about.
Of all the boxes in the attic there was one I knew I would have to face sooner or - rather - later. The box with the photos from 1995 - 2003. I opened one of the envelopes and there she was. Michelle. Visting me when I lived in Gotland. Every other photo was of her, of us. Next envelope was a John Norum Group-gig. There she was again. Hugging John, hugging friends, playing the guitar, being caught up in the music. I miss her. It doesn't feel real. She was here and now she isn't. But she is. I haven't been able to let her go. I will, I guess, do it. But not yet. I looked at some more photos. Finding both Deep Purple and Pretty Maids, but still, too much pain knowing I won't be taking any more photos of Michelle. No more laughing. No more 'nudge, nudge, wink, wink' at John Sykes. Giggling.

No more. Ever.

Goodbye

Today we said goodbye to uncle C. It was hard, much harder than I
imagined, and I thought it'd be difficult to start with.
I have no words but tears are rolling down as I write this, sitting in
an empty train, going home.

I am saying farewell to J a little by little, I am not ready to let go
just yet. Yesterday I lost a big piece at the Pretty Maids xmas gig
but today was even worse. Hearing Uncle Cs friends talking about him
it all fitted J too. I love you so much.

I don't see the point. I want to Believe in somthing bigger but the
only thing I trust is destiny. But I don't understand it.

After the fire's gone, when every flame has died, whenever we lose
someone, whenever we say goodbye, there will be a savage heart.
(pretty maids)

Friend from the past

Today I went to see a friend from the past, I haven't seen her for 4,5 years, when I moved away from Stockholm. She had changed a lot. I am not sure it's for the good. Actually I am really upset about it and will need to talk seriously about it with someone.

Razmoni

Razmoni Indian Restaurant (Flemminggatan 71) could actually be the best Indian Restaurant in Stockholm. The food is amazingly good and the vegetarian mixed dishes almost made me lick the plate afterward...
Highly recommended!!

House, part 352

I have seen the house I want to live in, again. I have seen a lot of houses. The first one I really fell in love with was by the sea, with seaview from 3 of the directions. Stepping out on the porch I could see horses running in the sunset, the sun going down in the sea I might add. But that was then. We couldn't afford that house. It wasn't in a good shape.

Now I have seen another house. It has seaview from the 2nd floor. Only 250 meters from the beach. Not a beach like the ones you see on vacations but still, a beach where you can swim and have a nice little boat (and then sunbath in your own garden), if that's what please you. We've seen the house twice now. I don't think we'll afford it in the end, but the dream I am living right now is fantastic...

3 Doors Down Copenhagen

Every beat of the show reminded me of J. I don't think he ever even
heard the band. Still Away From The Sun is all about losing it all and
not having a clue about moving on Without You.

John Waite

It’s been confirmed that John Waite will headline the Z Rock Festival in UK on May 30, 2009

Needless to say I won’t be able to make it.

Sweden Rock Festival is on June 3-4-5-6, 2009 and usually I don’t even have the time to pop in to a friend for a cup of tea during May.

FUCK FUCK FUCK.

Missing You

Today has been really tough. Got a mail this morning reminding me of
Michelle. I don't think I really have understood that she's gone.

Today I came a little bit closer to knowing.

It hurts so much.

How can we all go on, when you're gone, my wild one...

Album of the year?

Has to be ’Venus in Overdrive’ by Rick Springfield. It’s perfectly delivered pop/rock with smart lyrics.

I'd love to see him perform these tracks live.

Love it!!

Sweet sixteen

This is Wayne, he'll be 16 on September 23 :-)

All Her Own Way

Heartland’s ’All Her Own Way’ is the soundtrack of today. The album ‘Communication Down’ is way much better than I remembered.

She's My Girl

Woke up in the very early morning hearing John Waite singing 'She's My Girl' in my head. Crazy. I love the song though.
Has to be the track of the day :-)

90210

Finally seen the 2 new episodes and I am stunned over my reaction
seeing Kelly and Brenda together after all these years. I was 15 when
Beverly Hills 90210 started airing in Sweden. I am 35 now, clearly not
the target for the show, but it was actually fun seeing Andreas
daughter and Kelly and Davids sister. I will probably see the rest of
the season, if not cause it's good but cause I hope to hear more
gossip about what happend to the others :-)

BH 90210 is back...

Just read this article http://edition.cnn.com/2008/SHOWBIZ/TV/08/29/comment.90210/index.html?eref=edition_entertainment and I can’t say I’m not entirely not interested in this. I will watch the new show, I have to. If not only to see what Brenda and Kelly are up to.

Read this weekend that Luke Perry will be filming in Sweden, that is of course extremely interesting. Still. I know, I am too old to bother…

Can’t help it.

I’ll get back with a review when the first episode has aired.

September

Back in the office again, it doesn't feel like I left it at all.
It's been too much this summer.
Too many emotions, too many lost hours thinking, analyzing.

