Magnificent Moods

www.lady-chuckles.com

2010-10-18T09:53:00.001+01:00

Go to www.lady-chuckles.com for the latest blog posts and comments!

I'm changing the domain - and at the end of the week I won't be updating the blogspot address anymore. Lady Chuckles’ inane blogging will continue at the above given address.

I'm sorry for any inconvenience caused and hope to see you all there instead :)

Ireland smells

2010-10-18T09:14:00.002+01:00

Yes, this is going to be another ridiculous post about Ireland so if you're oversensitive to what some of you'd call "stupidity" I suggest you stop reading right here.

Alright? Here we go then:

It so happens Ireland is not a regular country. Far from it. It's in fact a very scented country and this has been scientifically proved by my nose. Every time I go there and every time I get Colm back from being there, there's that strong smell that sticks to everything. That lovely, lovely smell of washing powder! :)

Believe me, it's as if the entire country uses the same washing powder and forgets to rinse afterwards. In my opinion, Ireland is probably one of the best smelling countries in the world.

Have lunch in a small restaurant and you'd find all the ladies' coats smells of that washing powder. Get an Irish person to wash your clothes and you could bring the smell with you home (I've tried to get that done, but strangely enough Colm refuses). Even the buildings smell of it so it wouldn't surprise me the least if the statue of Molly Malone is wonderfully scented as well.

If any Irish people at all read this post I'd be ever so happy to find out what kind of washing powder you use. Perhaps I could buy myself some next time I come over :)

Happies

2010-10-16T12:47:00.000+01:00

Happies

Some days everything is just right.

I very much enjoy walking in town when the sun shines upon my face and people happily greet me where ever I pass by. I'm pleased to announce today was one of those days.

The weather was absolutely perfect with the sun beaming and a fresh, cool breeze making the autumn leafs fall slightly faster. I tend to think I don't know anyone around here anymore, so today I paid some extra attention to who exactly greets me when I happen to be seen in town. Let me tell you I was happily surprised...

There's the caring policeman, of course. The top-notch politician who always has time for a quick chat. The bookshopkeeper who's recently started to ask me when I intend to give her a new novel to sell. Every single journalist in the area (... I should mention we have two newspapers here), who would sometimes share the latest gossip. There's the local authors and not to forget all the cheerful, old busdrivers who'd be waving at me while driving by.

Each and everyone of them seem to brighten up when they see me and I can do nothing but tilting my head a little, smiling as widely as I possibly can (which is ever so wide and not hard at all) and wave back.

I feel so precious in moments like that :)
I feel so happy and beautiful.

It's the little things in life...

Splendid conversations

2010-10-15T10:18:00.003+01:00

I've had it with new good-for-nothing words! (especially the not so creative ones like E-this and iThat) Another unpleasant thing is all that modern cursing - they make me ever so angry! It seems nowadays we say the most horrible things to one another without, even for a second, stopping ourselves to think it through first. How often do you curse and actually think about what the curse itself means? I challenge you to do that.

I know I don’t want to go around sounding like a butch sailor and unless you're a pirate I don't think you want to either :)

So in order to fix this massive problem, I've decided to ditch all the silly, trivial new words and replace them with some neat old-fashioned expression. A more lady-like way of speaking, if you will :)
It makes me feel much better and if I have the need to curse (which I do on occasion) I can simply say “Oh sugar!”, “What the hay!” or “Dagnabbit!”. Because let's face it, no one likes to listen to the auld effin' anyway. There's no need to go vulgar.

Everything is from now on fabulous, swell or ever so nice and all the people around me are awfully kind ... Oh an another important thing: when I go out for a couple of drinks I don’t get myself drunk or p*ssed, I get slightly intoxicated.

If requested I can post my latest vocabulary list so you can do the same! :)
Believe me, it’s much more fun this way...

The plain sofa

2010-10-14T10:09:00.002+01:00

I'm having a hard time hiding how excited I am about my new flat.
Last weekend Colm and I went on a swift trip to a nearby city. We were going to buy a dvd player and took the chance to have a look around in a few other shops as well. In which, of course, I was looking at sofas :)

I have a picture in my mind exactly how I want my sofa to be. I want it to be a plain one with a tall backrest, and not with too many soft cushions to wrestle with when I peacefully try to watch TV. I'd prefer to put a few small movable cushions on there instead, for decoration and in case you want to be extra snug. And most importantly: you can remove them if they're in the way.

I fell somewhat in love with a piece looking just like I want it. Plain and not too cushiony.
Himself sat in it for a few seconds before he told me his opinion. It was too uncomfortable, he said while pointing out there was no armrest to put down that cup of tea he's obviously planning on having in my sofa... And believe me, it didn't help saying I was going to get a small table as well... ;)

So in the near future Colm's taking me to IKEA, my faaavourite place in the world (note the sarcasm) to find a "decent" sofa. Meanwhile I'm drooling over a catalogue full of curtains and bedlinen and can't wait to move.

A colourful rant

2010-10-13T12:15:00.002+01:00

Today I had second thoughts about the hallway colour I've chosen for my new flat. I happened to show it to my colleague who was almost shocked (?) by how "dark" it was...
So I've been sitting in my office the last hour, overthinking and reconsidering the green hall. Dark makes it seem small, green might not be the best choice... Blah blah blah. That's what I thought. It would be a hassle calling the janitor telling her to call the painter and let them know I've changed my mind - my colleague, however, said it's not too late to change.

I browsed through the colour scheme a last time. Thinking what other colour I'd prefer. My goodness, had I forgotten how boring the colours were? It made me realise precisely why I chose the colour I chose and no matter if it turns out bad - I'm sticking with it because it's still the nicest one of the lot!

Am I right to pick the green colour?

Excitement!

2010-10-12T08:54:00.002+01:00

Oh, I totally forgot to mention the latest thing!
There will be a big band playing jazz music in my town a few weeks from now and I’m ever so excited! I heard about it at one of the choir practices last week. Actually, I overheard one of the tenors telling a few other ladies about being in a big band and having a gig fairly soon - and with those two words ("big band" and "gig") mentioned in combination I was all ears, dying to know what was going on :)

I suppose I took him by surprise being so in to the whole jazz/swing music culture. He did his best to try and persuade me to come listen to it - redundant as it may have been - because I had already made my mind up to go. How often do you get to go dancing nowadays? And to a big band, nonetheless?

I went home and asked Colm out - and I warned him that I intend for us to dance.
He accepted and I couldn’t be happier. I’m already planning what to wear :)

Lady Chuckles is soon to be jazzin’

Glueing stuff together (the new project)

2010-10-11T09:31:00.001+01:00

I'm a very crafty person. I have a need to keep myself busy with something creative. Lately I've found computers and TV are not satisfactory. It seems I can't relax knowing I'm wasting time on something I only enjoy a little when I could be glueing stuff together, write a story, replant some flowers, sew a dress or make a nice candle ornament.

Besides finishing my novel (yes, it's all done now and just needs a last read-through) I have another ongoing project. You see, I realised the other day that I have no photo albums at all. It saddens me that most of my pictures are stuck in my computer and never gets viewed anymore... So I'm going to take up scrapbooking :)

As a matter of fact, once I finish work for the day I'll be off to the shop and get myself a few basic things in order to get started as soon as I have the photographies I want to use developed.

It'll be swell! I just know it! :)

Annoying Chuckles

2010-10-08T09:15:00.001+01:00

Choir is great. I love singing! However I don't agree with the way tunes and rythms stick in my head and refuses to go away :)

Last night, after practice, I went to bed with Vivaldi's "Gloria" playing over and over in my mind and this morning I woke up the very same. I bet I'm going to have the entire office annoyed with me before the end of the day due to my never-ending humming and randomly finishing the sequences with "Jesu Christe" :)

I'm so looking forward to the concert the 24th of October, when we get the orchestra and everything in place. I can't wait! - and if I can gather some more confidence I'll ask for a solo piece in one of the Christmas concerts this year :)

The offer

2010-10-07T16:17:00.002+01:00

I can't really remember when I signed up for an Au-pair agency... It must've been at least two years ago. Today however I find an e-mail telling me there's a Scottish family for me if I want :)
Now, I know I won't be able to accept it, but in my imagination this is really very interesting. I'm utterly bored and this is the kind of thing that could bring things into new perspectives. They pay is great for what it is (surprisingly enough), they have two children and the family lives on the Scottish country side. Sounds like heaven!

However, I'm well-aware of the hard work that has to be done in these types of jobs. I've tried it before, at the age of 19 I went to Holland. I managed two ill-mannered girls and parents who seemed to dislike me, all while not getting fed properly.

My God! Those dinners!
"Here Chuckles, have one pancake with syrup and sugar! Surely that enough for you."

Once four of us split an oven-baked cauliflower for dinner.
And never to forget the time when the kids had gone to bed and I was sent upstairs for the night - I came back down (unannounced) to say hello to the parents and found they were having steaks while I was left to go hungry.
I remember a real crying attack I had there once. I cried all the way to the shop to buy meself a decent dinner, I cried inside the shop, while cooking the food and while eating it - I couldn't stop the frantic tears from falling until I had eaten it all.

The last dinner we had together before I went home for good, was a type of pizza-pancake (at a restaurant). My pancake was big and I ate a lot of it. The father of the family mocked me for it: “Are you gonna have ALL of it?” he grinned.

That is no life for anyone!
It made me grow though and it made me realise afterwards I wasn't treated right and I'm sure I will be able to spot it and tell people off next time.

So, after recalling all this, I'm not so sure I want to go to Scotland, how perfect it may sound.
On holiday maybe.

Home, sweet home

2010-10-06T15:13:00.000+01:00

For once I'm looking forward to going home to do all the dinner preparations for the evening. I'm even looking forward to buying the food (which I normally hate). This evening is going to be splendid: I'm going to be in my own flat, doing yoga, watching my soap, tidy and cook.

It's a lot of work to do straight after work... But I'm not too bothered today. I get to be at home :)

I have even promised myself I get to have tea and brie cheese tonight, just as indicated in my previous post. I just know it's going to be a wonderful evening! :)

Open letter to Bill Bailey

2010-10-05T13:31:00.002+01:00

Dear Bill Bailey,

My boyfriend and all of his friends loves you. They really do - I'm not just saying that to get your attention. Believe me, I've been around them when they're watching your stand-up comedy. They laugh their heads off, they laugh so loud it actually pains my ears :)

I think you're very good too, but I have a great, big problem. You see, I always think you make a lot of sense on your gigs. You bring new ideas to mind, you inspire me to do new things and you make me smile. Let me demonstrate an example:

A few weeks ago, on "The Late, late show" on RTÉ, you were asked in what way the Brits have been effected by the recession (which by the way, seems to be the favourite topic of the Irish) to which you replied you have fewer types of cheese with your tea in the evenings nowadays, like only two or three types instead of five. This made my boyfriend Colm laugh while I started thinking about having tea and cheese in the evenings. I thought it would be a splendid idea! :)

Need I say Colm hates watching stand-up comedy with me?

He grumpily told me it was not a spledid idea at all, he told me it was funny. Which alright, fair enough, it was quite nice. But having cheese in the evenings!! - I mean, I'm Swedish I didn't grow up with tea and cheese!

