An intersting journey home to Sweden yesterday
First, the security at Stanstead detected two jars of French jam in my hand luggage ( a present for Ulrika). I had to unpack my bulging rucksack and they were confiscated.
And then at Skavsta the sniffer dog in Customs was very intrerested in me. I wasn't smuggling ganja or semtex. But I did have a pocketful of dog biscuits!
lördag 29 januari 2011
söndag 23 januari 2011
The Texas Chainsaw Orchestra
How could one possibly resist an EP of pop favourites like I will always love you played on power tools?
http://revenantglint.blogspot.com/2009/09/texas-chainsaw-orchestra.html
Jinkies! There is a lot of weird shit out there. And this blogger has clearly devoted long hours to tracking it all down!
Enjoy!
http://revenantglint.blogspot.com/2009/09/texas-chainsaw-orchestra.html
Jinkies! There is a lot of weird shit out there. And this blogger has clearly devoted long hours to tracking it all down!
Enjoy!
torsdag 20 januari 2011
Some dogs are bigger than others!
It's not often that I am referred to as an Alpha male.
But Ulrika has pointed out for me, that for Nicki the Dog, i am definitely the Big Dog in the family pack. I'm not quite sure why I have this status. is it becasue I have most dog biscuits in my pocket?
Well I never! Me! The Tony Soprano of Barking!
måndag 17 januari 2011
Lethargy Inc
Animal owners beware! If you are going on holiday, be careful in your choice of pet-sitter. A week ago, Gitte left a vigorous pooch (whose only interest was chasing cats) with us.
Nikki is now an overweight, canine couch potato. Walkies? Forget it! She started this evening with a Scooby Doo marathon with the kids. After bedtime we are treating her to Winter's Bone. Rrrrreally meaty!
Nikki is now an overweight, canine couch potato. Walkies? Forget it! She started this evening with a Scooby Doo marathon with the kids. After bedtime we are treating her to Winter's Bone. Rrrrreally meaty!
Defenestration
Yesterday Zoe was NOT happy. It was time to undecorate and defenestrate the Xmas tree. As an ardent Santaphile she protested loudly and vigorously. She is still at that wonderful age where Xmas is all rather magic, rather than simply an opportunity to put the screws on the parents to get lots of computer games.
By the end, the tree was shedding needles every which way and the only way to get it out of the flat without making an awful mess on the stairwell is to throw it off the balcony.
By the time it hit the ground it was balder than me.
By the end, the tree was shedding needles every which way and the only way to get it out of the flat without making an awful mess on the stairwell is to throw it off the balcony.
By the time it hit the ground it was balder than me.
söndag 16 januari 2011
Homeys and Mauritz?
What on earth is happening in the world of children's fashion?
Ulrika (who has pretty conserrvative taste) went out with buy Kai a new shiirt for school. They returned with a garish black and white creation with the slogan "I rule" which came complete with chunky gold chain.
Perfect attire for running an LA drugs syndicate. But for a primary schoolboy learning his ABC?
Pimp my playground, bitch! Yo!
Ulrika (who has pretty conserrvative taste) went out with buy Kai a new shiirt for school. They returned with a garish black and white creation with the slogan "I rule" which came complete with chunky gold chain.
Perfect attire for running an LA drugs syndicate. But for a primary schoolboy learning his ABC?
Pimp my playground, bitch! Yo!
lördag 15 januari 2011
Wagtail?
Yesterday Nikki and I ran into my pal, Paul, who was dashing for a train.
This was his comment:
From John’s descriptions of life with Nikki, I was expecting to see the tail wagging the dog. But what I glimpsed, as I ran for the train, was definitely an old wag tailing a dog.
Oscar Wilde is alive and well and living in Kärrtorp!
This was his comment:
From John’s descriptions of life with Nikki, I was expecting to see the tail wagging the dog. But what I glimpsed, as I ran for the train, was definitely an old wag tailing a dog.
Oscar Wilde is alive and well and living in Kärrtorp!
Doggone bunny!