I haven't done much of the things I was supposed to do during the summer. Not evening painting the front doors that I have said I would paint 2 years ago. Dark blue. Or blue at least. Sort of like the blue door in 'Notting Hill' but as our house is pinkish purple the blue door would be the only normal about it :-) We have however decided to paint the house in it's original yellow colour now so it was a good thing I didn't paint the doors blue.
Not that we will paint the house this year.
Next year is more likely.
Or never, knowing myself.

What I am trying to say here is that I had this sudden urge to to it, yesterday, to actually wash & paint the doors. Of course, it happened on a Sunday when I couldn't buy the stuff I needed but as the feeling still is present I will buy the stuff today and start working on it!

Ghandi Café, New York City

It doesn't get better than this. We went here the first time in March 2007 and knew we'd come back here the next time we came back to NYC.
And we did, the food is still the best imaginable. If I lived in this city I would eat here at least once a week :-)
The address is 283 Bleecker Street.
Fab veg food. Nicest people working.

Elefante, Tallin

Must recommend the best Indian Restaurant I ever been to. It doesn't look anything special from the outside, in fact we would have missed it if we hadn't known about it.
Entering thru the front door all you see is a big black iron spiral staircase. But don't let it scare you off, once you've entered the restaurant on the 2nd floor it's magnificent. You feel like royalty in the enourmous chairs and the staff is taking care of you to the fullest.
Being a vegetarian, I can't judge on the meat.
I ordered my favorite indian dish, a chana masala, and wasn't disapointed. In fact, they probably spoiled it for me now, not being able to have it as good anywhere else.

I would come back to Tallin only to eat here again!!

India gate, Nijmegen

I can definitly recommend the 'India Gate' restaurant on Molenstraat 136 in Nijmegen. It doesn't look much but the food is delicious.

31 maj 2008

När jag läste i tidningen på måndagsmorron att en dykare omkommit och att han var 34 och från Hägersten så sa jag 'det kan vara J', sedan läste jag resten av tidningen för även om det kunde vara så visste jag att det inte var så. Dels var du alltid försiktig och tog inga risker (sa du) och dels så är det rent personligt, vi skulle ju träffas i sommar och ha roligt igen (sa jag).
När jag läst klart tidningen skickade jag ett sms till J för att påpeka likheten mellan dem. Sedan skickade jag ett sms till M för att fråga om han pratat med J. Jag fick inget svar på hela dan och när jag väl fick svaret, från M, så var det inte det jag ville höra.

I walk the lonely plains
Drift into the distance
Out on a rainy shore
Somewhere in time
Recall a thousand names
All of those we're missing
Out there I'm searching for
A little peace of mind

Vi har haft så himla mycket roligt, vi har gjort så mycket, DU har lärt mig så mycket. Jag kan spackla, ta sönder murade väggar, måla, tapetsera, kakla... Du hjälpte mig att göra ett hem åt mig. Du såg det bästa i mig, du såg aldrig några gränser, det fanns inga hinder och jag älskar dig för det. Varför kunde jag inte säga det till dig när vi pratade? Varför kunde jag inte svälja min stolthet och förklara? Varför blev jag så arg och varför tillät jag att du försvann ut ur mitt liv. Jag vet ju att du bara ville 'fixa mig', laga mig som dina vrak och se mig segla upp igen. Jag vet att du led när jag mådde dåligt och inte visste vad du skulle göra för att jag skulle må bra igen... och jag bara blev arg, alltid arg. Du försökte bara vara där. Istället knuffade jag undan dig, stängde ute dig.

Who am I to rely on a broken dream
Just a loner in the night

Jag är inte arg nu, bara väldigt, väldigt lessen. Det var inte så här det skulle vara. Det var inte så här det skulle bli. I min värld hade vi bara börjat. Det är ju nu när jag mår bra igen, och du har haft dina flickvänner, som vi skulle kunna fungera på riktigt. Gå på bio, laga mat, dricka kaffe med godissmak (du) och Pepsi max (jag) och - gissar jag - titta på svartvita bilder av skepp. Åka på konserter och prata. Hitta meningen med livet igen.
Som vi ju gjorde en gång.

Whenever we loose someone
Whenever we say goodbye
And after the fire's gone
When every flame has died
There will beat a savage heart

Jag är så GLAD att vi träffades på Pretty Maids, jag kommer aldrig aldrig att glömma den värme som jag jag kände när du kom från ingenstans och kramade mig och hur ingen av oss hade några ord att säga utan bara tittade på varandra. Värme och glädje, vänskap, samhörighet. Jag önskar att den natten hade kunna vara för evigt. Just då, just precis då, var vi båda lyckliga.

