Visited the games fair in Essen Saturday. Never seen that many games and gamers in one spot... Naturally it is about doing business but there are demo tables etc so those who want can spend the whole fair playing, playing and playing. Boardgames and accessories. And SO much people...
Personally I enjoy a good game now and then, but that is that. Now and then. And until a week ago I hadn't played in months. Or was it even longer? At the fair there were people that seemed to do nothing but play. I don't get how they can keep track of all the rules :-)
27 Oct 2008
23 Oct 2008
Piano concert
Yesterday evening I met up with a friend and we went to a piano concert. It was "Night of the amateurs", at this cool little place which obviously has lot of different activities going on, and is a center of electronical music here in Düsseldorf. I'll be there again but I don't think I would have ever found it without my friend.
On the paper it was a piano concert but in reality it was only the first act that was piano, the other was cello, drums, and electronical music all mixed together.
The pianist was talented, but the music was too much of "Elevator music", hissmusik as I would say in Swedish. You know, background music sort of. Nothing wrong with it, but nothing overly exciting either.
The second act was a bit more interesting, even though the main musician wasn't as talented as the pianist before, but I have a soft spot for cello. The cello music can be felt in the heart, or deep down in my stomach. Although I am obviously getting old, I thought it was too loud. A feeling that I get now and then... And I keep forgetting earplugs, good thing I had fingers to put in my ears ;-)
Well, I'll be going back. Perhaps not during the series of Amateurs night, but I will be back, for sure!
On the paper it was a piano concert but in reality it was only the first act that was piano, the other was cello, drums, and electronical music all mixed together.
The pianist was talented, but the music was too much of "Elevator music", hissmusik as I would say in Swedish. You know, background music sort of. Nothing wrong with it, but nothing overly exciting either.
The second act was a bit more interesting, even though the main musician wasn't as talented as the pianist before, but I have a soft spot for cello. The cello music can be felt in the heart, or deep down in my stomach. Although I am obviously getting old, I thought it was too loud. A feeling that I get now and then... And I keep forgetting earplugs, good thing I had fingers to put in my ears ;-)
Well, I'll be going back. Perhaps not during the series of Amateurs night, but I will be back, for sure!
22 Oct 2008
Man upphör aldrig att förvånas! (Vikten av diskussioner på rätt nivå)
Må hända att jag är naiv men jag tror alla människor om gott. Jag tenderar att tro att när någonting blir galet är det jag som trampat i klaveret på något sätt. Jag har kort till förlåtelse. Visserligen har jag ett jäkla temprament när jag sätter den sidan till, det erkänner jag, men enda sedan jag var liten har jag funkat så att jag exploderar och sedan är det över (till skillnad mot lillebror den äldre (har tre), som kunde tjura i dagar som barn. Ibland bestämde jag mig för det samma men det höll aldrig, jag glömde bort att vara arg efter tio minuter och och när jag redan skrattat och flamsat var det för sent att gå tillbaka... Trots att jag såg att brorsan ibland var framgångsrik med att få sin vilja igenom just för att han surade...).
Andra exempel på mitt "jag tror alla om gott" tänkande är när vi bestämt möte någonstans och den andra personen är sen, jag är alltid övertygad om att det är jag som står på fel ställe eller på fel tid eller vad det nu kan vara - även när jag VET att jag har rätt. Jag tror ändå att jag missförstått på något sätt (borde inte avslöja mina svagheter, antar jag, men jag gör det ändå...)
Sedan bloggande blev vanligt, och även möjligheterna att lämna kommentarer efter artiklar börjar jag dock fundera mer och mer. Jag älskar själv sakliga debatter med innehåll. Är uppvuxen en miljö där diskuterande- gärna livligt sådant med armfäktande och annat, jag använder alltid kroppen när jag talar - uppmuntrades. Men i dessa anonyma diskussioner stöter jag oftare och oftare på rena personliga påhopp. Och det går inte att skylla på missförstånd, och inte heller på dålig hantering av språket. Istället är det rena elakheter, förföljelser och annat. Jag har själv inte haft oturen att råka ut för den typen av påhopp i stor utsträckning men det räcker att se kommentarerna andra får.
I en bra diskussion respekterar man varandra, faktum är att jag anser att basen för en bra diskussion är just respekt. Respekt innebär inte att man inte vågar uttrycka sig känslomässigt, men man behandlar inte andra på ett sätt man inte vill bli behandlad på själv. Man lyssnar på motparten och man håller sig till sakliga argument. Visst kan känslor bli inblandade, men då är det känslor för ämnet man diskuterar - och man måste ändå hålla sig till en "renhårig" diskussion så att säga. Påhopp är påhopp, det är inte en diskussion.
