Quote of the day

We confess our little faults to persuade people that we have no large ones.

~ Francois de La Rochefoucauld ~

Wrecked

I was so hoping today that I was going to post that I finally went back to the gym. Somehow, that plan went out the window around noon. At work we had a major system release and in my new job I'm right there in the middle. All of the day I've been glued to my computer answering emails, fixing, trixing, testing and trying to make sure that everybody is happy or at least OK with what's going on. It seems like no matter how much you prepare there are always things to test and fix after things are live. And then there is always those people who don't cope well with stress... How does one handle people like that when under a lot of pressure themselves?! I haven't got a clue other than it certainly doesn't make things easier.

Right now it feels like my head is on warp speed and another question or comment would make it explode. So a hot bath it is and then some food and bed. Mmm, rough days can end good after all.

It's a bug

I don't know how many times I've said that at work, but I never thought I would say that about becoming fat. It's a bug.

Scientists now claim that obesity can be caught as easy as a cold from other people's coughs, sneezes or dirty hands.

Researchers believe that an airborne "adenovirus" germ could be causing the fat plague that is blighting Britain and other countries.

As many as one in three obese people may have become overweight after falling victim to the highly infectious cold-like virus, known as AD-36.

Many experts already believe that obesity can be linked to genes and now evidently to an infection. Tests on chicken, mice and monkeys shows that infected with AD-36 they put on extra weight even if not given any extra food. For human beings it has been showed that 33% of all obese adults some time during their life have contracted the infection. This compared to thin people where only 11% had been infected.

So what to believe? Yes, some people probably put on weight easier either it's through genes or through an infection, but the main reason still is eating too much and not exercising enough. Very simple but at the same time very hard.

Hat tip to Laura who found the article.

Sunday walk

The sun finally came out today after a week or so in hiding. Wonderful! I quickly changed my plans and went out on a long Sunday walk. The temperature was above freezing so it was quite nice and a couple of times I felt the sun in my back and it was warm. Yeah! So there is hope. Especially when January is over by next week...

Being out there I realised I miss walking. Nowadays I just walk back and forth from the bus/tram and maybe once a week during lunch, and then not in a very fast pace. I wasn't going very fast today either, but just having my arms move a bit at the same time felt great.

Home again I didn't have to urge to go wild with snacks (popcorn usually) as I do on Sunday afternoons. Instead I had a sandwich and an and apple. Sitting here now I feel like I had a great day, even though I did one of the simplest things there is - I went outside for a walk.

Nine words women use

This is for all my male friends who say they don't understand women...

(1) Fine: This is the word women use to end an argument when they are right and you need to shut up.

(2) Five Minutes: If she is getting dressed, this means a half an hour. Five minutes is only five minutes if you have just been given five more minutes to watch the game before helping around the house.

(3) Nothing: This is the calm before the storm. This means something, and you should be on your toes. Arguments that begin with nothing usually end in fine.

(4) Go Ahead: This is a dare, not permission. Don't Do It!

(5) Loud Sigh: This is actually a word, but is a non-verbal statement often misunderstood by men. A loud sigh means she thinks you are an idiot and wonders why she is wasting her time standing here and arguing with you about nothing. (Refer back to # 3 for the meaning of nothing.)

(6) That's Okay:This is one of the most dangerous statements a women can make to a man. That's okay means she wants to think long and hard before deciding how and when you will pay for your mistake.

(7) Thanks: A woman is thanking you, do not question, or faint. Just say you're welcome. (I want to add - This is true, unless she says 'Thanks a lot' - that is PURE sarcasm and she is not thanking you at all. DO NOT say 'you're welcome' . that will bring on a 'whatever').

(8) Whatever: Is a woman's way of saying F-- YOU!

(9) Don't worry about it, I got it: Another dangerous statement, meaning this is something that a woman has told a man to do several times, but is now doing it herself. This will later result in a man asking 'What's wrong?' For the woman's response refer to # 3.

Excuse me, Mr. President

As there is a feeling of hope and change tonight some very clever boys at Raisanen Creative put together the site Excuse me, Mr. President. A site believing that questions are what lead to progress and changes and right now shows what is in the mind of many, many people.

