I didn't mean to become a stranger

During an unprecedented 2nd sunny day in less than a week I went for a ride.  I know I have mentioned this before, but the bicycle path connections in the city are great!  Although, the excessive salt on the paths make you cringe a little.  My bike is definitely showing signs of a high salinity content.  As Ondrej mentioned, "you need a tetanus shot just to ride it".

The type of thing that would fuck up your day.

The sea is still very foreign to me.  Growing up in the middle of a very lage continent with few bodies of water did little to prepare me for living close to the Öresund.  The current moves really quickly, which is illustrated by how fast the ice moves up the coast.  I also saw a boat that appeared to be capsizing.  It was hard to tell because it was pretty far away, but I assumed a listing boat in the middle of the straight is probably a bad sign.    

Concrete factory, I think

Another thing that I have yet to accept is not saying hello to someone you pass while walking.  Okay, it isn't necessary on a busy street in the city or to anyone in Rosengård, but passing someone on a path by the sea on a sunny day without saying a word is fucking awkward.  Especially when you make (and hold) eye contact for several seconds

Attempting to use the auto-timer

I wanted to ask someone to take my picture to prove that I didn't steal these off Flickr, but due to the aforementioned tendency to not engage another person while walking, I got nervous and didn't ask anyone.  Instead I awkwardly waited until no one was in sight, and attempted to set up my camera on a bench.  It worked out alright.  

This is for my mother.  

   

At your funeral I will sing the requiem

While speaking to an ex-pat a few nights ago, I mentioned my distaste for winter.  Funny considering the destination that I willingly moved to.  But he assured me that despite the total depressing darkness and cold during the winter months, spring and summer more than made up for it.  Considering this, I might have to break my agreement with the government and stay several weeks longer than I am permitted to.

winter sunbathing

The sun came out a few days ago and I observed a pretty funny phenomena occurring in several places around the city.  Much like a lizard desperately attempting to soak in the fleeting rays of afternoon sunlight, so too did the locals.  Vitamin D depravation be damned.   

 Raised bridge - A rare occurrence 

 When the ship building industry went belly up in Sweden around the early 90's the city of Malmö had to invest in something else.  Anything else.  At the time building a university must have seemed like a horrible idea. Once the schnapps wore off, of course.  Especially since Lund, one of the biggest universities in Sweden, was located only a few kilometers away.  But Malmö Högskola was established anyway and, from what I can tell, it sparked new life in a dying city.  For all the shit we talk about "Crime City", its pretty nice. So, rather than following the Detroit model, Malmö realized that it is not always the best idea to go down with a sinking ship.

What time is it? January?

This last week has been spent reevaluating, assessing and soul searching. With a heavy heart, I have decided to withdraw from my studies and master's research to pursue my dream.  I realize that training to sit in a really hot room may seem frivolous and a waste of life, but those criticisms come from unfounded ignorance.  

The Stiff Competition

It takes sheer strength and determination to compete with these gods among men.  A leisurely training regime is not nearly strict enough to challenge the best.  That is why, two days ago, I have finally decided to heed to the unrelenting call of the sauna.

But just when you think you have your life in order, the universe pulls the rug out from under you.  Just days after committing to a life altering decision, I had my dreams dashed prematurely.  During a light training session, I was informed (by a very naked and old Swedish man) that the World Sauna Championship has been cancelled indefinitely due to an unfortunate incident involving a dead Russian.  Broken hearted, I sulked back to my bedroom - praying my texts books would take me back after my bout with infidelity.

I suppose it was all for the best.  Honestly, competitive saunaing is a young man's game and I got a very late start.  To be a champion you must start young, working on your man boobs and unsightly back hair at an early age.  So, despite the earth shattering news that I cannot become a sitting-in-a-hot-room-with-fat-naked-dudes champion, my life still has meaning.




I am now thinking about training to become a competitive high-fiver.  I think I might be able to start out in the Euro-league and eventually get signed to the all American team just in time for the Rio games.

Working on my ups.

The world is too much with us

When I was younger I attended an ELOB high school.  While the school did not accelerate my academic achievements, it opened my eyes to the world around me (which is more than I can say for the majority of public high schools).  I happened to take a poetry class my senior year.  The class was taught by a retired teacher who simply volunteered at the school.  Her name was Susie and she was incredible.  During the class I wrote a poem that happened to get published in some national poetry magazine.  I never received a copy of the magazine, but I later found it online.