Med tanke på ovanstående blir jag trött, förvånad, chockad och ledsen över att det gått så långt att personer i Sverige måste stänga ner bloggar på grund av påhopp. Det senaste är Marcus Birro. Jag håller inte med om varje sak Birro säger - och det måste man inte heller. Att hålla med bara för att hålla med tvivlar jag på att Birro är intresserad av. Att alltid hålla med är inte respekt, det är någonting annat. Men att inte hålla med och att bete sig korkat, respektlöst och hel enkelt människovidrigt är två HELT olika saker. Oavsett ämnet och oavsett vad som har hänt under veckan i Sverige så skrämmer det mig när debatten slutar vara debatt och blir till griserier. För att kunna komma någon vart måste vi kunna diskutera med varandra, inte smutskasta.
Är det någonting jag till fullo håller med Birro om är det frågan om debatt om tonen i det offentliga rummet/samtalet. Det är i allra högsta grad dags att ta den debatten, NU!
Jag tycker förvisso att det finns mycket som vare sig passar i det offentliga rummet eller vänner emellan, men samtalet vänner emellan kan jag givetvis inte uttala mig om mer än generellt. Jag kan ha åsikter om vilket typ av tilltal som jag kan acceptera i personliga samtal, men jag kan bara göra det utifrån mig själv. När det gäller det offentliga rummet är det dock något som involverar oss alla. Där har vi som människor ett gemensamt ansvar för att att se till att diskussionerna blir respektfulla - och åter igen, respekt för mig handlar om hur man behandlar andra människor. Självklart ska man inte behöva krypa. Men respekt, det är ett krav! Jag tycker vi har det ansvaret gentemot varandra och faktiskt, även om det låter högtravande, gentemot mänskligheten.
Jag tänker inte gå in i debatt runt det som varit - jag känner till för lite om vem som sagt och gjort vad, det jag vet har jag läst från bloggar och från internetupplagor på nätet, och som allt man läser behöver man förhålla sig kritiskt till det. Eftersom jag inte varit i Sverige sedan i somras och inte heller sett vare sig Idol eller eftersnacket har jag för lite information - men ett vet jag; Vi måste lära oss medmänsklighet, empati och respekt. Och vi har, anser jag, en skyldighet att se till att hålla diskussioner på ett moget och respektfullt sätt. Om vi inte klarar det tror jag, i det långa loppet, något som vi kämpat för länge länge kommer gå förlorat - demokratin. För hur kan vi upprätthålla den om vi inte klarar av att förhålla oss till varandra med respekt?
Andra exempel på mitt "jag tror alla om gott" tänkande är när vi bestämt möte någonstans och den andra personen är sen, jag är alltid övertygad om att det är jag som står på fel ställe eller på fel tid eller vad det nu kan vara - även när jag VET att jag har rätt. Jag tror ändå att jag missförstått på något sätt (borde inte avslöja mina svagheter, antar jag, men jag gör det ändå...)
Sedan bloggande blev vanligt, och även möjligheterna att lämna kommentarer efter artiklar börjar jag dock fundera mer och mer. Jag älskar själv sakliga debatter med innehåll. Är uppvuxen en miljö där diskuterande- gärna livligt sådant med armfäktande och annat, jag använder alltid kroppen när jag talar - uppmuntrades. Men i dessa anonyma diskussioner stöter jag oftare och oftare på rena personliga påhopp. Och det går inte att skylla på missförstånd, och inte heller på dålig hantering av språket. Istället är det rena elakheter, förföljelser och annat. Jag har själv inte haft oturen att råka ut för den typen av påhopp i stor utsträckning men det räcker att se kommentarerna andra får.
I en bra diskussion respekterar man varandra, faktum är att jag anser att basen för en bra diskussion är just respekt. Respekt innebär inte att man inte vågar uttrycka sig känslomässigt, men man behandlar inte andra på ett sätt man inte vill bli behandlad på själv. Man lyssnar på motparten och man håller sig till sakliga argument. Visst kan känslor bli inblandade, men då är det känslor för ämnet man diskuterar - och man måste ändå hålla sig till en "renhårig" diskussion så att säga. Påhopp är påhopp, det är inte en diskussion.
Med tanke på ovanstående blir jag trött, förvånad, chockad och ledsen över att det gått så långt att personer i Sverige måste stänga ner bloggar på grund av påhopp. Det senaste är Marcus Birro. Jag håller inte med om varje sak Birro säger - och det måste man inte heller. Att hålla med bara för att hålla med tvivlar jag på att Birro är intresserad av. Att alltid hålla med är inte respekt, det är någonting annat. Men att inte hålla med och att bete sig korkat, respektlöst och hel enkelt människovidrigt är två HELT olika saker. Oavsett ämnet och oavsett vad som har hänt under veckan i Sverige så skrämmer det mig när debatten slutar vara debatt och blir till griserier. För att kunna komma någon vart måste vi kunna diskutera med varandra, inte smutskasta.
Är det någonting jag till fullo håller med Birro om är det frågan om debatt om tonen i det offentliga rummet/samtalet. Det är i allra högsta grad dags att ta den debatten, NU!