Do you have any advice for me, dear mister Bailey? Himself refuses to share his latest Bill Bailey DVD with me, all because I tend to think you make a lot of sense. Unfair, isn't it?

I'm awaiting your reply.

Yours,
Eibhlín

Charlotte LaBouff and Me

2010-10-04T16:03:00.002+01:00

Apart from being a spoilt richman's daughter I feel a lot like Charlotte LaBouff from the Disney film "The princess and the frog". She's ridiculously loud, over-excited and a total pain in the ass - but absolutely adorable at the same time. There are many similarities between the both of us :)

Bubbly personalities, overly happy, talkativeness and the immense love for fairytales.
I've never been able to relate to any fairytale princesses before. They are all too good, too kind and too hard-working, while I'm not. I get performance anxiety just by watching them :)
Some princesses just wait around and, without really having to do a thing, all of their wishes come true. I guess that is why I love them so much - they symbolizes everything I want to be.

But this once I found a character to love who is actually a lot like me. She's not a proper princess in that traditional sense, but she is to me. She's beautiful and silly. She's over the top annoying and the cutest thing I saw since the Little Mermaid combed her hair with a fork!! :)

I used to identify myself as Belle in "Beauty and the beast" with the love for books and brown, shortish hair - and I still will when it comes to "proper" fairytale princess, but as far as likeness goes: I'm a bit of a Charlotte LaBouff :)

A funeral, a party and a fight

2010-10-04T07:38:00.002+01:00

I've had such a long draining weekend. Friday was funeral, Saturday was some sort of birthday celebration and yesterday I just had it altogether. It might sound like a horrible weekend, but as a matter of fact all of the above had silver linings.

funerals are good, even though there are always loads of crying relatives wearing boring-looking clothes. They give closure. I also faced a childhood fear of mine. For some reason I've been afraid of the dead one's house. It started many years ago (I don't know why) and I tend to have nightmares about it still, but the day of the funeral I was standing in the garden and it felt okay.

birthday celebrations are always nice. It just took an awful long time for it to start - and having it the day after a funeral was not ideal. My family, Colm and I had dinner together and after that we watched "The princess and the frog" :)

fights suck, no matter how right you think you are. A tiresome weekend made me realise I'm not doing so well, it made me realise I'm slightly disappointed with the way things are turning out for me. But when it all comes to it I'm glad I finally told. I always feel a tremendous guilt after arguing and I always apologize, but it's good to clear the air once in a while.

... Today I'm back at work, wishing I was still in bed :)
Thankfully all the kind ladies at work know I'm going through a bit of a rough time. At least tonight I get to go out with them - we are gathering after work to make candle- and/or flower arrangements and have something to eat at the flower shop. I'm really looking forward to it. I go out way too rarely :)

The celebration

2010-09-30T07:58:00.002+01:00

I can't believe what a great birthday I had yesterday! Never in a million years could I possibly have asked for lovelier gifts or a better celebration! :)

My parents, my sister and my boyfriend all came over and squeezed in to my tiny flat for pizza, beer and soft drinks. My sister Anna and I were dancing and taking silly self-portraits with the camera. Everyone was ejoying themselves. When my family left at around 8 o' clock, himself and I cuddled up and chatted for a while and he gave me my birthday gifts. I got a lovely fleece pyjamas from his mother, Guinness coasters and a book about Guinness from Colm as well as an absolutely beautiful silver necklace (which I'm proudly wearing at work today - and I have a feeling no one will ever get me to take it off either). In all fairness, I think I may have gotten too many gifts for a person my age.

I didn't have to plan anything.
I got a party and presents.
The people I love came around to celebrate even though it was mid-week.
I got to drink as many beers as I wanted.
... And I even got that backrub too.

I was very spoiled ♥ ;)

Lady Chuckles Day

2010-09-29T09:11:00.003+01:00

One year older, one year wiser but still just as crazy and full of chuckles :)

I'm not big into birthdays but this one has actually given me great expectations. You see I've set three rather simple rules for a excellent birthday: I will not do any planning today when it comes to activities or dinner, I'm allowed to be somewhat selfish and Colm has to give me a long backrub.

I so look forward to it!! :)
I don't get to resign from responsibilities often enough, that's why this day is going to be absolutely fabulous!

Too young to be old

2010-09-28T08:12:00.000+01:00

I'm turning 23 this week. This ought to mean I'd get slightly wiser and more mature, but oh no – far from it.

I feel immensely childish when the ladies at work go on about childbirth á la "worst case scenario", home accidents that lead to death or handicaps for life or how to cook healthy food in order to lose weight. Great topics for coffee breaks and lunch time, right?
Sure, I don’t mind that they talk about food and weight-loss, even though it bores me silly, but as for the rest: I don't want to hear about it or even know about it! Life is already scary enough! These discussions tend to get rather detailed too and I end up sitting there quietly, sometimes even losing my appetite.

I’ll be honest and say I’m a little bit scared of all the things I am meant to do as a grown-up lady (when that day comes). I don’t want to have children, I don’t want to get married and I most certainly don’t want to wind up like one of these goody two-shoes middle aged soccer-mum women.

All I want right now is to go out and get drunk (and since I don’t get to go out so often I’m drunk after two beers and then it’s okay to go home), I want to be properly romanced and have loads of fun – and above all: I don’t want to sit around waiting for life to happen. I want to make the most of it.

I know, this is a very immature post, so I should also mention that in many ways I envy what those ladies have as regards of security, comfort and love. I wish I could feel I was on my way to getting there as well, but I know I'm not even close to starting my own journey towards it.

I feel like a lost teenager trapped in a 35 year-old's routine.
I hate being this “in between”-age. I’m too young for some things and slightly too old for other.

Happy early birthday, Lady Chuckles!

A sparkling Monday

2010-09-27T08:12:00.002+01:00

For being a Monday I find this day sparkles and shines an awful lot. I've had a very wonderful weekend having Colm back from Ireland, minding a cute little dog and doing yoga. The weekend has been full of laughter and frolics.
I can't help but to feel somehow I'm embarking on a new start, things are truly about to change. I'm on my last week at work and to be completely honest it's kind of nice. No matter how much I love my colleagues offices aren't really for me. I even look forward to finding another place to work in and try out something new.

Anyhow, Colm's back and I'm thrilled!! :)
He also imported the most essential Irish things we use: McDonnell's curry sauce and Jaffa cakes.
This means our once-per-week curry night is back and that I'm going to get a lot of those sweet, sweet Jaffa cakes squashed between my fingers by a grinning Colm :)

I'm happy!

Special thanks to Bríd who pushed me into writing this post :)

Insignificant

2010-09-20T13:07:00.004+01:00

I could have a long rant about the Swedish election for parliament now - as the election was yesterday. But there are already so many people nagging about it that I figured I'd write about something else, something a little bit more interesting. Like my Guinness umbrella.
The weather has been terrible the last week-and-a-half with strong winds and a lot of rain, but somehow that umbrella always cheer me up. All I need to do is press a button to open it and press a button to close it. It's absolutely brilliant, like magic or something! :)

... And I'm most likely the only one in town who walks around with a beer-branded umbrella. Vile beer, even! :)

The Music Box

2010-09-19T10:21:00.000+01:00

It's been a great while since I put up my regular music videos on Sundays, but I have this song on my mind that just won't go away, so I thought I'd share it...
You see, last Thursday, we practiced Vivaldi's "Gloria" in my choir. We were 10 people, but just two sopranos - and I was the only one of those you could hear. It felt really nice. I love having a challenge and I like it when I have to do my utmost to make music work. I've even gone around humming this song to myself since that Thursday night. Furthermore, a lady told me I have a beautiful singing voice and I have to say it warmed my heart an awful lot. Especially as this lady knows what she's talking about since she's a cantor :)

The piece is really nice. I hope you'll enjoy it.

Penguins are make-belief

2010-09-17T10:48:00.001+01:00

There are no penguins.
I'm aware this may come as a shock to you but I've seen the proof. It was all over TV last night. Or well, to be fair it was a nature program with Sir David Attenborough I swiftly browsed by – and it may not even have been about penguins as much as it was about the jungle and monkeys.

Anyhow, I did see a cut-scene where a whole pack of penguins were swimming through the water together. Diving and jumping and catching fish. Now, that isn't very bird-like, is it? Stay with me for a second and just consider this: what other animal is diving, jumping and catching fish?
Yes, dolphins. And now think about this: doesn't the dolphin's mouth look like a beak? A beak like the ones birds have?

My simple conclusion of this matter is that penguins are altogether fake. Cute as they may be, they are not birds. They are dolphins.
They can't fly, neither can dolphins. They both have beaks. Both of them have fins (yes they do, penguins don't have wings with feathers). They both eat fish and they dive and jump and swim.

I'm convinced. If you're still doubtful I suggest you'd think about it for a while.
Because just like there are huge similarities between babies and dinosaurs there are many evidences that penguins are in fact dolphins.

Stupid, stupid, stupid

2010-09-14T08:11:00.001+01:00

Do you know what I find really stupid?
Alien movies.

Not long ago I found myself watching a film with Tom Cruise (or one of those other famous Hollywood-men I can never remember the name of) fleeing from aliens. In the film he had a daughter who was yelling non-stop and some sort of psycho son who just wouldn't listen to anyone. The colour scheme was grey and the aliens (or space ships) looked like trivets with lamps. Sure I could’ve gotten in to it if I only knew why the people were running.
I had no idea if the aliens would eat them, torture them or put together a musical with them (in which case I would’ve been running for my life too). But the question remains: why were they hunting people? If that had been clear maybe the film would’ve been a little bit more exciting and/or appealing.

Such is today’s movie-review. It was a so-so film and I can’t even remember what it is called.
Don’t watch it. It sucks.

I miss Ireland

2010-09-13T20:28:00.005+01:00

So... What do I really miss about Ireland? What is there to miss for a young lady who has spent merely 14 days in the country? Those 14 days were furthermore spread over three visits and those visits spread over two years time. Let's face it, I have no reason what so ever to miss a country I've barely been to! :)

Yet something inside says I miss it...
I suppose I miss the Irish Gaelic signs in Dublin airport, I always read them out loud as I walk towards the passport control. I miss walking through Dublin (especially on the street with the red stones), I miss the little suburb I've been visiting and I miss the silly trains, silly becuase they are not driven by electricity like I'm used to. I also miss Irish TV, which I frankly haven't even had a proper chance to watch...
But most of all I miss the people. I miss Colm and his family. I miss all of their friends and the random strangers I'd normally have a conversation with as I stroll around town on my own.
I miss the joy of having the boyfriend showing me around the place. I miss pointing at all the buildings and drool a little everytime I see a large stone building or when we'd make a right turn in the roundabout :)

I guess feeling lonely and trapped where I am makes Ireland and the Irish even more appealing. Unfortunately there's nothing I can do about it. I'll just have to hang in there and hope things will work out soon.

The DimBots

2010-09-12T10:56:00.004+01:00

I was happy when I logged online this morning. On my Facebook I found a suggested page I might like, normally I'd get spammed with such suggestions but not today. I was delighted to find out a very good friend of mine had put up a page dedicated to his robot art.

