Yes - I'm going crazy. This is the second time in just a short while where I'm home alone without the missus. The cultural consensus is that I should spend this time smoking, drinking and watching porn (the boys view) or mend, fix and paint the house (the family view).
Well - I'm sorry to disappoint you both (never been a sucker to please) but I've spend my time much more wisely doing... absolutely nothing!
I forgot how boring a bachelor's life could by, at least when home alone. The worst thing is the inner voice, the reflections that keeps going on and on. It's like being in an episode of Seinfeld's. Yada, yada, yada!
When the missus is home the inner monolog doesn't really get a chance to feast on my brain. The missus establish a good balance between my inner thoughts and her charm by initiating conversation. Mind you, I'm a Scandinavian and we need a lot of help to initiate conversation. Well, we a need a lot of help in a lot of things but that's another story.
My buddies and I can sit at the pub in total silence and just excist without any feeling of aquardness. It's almost that we try to avoid to talk just not to initiate a discomforting situation or moment. Aquard moments are a sin from where I originate. It means that you don't have anything intelligent to contribute with. One exception to this rule might be talking weather with older people. But that's about it. I mean why blow the cover, opening you mouth and make it obvious that your contribution to society is on par with a donkey.
Anyhow. My life has evolved around the most basic tasks over the past few days: eat, drink and sleep. I have occasionally watched a movie or read some news on the web. Oh yes, I was forced to do some laundry the other day. But that's about it, folks.
I've been pacing around in our pad, turning the TV on (and realizing that the shows sucks), turned it off (and realizing that it's better than nothing) and turned it on again. I cannot wait until the missus comes back, drops her things all over the place and wakes me up in the morning with hairdryers and phone calls. I cannot wait!
Monday, November 15, 2004
Thursday, November 11, 2004
My Insouciant Life
Bigger. Better. Faster. More. It's part of our human DNA to strive for new conquests and achievements. To challenge life and get on the rollercoaster for the ride of our life. As soon as one goal is reached we move to the next.
But sometimes it's nice (and healthy) to just step back for a moment, to catch some breath and get perspective. One of my old mentors always said the perspective is worth 100 IQ points. Who knows, really!
The point is: take time to celebrate your victories, enjoy the wonderful flavor of success. It could be getting a raise, loosing weight or making the perfect swedish meatballs. Let that feeling of pure, innocent joy fill your body and mind. Kick off your shoes and embrace the insouciant life. Just for a moment care to not care and let that feeling fill your veins. I do - as often as I can.
But sometimes it's nice (and healthy) to just step back for a moment, to catch some breath and get perspective. One of my old mentors always said the perspective is worth 100 IQ points. Who knows, really!
The point is: take time to celebrate your victories, enjoy the wonderful flavor of success. It could be getting a raise, loosing weight or making the perfect swedish meatballs. Let that feeling of pure, innocent joy fill your body and mind. Kick off your shoes and embrace the insouciant life. Just for a moment care to not care and let that feeling fill your veins. I do - as often as I can.
Wednesday, November 10, 2004
Will My Guayabera Shirts Still Fit When I'm 64
I worry that my collection of Guayabera shirts - most of them Mexican Wedding shirts, some known as lounge / rockabilly shirts - won't fit me when I'm 64. I worry about being broke, bald and beer-bellied. If that happens, I wish I still can wear my Guayabera shirts. Medium size.
London Calling, Baby
The missus and I went to London the other week for work as well as pleasure. We both were fortunate to be sent their at the same time by our respective companies. Coincidence? I think not!
London - that's where we met, a cold Saturday in February 2001. Going back together brought back a lot of fond memories and created some new. I guess it also readjusted some and erased others. Funny how the mind works.
We visited our old stomping grounds: The Cod in Knightsbridge, The Wine Factory and Zucca in Notting Hill. The Cod (Admiral Codington) was Erin's local pub, just around the corner from her pad. The Wine Factory was the restaurant where we had our first real date and Zucca were we had our first lunch, that cold Saturday morning. Both around the corner from my old pad.
We spent the most of the weekend hanging out with my buddies - shopping, eating and drinking. The shopping in London is very different from most places in the US but that's another blog.
What I really like about London and the UK in general is their drinking culture. Spending a rainy Saturday with your friends, exchanging stories and drinking real beer (no light Bud crap) in front of the fireplace is not too bad (as the brits say). It's actually freakin' great.
So after several hours of walking and shopping the choice was clear - a pint at The Cod would make a great finish to a fun day. Or at least make the transition from afternoon into evening somewhat painless.
