2008 August « It’s All About Me

Archive for August, 2008

Enough Ands Already, Barack

Published August 30, 2008 politics , writing 0 Comments

I signed up for Barack Obama’s newsletters a few days ago, but didn’t donate any cash. So yesterday I got three (3!) different emails from the campaign, first from Michelle (his wife), then from Joe Biden (his vice president candidate), and finally from Barack himself - all asking me to donate money to the cause. The emails are fine in general, but I just wish they wouldn’t start every other sentence with “And”.

“And that choice is yours”.

“And our opponents will do everything they can to tear us down. “

“And our goal is in sight. “

“And the fight ahead will be like nothing you’ve ever seen.”

“And they’re hearing Barack’s message of change in every corner of the country.”

I guess they’re trying to make the emails more personal and inspirational, but it drives me nuts.

Real Heroes Don’t Do Sports

Published August 26, 2008 politics , sports 5 Comments

The olympics are over, and Team GB has finally landed on Heathrow. Gordon Brown is there, as happy as he possible can get. The British newspapers are throwing larger-then-life words at the athletes. The advert in Metro sums up the sentiment: “Britain. Great”.

Does 19 gold medals in the Olympics make a country “great”? Are these folks really the “heroes” of our time? Are these the best possible “role models of society”? I doubt it. The perspective is wrong. You don’t deserve to be called a true hero because you’ve cycled REALLY fast around a velodrome.

I read that the reason for Team Britain’s amazing success is that the government invested more money than ever before in new facilities for the athletes. That’s great in a way, but I guess that this money could also have been used to put some more cops on the streets of London, which could have prevented a few of the 20 or so fatal stabbings that have happened - this year.

A Sad Excuse

Published August 13, 2008 private life , random 2 Comments

Has Anyone Ever Said No?

Published August 12, 2008 random 0 Comments

After a summer full of weddings, I started to wonder if anyone actually has said “no” at the altar. To find out, we called up a Swedish priest yesterday (Martin’s father). He confirmed my suspicion - not a single “no” in 25 years of weddings. Some people have been too nervous to say anything at all, but no-one had said no, so far.

Maybe that’s just in Sweden. It seems like it’s a different story in Mexico, where you can actually sue your partner if they change their mind.

I realize this is a serious issue, but I always think about Ross from Friends when I’m at weddings. He does something which I guess is even worse then saying no.

Swiss Cottage Unisex Sauna

Published August 6, 2008 random 7 Comments

What is “Swiss Cottage Unisex Sauna”? I have no idea. But I drove past the place a few nights ago up in North London, and the name stood out from the kebab shops and pubs next to it.

The name suggest that it’s a place where men and women can use the sauna together, and do nothing else. That sounds weird, even with London’s standards. Not even in Sweden do we have these kind of establishment, where the sole purpose is to have a sauna.

So I’m confused, and Google doesn’t help much. This is the best description I can find:

“Swiss Cottage Unisex Sauna offer a steam room, sauna and Thai massaging in a calming environment. They are open for 24 hours a day.”

A sauna that’s open 24 hours a day? Combined with Thai massage? I don’t know. I guess I’ll have to bring my swimming trunks and go and have a look.