Boom-shacka-lack

I just fo' knuckled with a dude at work. I also just gave someone directions and started them with saying "What you wanna do is..."

Getting more American by the day over here.

Doors

This whole day seems to have been somehow dominated by a weird door phenomenon. Granted you are bound to see and use doors on a daily basis, but today is not like any other day. It started this morning when I went for my 6 mile(!) run. For some reason the whole neighbourhood had decided to randomly throw old doors on their front lawns. There were wooden doors to the left of me, screen doors to the right of me. It was strange, some might even say upsetting!
When I later get to work I notice that the hallway outside my "office" is covered with - doors!, old ones, new ones, all shape, size and colour. Some strange people have been sneaking around said doors all day, moving them and putting them in piles and such. I don't know if this means anything, but even if it doesn't - it's damn odd!

Every-Day Luxury

The wife and myself splurged out a little tonight and bought a bag of Doritos. It was really good. Tried to watch some I'm a celebrity, get me out of here but seeing all those has-beens and wannabes was more sad than fun. I'll take reruns of How I Met Your Mother any day.

The pictures below are as follow:

a) A cat in a box.

b) An awesome dinner we fixed the other day. The North Carolina moonshine and homemade bread (both seen in the picture) really put it over the top, very Greek.

Go Eagles

Monday morning again. According to the Weather Channel App on my phone it is going to rain all week, it is actually starting to drizzle just now - so that is a downer.
The good news is that I just found two tickets for 15 pops ($) each for the USA - Canada rugby game on July 4th. Should be able to afford them in a couple of weeks.
It is going to be an awesome Independence Day. Nothing boosts your spirit like watching some quasi-Brits getting their beehinds kicked. Up The Republic!

Almost the weekend

At the moment I am listening to the new Sonic Youth album on ilike.com. It sounds really good!
So yesterday my spacey but utterly charming sister in law called in to the local radio station to inform them that it was The Day of the Swedish Flag, the Swedish national day. As we all know this day does not happen till June 6, this Saturday. Although, the old country of Heroes and Honour is actually worth celebrating twice, so - good job Trin.

"Gotta be at least five. Five and a deuce is good"

Had more time than usual to kill this morning so I decided to go for a run, even though that's usualy a Tuesday & Thursday kind of thing. I just found out yesterday that my regular "track" was only four miles, so today I decided to make it proper. And I did - 6 miles, that's almost 10K.

My new Running Routine

Tuesday's Done

On my way home from work in a couple of minutes. Need to charge my G1, this thing devours battery like an energy hungry wolf!

Rosebud...

Gave the wife some roses last week. They were all in the same vase, but Mr. Mustard chewed of the stem of one of them. Anyway it gave her an excellent opportunity to use her beloved Macro setting on her camera.

Googeley phone

Here's some images of the new piece of machinery...

So now I am doing nothing but downloading cool apps and getting directions through Google Map everywhere I go.

G is for Gemenskap

Another thing that is occupying way to much of my time now is my new phone. I say phone - it is actually more like a space machine from the future! It is like something snatched from Batman's utility belt!
Since the spouse now work at T-Mobile we can get the coolest phones from there. She got the Sidekick and I got the G1. I will update you with pictures of it later, but for now - just know that it is pretty much the sweetest phone ever.

Basil Mouse

Back to work again. Have to walk around in all the mugginess and look like a starched dog.

Had a really nice day yesterday with ups and downs.

Downer: Tried to show the wife my massive baking skills only to mess it up with the yeast and end up with two loafs weighing in on 4,5 lbs each (2 kg).

Upper: Tried an awesome beer, Cirkus Boy from the good people at Magic Hat. Made with Lemon Grass, mind you.

I enjoyed it together with my new DVD - The Great Mouse Detective. The film was an anniversary gift from the Mrs.

Jaysuss

I have been told twice today, by a license plate and a bumper sticker, that "Jesus is the Answer". Since I have no idea what the question is I think the statement is comical on the same plane as the computer in The Hitchhikers' Guide to the Galaxy coming up with the answer 42. So apparently we don't need queries or ponderings anymore, we've already got the answer. That will be a time saver!

Deux Ans

On a more personal note: Today is the wife's and mine anniversary. That's right - been married two years now... And it is still only getting better!!
One year ago on this date we were on a delayed honeymoon in Edinburgh, Scotland (our favourite city) sipping Champagne. Tonight... I see a tallboy and a Medea film.

Hatori Hanzo!!

It is already Wednesday, and that is a good thing. For some reason I have been in a Japanese film mood the whole morning. I have started to make a mental list of films to get later on. So far I've come up with The Machine Girl and Lady Ninja Kasumi.

