Day 101: Ya gotta love the Swedes

An outdoor canopy appeared in the neighboring garden this morning and I could not for the life of me figure out what that was all about. For a while, I thought maybe it had been out there all along and that I'd simply never noticed it before. A little while ago, I looked up from my kitchen table and saw a couple out there decorating it.

Then it hit me...it's crayfish party season in Sweden! Two straight days of pouring rain were certainly no reason to cancel the traditional celebration. It's hard to make out in the photo (I did not want to intrude on their festivities by moving closer) but the table is all decked out with party hats and crayfish bibs and the requisite red crayfish streamer hanging across the canopy ceiling.

I expect it will be a long night, eating, singing and, most importantly on this occasion, drinking snaps. In the rain. And wind. And cold. But hey, it's crayfish season and the weather be damned! 

Day 101: In my element

What is this feeling of well-being, contentment and drive? And, where oh where has it been all these years? I've been longing to feel fully engaged, stimulated and motivated for such a long time now that I was beginning to give up hope. Worst yet, I had lost touch with what would or could captivate me in quite that way.

Lost no more. For the past week, I feel completely in my element and just love being surrounded by that certain energy that only theater people and theater productions elicit in me.

Yup, folks, there is no business like show business!

Day 100: It's the little things you do...

Well, Sondheim would have it "together" but today's happy was all about taking care of myself. You know the drill: paying bills, catching up on errands, researching computers. 

I found a great site, BTW (or rather was referred to it by a former colleague) called www.it-auktion.se. They acquire computers that companies are getting rid of, wipe their hard drives, test them and then auction them off online. They come with a one year guarantee and the auction closes once a week. So, I hope that by Monday, I will back up and running. I do love my iPad but being computerless is not much fun, even with my handy dandy iPad on hand.

This evening, I tutored a lovely young woman in Swedish. We meet every so often and converse. I am tickled by the fact that I of all people am helping people improve their Swedish...funny where life leads you. In any event, it is always a pleasure to work with her. She is so motivated, hard working and at the same time such a gentle soul. Today, I mostly listened as she told me in great detail about a difficult relationship at work. She picked the topic and it was pretty astounding listening to her struggle to express herself on such an emotional subject in a language that is not her native tongue. Impressive and inspiring. I lead a charmed life.

Day 99: Everybody's got the right to be happy

So two fantasic things happened to me over the past two days and I'm not at all sure which makes me happier. They both occurred during our production meeting marathon for Assassins. First, on three separate occasions, three different men referred to me as a woman. Honestly, I can't remember the last time a man openly recognized my femininity...and it sure felt good.

Later...much later into the night while I was fast asleep...the show's director publicly declared me "the bestest [sic] general manager (produktionschef) ever. Online. On the Assassins Facebook page. Wow. I mean wow.

So, one personal and one professional triumph. Just so you don't think it's all a bed of roses, my computer has gone totally schizophrenic on me. The screen is dying. A slow, agonizing death...agonizing for me at least :-( Anyone out there got an extra computer lying around? If so, I'm your customer.

Oh, and mark your calendars...the premier has been established: Jan 8, 2013, with or without Mr. Sondheim in the house.

Day 98: Perpetual anticipation...

Soon, very soon, the real work begins. Awaiting the arrival of the rest of the production crew and two days of exciting work. Discussing, planning, laughing, getting to know one another.

In the meanwhile, there are views to be seen and my blog to compose
There are so many things in the meanwhile.
And a girl has to celebrate what passes by :-)

So what do you say to this work environment? Not too shabby, eh?!

Day 97: It takes so little...

...to make me happy, really. On my way home from the Stockholm Language Exchange group tonight, for example, I suddenly remembered that I had to buy milk. Immediately, a big grin appeared on my face and my step got lighter. If you're looking quizzical while reading this then you're probably young. Younger than me. Wait a decade or two and you'll understand how spontaneously remembering an errand without having to write it down, set an alarm or tie a ribbon round your finger can generate an instantaneous feeling of joy!




So what's the Stockholm Language Exchange, you ask? It's a MeetUp group where people get together to practice a language of their choice. There is always at least one fluent speaker (usually a native) on hand as host to support and encourage. I attend the French group from time to time to try and kick-start my French after too many years of neglect. And I regularly attend the Swedish group (our most popular) where I host, helping folks who want to improve their Swedish. It is sooooo much fun and I've even developed a bit of a following :-) Check out the site (::: link) to see what languages are offered. Maybe I'll see you there?