It's amazing how thirsty one can get when one is out shopping. Bloody hell! I think we had a few pints and shared a couple of bottles of wine before the darkness and hunger made it's presence known. Thank God they close the Pubs at 11 o'clock. Otherwise we might still have been there - chatting and drinking in front of the fire.
I couldn't agree more with Samuel Johnson's quote from Boswell's Life: "When a man is tired of London, he is tired of life; for there is in London all that life can afford."
London - that's where we met, a cold Saturday in February 2001. Going back together brought back a lot of fond memories and created some new. I guess it also readjusted some and erased others. Funny how the mind works.
We visited our old stomping grounds: The Cod in Knightsbridge, The Wine Factory and Zucca in Notting Hill. The Cod (Admiral Codington) was Erin's local pub, just around the corner from her pad. The Wine Factory was the restaurant where we had our first real date and Zucca were we had our first lunch, that cold Saturday morning. Both around the corner from my old pad.
We spent the most of the weekend hanging out with my buddies - shopping, eating and drinking. The shopping in London is very different from most places in the US but that's another blog.
What I really like about London and the UK in general is their drinking culture. Spending a rainy Saturday with your friends, exchanging stories and drinking real beer (no light Bud crap) in front of the fireplace is not too bad (as the brits say). It's actually freakin' great.
So after several hours of walking and shopping the choice was clear - a pint at The Cod would make a great finish to a fun day. Or at least make the transition from afternoon into evening somewhat painless.
It's amazing how thirsty one can get when one is out shopping. Bloody hell! I think we had a few pints and shared a couple of bottles of wine before the darkness and hunger made it's presence known. Thank God they close the Pubs at 11 o'clock. Otherwise we might still have been there - chatting and drinking in front of the fire.
I couldn't agree more with Samuel Johnson's quote from Boswell's Life: "When a man is tired of London, he is tired of life; for there is in London all that life can afford."
Monday, November 01, 2004
Hip Behaving Badly
My left hip gets cranky once in a while and refuses to collaborate. It's Perthes fault. I don't know who he is but I got his desease. I've had it since I can remember. The earliest memories are from when I was watching the snowfall from the kitchen window but couldn't go out and play, only watch the other kids have fun.
Nowdays I move around as well as the next person. But occasionally the pain comes back and I rememeber the kids playing in the snow.
Nowdays I move around as well as the next person. But occasionally the pain comes back and I rememeber the kids playing in the snow.
Saturday, October 16, 2004
My Top 10 Favorite Travel Destinations
In the spirit of popular lists and travel magazines I'm here revealing my "secret" top 10 favorite travel destinations:
1. Sydney, Australia - What is all this 'down-under' hype about? We are going for Thankgiving to find out.
2. Rioja, Spain - The greatest wine-making region in the world. The combination of Rioja and Cordero Asado is killer.
3. Cuba - It's all cause of the cigars, the salsa, the food and the Guayabera-shirts.
4. Punta del Este, Uruguay - It's the riviera of South America. Tanned people, cool drinks and suave music. What else do you need?
5. Buenos Aires, Argentina - Only for the Tango and the excellent steaks.
6. Mozambique - To enjoy the cool beaches and the great dark African vibe.
7. Vietnam - The food, the culture and the mystique.
8. Isle of Islay, Scotland - 9 Malt Whiskey breweries in 3 days. And you think Napa can kick your ass?
9. Phuket, Thailand - I'd like to see where the James Bond-movie "The Man with the Golden Gun" was filmed and compare the original Thai-food to Churchill Arm's in London, England.
10. Morocco - Great rugs. Interesting food. New bacteria culture.
1. Sydney, Australia - What is all this 'down-under' hype about? We are going for Thankgiving to find out.
2. Rioja, Spain - The greatest wine-making region in the world. The combination of Rioja and Cordero Asado is killer.
3. Cuba - It's all cause of the cigars, the salsa, the food and the Guayabera-shirts.
4. Punta del Este, Uruguay - It's the riviera of South America. Tanned people, cool drinks and suave music. What else do you need?
5. Buenos Aires, Argentina - Only for the Tango and the excellent steaks.
6. Mozambique - To enjoy the cool beaches and the great dark African vibe.
7. Vietnam - The food, the culture and the mystique.
8. Isle of Islay, Scotland - 9 Malt Whiskey breweries in 3 days. And you think Napa can kick your ass?
9. Phuket, Thailand - I'd like to see where the James Bond-movie "The Man with the Golden Gun" was filmed and compare the original Thai-food to Churchill Arm's in London, England.
