Funny As...

Hey ya guys, today was...good.

I woke up at my friend Ruffio's place in the student ghetto, which wasn't too un-common for me some times on weekends depending on the flow of the whole evening.

Anyway, today I was out swimming at Vinterviken "close" to where I live. By myself mind you, and yet again, it was a good experience. There was a couple there bathing too, but sadly, didn't talk to them. And funnily enough, I'm becoming more Swedish during my time here. Looking more at the ground when I'm walking. Don't greet people while I'm walking along etc. I try to greet people and about...89% of the time i get a response, but the other 11% I don't even get the slightest achknowledgement of my own personal existence.

Welcome to Sweden

Anyway, when I arrived to where I was going to go swimming it was raining, and then when I jumped into the water, it kept on raining, and then after about....5 min? it all stopped, and the skies began to clear. Now then, I wanted to go swimming the second I got back home from Ruffio's place, however, it took some time for me to get out the door (read: I started watching Tropa de Elite). And so, when the weather cleared, and I was up on the cliffs, I began to think (as many of you know I maybe do too much of) and began to analyze the whole scenario.

If you want to do something, and I mean really want to do something (in my case, go swimming), but you keep on letting the oppurtuntity pass you by, then it's you'll feel crap (ie, it'll rain), but once you do it (no matter what the outcome) you'll feel better for doing it (the weather clears and the heat comes back).

Oh! And when I got to the water, I was hoping for the water to go blue again (via the skies reflection), but it wasn't like that when I got there, but then the weather cleared, and the water was yet again, ab-so-f¤%&ing-beautiful!

Tomorrow, hopefully, Herk, Big-E, Troll, and I will be going to Gröna Lund for the day. Let's hope the weather turns like it did today!

Powers

omnipresent [om-nuh-prez-uhnt]: adjective, present everywhere at the same time.

A power I wish I had around this point in time. Because every big event will be happening Sept. 4-6th. Unbelievable.

I hate having too many choices.

Wet'n'Wild

Was out last weekend with my friends to do some wakeboarding/waterskiing out at my parents place, and it was great. To say the least. I'm just bummed out that I didn't think of this before!

The weather was magnificent, and everyone was happy. It took some time to get some of the people into the water, but once they were in, they didn't want to get out. Well, I guess they did actually, but they wanted to be above the water on a wakeboard or a pair waterskiis instead.

Everybody got up (eventually) and were super stoked for getting to try it.

For the occassion I borrowed my moms old Nikkor 70-210mm lens which was amazing! The images came out super clear (when I got it focused, which proved pretty hard when the boat is bumpy as). Check them out here!

Sadly, not all the people I invited came out, but that means I'll just have to do it again and hope for a better outcome! But there's so many things to do before I leave!

Anyway.

I met my Friend That Rocks (FTR) today for the first time since I got back, and it was great to see her again. She's a becoming artist in London, and she's really seems to be going places! She does a lot of PR and also some talent scouting, along with setting up opening bands for the bigger fish. There's just way too much for me to say about her and I don't have the time to either, but she never ceases to amaze me with her stories about the music industry and what she goes through just to make it up to the next wrung of the massive ladder she is climbing. She is a real fighter if I ever met one.

Great friends is what I have.

Things have changed...only slightly though.

Was out with my friend and her cousin today walking around Gamla Stan, and we decided to go and get some ice cream. The really good stuff! The one where they make their own waffles right out side the window.

Here's what I remember: there's always a que, ice cream is really good, family feel, and the cones are really yummy too. A bit dear, but well worth it.

Here's what I found: not that big of que and still making their own cones. However, the ice cream they used previously has been replaced with Ben & Jerry's, and the interior is suited to their chain store idea, which just sucked.

Ice cream was good, but the store didn't look as nice as it used to. Now it just looks like another McDonalds bullshit on stick chain store. Hmm...makes you think.

I found this blog, and found this entry really funny: check it out! And this article too on Lifehacker.com.

Dreams Coming True

Before I arrived to Sweden, there were certain things I wanted to do: go to Vinterviken on a sunny day, go out with the boat early as in the morning, meet all my friends, etc.

The other day me and some friends went to Vinterviken after work, and it was, for the lack of a better word, perfect.

I was pretty reluctant to go at first, because I was just so exhausted from my lack of sleep. However, I knew I would regret it if I didn't go, so I went.

We had some wine, listened to some music, took a small dip in the water, and watched the sunset. And something really beautiful that I haven't really noticed before regarding sunsets, water, and the sky. What is that you ask? It's the reflection of the sky on the water. It made the whole surface of the water blue, sky blue. And then with the sunsetting in front of us, it was all just so magical. I was hardly talking to anyone, just staring out over the water, completely captivated by the sight. Did I have my camera with me? Of course I didn't! Jimmy had his though, but after taking a few shots, I realized that you need some sort of filter for when you shot straight against the sun. I think I know which one to get, but not a 100% sure.

