Thursday, April 24, 2008
Redneck pick up lines..
1) Did you fart?
cuz you blew me away.
2) Are yer parents retarded?
cuz ya sure are special.
3) My Love fer you is like diarrhea .
I can't hold it in.
4) Do you have a library card?
cuz I'd like to sign you out.
5) Is there a mirror in yer pants?
cuz I can see myself in em.
6) If you was a tree & I was a Squirrel,
I'd store my nuts in yer hole.
7) You might not be the best lookin girl here,
but beauty's only a light switch away.
8) Man - "Fat Penguin!"
Woman - "WHAT?"
Man - "I just wanted to say something that would break the ice."
9) I know I'm not no Fred Flintstone,
but I bet I can make yer bed-rock.
10) I can't find my puppy, can you help me find him?
I think he went inta this cheap motel room.
11) Yer eyes are as blue as window cleaner.
12) If yer gunna regret this in the mornin,
we kin sleep til afternoon.
AND.... the best for last!
13) Yer face reminds me of a wrench,
every time I think of it, my nuts tighten up
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
cuz you blew me away.
2) Are yer parents retarded?
cuz ya sure are special.
3) My Love fer you is like diarrhea .
I can't hold it in.
4) Do you have a library card?
cuz I'd like to sign you out.
5) Is there a mirror in yer pants?
cuz I can see myself in em.
6) If you was a tree & I was a Squirrel,
I'd store my nuts in yer hole.
7) You might not be the best lookin girl here,
but beauty's only a light switch away.
8) Man - "Fat Penguin!"
Woman - "WHAT?"
Man - "I just wanted to say something that would break the ice."
9) I know I'm not no Fred Flintstone,
but I bet I can make yer bed-rock.
10) I can't find my puppy, can you help me find him?
I think he went inta this cheap motel room.
11) Yer eyes are as blue as window cleaner.
12) If yer gunna regret this in the mornin,
we kin sleep til afternoon.
AND.... the best for last!
13) Yer face reminds me of a wrench,
every time I think of it, my nuts tighten up
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Wednesday, April 23, 2008
Gator
I finally came around to capture our back yard buddy. Has grown a good bit since last year and still likes to keep an eye on what we are up to. Curious little gator.
Monday, April 21, 2008
Field trip
Today Alex's school went on a field trip to pick strawberries. Fia got to go since Marta was one of the chaperons.
That didn't matter to Fia, she was right on her game, let's do what the big kids do.
That didn't matter to Fia, she was right on her game, let's do what the big kids do.
Swedish lesson part 5
Colin Moon - Are Swedes really that normal?
To communicate effectively cross-culturally the first thing you need to realise is that someone somewhere in the world probably sees you as really quite strange.
That may be difficult for some Swedes to swallow. How could anybody in their right mind consider normal, efficient, level-headed Swedes as strange?
Of course we are normal!
After all, the Swedish starting point is 'we are normal'. Indeed, Swedes have a tendency to think they are a little more normal than others. They believe they are quite sensible, and logical. They are often unaware that the rest of us, their international business partners, may have a different opinion. We think they are amusing, entertaining and, at times, really quite odd.
Take business life for example. Swedes attend meetings. Lots of them.
Three things in Sweden are certain: death, taxes and more meetings.
Mötet gick bra
When Swedes say 'Mötet gick bra' (the meeting went well) what exactly do they mean? There were heated discussions? The meeting went on for ages? The incredible number of decisions that were taken? I doubt it.
Other people on the planet believe that the sole purpose of a meeting is to produce decisions. Swedish meetings, on the other hand, are held to find out whether or not you are at the meeting to decide when the meeting will be to decide when you will meet to talk about what happened at your meeting.
Swedish meetings are short but many. They are arranged to give Bengan, Maggan, and Lasse a chance to say what they think. If you want to reach a decision then you'll have to arrange another meeting because in the meantime Bengan, Maggan and Lasse have to go back to the office and ask Ninni, Kicki and Titti (yes, there are girls of that name) what they think.