I'm so excited to see his art finally online so if you have a few minutes to spare why not log on to Facebook and have a look at it yourself? :)
Maybe you'll find you like the art too!

http://www.facebook.com/pages/DimBots/153356091350498

Shame on me!

2010-09-11T17:08:00.000+01:00

I've been a lousy blogger this week. I never meant to be though, but I've been a little bit down lately. Sometimes all the petty problems just overwhelm me. My go-to-man has gone off to Ireland for a while to see his family and friends and attend a wedding. I hope he'll have a great time :)

So on the happy note, because I have been up to things: I have been cuddling with my beloved cats, bought myself a new orange scarf, joined a choir (in which I have already impressed the conductor) and re-planted a rose.
I've also managed to badly burn a toast and thereby set off the fire alarm twice, I've tried to get a foot back in the radio business and I've seen a huge fire. Things really do happen.

This post isn't very cohesive at all now, as I decide to throw in a Music Box feature :)
The video is wonderful and I thought it would be nice :)

The offline world

2010-09-07T09:42:00.000+01:00

I've had a long weekend off the internet and it's been absolutely amazing! :)
I've enjoyed great company and celebrated a very special day.

I even had time to finish the book I've been reading and plan my votes for the upcoming election... I've also bought myself a bunch of colourful daisies and made arrangements for to replant my roses and grow a cherry tree. It's wonderful!

This afternoon I'm taking himself down to the local polling station to vote in advance. He goes back to Ireland for a few weeks tomorrow and since this is the first time ever he gets to vote in a Swedish election it's well worth celebrating by voting :)
… And Chinese food afterwards.

I do look forward to bringing him out, but I’ll miss him tremendously when he leaves ♥

A weekly chuckle

2010-09-03T14:29:00.004+01:00

God bless RTÉ and the Irish! :)

To all the hurt men

2010-09-02T15:30:00.007+01:00

I sense there are some very hurt men out there... And they were very eager to defend their manliness too, even though I expressed this was all about learning to understand. You don't understand when you bitch.

Besides, I said in my previous post even: I will GENERALIZE!!
I know the things I stated goes both ways and I'm not saying all women are saints and all men are bastards. I'm not a complete idiot!

I was just trying to show you what it feels like when someone generalizes your gender. Just like I have to hear you moan about "women this" and "women that" (even on my blog) ... It pisses me off! Why do I have to accept being generalized (yes, by you!) when you can't handle it yourselves?

It's so easy for you to attack me instead of reading and understanding my point. If you had you wouldn't act the way you do.

My main point was, and now you READ!!! (show some intellect, dagnabit!)

IT WOULD BE GOOD FOR MEN AND WOMEN TO TRADE PLACES.

THAT WAY WOMEN WOULD LEARN ABOUT MEN (GOOD AND BAD) AND MEN WOULD LEARN ABOUT WOMEN (GOOD AND BAD)

THAT WAY WE WOULD UNDERSTAND BETTER AND WE WOULDN'T HAVE TO LISTEN TO ANYONE GENERALISING ANY GENDER.

We would learn what we do wrong and what we do right. BOTH WAYS!
I couldn't say what men dislikes about women as I could say what women dislikes about men (but after reading your comments I think I have a fair idea), but that is why I said I wanted to know what it is like to be a man!!

But apparently even this was stomping on some very tender toes.

Silence is gold

2010-09-02T10:10:00.002+01:00

It sucks! It sucks all together!
Choir starts today, it's the first session this semester, and I can't go!! After yesterday's temporary illness, my throat needs to be left alone rather than me howling along with the elderly people in the choir, but being quiet sucks!
I was really looking forward to go but sure, there will be plenty more opportunities this autumn. Besides, the positive end of this whole experience is that I find new interesting things to do while being quiet. Quiet isn't what I do however, but I kept busy during breakfast in the office today. I found something to do and it just happened without me even trying.

I sat there quietly and before I knew it I was inspecting the way people chew. I couldn't believe the many different types of chewing... And I didn't even really know about it until this morning. They're all somewhat annoying and reminds me of a ruminating cow.
But it was way cool.

So I suppose when being quiet you come up with new interesting things to do.
Or you just don't.

Good and bad at the same time

2010-09-01T11:48:00.001+01:00

I hate it when I'm not able to go to work. Only, when I'm able to go to work I don't really want to. It's a catch 22, right? :)

However, it is quite nice to be at home for a change, doing some reading and watching some pointless daytime TV. When you're sick you're allowed to waste time and it feels very nice not having to feel guilty over things one "should do". Another advantage is that you don't have to get dressed properly. I intend to strut around in my pyjamas and my cuddly pants all day :)

It's good being sick, but it's absolutely horrible too.

I do wonder what it is like to be a man…

2010-08-31T09:13:00.002+01:00

I think it would be a good idea if men and women could change place with each other for a day or so. It would help both parts to understand one another. Since I’ve gotten a few generalising comments on my blog regarding women recently, I’m taking the liberty of generalize myself for this experiment.

So:
If a man had to be a woman for a day (and no, we’re not playing the whole “If I was a woman I’d stare at myself naked all day”- or the “If all the men had to give birth…”-game) I wonder what he’d discover.

Would he realise it’s not fun to hear an ugly grinning man say “Do you have your period or what?” when you’re trying to make people listen to you and you get frustrated when you realise no one will? Would he understand that it hurts inside you when you have your time of the month and would he think twice before making such a childish remark next time? I don’t think men would go around saying that if they had to experience it for themselves. It’s nothing but ignorant and mean.

And how about being called sweetheart or pumpkin by your boss and not taken seriously because you’re “just a little girl”? … And then come home and cook for a man who doesn’t show his appreciation by giving you the attention you’re craving for?

A man who doesn’t understand that you want romance in your life? And that making yourself look beautiful for him takes its time. High heels and thongs aren’t always comfortable, but you do it because you think that is what your man wants. Or when you’re in the mood for a conversation and all he wants is for you to keep quiet so that he can watch TV.

How would a man handle being emotional?

I’ll let you in on a secret…
All most women want is to be genuinely loved, romanced if you will, and get a whole lot of attention from her man and some appreciation for the chores she performs around the house. He doesn’t know it, but we’re not really picky.

And now, if I was a man… I’d love to catch a cold. I’m eager to know if they are actually REALLY dying when they have a simple flu. They probably are. Otherwise they wouldn’t whimper so bad – and if that’s a pain worth knowing I’d love to know all about it. Next time a man gets sick, I would understand how bad he is feeling.

I would also love to learn the benefits of standing up while peeing (and why it’s out of the question to ever sit down) and also experience the reflex that tells men to yell when they sneeze.

Whenever my girlfriend would have a request on an action she’d want me to take in order to express my love for her I can simply say: “I’m not that type of guy, honey.” And get away with it. Bottom line of such a statement always seems to be: “… Nor will I give it a shot for you.”

I would love to be able to boss people around and pee all over the toilet. Scratch my arse, burp and fart and think about myself for a while… And complain about women, of course.
I know, it’s not fair is it, me generalizing like this?

Sure, let’s be realistic here so: It’s not always easy being a man either and I should not make a joke out of it. I would honestly love to know what it feels like hearing the girlfriend nag and moan about random things I don’t understand. I know you men think it’s horrible and it most likely is. I think it could be a good experience for me to have. If I was a man and had to listen to the woman version of me nagging along I’d probably be upset too.
Nevertheless, one should keep in mind: giving out about your moaning girlfriend to your friends is not the right way to go. It’s a betrayal which is going to get you into a lot of trouble.

Has anyone learned anything from this? Or is it just me? I understand if you haven’t even managed to make your way through this extraordinarily long rant of mine, but that is what happens when you’re a feminist leftie who reads comments saying “women this” and “women that”, “I don’t understand them” :)
However, this matter is something I’ve been thinking about for quite a while and I truly think it would do us all good to try and put ourselves in somebody else’s shoes for a little before we judge and generalize. We owe each other that.

The yoga mat

2010-08-30T09:23:00.001+01:00

I'm starting yoga class in a few weeks so I spent last Saturday shopping for it. I was in desperate need of sports wear and a pink yoga mat.

I had such a lovely time shopping with himself and my sister. It was great having both of them with for fashion advice, a lovely stroll in town and lunch, of course. It was absolutely fabulous! I wish we could hang out like that more often.

Still towards the end of the day I had yet to purchase that yoga mat of mine, I really wanted a pink but there was none to get. I figured I could just go for a cheap one from the local grocery shop at home, even though there were only blue or grey ones last time I checked. Nevertheless, himself was very persistent when it came to the yoga mat. He was steadfast - I had to get a pink yoga mat just like I had said I truly wanted many weeks ago. We were all very tired when he took me to another big grocery shop - and what caught my eye there but a pink yoga mat? :)

Need I say I smiled widely as I was to pay for it and I cuddled it in the car all the way home? Like the happy child I am.

The flushed-down bunny

2010-08-25T15:16:00.004+01:00

I'm no good at telling jokes, but I'll give it a go:

We were sitting in the lunch room earlier, my colleagues, my boss and I, having coffee and chatting along as we do every day around 3 o' clock.
One of the ladies was giving out about her daughter's pet rabbit. Apparently it attacks them and runs off on occasion and her daughter has gotten tired of it. Most of all my colleague would want it to run away and since it was very windy outside the other ladies joked that hopefully the bunny would blow away in this weather :)

Topics then moved swiftly to another pet rabbit which was found by a nearby water treatment plant. There are notes hanging on the noteboard in all the local shops asking whose it is.

So my boss says, keeping very calm:
"It's obviously been flushed down the toilet. That's what people do these days when they don't want their pets anymore. They just flush them all down."

The room went all quiet, but I couldn't keep myself from laughing out loud, breaking the silence, as I pictured the poor ol' bunny in the toilet. Just as I was beginning to think it was inappropriate to laugh the rest of them finally started too.

It was probably the best thing I've heard today!!
And as a matter of fact: I'm still chuckling now, half an hour later :)

Pampered!

2010-08-24T13:11:00.000+01:00

I had such a wonderful evening yesterday! When I came home from work there was a sweet little note waiting for me on the kitchen table. The note was a neatly decorated invitation to a dinner party in Colm's house :)
I felt ever so special and I was even promised more of these things to come ♥

... Now I need to come up with some food and event to spoil him as well.
I can't wait! :)

Root beers

2010-08-23T09:10:00.002+01:00

What's the deal with root beer? For the first time ever in my life, last Saturday, I tried root beer.
Apparently it's a big American thing and I was told they talk about it (and drink it of course) in American TV-shows and soaps and stuff, so I was a little bit excited to try it out myself.

I poured it, smelled it and drank it. As it turns out I was far from impressed.
It did NOT taste like beer. More like mouth wash or bubble gum.

My instant reflex was to not swallow it, as that is what you're told about bubble gums and mouth wash. I had to fight that reflex for a little while and actually tell myself this wasn't what it tasted like and that it was okay to swallow it.

I'm happy I know what it is like, but I still don't understand. What's the hype? And who drinks this stuff anyway? :)

Looking, sounding and seeming tired

2010-08-20T08:29:00.003+01:00

I don't like it when people say I look, sound or seem tired. I would even go as far as to say I hate it. Probably because all my life, apparently, I've been going around looking tired and people are never afraid to point that out to me.