We Can Work It Out

That's right. I am taking no prisoners in my quest for fitness. I have now gotten myself a Total Gym - Just like Chuck Norris!!

Pump You Up

So we just came home from having visited one of the wife's work buddys. We had a grand time, meeting his whole family while being served proper Southern BBQ. We were promised that we could try his water scooters and go to see some 'gators next time we're over.
Everybody is having the day off tomorrow (Memorial Day), except for me... have to go in and pretend to work while everyone else is off.
Although, I am going to move mother-in-law's personal gym over here tomorrow so I can start Pumpin' Iron!!

Rain and Football

It is muggy and drizzly out today. Had to bring a jacket to work, and I who really thought those days were gone. The weather brings some perks, though. I don't have to walk around in Mediterranean like sunshine and sweat like a Greek. But at the same time my team, Djurgårdens IF, is at this very moment losing to our arch rival AIK (We're down by one-nil). I am not certain how this is connected to the dismal weather over here, but I am sure it's not helping.

Animals!

Just been out mowing the lawn. Ran into my old friend, the snake in the back yard. He's good, He has grown a bit since last so I assume he has had a plentiful spring.

Below you can find Mr. Mustard playing with the laundry, Mother-in-law's newly shaved Siberian Husky, and me enjoying a Saturday brewsky.

Funky Chicken Dance

Weekend in the Erikson household (more often than not) mean that I don't have to do the cooking. So now I'm just taking it easy, getting ready to watch some Ninja Warrior or maybe Cops while the wife is blasting 90's rock (Pearl Jam, Smashing Pumpkins) from the kitchen preparing a chicken salad that will probably last us to Monday.

Get cracking!

Friday. I'm in the campus library scoping the news, not much to report there. On my way to fix some machines. It is very bourgeois.

Finally

Another ad that is worth mentioning:

Makes me wish I drove a VW again...

For Strenght

Had some proper fresh pineapple for breakfast this morning. Real nice, adds an exotic feel to the rest of the day.

I like the new Guinness ads. Of course I haven't had a real pint of the black stuff since August.

Where's Nalle?

Had a nice and relaxing weekend. Yesterday we had Mother's Day dinner with the mother-in-law. It was nice, she made some really juicy burgers and offered us to try the new summer brew from Blue Moon.
Now I'm just sitting here wishing that someone would bring Club Goa to life again.

Hot Today

Just walked for five minutes, and I am sweating like a... very sweaty man!
People say the first summer here is the hardest and you get used to it, fair play. I am wondering though how it will be when summer hits proper and days like this are considered cool. I need to bring all these smug Southerners and their inhumane heat back home and show them that although we Northerners may become puddles in this crazy climate we can take cold like no one else. -22 F? no prob!!

Bully!!

So I got lazy this morning and decided not to go for a run. It is OK though, I can rest today. Next week I'm beginning an extensive work out schedule that will last for six weeks, and I am not supposed to miss a single (week)day. Gonna mix the runs with some old fashioned body work - all before sunrise. It is all very Old World.

Speaking of, I just read an article about the superiority of the kettlebells. Thinking of making them the next step in my pursuit of fitness.

F to the R to the I to the DAY

Friday, finally. It is going to get up the 90's today. Throw in some humidity and you've got yourself a scorcher of a day.
Charlestonians and clothing... Since the dress code down here in the South dictates that everything that can be tucked in shall be so, I have been forced to stuff my hip Ben Sherman short sleeve shirt in to my Old Navy Khakis. My only consolation is that together with my Doc Marten's it all goes quite well with my new, short, hairstyle.
Someone has got to keep the European standard of good taste flying high over here, amidst all the Good Ol' Boys.

Netflix, baby

So I had to sit through Atonement last night. It had loads of potential, Saoirse Ronan is always cool, Kiera Knightley did a really good posh Brit with taste for the lower classes, and James McAvoy isn't casted enough if you ask me, so it was nice to see him again.
This said - the story was just not that interesting and the way it was told just killed what little interest I had.

But of course there is an upside to this. Since the wife and sister-in-law now have gotten some love story I get Fear of a Black Hat. That's right, some NWH!! I hope it is tonight.

The Weather Sitch

Just so you know what I am dealing with here, weather like. The days are nice and warm, in the 80's every day and sometimes there's a nice cool breeze. What gets to me though is the humidity. It was 85% the other day. That's pretty frikking high. So now I am pretty much walking around sweating the whole day, charming.

