lisa in london

Holiday - again!

2009-08-09T11:06:00.003+01:00

Tomorrow Scotland and the festival, yey!!

For those how you that have never been, Fringe Festival is the biggest arts festival in the world - and also the number-one tourist attraction in the whole of Britain! All according to www.edfringe.com; check it out!

Really looking forward to it, gonna have a blast with Jess! Just keeping fingers crossed for the weather, every time I've been Edinburgh it's been like taking a shower every time you step outside the door..... Wish us luck this time! ;)

L x

Good news!

2009-08-05T14:26:00.001+01:00

It's finally settled - I'm keeping my job! Hurrah!

How to celebrate.... hmmm... shopping?! ;)

L x

Andalucia -09.

2009-08-01T10:38:00.017+01:00

This was the route:
Malaga - Ronda - Sevilla - Cadiz - Estepona - Nerja - Granada - Malaga.

This was the weather:
Hot, hot, hot, hoooooot. And sunny - absolutely gorgeous!

This was the mission:
Beach, culture, food, chill, fun!

Jojo took charge of the driving, I of the navigation. Considering that we had no road map and guided our little car through a quite substantial part of Andalucia using only a Top 10 Guidebook and mobile photos of Google Earth, I think we did very well indeed.

Short summary in photos:

On the road.

Gorgeous Ronda.

Seville Cathedral - magnificent.

Cadiz.

Nerja - pretty close to paradise.

View over Alhambra & Granada.

Long time, no write...

2009-07-23T10:15:00.003+01:00

Hi guys,

It's been ages, I know - mainly because this whole job thing is still dragging on - yes, seriously, i still don't know the answer. Could be another month now apparently. Love my job, so still hoping for the best. Am hopeful all will work out!

So, what else has happened since April? Well normal stuff really; hanging with friends, working hard, having random crushes on cute boys, going to the gym, shopping far too much.... You know, the usual.

And - I've been to Spain with Johanna. It was lovely lovely lovely! Will write a belated travel diary in my next post! (And no, it won't take 3 months between posts anymore... ;))

More fun is coming up; Edinburgh Fringe Festival in August with Jessi - gonna be brilliant fun. Plus mum really really wants me to come over to Fagersta one weekend sooooooon so I'll do my best!

Watch out for the Spain post, coming up shortly!

Over and out,

L x

En månad kvar...

2009-04-07T13:39:00.005+01:00

...innan någon annan, inte jag, bestämmer vilken riktning mitt liv kommer ta den närmsta framtiden. Håller tummarna. Hoppas på det bästa.

Förändring är inte önskeordet just nu - längre fram ja, men låt mig välja när. Snälla.

L x

Kära Sverige.

2009-04-07T13:28:00.009+01:00

Vad trevligt det var att träffa dig i all din vårvintriga glans! Som vårdande balsam för själen att vandra längs istäckt sjö med världens lyckligaste hund bredvid sig; att känna vinden bita lite sådär lagom i kinderna medan solen långsamt går ner över lila och rosafärgade grantoppar.

Ibland längtar jag.

L x

PS. Det var hemskt fruktansvärt underbart ljuvligt trevligt att träffa er också - Claudi, Jojo, Roubis, Lollo, Salmis, Axel, mamma, Bosse, lillebror. DS.

Sunshine outside - and inside.

2009-03-22T20:06:00.005Z

It's been a lovely weekend. Sunny, unusually warm for March, gloriously blue skies.

Yest walked both sides of Thames; south with A & C, north lost in my own thoughts. Later went out with the ViaS girls; weird slash amusing tiny tiny basement club which gave me an almost irresistible impulse to burst out in song: "Let's do the time-warp agaaaaain"... Incredible outfits: full on Austin Power girls mixed with indie/60s/etc. Shame had to leave-with-the-last-tube as per always... well, well; fun while it lasted!

Today has been one of those homely days. Launderette-ing/hoovering/cleaning/sorting/fixing. Hate cleaning but looooove it when all done.

Now; relax.

L x

Two crazy weeks.

2009-03-21T11:08:00.002Z

It's been two crazy weeks at work - as in lots and lots and lots and lots of things to do. Hopefully the bulk of it is now done, wehey!! It better be actually, cuz I'm off on hols most of next week - to Sweeeeden!! Brill, can't wait! :)

Today is a glorious sunny day and I'm off to meet some friends for a loooong walk by the Thames. Life is good.

L x

TGIW.

2009-03-14T14:32:00.009Z

It's been a crazy crazy week at work - not gonna go into detail cuz that would be very boring indeed - but let's just say that everything that in any way shape or form whatsoever could go wrong has done so. Either you tear you hair out or you laugh. So I've laughed a lot! ;)

So yeah, TGIW. Weekends rock! Just chilling at Starbucks now, drinking Chai Tea Latte (skinny, extra Chai) and fighting off the remains of my slight hangover from yesterday.

Went out with the blondes around Hoxton, ate Moroccan mezze, danced to silly tunes (yes, the famous microwave-soup-dance made an appearance), looked at cute boys, drank far too much red wine. Plus found the most delicious espresso-honey-Kahlua-chocolate-ish cocktail ever.

