Fryshuset or absolut chaos....

Last night I went to my second Djurgården hockey game in a week's period. So far its been one loss and one tie. I went and saw my favorite team play(Färjestad's BK). I hadn't been to a game with them in 15 years.

The only indoor skatepark in a city of 1.5 million allows everyone to skate at the same time including kids younger than five, fruitbooters(rollerblades), and bmx. The place is in a community center known as Fryshuset(the IceHouse). Absolut Insanity.

Bruce Springsteen was here but I went to the hockey game above instead. I am under the impression it was a sold out show.

Selam African Festival is starting today and some of the bands headlining should be rather decent so that's probably where I'll be this week. STHLM for life.

Friday Five's

Five albums I might be listening to now
1. Any Dylan Bootleg
2. Belle and Sebastian 'Tigermilk'
3. Neutral Milk Hotel 'aeroplane over the sea'
4. Modest Mouse compilation by Ruco
5. Any Sufjan Stevens
Five places to see next year
1. Morrocco
2. Porto
3. Santiago De Compostela
4. The entire Basque Region
5. Prague
Top Five places to eat
1. Hare Krishna in Riga
2. Lido in Riga
3. Raimond's Kitchen after a mushroom hunt
4. Momo's
5. Leonardo's in Gamla Stan
Top five bars
1. Pulkvedis in Riga
2. Kuba in Riga
3. Poor Paul's
4. The Warehouse on Jazz night
5. Raimonds living room with Campari+Orange Juice=Nice time

Flirting with London

I'm flirting mildly with London. Its a possibility, its a thought coming down with the rain. Making everything wet, but too late for the autumn spectrum that has left its pastels on the leaves. London on that little island they dare call Great Britain. A river that doesn't pronounce its h. I'm flirting with London and I think she's winning. Why should I trade one wet metropolis for another. Fish and Chips wrapped in newspapers? I don't eat the fish so not good enough. Where does this restlesness come from and why can't it go bother someone else. London doesn't call today. Instead it whispers possibilities....which is deadlier.

Heaven is the Wine and Cheese aisle

Should you be fortunate enough to see France at any point in time in your life I have a recommendation that I will offer to you. Find the biggest grocery store available and then make your way to the wine and cheese aisle. I thought I had died and gone to heaven. I almost mistaked the sommelier for St. Peter. The cuisine is amazing. This is besides all the other absolutely fantastic things that France has to offer. To finish this post off here is a quote by a hero/tyrant....

How can anyone govern a nation that has 246 different kinds of cheese?
--Charles de Gaulle

The Trip

Ile d'France

Ah Paris,

So I hitchiked to Ponthierry today and didn't even put out my thumb. And get this it was a woman who picked me up of all people. I've been in three days of walking and mastering the metro/trains to the usual spots: The Eiffel tower, Sacre Couer(Montmartre), Le Arc d'Triomphe, The Louvre, Pompidou center, the stones that are left from the Bastille, Musee Picasso, and so on. This city has already(along with everything I've seen of the country) qulified as one of the most amazing places of all time. When you sit by the banks of the Seine and watch the barges go by you understand why the Americans don't like it: its too nice for them. Too original, too unique, too much culture. Americans can't even compete. So give it up, lower your voices, stop drinking coke at nice restaurants. Also a question: why do we need Starbucks everywhere? Keep your bucks far from Starbucks.

Beauvais is 3 hours from Paris

I leave for Paris in two days. It's an evening flight and upon arrival in Beauvais I have to take a bus for three hours and then a train to reach a bed to sleep in. This is what happens when a trip isn't planned carefully. Everything will alright as it always is. I have a return ticket to Skavsta on the 21st, but am at this point unsure if I will use it or not. It's up to the road....

I just finished reading an amazing book today. Its titled "Postcolonialism: a very short introduction." Instead of explaining the book I will leave you with a few quotes that are included.

'I am strongly in favor of using poison gas against uncivilized tribes' -Winston Churchill

'The West won the world not by superiority of its ideas or values or religion but rather by its superiority in applying organized violence. Westerners often forget this fact, non-Westerners never do.' -Samuel P. Huntington

And we try to complain about terrorism? hmmm....