Day 96: Singin' in the rain

Dark, dark, dark clouds above and pouring rain below. Me? I'm happy as a clam, singing along to my (current) favorite cast recording, eating toast with yogurt and jam (try it, it's yummy) and working on a friend's Web site. Life, my friends, is good!

Day 95: And so the journey begins...

After a long night's sound sleep, I spent the day immersed in production planning while listening to my favorite Broadway composer's music. You listen with a different ear when you're involved in a show and I found myself discovering and rediscovering the score.

It's so great to have resources at my fingertips. All these years of being a Sondheimphile are paying off well now as I can turn to my shelves for inspiration from the master himself. Such great fun...and most informative, I might add...to read what he has to say about the show, its origins and his collaboration with the playwright.

I expect I will sleep well tonight too...with a smile on my lips.

Day 94: Good things come in threes

Today, I 1) cuddled with a baby; 2) cooked and ate amazing Vietnamese food; and 3) was officially announced as the General Manager (produktionschef for the Swedes among you) for the upcoming production of Stephen Sondheim's Assassins  in Stockholm in January. Happy does not even begin to describe it :-D

Day 93: It's back!

No more tiny keyboard. No more DrawSome frustration on the tiny iPhone screen. My iPad is finally up and running again, thanks to the expert help of the people at iPhone Reparation (http://www.iphonereparation.se/). They called this morning to say that the long awaited LCD screens were finally back in stock. Off I went to their location on Odengatan to drop my beloved moj off. They said it would take a couple of hours to repair and that I would get a call when it was ready.

YAY!

A mere 50 minutes later, the call came in. I was almost afraid to answer fearing that they were calling to tell me they'd found an irreparable problem with it. To my delight it was simply the repairman calling to say that my iPad was ready. Welcome back old friend...I've missed you.

 

Day 92: The Show Must Go On!

Despite the pouring rain, Vitabergsparken was packed for this evening's performance of Circus Cirkör. The performers, who also doubled as the band, did not disappoint and rather than canceling they made the best of it. Fortunately, half the stage was roofed so the instruments were protected against the downpour. As for the acrobatics, well, they cut most of them out as the rest of the stage was way too slippery. Instead, the director described what we would have been seeing :-)

One of the very impressive acts that they did go through with albeit in front of the stage, not on it, was sort of juggling with kettle bells! Yes, you heard me right. Amazing strength. Very impressive.

And I was happy to be there under an umbrella supporting these unstoppable performers, though I hasten to add that I'm hoping for much better weather for tomorrow's performance by Cullbergsballeten.

Day 91: Pride in one's work

Last year, the co-op building I live in decided to renovate the stairwell. It was a long process which included polling everyone in the building for input, selecting a contractor, deciding on details and withstanding months of noise, construction dust and cluttered hallways. When it was done, though, we were quite pleased with the result and every time I walk into our lobby, I felt happy to be home. Except for the mailbox.

A plain white mailbox that served its purpose for a number of years is now simply an eyesore in the otherwise fresh, new lobby. This is what it looks like:

And this is our beautiful lobby:

You get the picture. It was my task to find a replacement mailbox that would complement the oak accents in the lobby. Not so easy as it turns out. Enter our amazing neighbor Ingemar who volunteered to make a new mailbox. Which is exactly what he did in his carpentry shop over the summer. Today, he and his wife Christina installed it. What a lift to the entire lobby! Thank you Ingemar!

The new mailbox

Posing proudly after a job well done!

Day 90: Preview

The crowning glory of this wonderful time together with my two good friends from high school came just a few minutes ago with the reading of chapter 1 of a novel that Lori has been working on for a long time now. I've known about, heard about, this novel on and off for many years and have been waiting (am still waiting) for it with great anticipation.

Chapter 1 took me by surprise. It is, naturally, well written and its style and nature is quite in line with my expectations. What I did not anticipate was how incredibly moving it would be, how gently and kindly and generously it depicts a story that carries me back to a time long ago, yet still so close to my heart.

Chasing Fireflies by Lori Berhon. Wait for it. Look for it. It is coming. Then sit down, immerse yourself and enjoy. I know I will.

Day 89: Wine Women and Song

The day I've been planning for and looking forward to all summer finally arrived. And my cold finally left. Good timing :-)

Seven of my woman friends gathered at my place tonight. What made this gathering particularly special was that two of them are here visiting from afar, one from NYC and another from Israel. The three of us went to high school together and have stayed in each other's lives ever since. Having us all in the same city at the same time, no less in Stockholm, was certainly cause for celebration.