10. Morocco - Great rugs. Interesting food. New bacteria culture.
Home Alone
I'm home alone this week. Have actually been alone since the missus left for Salt Lake City and Puerto Rico last Tuesday.
One would assume that one would fall back into pre-maritial routines such as not shaving, not showering and only working, watching DVD's and single-team the wine fridge. One is very correct. That is pretty much what I have done the whole weekend.
Right now I'm watching "The Bridge on The River Kwai", drinking a Torres Mas la Plana from 1995 and drafting strategy plans for our business unit. One might think: "What a weird combination!".
I would strongly disagree and I am. The only thing I'm lacking is a cigar and that might happen sooner than one thinks. Non-Cuban, of course.
Most strategies are designed to win or protect and derives from thousands of years of war strategy practices. A lot of the terminology used in the business world today are military terms: overtake, conquer, defeat, surrender, guerilla, hostage et cetera. The military metaphors have become a common way to illustrate strategies or desirable results in todays business life.
The ability to create strategies and think strategic is powerful but nothing beats a shower and a shave when the missus returns.
One would assume that one would fall back into pre-maritial routines such as not shaving, not showering and only working, watching DVD's and single-team the wine fridge. One is very correct. That is pretty much what I have done the whole weekend.
Right now I'm watching "The Bridge on The River Kwai", drinking a Torres Mas la Plana from 1995 and drafting strategy plans for our business unit. One might think: "What a weird combination!".
I would strongly disagree and I am. The only thing I'm lacking is a cigar and that might happen sooner than one thinks. Non-Cuban, of course.
Most strategies are designed to win or protect and derives from thousands of years of war strategy practices. A lot of the terminology used in the business world today are military terms: overtake, conquer, defeat, surrender, guerilla, hostage et cetera. The military metaphors have become a common way to illustrate strategies or desirable results in todays business life.
The ability to create strategies and think strategic is powerful but nothing beats a shower and a shave when the missus returns.
Monday, October 11, 2004
I, Glass Collector
I did not know that I was going to be such a world-class glass collector when I got married. It's my missus that has brought out this talent.
We have developed an excellent team work. She places glasses in the most interesting areas across our pad and I collect them and return them to their origin.
An untrained eye would argue that the glasses are just casually put down when either empty or when the phone rings. I would disagree. They are thoughfully placed in all parts of the apartment: bathroom, bedroom, living room, dining room and kitchen. They are mostly placed, or at least found, close to the edge of a sink or a table. Sometimes half-full and sometimes completely empty.
The content differs as well which always tickles my fancy. Mostly wine, orange juice and coffee. But I have to admit that I have found glasses with water - both still and sparkling - as well.
This glass ritual has evolved to be the perfect analogy for a strong marriage: We are here for each other and build on our strengths. Not weaknesses. I'm an excellent, neurotic passiv-aggressive European and the missus is a very easy-loving, care-free American hedonist. The best of both worlds!
We have developed an excellent team work. She places glasses in the most interesting areas across our pad and I collect them and return them to their origin.
An untrained eye would argue that the glasses are just casually put down when either empty or when the phone rings. I would disagree. They are thoughfully placed in all parts of the apartment: bathroom, bedroom, living room, dining room and kitchen. They are mostly placed, or at least found, close to the edge of a sink or a table. Sometimes half-full and sometimes completely empty.
The content differs as well which always tickles my fancy. Mostly wine, orange juice and coffee. But I have to admit that I have found glasses with water - both still and sparkling - as well.
This glass ritual has evolved to be the perfect analogy for a strong marriage: We are here for each other and build on our strengths. Not weaknesses. I'm an excellent, neurotic passiv-aggressive European and the missus is a very easy-loving, care-free American hedonist. The best of both worlds!
Saturday, October 09, 2004
Papa Got a Brand New Bed
I feeeel good. Dobedobedobido. Like I should. Bodebodibodibop. Sooooo good. Bobop. So Good. Bobop. Bobodibodibop.
Finally - we got my act together and went down to Mattress Discounters on Van Ness to get ourselves a brand new bed. I had never bought a bed before and felt a little lost. Probably the main reason for the procastination that had been going on in my mind. The last bed I had - my pre-maritial bed as I now prefer to call it - I got from my parents 10 years ago when I moved into my first house.
In London I slept on a Futon for years which sucked. I don't care what people say - a Futon is not made for humans with self-respect and / or self-love.