Another soldier falls
Dies for God and country
When there's no time for talking
Its time for the guns
Out where the wild wind blows
I'm free as a bird
If I could only transfer
Dreams into words

Jag vet att jag alltid säger att det enda jag ångrar var att jag krossade Ss hjärta (och tog hans oskuld innan dess) men det finns något som jag ångrar nu, som jag inte visste att jag ångrade förrän nu och det är att vi inte fick en chans. Men jag vågade inte, vi var vänner och gudarna ska veta att en bra vän är bättre än något annat, de är så svåra att hitta och så svåra att behålla men du är verkligen en av dem och jag behandlade dig så dåligt utan att förklara. Jag ville inte att du skulle tycka om mig *så* och jag tog dig för givet och jag kommer alltid att ångra det.
Alltid.
Jag fnyste åt din dykning för den var farlig, kanske försökte jag skydda mig själv genom att inte vara delaktig men jag ångrar mig nu. Kanske hade jag kunnat göra något? kanske hade jag kunnat ändra historien?

I'm aware; I'll be there, when the morning comes
Guided by the inner light

Jag är så lessen. Jag har gråtit mig igenom festivalen, M har varit där hela tiden. Han har förlorat sin bästa vän och jag kände dig bara en bråkdels sekund och ändå har han funnits där för mig fast det borde varit tvärtom. Du hade älskat ballongerna och nästa år hade du kommit hit med en kartong 'jamen du ville ju ha 100,000 pastellfärgade ballonger, jag trodde ju dig när du sa det, ju' för du glömmer inget. Precis som M.

Whenever we loose someone
Whenever we say goodbye
And after the fire's gone
When every flame has died
There is still a savage heart

We build our world of flesh and blood
Would you really like to know
If there's a place for all of us
All of us

Det kommer att ta tid innan jag kan säga hej då, jag har inga planer på det ännu. Jag vill ringa dig och jag vill prata om det och jag vill att vi kommer överens om hur vi ska göra. Hur du hade tänkt dig att jag skulle gå vidare nu. Jag är väldigt självisk, men det vet du ju sedan gammalt. Kanske skulle jag inte varit det. Kanske skulle jag gett dig mer av mig själv. Om jag bara hade sagt det och inte väntat, om jag bara hade vetat. Jag borde ha lyssnat på dig.

Who am I to rely on a broken dream
Now my world has blown apart
I'm a man with a savage heart

Jag saknar dig J och jag önskar att jag hade kunnat göra allt annorlunda och att jag kunde säga det till dig, tvingat dig att lyssna, att du betyder allt för mig, att du hjälpte mig och gav mitt liv en mening. Både M och jag vill berätta om festivalen och du skulle varit här. Du fattas mig, oss. Jag borde ha lyssnat på dig.

J. S.
1973 - 2008
(texten är från Pretty Maids ' Savage Heart')

Michelle RIP

On May 21st my very dear friend Michelle Meldrum passed away.
My boss' name is Michael and he's near her in my phonebook and as I call my boss all the time I also scroll pass Michelle's name all the time and everytime I think I should give her a call.
Or a mail. I don't think I can understand what happend, I don't think I can get a grip around it. I don't know who to talk to or who to ask.
Michelle's a fighter, she shouldn't have died like this.

I will miss you.
Endlessly.

I don't even know what to write..

Back at home

Unpacked everything now, more or less. With a dollar this cheap it was a huge problem not buying the entire store. I probably have bought more clothes in 2 weeks than I have done for a year. But I couldn't help myself. My size AND a great price tag, that just doesn't happen. Not to me.
Also bought a whole bunch of dvd's, the complete Freaks & Geeks for example. I am looking forward to staying indoors for a while now :-)

I picked up DAUGHTRY after hering them in a store and I have listened to it about 10 times so far. Like it. It's not Hinder, but it's for sure really good.

Lördag

Hemresa.
Kunde inte sova. Oroad för allt bagage. Vi började med att köpa ytterligare en resväska. L, L & M fick ta en av våra väskor och lite till... Vi vägde alla väskor på flygplatsen för att se att det skulle gå igenom (23 kilo/väska) och det var övervikt på 3 av dem så vi möblerade om lite, flyttade över grejer till alla tillgängliga väskor.

Flyget var försenat in så istället för att gå 18.15 så skulle det gå 19.30 men det fanns ingen anledning till att stressa, när vi väl kom ombord på planet så var det nåt fel på lacken på en av vingarna så vi kunde inte flyga förrän.... 22.30!! Det är ingen försening man skojar bort. Att sitta still på ett plan utan något att göra, utan mer vetskap än att "vi vet mer om en kvart" är helt galet trist. Vi erbjöds ett glas vatten under hela tiden och på in-flight monitorerna visades American Airlines trailer om och om igen "när ni har plockat undan era saker från gången och satt er på plats & spänt fast bältena så flyger vi"... lyssna på det i tre timmar....

Väntetiden i Bryssel blev i alla fall kortare i och med detta och DET planet var bara 20 min försenat (pga "tekniska problem")... Väl i Köpenhamn gick allt hur snabbt som helst och så fort vi fått våra väskor begav vi oss till tåget med 10 min marginal. Upp på tåget med 10 väskor och sedan pusta ut, 2,5 timmar och sedan himma...