Yesterday I was on the phone to a lovely lady, she's one of my best friends. As we were talking she said I sound tired, it's not what I wanted to hear but it's okay. It was 11 o' clock at night after all.

But today the same thing happens.

This morning I put a lot of effort in to looking pretty this week as I've discovered I want to feel gorgeous every single day. I rolled my hair up to make neat curls, I put on make-up, painted my nails red and I made sure to wear a cute outfit. Still I have a man at the office, straight away making a remark about me looking very tired. I don't want to look tired, I want to look fabulous!
I could just feel my spirit drop when he said that to me. I AM bleedin' tired! - but I work very hard for to not show it.

"What's the deal with that," he continued. "Didn't you sleep well last night?"

I'm the only one at this company who hasn't had any holiday whatsoever. I've worked nonstop since Easter. I am tired both mentally and physically.
But I don't need to be reminded that I look and sound tired.

日本語でなんと言いますか

2010-08-19T14:22:00.000+01:00

I'm so happy! My passion for languages is coming back! I'm half studying Japanese today as Colm and I are meeting my sister and her Japanese friend for dinner tonight. Her friend (only) speaks French and Japanese and I haven't studied French in a looong time. So naturally, I figured it would be a lot easier to learn Japanese instead of brushing up that French of mine :)

I'm having a great time learning new phrases. I'd be mighty pleased if I'm able to ask her how she is and greet her properly in Japanese when we meet.
... And after watching three "Karate kid"-films last week I am tempted to ask her if she knows karate, but don't worry I have manners (most of the time) :)

Happy, happy me

2010-08-18T15:55:00.003+01:00

I'm ever so excited!!
I signed the contract for my new flat yesterday and I officially signed papers saying I'm leaving my old, miserable one too. It was such a relief, knowing there's something new and good to come.
And so today as I strutted in to my office (yes, I am known to strut on occasion) I got a colour chart from my colleague. She told me I got to choose which ever colour I want for my new flat from that chart. I LOVE COLOURS and I love decorating! :)
I know what I'm going to do when I get home...

Also, I have mentally prepared myself for going back to earning nothing for working here as my contract expires on Friday. Instead of sulking I had decided to celebrate my hard work during my time and an employee.
However, my boss called me in for "a talk" just a few minutes ago saying they need my help for another month. Sure they could get all that for free since I have to stay on to do work experience anyway, but the boss said he doesn't consider it "work experience" but actual work - and therefore he will extend my contract until September 30th.

I'm blissful! This means I'm (somewhat) financially secure until the end of the year and I'm creating something new. I couldn't be asking for anything more.

Thank you, boss! Thank you, colleagues! Thank you, blogreaders! Thank you, God! ... And thank me too ;)

Making friends?

2010-08-16T13:49:00.002+01:00

Okay, so I'm trying to make friends but people doesn't really make it easy on me.
I've been collaborating with two girls who seem to be around my own age. They've been helping me print all the stuff I created for the fair and I thought it would be nice to have a beer after work at some point. The idea came around a while back, but I was too scared to ask. Since we worked so closely during last week I just decided to put the question out there. Nothing to lose, like.

It took a lot of guts to finally ask and I couldn't help but feeling stupid for doing so.
One girl kept working along pretending she didn't hear and then left the room while the other one said:
"Uh... I'm quite busy nowadays."

And then akward silence.
It hurt a bit and I felt even more stupid.

At least no one can blame me for not trying to make friends anyway.

Hot or not?

2010-08-14T16:57:00.002+01:00

I had a hamburger for dinner last night. On occasion I'm in such a mood for fast food and my boyfriend and I went off to the nearest hamburger place.
It so happens they had a chilli version of a normal burger of theirs which we decided to try, because in fairness there's not always a lot of taste to the old general stuff. I was quite excited to try it, I thought it was going to be quite plain anyhow, but I was wrong.
My mouth was on fire stright away and I almost regretted ordering such a meal. Colm, however, sat peacefully leaned back chewing along as if he couldn't feel the spicyness at all. I had to stop eating and stare at him for a while. Taking bite after bite, talking along he was. Just like that.
"I'm sorry, honey, don't you notice the chilli at all?" I interrupted him.
He looked at me ever so surprised and shook his head.

After a while I find out it's the dressing that contains the very hot spice and I realise himself must've taken that out like he always does, so I let him try my burger and he says his isn't as spicy.

And by then we've solved the mystery. Himself hates lettuce and took that out of the burger along with the chilli dressing (as he thought there was too much dressing in the burger). Of course he wouldn't be able to feel the spice he had taken out already.

He had me puzzled for a while though.

The transformation

2010-08-13T17:13:00.005+01:00

I've been working in the company's showcase at the local fair this afternoon and will also do so this Saturday... (Eww, working at the weekend!)It's been really quite nice. I dressed up in my fancy smart clothes and I felt ever so attractive for a change. I even got a few lingering glances :)
It was great fun to talk to everyone and stand there with a big smile on my face handing out leaflets, sweets and plasters with our logo on.

Then it happened.

Two soldiers walked by our showcase and I stopped them in order to give them some plasters thinking war might give bruises. I even told them that it's good to keep in case they'd get hurt.
They were also at the fair to do advertising, I had seen their big vans outside the hall and asked if I could come by and have a look a little later. (And by "have a look" I meant play with all their cool military things). As soon as I was done (and after visiting the showcase of the fabric shop, of course) I went over to see what the military was up to. The lads I had given plasters to were delighted to see me out there and I asked if I could try on some helmets, safety vests and sit in their car. And I did.
I pulled myself into one of the tank-looking vehicles still wearing a pencil skirt, that blue shirt and my name tag. I must've been the weirdest looking military girl ever, but it felt so good standing on the roof of the vehicle talking to the soldiers.

Lady Chuckles is very happy!

Moving

2010-08-12T11:28:00.000+01:00

I'm moving!!
Yesterday I decided to go for that flat I looked at earlier this week. It was a tough decision and I was surprised to find myself entirely supported by everyone around me.

My main reason for moving is that I need a new, fresh start. The flat I live in at the moment has sadly been filled with negative energy and I suffered many bad experiences in it, so I could really do with a new start in a place that has room enough for me to be creative and comfortable. I look forward to long, well-deserved baths, growing flowers on the balcony and having the kitchen more separate from the rest of the flat.

I was so excited yesterday after I had made the decision I found myself soaring all the way home. I felt happy and free.

Back!

2010-08-10T16:38:00.005+01:00

Yeah, I've disappeared for a little while... :)

As a matter of fact, himself and I decided to go on a weekend away to Malmö. We stayed at the 19th floor of the Hilton Hotel, pretending we were posh tourists. I had brought with me sparkling wine and expensive chocolates which we enjoyed after checking in. It was heaven finally getting away from work and boring routines and just being able to relax with wonderful company and good food.

It was a lovely weekend away and the view from our window was absolutely amazing!

Now, back home, I've been looking at that flat I was thinking about getting... I still haven't made a final decision but I am very tempted indeed :)

Bottom line is: Lady Chuckles is well-rested and back!

The awful massage

2010-08-05T19:20:00.000+01:00

I thought it was a good idea to end last Friday after work with a relaxing massage at the beautician's.

I have no idea how they got it into their heads that it would be a good thing to call it a relaxing massage! Now, I was not intrested in having someone pet my back so when the lady asked if she could be firm and I happily said she could.
I tried my best to relax and stared at the metal bar between the "pillow" and the rest of the "bed". I saw my face in it and thought to myself the reflection looked a bit like a pig's. Then it went downhill from there.

I felt a great pain by my spine! I tried to be quiet but it didn't go away. I told the lady it hurt and she said it's because I'm stiff.

It wasn't nice! At one point I just wanted to cry and go home.
It was not very relaxing at all.

... God knows I won't do that again this Friday.

Sleepy Swede

2010-08-04T09:03:00.004+01:00

I've slept awfully. The night's been too warm and too cold and the duvet way too snug for my own good. Getting up in time for work is not made any easier when your partner happily snoozes along between the covers, but it was for the best this morning as I randomly left him a small gift on the bedside table.
The gift is a book called "You know you are Swedish when...", I got it for him yesterday and I'll challenge him to try and see how Swedish he's turned since he moved here a little over two years ago.

Here's a sample from "You know you are Swedish when...":

▪ You have been accused of being from Switzerland. Repeatedly.

▪ You find teenage mums shocking and very strange; because you don’t know anyone who had a child before 25, and you thought that was young.

▪ You celebrate Easter and Christmas a day before most other countries.

▪ You feel bad if you’re not outside on a sunny day.

▪ You go seriously sentimental when entering an IKEA store, outside the borders of Sweden.

I know I'm guilty anyway... :)

To move or not to move...

2010-08-02T16:09:00.005+01:00

Yes that is the question :)
I have been complaining a little about my flat... Ever since I moved in, I suppose. 25 m2 is not a lot for keeping a livingroom, bed room, tiny kitchen and bathroom :)

But it just so happens there's a vacant, bigger one close to where I live and I'm thinking about signing up for to have a look at it. It's 38 m2 and it has a balcony :)
It would be heaven if I could move into it, if it turns out it looks nice indoors, but at the same time I may want to go for a two room flat when I get a job (which I hope to get soon). The risky thing is that since I'm looking for jobs I don't know where I'll be going next and "upgrading" my flat may be a total waste if I need to move out straight away.
On the other hand I could be stuck here until next summer and in that case I'd prefer to have a balcony :) (God knows it gets sweatty on the third floor in a tiny flat!)

I'm not very rich and since I work for the company renting out flats I may feel a little bit nervous if they look at my economy.
My heart says yes but my head is somewhat uncertain. Sure I could have a look, couldn't I?

The Music Box

2010-08-01T15:15:00.001+01:00

Today we're facing some opera - as requested by Reggie :)

... So he had me thinking for a little while, what opera piece would I start to share on this music Sunday of mine? The opera genre is broad and there are so many nice things out there. Recently, it seems everyone's started singing "Nessun dorma"... Great song and all, but it's getting rather mainstream and this Music Box is all about getting into new things.

I finally settled for Händel (even though I'd totally recommend some Mozart for the people who are not used to opera). "Settled for" is probably the wrong phrasing too for such a master piece: "Lascia ch'io pianga" sung by Arleen Auger, a splendid singer who is unfortuantaely no longer with us.
I actually sang this very song when I took singing lessons and it helped me realised this is the type of music I want to work with.

Normally female singers can be very squeaky and "loud" to listen to, but Arleen Auger balances it perfectly.

Click here to go to YouTube and this week's Music Box song

Discrimination again

2010-07-28T10:06:00.000+01:00

I don't get this whole thing. I just don't get it!
It's tough looking for jobs and it's not getting any easier for a lady like me with employers looking for male candidates only. I'm fairly sure it is against the regulations to specify gender like that, so I decided to go for a job despite the "men-only" line. I don't see why a girl can't work in a warehouse full of teddy bears. I'd love to pack teddy bears and get orders in and out and keep the warehosue clean.
However 10 minutes later I got a reply to my application:

"Dear job-seeker, as we said in the ad: we look for men."