There can have been few more hilarious sights in Stockholm at 6.30 this morning than that of a portly Englishman wearing a preposterous Norwegian reindeer herder's hat ( it looks as though a large pigeon has done something unpleasant on my head) being dragged across the icy Kärrtorp tundra at breakneck speed by a very frisky dog in pursuit of a rabbit.
The rabbit and I both survived but it was a pretty close run thing for both of us!
The rabbit and I both survived but it was a pretty close run thing for both of us!
fredag 14 januari 2011
Cooking up the Velvets
I can't stand modern Nashville country music.
But I do have a soft spot for the old school stuff: good old boys gathered round the radio listening to the Grand Old Opry with lots of moonshine, banjos, chainsaws and dogs. Lots of dogs.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mgWfaAKzhVQ
Philip just saw Ms Cook at the Borderline in London and was impressed. If Nico was still alive, she'd probably be doing Tammy Wynette covers!
But I do have a soft spot for the old school stuff: good old boys gathered round the radio listening to the Grand Old Opry with lots of moonshine, banjos, chainsaws and dogs. Lots of dogs.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mgWfaAKzhVQ
Philip just saw Ms Cook at the Borderline in London and was impressed. If Nico was still alive, she'd probably be doing Tammy Wynette covers!
tisdag 11 januari 2011
Sleeping dogs
Nikki has only been staying with us for four days and I fear that our slothful ways are already begining to rub off on her.
At home on Söder with Gitte, she is up with the lark. The day starts with some yoga exercises and then a jog in Tantolunden.
This evening it was time for her evening stroll and, full of enthusiasm, I grabbed her collar and lead and whispered the magic word: walkies! At this point I expected man's best friend to leap up full of enthusiasm and head towards the door.
Instead she just lay there staring at me with those soulful black eyes as if to say:
I'm fine. And this episode of Scooby Doo is rather good. But don't let me spoil your fun! You go off and have your walkies. I think I'll just lie here and chill for a while.
At home on Söder with Gitte, she is up with the lark. The day starts with some yoga exercises and then a jog in Tantolunden.
This evening it was time for her evening stroll and, full of enthusiasm, I grabbed her collar and lead and whispered the magic word: walkies! At this point I expected man's best friend to leap up full of enthusiasm and head towards the door.
Instead she just lay there staring at me with those soulful black eyes as if to say:
I'm fine. And this episode of Scooby Doo is rather good. But don't let me spoil your fun! You go off and have your walkies. I think I'll just lie here and chill for a while.
Another brick?
Hallelujah! The school term starts today! Peace at last!
Some of Kai's classmates were so delighted to be back, they dashed over to give teacher a big hug. Not so our boy. He went off to lurk in a corner. He has Plans. He tells me that he wants to be headmaster. Soon! He will immediately sack all the teachers and replace them with Sonic the Hedgehog, Super Mario and Ratchet and Clank.
The new curriculum? Computer games all day long!
Some of Kai's classmates were so delighted to be back, they dashed over to give teacher a big hug. Not so our boy. He went off to lurk in a corner. He has Plans. He tells me that he wants to be headmaster. Soon! He will immediately sack all the teachers and replace them with Sonic the Hedgehog, Super Mario and Ratchet and Clank.
The new curriculum? Computer games all day long!
söndag 9 januari 2011
Why are we building such a big.....band?
Ever since I discovered Offbeat magazine's list of the best of Lousiana 2010, I have been exploring some of the more arcane nooks and grannies of the New Orleans music scene. Latest discovery is Why are we building such a big ship? who are described as a "post-apocalyptic brass band".
Not too much brass on offer here, but some very enthusiastic thigh slapping:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aFi0CvyIerw
And here they are busking:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rHdiHmSn9AU&NR=1
I tracked down their email via My Space and, irrepressable nerd that I am, mailed them to find out how I could buy their album. The lead singer was delighted to hear from me. With my purchase they will actually have finally sold more CDs than there are members in the band!
The joys of the global cyber-village!
