Be Careful What You Wish For

So yesterday I freaked out. I lamented the amount of snow, the lack of sun, the mass of it all. So guess what? It started to melt! And guess what? Our roof has a leak! And guess what? Water damage "originating from an exterior source" is not covered by insurance! Ah, the bliss of having prayers answered. I now have everything I could possibly wish for. Yay.

Enough Already

They say that March is coming Monday, but I can't see it. I think it much more likely that Monday will bring another massive snowfall and that we'll still be wearing longjohns for Midsummer. With the gargantuan mountains of snow we have everywhere, how could it possibly disappear and make way for spring? It seems impossible. And I'm growing just a little bit tired with it. A wee bit. A teeny tiny fraction of a bit. I'M FREAKING OUT!

Three Truths

1. I'm still at work and I don't know how to get home. The subway's not running due to the cold.
   
2. My boss booked a trip to the Maldives for a two week family vacation. She got a very good deal. The reason why? She found out today that there's a Taliban Convention at the hotel.
   
3. Wilhelm's best friend threw up in school. More or less on Wilhelm.

I'm just saying, this week could really be something. What Would Leo Do? Fly home on Air Force One. Secure the Maldives. Prohibit kids from throwing up in his vicinity. Where is that man when you need him?

Where's Waldo

Spot the kid in this picture and win a years supply of frost bites! Seriously, this snow ordeal we've been battling (since early December no less) is getting kind of old. If only my family were of a more outdoorsy nature, but no. They like their comfort. They thrive indoors. And who I am to force them into the dangers of the great wide open? Jesper went to buy some more wood for the fireplace last night. The girl in our store just laughed. It's like Nella Last's War out there. People stocking up on food and wood, no trains running, all conversations steered toward one thing. We are under siege.

The Day In Quotes

"I think we should just call them the Hyper Island lads."
My boss regarding the two youngsters I find having coffee, reading Wired magazine and looking about twelve years old in our kitchen at work. No further introductions were made.

"Mom, I was as hungry as a dingo with no meat."
Wilhelm lucked out at snacktime in school.

"The Pint Of No Return"
An aquaintance trying to explain the concept of no going back misses an "o". Even better this way, if you ask me.

"Hey, Tyko, do you want to come cuddle with my mom? She's really soft!"
Wilhelm offering his best friend a part of me.

"Well, yes, you know, I really don't want to miss the Olympics."
My mother-in-law isn't convinced of the young doctor's idea of prescribing her stronger sleeping pills.

"Goodnight and thanks for playing."
And that would be me, signing out.

Picture from work this summer, I just needed some green.

Oh Yes, Indeed

This turned out to be everything the trailer promised. Pure delight. My grin was of Cheshire Cat size. Go see. It'll be a better week if you do. And when you have, I'll be here waiting to have the most interesting discussion about the Older Man, and all that comes with. So go see!

Dear Light

Thanks for the view this morning. Sunrise over water with moon. Tales Of The Otori, the Stockholm edition. I can feel it changing now, the darkness finally giving in. I walked home at 16.35 and it was still light. Thank you. We need it.

More Medical Conditions

The Crook has chicken pox! Blanka is very worried about the outcome.

People Of The Pole

We went out to work on the snow castle after dinner. Still so much winter here. So much snow and darkness. And this poor boy, could it be the lack of sunshine that's affecting his eyes? Or is it scurvy? I could probably sell him for good money him to a traveling circus.


And did you know that when the flash goes off in your face like this, practically all your wrinkles disappear? It does look a bit like I'm growing a moustache, but I'll take that over wrinkles anyday. Fantastic camera.

Because You People Deserve Updates

We saw Fantastic Mr Fox yesterday and it was... (drumroll) yes, fantastic. It was brilliant, beautiful, wonderful. It was all I had hoped it would be. It was like New York! You know, even better than imagined, larger than life, empire state of mind. See it as soon as you possibly can so we can talk about it. Oh, it was such a watch fest. Feast! My eyes were as happy as my heart.


And Lisch and I finally found time to see the Wild Things. Remember this? We were crying just watching the trailer? With good reason, it turns out. It's a beautiful film.

But say, for instance, that you have a son. And say for instance, that maybe once or twice in his life you have argued with him and you've yelled really loud? And that you've marveled over how vulnerable you are now that you love like this and how little he is and how big and difficult life can be? Well, say for instance, that any of these sentiments seem familiar to you. Then you might want to bring a big handkerchief with you to see this movie. And you might reconsider seeing it with anyone under the age of twentyfive. That said, do go and see it. Bring a friend and cry your eyes out, then go home and kiss the young'uns.

More Or Less A Valentine

Come out from a meeting, big frown, angry heels clicking away, too much coffee, too many corrections, disagreements, bumpy bumpy bumpy morning at the office.

Find a text message from lovely neighbours. Dinner tonight? Beef extravaganza? No pressure, the door will be open, come if you feel like it. And I feel like it. I feel like a million dollars and the frown is a distant memory and my heels are friendly again. It's good to have a neighbourhood. It's even better to have a neighbourhood filled with sauce béarnaise. Thank you.

Photo borrowed from Jamie! Thanks for giving us strawberries in January.

Bill Murray Is A Badger

Who says I don't like animals? Who says?

Listen to this, fellow culturally deprived Europeans, just listen to this: George Clooney is a fox (sorry, had to, totally unavoidable, the law of all puns intended and so on, bear with me, hahaha, bear with me, I just crack me up). Oh, back to the cultural enlightment, ye of little patience:

I repeat, George Clooney is a fox.

Owen Wilson is a polar bear (swoon).

And Bill Murray is a badger. A badger! This could very well be the casting of a lifetime. Let me tell you this about the new me 2010. I love animals. When will this flic fantastique open in Sweden?