That's all it said.
Thank you so much for bothering with my name. Job-seeker. Yep, that's me. The one and only.

Jesus christ! Shouldn't everyone be given a fair chance? Whether you're male or female? I think so, especially with this high unemployment rate.
Because of that snooty reply I'm considering to take action on this. I'll rat them out for sure :)

Wish me luck!

Kind regards,
Job-seeker Chuckles

The chuckling farmer

2010-07-27T12:58:00.003+01:00

I would love to have a tweed hat!! They are so precious and I've wanted one for ages.
Ideally I'd wear an "old-man's" tweed hat, a knit sweater and wellingtons. The boyfriend has tried to tell me several times already that I'd look like a farmer, but I wouldn't quite mind that :)
You see, I'd be the perfect farmer wannabe...
I could have a border collie and a bunch of sheep to mind. I could drive a tractor and ... and... do other farmercy things.

I'm not sure of what exactly I'd do, but I'm sure it would be swell! :)

Frustrated!

2010-07-27T10:46:00.000+01:00

I've started to set up a Wordpress version of my blog but there's something about the process that makes me immensely uneasy and uncomfortable.
I can't manage all the stuff Wordpress has. It takes forever just to remove some sort of module I don’t want in the first place! … And at this point of time I don't really know if want to use it because even the smallest things are too complicated to do. Why do people praise this platform when it’s actually a piece of useless? Should it really be so hard to log on and have a rant??

No, it shouldn’t!

We'll see if I ever get this new improved blog up and running, but from the look of it right now, I wouldn't expect it to happen any time soon.

Lady Chuckles is not chuckling at Wordpress!! >:(

The Music Box

2010-07-25T11:10:00.000+01:00

It's Irish-time! :)

I've been a great fan of all Irish music since I was ten years old. I'll admit it's a bit strange for a ten year old Scandinave to wish for fields, sheep, border collies, beer and happy musicians :)
I guess I love the story-telling of Irish music and I love it if the singer has a rememberable voice. Sure Ireland has loads and loads of ballads and beautiful songs, but I prefer the ones that make me smile and the ones that keep me going.

Many people have told me to listen to Mundy and especially "Galway girl", which I did, but I could never fully understand the thrill of it. It's just a song.
Or at least that's what I thought until I heard the Irish (as Gaeilge) version of it last week when I was browsing YouTube!

Now believe me, everything's a lot cooler in Irish - and this song in particular! :)
Instead of sighing at the English version I do my best to sing along with the Gaelic.

Have an excellent Sunday and enjoy some Irishness!

Crazy beautiful

2010-07-23T14:43:00.003+01:00

I love fairytale princesses!! ♥

I was browsing pictures of them earlier to enjoy some good old-fashioned dreaming of lovely dresses, beautiful hair, charming princes and happy endings.

I used to want to be a princess when I grew up. A princess who could speak all the languages in the world :)

I found really nice pictures.

... And this one made me smile.

Have a colourful weekend!

Happiness and excitement

2010-07-23T08:27:00.002+01:00

Last night there was a lot of old cars in town, the shops were opened longer than normally and the restaurant by the square served a buffée of grilled meat.

It was warm and wonderful and extra nice as I got to arrive in one of those old cars (the man who has the office next to mine collects them and offered me a lift). It was really nice! I had quite a lot of random happy thoughts on my mind too.
Like for example, I'm totally getting a veteran car myself, a few pets, driver's license for lorries, my new friend from Limerick, the coaching I've decided to get, my hairdresser friend and a bunch of cheerful songs. Normally when I get this happy and excited I'm told to calm down and be quiet and last night was no exception. A pity in a way.

Anyway, I got a dolphin painted on my face by that British artist who goes around town on such nights. I don't particularly like dolphins but I was happy to get something.
Later that night I pushed the dolphin (on my cheek) against Colm's chest and before I knew it I had made a stamp mark on him :)
It looked really cute and I had to laugh when I saw it.

It was a good evening out and I was happy.

Computers vs Real Life

2010-07-22T09:53:00.004+01:00

I can't help but to feel angry when people are talking about the real life ("RL" and "IRL" and all that) as if it is something negative.
I'm well aware it's slightly moody of me, but I can't help it. Why do people refuse to enjoy the world outside computers? Why can't they savour the best of both and make a healthy combination?

Don't get me wrong, I use a whole lot of computerized things and loving it. This blog is a prime example and so are all the friends I make on Magnificent Moods and Twitter (I wish all of these wonderful people could live next door).
I just seem to die a little inside when I realise more and more people only care for their computers and tries very hard to be able to be online 24-7 through mobile phones and such gadgets. It worries me - and it makes me sad no one has the time or the willingness to hang out in reality anymore, so whenever I get a comment about how RL wrecks things and being asked "how can you survive without an iPhone?" I do get angry.
Why not ditch the computer for a day and hang out with the people who love you and care for you? Why not show them how much you appreciate them back?

I think that I'm trying to say now is: if I offended you in some way when you're on about how great the computer world is and how reality sucks - get over it!!

... Actually, that is a bit harsh. I'd like to think I'm a nice girl and maybe I should try to say these things nicely, but it is hard when you shove a computer up my face and state how much better it is than life itself.

I dare you to go out and live for a day or two and in return I'll try my best to behave next time I get a computer tossed at me :)

Me and Barbamama

2010-07-21T14:59:00.005+01:00

I can't believe I got Barbamama!! :)

I collect the Barbapapa figures from those children's vending machines you can find outside some shops. It's quite silly of me, but I've never really collected anything before and getting the mother of the Barbapapa family today was absolutely splendid. Not only because I was missing her in my collection but also because today is a "girl's day"

... Yeah, what to I mean by that... It's a day when I look after myself a little extra. I'm dressed up neatly, I'm going off to the hairdresser as soon as I quit work for the day and after that white wine and food awaits me along with some of that jazzy music I like. Maybe I'll even paint my toe nails.

Getting Barbamama seems like such a great symbol for my evening with myself.
A girl's evening :)

Irishized

2010-07-20T12:40:00.002+01:00

As much as I can try to deny it, the truth will always be that I've turned slightly Irish over the past few years. It's even gone so far my friends eavesdrop when I'm on the phone to my boyfriend all while giggling at the accent I have nowadays. That happened to me last Saturday.

In all honesty a lot of things have happened with the way I talk since Himself came along. For example: I would never have gotten the idea in my head one could actually spell the word idiot "eejit" and I certainly wouldn’t be effing and cursing so much either.
Had it not been for that precious boyfriend I would never wonder what Colin Farrell is up to, start any sentences with “Ah now…” or chuckle at the notion of “Tallaghfornia” and Dustin the Turkey. (Even asking “what’s the craic?” would be totally strange to me).
So is this a good thing or a bad?

When I meet Irish tourists (it has happened once or twice) they pick up on my accent straight away. It’s quite flattering as they think I am one of them :)
I quite enjoy the thought of calling myself a buffalo or a biffo. I love the sense of belonging.

… But it’s not so good when I’m in Dublin, being a lost tourist, and everyone seems to think I’m just as native as the rest. A culchie who’s lost in the big city – and I should probably point out I’ve only ever been to Ireland twice.

A few times I’ve fooled Swedish people to believe I’m Irish as well (not on purpose of course, they just over-hear things) and that is very amusing.
The turn-off comes when my friends use my accent as an entertainment act and beg me to speak English to them, just so they can hear it. Though, that is probably a compliment to all Irish people out there – you have a gorgeous accent!

… So, to all of you who have no idea what I’m talking about: I’m sorry!
A non-Irish post will be out tomorrow :)

My love for games

2010-07-19T16:56:00.004+01:00

Perhaps I'm really childish but I do love video games!! :)
I'm not quite certain how this came to mind earlier today, but I started thinking of them Tomb Raider games I used to play with my Da :) I remember when my sister and I got a playstation for Christmas and my mother had bought Tomb Raider along with it (I guess it was included or so). I was probably around 12 or possibly 13 and the game really scared me with its mysterious places and sudden attacks of angry animals.

I've grown older since and I'm quite the feminist.
Still I don't understand when the so called feminist boys are giving out about the Tomb Raider games, saying they are degrading women and how it is (or was) only popular with the boys because they thought the main character, Lara Croft, was hot.
That still puzzles me and makes me snigger... What kind of boy would you be if you fancied a bunch of pixels that aren't so smooth around the edges in the first place? A woman with perfectly pyramid-shaped breasts when seen from the side? (It used to look horrible anyway!!)
It's almost as if I was to fancy Super Mario.

The truth be told, though, I'm happy to see that a good-looking woman can be tough and clever at the same time.
I'd love to spend an evening playing some Tomb Raider and have a beer or so.

... I guess that forces me to go out and get a playstation for my flat :)

The Music Box

2010-07-18T14:29:00.000+01:00

Growing up, Roxette always meant summer and a lot of fun outings with my counsins. Now, more than 15 years later, it still means the very same to me. I get fond memories of going to the beach or even on a long weekend to Denmark with my favourite counsins when I hear their older songs.
I don't know if it is beacuse I've heard it so often I think it suits today on the radio too. Nevertheless it never fails to make me happy and a little bit nostalgic. That's why I want to share it with you on my blog. Maybe you have some memories of Roxette as well?
(They are actually hooking up again this year doing a summer concert in a few weeks and the tickets were sold out in no time.)

This is one of my favourite songs of theirs. "How do you do!" (1992)

A late night call

2010-07-15T09:32:00.002+01:00

I'm tired and grumpy.
Mainly because some idiot thought it was a good idea to ring my phone at two o' clock in the morning. I was all cuddled up and snug and immensely dozy of course.
The first time it rang I decided to click it to make it go away. However it took the silly person in the other end only five minutes (or slightly less) to try again.

"Hello?" I said, my voice all thick and tired.
It went was quiet for a while. Then a heard a young man:
"Who is this?"
I never tell anyone who I am when randomers ask. Ever.
"Who's ringing me at 2 in the morning?" I asked instead.
"... I'm sorry. I must've misdialled."
"That's alright."
"Good."
"Bye."

That conversation totally wrecked the snugness and instead of calm I felt a bit rude.
Reassured by Coll I wasn't - I was able to relax again.
"Who has a party on a Wednesday night anyway?" I asked wearily. A party being the only reason for such a late night call I could think of.
"That's old people's talk." Coll smirked. "People have parties all the time."
I could see what he meant - and after a short party discussion I pulled him closer to me and fell asleep again :)

Still, though. One should never misdial in the middle of the night. There should be some sort of punishment for that, especially if they do it twice.

Dr Horrible

2010-07-14T19:27:00.005+01:00

Dr Pepper is vile.
Yes it is.
I can prove it.

Himself and I are just back from the shop in which he insisted we'd buy Dr Pepper. I don't really understand why, but he seems not to be totally repulsed by it. I remember when I had Dr Pepper the first time. I must've been twelve years of age when my sister and I had the not so brilliant idea to try it. It smelled disgusting and it tasted even worse. Don't get me wrong now, I am not fussy about food and drinks, nor is my sister but in the end we decided to pour it out because it was so disgusting.
And so today, that Irishman of mine makes me smell his drink and I immediately felt nauseous. What the hell is in that anyway? It smells and tastes like that penicillin I was forced to eat when I was younger.
Why would anyone buy it?