Jag tycker förvisso att det finns mycket som vare sig passar i det offentliga rummet eller vänner emellan, men samtalet vänner emellan kan jag givetvis inte uttala mig om mer än generellt. Jag kan ha åsikter om vilket typ av tilltal som jag kan acceptera i personliga samtal, men jag kan bara göra det utifrån mig själv. När det gäller det offentliga rummet är det dock något som involverar oss alla. Där har vi som människor ett gemensamt ansvar för att att se till att diskussionerna blir respektfulla - och åter igen, respekt för mig handlar om hur man behandlar andra människor. Självklart ska man inte behöva krypa. Men respekt, det är ett krav! Jag tycker vi har det ansvaret gentemot varandra och faktiskt, även om det låter högtravande, gentemot mänskligheten.
Jag tänker inte gå in i debatt runt det som varit - jag känner till för lite om vem som sagt och gjort vad, det jag vet har jag läst från bloggar och från internetupplagor på nätet, och som allt man läser behöver man förhålla sig kritiskt till det. Eftersom jag inte varit i Sverige sedan i somras och inte heller sett vare sig Idol eller eftersnacket har jag för lite information - men ett vet jag; Vi måste lära oss medmänsklighet, empati och respekt. Och vi har, anser jag, en skyldighet att se till att hålla diskussioner på ett moget och respektfullt sätt. Om vi inte klarar det tror jag, i det långa loppet, något som vi kämpat för länge länge kommer gå förlorat - demokratin. För hur kan vi upprätthålla den om vi inte klarar av att förhålla oss till varandra med respekt?
20 Oct 2008
Höstlöven ligger som ett tjockt täcke
Höstlöven ligger som ett tjockt täcke, man får vada sig fram när man går på lunch. Ljuvligt vackert. Att mitt i detta hav av löv - det är lönnarna som tappat - se en liten schäfervalp komma skuttandes, snubblande över sina egna tassar gör mig lycklig. Ännu lyckligare blir jag förståss över att det är någon annans hund men det är ett separat spår...
Underbart vackert är också att alla träd som jag ser fortfarande har löven kvar, många har inte ens börjat byta färg, andra har kommit längre. Och ändå har vi alltså de här underbara lövmattorna på sina ställen. Idag är det nästan 20 grader varmt så hösten känns långt borta - men ändå nära.
Underbart vackert är också att alla träd som jag ser fortfarande har löven kvar, många har inte ens börjat byta färg, andra har kommit längre. Och ändå har vi alltså de här underbara lövmattorna på sina ställen. Idag är det nästan 20 grader varmt så hösten känns långt borta - men ändå nära.
15 Oct 2008
Strange looks - no, at least here you sometimes get a respons
We are now entering the gloomy period. The period when people looks like they have just lost a dear one. Perhaps some of them have but I doubt that this is the case in most of the cases. But this is the season without smiles, and it seems to be universal (except for in some parts of the world it seems to be more a "all year around" look and in others it is just a wintertime look.
But at least here in Düsseldorf when you smile at people you get - if they are not completely "remote controlled" and just stares into the open without noticing - a smile back. I have tried this many times in the underground in Stockholm, just because of the fun of it, and there people just look at you in a way that seems to indicate that you are insane and that you need to be put away. Which is why I keep on doing it. It throws people off.
It IS more fun when you get a smile back, though!
But at least here in Düsseldorf when you smile at people you get - if they are not completely "remote controlled" and just stares into the open without noticing - a smile back. I have tried this many times in the underground in Stockholm, just because of the fun of it, and there people just look at you in a way that seems to indicate that you are insane and that you need to be put away. Which is why I keep on doing it. It throws people off.
It IS more fun when you get a smile back, though!
14 Oct 2008
I'm sure it wasn't like like that but it looked interesting...
I am sure the guy who looked like he was in charge of the lift at the train station where I get off in the morning wasn't actually there to handle the lift, I am sure he just used it because he was lazy, but it sure looked interesting. He arrived with the lift when we came in with the train, but didn't get out, instead he was just waiting inside it, like he was waiting for passengers.
The fact that he was wearing a uniform and obviously came from Deutsche Bahn, DB, of course helped the impression even more... :-)
The fact that he was wearing a uniform and obviously came from Deutsche Bahn, DB, of course helped the impression even more... :-)
13 Oct 2008
Hemkunskap
När jag hade hemkunskap i skolan fick vi lära oss hur man ska vika lakan och handdukar. Som om det vore en livsnödvändig kunskap och som om man rubbar världsordningen om man inte viker på rätt sätt. Exakt rätt sätt.
Det värsta var väl inte att vi fick lära oss det utan det värsta är väl ändå att jag fortfarade får dåligt samvete när jag inte viker som det ska vikas...
Det värsta var väl inte att vi fick lära oss det utan det värsta är väl ändå att jag fortfarade får dåligt samvete när jag inte viker som det ska vikas...