Process
This, in Swedish, is called the förankringsprocess. If Swedes mention the word 'process' then it's better not be in a hurry. There's a process for everything. This one means getting everybody involved in everything.
Everyone voices an opinion and everyone listens. Then they compromise.
The word compromise is music to a Swede's ears. Everybody gets something. Not too much and not too little. Nobody wins and nobody loses. They may agree to disagree but what they will agree on is the exact time and date of the next meeting.
Agenda
Swedes stick to the agenda. They tick off each point after everybody has taken turns discussing it. They have to move quickly through the agenda as they all have another meeting planned ten minutes after this one has finished. They intensely dislike the last point on the agenda which is övriga frågor, 'any other business'. No self-respecting Swede wants to be guilty of causing the meeting to run over time. There is a distinct danger that 'any other business' could drag on and flexibility is not a Swedish strong point.
Decision time
Swedes rarely say yes or no. This means that instead of saying ja or nej they say nja which means 'yes-but-no-but-yes-but'. You see, saying 'yes' or 'no' can lead to conflict so Swedes avoid these words and replace them with 'it depends', 'maybe' and 'I'll see what I can do'.
Foreigners may get heated, irritated or even angry. Swedes call this hysterical behaviour. Hysteria is abnormal and uncomfortable and should preferably not occur in office hours. If, on the other hand, a Swede ever tells you to go a place called 'hellsicke', then, take my word for it, you've upset him.
You may wonder how on earth they ever make a decision. Business Swedes themselves have sometimes called this beslutsimpotens - which, I
suppose, means not having the balls to decide one way or another.
Milk and no sugar
Someone once said that if the Swedes gave up their coffee breaks they could retire five years earlier. Coffee is an integral part of any meeting, either as an on-going self-service affair during the discussions or as a separate break. The coffee break is not to be confused with the briefer, more frequent leg-stretcher. Or 'bone-stretcher' as they sometimes call it. The Swedish word for leg and bone is the same.
Work/life balance
Most Swedes are dedicated to finding a healthy work-life balance. They might say they work hard; it's just that they are not often at work to do it.
Look in a Swedish diary and you may get the impression that no one in this country is ever at work. Try to get hold of someone on a Friday afternoon and this will be confirmed. Swedes will start to ask you about your plans for the coming weekend as early as Wednesday afternoon. By Friday lunchtime they have mentally gått för dagen 'left for the day'.
Red days
The Swedes have a fair share of public holidays. In a good year they take as many days off in May and June as most Americans take in a year. And they still have their five weeks vacation to take out when it suits them. Not only do they have 'red days' as the Swedes call their official holidays, but they may be given half the day off before, just to get them into the holiday mood.
If they've planned it well they can take out a klämdag or two, which are odd days between a holiday and the weekend. Come May, June, July the weekends and public holidays more or less combine into one long vacation with the occasional day at the office.
However, fair's fair - when they're at work they're very effective.
But not before 8.30 as they have flexi-time, and not after 4 pm, thank you, as they have to pick up the kids from play school, and not after
2 pm on Fridays, if you don't mind, and preferably not between 1 May and 10 August.
So, there you are Swedes. A short, sharp lesson in how to realise that you are not quite as normal as you think you are.
And thank goodness for that.
To communicate effectively cross-culturally the first thing you need to realise is that someone somewhere in the world probably sees you as really quite strange.
That may be difficult for some Swedes to swallow. How could anybody in their right mind consider normal, efficient, level-headed Swedes as strange?
Of course we are normal!
After all, the Swedish starting point is 'we are normal'. Indeed, Swedes have a tendency to think they are a little more normal than others. They believe they are quite sensible, and logical. They are often unaware that the rest of us, their international business partners, may have a different opinion. We think they are amusing, entertaining and, at times, really quite odd.
Take business life for example. Swedes attend meetings. Lots of them.
Three things in Sweden are certain: death, taxes and more meetings.
Mötet gick bra
When Swedes say 'Mötet gick bra' (the meeting went well) what exactly do they mean? There were heated discussions? The meeting went on for ages? The incredible number of decisions that were taken? I doubt it.