Not too much brass on offer here, but some very enthusiastic thigh slapping:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aFi0CvyIerw
And here they are busking:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rHdiHmSn9AU&NR=1
I tracked down their email via My Space and, irrepressable nerd that I am, mailed them to find out how I could buy their album. The lead singer was delighted to hear from me. With my purchase they will actually have finally sold more CDs than there are members in the band!
The joys of the global cyber-village!
Blogger becomes Dogger
Could someone please explain to me: what is so infintely fascinating about little frozen puddles of dog pee? I seem to spend half my day waiting around while Nikki nuzzles round the latest offerings.
For heavens sake! Can't she find something else to interest her? I've downloaded some cracking tracks that she can listen to on her IBone!
For heavens sake! Can't she find something else to interest her? I've downloaded some cracking tracks that she can listen to on her IBone!
lördag 8 januari 2011
Holiday postcard
Settling down here in Kärrtorp, but let's face it: Södermalm it isn't!
Went for walkies at lunchtime, sniffed around, peed here and there to announce my arrival and did an enormous poo in the snow. Quite enjoyed watching Fatso scoop it up into a plastic bag.
He won't let me sniff any bottoms which is rather mean. How would he feel if I stopped him socialising?
Went for walkies at lunchtime, sniffed around, peed here and there to announce my arrival and did an enormous poo in the snow. Quite enjoyed watching Fatso scoop it up into a plastic bag.
He won't let me sniff any bottoms which is rather mean. How would he feel if I stopped him socialising?
Towering achievement
Our guest Nikki the dog has just moved in.
So will our home be a Hilton for Hounds or a Four-footed Fawlty Towers? Don't answer that! Just call me Basil! Zoe the chambermaid was almost over-enthusiastic in her welcome. Head Receptionist Kai was rather surly and disinterested. Lost and in a computer game- just for a change!
(To be fair to him, Kai does think it's great fun to have Nix here. He was just involved in a life and death combat with Mini Bowser when she arrived.)
I'm bound to be asked what breed Nikki is when I'm out dogging. Easy to answer that: she's from Barcelona!
So will our home be a Hilton for Hounds or a Four-footed Fawlty Towers? Don't answer that! Just call me Basil! Zoe the chambermaid was almost over-enthusiastic in her welcome. Head Receptionist Kai was rather surly and disinterested. Lost and in a computer game- just for a change!
(To be fair to him, Kai does think it's great fun to have Nix here. He was just involved in a life and death combat with Mini Bowser when she arrived.)
I'm bound to be asked what breed Nikki is when I'm out dogging. Easy to answer that: she's from Barcelona!
fredag 7 januari 2011
Tack skull di har!
Iron Man with funky New Orleans horns? Yes please!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=olPKxjrItxY
There's eight tracks of these guys doing Sabb on Yooftube.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=olPKxjrItxY
There's eight tracks of these guys doing Sabb on Yooftube.
torsdag 6 januari 2011
A Hilton for hounds?
24 hours left before Nikki the dog moves in for a three-week stay. I'll spend most of today converting this place from a pigsty into a kennel: a home fit for a hound!
Providing luxury accommodation for our four-footed pals is certainly a new venture for the Oscarsson Farrows. I'll play lots of Diamond Dogs and the Poodles to get myself in the right frame of mind!
Providing luxury accommodation for our four-footed pals is certainly a new venture for the Oscarsson Farrows. I'll play lots of Diamond Dogs and the Poodles to get myself in the right frame of mind!
The lion, the witch and the..... IKEA wardrobe!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y5lGzk3uRX8
From The Wrong Door sketch show. Hilarious!
From The Wrong Door sketch show. Hilarious!
Wii Fit or Misfit?
There's a snow blizzard blowing out there, so thank heavens we have Ulrika's new Wii Fit to keep us amused.
The balance board does not have my complete confidence. It told Ulrika that she had the condition of a woman of 80. Kai was informed he had the physique of a 32 year old.
As for me, the message was very clear: Alien life form! You do not belong on this planet. Return from whence you came and leave the earthlings in peace!