Now; chill.

L x

It's work....

2009-03-11T22:00:00.000Z

...that's keeping me from writing once again. Sorry!

Letting go..?

2009-03-08T14:43:00.017Z

If you know me, you know I like to have things controlled/planned/organized. Not everything of course, I don't care much about small silly things like which movie to see/where to have lunch/which bar to go to/etc. But when it comes to my own life I like to feel that I'm in control, not being controlled.

I'm having a lot of difficulty at the moment accepting that in "the current economic climate" etc etc; I really don't have much say at all in what's happening in my life. No one does, of course - I'm not stupid, I realise that. But I'm used to having choices, to be able to steer my life where I want it to go. And so far - in a very broad sense - wherever I've wanted to be, that's where I've ended up.

All of a sudden I'm not in control of anything - life/living/work... it's really scaring me.

But I have to learn to take a deep breath and let go for once. Otherwise I'll worry myself sick. So here we go, deep breaths, closed eyes, counting slowly to ten....

....letting go.

L x

Marley & Me.

2009-03-04T15:08:00.019Z

Yesterday, me and Cissi went to a free preview screening of Marley & Me, starring Jennifer Aniston & Owen Wilson - plus an adorable cast of various dogs of course.

I would really recommend this film; especially to anyone who ever have had the privilege of sharing their life with one of those glorious creatures called dogs. The movie is funny, sweet, sad at times - mainly lighthearted admittedly, but also with darker moments. It doesn't get too fluffy. And don't worry; it's not all about dog-human relationships; there's quite a bit of the human-human variety too.

I can't speak for Cissi, but I certainly had a tear in my eye at the end.

L x

Worries & Chocolate.

2009-03-02T13:42:00.007Z

Everyday you read about thousands and thousands more people being made redundant/unemployed/not needed. In all countries, in all cities, in all types of businesses. Even in little Fagersta hundreds and hundreds, out of a total workforce of a few thousand, are now - or will soon - be unemployed. Scary.

I don't like uncertainty. So I've been eating a lot of chocolate recently.

I don't really think chocolate will solve any major world crises. But oh my good does it taste good. Mmm. And a bag of Maltesers can surely keep your mind occupied for, like, 10 whole minutes. I guess that means I would have to eat, like, 96 bags per day to keep my mind completely off the state of the world... Honestly, I wouldn't mind.

More chocolate to the people, y'all.

L x

My useless body.

2009-02-27T13:11:00.014Z

Here I am, trying to get into the routine of going to the gym regularly. Trying hard to make my body healthier, fitter, stronger.

And how does my body thank me? By completely malfunctioning at every opportunity it gets!!

This year, I've had constant colds, one after another, like, totally, the whole year so far. A few weeks ago my neck nearly killed me after yoga; all last week I was limping after the treadmill; this week my left knee stopped working after the cross trainer. Pain pain pain!

I'm trying to be good here, body. Cooperate!!

Tomorrow is payday.

2009-02-26T16:16:00.011Z

Hurray!!!!!!!

You have no idea how much I wanna shop. Shop, shop, SHOP! the more I hear of doom and gloom and redundancies and cut backs and recruitment stops, the more I want to shop shop shop and spend spend spend.

Not ideal.

What i should be doing is nesting, saving, planning, budgeting, preparing.

What i want to do is shopping - new clothes, furniture, a digital SLR, and shoes shoes shoes.

My empty wallet is itching. Tomorrow it will be replenished - but for how long....?

To shop or not to shop - that is the question.

L x

The realities of war...

2009-02-25T20:14:00.005Z

Three British soldiers were killed in Afghanistan today.

One of them was the little brother of someone I know. Only 21 years old. He had but a few weeks of service left before he was due back on British soil. Now he's gone.

The pain in his big sisters eyes was indescribable.

A sad day.

I just had waaaaaaay to much chocolate.

2009-02-24T19:53:00.001Z

I feel sick.

L x

I'm not picky...

2009-02-24T12:06:00.006Z

...any of these will do quite fine, thank you.

One
Two
Three

L x

Bye bye Bobby.

2009-02-23T11:28:00.004Z

The Zoo with Cissi & MJ yest was lovely, as always.

Was very sad to hear though that the male silverback gorilla, Bobby, had past away on December 5th last year. I had no idea so it was a bit of a shock...

Might sound silly to be sad over the death of an animal you've never even had physical contact with, but I have seen a lot of Bobby and his girls during my time as a volunteer - and he really did have a very strong personality. Very strange to know that he's gone.

Read more about Bobby here.

L x

The Chiswick way of life.

2009-02-21T21:44:00.005Z

Just had another one of those lovely weekend days in Chiswick.

Woke up late, had Starbucks breakfast, met Cissi, walked for two hours by the sunny Thames, talked about life, love and all that other stuff. Peeped into luxurious riverside houses, discussed what-ifs and what-nots, philosophized about the future, had a drink at the pub.