...tills vi kom till Malmö och det visade sig att tåget vi pustade ut på hade "tekniska problem" och vi var tvugna att byta vagn... två vagnar tömdes på människor, cyklar och bagage och mitt i allt detta kom vi, fem personer med alldeles för mycket bagage och alldeles för trötta - och nu även irriterade. Men vi klarade det och efter Lund fickvi till och med sittplats.

Det vra skönt att komma hem.
Faktiskt.

Fredag

Sista dagen.
Det blir aldrig som man tänkt sig så denna dag ägnades åt att försöka hitta Js försvunna/borttappade/förlorade kamera. För att göra en mycket lång och nervös historia kort så återfanns kameran på Temple Bar. J hade helt enkelt tagit alla klädkassar och lämnat kvar kameraväskan. 2 veckors fotografering och minst ett albumomslag borta... Japp, vi talar sann ångest. Viosst skämtade vi om att vi hade en dag på oss att köpa ny kamera och springa omkring och ta nya bilder... men det är ju inte samma sak.

Just det, vi köpte en resväska till också.

Återfunnen kamera firades storstilat på Hard Rock café tillsammans med klanen och L blev firas av vår mycket energiska kypare. Vi var redo att åka hem.

Torsdag

Ännu en utflyktsdag.
Liberty Island med Frihetsgudinnan och Ellis Island. Det var ganska coolt att se Frihetsgudinnan på nära håll, för ärligt talat hon ser inte så stor ut när man passerar med Staten Island-färjan. Ellis island var däremot en besvikelse och jag jag var ordentligt upprörd när vi åkte därifrån. Minst 20% av Sveriges befolkning emigrerade till USA och det är en enorm del av VÅR historia, men på Ellis Island lyste Sverige med sin frånvaro.
Det var tyskar och ryssar, polacker och italienare.
Men nästan inga svenskar.

Vi vandrade upp från Battery Park till Ground Zero, hittade Century 21 (enorm stormarknad för märkesvaror som jag rekommenderar, deras avdelning för 'stora storlekar' var överväldigande, Calvin Klein är min nya klädguru) och spenderade en massa tid där, både frivilligt och ofrivilligt.

När vi närmade oss Blecker Street på hemvägen, efter att ha ätit indiskt på en restaurang som såg så skitig ut att det är ett under att ingen blev sjuk, så bad jag att vi skulle stanna på Temple Bar, klockan var efter 17 och jag visste att de hade öppnat. Efter att ha föreslagit en indisk restaurang dagen innan och lett alla till en fullkomligt utblåst restaurang och dagen innan dess föreslog jag en mexikansk restaurang som skulle ha goda Margeritas enligt en recension - för att visa sig vara en mexikansk version av Mc Donald's - min trovärdighet var inte stor. Men, jag fick en tredje och sista chans. Och det blev en succé. Det var en total hit. Drack en Hot Lips Martini som bestod av en martini med Chili i. Stark. Starkare. Starkast.
Ingen kände till John Waite, och inte heller plattan som deras bar gett namn åt. Men det var fantastiskt att vara där ändå. Vi satt alla i baren och studerade bartendrarnas arbete.

Rekommenderas!

Onsdag

Det var så dags att lämna NYC för ett annat äventyr, L, L & M + jag styrde fötterna mot Grand Central Station och satte oss på tåget till New Haven, Conneticut. Denna stad som för mig mest är känd för att Kiss spelade där och det gjordes en massa bootlegs från de konserterna. Men nu var det ju inte det som drog utan deras stolthet, universitetet Yale. Så gammalt, så fint och så speciellt. Aldrig har jag väl känt en så stark dragning tillbaka till universitetet som jag gjorde denna dag. Tänk att få plugga där...

Tisdag

När J var ute i helgen med D och letade coola kläder så passerade de Houston Street och trots att jag spenderade hur mycket tid som helst förra året åt att fråga efter den stora Kiss-väggmålningen som jag sett i Sidewalks of New York - ingen visste vad jag pratade om - så fanns den där, utan att säga nåt.
Kändes hur stort som helst!


Mitt emot målningen så åt jag världens godaste macka, avokado och hummos på rostat fullkornbröd och sallad till det.
Yummy.

Måndag

Påskdagen och dagen för den stora påskparaden. Egentligen beskrivs det bäst som att 5th Avenue förvandlades till gågata och människor strömmade till för att titta på de fantastiska hattar som paraderades runt. Inte vad jag hade förväntat mig.

Dagen började dock tidigare än så, skulle på återbesök på sjukhuset och åt frukost redan kl 8 tillsammans med alla andra från Europa som inte lyckats vända dygnet rätt (eller så är det rätt att äta frukost kl 8 och inte 2 minuter i 10). Vandrade ner till Bellevue men när jag väl kom dit och insåg att även detta skulle bli en dag av väntan ("Har du inget sjukhuskort?", "Vem betalar?", "Hur ska du betala?" etc etc) så bestämde jag mig för att min semester var mer värdefull än min eventuella brist på hälsa, särskilt när de inte fått resultaten från biopsin ännu. Så, jag bad dem ge min tid till någon som bättre behövde den och vandrade ut därifrån.