Tycho Brahe Day

Got up at five o'clock this morning to go for the old run. After getting dressed and ready (I even put on two pairs of socks because my trainers are shite and are giving me blisters) I went to get the I-pod so I could be on my way, only to discover that I had left my headphones at work. So I had to cancel the run and got to spend an extra hour with the Spanish channel. It was not a complete waste of time, I saw this guy do the horoscope reading for today. What is the link between astrology and weirdos?



Of course when I got to work I accidentally popped a button on my shirt sleeve. I am also pretty sure it is going to rain today...

Monday!!

So it is Monday again and time to sum up the weekend.
It was cool and brought a couple of new experiences with it. Watched the Kentucky Derby live on telly after having the wife complaining for years how she can't get it back in Europe. None of our horses won though, sometimes it is good to be poor - at least now we didn't loose any money betting.
During our lazy Sunday we drove out to Jedburg to see the Pepsi bottling plant. It was everything I had dreamt it would be.
I have also realised that watermelon is the perfect breakfast after the morning run. Broke the 45 minute limit today...

More Cat

Here is some more pics of Mr. Mustard. At the moment I am just waiting for the sun to set a little so I can get out and get my mowing on.

Weekend's upon us again

So far today I have:

1) Had a ridiculously healthy breakfast with scrambled eggs, vegetables galore and some watermelon to top it off.

2) Popped off to the local comic book store for Free Comic Book Day to score some birthday gifts for the nephew.

Mr. Mustard News

Thought I'd post some new pictures to keep people up to date on what is going down on Stinson Drive.

We swapped telly with mother-in-law. Her bedroom one for our living room one. The only thing is that the furniture is made for flat screens and Ma's telly is anything but flat, so we had to "borrow" a stool from her when she wasn't looking. She just called today wondering if we'd seen said stool...

Can you see Mr. Mustard?

Mister playing with one of those 80's ball things.

Or... trying to eat it.

Happy B-day, Tjabo

OK, we all know who's birthday it is today.

That's right - The King of Sweden!

Myself and my wee family (the spouse) wish His Royal Highness an outstanding birthday and hope he has many more to come.

Below is the King together with the coolest sports car ever made - The Volvo P1800

I am on to you

Another morning. Another "lets get up at 5:00 and run for forty minutes". I like it though, it's a lovely start of the day. Like taking a scenic train ride to Achy Muscle Town.

This is directed to the ladies of Air Harbor: I know what you are doing.
I haven't met a soul previous weeks while running and yet the day after I blog about it you are everywhere, coincidink - I think not.
It is cool, girls. We'll hook up at my place 5:05 sharp tomorrow morning and I'll show you how we run in the Old Country.

La Cucaracha

So it has happened. I am now so multi-culti I can tell any song and video on the Spanish Channel apart from the others. It was this morning, after the run, I was in another room when the morning news/music show on TV started playing a music video. Instead of giggling to myself because of the accordion overkill and lack of music originality I actually found myself recognising said song (and not hating it, well - a little).
That's when you know you are starting to get just a little bit too American - when you can discuss music with the Mexican crew outside Home Depot.

Running with the Devil

So the past two mornings I've been getting up at 5:00 am to go running. It is really cool to run around the neighbourhood at that time, while the sun is rising and all the snobby ladies in the rich and semi-gated part of Air Harbor are walking their wee dogs. It is very American Beauty, apart from the gay running buddies, and that I am not a middle aged American bloke.

Cop Breakfast

Just had a cup o' Joe from Dunkin'. It is nearly one o' clock PM so it might not technically count as breakfast, but it is the first meal of the day - so there!

Wicked Weekend

Have had a really nice and lazy Saturday so far:

Breakfast at Moe's

A C-Span exhibition on all the U.S presidents at Citadel mall

Also went to I'on, up at Mount P. It is one of the richest neighbourhoods around. You can't really tell by this Palmetto but it was proper nice

Break It Down

Another Thursday morning in Charleston. It is warm out and it is only gonna get warmer. Been thinking about getting my running done before work, in the mornings, instead of the afternoon. The plus side of this would be the lack of scorching sun and neighbourhood kids running away because they think I am chasing them (has actually happened). The bad thing would be that I would have to get up at 5:30 in the morning. Haven't made my mind up yet.

Don't make 'em like that anymore...

It is Wednesday morning and I am taking some personal health time from work blogging. I just realised that Gunnar Nordahl was my age (27) when he joined Milan in 1947. When he retired seven years later he had 268 mathes and 221 goals to brag about. Gives us old timers hope of a life on the other side of the infamous hill.

Sir Mix-a-Lot 2009

Appareantly the new Sponge Bob / Burger King commercial is scary to some... I quite like it.