Watching history

So there it is, a black man in the White House. To be honest I never thought that would happen, so even as a Swede I felt a bit emotional to see Barack Obama to take the oath of office earlier today. He's inauguration speech was quite impressive and I think we all will remember what he said about about liberty and creed.

This is the meaning of our liberty and our creed -- why men and women and children of every race and every faith can join in celebration across this magnificent Mall, and why a man whose father less than 60 years ago might not have been served at a local restaurant can now stand before you to take a most sacred oath.

I so wish it will work out. Godspeed Mr. President.

Chopsticks diet

January is probably the month when most people try a new diet. I know I have... Even though I try to stick to the most common right now. Eat less, exercise more.

One of the latest diets are eating with chopsticks. Thinking about my own skills when it comes to eating with chopsticks I would probably stave to death. Just ask anybody who has been with me to any of the restaurants in London's Chinatown.

The book The Chopsticks Diet by Kimiko Barber tells us to look at the slender Japanes women which is all to eating with chopsticks.

According to Barber, "Eating with chopsticks slows you down, and so you eat less." Gobbling food makes us overeat because it takes our brain 20 minutes to register what our stomach contains.

Indeed true, but does it work in reality? Daily Telegraph food writer Xanthe Clay gave it a try and was pleasantly surprised even though eating risotto was like relocating Sahara with a pair of tweezers and having chicken in creamy sauce was out if the question. The chopsticks regime made her slow down, think about her food and maybe in the end even lose some weight. None of which can be a bad thing. Maybe it's time to try something new? It is after all a new year...

Way to go Sainsbury's!

UK supermarket Sainsbury's has decided to ban battery eggs from all their stores by February 5. Way to go! And we can always hope that others supermarkets such as Tesco, Asda and Morrisons will follow. Marks & Spencer, the Co-op and Waitrose have already stopped selling battery eggs, but Sainbury's is the largest retailer so far to initiate such a ban.

It follows recent campaigns for greater animal welfare by chefs such as JamieOliver and Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall which have attracted widespread public
support.

Buying free range eggs cost more, but it's such a small thing to do to get both better food and healthier chicken. The eggs also taste so much better with yolks big and bright as little suns. And the cakes you can make from them. Big, fluffy and delicious. So there are only good reasons why buy free range eggs.

Almost there

To Friday that is. First week back at work after a holiday is always hard, but I think this one has been particular long. Or maybe it just feels so. Anyhow I'm happy the weekend is almost here and that I actually don't have any plans. It's going to be cold so right now I can see myself staying inside reading all those books I never got around reading at Christmas. Tomorrow afternoon I will also get my first delivery of wine, so maybe I have to taste some it to make sure it's good... And maybe have some cheese with it too...

First week back to work and first week eating healthy and staying away from junk (again) is obviously taking its toll on me. I'm hallucinating of all the good things in life....

Australia

A friend and I went to see Australia at the cinema last night. Despite the so and so reviews from the critics I liked it. Fabulous images, adventures, some tears, laughter and of course love. The ending was obvious, but for entertainment a wet and cold Tuesday in January this was great.

And then of course Hugh Jackman... I thought he was quite cute in Kate and Leopold, but now...Whoa! Both all dressed up in a white tuxedo and most of the time being a cattle driver. Let's just say that I like my men tall, dark and handsome. And with a wide chest and strong arms.

Full head

Today was really my first day at my new job. Officially I changed position on January 1st, but then first with the holidays and then being ill today was the real first day. Even though I've been at the company for almost three years and I've worked with more or less the same things as now, there are so many new things I have to think about and do. Also it's hard to let go of the things I used to be responsible for. A couple of times I had to remind myself that I don't need to care what my team are doing. They know how to handle things without me...

I think I'm going to be happy with this new job. Not that I haven't with my old job, or at least most of the time... But here I'm going to work with what I know best, the Internet along with people who are as passionate as me and know what I'm talking about. And of course – the boys at IT. I loved working with them back at the production company and I love working with them now. Others see them as geeks and nerds but I find them very smart and quite funny. I guess I'm more IT than marketing and that's probably why I feel like I'm home now. It took a while and I had fun a long the way, but finally here I am.