12 Oct 2008
What a wonderful day!
A LOT to eat...
It is a beautiful city and the nice weather certainly helped too. Here a view from Medienhafen, overlooking the river and the bridges. Notice the modern buildings on the right too!
Had brunch with friends today, at a place in Medienhafen that serves Brazilian grilled meat. They have a lovely buffet with cold starters, salads etc. Of course I did my usual mistake and had way to much for starters despite telling myself that I shouldn't. But when they have little herrings, smoked salmon, Parmesan cheese - one of those big ones that you just dig out a big piece of, with a little knife or even a spoon (although that is much harder work... With a spoon I mean), various vegetables, prawns, ham, melon, tomatoes with mozzarella and... Well, I could just go on and on. A lot of really nice starters, that is basically it. How could I resist? Even if I just pick the really good stuff, I get full, I admit... After the starter they came around with various kinds of grilled meat. The come with the skewer itself, and you choose what you want - all, some, none, or more of the same as you had before: 
"Grilled chicken?", "Sausages anyone?"; "Perhaps some lamb?", "Pork?", "Fillet?", "Do you want some kassler?" (Kassler is smoked pork, which in this case was then grilled. I thought it was pretty special for Sweden. I was wrong), "Can I interest you in some ribs?"
And in between: Different kinds of potatoes. Grilled vegetables. Green Beans - and so forth.
And then, when I didn't think I could fit ANYTHING else into my poor stomach, grilled pineapple, which was GREAT as a finish.
But yes, I couldn't resist stopping by the desserts, just to see, but I couldn't fit any of the chocolate mousse etc. It LOOKED good, but no, not possible...
Finished with an espresso. And later on a walk in the neighbourhood... That was very much needed!
It is a beautiful city and the nice weather certainly helped too. Here a view from Medienhafen, overlooking the river and the bridges. Notice the modern buildings on the right too!10 Oct 2008
Misusing my doorbell
I don't know that many people in Düsseldorf yet, at least not people that would spontaneously just pop by for a visit. Therefore I got puzzled but also very happy the first time my doorbell rang, the one downstairs, that you use to get through the main gate.
Turned out to not be fancy at all. It is most of the time the people handing out leaflets telling you to shop here or there, or this and that. On my mailbox I have a clear sign saying "Keine Werbung" or "Keine Reklame, Bitte" or something similar. Can't remember which one it is right now, but the message is clear, no adds. And that most of the time works.
But what I don't like is this misuse of my doorbell. I am not the doorman. They press every button downstairs and then wait for someone to open. Annoys me. I don't even feel special, I know that if I don't let them in, someone else will. Hrmpf!
At least in this flat I can lift the receiver and talk to the people, being ironic and telling them that I don't want anything so I won't let them in. In the first flat I had down here I just had a button to press - let them in or not, without having a clue who it was. At least here I can have some fun and practice my German... :-)
But really, what this has lead to is that I barely bother if someone rings the bell downstairs, so if you want to come and visit, you better tell me in advance, or call me, or I may not let you in...
Turned out to not be fancy at all. It is most of the time the people handing out leaflets telling you to shop here or there, or this and that. On my mailbox I have a clear sign saying "Keine Werbung" or "Keine Reklame, Bitte" or something similar. Can't remember which one it is right now, but the message is clear, no adds. And that most of the time works.
But what I don't like is this misuse of my doorbell. I am not the doorman. They press every button downstairs and then wait for someone to open. Annoys me. I don't even feel special, I know that if I don't let them in, someone else will. Hrmpf!
At least in this flat I can lift the receiver and talk to the people, being ironic and telling them that I don't want anything so I won't let them in. In the first flat I had down here I just had a button to press - let them in or not, without having a clue who it was. At least here I can have some fun and practice my German... :-)
But really, what this has lead to is that I barely bother if someone rings the bell downstairs, so if you want to come and visit, you better tell me in advance, or call me, or I may not let you in...
American election
It is not possible to avoid getting dragged into the US elections, not just because I work for an American company and have friends from the US and in the US. Who leads US is also of importance for us - plus media have never, as far as I remember, been so "on" when it comes to the elections. Even if our TV connection is not working at the moment, there are newspapers, various internet forums, and so forth. The campaign is getting dirtier and dirtier, especially from one side, which worries me, as we in Sweden tends to take after. I don't want that. I want the politics to be about politics, but since it obviously engages people, I guess it is difficult to get away from it.
It is also fascinating to see the differences in cultures between different countries. The more time I spend outside of Sweden the more I discover these differences - not just in politics but in other areas too. But things that are considered bad in one country no one would bat an eye for in another country, and the other way around. We look at unpaid TV-license fees, parking tickets etc, which could and have taken politicians down in Sweden, US looks at anything that has to do with marriage - name a politician that we know of who got a divorce while he/she was active in politics. Hardly exists. Or actually, I can't think of a single one. In US, that is. Here, our at the time sitting prime minister got a divorce, started to date another woman and later married her. In France, Sarkozy divorced very public and remarried shortly after. Didn't effect his role as a politician, at least not in France. Well, well. Personally I don't think who one is married to has anything to do with how you are as a politician, but that is me.