This semester, my second at "graduate" school, I stumbled across an article that mentioned William Wordsworth.  Now I feel comfortable enough to admit that the published poem I wrote almost 10 years ago was basically plagiarizing The World is Too Much With Us.  At the time I wondered why no one noticed, but now I realize that most writers lift, borrow, and straight up steal ideas from others.  Zombie Wordsworth should be proud.

Captain Nemo

Fever Ray - always watching

 Earlier today I watched a very large ship execute and extremely tight turn in the harbor outside the library.  I was very impressed.
Someone told me that you can buy passage on cargo ships to various destinations.  I feel stupid for being intrigued by such an idea.  

Cut me to ribbons

Best of 2010 (approximately)!
I realize this is about three weeks late.  So what?

Top movies I saw in 2010:

1.) Låt den rätte komma in (Let the Right One In).
No this movie was not made in 2010 - get over it.  In an attempt to hear the language as much as possible, I committed to watching several Swedish movies during the summer.  Låt den rätte komma in breathes life into a dead genre.  It also shows that love is not some polished, magical experience that only beautiful people can attain.  Fucked up people (or vampires) can fall in love too.  It is somehow comforting.

2.) How to Train Your Dragon.
I am not even sure I saw this movie in 2010, regardless, it is the best animated film since Transformers the Movie.  If I owned a dragon I would totally train it to shred on a guitar, start a band, and have him breathe fire on you.  Speaking of music, the director totally nailed the soundtrack with the Jónsi song during the credits.

3.) True Grit
I am including this movie now because I will forget about it by next year.  If I was a U.S. marshal, you could hire me to murder someone.          

Top Albums in 2010

1.) The Flatliners - "Cavalcade"
Although not as good as The Great Awake, I love this album.  It makes alcoholism, living on the road, and generally hating everyone seem glamourous.  It is the antithesis of posi-core, straight-edge bullshit hardcore.  That crap was soooo 2009.

2.) Russian Circles - "Station"
Despite disliking this album initially, Station became my soundtrack for my life when words lost meaning.  I still listen to this when I get up before dawn and ride my bike to the gym.

3.)  Gaslight Anthem - "American Slang"
I am embarrassed to like this album.  After convincing Roland to wait in line for two hours to get tickets to this show that I wasn't very excited about, I felt guilty.  Luckily the show was great (Chuck Ragan helped) and this album is catcher than swine flu.

Best of Sweden
1.)  Ahlgren's Bilar
I've become addicted to these damn stale flavorless sugar bombs.  The best Swedish candy ever.

2.) Ribersborg Kallbadhus
Entry fee 50 kr
locker rental 10 kr
Looking at another man's junk in a really hot room and then jumping into freezing water naked - priceless

3.) Riding my bike everywhere
nuff said.

Stuff I Miss
1.) Sunshine
2.) Mexican Food
3.) A few people.

Stolen bikes ride faster.

I have only ever crossed the Öresund twice in daylight.  Not that you have a particularly nice view from a train that travels underneath a bridge.  Apparently the drive across the bridge is fantastic - 70€ fantastic.  Regardless, it was nice to get out of the country for 6 hours or so. 

Danish section 8

 It is surprising what a little color can do for a drab building.  My dad discovered Google street view a few months ago.  He commented how utilitarian the streets of Malmö looked (I think he used much more colorful phrases but I can't remember them off the top of my head).  Copenhagen uses the basics of visual stimulation to convince you that you do not live in Birmingham during the industrial revolution.    

I forgot how much I like Grade's "Under the Radar"

I did manage to hit up a pretty hip(ster) bike shop along the main shopping district.  I've been looking for a specific bike part ever since I got here and haven't been able to find it.  Although at this point, I'm not sure it is worth the effort.  But Justin and I did check out some rad bikes.  Copenhagen sports some of the cleanest rides I've seen in europe.  I don't understand how they keep the rust off them.  Fuck, maybe they buy a new one every season.  Although not very sustainable, something that I could get behind. 