Det blev rundvandring och shopping istället och kvällen avslutades med ljummen veggie burger och taskigt blandade Lynchburg Lemonade på Hard Rock Café - och fotografering nedanför Eric Carrs trumpinnar!

Fredag

Total shopping idag.
Gick fran B-kupa till D-kupa pa Victorias Secret!!

I'm alive! (torsdag)

Igar, torsdag var den stora dagen da M,L&L skulle komma. Det blev dock inte dagens stora handelse eftersom jag akte direkt till Bellevue Hospital pa morronen och stannade dar typ hela dagen. Mina konstiga bolder, numera 'utslag' via blasor visade sig skapa mer problem an jag ville ha. Sa, sjukhus blev losningen och efter en lang och seg process (TACK till Cityakuten for alla ar av forberedande undervisning just for den har dagen).

Forst, for att ens komma in pa sjukhuset, behovde jag visa id eller pass. Utan nagot av detta kom man overhuvudtaget inte ens in. Sedan var det vantrum och lang ko for att bedöma hur sjuk jag var (pa en skala 1-10) och beskriva symptomen och hela kitet. Denna process kallas 'triage', an en gang, tack till Cityakuten for att jag kan detta. Kon var lang och det var verkligen tur att jag inte var doende for det finns inte en chans att jag hade klarat det med ens tillstymmelse till feber. Tror att jag vantade i tva timmar tills jag blev inkallad. Laste min nyinkopta 'Strawberry Shortcake Murder' under tiden. In pa ett rum, en rund liten kvinna tog hand om mig och forberedde mig infor att traffa hennes ansvariga lakare och - som det skulle visa sig - alla andra som jobbade pa avdelningen ocksa. Det var folk for second opinion, hudlakare, elever och voluntarer. Alla kom for att titta pa mina utslag och ha en asikt och fraga mig 20 fragor, de flesta samma.

Till slut kom de fram till att de skulle gora en biopsi pa en av utslagen, och naturligtvis ta bilder pa dem alla. Det var galet, men anda intressant. Lakaren som gjorde operationen fick forvanade blickar av de andra (som jobbar pa akuten) nar hon sa att hon skulle utfara proceduren pa plats, Jag ar forvanad over att det inte var fler som ville vara med och kolla.

Hur som helst, 4 stygn blev det, inga problem.
Jag mar bra, jag lever!

Juno

I absolutely loved this movie, it's moving and funny and it has that core of a spine that makes it complete and real. Whenever you think there will be a 'Hollywood twist' to it (that usually destroys the movie) it's not. This is real. It feels real. It feels pure. It's quick and it's sarcastic. 'CJ' from 'West Wing' is doing the role as the stepmother and she's fabulous.
I will see this movie again. And again.

Dag 6 - onsdag

Idag sov vi i en halv evighet, det behovdes. Eftersom frukosten serveras fram till kl 10 sa har vi varit uppe tills dess alla dagar, vilket faktiskt kanns valdigt tidigt. Idag skippade vi hotell-frukosten och sov istallet. Det blev brunch pa vart favoritstalle fran forra aret, med den osannolikt goda Oreo Cheescake som fick mig besatt pa denna magnifika efterratt.

I eftermiddag ska J intervjua Pat Travers och sedan ikvall ar det konsert. I morroneftermiddag kommer LL&M vilket ska bli jattekul. Min tanke var att vi skulle ga over Brooklyn Bridge men eftersom J vill vara med pa det och han ska repa hela dagen sa far jag hitta pa en annan plan, vilket inte lar bli sa svart. Sa mycket att gora!!

Bolderna i ansiktet ar nastan borta, det ar fortfarande rott och sarskorpor men nu kan jag sminka over dem i alla fall. Har istallet fatt tva nya pa vansterhand som kliar och gar det omojligt att ha klocka och armband.
J har oppnat vadslagning for var nasta ska dyka upp...

Dag 5 - Tisdag

Det finns saker jag blir besatt av, saker som jag maste ha. En av dessa saker ar Yankee Candles. En affar med doftljus. Ganska dyrt. Aven med billig dollar. Spelar ingen roll, att kopa hemma pa postorder ar alltid annu dyrare. Narmaste Yankee Candle i Manhattan ar pa Staten Island's mall. En natt liten resa pa 2 timmar, inlkusive tunnebana, bat och buss. Faktiskt maste jag nog saga att det var billigare att handla i kladaffarerna har pa Manhattan an ute i detta enorma kopcentrum, hemma ar det ju oftast tvartom. yankee Candle gjorde mig dock inte besviken (fast var fanns solros-ljusen??), och jag kopte tva stora pasar!