What I find interesting as well is how voters - or fans in general, since this is turning into a pop circus, manages to turn something doubtful into something good. An example that I saw this morning was a fan who, on YouTube, had published a "Tribute to McCain", using among other things footage from a Swedish news channel. By coincidence a news reporter was filming the release of a bunch of prisoners of war. Surprisingly enough, this happened to include McCain. The commentator is asking how it comes that McCain walks onto the plane, but later is on crouches. They also talk about how he possibly got some special treatment because who his father was. I can't say what is true and what isn't, but I see the pics, and he does look pretty healthy, except for limping after what the reporter says in a broken leg that grew together the wrong way (and supposedly that is why he had surgery in the US and therefore was on crouches when he met the president (Nixon, wasn't it??). Anyhow, the interesting thing is not whether McCain was treated in a certain way or not, what is interesting is how someone can pick up a clip that obviously asks some questions, and use that in a tribute... In the background you can even hear the Swedish comments about it...
And regarding McCain: Of course being a prisoner for five years, or even a month is horrible no matter how well you are treated. That is not the thing here, I'd hate to be locked up no matter what.
And no, I am not going to go into any other political discussions. What is most important to me is that people vote. Sure, you may want a certain outcome, but if people at least vote you know that the result is what they wanted. I personally think it is an obligation to vote if you can, not a right. It is a must to keep democracy alive. Every vote may make a difference.
It is also fascinating to see the differences in cultures between different countries. The more time I spend outside of Sweden the more I discover these differences - not just in politics but in other areas too. But things that are considered bad in one country no one would bat an eye for in another country, and the other way around. We look at unpaid TV-license fees, parking tickets etc, which could and have taken politicians down in Sweden, US looks at anything that has to do with marriage - name a politician that we know of who got a divorce while he/she was active in politics. Hardly exists. Or actually, I can't think of a single one. In US, that is. Here, our at the time sitting prime minister got a divorce, started to date another woman and later married her. In France, Sarkozy divorced very public and remarried shortly after. Didn't effect his role as a politician, at least not in France. Well, well. Personally I don't think who one is married to has anything to do with how you are as a politician, but that is me.
What I find interesting as well is how voters - or fans in general, since this is turning into a pop circus, manages to turn something doubtful into something good. An example that I saw this morning was a fan who, on YouTube, had published a "Tribute to McCain", using among other things footage from a Swedish news channel. By coincidence a news reporter was filming the release of a bunch of prisoners of war. Surprisingly enough, this happened to include McCain. The commentator is asking how it comes that McCain walks onto the plane, but later is on crouches. They also talk about how he possibly got some special treatment because who his father was. I can't say what is true and what isn't, but I see the pics, and he does look pretty healthy, except for limping after what the reporter says in a broken leg that grew together the wrong way (and supposedly that is why he had surgery in the US and therefore was on crouches when he met the president (Nixon, wasn't it??). Anyhow, the interesting thing is not whether McCain was treated in a certain way or not, what is interesting is how someone can pick up a clip that obviously asks some questions, and use that in a tribute... In the background you can even hear the Swedish comments about it...
And regarding McCain: Of course being a prisoner for five years, or even a month is horrible no matter how well you are treated. That is not the thing here, I'd hate to be locked up no matter what.
And no, I am not going to go into any other political discussions. What is most important to me is that people vote. Sure, you may want a certain outcome, but if people at least vote you know that the result is what they wanted. I personally think it is an obligation to vote if you can, not a right. It is a must to keep democracy alive. Every vote may make a difference.
5 Oct 2008
The empty library
A new mall opened not that far from where we live. It opened in the end of September, so just over a week ago. It opened on a Tuesday, which feels a bit odd, but OK.
There is a lot going on in the mall and around it right now, campaigns etc. They want to draw people and ensure that the mall is in the mind of everybody. No wonder, they have spent a lot of money on it!
It is a great location too, close to the tram, the trains and in an area where there may actually be parking spots from time to time. And for me it is on a walking distance, without being too close - I don't particularly like shopping but when I have to do it it is great to get there easily, and if I can get some exercise there or back it is just a bonus.
But anyhow, anyone I have meet since it opened seem to ask me "Have you been at the new mall yet"? My answer has been no, but on Saturday I decided that now it was time, time to see the miracle... So I went out for my regular Saturday walk, but this time aiming at the mall. I have to know what they are talking about! Plus I wanted to check out the library and the swimming hall, to see if it would be worth going there.