The balance board does not have my complete confidence. It told Ulrika that she had the condition of a woman of 80. Kai was informed he had the physique of a 32 year old.
As for me, the message was very clear: Alien life form! You do not belong on this planet. Return from whence you came and leave the earthlings in peace!
tisdag 4 januari 2011
Multi Kulti - The end of an eara
Pretty gobsmacked, if not really surprised, to hear the sad news that the world's finest record shop,Multi Kulti, will be closing down on 15 January.
It's the same everywhere. Wonderful, small shops, staffed by knowledgeable and enthusiatic staff are just having to throw the towel in. I am going to sorely miss Multi: it's transformed my life and brought a lot of joy and beauty into the Farrow household.
And what will happen now? Philip points out that there is more agony ahead:
The next wave of pain will be felt when you see what it has turned into. Folk o Rock, the record shop that was just about the only thing that gave central Lund any life at all, was replaced by...Lindex.
I'm sure he's right. That's what happened when the wonderful Skivfönstret at Skanstull closed down.The nicker-nasties moved in.
Juha has reminded me that I said I wanted to be buried next to the counter in MultiKulti.
So now I will be buried next to the counter in a shop selling undries.
Bra? I don't think so. That is seriously pants!
But I swear I will haunt them! Late at night I will lurk among the thongs and Y fronts, rattling my chains, spookily singing Yeke Yeke!
It's the same everywhere. Wonderful, small shops, staffed by knowledgeable and enthusiatic staff are just having to throw the towel in. I am going to sorely miss Multi: it's transformed my life and brought a lot of joy and beauty into the Farrow household.
And what will happen now? Philip points out that there is more agony ahead:
The next wave of pain will be felt when you see what it has turned into. Folk o Rock, the record shop that was just about the only thing that gave central Lund any life at all, was replaced by...Lindex.
I'm sure he's right. That's what happened when the wonderful Skivfönstret at Skanstull closed down.The nicker-nasties moved in.
Juha has reminded me that I said I wanted to be buried next to the counter in MultiKulti.
So now I will be buried next to the counter in a shop selling undries.
Bra? I don't think so. That is seriously pants!
But I swear I will haunt them! Late at night I will lurk among the thongs and Y fronts, rattling my chains, spookily singing Yeke Yeke!
söndag 2 januari 2011
Xmas! It ain't over till the short geezer plays..
Xmas isn't quite over yet,is it? Well, that's what Kai and I keep telling everyone.
Me,so I can keep making new Xmas compilations; him, in the vain hope that Santa, when he's tidying up, discovers a large package labelled Kai that he has somehow forgotten to deliver. As if!
Kai's faith in the fat, jolly beardie (who he claims not to believe in)makes the American people's hopes for the Obama presidency pale in comparison.
Anyway, here'a New Orleans Xmas treat I just discovered from "Trombone Shorty":
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Etflv7R6NKA
Mr Shorty has been playing the trombone since he could walk.He had his own band at the age of 6!
Me,so I can keep making new Xmas compilations; him, in the vain hope that Santa, when he's tidying up, discovers a large package labelled Kai that he has somehow forgotten to deliver. As if!
Kai's faith in the fat, jolly beardie (who he claims not to believe in)makes the American people's hopes for the Obama presidency pale in comparison.
Anyway, here'a New Orleans Xmas treat I just discovered from "Trombone Shorty":
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Etflv7R6NKA
Mr Shorty has been playing the trombone since he could walk.He had his own band at the age of 6!
Best on the Bayou
A list you just cannot live without!
http://www.offbeat.com/2011/01/01/the-best-louisiana-albums-of-2010/
http://www.offbeat.com/2011/01/01/the-best-louisiana-albums-of-2010/
lördag 1 januari 2011
Facebook Family Farrow
Poor Danne and Helena!
Having arranged a wonderful New Year's Eve party (delicious Turkish buffet followed by disco marathon) they awoke on New Year's Day to face the horrors of breakfast with the Farrows.
Zoe who had been up since 8.30 was on the rampage: opening every cupboard she could and experimenting to see how much noise she could make with the various household implements she could lay her hands on.