A la Suédois

Here is a cool song and video, quite retro. I just stumbled across it online.

The Smiths

Here is a funny clip from the British show Goodnight Sweetheart.

Green!

This fella' was waiting for us on the back porch when we came home.

Fun in the Sun

So here is the Saturday so far. Have been to a "festival" at Marion Square, Downtown. There were:

Palm trees & Patriotism

Fingerprintin'

Obelisks raised in memory of Confederate soldiers with the nephew and myself in front of them

Admiral Ganja

Weekend!

Gonna cut off early from work (I am the only one left, so I see no point in staying). It is proper sunny out, so the wife and I are gonna do our best to scare up the town tonight as only we can. Considering the monetary situation that probably equals some macaroni pudding and a glass of ice water.
Some call it Madness. We call it Friday.

¿Cómo estás, Miguel?

Saw the new video from Lupillo Rivera on the Spanish Channel this morning.
This is not it, it is an older one, but it is still funny.

Flash Back

So apparently it is cold today. I did not think so however this morning and am therefore not wearing a jacket today. I thought my mother-in-law was kidding when she was shivering and complaining - until I saw a guy wearing fecking Snow joggers! Never thought I would see the 80's kid's winter clothing of choice on a black dude in Charleston in April.

Ohh, you United States, you never seize to amaze me.

Welcome to Wal-Mart

Bad thing: Had to go to Super Wal-Mart after work for grocery.

Good thing: Charmed the greeting lady out of a pair of Smiley stickers.

Enigma

Drove past a church today who were proud to announce that Jesus is alive. And here I was thinking that the whole reason we celebrate Easter is that the J-Man actually died...

Peek-a-boo

Good day today. Around the 80's outside. Been punking around bookstores in Mount P. - which is always cool. Had a bit of a headache this morning due to my mother-in-law offering all you can drink Absolut Pears last night. Since it is hard to find pear flavored food or snacks over here (almost as hard as getting hold of liquorice) I drank to make up for it. She should have known better than to offer free vodka to a Swede...

We Survived Summerville

Yeah, so the flower festival. There wasn't really much flower action happening. Actually there was none of it! But I managed to acquire a couple of pics to describe the feel of it:

There were booths with funny names

Me looking fruity in front of cool cars

Me getting freaky with the colour scheme

Bring it on

Off to Summerville to do a flower festival today. I have surprisingly high hopes.

The Jam

I just realized that Paul Weller and I now have the same hairstyle! The Modfather and Myself... Sweet

I've made my own shorts!!

So I had to mow the lawn again. It has been a couple of months since last, so I was game.

It was quite an adventure, I probably ran over fifty wee frogs with the mower, killed some wicked big spiders with the weed eater (trimmer), saw a lizard hanging out on the patio and got startled by a fecking snake. It is a jungle out there.

Dags, You like dags?

The new film Adventureland is ok, but only that. It is definitely not a new Superbad.
The wife has been bugging me to get Marley & Me on DVD. I resist and try to maintain my dignity. I mean, she will win in the end - but I won't go down without a fight, dammit! Didn't they learn anything from Turner & Hooch or You, Me and Dupree: neither dogs nor Owen Wilson should ever be allowed to try to act again.

Mr's on the loose

Apparently Mr. mustard has a thing for Q-tips and like nothing better than to surprise-jump on to plastic bags. Imagine that!

Disney did it again...

Just finished watching National Treasure. It was terrible! Nicolas Cage delivering his standard one face persona following vague clues while the Masons are being portrayed as a friendly somewhat secret organisation that only has the best of Mankind in mind.
The Masons are a group of evil minded Jacobins that will stop at nothing to get their will.
Example: They killed Gustav III in 1792, one of the best kings ever, only to get to the throne themselves.

I know this film has been around for quite some time and it does not make any sense to do a review of it now, but when Disney start making pro-mason films it has gone to far.

Bubbly - Bubba Style

Had my first American Tallboy last night!

It was everything I had expected: Cheap tasting lager for the price of a Pepsi.

Still - It was an amazing experience to have 24 fluid ounces of "The Champagne of Beer".

The Rain

It rained a lot today. Not crazy much - there's no need to build an ark or anything, but it was still enough to flood half of the back yard.

recomendatíons

Three films that I've recently seen and think everybody else should see as well:

• I Love You, Man
• In Bruges
• Vacuuming Completely Nude in Paradise

The wife want's to add Duplicity to the list, but Nah...

Euro Trash... Chef?

Just finished whipping together a scrumptious oven baked bacon pancake while blasting Whale through the whole house.