Also, for some strange reason, I felt drawn to witness the train wreck of Christiania.  Basically a bunch of hippies got together in the 70's, took over an old army barracks just outside of the city and created a commune.  They didn't pay taxes, sold drugs freely and established the hippie "dream" of a separatist community that is close enough to a city to satisfy all the needs that they couldn't provide on their own.  Although the community has now been forced to pay taxes and selling drugs is technically illegal, I don't think all that much has changed in the last 40 years.  But a place where photography is apparently forbidden seems like a worthwhile detour.  Christiania would be awesome when I was 15.  I could go their to escape the "oppressive regime" of my parents, buy some hash and generally waste my days away.  Now, in my mid twenties, Christiania reminded me of some shitty permanent carnival where, instead of selling lemonade and funnel cake, they sold hash along pusher street.  Not very impressive.  Although, come to think of it, I bet a funnel cake stand next to the hash stand would be a very lucrative business venture.    

Nyhaven

After a several mile stroll through the city we happened to walk through an old castle that is now home to some type of military complex.  The public is welcome to visit it, but you must be on your best behavior.  A rule that is enforced by several armed Danish military personnel.  

Thor's kitchen cabinet 

The National Museum was the destination of the day.  After struggling to find the entrance, enduring a Danish middle school tour group, and laughing at some dude's hilariously loud farts in a very quiet room, I attempted to ascertain the sweet fruit that is Scandinavia's rich history.   

A few things I've learned:

• The majority of Danish prehistory involved fabricating flint into various useful tools.  It is even portrayed on currency. See figure 1. 
• The museum has several cases of plain rocks that they claim to be axe heads.  We'll see about that.
• People were really tiny around 2000 B.C.E.  Seriously.  
• Älg means both elk and moose in Swedish (and presumably Danish).  Confusing.  
• Those rad horns are used for drinking mead, not for trumpeting to the gods in Valhalla.  A childhood misconception was shattered today.   
• Swords are pretty neat.
• Danish sounds like someone attempting to speak Swedish with hot food in their mouth.  

Figure 1. Flint dagger on 100 kr note.  Source: Author

Basement Diagnostics

I admit it.  I have developed a case of the SAD since my return to Sverige.  Not having a routine or schedule makes getting out of bed in the morning less urgent.  And by morning I usually mean afternoon, but by that time it is closer to dusk anyway.  Lets not mince words.  Not to be overly dramatic, but I have been down for a while.  One strange occurrence that I have noticed is an increase in extremely vivid dreams.  I rarely remember my dreams, so it has been a strange few weeks.   While I actively pursue several activities that ward off depression - exercise, proper diet, rest, etc. - I sometimes lose interest in, well.... everything.    
But a few days ago the clouds parted, the sun came out and I woke up (for no particular reason) with purpose.  My morning routine was no longer a chore.  As I enjoyed my cup of coffee I happened to set foot onto my balcony.  I air was fresher than it had been in months and it seemed like the sun was no longer dying a slow death.  It was as if Jesus was giving me the proverbial high-five.  Some days shine brighter than others.

I occasionally jump in the sea here.  Usually in daytime.

The New Arctic

The only cleared sidewalk in the city

I've been feeling confined lately.  Somewhat physically due to the poor weather conditions.  I took the time to clean some of the rust off the bike a few days ago, which makes me less inclined to ride it because of all the fresh salt on the roads.  In attempt to seek out some much needed human contact, I drug myself to the library which happened to be closed today.  I'm not sure why. 

I think, generally, I have been mentally confined.  A position that is not particular to me.  Attempting to crawl out of the rut and regain my direction has been more tiring than I previously assumed.  But when I sit to contemplate it, I have met very few people that are able to operate linearly - constantly pointed towards one eventual goal.  In fact, I can only think of one person off the top of my head.  It makes me wonder if it a symptom of our generation.  This transient attitude of limited commitment and loss of direction.  Being conscious of it doesn't necessarily alleviate the symptoms.    

10,000 years of solitude

My apartment is empty.  I have no obligations.  The sun was out today.  The days are getting longer.  It is a new year.  First on the agenda: new shoes. I am tired of frost bite. 

 Behold the end of sadness and heartache  

And cold feet