Wouldn't you rather have ice cream, chilli cheese doodles and passion fruit?
I would.

So I got that too.

Among stamps and ghosts

2010-07-13T12:51:00.004+01:00

Many things are amusing when you work at an office.
... Or when you're Lady chuckles :)

Yesterday I was doing a lot of stamping. I was meant to only use one stamp on one document for our own keep. It just so happened I lingered too long with the rubber-mark on top of the document so that it got an ugly-looking stain on it.
The thought of saving such an ugly document made me cringe so I decided to make a new neat one and then go mad with stamps on the one I had already ruined. I don't know what it is, but the feeling of putting stamps on things... My God, it's nice! :)
It may have started back when I was a little girl armed with a drawing pad and eight rubber-stamps in shapes of exotic animals... Like a zebra.

Today's little office amusement is the local ghost.
The other ladies are sure that there's a ghost living in our office (which by the way is located in a closed down railway station).
Anyhow: the doorbell has gone mad and started ringing non-stop on a few occasions today. I looked at the door figuring there must've been something interrupting the connection, but I couldn't see anything. (Not that I made an investigation or anything, I may have better things to do with my time :) ).
I went back to doing some photocopying while listening to the crazy doorbell thinking (very disappointedly) there's probably a natural explanation to it.
But oh how I wish it was a ghost.

The Music Box

2010-07-11T16:21:00.001+01:00

The best tip I have when it comes to relaxation and quality-time spent with oneself, is to kick back and listen to some old-fashioned jazz.

I’m soon to be 23 years old, so I feel a little bit precocious when I preach about Ella Fitzgerald's, Louie Armstrong's and Frank Sinatra’s greatness. I think this whole love for the jazzy, swingy music comes from the fact that you can’t find it anywhere anymore. The radio will try and shove you full of mass-produced pop, rock music and a few romantic ballads. Fair enough, they play music but you’ll soon find they play it over and over and over and over again. As a matter of fact, they’ll play it until your ears bleed. I used to love Ronan Keating’s song “Life is a rollercoaster” when it was new and out, a little embarrassing but I did. Until one day when I was just sick of it. It had been way over-played.

When it comes to jazz you’ll find the progression will be totally different from what you’re used to (unless you’re a jazz-freak like myself ☺ ) It’s often soft and soothing, there’s piano, brass and base. And a singer with a fantastic voice!
I don’t mind appearing old when I crouch up in my armchair with my wine, my magazine and my old jazz music. It’s what helps and you should try it too! ☺

A little time to myself

2010-07-10T17:01:00.000+01:00

I'm sorry it's taken me so long to update the blog.
I seem to have been over my head with work :)

Today however I got fed up with sitting indoors doing translation work, and I got slightly tired of waiting for my boyfriend to finish up his work so I decided to go off to town on my own and have a smoothie. It was a perfect day with sunshine and warmth. I wore my best clothes and I stopped by the local book shop where I bought a little something to read.
It was great fun chatting to the man working there as he always greets me with "How's the writer today?" :)
It makes me feel special and a little bit proud too.

I told him I was off with the book to the café next door to savour a smoothie while reading.
And so I did. It was absolutely gorgeous!

Just me, a great story and a cooling drink in the shaddow of an umbrella at the outdoor service. Mmmm...!

The good idea and the mistake

2010-07-07T12:42:00.000+01:00

I don't know why I turned to a canvas and some oil-paint as I'm a very poor artist. I guess I've just reached a point where my regular hobbies such as writing and sewing are hard work. When I come home after work I don't really fancy more work. It's enough running a household and keeping a job when you're exhausted (I don't dare to think what it had been like had I had children too).
Anyhow. I figured painting would be a relaxing hobby to try. It seemed effortless and fun. - It turns out I was right!

I sat down an hour last night and made a pretty okay-looking painting. I loved the way I could see the paint brush strokes and I loved the way the paint felt like goo when I was smearing it out.
It was splendid!

Still, one thing I puzzles me. Why on earth did I think it was a good idea to let it dry on the floor next to my bed??

Let's just say I managed to get my entire foot blue this morning before I went off to work.

Styled?

2010-07-06T12:01:00.003+01:00

Is it just me who think staff should be trained properly? Why can't they go on a one-day course at least?
You see, I went out to buy myself some clothes the other day. I had been looking forward to getting somewhat styled as I knew there was a professional stylist working in one of the local clothes shops. Very happy and a little bit nervous I stepped in and started to look around. It didn't take very long until I was offered some help so I asked for the lady who knew all about fashion and colours. To my great disappointment I was told she had quit.
There's very little one can do about that, so I decided to ask if the other one could help me instead and she agreed.

Nevertheless, I began to worry had it been sucha good idea when she started off with picking out a beige top, two sizes too big for me, and some white short pants along with a horrendous tunic (size L). I felt total despair looking at myself in the mirror, inside that small dressing room. The beige top looked litterary like a potato sack on me. It was not pretty or at all as elegant as I wanted her to make me.
"If I have the figure to wear tighter tops, which I have, shouldn't I do that?" I whispered.
She looked at the sack and realised it was way too big indeed.
"I guess so."

She didn't seem convinced, though, and it wasn't until I got on a tight top and a lovely coloured skirt she truly understood what I was on about. She just dropped her jaw and stared at me. (Now that's what I was looking for!!)
"You look beautiful! I see what you mean with the figure..."
I nodded and twirled a little - feeling tremendously good-looking.

I ended up buying that very expensive skirt, the white top to go with it and a dress totally in my colour that she picked out (it turns out after I had told her what I look good in, she managed to get it for me, even though I wanted her to dress me.)
I'm ever so happy that I got help, but sometimes I feel shops should educate their staff slightly more for the greater good of its service. Last time I went to get make-up help I had to tell the girl that I suit in darker colours and not pale and could. She should've known that. I paid for HER to know it.

YOUR summer plans

2010-07-05T14:28:00.001+01:00

Since I don’t get any holiday this summer I have decided to live every evening like it’s a holiday. That includes going to the beach, having Piña Coladas, listening to music, eating ice cream… All of those cheesy summery things :)

But since I’m not technically off work, I’d love to live the holiday dream through my lovely blog readers!
Do tell me all about what you’re up to this summer! Are you off to some exciting country? Are you savouring summer from your hammock? Or perhaps you have special summer holiday traditions?

Please write a comment and let me know!

Happy holiday

2010-07-05T12:21:00.003+01:00

I've had such a gorgeous weekend!
It started wonderfully with breakfast in bed and a little road trip which included lunch and a pink nail polish. I even got my toe-nails painted and a backrub from my better half :)
No wonder I'm in a cheery mood today and I do most things just the way I like them.

… Sure I know my boss wants me to take pictures of properties when we're photographing, but sometimes I just can't help myself. Animals are so much nicer than estates and when I’m happy, I’m REALLY happy! :)

The Music Box

2010-07-04T11:26:00.000+01:00

Surprise, surprise! - We're going to go somewhat "regular" on the Music Box today :)
Summertime is usually full of laidback cool songs to listen to, songs the radios are playing until your ears bleed and I actually like some of them. This time I'm half obsessed with "Rising girl", I'm not sure what it is precisely I guess it's the ukulele solo and the silly chorus that makes me smile. I love feel-good music.
The band is called Lovestoned and they are from Stockholm. Apparently they were on the Swedish Eurovision earlier this year, with another song, but since I was boycotting the entire event I totally missed it.

Kick back and enjoy some nice summery music :)

Spiderman is stupid

2010-07-01T22:43:00.003+01:00

I know, I know... I should be asleep at this hour but I'm up watching Spiderman 3.
Not because I like it especially, but because it fascinates me... Just grasping the fact that someone said: "Hey, let's make a new superhero and let's make him turn into a spider and fight crime." is so difficult.

How is a spider cool? Or, as it is, a boy dressed in a blue and red pyjamas? He's probably the stupidest of all the superheroes out there.

It's even harder to understand this film number three. It contains intrigues and drama rather than action and crime fightning. The poor lad suffers girl problems, friend problems, problems of the past and at some point his suit even turns black and he gets angry and evil (or something like that, if I understood it properly) ... What's that all about?

I am utterly dissatisfied and I do honestly wonder why I sat up to watch this crap on tv... But then again. It's always nice to look at a computerized, dysfunctional hero with love issues.

Or not.

Magnificent News

2010-07-01T09:34:00.000+01:00

I'm thrilled to say my better half has requested to do some occasional blogging on Magnificent Moods. I'm not sure exactly what he will write, nor does he want to tell me. He has threatened to tell you all about "the REAL" Lady Chuckles...

Hehehe, keep an eye out for Himself :)

The wedding picture rant

2010-06-29T10:40:00.002+01:00

I saw a wedding picture when I was on my way home yesterday afternoon and it made me terribly angry. Sure it is in fashion to take silly-looking and humorous photographs of the newly weds nowadays, but this one just want over the top and killed everything romantic and fun! It was a disgrace!

The bride was swinging a golf club and the groom was lying on the grass with the golf ball in his mouth. She had a bit of a weird smile on her face and he was just lying there like an ugly lump of fancy clothes. What on earth was the photographer thinking? What was the couple thinking??
That kind of treatment is something you see the bad guys doing to someone they're blackmailing in so-so thrillers! What was the purpose of this horrible picture? Does it mean that the woman is the boss in that matrimony? That she eventually will kill him?

I'm not happy. I'm outraged!! As angry as one can possibly be.
"The happiest days of their life" was eternalised with something cruel and terribly vulgar. All I can do is hope that THEY like it and truly hope they won't look back at it regretting ever posing like that (especially for her sake I hope that).

If I ever get married I am not to have my picture taken where I come off as a bossy bitch >:(

The Music Box

2010-06-27T09:33:00.003+01:00

After this Midsummer holiday and as many keyed fiddles one could possibly bear to hear, it is time to gear down.

It's time for a gentle little song here in the Music Box. Normally I don't really care for slow and calm songs, they tend to make me cry rather than relax, but this one is different in so many ways.
The singer, Diogal, is from Senegal and the song posted below is called "Sore". It's sung in Wolof which is one of the African languages used in Senegal. I love listening to it when I need to relax! His voice is fantastic and the song itself is calm and soothing without losing rythm or making me sad in anyway.

It actually makes me happy :)

Midsummer

2010-06-25T09:28:00.002+01:00

Happy Midsummer, everyone! :)

I'm off to see if the dances around the May pole has started in town yet.

Have a splendid day!!

Kisses and hugs,

Lady Chuckles

Midsummer celebrations

2010-06-24T09:14:00.002+01:00

Sometimes when I update my blog I get so carried away I forget to explain a few things :)
In my last post I mentioned the Swedish celebration of Midsummer and was naturally asked about the festivities, so I thought I'd put up an entire post about it in order to explain it properly :)

We celebrate Midsummer tomorrow (24/6, but the date changes slightly every year). We do it to celebrate the sun and the bright nights.