Other people on the planet believe that the sole purpose of a meeting is to produce decisions. Swedish meetings, on the other hand, are held to find out whether or not you are at the meeting to decide when the meeting will be to decide when you will meet to talk about what happened at your meeting.
Swedish meetings are short but many. They are arranged to give Bengan, Maggan, and Lasse a chance to say what they think. If you want to reach a decision then you'll have to arrange another meeting because in the meantime Bengan, Maggan and Lasse have to go back to the office and ask Ninni, Kicki and Titti (yes, there are girls of that name) what they think.
Process
This, in Swedish, is called the förankringsprocess. If Swedes mention the word 'process' then it's better not be in a hurry. There's a process for everything. This one means getting everybody involved in everything.
Everyone voices an opinion and everyone listens. Then they compromise.
The word compromise is music to a Swede's ears. Everybody gets something. Not too much and not too little. Nobody wins and nobody loses. They may agree to disagree but what they will agree on is the exact time and date of the next meeting.
Agenda
Swedes stick to the agenda. They tick off each point after everybody has taken turns discussing it. They have to move quickly through the agenda as they all have another meeting planned ten minutes after this one has finished. They intensely dislike the last point on the agenda which is övriga frågor, 'any other business'. No self-respecting Swede wants to be guilty of causing the meeting to run over time. There is a distinct danger that 'any other business' could drag on and flexibility is not a Swedish strong point.
Decision time
Swedes rarely say yes or no. This means that instead of saying ja or nej they say nja which means 'yes-but-no-but-yes-but'. You see, saying 'yes' or 'no' can lead to conflict so Swedes avoid these words and replace them with 'it depends', 'maybe' and 'I'll see what I can do'.
Foreigners may get heated, irritated or even angry. Swedes call this hysterical behaviour. Hysteria is abnormal and uncomfortable and should preferably not occur in office hours. If, on the other hand, a Swede ever tells you to go a place called 'hellsicke', then, take my word for it, you've upset him.
You may wonder how on earth they ever make a decision. Business Swedes themselves have sometimes called this beslutsimpotens - which, I
suppose, means not having the balls to decide one way or another.
Milk and no sugar
Someone once said that if the Swedes gave up their coffee breaks they could retire five years earlier. Coffee is an integral part of any meeting, either as an on-going self-service affair during the discussions or as a separate break. The coffee break is not to be confused with the briefer, more frequent leg-stretcher. Or 'bone-stretcher' as they sometimes call it. The Swedish word for leg and bone is the same.
Work/life balance
Most Swedes are dedicated to finding a healthy work-life balance. They might say they work hard; it's just that they are not often at work to do it.
Look in a Swedish diary and you may get the impression that no one in this country is ever at work. Try to get hold of someone on a Friday afternoon and this will be confirmed. Swedes will start to ask you about your plans for the coming weekend as early as Wednesday afternoon. By Friday lunchtime they have mentally gått för dagen 'left for the day'.
Red days
The Swedes have a fair share of public holidays. In a good year they take as many days off in May and June as most Americans take in a year. And they still have their five weeks vacation to take out when it suits them. Not only do they have 'red days' as the Swedes call their official holidays, but they may be given half the day off before, just to get them into the holiday mood.
If they've planned it well they can take out a klämdag or two, which are odd days between a holiday and the weekend. Come May, June, July the weekends and public holidays more or less combine into one long vacation with the occasional day at the office.
However, fair's fair - when they're at work they're very effective.
But not before 8.30 as they have flexi-time, and not after 4 pm, thank you, as they have to pick up the kids from play school, and not after
2 pm on Fridays, if you don't mind, and preferably not between 1 May and 10 August.
So, there you are Swedes. A short, sharp lesson in how to realise that you are not quite as normal as you think you are.
And thank goodness for that.
Saturday, April 19, 2008
Party
Tonight is the party of the year. It is the Selden Mast party at Charleston Race Week. Yours truly will be there with a whole bunch of great sailors.
I wonder what the main topic of discusion will be? Probably something I don't like, he,he.
