Boy bands

Just as a note this isn't something I'm bragging about, it's just that I find the whole thing hilarious.


Most of us are aware of the great boy bands of our time such as Back Street Boys, NSYNC, Take That, East 17, New Kids On The Block and Westlife. Some of these have made comebacks or are in the progress of re-releasing new and old material. This might appeal to some but I'm devastated, however I can't help but laugh when I think of what I witnessed this Saturday. Oh the singing that we all know so well and the choreography that is far beyond this world.


I saw the comeback of the ole mighty Boyzone.


Hilarity ensures.


Comments seem futile from this point beyond...    sigh


I played the English national team in handball.

I don't usually boast about things like this but I thought this deserved a mentioning. I was part of the English league All-star team who played an exhibition game against the English national team that's aiming for the London Olympics 2012. We won with 37-28. My own performance for the day was far from what I expect from myself but it was fun anyway.


You can read more at:

http://www.sportfocus.com/webpro/handball/nlstory.cfm?ID=25190&NLID=42045

After our game we got to see two top European teams play as a warm up for their upcoming champions league games. The Hungarian team Veszprem beat Danish side Viborg with 31-26.


http://www.sportfocus.com/webpro/handball/nlstory.cfm?ID=25191&NLID=42045


New pictures

Uploaded some new pictures of people I hang around with over in London...

http://rewind.pixbox.se

Valentines day!

What a blessing for all us single people out there. We don’t have to spend a pound on anyone except ourselves and we can distance ourselves from society even further. Sarcasm and irony are my best friends, Hehe. I enjoy seeing people freaking out about what to get their partner and what to do. Take it easy. It’s just as good as any other day so make the most of it as you always should. Commercialised in the same way as Christmas but I would most likely make an effort if I had someone to share it with but I sure as hell don’t mind. If I were to worry and get depressed because I’m alone on this specific day what good would it do. Nothing’s going to change if you do that so just deal with it and try to have a blast with your friends instead. I know I will.

Happy valentines day to you all…what a joyous occasion.


Music maestro!!!

I love music and I believe I need music in my life to an certain extent. Depending on what I listen to I feel relaxed, happy, sad or sometimes I just don’t feel anything. Some music is best to listen to in your car, some music is great to dance all night long to and some music makes you want to sing along really loud. I listen to different genres and would like to believe my taste is quite good but I know a lot of people would disagree with what I think is brilliant.


At the moment I mainly listen to Hip-Hop and there’s something about it that makes me feel good. It might be the rhythm or maybe the lyrics that I can relate to or maybe a chemical reaction when I here certain wavelengths of sound. It’s hard to analyze why I like it and it’s hard to explain. One thing is for sure thou, I can easily tell good Hip-Hop from shit Hip-Hop but then once again it’s down to individual preference.

Worth mentioning here is that the Hip-Hop I’m listening to is not the commercial kind, like 50 Cent, Eminem or P Diddy for that matter. I listen to groups like Soul Position, Roots Manuva, Herbaliser, Blue Scholars, Jurassic 5, Dilated People, Blackalicious and Ugly Duckling to mention a few. These might not be the most well know for the average MTV viewer or radio listener but more for those how appreciate Hip-Hop on another level as I’d like to say. By no means am I trying to say that I’m better than anyone but someone who really appreciates rock might say that one band is for the hardcore rock fans where something else is more commercially liable and for the masses.
I don’t mind rock/pop or whatever genre or subgenre you might want to call it. Hard rock and metal is nothing for me but I can listen to it without nay emotions whatsoever, back in the days I even had some Iron Maiden albums that I listened to with great pleasure. Further back I enjoyed artists like E-type whom I greatly despise nowadays.


I accept most things here in life and I fully respect peoples opinions as long as they can base them on something and explain why they like or dislike something. I don’t expect everyone to care as much as I do about music or like the same things as I do and many people just listen for the sake of it more than caring about what they are actually listening to.