At the Japanese dinner the other day the mall was of course discussed, and the Japanese friend mentioned 
that they have CD:s and DVD:s at the library as well. He said that when he was there people had been lending especially DVD:s as mad, huge piles of them. One of the Germans suggested that there is a limit for how many you can borrow in one go, and I am sure that will be true at some point, but as the 
Japanese friend pointed out, not now. And did I get proof of that... The shelves were gaping empty - look at the pictures! The one to the left used to be full of DVD:s I am told, and in the other one there used to be CD:s as well as DVD:s. Empty! One or two people were picking up the remains and were going to lend basically what was over... Don't ask me what the people do with all the DVD:s in one go, how many films can you watch in a week? Guess plenty are being copied and distributed further. Just hope they will realise that it is good to have some sort of limit - you should of course be able to get as many as you like, but NOT in one go, it is not fair on all the others that also want to have a chance to see a film - and I am all about fair! Plus, is there anything more sad than completely empty shelves?
that they have CD:s and DVD:s at the library as well. He said that when he was there people had been lending especially DVD:s as mad, huge piles of them. One of the Germans suggested that there is a limit for how many you can borrow in one go, and I am sure that will be true at some point, but as the 
Japanese friend pointed out, not now. And did I get proof of that... The shelves were gaping empty - look at the pictures! The one to the left used to be full of DVD:s I am told, and in the other one there used to be CD:s as well as DVD:s. Empty! One or two people were picking up the remains and were going to lend basically what was over... Don't ask me what the people do with all the DVD:s in one go, how many films can you watch in a week? Guess plenty are being copied and distributed further. Just hope they will realise that it is good to have some sort of limit - you should of course be able to get as many as you like, but NOT in one go, it is not fair on all the others that also want to have a chance to see a film - and I am all about fair! Plus, is there anything more sad than completely empty shelves? The library in itself was nothing fancy. Too small for my taste, even though they had a good selection of children's books. If you have children and they speak German, that is. I had anticipated some more newspapers and magazines in the reading area but it was mainly a lot of Rheinishe Post, and a few others. Nothing international as far as I could see, unlike the libraries in Sweden where a foreigner like myself can go and sit and read the newspapers from the home country. I didn't even see a Turkish newspaper there, and the Turkish group is large here in Düsseldorf. Maybe the newspaper section will get better but there was anyhow not that many seats. Pity, it could have been really nice. So I am a tad disappointed. Even if I can read the Swedish newspaper online nothing beats the feeling of real paper. And the German newspaper I can buy myself (but note to people visiting; I like Swedish newspapers. Bring the latest copy if you happen to get your hands on it. Don't collect, I don't want a bunch of old ones, but if you get your hands on a fresh one, hand it over...!)
Also looked at the swimming pool area, you can take a look through the windows and get a general feeling. It's OK, two pools - one larger, 25 meters or so, where you can do laps, and one where they had water gymnastics going on when I looked. But there was something else t
hat caught my eye! An ad, for what they called Aqua Movie. Tried to get a picture of the add, but it was tricky, as it was in a strange angel - but see the right. Obviously you come to the pool, and they will show a surprise film that you can watch while in the water (the top of the ad actually has a picture of what it may look like). Now if that is not an unusual setup, then I don't know what is! Of course I will not go, the film is bound to be in German, but... Well, actually that is not the reason at all, I am just not very keen on going to a swimming hall, and I am especially not going to get cold while watching a film, but I still think it is nice that they try to activate people and come up with new ideas!
hat caught my eye! An ad, for what they called Aqua Movie. Tried to get a picture of the add, but it was tricky, as it was in a strange angel - but see the right. Obviously you come to the pool, and they will show a surprise film that you can watch while in the water (the top of the ad actually has a picture of what it may look like). Now if that is not an unusual setup, then I don't know what is! Of course I will not go, the film is bound to be in German, but... Well, actually that is not the reason at all, I am just not very keen on going to a swimming hall, and I am especially not going to get cold while watching a film, but I still think it is nice that they try to activate people and come up with new ideas!4 Oct 2008
Pampered
Oh, what a lovely day! It is a bit chilly, about 12 degrees but windy, even though we have seen the sun today, despite what was expected from the weather reports.
Saturday last week when I was out walking I passed a beauty salon that I hadn't seen before, in the nearby of where I live. I had passed another one and went inside to see if they had any time to take care of me and my legs, but they didn't, so I continued my walk, and found this place instead.
Turned out that the second place, the salon that took care of me, has only been open for three weeks, now four - so they don't have that many bookings yet. Good, because I decided last week to become a regular! I have never been treated THAT well in a beauty salon, at least not for the small amount I paid. I was put on a very comfy bed, was covered in blankets, except for the lower part of the legs obviously, which were going to get waxed (yes, women have hair on their legs too...), and the room had candles, and smelled nice. Ooohhh, heaven! It took forever - she had some sort of new kind of wax-"alike", something that you didn't need the strips for. She, the woman owning the shop together with her sister was VERY thorough, and I got a fabulous leg massage etc as well. Actually fell asleep! And that must have been the first time someone fell asleep during waxing, don't you think?