In San Francisco I slept in Erin's bed which was a full size. Not big enough for a man like me. I need to roll around, stretch (the manly exercise of moaning and grunting while stretching your body as far and wide as possible) and have enough space for my physical delight as well as ego.
So we bought a king size Sealy Posturepedic and had it delivered within 48 hours. I have to say that the whole process - from decision-making to delivery really impressed me. I've always seen these "Discount" shops with a very sceptical eye - promising big to make you sign but once done delivering small. In this case they exceeded my expectations. The salesman promised that the delivery guys would call the same day to give us the 4-hour window for delivery. They did. The sales man then promised that the delivery guys would call 1-hour before delivery. They did.
The first thing they did when they came was to ask me where I wanted the bed, if the should dump the old bed et cetera. It wasn't just dump and go. I felt that they really cared about my needs and their business. The delivery guys had the bed unpacked, assembled and our old bed taken-away within 15 minutes. You could tell that these guys had done this before and had the whole process nailed down in detail. These guys where focused and on a mission. They were so damned impressive that I'm writing about it in my blog.
The bed itself is fantstic. It's like a newborn cloud floating around in the sky with the only mission to please it's master. I'm actually writing this story from this soft, warm, comforting.... Zzzzzzzzzzzz.........
Finally - we got my act together and went down to Mattress Discounters on Van Ness to get ourselves a brand new bed. I had never bought a bed before and felt a little lost. Probably the main reason for the procastination that had been going on in my mind. The last bed I had - my pre-maritial bed as I now prefer to call it - I got from my parents 10 years ago when I moved into my first house.
In London I slept on a Futon for years which sucked. I don't care what people say - a Futon is not made for humans with self-respect and / or self-love.
In San Francisco I slept in Erin's bed which was a full size. Not big enough for a man like me. I need to roll around, stretch (the manly exercise of moaning and grunting while stretching your body as far and wide as possible) and have enough space for my physical delight as well as ego.
So we bought a king size Sealy Posturepedic and had it delivered within 48 hours. I have to say that the whole process - from decision-making to delivery really impressed me. I've always seen these "Discount" shops with a very sceptical eye - promising big to make you sign but once done delivering small. In this case they exceeded my expectations. The salesman promised that the delivery guys would call the same day to give us the 4-hour window for delivery. They did. The sales man then promised that the delivery guys would call 1-hour before delivery. They did.
The first thing they did when they came was to ask me where I wanted the bed, if the should dump the old bed et cetera. It wasn't just dump and go. I felt that they really cared about my needs and their business. The delivery guys had the bed unpacked, assembled and our old bed taken-away within 15 minutes. You could tell that these guys had done this before and had the whole process nailed down in detail. These guys where focused and on a mission. They were so damned impressive that I'm writing about it in my blog.
The bed itself is fantstic. It's like a newborn cloud floating around in the sky with the only mission to please it's master. I'm actually writing this story from this soft, warm, comforting.... Zzzzzzzzzzzz.........
Wednesday, October 06, 2004
Finding Credo
"Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap" - I wish that was my credo. But fortunately AC/DC nicked it for their 1981 album with the same name. So my search for a powerful credo goes on.
The credo I'm looking for is very much like a motto but stronger and with more oumpfh. Motto is what Boy Scouts have ("Be Prepared."), Olympians ("Citius, Altius, Fortius" => Faster, Higher, Braver), James Bond ("The World Is Not Enough") or Obelix ("Ils sont fous ces Romains!" => These Romans are crazy!).
A motto is a simple statement to live by while credo is a statement to die for. A motte is more generous while a credo is definite. A credo is a strong personal mission statement in just a few simple words.
Nike's "Just Do It!" is a great credo. Powerful. Genial. Probably the best one out there. I'm looking for something like that but with a tad more arrogance.
END - Part I.
The credo I'm looking for is very much like a motto but stronger and with more oumpfh. Motto is what Boy Scouts have ("Be Prepared."), Olympians ("Citius, Altius, Fortius" => Faster, Higher, Braver), James Bond ("The World Is Not Enough") or Obelix ("Ils sont fous ces Romains!" => These Romans are crazy!).
A motto is a simple statement to live by while credo is a statement to die for. A motte is more generous while a credo is definite. A credo is a strong personal mission statement in just a few simple words.
Nike's "Just Do It!" is a great credo. Powerful. Genial. Probably the best one out there. I'm looking for something like that but with a tad more arrogance.
END - Part I.
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