Pa kvallen var det dags far Amy & Dave, forst hem till dem for en magnifik Margeritha (Amy gor varldens basta, trots att hon inte dricker sjalv). Middag intogs pa Tamarind, en indisk restaurang (annu ett stalle dar man behover boka bord nagra dagar i forvag) och det var verkligen precis sa gott och fabulous som det ska vara i New York! Pa lordag ska vi traffa dem igen, da blir det mexikanskt!

Dag 4 - St Patrick's Day (Mandag)

Paraden pa 5th Avenue var enorm, 160 TUSEN personer gick med i paraden!! Det var marsch-musik och en himla massa poliser & brandman. Nagra brudar som stod nara oss diskuterade basta sattet att fa deras uppmarksamhet, en av losningarna var att skrika sitt mobilnummer hogt och hoppas att nan fick med det pa videofilm!! :-)
Vi stod alldeles nara St Patrick's cathedral med Rockerfeller Plaza i ryggen. Eftersom detta var den kallaste dagen sa har langt orkade vi bara med ett par timmar innan vi var tvugna att ga inomhus (inte alls sa kallt som forra aret, men det betyder inte att det 'kandes' valdigt kallt anda). Lunch pa Rockerfeller Plaza, en av den godaste risotton jag atit, med apple och myskpumpa. Yummy!

Nar vi anda var pa plats var det enkelt att ta sig upp till Top Of The Rock, dar solen sken och det var riktigt riktigt skont. Fran sisadar 67 vaningar upp kunde vi se paraden nedanfor och hora musiken.

Eftersom vadret var sa himla fint sa promenerade vi runt och hamlade snart pa Bleecker Street, kand for musikaffarer och god mat. J kopte ett gang skivor inne pa de tva genereationsaffarerna (bada affarerna har huskatter. En av dem alskar att ligga pa singlar, och den far gora det), jag klappade katt och J kopte skivor, det ar sa det ska vara!

Middag blev det sedan pa Gandhi Cafe, favoritstallet fran forra gangen. De pastods till och med komma ihag oss - och de bjod pa efterratt och chai-te, nice.

Dag 3 - sondag

I sondags var jag trott, mycket trott. Nya bolder blommade upp i ansiktet och de tog helt enkelt kraften ur mig. Det blev mycket vilande, vilket passade bra da J repade. Gjorde dock nagra rundturer ute pa stan och shoppade lite. Hittade Sarah Jessica Parkers marke pa rea, galet - allt for mindre an en hundring per plagg/skor!!

Pa kvallen - nar det visade sig att J inte hade nagra planer pa att komma tillbaka in till stan forran tidigt pa morronen sa gick jag pa bio och sag 'Juno'. Arets basta film, alla kategorier.

Dag 2

Borjade dagen med en frukost bestaende av bagel, cream cheese, te och apelsinjuice - frukostrummet ar en skadeplats som man inte garna vill missa :-)

Vid halv ett skulle vi traffa Amy & Dave for en brunch pa ett super-hippt stalle, The Cookshop (om jag inte minns fel) i Chelsea (en av de platser i NYC dar jag kan tanka mig att bo. Inne pa den har frascha restaurangen ar allt ekologiskt och fran kockarnas egen farm. Dessvarre fanns det bara en vegetarisk ratt, tur att jag ater agg. J at en burgare med strips, allt ekologiskt och hembakat hamburgerbrod. Tror dock att Virgin Margerita-drinken var behallningen med detta besok.

Mycket vandrande blev det, efter en halvtimme i en gitarraffar bestamde jag mig far att lamna J och D till sitt ode och bege mig ut i den stora varlden pa egen hand. Stralande solsken, jackan i ryggsacken och in i den storsta party-affar jag nagonsin sett. Vad ar val mer amerikanskt och party an muffins? Joda, jag har hittat grejer... Fortsatte uppfor Sjatte avenyn och hittade Bed, Bath and Beyond. Affaren jag inte visste att mitt liv saknade (men jag har misstankt det), aven dar fanns det en stor hushalls-sektion sa mitt problem ar forstass att jag maste ta hem mina fynd och livsfornodenheter pa nagot satt. Alternativt hitta bade jobb och lagenhet innan vi aker hem...

Pa kvallen sag vi Vanilla Fudge, 60-talsbandet med hardrockens framste trummis, Carmine Appice. Fatta hur coolt det ar att kunna ringa upp saga att jag star utanfor the Blender. Ytterligare en av dessa fantastiska ogonblick som jag inte kunnat tro pa nar jag var 14 ar!

Vi avslutade pa en irlandsk pub och lyckades halla oss vakna till efter midnatt!

Det ar betydligt mer folk har an det var forra aret, men om man haller sig borta fran gatorna kring Times Square sa marks det inte.

Idag, sondag, sa ska J traffa JG och prata SLB. jag stannar pa hotellet eftersom jag har 3 valdigt osmickrande bolder i pannan och 1 osmickrande och obehaglig pa ogonlocket. Samma typ som jag hade pa halsen fast tackochlov minimala i storlek i jamforelse. Tur att vi ar har sa manga dagar sa att jag inte far panik av att 'missa' en dag. Ny kamera har vi kopt oss (varsinn), inna pa 'varldens storsta kameraaffar'.
Det ar antagligen sant.