Norwegian Woods Roadtrip Report

The online map said the trip was 14 hrs by car. We made it to Trondheim in 10. What was the reward of driving all this time in a Hyundai Accent with no stereo(courtesy of Stockholm druggies)? A relatively well preserved Gothic Cathedral from 1160 CE.

I can't even begin to describe the surprise of driving through Trondheim and suddenly out pops something you would only expect to run into in certain southerly European states. Then we were walking through the oldest church in Scandinavia and only piece left of that era.

We also visited Röros which is a UNESCO sight. I would have to say here that although we didn't see the giant mountains we were looking for, we did see amazing beauty in the two cities we visited and on the road between the two. Otherwise here is how to sum up Norway: Expensive, Expensive, Beautiful.

Norge(Norway)

Haven't been to Norway in a few years and now seems like a good time to go. Sunday at two pm my dad and I will hit the road. This will lead to a six hour drive through the hills and eventual mountains of the Norwegian Fjords, eventually climaxing in the city of Trondheim. This time be ready for pictures to follow as I am stealing/borrowing the family digital camera. What are we doing in Norway? Besides the drinking(you know the height of my excessive drinking problem) we will be looking/climbing in the amazing countryside.

Anyone who knows, will know that it was none other than Slartibartfast who designed the coastal areas of Norway(for which he got an award).

Next stop will then be Paris on the 11th of October. Or more correctly Beauvais and a three hour ride to Paris City(Thank you Ryanair).

Stockholm Again

So I am back in Stockholm for a week or two before I again make an attempt at meaningness on the road. All things considered though it is a lot better(at least two times) than meaninglessnss in a single place. When I was in first grade in Säffle my teacher told my parents that I just couldn't sit still and that it was like I had ants in my pants.

I just checked and they are still there by the way. Riga was overall an amazing experience and now that my path has once again led through its cobblestone streets and cathedrals I feel a call or whisper in the breeze(how cliche) that beckons me on to something unknown and therefore amazing in and of itself. If I could have planned every trip that I have taken it would have been simply garbage in the end.

The unknown is what this heart seeks. Edge of the known world. "There be monsters here" as the maps would say. Wind in my sails, food in my belly, and open eyes what else do I need?

Saaremaa

Surfing is officially now possible in Pavilosta, Latvia. Spent the week going to movies at the 18th annual Riga film festival. Best two movies viewed were "house of sand"(Brazil) and "Madeinusa"(Peru). If you can get your hands on those two movies you will not be disappointed. Seu Jorge of "Life Aquatic" fame is in "House of Sand." He is also in "City of God" if you are still struggling.

Spent the weekend exploring the Estonian island of Saaremaa. They have a rocky coastline with a few spots that given the right wind conditions would be extremely nice for a long board session. This is point break territory. Did I mention full wetsuit year round. I opted for booties and no hood first time around. Ouch. Someone broke the window of the surfmobile the morning of the trip and we were forced to drive the four hour trip without a radio. That is why we brought a guitar. Nothing quite as Bohemian as playing guitar on the way to an Estonian surf trip.

Anyone who is reading this blog and is still hesitating and wondering if Latvia would be a good place to visit is missing out. Amazing landscape as well as old towns and buildings. The cafe scene is alive and well. Yes Absinthe is legal. Need I say more...

Riga, Lv

So...

It turns out that there is now a direct flight from Riga, Lv to New York now. How does it go? For 600 dollars US you can fly to New York on Uzbekistan airways. Viesturs made it so that is a good sign.

There is an art colony on Andrejsala and for some reason they have an amazingly mellow miniramp there. Nice galleries as well so if in the area please check it out.

A person I know now owns three of the best coffee shops in town. A.L.L. Cappucino. Usually offer one good vegetarian dish a day besides having amazing coffee and full service bar. Absinthe or Ukrainian firewater anyone?

Have been to two saunas outside Cesis. The Leach center saunas are really jokes in comparison. We laugh at your inability to take heat. Amazing night view by the way. Me skinny dipping outside the sauna under a sky full of stars. Did I mention collecting mushrooms in the woods. No not that kind.