Then home, tired but happy, eating nice food and far too much chocolate. Feels good.

Tomorrow; the Zoo.

L x

The Walkmen.

2009-02-21T21:27:00.009Z

On Friday, after a "quick" work drink, me and Cissi finally managed to get on the tube to Kings X/Scala. The aim was to see our lovely indie fanatic friends - and, as a sort of byproduct - quite a few bands of the indie rock/pop/etc variety. But, as per usual, we ended up being so late that we only managed to see the headliners; the Walkmen. They were actually pretty good. Even I liked them in my own sort of slightly-indifferent-to-music-kind of way; amazingly even enough so to locate one of their songs on YouTube for your listening pleasure:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gpNbpNp87jA&feature=PlayList&p=552494DB7CC21B34&playnext=1&index=37

Do enjoy.

After a frantic search for a cardigan - which we after much ado found - and an equally frantic rush to the Picadilly line - which we of course missed - followed by another frantic headless-chicken-sort of sprint to the very very last Hammersmith & City train - which we caught, hurray! - i finally ended up in bed at around 1.30 am. I'm so Rock'n'Roll. Yeah.

L x

He's Just Not That Into You - SPOILER.

2009-02-18T13:32:00.011Z

So was it a good anti-Valentine's film? Yes and no. It was funny, and about bad dating/relationship experiences - I think we all recognised situations from our own love life - so that was suitable. But it was also very Hollywood. Happy endings all around/love conquers all/etc etc. So that was unsuitable.

The weird thing for me was which one of the characters I "got" the most - the wife who was willing to (try to) forgive her cheating husband when he came clean out of the blue about his affair; BUT who then immediately kicked him out and filed for divorce when she caught him lying to her face about smoking.

That's so me, and I'm not sure if that is a good or bad thing. And no no no - I don't mean that I think lying about smoking is worse than cheating; or even that I would be able to forgive anyone cheating on me - I just mean that the deciding factor for me would be the lying. Everyone messes up and make mistakes - it's how you handle them that matter. Fess up, come clean, give people the choice to forgive you. I can forgive almost anything - but I find it very hard to forgive people lying to my face.

Agree/disagree?

L x

Woooooooooooooooork.

2009-02-16T18:57:00.001Z

So much work. Work work work. When it eases up I'll write again... :)

Friday chill.

2009-02-13T21:47:00.003Z

Just had a lovely pre-Valentine's date with Tove - and two almost illegally tasty waffles. Mmmm.

Tomorrow it's a night of pure looooooooooove starring a bunch of Scandi femmes, some girly drinks and the aptly named movie "He's Just Not That Into You".

Bring on anti-Valentine's!

L x

I'm at home. AND online. Legally!!

2009-02-11T20:39:00.000Z

Just wanted to say that! :P

Internet IS coming!

2009-02-10T15:32:00.002Z

...so yeah - from tomorrow, in theory, I can be found online at home!! Yehey!

L x

Life and that.

2009-02-09T17:25:00.011Z

Monday again. Time just flies by. Woooooooom. Thursday, Sunday, March, May, December, 2010... It goes so quickly.

Thinking a lot about The Future lately. It's a spring thing I think. You know; cleaning out the old to give room to the new. Or keeping the old because you really really like it and don't need the new. Etc.

Things are good though; it's not a sad thing, just a reflective thing. Like directions, choices, plans. I'm good at those things... Maybe too good? Sometimes I wish I could just shut off that forward thinking, always-in-motion side of my brain. But it's also what keeps me going.

Anyways, enough for today.

L x

Internet is coming... maybe.

2009-02-06T15:05:00.006Z

Today I have finally done what I've been saying I would do for like the last 2 1/2 years. I've ordered my very own mobile broadband! Tadaaaaaaaaaa!!!!

Pending their weird credit assessments (it doesn't seem to matter what I earn, that I have no debts and a perfect credit history - all that matters seem to be if i have been registered as living on a specific address for over 3 years...), my internet should be up and running next week! It's a triumph for mankind!

After all this excitement - have a good weekend now, y'all.

L x

How cool is this?!

2009-02-05T14:51:00.012Z

Picture from Aquahobby.com.

Missing a home.

2009-02-04T09:58:00.008Z

Sitting in my wardrobe/flat yest eve sewing buttons onto my coat it hit me again how much I miss having a home. I don't necessarily mean to own a home, more to live somewhere that feels like a home.

For three years now I've lived in places that have been "temporary solutions"; time might have dragged on and "temporary" might have turned into "long term" - but the feeling has always been the same. It's just for a little while; It's just until I get a pay rise; It's just until I've settled into my new job. And still; when I have moved on, for whatever reason - it's been straight into another "temporary solution".

I miss my flat in Kalmar; I miss decorating; I miss spending a whole day making sorry excuses for pies; I miss having friends over for drinks; I miss having proper storage; I miss the feeling that this is my home.

In Sweden I bought furniture that I wanted, if I thought I could afford them. In London I buy furniture that are as cheap as possible, if I think I can stand them.