There is however one thing that gets on my nerves more than anything else. The thing I’m talking about is commercial shit music. I can take the fact that something I like is shared among millions of people and played throughout radio and TV, I like Red Hot Chilli Peppers and I believe they produce great music and a lot of people would probably agree. Their songs are played on the radio and TV and is quite commercial but nowhere near as often as some music. When something is played twice every hour on the same radio channel something is wrong. When something is obviously shit and you don’t hear a single person saying that they like a specific track and you hear it more or less everywhere you go you know something is terribly wrong. When you go out to a club and you hear the same track 6 times in one night you know you’ve reached the point of no return and that the suffering can begin. This was the case for the ever so popular track “Boten Anna” by Basshunter, played throughout the whole of Sweden for more or less the whole summer. Most of the time I can accept something for what it is but this track is so shit that I just couldn’t deal with it and I would verbally attack anyone who said anything good about it. I don’t know anyone that likes this track so I can’t understand why it became so popular. I know that the music industry pumps out loads of money into certain releases every year to make them the hit of the summer and I must admit they’ve done a good job and I’m sure Mr. Basshunter laughs as he goes off to the bank to collect his share. I do wonder if he likes the music he produces or if it’s just a way to earn some easy money. Who can forget Dr. Bombay and his shenanigans without wondering if he took himself serious. Same thing with Günter and the Sunshine girls. It’s hardly a fact of producing music so great that everyone is amazed of its greatness and therefore supports it fully. Why is Sweden the source of all evil when it comes to producing shit music. Is it a part of our nature to know how to take something that is shit and then milk as much money as possible out of it. Swedish producers are behind a lot of things such as Backstreet Boys and Britney Spears and I respect them for their knowledge of making something that appeals to so many even thou I don’t like it.

It upsets me that people don’t know better when it comes to things like this and when the only response to why they like it is that it’s catchy, I can’t do anything except cry out in shear despair.

Of course this is a collection of the worst music on the market and that’s bad in its own way due to the lack of knowledge and good taste among the public that supports it. What annoys me even further is when there is something that I like that gets so commercial that they ruin my whole experience and I grow to hate the track that I first liked. An example of this is the track Crazy by Gnarls Barkley. I heard this track way before it came out to the masses and I really enjoyed it as it is a catchy and well produced track. However things took and turn for the worse a couple of weeks later. Wherever I went I heard this track and I started to get more and more annoyed. After a month of hearing it constantly more or less every day I started to really hate it and all that just because they had to push it out to the masses.

Why do they have to ruin everything by overexposing anything with the slightest potential to earn them money. It shouldn’t have to be like this.


I’ve now made a point out of not supporting commercial music and instead go for the underground alternative and smaller artists that doesn’t get the same kind of attention. I like being original and listen to music that not that many people have heard of. I find it gives me something to feel good about and I’ll gladly share it with the people I know and others that are interested.

For me it’s about enjoying good music when you hear it. But please stop the madness of the commercial mumbo-jumbo around it all. Enough is enough.

There is another side of this discussion as well and that’s the side of enjoying shit music just because it is so shit that you can’t do anything but laugh. Examples of this kind of music is more or less anything from the early and mid nineties. Why not enjoy and laugh at Sunchyme with Dario G or Ninja Rap with Vanilla Ice, both of them preferably with the respective video. Or why not enjoy the glory of Germany with 666 and Scooter, which will leave you with deep emotional scars as you go as mad as the next artist I’m about to suggest you listen to. It’s no other than Dr. Bombays Scottish alter ego Dr. MacDoo or why not his Mexican protégé Carlito. If this doesn’t make you mad as a hatter nothing will. If you really want to push your luck you should try to find "Who the Fuck Is James Brown” by Traumatic Stress.


2007 here we come...and goodbye 2006

It’s been a while since last time I wrote here. Not actually thinking about anything special at the moment but be sure there will be soon enough. I’m always thinking as you all know but I guess not to the same extent at the moment. I’m quite happy with my life and my surroundings, things can always be better but also a lot worse. People do have a tendency to complain over the most tedious things. I always put everything in perspective and therefore I’m never disappointed (at least not as much as you could be) and still happy when good things happen to me.