I wonder what the main topic of discusion will be? Probably something I don't like, he,he.
Wednesday, April 16, 2008
Slow ecomomy
You know the economy is slow when you have had 3 Spanish speaking South Americans ask for a job in the same month.
And the month is only half way through.
This year will be tough, real tough.
And the month is only half way through.
This year will be tough, real tough.
Tuesday, April 15, 2008
2 year check
Fia went for her 2 year check at the doctor.
She is now
34 1/4 inches or 87 cm
27 1/2 lbs or 12.4 kg
Not to bad. She is growing like crazy if you ask me.
She is now
34 1/4 inches or 87 cm
27 1/2 lbs or 12.4 kg
Not to bad. She is growing like crazy if you ask me.
Sunday, April 13, 2008
Number 6
Alex has a thing for # 6. If given the choice he picks # 6. really the only thing that changes are the color of his shirt. This time around his team is Dunkin Donut Orange.
His team crunched the other team Saturday. Alex scored twice in that game.
A new toddler
Fia is now 2 years old, I could take poison on that she was born yesterday.
Her party was all in Hello Kitty since Fia likes that figure.
Our little toddler, geese. I still can't comprehend it.
Friday, April 11, 2008
A day off
I always take the day closest to or on a birthday off in our family. Today it was for Fia, she is turning two tomorrow. I have a hard time with this, I will no longer have a baby, I will have a toddler.
So Fia and I had breakfast together this morning, just the two of us. Marta took Alex to school as usual, which is great since my point being taking the day off is just for spending time with the special one. In all honesty I don't take the day off for Milu, she's my first born and all ready special as hell.
Any how, after breakfast we went to the park, played around and decided to make a picnic and go to the boat. Fia is my little sailor, you should see this little shit on the boat, amazing how comfortable and interested she is. She has docked Katie all ready, no lie, she is a natural. Fia invited big sis and bro and we all had one good time.
So Fia and I had breakfast together this morning, just the two of us. Marta took Alex to school as usual, which is great since my point being taking the day off is just for spending time with the special one. In all honesty I don't take the day off for Milu, she's my first born and all ready special as hell.
Any how, after breakfast we went to the park, played around and decided to make a picnic and go to the boat. Fia is my little sailor, you should see this little shit on the boat, amazing how comfortable and interested she is. She has docked Katie all ready, no lie, she is a natural. Fia invited big sis and bro and we all had one good time.
It is hard for me not to be partial, Fia loves sailing and so do I. My little Alex how ever is as polite and considerate as no one else. I'm so proud of him that I forget to let him know that I am.
With that said, Fia does enjoy her naps on the boat, especially when it is a bit windy and Katie rocks around just enough for Fia to feel as relaxed and comfortable like few of us ever do.
With that said, Fia does enjoy her naps on the boat, especially when it is a bit windy and Katie rocks around just enough for Fia to feel as relaxed and comfortable like few of us ever do.
Thursday, April 10, 2008
Strawberries
The kids are heading over to Boone Hall Farm to day to pick strawberries. It is just amazing how fast a year is.
I for one can't seem to wait the few hours that is left until I can have a fresh local strawberry to munch on.
I for one can't seem to wait the few hours that is left until I can have a fresh local strawberry to munch on.
Europe tour
So, our summer stint in Europe is finalized. Marta and the kids will arrive Barcelona on June 30. That is by the way our anniversary, 8 years has just flown by.
I will be home alone with the dog for a month, I will arrive on July 29. What is nice is that we get to see our good friends that now live in Germany. They are to spend a long weekend with us in Barcelona.
And then we all fly back home to the US August 14 to get ready for school for both Alex and Fia.
I will be home alone with the dog for a month, I will arrive on July 29. What is nice is that we get to see our good friends that now live in Germany. They are to spend a long weekend with us in Barcelona.
And then we all fly back home to the US August 14 to get ready for school for both Alex and Fia.
Tuesday, April 8, 2008
1992
1992, Bushman's club. My brother Magnus and I owned the world. Out all hours of the night, up early in the morning, work hard, play hard. Fancy cars and a lot of chicks.
