Woody
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
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
Anglophilia
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.
In English
Now Timesonline have picked up on it as well.
Aaaaarrrgghhhh
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.
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.
The Brazilian effect
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..
Loca loca..
Want.bed.now.
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.
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'm back... with a tan.
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
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
Update
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
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
Hell
This is where I have spent my day today. Urgh.
After J, L and me decided we should live it up large on our last night in Pipa things went a bit overboard. I don't ever remember consuming that much vodka before. I'm not bragging here, not at all. In fact, kids, you can take me as the perfect example of a anti-drinking campaign. We rolled in around six this morning, after much fun I should add, having to get up ca 3 hours later, pack and get in to the car to drive back to Natal. A car ride which is normally around 1.5 hours probably took twice that time. Unsettled stomachs does not mix well with bumpy Brasilian roads. And we had to make around 10 pit-stops for.. relieving ourselves. Our designated driver, C, couldn't have been more of a godsend. Bless his heart.
The best part was when I had to pop in the airport to change my ticket. Still amazing that they accepted to help me considering the way I must have smelled and looked.
ANYWAY, apart from all this moaning, Pipa was amazing. Didn't get to see any dolphins which was a pity, but I'll live. When I get back home I'll post a nice pic of it.
Now I have to go and li down again and prepare mentally for dinner.
Ciao
Carnival
I am lost for words. There is no way I can describe the madness that is Carnival in Salvador. Imagine a city of 2 milion being overrun by another 10 million. EVERYONE on the street drinking and dancing. And the men... aiaiai.. Your usual daily rythm becomes totally screwed up because you start around mid-day, and drop back home around 8 in the morning (smelling like beer and piss). After doing that for three days my body was literally screaming for rest. Last night we flew to Natal to stay with J's family, and this morning I finally felt that I could use my legs again.
Today we are going to Pipa, a beach just outside of Natal which is famous for it's sand dunes, and for the dolphins that come to swim with you. Apparently they have their local festival on tonight, so I guess we just have to buckle up for another one.
Oh, and I am not on friendly terms with American Airlines. They lost my luggage the bastards. Luckily I had a feeling that would happen so I packed all my essentials in my hand luggage. I am getting pretty tired of handwashing my knickers by now though....
Will try to update every few days. To be honest, it is so nice to be without anything electronic for once. No facebook, no email. Just sunshine and cocktails...
Ciao my dears
Today we are going to Pipa, a beach just outside of Natal which is famous for it's sand dunes, and for the dolphins that come to swim with you. Apparently they have their local festival on tonight, so I guess we just have to buckle up for another one.
Oh, and I am not on friendly terms with American Airlines. They lost my luggage the bastards. Luckily I had a feeling that would happen so I packed all my essentials in my hand luggage. I am getting pretty tired of handwashing my knickers by now though....
Will try to update every few days. To be honest, it is so nice to be without anything electronic for once. No facebook, no email. Just sunshine and cocktails...
Ciao my dears
So here I am
All done with my packing: tickets, passport, bikini, £££ everything is in order. Tomorrow I'm taking my sorry littly pale Swedish ass to Brazil and carnival! Yesterday when I was packing I tried some of the sun lotion and was immediately transported to the beach. I could even smell the sea... Sigh... I have been waiting for this trip for a bloody long time. And I think I very much deserve it.
I don't have the time or the patience to sit and write too much right now. Travel fever as we call it in Sweden. And I'm expecting a late-night visitor, which makes it even less easy to focus. And the wine I've had, that can have something to do with it as well...
I will do my very very best to write regularly with ideas on life and culture in Brazil. And on cocktails. And food. And people. And samba. And beaches. Oh, and we're going to swim with dolphins at Pipa, did I mention that?
What I'm trying to say, is that I won't miss London, that's all..
Ciao dearests
I don't have the time or the patience to sit and write too much right now. Travel fever as we call it in Sweden. And I'm expecting a late-night visitor, which makes it even less easy to focus. And the wine I've had, that can have something to do with it as well...
I will do my very very best to write regularly with ideas on life and culture in Brazil. And on cocktails. And food. And people. And samba. And beaches. Oh, and we're going to swim with dolphins at Pipa, did I mention that?
What I'm trying to say, is that I won't miss London, that's all..
Ciao dearests
My oh my
I had a lovely and busy weekend, despite the rather painful hour I spent in the company of a Brazilian waxing lady on Saturday. I thought that after my bikini-line was done and dusted, the legs would be a walk in the park. They so weren't. Still, I'm glad I went through it. I am after all, travelling to what is probably the most hair-trimmed country on the planet. I didn't want to turn up as J's hairy friend from the forests in the north...
Now only four more sleeps, and then we're off! We have quite a schedule when we're there. The first four days will be spent at various parties and the carnival in Salvador. After that we fly to Natal where her mother has arranged a small welcome barbecue for us (with just a mere 80 guests and a samba band playing..).
Will I miss London? I very much doubt that.
Now only four more sleeps, and then we're off! We have quite a schedule when we're there. The first four days will be spent at various parties and the carnival in Salvador. After that we fly to Natal where her mother has arranged a small welcome barbecue for us (with just a mere 80 guests and a samba band playing..).
Will I miss London? I very much doubt that.
Disturbing
Here is an article about a boy who just became a father at the tender age of 13. The mother is 15. At the end of the article there is the following note:
"Last night Michaela Aston, of the anti-abortion Christian charity LIFE, said: “We commend these teenagers for their courage in bringing their child into the world.
"Last night Michaela Aston, of the anti-abortion Christian charity LIFE, said: “We commend these teenagers for their courage in bringing their child into the world.
“At the same time this is symptomatic of the over-sexualisation of our youngsters and shows the policy of value-free sex education just isn’t working.""
The boy doesn't know how much nappies cost, and the church is commending them for bringing a child into the world? And somehow I seriously doubt that Christian preaching of abstinense would have averted this situation. It is quite clear that teenagers fuck just as much in a Christian environment, just with a load of guilt attached to it. I briefly discussed an article regarding this here.
The answer is not religion people! It's education! And a great big middle class.
Be careful what you wish for
Especially guinea pigs. In Russia anyway.
The role of government
George Packer discusses the divide between Democrats and Republicans over the new stimulus packade that was voted through the Senate yesterday (or was it the day before?). He traces the discussion back to what has been the backbone in US politics, and in most countries with a left-right divide: the extent to which the central government should play a part in the running of a country.
Despite what opinion one might have under normal circumstances, surely desperate times like these, call for desperate measures. Every morning one wakes up to news of more and more people losing their jobs (usually low-skilled). It feels more important than ever that the government invests money in the right places to prevent this trend from escalating. I don't want to think of it as charity, but rather as a kind of occupational first aid. But what do I know?
Despite what opinion one might have under normal circumstances, surely desperate times like these, call for desperate measures. Every morning one wakes up to news of more and more people losing their jobs (usually low-skilled). It feels more important than ever that the government invests money in the right places to prevent this trend from escalating. I don't want to think of it as charity, but rather as a kind of occupational first aid. But what do I know?