And no, I'm not saying I'm moving back to Sweden - or even that I would want to at this stage. I just wish I could get that feeling of my home over here.

It's just until the economic climate changes.

L x

Radio Ga Ga?

2009-02-03T15:16:00.007Z

Have listened back to the interview - not as embarassing as i thought it would be but yeah, radio is prob not a viable career choice for moi. I sort of sound like i'm teaching a masterclass in heavy phone breathing.

Starts at 19 min 20s in.
http://www.sr.se/webbradio/webbradio.asp?type=broadcast&id=1580869

L x

Snowing on the radio.

2009-02-03T12:38:00.003Z

Today, I will be a radio star.

Or to be precise - I will be interviewed live on P4 Västmanland about the past days snow "chaos" here in LDN. Very nervous; will most likely say something really really stupid, plus will prob sound like a three year old child over the phone. Might try to get some stammering in there somewhere too... :P

The things you do for your mates, huh? P4 Västmanland; 15.15-ish Swedish time. Yeah!

L x

Snowed in - but not under.

2009-02-02T12:18:00.005Z

Very strange day. Seems like people all over London have been given a free Snowman-making-day because of the "severe" (allow me to laugh into the face of London) weather conditions. It's only a little snow!!!

For us lucky people actually at work, it's hard to get anything done. All the people you need around - to get tapes/material/gfx advice - are for obvious reasons out of office, and as a result things sort of grind to a standstill.

It's beautiful outside. All the grime and graffiti, the dog poo and the ditched take away wrappings, are snowed under and everything looks so clean and pure. Even the sky is white. Surreal.

London is in standstill.

2009-02-02T09:50:00.003Z

It's been snowing for like 5 minutes and all of London have been cancelled. No trains no tubes no buses. It's not even a lot of snow for goodness sake. They are mad i tell you. Completely mad.

I, of course, have no excuses. Only time so far have regretted living within walking distance to work. Department is empty - only me and the boss is in; the Chiswick crew. Yeah!

L x

Revolutionary Road.

2009-01-30T15:18:00.004Z

Yest was this year's first free preview - Revolutionary Road. Loved it - and hated it... Was very painful viewing; a brilliant film but oh so gut wrenching. I rarely get emotional watching movies, but this one almost made me cry. Kate Winslet definitely deserved her Golden Globe. See it!

L x

I still want all of these things.

2009-01-30T14:54:00.004Z

- A one bed flat in NH
- A blue striped Mini Cooper
- An English Toy Terrier puppy
- A Chloe Paddington bag in light brown
- An aquarium made of a vintage Television Set
- A bag of crisps - any flavour really. Except BBQ.

Hmmm.... a year and a half later and not a single item off the list!?
Think i'm gonna have to at least go buy some crisps....

L x

Oh weekend, how i adore you.

2009-01-30T11:18:00.004Z

It's Friday and the countdown has started. How much as i like my job, i love my weekends. And this should be a good one. Date tonight - dinner and cinema; tomorrow some shopping, maybe girly night in/out in the East; on Sunday Starbucks, yoga, sauna, relaaaaaaaaax.

Lovely.
L x

Thursday.

2009-01-29T13:18:00.002Z

Pokémon is dead, long live Galactik Football.

L x

2008 was really really bad - and really really good.

2009-01-28T16:07:00.004Z

A lot of shit happened last year. But that's all I'm gonna say about it.

A lot of pretty wonderful stuff happened last year. And that's a lot more fun to talk about!

Highlights from 2008:
- Getting my new job
- Moving to Chiswick
- Realizing how many brilliant friends I have

And for 2009:
Maybe the much dreamed/talked/fantasised about road trip actually will happen this year...? So many things that need to fit in and happen/not happen respectively for it to work; but hey - the preliminary plans def exist. We'll see.

Flat wise something bigger would be nice. There is no more room for shoes. I need more shoes.

Work is brill; oh-so-ridiculously-busy so far this year - but it is fun. I like coming to work in the mornings. Hopefully it will stay this way; more shoots, more big projects, more trips. But please try to avoid mentioning the word "Pokémon" in my presence for at least a month.

Conclusion:
Cheers for 2009!
L xx

Afrika! Afrika!

2008-01-25T10:15:00.001Z

This is why i love London.

I won 4 tickets to see "Afrika! Afrika!" at the O2 last night - took Andi, Jess and Anna. It was absolutely brilliant. Still buzzing. The energy, the skills, the happiness, the music, the optimism. So cool. And me and Anna sat in a "VIP box" basically on the stage; felt like they where dancing just for us.

Buzz.

x

Quick update!

2008-01-10T12:11:00.000Z

- Still bed bugs, still freaking disgusting; but at least i'm getting laminate flooring now and a new bed... die carpet, die.

- Going well at work, am for first time really happy with something i'm working on; feels good! not finished yet, but will be on air on TV3 etc in all countries shortly. Yehey!

- Looking for new place; have however realised I need to win the lottery first... alternatively give up any ideas on any kind of standard.

- Summer plans; some already - i'll go to Barca again in August w the girls and some boys; fun fun fun!