Instead of philosophically analysing things I thought I’d do a recap of what’s happening in my life since I last wrote anything.

Went to watch Dilated People in Camden, amazing in so many ways. Will try to get hold of the pictures that Carl took. For those who doesn’t know who they are: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dilated_Peoples


Were planning to watch The Roots as well but Ticketweb said there was something fishy with the payment so as we arrived at the gig we found out we had no tickets. Brilliant…at least send me an email saying there are problems. Bastards. Any who…spent the night at a pub instead…not really the same thing however. But still satisfactory.

Christmas came and I went back home to Piteå in Sweden to spend it with my family. Nice, cold and snowy as I arrived at the airport in Lulea. Not really what we had in London as I left, plus ten and possibly a bit of rain. Two days later the everything was green, surely we wouldn’t get a green Christmas? The day before it started snowing again, happy days.
Had a big feast of vegan goodness for Christmas dinner. Everything a vegan could desire for a good Christmas. Santa came later, actually got some presents. Got money, a jumper, manga, some books and other miscellaneous items. More than happy with my gifts.

Went out Christmas day to “Statt”, quite expensive and most people were older than me. Had a laugh with my friends, the occasional dancing before I went home to eat the some of the leftovers from the day before. The clubbing in Piteå is beyond this world, and not in a good way. Nice to see people you like and all but music and atmosphere leaves more to be desired. The music is worthless beyond recognition, makes me think that I should get on the whole DJ thing to teach everyone back home what music is all about. But laziness took overhand.

Played a handball game with a team of old players and people returning home for Christmas against the local team. We lost with 4 goals or something but that didn’t really matter, had a laugh at least.


For new years we got together at Tomas house for dinner and after that people were consuming alcoholic substances, some more than other and some handling it better than others. Were quite a lot of people of various sorts but that’s a good thing. The only downside was that is was kind of a sausage fest, not that I’m currently looking for anything but the girl to boy ratio should be better that 1 to 10. Just creates a different atmosphere that I find more appealing than just hanging around guys. Went outside at twelve and watched the fireworks. Soon after that Me, Robert and Mattias felt that we’d had enough so we left for some Stepmania and some Frets on Fire (Like guitar hero but you play it on your Keyboard).
Got home around 05:00 and just like that it was a new year. 2007, what will it hold in store for me? I’m glad I don’t know. That would just ruin the surprise.

Went back home to London a couple of days later, spent almost a whole day at the airport and got around 6 hours of sleep in 2 days. Slept for 15 hours when I went to bed Friday night. Wonderful.

Nice to be back in the big city as well. Going back home makes you realize the downsides of Piteå and how ignorant some people are to the world outside. I’m saying anything bad about my friends or my family, love them all to bits. It’s the town itself and the mentality among people that tiers me. There would be absolutely nothing to do if I didn’t have my family and my friends there, a lot better in the summer but still.


Pictures from Christams and new Years can be seen at http://www.rewind.pixbox.se


So what else is going on in my life right now then?

Got a shit load of Uni work to do and I’m slowly getting there. Last run before I get new modules in February so I’d better keep it up. Got a big ass dissertation coming up soon, 8000 words about open source software within the media industry. Lovely.
Got my friends around me and they’re always a laugh so that’s all good.
The girl I’ve written about is however in Germany at the moment and I don’t know when or if she’s coming back. Just guess I have to wait and see what happens with that, I‘m willing to wait thou.

Girls work in mysterious ways as they say. (that is a topic as good as any for a future blog entry, quite a lot I could write about that…hmm)

Keep it foolish and take it sleazy my friends…



My life in pictures

My life in pictures. Various happenings and day to day situations for those who are interested. These are the kind of people I associate with when I’m in either London or Piteå. They are all mad…maybe that’s why we get along so well…takes one to understand one…or whatever you say.
keep on smiling folks.


http://www.rewind.pixbox.se

It's all over...