We ate, we sang, we talked. We were silly and serious. Two authors read aloud excerpts from their books. We shared memories and stories. We photographed. We toasted. It was magical.

This post on FB from one of them summed it up so well:

You know when your friend's old friends become your new friends? Love that.

Love that too. And all of you, each of whom holds a warm and special place in my heart.

Day 88: Play on!

Can anything really make me happy on a day like today? I really wonder. My good friend is in town, the weather is cooperating and I am stuck home with a horrible cold I can't shake off. Of course, I am happy for her sake that the weather is fine and showing off Stockholm at its best. But what about me? Poor, lonely, under-the-weather (get it?!) me?

Staying home while I'd rather be out and about is not much fun...I even had to skip dinner and the concert we had planned for yesterday evening. On the bright side, because my friends there really always is a bright side, my proclivity for creating family wherever I am pays off in situations like this. Which is why, despite my being indisposed, my friend does not have to spend her time alone. She's in the good hands of another good friend, to whom I (and my mother when she lived) refer as my "Swedish brother." They have met before on several occasions, both here and in NYC, enjoy each other's company and have been traipsing around Stockholm for a couple of days now while I try to get better. So that makes me happy.

Another bright spot in my sickly gloom are all the people out there, near and far, who are as enthusiastic as I am about Wordfeud. It's a nice way to have company without infecting anyone with my germs and a great way to pass the time when, like last night, I wake up in the wee hours with a coughing fit and can't get back to sleep. So thank you and tack så mycket ('cause I play both in English and Swedish). Oh, and I do admit to an extra thrill when (more often than not) I beat Swedish opponents ;-)

Day 87: The Breast of Everything

In a word: success! NYC author and my good friend Lori Berhon read from her first novel in print, The Breast of Everything, to a modest but enthusiastic audience in Stockholm this evening. Lori is a wonderful writer and an equally expressive reader. Laughter filled the room on several occasions as she read. The follow-up Q&A was lively with interesting questions posed by interested audience members. And we sold a number of books. All in all, everything we'd hoped for, and more.

I'm so happy! Accccchhhhhhoooooooo. (except for the cold ;-( )

Laughter

Waiting on line to purchase the book

Autographing the books

Day 86: "Bättre kan man inte ha det"

What's a cold...even a really bad one like the one I have right now...in light of those words from one's hematologist? Blood test results are back. Every single number is normal. "See you next year," he added. "Forget about us."

That last admonition will go by the wayside because how will I ever forget this amazing doctor? And why would I want to? I told him that and he had to agree that forgetting each other is probably not an option at this point. We have had a number of conversations, visits, etc. Each one has left me more informed and more positive than before. And I'd like to think it's left him at the very least smiling.

Today is an extra good day!

Day 85: Aaaahhh-choooo

Why do colds always seem to come on when it's most inconvenient? I woke up with a very sore throat very early this morning, just in time for the arrival of my good friends from out of town. We have many things planned for the short time they are going to be here and the last thing I need is to be sneezing through it all.

Up out of bed I dragged myself to drink some echinacea in the hopes of staving off said cold. Fortunately, I was able to fall back asleep and spent the rest of the day sleeping on and off, drinking tea and more echinacea. I'd be happy to be able to report that I beat this thing. Alas, not totally. Still, I'm glad it isn't worse than it is and look forward to spending time with my friends. Keep your fingers crossed (or hold your thumbs as we do here in Sweden ;-)).

Day 84: Reunited...and it feels so good

July 12th was Take Your Squishy to Work Day. Maizie and I did not want to feel like slackers. Just because I decided to leave the workforce last year was no reason to miss this opportunity to contribute to charity. Besides, Maizie was due for an outing. So, off she went with Grace Ann to her job.

That was more than a month ago and I've been missing her. Tonight was book club night and to my great delight, Maizie showed up with Grace Ann! It was so wonderful to hug her and feel her squishness right next to me. She made a pretty great impression on the rest of the book club members too, but I got to take her home.

Welcome back Maizie! xxx ooo

Day 83: Finders keepers

Found a partially unused travel coupon on the subway platform today. Just in time for visiting friends later this week. That's enough to make this girl happy on an otherwise uneventful, albeit gorgeous, summer day.

Sleep well all! I know I will.