- And i promise, i will, for sure, definitely this time, come to Sthlm and visit this spring - and to Gbg in the summer if all works out!

xx Lis

At war

2007-12-29T17:19:00.000Z

Had brilliant time at home, nice presents, lovely family, charming dog, waaaaaaaaaaaaaay to much unhealthy food. All as it should be!

But then i return to London, not at all keen, because after some research and quite a few sleepless nights I've realised that my room/shoe box/wardrobe/whatever you wanna call it is infested by bed bugs. So f*ing disgusting. I HATE LONDON.

All day today; some serious vacuuming (yes, dragged my trustworthy knight in shiny plastic all the way back here from Swe) and enthusiastic poisoning of the room. Now I've banned myself from the apartment for the eve in the naive hope that when i return there will be NO a) disgusting horrible creep waiting to chew on me and/or b) no poison left in the air that will slowly kill me in my sleep.

Sleep tight and don't let the..... x

Home for XMAS!

2007-12-20T13:32:00.000Z

At work the last few hours now... Soon soon soon I'll be home in the land of Lussebullar and Kanelgifflar. Can't wait!

Lis x

Things I don’t understand about London

2007-12-11T10:23:00.000Z

Why do the supermarket people insist on packing all the heavy stuff in one bag and all the light stuff in another? ending up leaning slightly to the right because I‘m daredevil-ish enough to buy smoothie, milk, juice and water at the same time is NOT cool

Why can’t commuters understand the simple rule of “let people off the train before boarding”? it will NOT go quicker to get on the train if having a shuffling match in two opposite directions

Why do all the signs and screens at the train station always go out when trains are delayed so you can’t get any info at all on when it will decide to show up?

Why do bus drivers find it sooo funny to wait at the stop until you’re breathing distance away from the door and then drive off?

And WHY do I always whine so much…? :) :) :)

A laugh for the weekend

2007-11-30T12:09:00.001Z

Hysterically (unintentionally) funny web addresses: http://gigglesugar.com/71649

Brill weekend all! x

Things I want right now.

2007-11-28T13:57:00.000Z

- A one bed flat in NH
- A blue striped Mini Cooper
- An English Toy Terrier puppy
- A Chloe Paddington bag in light brown
- An aquarium made of a vintage Television Set
- A bag of crisps - any flavour really. Except BBQ.

If you feel like donating any of the above mentioned, just let me know.

Love & Hate.

2007-11-27T16:33:00.000Z

Hate London.

- having faced shoved into sweaty people’s armpits on the tube
- listening to weirdoes screaming their heads off outside my window
- strolling thru garbage and used nappies on a hot summers eve

Love London.

- having coffee in Starbucks with friends
- listening to cool bands with the music gang a weekday eve
- strolling in Kensington Palace Gardens a chilly autumn morning

One of those mornings.

2007-11-26T11:35:00.000Z

Forgot wallet.
Missed bus.
Stumbled over own feet down tube escalator.
Hurt right ankle.
Spilled coffee.
Missed train.
Missed bus.
Spilled tea.
Deleted important script.
Spilled water.

It’s now 9.40 am.
Monday.

And to think I never knew....

2007-11-23T11:16:00.000Z

Breaking news: Milk actually contains milk!!!
Check out http://www.tjuvtittat.se/ for more fun.

Or, for that matter, http://www.engrish.com/ - one of my all time faves. Sample below.

Indeed. Laugh carefully too!

Reasons to smile at the zoo

2007-11-21T12:40:00.000Z

1. The little boy with the notepad constantly giving me lectures about reptiles – while I’m officially holding the talk (and yes, he knows a lot more than me!)

2. The slightly frisky monkey couple – getting up to “activities” while their poor baby holds on for life on the mother’s back

3. The older lady gorilla showing off her extensive climbing skills – while sporting an attractive brown sack cloth over her head

Just remembered that I actually have a blog.

2007-11-19T13:14:00.000Z

It’s been a year. It turned out approx like this:

JANUARY
Spent the magical first minutes of the New Year (and the not-so-magical half an hour preceding them) trapped in an elevator the size of a shoe box with approx 25 other happy campers, all in various stages of panic attacks. We did have champagne though.

FEBRUARY
Started to go slightly mad – decided to swap jobs to retain what’s left of my sanity. AND started working as a volunteer at London Zoo; every other Sunday is spent with our closest cousins.

MARCH
New job – same company, less head ache, less heart attacks. Two weeks holiday in a rainy London – and a brill weekend in a rainy Barcelona with the two blondes!

APRIL
Didn’t go home for Easter. Think it was raining.

MAY
We actually had sun in London. And lots of it too!

JUNE
Have no idea what I did this month. But I bet it was raining.

JULY
Paris with A & J – brill time, not-so-brill weather. But managed to pap both Goofy and Mickey Mouse and that’s all that counts. More hols, more rain, more London. And a promotion at work! Woohoo!

AUGUST
Raining. New job starting – producing trailers now for real. It’s cool. Hard work; leaning slightly towards starting some healthy drug abuse, but hey, it’s fun.