Iron shopping

My iron gave up on New Year's Day after about 10 years of good service, so iron shopping was needed. Something I thought was going to easy. I mean it's an iron, how complicated can it be?! Little did I know... There is vertical steam, variable steam, mist and adjustable temperatures. Some irons looked like I was going to to be able to travel to the moon with them, others very tiny and others were incredible heavy. And the price varied from 20 dollars to 130 dollars.

When it come appliances like this I'm always lost because I want something that's simple but still reliable, and not too technical either. It should serve its propose but that's it. No fancy buttons or extra bling bling that I will never use. After being to three different stores (yes I'm crazy...) I found it. The perfect steam iron, at least for me, from Bosch. Just two buttons, quite light and with a good grip. Hopefully it will last for at least 10 years because it's a jungle out there. An iron jungle.

Quote of the day

Coming from an old colleague in Paris. A very French woman with of course both style and grace, but most of all a wicked sense of humour.

"I don't exercise. If God had wanted me to bend over, he would have put diamonds on the floor."

~ Joan Rivers ~

16 things

Things people may or may not not know about me...

1. My spice rack is in alphabetical order

2. I worked for the Clinton campaign in '92

3. I met Texas Governor Ann Richard in '92 (because of the Clinton campaign)

4. I've seen British singer Robbie Williams in his underwear

5. I was 13 the first time I was sent to England alone to go to summer school

6. I have never tried smoking or any other drugs

7. I had frenectomy (tongue band cut) when I was 6 and had to learn to speak all over again. That is why I still have a small lisp today

8. I almost knocked over the Swedish King and Queen the first time I went down hill skiing. The security guards were not happy, but I didn't know how to stop

9. I was baptised at home as compromise between mum, who believes in God, and dad who didn't.

10. I did not learn how to read until I was 8

11. All my shoes and boots are stored in their original boxes in my closet

12. I can't stand the skin on peaches so I eat nectarines instead

13. I have 25 Barbra Streisand CDs

14. I did not start eating broccoli until I was 30

15. I saw Nirvana in concert in Albuquerque, NM 3 months before they made it to number 1 with Teen Spirit

16. I've managed to get locked inside British Museum twice at the same day

We grow them well...

The Swedish goalie in NY Rangers Henrik Lundqvist has been chosen The Worlds Sexiest Iceman by NY Post. I think I know why... And I have all the way back when he played for my team Frölunda Indians. We grow them well in Sweden and in Gotheburg...

And on top of that he's one excellent goalie.

Bronchitis

After a rather sleepless night coughing and hurting more and more when breathing I went to the doctor this morning. After four hours waiting (that's free healthcare for you) and now wheezing like an old tea kettle a doctor listened to my lungs and was very happy to say that I did not have pneumonia. But I did have acute bronchitis and my vocal chords had been affected too. Losing my voice on Friday was evidently a first sign that a cold virus had moved down to my chest. So no talking for at least tree days. Quite easy since most of the time I don't have a voice.

Since it's a virus antibiotics will not help. Just rest, a lot of fluid and cough syrup to widen my bronchi and stop the acute inflammation (the hurting bit). The cough syrup should work miracle according to the doctor but he did not recommend me driving or operate heavy machinery. Back home after stopping by the chemist I looked at the label and yes it was the same cough syrup many of my friends have talked about. Some went straight to sleep, other felt sick and some just drowsy and "high", but the morphine and ephedrine (very small amounts of course) works miracle. And so far it has. Wonderful! My biggest fear was to get sick, but I'm "only" feeling a bit drowsy and a lot of the soreness in my windpipes are gone. Marvellous!

Still though I will most likely spend tomorrow taking it easy, reading and watching telly. And tonight after another spoonful syrup I know I will sleep like a baby.

A new year

About 18 hours into to the new year I have to say I like it. I've spent the day cleaning out old files, updating my kitchen calender and Filofax and just overall feeling very productive and chipper.

Today I also officially start my new job even if I don't go back to work until Wednesday. Something that I actually look forward to. A bit scary maybe, but mostly challenging. I've been wanting this position for over two years and now I'm there. Wow!

Need to figure out what my next big goal should be though... Climb Mount Everest? Fly to the moon? Hmm, more thinking is definitely needed.