Forecast for tommorow says there will be 1.5 meter waves in Liepaja. I will be in the lineup in full wetsuit. Cau...

The Meaning of Life...

You always talk, you Americans. You talk and you talk and say 'let me tell you something' and 'I just wanna say this'.
--The Grim Reaper


I don't know why but after living in Florida for five years I find this really insightful. Watch the Death scene in Monty Python's The Meaning of Life and try to pick out the American... not too hard.

Weekends

Spent the weekend walking the Old Town and going to the Vasa museum. It's one of those things that still leaves me stoked when I think about that I can take the bus or subway anywhere at any time.

Also checked out a left over, dirt rock band from the nineties. Yes, the mullet is alive and well. It was at the bar Engelen(the angel), the crowd was rather diverse and older(cool to not live in Tallahassee where its strange to not see only college students). Besides terrible music they did have Greven's cider on tap. Improves any scenario.

For any americans it should be noted that 'boot cut' jeans are out in Europe. Next Stop Riga...

Riga Baby

Here is the news: I will be hanging out and skating/surfing in Riga, Latvia should right conditions persist. Its actually amazing that in Europe you can buy cheaper tickets between places than in the U.S. Thank you Ryanair. So if anyone is in Riga between the 13 and the 26th of this glorious month of September, hit me up kids.

Stockholm Sighting

In case those faithful readers of this stupendously interesting blog are still reading well here is the update. I am in Stockholm and yes I am now officially a resident of Sweden and the European Union. I was still wondering if the right decision had been made(this question will probably pop up in the coming months so please bear with me) until I rode the subway into old town and realized that I love living over here even though I do not know anyone or have a job. Plus my neighborhood is priceless. You New Yorkers can think that only you live in a multicultural environment but I dare you to visit my side of Stockholm and be amazed. Now the next issue is what is this kid going to do next? I do believe its a toss up between Copenhagen and Riga as the next destinations. Anyone down? Let me know.

How to make a good music video

Check this out: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0twpLkms_3Y

A Poem is in progress...

Jon Benet Ramsey's ghost appeared
last night unannounced outside my door
selling tickets to a three ring circus
that someone has named after her

CNN will perform the acrobatics as
they dazzle us with the mysteries
of a case that is really nothing new
and everyone applauds to their tv

Fox is always the clown of the show
wears the most makeup of anyone alive
but not enough to make us all forget
that what they present isn't news at all

MSNBC is last as the final act that comes
before a most sleepy curtain call slowly
they parade a steady stream of animals
that wear costumes of human skin

Jon Benet has left us so long ago
some still hear the voice of that girl
some think she calls for mourning
others know she doesn't think about it at all.

Place and Space

I is here in the J-ville until Thursday when I am supposed to board the big white bird. Should this happen as planned and nothing like Tropical Storm Ernesto get in my way, then I will officially take up residency in Sweden as of the 1st of September. That will then officially mark the end of my dwelling period in the United States. Who knows when I may return?

Here comes the travel times yeah!

Tallahassee Times

There are ten days left and various amounts of possible hours left in my career in Tallahasse. Tonights hours were spent working from 1 to 9 and then I managed to catch the headliner at the Beta Bar. Ska isn't dead though it does seem to have a cancer of some kind which is rooting it out. Maybe its more like a rot of some kind like the one destroying all the agave plants in Mexico. But anyways tonight the headliner was the Voodoo Glow Skulls. Still around and still on fire. I first heard about them six years ago and while they are not my favorite, Reel Big Fish has that honor, they were worth the ten dollars and fifteen miscellaneous ones spent on various ciders. That was probably my last time at the Beta Bar ever. All good things come to an end.

Tuesday's Troubles

Hmm...

Leaving the United States isn't so easy. I have to sell a bunch of junk as well as give away a lot of books I really don't want to part with. The things you own do end up owning you. The worst part is trying to sell a decent car for a decent price. Everyone I've talked to so far just wants something a lot cheaper. Then there is the cell phone, gym membership, and bank issues. Once all this is over I am going to cruise Europe as long as I can as well as other near destinations. Morrocco anyone? Egypt perhaps? I am going to read endless amounts of books that I pick up along the way. Leaving the United States may not be easy, but its the right thing to do.