SEPTEMBER
B’day. Even older. Tick tack. Barcelooooona again, this time w sun!!!!

OCTOBER
Cold. Rainy. Made a complete arse of myself at the office Kick-Off. And FINALLY – after 1,5 years of being lazy for Britain – I’ve join the gym. Applauds please! Banish those bingo wings to hell! To hell I tell you!! (Not to mention all those chocolate éclairs…..)

NOVEMBER
Even colder, even rainier. And some sad stuff... But still, mostly, all good!

DECEMBER
Well, obviously haven't happened yet.... But my goals are:
- no rain
- less chocolate éclairs
- not making an arse of myself at the office X-mas party
Wish me luck.

A Swedish XMAS

2006-12-28T12:56:00.000Z

Sitting in "my" room in my parents house (which by the way made J and boyfriend shake their heads furiously in disbelief - it is even smaller than my London apartment), relaxing the day away. I've sort of gone into a zombie mode; spending my days watching awful films with my oldest brother (National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation, anyone?), eating far to much chocolate and cuddling the not-always-cuddly baby dog. It's sooo nice.

Christmas day was spent at my aunts (whom I'm still pissed off with after the disastrous London visit in November which I haven't told you about but anyway). Got presents, ate food, the usual stuff. No snow in sight, but still felt like a good old Swedish XMAS. Way too much meat for my taste - but it's all part of the scene.

London after New Years. Happy holidays everyone!

Lis xx

Sliding away

2006-11-13T13:24:00.000Z

Where else but in London can you find a place that allows you to be incredibly childish while masquerading your immatureness as being cultural and arty? Tate Modern’s most popular exhibit at the mo is five gigantic slides; ranging in height from two floors to five. And you get to ride for free! Elbow patches and all.

Oh, London life is good.

Working in the dark

2006-11-01T10:33:00.000Z

Office power is gone – we are tumbling around in the dark. Well actually – it’s not that bad; important machinery runs on generators and is business as usual – however, lavatory visits and likewise has turned into quite an adventure.

Somehow I like it; it has sort of a intensely Christmassy feel. Sitting in the edit suites with no light except the computer screen brings on thoughts of tea light candles, hot chocolate and ginger bread cookies. But that might just be me.

I’ve been well into The Christmas Spirit for weeks now – Xmas Campaigns is under production; leaving me listening to soft Christmas music all day long. Quite nice, but dreading the way I will fell in regards to All Things Christmas as the real thing draws nearer. There is a limit to how many times you can listen to “White Christmas” without needing to throw up.

Visit this weekend – little Lara; ex-dolphin volunteer just like me. Fun!

Talk to you soon, Lis x

Time has flown by in record speed...

2006-10-25T12:41:00.000+01:00

Since last time:
- Had birthday; missed Big Company Kick-Off but lovely drinks instead
- Found out I’ve been lied to for over 5 months
- Lost some friends I thought I knew
- Found some new ones
- Re-kindled friendship with an Oz-ex, C; commonly referred to as “the Bastard” (but now is rather nice)
- Had visits from Johanna, Rouba and Tony & Caroline from Bunbury

Short and sweet. And probably rather confusing.

Otherwise - work is good; feel in control (most of time). Home is cosy – though shared involuntarily with a very annoying “little person” (read: mouse) called Henry.

New hobby also: go to free cinema previews (if that qualifies as a hobby). So far (no particular order):
- Devil Wears Prada (brilliant light chick flick)
- Children Of Men (beautifully ugly)
- Borat (no comment)
- A Good Year (zzzz)
- Little Miss Sunshine (fun & uplifting)
- Last Kiss (nah, quite crap really)

Coming up: Starter For Ten (on Wed) and whatever pops up in my inbox. Brilliant. Love cinema – have no money – free is great. I love London.

Feathers & Costumes

2006-08-29T12:32:00.000+01:00

The Notting Hill Carnical has come and gone; leaving tons of rubbish in it's wake. Last night the partying and the music was heard all the way to my room with an astounding clarity into the small hours - and I live at least five minutes walk from the very very outskirts of the festival area.

Walking through town this weekend (or just trying to get to your front door), the most extraordinary random sights awaits you. My quiet little street had been temporarily turned into a stable; police horses and dung galore. The streets - even here in Queensway - are lined with litter in such an arresting amount it feels almost surreal. You could literally swim in it. I'm not kidding.

Sunday night I spent walking and socializing in Notting Hill with work colleagues; trying to navigate my way through literally mountains of dead chicken parts mixed with interesting unidentifiable masses of goo and horse shit (pardon my French). Finally we ended up having an improvised party in the middle of a street still in use by random vehicles; there were no place else to stand.

The carnival in itself was a welcome diversion but not too impressive. I imagined an overflow of feathers and costumes and glitter and dancing; and these things did certainly exist, but in a much smaller scale than anticipated. Some groups idea of dressing up for the carnival train seemed to be plainly wearing the same colored ridiculous and heavily advertisement-filled t-shirts. However, there were some notable exceptions; like one little boy dressed up as a butterfly (or something to that extent) happily posing for pictures in an adorable and confident way.

