We the living

Kickin' some Bernard Madoff ass. Ang being his usual hilarious self while doing so.

Friday. Thank bloody god for that. It's been a bit of an emotional roller coaster this week, so some mindless drinking and general London-late-night fun is just what I need.

Not sure what I've written before on the subject, but things came to an end for me and mr Rugby a few days ago. We had 'the talk' that you usually  have after a certain amount of dating, and it became clear that the age difference was too much for both of us. Better now than than later i think. I'll miss him though. In many ways.

Yesterday I went with D to listen to a lecture/talk/discussion at the Welcome Collection about personality disorders and Psychiatry. It was done in connection to an art exhibition they're currently staging by and about Bobby Baker, a woman diagnosed with Bipolar (??I think??) disorder. She began drawing a 'diary', documenting her experience of her 'disorder' and various psychiatric institutions, thereapeutic communities etc. Extremely moving and powerful drawings. There are hundreds of them, all communicating very clearly the hell she went through. I very much recommend it.

Back to work.
Ciao

Hendrik Hertzberg at the New Yorker marvels over English conservatism in comparison to the American. Here in relation to the relationship between God and Charles Darwin.

Now Timesonline have picked up on it as well.

Today I am in a really bad mood (thanks to BA), and this article didn't exactly help. Unfortunately it's in Swedish, but i think I can sum it up pretty quickly.

The Pope is currently on his first trip to Africa, and has made comments about how it is 'a spiritual and human awakening' that is going to solve the HIV crisis, rather than distribution of condoms. AND that condoms only serve to make the problem worse. How exactly the aricle doesn't detail, but that doesn't really matter does it.

Idiot. F-ing idiot.

I am starting to think that Brazil properly got under my skin. I'm doing and saying things I really normally wouldn't do. All that sunshine, passion, attraction and energy must have stayed on with my tan. This morning on the tube, less tired than the day before, I found myself flirting quite shamelessly, and sizing men up as pieces of well cut meat (this sounds really bad, and I should point out that I am exagerating a bit here). This is something I wouldn't have done three weeks ago (I am Scandinavian for God's sake!),  but which was a universally accepted, and expected, practice in Brazil.

Loca loca..

Ok, travelling and arriving was fine. But now - not feeling too perky. Am tired. Oh so tired. Could I have jet lag despite the teeny tiny three hour time difference? Doubt it. Maybe it's just the shock of getting back from one South American madness to London madness. Rehabilitation is probably the way forward. Am planning to get plenty of that tonight in the shape of sleep.

Had my visit at the hospital today after receiving a referral from my GP. Is it just me or do you also get pissed off when they don't tell you what you want them to say? I have little faith in the all-mighty power of doctors, and even less so when they tell you that you are perfectly fine, wihtout actually being able to explain what your symptoms are.

Very well. It could also be me obsessing too much about things. This happens occasionally. Lately, quite often, but I'm hoping my stay in Bahia took care of that. Mellowed me down a bit.

That's enough of blabbering from me today. Will join myself in the kitchen for some food, and then watch a film called 'Sunshine cleaners' on Howard. Supposed to be ok. Will let you know my verdict.

I know. I've been shite at writing here lately. I consider hostelling it in Brazil quite a good excuse though. The internet connection was severely lacking..well, a connection.

A bit weird to be back. I have just settled back at home after a spending the weekend in the company of G whom I started seeing just before I left. Great welcoming committee, actually. Now it's just me and a pile of stinking clothes, some souveniers and a big bunch of good memories and friends made. I am sure to be savouring them for some time.

Funniest thing (not) happened when I got back to Heathrow. I went to speak to American Airlines about my lost luggage, and they managed to find it within 20 min, something which their office in Brazil hadn't managed to do in TWO WEEKS. Sigh. It had lost it's luggage slip, and had as a result spent two weeks as AA's luggage centre (?) in Dallas. It is now on it's way back to me.

Tomorrow it's work again. Now that's a depressing thought. No more coconut water's on the beach. No more strawberry caipiroscas. Well, for now anyway. Am pretty keen to go back. Rio next time though. And Argentina... All the backpackers I met at the hostel really made me think that even I could do it solo across South America. We'll see.

Now I need to get my shit together. Will come back with some wiser words tomorrow.

Ciao

Today we went to the most amazing seafood restaurant that I've ever been to. Brazilian food is really quite rich and heavy considering the hot climate, but delicious none the less. Had some shrimp dish with basil rise and potato sticks. Yumyum..

Tomorrow J is returning to London and me and L are keeping company back to Salvador. Hopefully we'll have a few days on the beach just taking it easy after 10 days of literally not standing still for one minute.

On the downside, I have gotten a massive cold, but hopefully that should clear up after some rest. I am myself to blame completely. We haven't exactly taken care of our bodies since we got here. The amount of alcohol people drink here.... And it's constant too. Loca Brazilians.

Now I'm going to bed. We have tog et up around 2am to catch our flight to Salvador. Yeay...

Beijos