The traditional meal would consist of pickled herring (not very tasty unless you're used to it), early potatoes boiled with dill, eggs and salad. In my family we happen to have two men not eating herring (or any other fish really), and growing up I didn't either, so our tradition is to have some ham as well. For dessert we have fresh strawberries with milk (or cream, or vanilla ice cream)

Oh, and the May pole. We have May poles!
It's basically a huge cross with two rings in each end. It's dressed up with birch and flowers and we sing and dance around it. It’s a fertility symbol that the church modified to a cross. There are many stories about how it came to be, so I’m not going to explain it any more than that just to be on the safe side.

According to Swedish legends, Midsummer Eve's night is a magical night. For example, if you pick seven different kinds of flowers and put them under your pillow you will dream about the one you'll marry.

It’s amazing in a way. The meal is simple, the tradition is simple, but it’s really festive at the same time.

Idiot-talk

2010-06-22T12:54:00.002+01:00

Another other thing that is great about working in my office... Nah, I'm only joking :)

Today we celebrated (an early) Midsummer by cooking the traditional food and inviting all of our employees to the office building to have lunch together. I loved arranging for it! - carrying chairs and tables to the backyard, helping a coworker shop for potatoes and strawberries and just hanging out with them. Lunch was lovely, the weather brilliant and the company grand.
The only thing missing turned out to be my conversation skills.

Now... I'm a girl who can talk, but sometimes I don't really think before I do. The people around me were discussing food saying that if something smells good it's probably tasty and the other way around. I doze in the sun where I sit and suddenly I hear myself say that soap smells nice but it doesn't taste nice at all. My boss turns around, looks at me and says: "No... But I would hope you don't eat that" - this is followed by a few seconds' pause before he continues: "... You don't, do you?"

Normally I'd start obsessing a bit about it, thinking what a bleedin' idiot I am for saying such stupid things while being genuinely embarassed. But this time I just laugh. It doesn't bother me.

Bottom line is: lunch was ever so tasty and I got to work a lot, but I may have to work on my conversation skills :)

Another good thing about the office

2010-06-22T09:10:00.001+01:00

I know it's getting boring to see my feet everywhere, but I have a point this time I swear! :)

I just realised another thing offices are great for is wearing new shoes. Work is the perfect place for me to get used to my new shoes without making my feet bleed. I don't walk a lot when I'm there and if I do it's okay to wear those other shoes - and no one can really tell what shoes I'm wearing under the desk so if I want to have bare feet that fine too.
It's brilliant! Everyone should get an office job.

The office thingy

2010-06-21T09:34:00.000+01:00

Sometimes, believe it or not, working in an office can be quite exciting. There are so many wonderful things to look at and play with.

This see-through little thingy is my most recent discovery. I have no clue what it is, nor do I really care. All that matters is - I want it :)

The Music Box

2010-06-20T19:57:00.001+01:00

I thought it was about time to do some time travelling in the Music Box again. This time we don't have to go so far back in time, I'll settle for the 80's :)
When I grew up I was obsessed with the music from the 80's. I used to take my parents music tapes from that decade and make them my own. One can do nothing but to like the silly dances, clothes and rythms. Oh, and the cheesy smiles of course :)
One of my favourite groups was of course Modern Talking, but it would be very obvious putting them in this post. Instead I'm choosing "Tokyo town" with Sarah. It's perfectly soaked in the 80's style.
I don't know a whole lot about the singer, but I do know I played this song a bunch of times... On repeat :)

What a wonderful day

2010-06-19T18:33:00.001+01:00

I had a perfect Saturday!!

Colm and I had an early start of the day and left for a bigger town. I had promised him I'd take him to the circus and for some lunch (to make up for the missing out on the circus last week when I was too sick to go)
Obviously I forced him to come with me while I did some shopping as well, hehe... I love and hate shopping. It's wonderful when you find something that suits you and makes you feel great. This day was not one of those days. Instead I bought a Barbapapa keyring in one of those coin vending machines for children outside the supermarket :)

The circus was terrific, lunch was ever so tasty and the weather stayed gorgeous. I couldn't have asked for anything else.

My latest hate figure

2010-06-18T12:40:00.002+01:00

Ok, I get it. They're there for a reason.

No spam ... Brilliant.

But what the flippin' flipp are they saying?! I hate those bleedin' captchas sometimes! I'm not able to read them. Worst are the websites that gives you difficult ones after difficult ones. I recall myself having to refresh a website five times in order to get the characters right. Is it supposed to be like that?

Only once have they actually pleased me. That was when I signed up to I-don't-remember-what and was introduced to the words: court & piggiest

I love being courted and you can never go wrong with a word like piggiest.
Needless to say they were easy read as well :)

Cherry, cherry lady

2010-06-17T12:23:00.011+01:00

My bank account finally got that refill it so desperately needed and like the little girl I am, I immideately run out to spend some of it in town. So what would a lady like me buy? Shoes? Clothes? A llama? Or possibly a rubber duckie? :)

Naaah, I obviously rush off to buy some cherries :) (hence the picture...)

Even though I must confess I was tempted to buy one of them huge rubber ducks, but there's no real point to it as I don't even have a tub...

These were the first cherries of the year for me. I even had to hurry with the camera, 'cos I just gulp them down in a few seconds and they're gone forever :) They were immensly tasty and the truth is I've been dying for some fruit - so after being sick I reckon I've earned them.

Also, I'm really looking forward to that bouquet of daisies I plan on buying. It may sound like a total waste, but having colourful things around cheers me up and makes me ever so delighted.

It really is the little things in life, eh? :)

Working 9 to 5

2010-06-16T09:20:00.002+01:00

I’m back at work and it feels great!
It’s also as if I haven’t talked to anyone in forever, so I tend to talk a whole lot of random auld things and making little comments on the things I do and others do – just to make conversation. The gorgeous weather is making everything even better. We were sitting outdoors having our breakfast in the sunshine and the big boss was making jokes (as always) and I couldn’t help but laughing. I’m just very comfortable here and they have an excellent sense of humour :)
Sometimes, however, I am doubting my chores here. I’m not sure I was meant to do advertising and marketing (nice as it may be, and talented as I know I am in this field) but right now I enjoy the environment and the giggles so much it doesn’t quite matter that I’d prefer to become a police officer, air-traffic controller or an opera singer. I love my colleagues and I have a nice time here. Next year, or even after Christmas if possible, I’m going to start off new and do something I would like doing. Find a proper, suitable carreer.

Recovering

2010-06-14T10:16:00.005+01:00

It is a little bit lonely staying at home. Everyone else seem so important and get to go places while I just nap, ALL THE TIME! On the other hand, one should savour it and not feel so terribly lazy.

This is the first time in a while I'm actually online and oh what fun it is. I even played some Petville :)

I've spent the entire week at my parents' (I had a very worried mother, you see) and it's been good. I've been sleeping and playing with the cats and reading that romancy book I bought a while back. There are so many things you have time to do when you're not going to work.

... And looking at it like that, I'm going to have a nap after lunch. Just because I can :)

The Music Box

2010-06-13T18:40:00.002+01:00

I've come to realise it's quite tiring to be ill... :)
Luckily I have been able to keep my humour up as I've been napping in bed or on the sofa (or in the sofa bed). The truth be told I've had a whole bunch of chuckles and I'm recovering quite well with the medicine and the sleeping.
The music box will be slightly different this week. I would like to share a video that has given me some good chuckles while I've been sick and since it involves some music I thought it would be a good idea to share it :)

The clip (which I was unable to embed this time) is taken from Mr Bean goes on Holiday and as we say in Sweden: "A good laugh gives a longer life".
... Besides, I am a great opera fan.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bxrM3DD6J7s&feature=related

With an aching body

2010-06-09T14:29:00.005+01:00

Oi, oi, oi... What have I dragged myself into this time?
As you may have noticed my blog posts have not been updated as frequently this week as it has before. The simple reason to this is that my body finally got tired after all the worrying, struggling and fighting my way through life. I spent the entire Monday at the doctor's who sent me off to a specialist who put my on the sick list and prescribed some medicine. Apparently my immune system has shut down in some senses so I spend my days eating medicine, sleeping and moaning over the pain in my body :)

I am a little bit sad too, as I promised Colm we'd go to the circus this week. Sadly, it is probably not a good idea for me to hang out with hundreds of people and a bunch of elephants anymore, having a weak defense system. I hope to make it up to him by finding another circus to go to this summer.

I curse that I became sick. I don't normally do sick.
But at the same time it has taught me something and made a few things clearer. Besides, once this is healed perhaps I won't be so down anymore. For all I know my weak immune system could've played in all those times I've felt so lousy recently. I hope when this goes away, it goes away forever :)

The Music Box

2010-06-06T18:35:00.004+01:00

At first I thought it would be quite a challenge coming up with some more music for the box project I started last week, but oh no it wasn't :)

Today is the Swedish national day and since I was previously asked by one of my lovely blog readers to write some more about Scandinavia - I thought celebrating 6th of June in the Music Box would be a good idea.
Turns out though, while searching for a good example of Swedish folkmusic I got totally distracted and started listening for my own amusement instead :)

6th of June has not been a proper holiday for long. In a way the Swedes are a little bit timid when it comes to waving flags and singing the national anthem in public. Some people has in them to believe it's a racist act to do so, other get really angry when it is said it's racist to basically be a Swede. Nevertheless, there was a nice celebration going on, on the town square today. A lot of music and singing and great weather on top of it all!

If you care to listen to the Swedish National Anthem this is a good version with some nice photographs to go with it:

Since I did so much youtubing, I just couldn't leave it there... I decided to go for something extra as well and add some Swedish folkmusic :)

Have a lovely evening!!

Lucky me

2010-06-03T15:13:00.000+01:00

Today must be my lucky day. I found a little box of sweets in my purse! :)
I've therefore basically spent the entire afternoon researching which colour tastes the nicest. Summing it up you can say they're all kinda sour and disgusting... I think it's because they're dextrose tablets the off-license gave me yesterday as to say thanks for voluntarily showing them my ID. (Sweden is very strict with buying alcohol you HAVE TO BE 20 years of age and all the "off-license" shops are state owned.)
Anyhow... Not only is it my lucky day, it seems it's my boring day too... So here are the scores:

Red: 5 - At first it tasted like the inside of a press... But then I could feel some sort of strawberry flavour which wasn't all too bad.

Orange: 0 - this was a disgrace to anything tasting remotely like oranges. Vile!

Green: 2 - Is this supposed to taste like pear? 'Cos it sure didn't. Yuck!

Yellow: 3 - This one was sour and bland. I can live with that.

Conclusion made: These shops should focus on selling good wine instead of distributing horrible sweets. Further more, the tiny peach ones I got last time was way nicer!
I'll ask for them next time I show my ID :)

Breakfast at the Office's

2010-06-03T09:17:00.000+01:00

One thing I do everyday is preparing breakfast for the entire office. They send me to the town hall cafeteria to buy that ever it is we may want (and need) for our daily breakfast at 9:30. At first I wasn't sure if I liked that task. It's so... It's so... Well, I don't quite know exactly, it just seems it's a useless, low rank task to perform. Nevertheless I've started taking to it and I actually enjoy strutting around in the town hall on my way to the cafeteria.

I stop and look at stuff out of interest, I greet people I meet and it's overall very nice.There is one thing that is especially nice though. The fact that the cafeteria ladies know my name. I was introduced only once, ever. That was over a month ago now and no one called me by name before until just a few weeks back.