And these things; messy and noisy and trashy as they may well be (notable is the fact that seemingly all shops in Notting Hill and its surroundings had all their shop fronts and windows boarded up by plywood well in advance to avoid having their shops mugged/plundered/randomly destroyed) - is why I love London. How cool is it to walk into a massive and happily singing/dancing carnival train just five minutes walk from your front door? In my mind, very cool.

I am officially an airhead

2006-08-16T20:25:00.000+01:00

Step one:
I purchase food from company canteen.

Step two:
I place plate on desk (main place for food consumption nowadays; qiute sad but that's deadlines for you!).

Step three:
I endeavor to check my emails. Computer decidedly not cooperating; exchanges sites randomly/creates self-made scroller texts/insistently bases the arrow cursor at very bottom of each application.

Step four:
I look very puzzled.

Step five:
I make slightly worried enquiry to my boss (THE main boss) regarding the state of said computer; requiring possible solutions.

Step six:
Boss One & Boss Two (yes, both THE main bosses) examines my computer.

Step seven:
Boss One contemplates v seriously; well nasty things these viruses... Quite frightening indeed. But on the other hand, it might help if you remove your plate from the space button on your keyboard.

Not-so-quick update

2006-08-11T12:55:00.000+01:00

Oh have I been busy! Work tempo got put on over-drive two weeks ago; massive deadline after enormous deadline. But it's still fun, I still like it. Am settling in now, think I got it (mainly) under control. That seems to be the view of the management too; grand! Nice people, nice environment, feeling needed; cool.

Free time has been spent mostly arguing with more or less freakish customer service people re random missing packages/cancelled deliveries. 1) my hair straightener has disappeared while being delivered ("there is no record of it being delivered at your address yet, miss"; no shit!), 2) my docking/speaker set for my iPod was apparently cancelled and undeliverable "for unknown reason" ("the courier couldn't seem to find your address, miss, are you sure it's correct?"; "you delivered my iPod at exactly the same address two weeks ago"; "aha, ok, yes, but..."). Intriguing.

Liking my little apartment too. Eventual nightly visits to the "little ladies room" major inconvenience; get dressed/walk down big stairs/walk up little stairs/forgot keys/go back and repeat. But apart from that; feel comfy and relaxed at home as should.

J & boyfr visited in ultra-speed - arrived 19.30pm, left 08.00am - much fun! Very timed, very scheduled bayswater-paddington-edgware rd bar round finished up in old quarters; drinking with the Ex's best friends (as per usual it seems). Good old fun.

Sushi in the night

2006-07-27T16:22:00.000+01:00

Had a v lovely evening w new work colleagaues Tuesday; in Soho - quick drink at Gay Bar, Sushi buffeet at Japanese rest, talking and mingling outside v English pub. Much enjoyable. Didn't even get killed/ridiculed for being food/vegetarian maniac.

Was walking home according to plan; when bumped straight into ex-K, old house mate (in fact room mate), sometimes bed mate. Almost crashed into while rounding corner. V strange but fun! So off for more drinks and catch-up. Probably meeting him next week for another drink or two, could be good.

Tonight; coffee w TopShop girl, P. She's sweet, good to keep in touch.

AND I've bought an iPod. Happy happy happy.

To throw yourself in front of a train

2006-07-23T18:26:00.000+01:00

Walking into town today (yes I do walk, my butt's grown rapidly lately!), I ended up amidst a frenzy of police cars, ambulances and fire trucks outside Queensway station. 7/7-05 very easily pops into your head living in London, so I had to find out. "Well, love, someone's under the train you see - and it's a bit of a hassle getting him out".

I still feel sick. Why on earth would you do this? And I don't mean to yourself - if you really desperately want to kill yourself, by all means go ahead; but for God's sake think of the poor people who have to scrape you up! Same goes for people who choose to drive their car into someone random else's - what a cowardly way to go. Take a pill for heaven's sake.

However, this particular case might have been an accident/murder - I don't know for sure. But there's plenty of the "voluntary" ones going on too.

On my own and loving it

2006-07-21T16:06:00.000+01:00

So the day has come - and gone, actually - I am now "on my own" at work. Of course, still have five million people to ask, and lovely R who's trained me is close by; but I am finally working properly and properly earning my salary. Slightly nerve-wrecking but pretty exciting!

So what do I do? Well basically, I'm the infamous "spider in the net" - I collect/receive information/material and pass it on; fixing faults and problems in between. Calling people, writing emails, fixing production finishing touches. Might not sound too exciting, but is rather fun and interesting. Compared to TopShop; it's a dream! ;)

Calm w/end ahead, unfortunately, most friends away/working. Tonight's lovely though - dining at Hampstead restaurant with A, A's sister and A's boy. Will be nice. And maybe I can score some partying tomorrow...? I'll work it out. I need a man.