Anyhow, looking at the list of things that they do, I decided then and there to become a regular... Facials, various kinds of massages (as well as for different parts of your body - back, arms and hands, foot and leg), manicure, pedicure, and so on. I can do something one week and something else another week, can't I? And why shouldn't I be allowed to spoil myself? I had almost forgotten about my promise to myself but remembered it last night, and so today at lunch time I went for a walk, something I was going to do anyhow (do a lot of walking since I moved down here. Love it!) and after I had checked out the new shopping mall including the new library and the swimming pool (no, I didn't go swimming, I just checked it out), I passed my new favourite place. And she had time for me!!! So I have really been pampered today, got a fabulous facial, which lasted for an hour.
I swear, my skin now feels smoother than it has in 10 years - and yet I have always had pretty good skin. Again I was placed on the bed, wrapped in blankets from top to toe (well, not exactly from top, but up to my chin), and for a whole hour I was pampered. Peeling, masque, massage - face and decolletage. I didn't quite fall asleep this time but it was not far off, and I certainly went into my own little world. Ah, so relaxing! I did decline the colouring of eyebrows and eyelashes which is actually included in the "basisbehandlung", the basis package, it feels kind of like overkill, considering I have black eyebrows and lashes already. I do use mascara but only one layer to keep the lashes from trying to get into my eyes, as they are pretty long.
And guess what, after my treatment she also gave me a makeup. A complete daytime makeup. Me, who normally only use mascara and kajal, and of course the lipsticks that I am addicted to. I feel like a Hollywood star :-) And that I didn't have to pay extra for. Now I just need to remember to clean my face properly tonight.
And guess what, I will be back again next week...! For what treatment I don't know yes, we shall see. Maybe it is time for a foot treatment next time?
Saturday last week when I was out walking I passed a beauty salon that I hadn't seen before, in the nearby of where I live. I had passed another one and went inside to see if they had any time to take care of me and my legs, but they didn't, so I continued my walk, and found this place instead.
Turned out that the second place, the salon that took care of me, has only been open for three weeks, now four - so they don't have that many bookings yet. Good, because I decided last week to become a regular! I have never been treated THAT well in a beauty salon, at least not for the small amount I paid. I was put on a very comfy bed, was covered in blankets, except for the lower part of the legs obviously, which were going to get waxed (yes, women have hair on their legs too...), and the room had candles, and smelled nice. Ooohhh, heaven! It took forever - she had some sort of new kind of wax-"alike", something that you didn't need the strips for. She, the woman owning the shop together with her sister was VERY thorough, and I got a fabulous leg massage etc as well. Actually fell asleep! And that must have been the first time someone fell asleep during waxing, don't you think?
Anyhow, looking at the list of things that they do, I decided then and there to become a regular... Facials, various kinds of massages (as well as for different parts of your body - back, arms and hands, foot and leg), manicure, pedicure, and so on. I can do something one week and something else another week, can't I? And why shouldn't I be allowed to spoil myself? I had almost forgotten about my promise to myself but remembered it last night, and so today at lunch time I went for a walk, something I was going to do anyhow (do a lot of walking since I moved down here. Love it!) and after I had checked out the new shopping mall including the new library and the swimming pool (no, I didn't go swimming, I just checked it out), I passed my new favourite place. And she had time for me!!! So I have really been pampered today, got a fabulous facial, which lasted for an hour.
I swear, my skin now feels smoother than it has in 10 years - and yet I have always had pretty good skin. Again I was placed on the bed, wrapped in blankets from top to toe (well, not exactly from top, but up to my chin), and for a whole hour I was pampered. Peeling, masque, massage - face and decolletage. I didn't quite fall asleep this time but it was not far off, and I certainly went into my own little world. Ah, so relaxing! I did decline the colouring of eyebrows and eyelashes which is actually included in the "basisbehandlung", the basis package, it feels kind of like overkill, considering I have black eyebrows and lashes already. I do use mascara but only one layer to keep the lashes from trying to get into my eyes, as they are pretty long.
And guess what, after my treatment she also gave me a makeup. A complete daytime makeup. Me, who normally only use mascara and kajal, and of course the lipsticks that I am addicted to. I feel like a Hollywood star :-) And that I didn't have to pay extra for. Now I just need to remember to clean my face properly tonight.
And guess what, I will be back again next week...! For what treatment I don't know yes, we shall see. Maybe it is time for a foot treatment next time?
3 Oct 2008
Japaner, japaner, japaner
Spenderade kvällen igår på en japansk restaurang i Düsseldorf, mycket trevligt. Vi var ett internatioellt gäng, två tyskar, jag, en japan, en polska och en Hongkong-kinesiska. Ett par till lämnade tyvärr sent återbud, men det var inte mycket att göra åt det.