"Eibhlín this." "Eibhlín that." "I'll help you, Eibhlín." they say and it's actually really quite nice.

It makes me feel well taken care of. It fills my heart with joy. They know my name and they are bothered enough to use it :)
Today they even sent some ham with me for free. The lady handing it to me said it's because it's an end piece so I wouldn't have to put that down. I looked at the ham and it looked very normal to me and not tiny at all.
I would like to think they gave it to me just because they like me :)

The Dr. Phil abstinence

2010-06-02T14:00:00.003+01:00

Sure it’s great that the Swedish Crown Princess finally gets to marry her man of the people. Some Swedes are sadly dissatisfied with the monarchy these days (just because the wedding is going to be pricy they reckon a president would be a lot better... What eejits!) but I’m really happy for them. They deserve all the happiness they can get, so as far as I’m concerned the wedding is a terrific idea!
… Apart from maybe one thing.
I discovered earlier this week that they’ve cancelled Dr. Phil in order to put in some sort of extra program about weddings!
I’m personally as far away from getting married as anyone can possibly get, we already have enough pre-wedding things on TV and I happen to LOVE Dr. Phil!

When I cook dinner after work, I need him to be there and talk some sense in my otherwise so crazy and confused little world. I can celebrate the lovely Crown Princess in another channel at another time… But Dr. Phil is sacred!

Weekend thoughts

2010-06-01T08:29:00.002+01:00

I forgot to tell that I went to visit a friend last weekend. She lives quite far away so I spent almost three hours on the bus to go see her. It was really nice of course, to go off and meet an old friend like that. Even the bus journey was wonderful!

The bus drove through the town where I grew up and I finally got to spend some time in the county I feel I belong.
You see, I moved to the coastal area around 8 years ago, before I had finished school or anything. This, to me, new county had a lot of open areas, fields and windmills. I really enjoyed the new place and the view from the nearby hill was (and still is of course) absolutely stunning. You can see miles and miles ahead of you and I swear that is truly liberating.
The county I grew up in – on the other hand – contained nothing but deep forests, characteristic red wooden houses and stories about vicious trolls and witches. It felt like a relief to move closer to the sea and getting out of the bush, but as I have never really returned at all since I realised there on the bus just how much I miss it.
The silly accent that I so luckily don’t have, the patches where the radio connection sucks between the trees and even the cutover areas (that I used to hate so immensely) appeared absolutely gorgeous! :)

Which one would you prefer? Forest or field?

The Music Box

2010-05-30T11:29:00.001+01:00

Today is the grand premiere of Lady Chuckles’ Music Box.
Now I know well I listen to a lot of werdities and this day is probably not an exception. I’m a great sucker for old music, from the 50’s or 60’s and I also happen to love foreign music therefore I’ve decided to open my Sunday Music Box with Japanese music from the early 60’s :)

Haha, I know, I know… But I’m fairly sure you’ll recognize the song when you hear it.

The song is called “Ue wo muite arukō” (上を向いて歩こう) but is commonly known as “Sukiyaki” outside of Japan. I think that change of title is a pity. The original one means “I look up when I walk” (Basically he sings: “I look up when I walk so that my tears won’t fall” – beautiful and meaningful lyrics) and sukiyaki is some sort of food that has got nothing what so ever to do with this wonderful song.

Anyway: this is the original version, sung by Kyo Sakamoto.
Enjoy!

The art of writing

2010-05-29T13:19:00.000+01:00

I’m back to writing again. It feels tremendously deliberating!
I had a period of time where I didn’t write at all, a time when too many things came in the way. The only bad thing with this strong urge to write is that there’s no real stop to it. I dream about writing when I’m sleeping and I daydream about it when I’m awake and at work. It’s a great desire to be creative that flows within me.
I’ve started doing the final touch ups on the novel I completed a few months back. It almost makes me sad to think I’ve left it lying around for so long :)

I aim to keep this work up. I love writing and when I’m on a roll like this I should try to keep it as long as I possibly can.

Trips and stories

2010-05-28T09:02:00.002+01:00

I’m looking forward to this day to begin properly. I only work until lunch and then I’m off to see a friend of mine who I haven’t seen for one and a half year. It’s about time to meet up again! I have a whole bunch of things I’d like to take care of before then, though. Such as packing, doing a swift tidying up in my flat, having lunch, showering, painting my nails and ideally wash my compression stockings… Needless to say, I am not the most organized of people at times.

Fortunately the day at the office started great as well. My most recent reader (a lady at work) is half way through my debut novel and she says it’s really touching and very sweet. She likes it a lot. I just hope she’ll still like it when she has finished reading. I always get a little nervous, especially when people I hang out with a lot read it.

Anyhow, it’s bound to be a good day and I look forward to setting my imagination free on that three and a half hour bus ride :)

A bomb?

2010-05-27T07:25:00.001+01:00

The building next to my work has been closed off by the police.
I work beside the town hall where all the politicians are and today they found a big box in the stairwell, wrapped with silver tape and the text “This may not be taken away” (It’s apparently written in English). This is the time I wish I was still working for the local newspaper. I’d love to go out there and hang out with the police.
This building has been threatened like this before and it turned out to be nothing. This is probably (hopefully) the same.

It make the day a little bit more intriguing when you find a hundred evacuated politicians and town hall workers outside your office window.
I’ll keep you posted :)

Added at 09:20 - Turns out I'm evacuated as well now...

Being Chuckles

2010-05-26T21:04:00.001+01:00

I live and love being Lady Chuckles.
My day wouldn’t be the same without the blog and the smiles it blesses me with. Therefore I am expanding to Facebook as well. I used to really hate Facebook and I rarely update my personal page, but I would be a lot more active if I had a Lady Chuckles one…
And luckily I do! :)

Feel free to join me on Facebook!

Chuckles on Facebook

A music box

2010-05-26T10:55:00.001+01:00

I finally got my mp3-player back! Colm found it somewhere in his flat and brought it to me. I was thrilled to get my crappy music back! :)
Now I keep it with me at work so that when I create these information leaflets I’m able to have some music on in the background. It’s really nice!

I do pick on my music style a lot, but I actually love my crazy music – and I love digging into all sorts of weird old things no one else cares to listen to. I’m therefore starting a new project here on Magnificent Moods: Every Sunday I’d like to present you to some good music.
If you like music as much as I do and you keep an open mind, I’m sure I’ll be able to remind you of a few old songs you used to like and introduce you to something new and exciting :)

Thank God for friends!

2010-05-25T22:05:00.003+01:00

THANK GOD FOR FRIENDS!!

I've had the most horrible day! It's night time now and I find myself alone and crying in my stupid little flat. Sobbing over a broken heart and seemingly shattered dreams.
Sure life isn't supposed to be easy, but sometimes I'd like for it to just give me a break. I've fought hard for everything I believe in and my energy is running out. I just need something sollid in my life. Something I can depend on always being there. Right now there is no such thing.

There's one thing though, and that is friends. Even at this hour I managed to find two close friends of mine to talk things over with. I cried and I talked. I talked and I cried.
But I felt so much better afterwards and they've even managed to make me stop crying for the moment. Hopefully I'll be able to sleep properly.

If I do it will all be thanks to them.

Little creative me

2010-05-25T09:12:00.003+01:00

I'd probably die if I wasn't allowed to create anything new!

I took some time to finish that necklace I meant to do last night (the one I bought lovely read beads for). It turned out to be a little bit tricky to get the rings at the edges on properly. Especially difficult was the ring that went on to the lock, but I struggled and I made it work.

It's a gorgeous creation and I hope to be able to wear it with something soon. I also have a few beads left over, just about enough to make a bracelet to go with it :)

It was so nice to just let the hands work, letting my mind drift and stop thinking for a while.

... You who read my blog every so often would know I spend a lot of time thinking. Obviously not thinking about relevant stuff, but that's another matter... :)

The washing rant

2010-05-24T16:08:00.003+01:00

I could have an afternoon rant about that job I didn't get despite my excellent application, but I won't. I have actually - believe it or not - encountered an even greater problem.
You see, I was stopping by the shop on my way home today, I needed to buy washing powder and fabric softener. I bought a total of four items and yet it was tremendously expensive!
It's far from surprising that it was the stupid washing products that cost a fortune. It makes me wonder. Why does it have to be like that? Why should it cost to smell good?
To be honest, I don't think the market wants regular people to wash their clothes or themselves for that matter ('cos let's face it, schampoo isn't cheap either)

I should really stop buying these things. I don't even like washing anyway! :)

Possibly a bit overwhelmed

2010-05-24T13:17:00.001+01:00

I had a wonderful weekend!
My sister came back from France and it was great to see her again. I am also planning to make her a dress or a skirt of her choice. I’ll make a “Lady Chuckles and Sister - Runway Project” :)
Hopefully I’ll get her to come over to me for an evening or so – and we’ll come up with a pattern that would match her style and I could do some measuring as well J I’m actually looking forward to it a lot. I’m definitely going to pretend that I’m on Project Runway! Hahaha!

Furthermore, the weather was brilliant so Colm and I went for a long walk together. We went to look in some shops and we had lunch out in a little restaurant. It was lovely!
I felt really special and I had great fun.

Even yesterday was very nice, when I got some time to myself for writing purposes. My life just isn’t complete if I can’t be on my own on occasion and do some serious writing.
People just got off my back (I’ve noticed it’s hard to get off your own back when the people around you won’t) and let me do my thing. It was terrific!

Yeah… I’m very happy to have my sister back, I’m very much in love and I’m so happy to have found my writing muse again :)

Magnificent Moods

www.lady-chuckles.com

Ireland smells

Happies

Splendid conversations

The plain sofa

A colourful rant

Am I right to pick the green colour?

Excitement!

Glueing stuff together (the new project)

Annoying Chuckles

The offer

Home, sweet home

Open letter to Bill Bailey

Charlotte LaBouff and Me

A funeral, a party and a fight

The celebration

Lady Chuckles Day

Too young to be old

A sparkling Monday

Insignificant

The Music Box

Penguins are make-belief

Stupid, stupid, stupid

I miss Ireland

The DimBots

Shame on me!

The offline world

A weekly chuckle

To all the hurt men

Silence is gold

Good and bad at the same time

I do wonder what it is like to be a man…

The yoga mat

The flushed-down bunny

Pampered!

Root beers

Looking, sounding and seeming tired

日本語でなんと言いますか

Happy, happy me

Making friends?

Hot or not?

The transformation

Moving

Back!

The awful massage

Sleepy Swede

To move or not to move...

The Music Box

Discrimination again

The chuckling farmer

Frustrated!

The Music Box

Crazy beautiful

Happiness and excitement

Computers vs Real Life

Me and Barbamama

Irishized

My love for games

The Music Box

A late night call

Dr Horrible

Among stamps and ghosts

The Music Box

A little time to myself

The good idea and the mistake

Styled?

YOUR summer plans

What do you like most about summer?

Happy holiday

The Music Box

Spiderman is stupid

Magnificent News

The wedding picture rant

The Music Box

Midsummer

Midsummer celebrations

Idiot-talk

Another good thing about the office

The office thingy