Forsta dan i New York

Efter en stralande frukost bestaende av bagles med cream cheese, te, apelsinjuice och glaserad munkar sa vandrade vi upp och runt i Central Park. Fantastiskt fint vader med riktigt varma inslag. Lunch pa en vegan-restaurang, The Candle, som jag last om i Lonely Planet's New York-guide.
Tillbaka ner igen och nu sitter vi pa vart stamhak, Ben & Jerry's pa 8 Avenue :-)
Ny smak for sasonen ar Mint Chocholate Chunk. Yummy.

Wayne & Cleo

No doubt I love cats... specially 3 cats.
Wayne the master himself (pictured on the right), 15 years old and still playing like a kitten when he feels like it. He belongs to my mom, or rather my mom belongs to Wayne.
10 years ago - or perhaps even more than that - Wayne got one of those soft furry things that you hang on a radiator. he never used it. He's too big and it probably had the wrong colour (soft yellow, he's more of a blue guy). However, Wayne loves his things so he's not the kinda cat that will refuse anything, so he put his toys in it. Anyway, my darling cats Kid & Cleo always look for new things and Cleo being the kind of cat that loves frying near the open fire or beneath the radiator one of those hanging things sounded like a good idea. I asked Wayne if he would consider letting Cleo have it.
The thing is, they have only met once and that was a disaster. Cleo came out as the winner. Wayne was hiding under the bed for an eternity, until it was time to go home.
Fotunately for Cleo, my mom loves her so she bought a new gorgeous basket for Wayne's endless collection of toys and the hanging thing was removed.

On Saturday I came home with the thing and showed it to a very suspicious Cleo, I hung it on the radiator near a sofa she usually sleeps in and i showed her how to use it. She looked at me like I was crazy and went back downstairs. Later, when I watched 'Sex & The City' on dvd she came up to me and laid down. Looking at me, probably deciding that I never done anything to hurt her and that my ideas usually are quite alright. Like moving away from an apartment to a house. With a garden. With endless amount of dried up plants and fresh grass. And moving in with someone who eat meats, fish and chicken and not only soy stuff. I am only guessing, I have no idea what she was thinking, but she got up from my lap and over to the hanging flyffy thing, gave it a good sniff and then jumped up and sat there. All still, as if she expected it to come flying down. Nothing happend. 15 minutes later I looked over at her again and she was sleeping. Loving it. She spent most of Sunday in it and as far as I know she spends most of the days in it.
I told her Wayne gave it to her, but I don't think she believes me.

Spring, officially

The spring arrived last week. Officially. Not counting the endless signs of spring, but listening to the official weather people has to say. It's spring now that the temperature doesn't reach below 0 degree Celcius. Marvelous!

The roses, blueberries, lilacs and the other green stuff in the garden has developed nice baby leafs and it looks like May rather than March.

John Waite Cruise

I couldn't believe what I saw looking at my RSS-feed from John Waite's MySpace today.
He's doing a cruise with Rick Springfield in November.

4 days on a ship with JOHN WAITE - now that is like a dream.
A weird dream that most likely would include myself falling off the ship and swimming with sharks biting me and whatever... But a cruise, 4 days and at least 3 concerts with John Waite - including a full set of his own stuff, on his own and then 2 shows with Rick Springfield, one acoustic and one electric.

I am freaking out, I hate ships. I hate the idea of a cruise. But I love the idea of having 4 days worth of chances of actually talking to John Waite...

... and Rick Springfield, don't forget Rick Springfield. I am a huge fan and I would love, love, love to see him live too. There will be a concert with the audience's requests only. Now how cool is that?

But he will be there with John Waite and John Waite is my remaining artist to meet and talk to. His music has always been there. Always saved me. Like Phil Lynott. But John Waite is alive, John Waite is till making songs like "St Patrick's Day" and he's still affecting me in a new way. I am not placing Phil Lynott or John Waite ahead of the other cause I need them both.
I really need them both.

I wonder if I will be able to do this.

23 days left.

It's now only 23 days left until New York. It's starting to feel very unreal.

It's not unreal with 106 days left til Sweden Rock Festival. So much work left. So much work I haven't even begun looking at. Need to solve everything with the dressingrooms. The photo shows 2 of the trailers used at Rock Stage. Kinda boring and grey. Don't have a photo showing the inside, but it's kinda like the old device "what you see is what you get", if you know what I mean.
Anyone got any ideas? I don't want to give up, but it feels hopeless :-(

Poison - Second Coming...