Now we are both married and light years apart. I miss my brother so much every time I hear this song being played.
Bushman's club, drinks, chicks, fancy cars and a friend of a lifetime.
Now we are both married and light years apart. I miss my brother so much every time I hear this song being played.
Bushman's club, drinks, chicks, fancy cars and a friend of a lifetime.
Wonderful daughter
No one is as polite as a girl from Japan. Montserrat, you can be proud ( I am a little too cause I married her).
Backyard buddies
The other day our alligator woke up. We have seen the same gator now for the 5 years we have been in this house. 5 years can you believe it? We think it is the same one, some one said they stay put unless they loose out in a fight to some one stronger, and our little shit was sure tiny 5 years ago and is steadily growing.
A benefit with a gator in your backyard is that they love to eat cats. There are a lot of sweet cats around but not the ones that takes a dump in your kids sandbox. The few cats that have so far has not been longed lived. Fine with me.
I have how ever informed the owners of these cats that they play Russian roulette with the gator in the mornings. Ha. ha the owners say, cats are fast. Well, what do you know, the gator is growing, no cat pop in our sandbox and signs in the neighborhood saying, have you seen this cat, missing since last Tuesday. It doesn't take Sherlock Holmes.
What is funny is that every time we let Milu out the gator swims over and they greet each other. it's like they have mutual respect that they both don't like cats. Or maybe the gator thinks, in a few years dog, I'll be big enough to eat you.
A benefit with a gator in your backyard is that they love to eat cats. There are a lot of sweet cats around but not the ones that takes a dump in your kids sandbox. The few cats that have so far has not been longed lived. Fine with me.
I have how ever informed the owners of these cats that they play Russian roulette with the gator in the mornings. Ha. ha the owners say, cats are fast. Well, what do you know, the gator is growing, no cat pop in our sandbox and signs in the neighborhood saying, have you seen this cat, missing since last Tuesday. It doesn't take Sherlock Holmes.
What is funny is that every time we let Milu out the gator swims over and they greet each other. it's like they have mutual respect that they both don't like cats. Or maybe the gator thinks, in a few years dog, I'll be big enough to eat you.
New record
Alex hit a drive 59 yards ( 54 meters) today. A football field is 100 yards ( 91 meters) and a soccer field is about the same size as well (110-120 yards).
I am very impressed by his skill, the little man is just 4 years old.
I am very impressed by his skill, the little man is just 4 years old.
Sunday, April 6, 2008
Swedish lesson part 4
Gothenburg, where I was born and raised, is a blue color city. A big employer is Volvo who has a big union, just like the giant three here in the states. I find this clip hilarious, it is grossly exaggerated but still.
Responsability
Alex and fia are the ones who are supposed to give Milu food and water these days. They are pretty good at it, just a few reminders needed once in awhile.
Milu off course has no complains, she trust them fully enen though she likes to be in the middle of to make sure they don't miss a scoop of food.
Thursday, April 3, 2008
Spouse conversion
I knew there had to be something out there.
As you may know Marta hates our boat and I am NOT to get an other one. Absolutely NOT. We'll see about that after I send her here.
As you may know Marta hates our boat and I am NOT to get an other one. Absolutely NOT. We'll see about that after I send her here.
Wednesday, April 2, 2008
Summer camp
Marta stood in line yesterday morning at the recreation center in Park West and managed to get the kids signed up for summer camp.
Alex is going to golf, swimming and something else with his buddy E from school.
Fia is just going to swim. More than enough for her.
I hope that they enjoy it because it isn't cheap.
Later in the summer both of them will go to camps in Barcelona. That should be a nice change for them, I'm quite jealous.
I went to tons of sailing camps as a kid, they have them here as well but not until age 7.
Alex is going to golf, swimming and something else with his buddy E from school.
Fia is just going to swim. More than enough for her.
I hope that they enjoy it because it isn't cheap.
Later in the summer both of them will go to camps in Barcelona. That should be a nice change for them, I'm quite jealous.
I went to tons of sailing camps as a kid, they have them here as well but not until age 7.
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