Kai and Ulrika were conspicuous by their absence. When he finally woke up, he dashed straight into the TV room to start playing Super Mario Kart. She was allowed one slice of toast before being sent outside to dig the car out of the 3 feet of snow that had fallen during the night. This may sound a bit harsh but she really enjoys shovelling large amounts of snow in sub-zero temperatures.
Meanwhile I had taken over the breakfast table with my laptop, pile of blank Cds and various other pieces of electronic equipment.
The Markebeck Mellbins are a civilised family who eat breakfast together and indulge in witty, sophisticated conversation about the major events of world news. Breakfast a la Facebook was a whole new experience to them.
While Ulrika shovelled snow, I was busy doing important things on Facebook: updating my status bar, changing my profile photo several times, checking the weather forecast for Reykjavik, discovering about upcoming gigs in New Zealand and sending some friend requests to people I'd never met.
While I was taking care of my "friends", my poor friends got nothing more than a few grunts from me.
Facebook: it's revolutionised our ablity to commnuicate!
Having arranged a wonderful New Year's Eve party (delicious Turkish buffet followed by disco marathon) they awoke on New Year's Day to face the horrors of breakfast with the Farrows.
Zoe who had been up since 8.30 was on the rampage: opening every cupboard she could and experimenting to see how much noise she could make with the various household implements she could lay her hands on.
Kai and Ulrika were conspicuous by their absence. When he finally woke up, he dashed straight into the TV room to start playing Super Mario Kart. She was allowed one slice of toast before being sent outside to dig the car out of the 3 feet of snow that had fallen during the night. This may sound a bit harsh but she really enjoys shovelling large amounts of snow in sub-zero temperatures.
Meanwhile I had taken over the breakfast table with my laptop, pile of blank Cds and various other pieces of electronic equipment.
The Markebeck Mellbins are a civilised family who eat breakfast together and indulge in witty, sophisticated conversation about the major events of world news. Breakfast a la Facebook was a whole new experience to them.
While Ulrika shovelled snow, I was busy doing important things on Facebook: updating my status bar, changing my profile photo several times, checking the weather forecast for Reykjavik, discovering about upcoming gigs in New Zealand and sending some friend requests to people I'd never met.
While I was taking care of my "friends", my poor friends got nothing more than a few grunts from me.
Facebook: it's revolutionised our ablity to commnuicate!
Nordic noir
Well I never! Scandinavian crime writing has been so internationally successful that it now has its own genre: nordic noir. The Beeb have even done a documentary on it.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/tv/2010/12/nordic-noir-scandinavian-crime-fiction.shtml
Nowadays a TV programme is not just something on the box, it's a blog too!
And here's an interesting piece from the Economist
http://www.economist.com/node/15660846
I've just bought Johan Theorin's first novel, Nattfåk(Echoes from the dead). Who could resist a murder mystery set on Öland? I suspect the murder victims are battered to death with saucepan full of body cakes!On the Alvar (roughly translated: place of seriousness).
I've just bought Johan Theorin's first novel. Who could resist a murder mystery set on Öland?
http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/tv/2010/12/nordic-noir-scandinavian-crime-fiction.shtml
Nowadays a TV programme is not just something on the box, it's a blog too!
And here's an interesting piece from the Economist
http://www.economist.com/node/15660846
I've just bought Johan Theorin's first novel, Nattfåk(Echoes from the dead). Who could resist a murder mystery set on Öland? I suspect the murder victims are battered to death with saucepan full of body cakes!On the Alvar (roughly translated: place of seriousness).
I've just bought Johan Theorin's first novel. Who could resist a murder mystery set on Öland?
Coming to the crunch
Zoe and I were just tucking in to some tasty bacon snacks that our hosts had thoughtfully put out for their house guests when to my surprise I noticed that there was a picture of a happy pooch on the packet.
Oh no! We've just scoffed Bruce the poodle's breakfast!
Oh no! We've just scoffed Bruce the poodle's breakfast!
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