This summer has come to an end and it’s time for me to go back to London. I’ve met some interesting people and I’ve got plenty of new memories. I had high expectations before I went back home and I can honestly say it all turned out according to plan.
A summer filled with activities such as beach volleyball, football and Frisbee golf. There have been plenty of parties and the hometown festival for us to stay up all night long dancing the night away, unfortunately not to brilliant music but still. Poker and movie nights with friends, late night swimming and just staying up talking or doing nothing are some of the small things that I still really appreciate. All the videogame nights, Stepmania and PES4 mostly, with Robert and Mattias and just shouting out random things as we fail miserably is brilliant in its own way. Some people would think we were crazy but we don’t mind, it’s all a matter of having fun in different ways isn’t it?I’ve met some interesting people this summer, made some new friends and hopefully we’ll keep in touch when I go back. Some of them have caused me so much trouble but also loads of fun. Often laughing at them instead of with them but you wouldn’t blame me if you knew half of what I know. Just as often I believe they’ve laughed at me and whatever shenanigans I’ve been up to, the whole me talking to girls scenario to mention one (see appendix below…sigh…hehe).
I’ve also been working this summer at the gas station. It’s been fun, just the right amount of effort for the right amount of money with the right amount of spare time to do other stuff. It’s a special place and some of the people you meet are too good to be true. They are originals and you have to experience them to understand their greatness. The happy guy who have a tendency to know everyone and is deeply fascinated in the opposite sex that you have to make sure he doesn’t do anything appropriate to girls in the store. Nothing much but enough for them to feel insecure when an unknown man is stroking their face, god bless (in a non religious way) crazy people.
One and a half week was spent driving 1940km (1,205 miles) through the Swedish countryside in an old SAAB with Mr Engelmark (http://engelmark.blogg.se). Went down to Uppsala, Örebro, Linköping and Stockholm to visit some friends and have a blast in their respective hometowns. Without a map we drove on till we found our way, and we managed to find everything on the first try.
This is something that I could easily do again and the freedom of driving your own car instead of using public transport is indescribable.
Last week I played a handball tournament with a local team that I’ve used to play with, six games in two days is fun but you’ll feel it Monday morning. We did quite well with the intention to have fun and practice more than to go there to win the whole thing. I wish them and another local team good luck this year in division 2. Wish I could play with one of them but London is calling and I always have my London handball team.

Like I said I’ve had a great summer but everything has to come to an end I really miss London, the atmosphere of a big town, all the people, the nightlife, my housemates and to some extent even Uni. Last year now, feels good, just curious what will happen after that. As always thing have a tendency to turn out to the best…




Robert

http://www.pitea-tidningen.se/artikel.aspx?artid=33288&cat=1&pageIndex=0&arkiv=False
http://www.expressen.se/index.jsp?a=635521

Robert


Last night ended with a trip to the emergency room?.

I must say a lot is happening this summer, for better or for worse. Yesterday was a day as any other day this summer consisting of some physical activity.  I hooked up with Robert and his brother and a friend of his for some 2on2 basketball. Had some good music on in the background and there was slight improvement from the night before. All went well with some minor injuries and a lot of laughter.

Robert’s brother went home and we stayed behind just playing about, shooting and doing lay-ups. 1 shot, 2 shots, 3 shots four sh…BANG!!!!! The whole board and ring (between 30 and 40 kg) crumbles and hits Robert straight on the head. Robert yells out “call for an ambulance” holding his head while blood is gushing out. I saw the actual cut and we’re talking a 20 centimetre cut, not the nicest thing I’ve seen.
Called for an ambulance and his parents and went to the emergency room. Under the circumstances Robert was the calmest of us all, me his mom and dad all had a pulse around the 180 spot.

Moments to remember:
The doctor putting his hand under Roberts scalp.
The big needles for anaesthetic.
Robert taking a piss in a bottle. 

Robert got around 22 stitches and stayed for observation over the night. Met up with him today and he looks like one of the Coneheads, picture will follow, but he feels all right. In a way he was lucky since it could have gone some much worse. If it had hit his neck or something who knows what would’ve happened.