My little hole in the wall

2006-07-13T15:14:00.000+01:00

I have now officially received the keys for my tiny tiny studio in Bayswater, Princes Square. It is small, carpeted (yuck) and my private toilet/shower is situated on another floor, but it is mine mine mine, and it is perfectly alright for a while (for six months, to be specific - that's the contract).

So I'm off to Ikea (best place in the world!) this w/end buying essential necessities; nothing else unfortunately, will not have proper economy until end August w pay dates etc. But a quilt* and a pillow and a curtain and lamp would be nice. And Ikea has kanelgifflar.

Had to take all day off work though to organize all; feel horrible about it but got assured it was alright. And guess, now all is settled, can devote myself full-time to work. Which is good.

Need my address? Sending kanelgifflar/letters/post cards/random gifts? Of course - drop me a line through e-mail and it will be instantly yours! No hidden charges!

*Did actually have a pretty cozy and pretty sky-blue quilt b4, however got lost by friend in transfer between apartments - seems to have been substituted into a torn and ugly pink rose-patterned towel oddly enough - but guess these things happen when you leave your stuff shattered all over London.

First day & more escapades

2006-07-11T13:25:00.000+01:00

So, it's been and gone - my first day. It was good, lots of info, tons of new faces, millions of names, etc. Think it will work out great. V slow yesterday apparently, not too much going on. It's the quiet season - everybody's on hol. Good for my warm-up.

More drunken weirdness saturday, joined D's flatmate + friends out (w/o D though), went to bar (including Nobu, v nice) and had one and then two and then three glasses of wine. Ooops. Well, it was fun anyway; ended up getting cosy with the flatmate's cute friend (what's up with me and these Brits?), thereby securing a gentlemanly delivery of myself at door step (no, nothing else) late night - no walking alone drunk in central London in heels, brilliant! Maybe this is the way to go.

Did however text the gentleman in question yesterday asking him out for drinks later on, got no answer. Well well.

The Celebration Day

2006-07-06T19:30:00.000+01:00

Oh my god. Yesterday was Celebration Day in Lisa's world. Quite an experience.

Firstly; shopping. Of course. Managed to motivate myself into spending a staggering £200 in approx two hours. "I'm worth it" was the theme of the day. Later on I lost both shopping bags in a drunken daze, containing not only the new outfits (two pairs of shoes, a coat, a cardigan and three tops) but ALSO my favorite jacket. Woohoo. But more on that later.

After a few celebratory Starbucks Banana Caramel Frappucinos downed with British gossip literature at hand, I made my way to the old neighborhoods to meet up K. The Ex was there. Not entirely surprising though; it is, in fact, his local. Anyways.

Meeting went well, slightly chilly breezes from one part but hey. I do miss him, I do still care for him. A lot in fact. But, and it needs to be said, I do not want to get back together, it's not in my mind. What we had was lost in confusion and outer circumstances, irrevocably so. I do however want him in my life. I am not the kind of person who simply excludes people I care about from my life, that's just not me. I think that he also wants me there, but I might be mistaken. We'll find out. So far, a drunken seal on drugs could easily show more enthusiasm seeing me than him.

Anyway; fast forward around two hours and three (!) glasses of wine. Me and K are at the local keyboard bar, slightly drunk and very happy. We make the apparently fatal mistakes of 1) doing a dance in front of The Keyboard Man 2) "accidentally" touching his precious instrument (yes, I'm referring to the keyboard, nothing else) with our fingertips 3) stealing a "Reserved" sign from a table and moving it to ours (why? not a clue, probably very logical at the time). We got thrown out and barred. My social life will never be the same again.

Sometime during all this merriment, the bags disappeared. Didn't discover this until 1am, safely resituated back at D's flat. What to do? Well, of course; put on shoes, grab keys and phone but no money or coat and go looking. In the middle of the night. Seriously, I shouldn't be let out of the house while drunk - better yet, should have a one glass limit and hot male single guardian at all times. At least the guardian.

If I had a guardian, I probably wouldn't have busted into my newly non-accessible keyboard bar twice snooping under tables, neither would I scream and play charades with a Summerfield’s guard trying to mime (yes, seriously!) "one yellow bag from Selfridges and one white bag from TopShop", nor would I have called a sleeping and, quite rightly so, annoyed Ex at 2am requesting immediate assistance (which I of course didn't get). What a night.

This morning (or rather late afternoon), the bags where safely returned to my hands, and got to once again travel through most of London City and spend a few hours at Starbucks. They were happy and undamaged, and so am I.

More celebrations!

Oh so happy - my dream job

2006-07-05T12:05:00.000+01:00

So it's finally happened; the one thing I've been secretly hoping and waiting for since deciding to make the maybe-not-brilliant career move of leaving the continent and go travelling for a year and a half directly after graduating from university instead of gaining work experience. I've got a job! And not just any job, THE job I've lusted after since persuing to put my career on track again two months ago.

It's a production assistant job, it's in television. More than that I'm not gonna say, not gonna become a Rachel Mosteller and loose my new job haha. But no, it's not glamorous and not celebrity-oriented.

I'm so happy right now. So what to do now? Go shopping ofcourse! Like any proper career girl in London.