Vi är en grupp löst sammankopplade människor som ses då och då, ibland för att äta, ibland för att gå på museum, ibland för att sporta - det är olika människor som är med vid olika tillfället. Roligt är det! Igår var det då japansk middag som var på agendan.
En av tjejerna var orolig för det mesta i matväg och valde att lägga sin egen beställning. De andra var äventyrliga som jag, så vi bestämde oss för att beställa en massa plock och prova. Vi överlät beställandet till vår japanska vän (som för övrigt var väldigt orolig att vi inte skulle gilla maten till att börja med, eller mån om ska jag kanske säga, det var ett väldans pyssel...). Hur som helst, vi började beställa, och OJ vad mycket gott det blev!
Det som är ljuvligt i Düsseldorf är att det är en så internationell stad. I andra delar av Tyskland kan jag ibland känna att maten, även om man till exempel beställer Grekiskt, ändå har en sorts "tysk" ton. Inte i Düsseldorf - i alla fall inte om man håller sig undan från turistfällorna i Altstadt (missförstå mig inte, jag gillar Altstadt, men man ska vara medveten om att maten i viss mån Är turistfällemat... Eller i alla fall turistanpassad). I Düsseldorf kan man få autentisk mat (även i butikerna, jag frekventerar en av de japanska butikerna där man till och med kan handla med Yen...). Här finns en stor japansk grupp så japansk mat är särskilt lätt att hitta, och igår var vi alltså på ett sådant ställe.
Vad som hamnade på vårt bord? Allt möjligt! Soft shell Crabs var en av de första rätterna, stekta, och ljuvliga! Bläckfiskbullar, stekt marinerad tofu, tunna tunna rökta nötköttsbitar, fisklever (OJ vad gott, vet inte VAD för fisk det var dock), diverse svampar, makrillsnigri, en del olika maki (rullar), med mera. Vi beställde helt enkelt mer varefter. Mmmmm!!!
De som känner mig vet att jag verkligen värdesätter god mat och det här var ljuvligt! Efteråt gick vi till en japansk bar och tog en drink. Några av deltagarna åt små små vackra bakelser, och drack spännde kaffedrinkar, medan jag drack någon mystisk varm dryck - Umi hai tror jag mig minnas att den hette, och Hai är då cocktail eller drink eller så. Det var någon form av plommonvin, men varmt. Intressant. Den doftade så starkt att jag trodde mitt nagellack skulle ramla av men den smakade inte lika kraftigt.
Ja, det klart att man måste PROVA när man får chansen!
Vi är en grupp löst sammankopplade människor som ses då och då, ibland för att äta, ibland för att gå på museum, ibland för att sporta - det är olika människor som är med vid olika tillfället. Roligt är det! Igår var det då japansk middag som var på agendan.
En av tjejerna var orolig för det mesta i matväg och valde att lägga sin egen beställning. De andra var äventyrliga som jag, så vi bestämde oss för att beställa en massa plock och prova. Vi överlät beställandet till vår japanska vän (som för övrigt var väldigt orolig att vi inte skulle gilla maten till att börja med, eller mån om ska jag kanske säga, det var ett väldans pyssel...). Hur som helst, vi började beställa, och OJ vad mycket gott det blev!
Det som är ljuvligt i Düsseldorf är att det är en så internationell stad. I andra delar av Tyskland kan jag ibland känna att maten, även om man till exempel beställer Grekiskt, ändå har en sorts "tysk" ton. Inte i Düsseldorf - i alla fall inte om man håller sig undan från turistfällorna i Altstadt (missförstå mig inte, jag gillar Altstadt, men man ska vara medveten om att maten i viss mån Är turistfällemat... Eller i alla fall turistanpassad). I Düsseldorf kan man få autentisk mat (även i butikerna, jag frekventerar en av de japanska butikerna där man till och med kan handla med Yen...). Här finns en stor japansk grupp så japansk mat är särskilt lätt att hitta, och igår var vi alltså på ett sådant ställe.
Vad som hamnade på vårt bord? Allt möjligt! Soft shell Crabs var en av de första rätterna, stekta, och ljuvliga! Bläckfiskbullar, stekt marinerad tofu, tunna tunna rökta nötköttsbitar, fisklever (OJ vad gott, vet inte VAD för fisk det var dock), diverse svampar, makrillsnigri, en del olika maki (rullar), med mera. Vi beställde helt enkelt mer varefter. Mmmmm!!!
De som känner mig vet att jag verkligen värdesätter god mat och det här var ljuvligt! Efteråt gick vi till en japansk bar och tog en drink. Några av deltagarna åt små små vackra bakelser, och drack spännde kaffedrinkar, medan jag drack någon mystisk varm dryck - Umi hai tror jag mig minnas att den hette, och Hai är då cocktail eller drink eller så. Det var någon form av plommonvin, men varmt. Intressant. Den doftade så starkt att jag trodde mitt nagellack skulle ramla av men den smakade inte lika kraftigt.
Ja, det klart att man måste PROVA när man får chansen!
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