Filed a report to the police and talked to the local newspaper just to attract attention to the problems with equipment around the Piteå municipality. The baskets were taken down today as well just to prevent something like this happening again. Bureaucracy is evil at its purest form…people are just blaming each other and passing it on so they don’t have to bother or take responsibility. I’m just happy Robert is ok but this could happen again if nothing is done about it….more might follow.

Home sweet home....

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This is my house where I grew up in the north of Sweden....nice...

Stabbing...

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The day before i left for Sweden a man was stabbed in the head and in the chest right outside our house. (We are talking 10-15 meters...) Not the funniest thing that can happen...


Central

I spent the day in central London yesterday. 26 degrees and not a cloud in the sky, couldn’t be better. I bought a Swedish football shirt to really feel the excitement for the world cup and to annoy English people when we win against them on the 20th. Spent an hour or two in Soho square just looking at people and enjoying the nice weather.  

I find it fascinating thinking about where people are going and what they might be doing. Is that guy a serial killer? Suicidal? Late for work?
Just fun looking at people and see the variety of styles, looks and attitudes that you see, especially around Soho.

It’s a shame that there’s no real park culture in Pitea, guess it has to do with the amount of nature per person. In a city like London it’s all estates and concrete which makes the occasional park a refuge from the stress and a way for people to relax and be at one with the limited amount of nature given to the people of London. In Pitea however, the amount of nature “given” to people is overwhelming and because of that people don’t appreciate it as much. I really enjoy coming back home, especially for the summers, and just go swimming in a lake, play beach volleyball or riding your bike. Small and easy things that the people of Pitea take for granted but the people of London can’t possibly do.
They are two completely different worlds but I wouldn’t change one for the other. They are both brilliant and by now a part of who I am and how I live and appreciate what is around me.

Did the obligatory trip past the Forbidden Planet but for some reason I never buy anything…so many things I cannot possess.
Highlight of the day (as always when I’m anywhere remotely close to central London) was the Vegan buffet on Greek Street. If only these people would share the secret of how to make Soya meat….damn. I’d like to think that my cooking skills are pretty good but it all crumbles underneath me when I eat here. Not the fact that it’s a taste sensation but more that it’s something completely different that I couldn’t do.

Went home after eating way to much and it was ridiculously warm on the tube…

Finally

I’m finally done with all my Uni work. Did the extra things today as well, the gospel showcase for Claudia had to be edited and burned onto DVD but now I can relax, play some badminton and maybe even do some swimming. House party on Friday…we’ll just have to wait and see what that holds in store for us…could be fun. Lingerie and/or mask theme from what I’ve been told….hmm. World cup coming up this weekend as well…thinking about going to
Trafalgar Square
on Saturday and watch the games. Nice and warm outside so I better not stay in front of the computer anymore...


Summer Awaits

Sista rycket nu pa skolan här, en hel massa grejer som jag måste hinna klart innan jag kan luta mig tillbaka och njuta av sommaren hemma i Sverige. 
Måste redigera en jäkla masa video i helgen ocksa...tidskrävande men kul. Synd att man aldrig lär sig att börja med saker i god tid. Stress stress stress.

Sommaren ser riktigt lovande ut. Det hela börjar bra med fotbolls vm och går vidare med diverse självutförande aktiviteter. Freesbee golf, beachvolleyboll, parkour, handbolls försäsongsträning med öjebyn och norrfjärden och andra sommar relaterade aktiviteter såsom att bada och stanna uppe sent i glada vänners lag.
har ganska höga forväntningar inför denna sommar, ska jobba lite och bara njuta i tre månader. Första sommaren på fyra år som singel dessutom så om det nu innebär någon forändring återstar att se...dock tveksam, inga direkta förpliktelser vilket innebär mer tid med kompisar men i övrigt inte så stor skillnad kan jag tänka mig.

Första sommaren som vegan dessutom vilket kommer att ga bra. Mer jobbigt for mina foraldrar an vad det ar for mig kan jag tanka mig.


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