Also, pretty keen on getting a 50mm prime lens. There's a few for sale at the moment for decent prices. Hopefully I'll have one for my trip back, and will also try to get my dad's SB-600 flash to work as a slave flash. Then you'll be able to get some really sweet effects.

Ok, I'm outtie! See'ya guys!

It's all calypso.

A line from one my absolute favourite songs: Ape dos mil by Glassjaw. Context? Unknown.

Been back for about 3 weeks now, and it feels pretty good truth be told. Been hanging out with my friends, and just having fun. Yesterday, a group of us went walking around our neighbourhood were taking photos and just having a good time. Something you can't put a price on.

And although I'm home, I still feel like a backpacker. Sleeping on my friends couch (my old one), still using all of my clothes that I've been using for the past 2 years. Well, sort of the same clothes, they've been switched around during the trip, but nontheless. Same same. I don't have any of my old clothes, because they're in storage. I'm pretty sure I'll make a trip to the storage just to switch something out. Maybe get some photos of me in different clothes this time. Like my grey Hybrid jumper that has been all over the place now. It's my favourtie jumper hands down, but it would be nice to have something new at the same time. You know what I mean. Like the song I just mentioned, great song, but it's always good to mix it all up with new ones every once in a while.

And speaking of new, I found out about a park up north called Abisko National Park. I want to go. Now. And there's a hike that takes about 7 days which I'm keen as mustard to do with my friend from the army. I was talking to him about it, and he's already written down all the plans, has the maps, costs, etc to go, he just has to buy the train ticket. He's been meaning to do with one of his friends, but it just hasn't happened yet. So if he doesn't do it while I'm gone, I'm definitely going to try and do it with him. Or somebody else, I just know I want to go there. Now! Just don't have enough time, or cash for that matter to pull something like that off.

Happy days. Time is really flying, like I'm going at Warp Speed or something.

Okay, going to try to get to work now.

PS. For those of you who don't know, I've extended my stay here in Sweden with another 2 weeks.

Operation: Surprise Bitches

"To my little partner in crime,I have a mission for you if you wish to accept it. It is called, Operation: Surprise Bitches. The wheels have already been set into motion as we speak.

I have told my parents that I am to land in Sweden August 1, 2009; however, I am going to be landing actually on the July 31, 2009. Where do you fall into place in this mischievous little op you ask? Fix transport from the airport to your place and where I'll drop off my stuff and make a super secret ninja manouver over to my parents place later on (read: you can drive me there if you can, please? Sucky sucky?).

I know that it's in about 3 months time before I'll be arriving, but you want to help me out? Can you?

Love,
chris"

"-Mission accepted.-Starting preparation of check point one for the subject´s arrival.-Transportation is prepared.-Standing by for further orders."

This is the email I had sent to my Partner in Crime (Little J) on May 6. His reply came 5 days later.
______________
As some of you may know, I have been lying to you. Big time. Do I feel guilty about it? Nope.
What did I lie about? Well, if you couldn't figure it out from my email, then I'll tell you: It was my arrival date. I actually arrived on the 31st of July and not the 1st of August. Why the lie? So I could surprise you of course!!!

Here's how it went down:
My friend Little J came and picked me up from the airport, where I was given my own surprise! Another friend of mine was there to greet me too! It was DJ CBC (Celibate By Choice) and his new girl and her baby boy. And man, it was a pretty awesome moment. We hung out in the airport until CBC and Co. had to jump on their own flight out of Stockholm to their home down in Denmark. Once they had left, L.J. and I made our way to his flat for me to drop off some of my stuff and pack for the weekend with my parents.

We then made our way out to Bird Bridge to complete Op. And the closer we got, the faster my heart was beating, knowing that my arrival would be completely unexpected. Our first obstacle, which I had completely forgotten, was the bloody gate and it's number pad. I had some vague idea of the number pattern for the code, and so I recommend some for Jimmy to try (since he was the one driving). On the 4th attempt, we were granted access. We pull up in front of my parents house, and I see the lights were on. Excellent, I think to myself. Grab my stuff out of the car, open the porch gate, and then open the front door. I first see my sister with a quizitive look on her face, and then it came: Nääääe! Näääääe!!! My sister runs to me and gives me a big hug, and then my mom sees me and starts screaming. She runs over to give me a hug as well, and then starts screaming for my dad to come down. My dad then confesses when he first heard my mom and sister screaming, he thought that someone was trying to break into the house, but quickly figured something else was up when my mom told him to come downstairs.

Operation: Surprise Bitches was a complete success.


I've now been in Sweden for 6 days, and it's all pretty good. I still have some friends to meet, but that will be happening soon enough.

I'll keep the blog updated a bit while I'm still here, but for those of you who have my email address, you can reach me and get my new phone number. Or via Facebook.

See'ya soon!