I am not sure where and when I heard Poison the first time, but I don't think I am far off saying it was on the radioshow "Rockbox". I got "Look What The Cat Dragged in" for my birthday in 1986 and it didn't leave my recordplayer longer than it took to flip from a-side to b-side :-)


I had just finished my releationship with Europe, as John Norum left the band. And I was dying for a band to love, a band that had everything. As Kiss was what got me into this musical genre and Thin Lizzy sadly had to call it a day I needed something spiritual, something happy, something to feed my teenage dreams... Poison was that band. Poison was more than that band, they were everything. While my friends didn't quite get the thing with Poison I was happy to have them on my own, to myself. Like a secret. I loved them to bits. Or perhaps I should say, I loved Bret Michaels to bits. I read Hit Parader, Circus and RIP and in every issue they had a A4-sized portrait of bret. I collected them all and put them on my bedroom wall. I think I had over 100 of them at one given point. No matter how many times I told everyone it was the same person on all pictures, I got asked who it was.

While all the girls at school wanted to look like Madonna but I put my make-up on to look like I was belonging with Poison on Sunset Strip in LA. I didn't success I might add, but the spirit was there. They gave me all the dreams I needed and they gave me a personality. "You better cry tough - out in the streets - to make your dreams happen". Cause while my friends dreamt of starting a family, own a house and that crappy version of life I wanted more. Once again I am not sure I have succeded in my dreams, but I would like to think so. I would like to think that the 14-year old version of myself wouldn't be disapointed. All though I still haven't been in LA yet...

I saw Poison in Stockholm on August 21, 1990. It was fantastic and later I was told CC DeVille stood behind me watching Whitesnake. My friend didn't tell me cause she was sure I would have died or something equally horrible. I was supposed to do an interview with Bret Michaels at the venue but as there werenät any time for it it didn't happen and I had to do it via phone instead. The most nervous ever. It's true. I haven't met Bret yet, or anyone in Poison... And I am lucky enough to have met most of the artists I look up to!
I was supposed to go to UK in 1993 to see Poison doing their "7 days over Europe" gig, it's classic Spinal tap doing a European tour in UK!! Anyway, I had to stay in Sweden cause I had an exam and it was too important to miss. Knowing what I know now I would have dropped the exam and done UK instead. But how would I know it would take 15 years until the next time?? You never expect it to take that long.

But now, they will be here - only 115 days or so - until they will be back in Sweden.
I hope - with all my soul - that they will not make me disapointed!!

Poison at Sweden Rock Festival

It's been 18 years since the last time.
I'll write more about this later - just recieved some really sad news.

Disapointed

Regarding the election in US; None of the democratics are against the death penalty.
I didn't even think about asking myself such a question.
Why? Because to me the death penalty is a cruel form of revenge. It's all about power and all about justify someones beliefs.

Why is it so important to be able to take someone else's life?
What is it about need of revenge??

I get it, it's much cheaper to kill people than keeping them alive - but that's too cynical, even for me.

New York, New York

50 days left until Manhattan!! Can't wait!!
I am preparing myself in the best way possible; checking concerts (Robin Trowers as well as Van Halen are playing while we're there) and various malls around NYC. To be honest, it was too cold the last time, with -15 celsius even the most frequent walker felt a bit COLD.
Specially the day when we took the tube to Wall Street to visit Ground Zero. It was too painful even to have your eyes open. But we did it; Empire State Building (I swear I had to force myself to open my eyes to look - with the wind it must have been below -20 cause it was unbearable. J had to take photos and I promised I'd look at them on the inside cause it was just too cold stay outside. This time, it'll hopefully be warmer.
We went on the Staten Island Ferry and had a look at the Statue of Liberty which was very impressive. We probably should go to Ellis Island, to see where the immigrants arrived; we live where the travelling started for those people shipping of from Sweden. But as I don't feel any of the connections to it all I'd rather doing something else. But I know that if I went there I'd be interested... we'll see.

We went to the Manhattan Mall a few times, just cause it was practical to go indoors instead of outdoors. It wasn't anything special. Not what I expected from a mall. Thank heaven we went to Rochester for that!!

Bleeker street was a favorite if any; both food and music vise.

This time we have some serious shoppers with us, they probably have no clue just how much it is - New York City - and that the credit card definitly is the only limit.
But I want to be prepared this time, I want to know my stuff before - just like a good guide.
However, one trip I'll do on my own and that's to Yale in New Haven, Conneticut.

Fifty days...

New Year's Resolutions... 2 weeks after

A week ago the gym was crammed by people who had given the most popular new year's resolution of them all - start training and get fit. Today it was just me, as usual. I go to the gym 4 times a week, early in the morning at 6.45 or so and usually it's just me. But last week I actually had to wait to use the machines.
Not very common, only happened once or twice before.

Myself I don't give any resolutions for new year. Apart from the obvious ones 1) I promise to stay the same and ") I promise not to change anything. But really, to make all those changes at the new year is so bound to fail. When it's the darkest, the coldest and the most depressing - that's not when you want to make the changes. The changes has to be during the summer or at least at spring - when life's coming back and there's hope of life again. That's the perfect time to make permanent changes.
At least that's what I think.