The Boy Has Gone Away

A year ago, I complained about the poor concert scence in Lund. In April this year, I nominated myself for the position as promoter at Blekingska nationen. The following lines were included in my presentation: If I am elected, I intend to make Club Indigo a unique, alternative concert scence that will give the audience happiest days of our lives-evenings this fall. I gladly listen to artist recommendations, but I am solely responsible for choosing the bands that will play at the club. It is my true opinion that a concert club will work at its best with a clear, consistent and considered band booking policy instead of eternal compromises.

I was, of course, elected and my work began after midsummer. As I am writing this almost half a year later, it is with tremendous pride that I am looking back on the fall. The mission is completed and the result speaks for itself. We were the club that exclusively set up the first concert in Sweden for Secret Shine and Strange Idols. We were honored a visit by Lucky Soul. On our inquiry, Laurel Music did a comeback gig after a year of silence. Language of Flowers played their last show ever at little Blekingska.

I would be lying if I said that all concert nights were perfect but it was amazing those nights where everything clicked. As promoter with the sole responsibility for band bookings, I was - together with sound engineers, club managers, band hosts, DJs, workers at Indigo and two hard working guys at the nation's office (thanks for this fall everyone!) - one of several people who during the fall of 2007 made Club Indigo the world's best pop club the three nights (September 21, November 2 and November 10) when everything came together perfectly.

September 7: Differnet
September 21: Language of Flowers (UK) + Like Honey
September 28: Secret Shine (UK)
October 5: Friday Bridge
October 12: Strange Idols (UK)
November 2: Irene + Laurel Music
November 10th: Lucky Soul (UK) + Napoleon
November 30: Punky's Dilemma + The Sunny Street (UK)

End of the Line

Last Friday's Club Indigo came to be my last night as DJ at Blekingska nationen. I had decided in advance to not do any more DJ sets. In total I got six nights as DJ at Blekingska from January 2006 to November 2007.

Last Friday, I easily found myself to be my harshest critic. I somehow forgot to play The Field Mice. And I did not play Happiest Days as the closing song! A reason as good as any to step aside and make way for a new generation of kids.


(22.00)
Air - Cherry Blossom Girl
Trembling Blue Stars - November Starlings
Stars - Elevator Love Letter
Cats on Fire - Higher Grounds
Aberdeen - Sink or Float
Irene - End of the Line
The Aislers Set - The Way to the Market Station
Celestial - Nothing Happens Twice
Those Dancing Days - Hitten
Northern Fields - Never Take the Beauty
Red Sleeping Beauty - Make Me Smile
The Strange Idols - She's Gonna Let You Down
The School - Let It Slip
Language of Flowers - Summer's Been and Gone
Tilly and the Wall - Nights of the Living Dead
The Eyeliners - Everything's Alright
The Primitives - Secrets
The Cardigans - Rise and Shine
Ride - Twisterella
(23.00)
Like Honey - Airport
Wilson Hospital - Call Me A.S.A.P.
Sambassadeur - Marie
The Fat Tulips - Confessions of an English Girl
The Popguns - Waiting for the Winter
------------------------------------------------
THE SUNNY STREET LIVE
------------------------------------------------
Comet Gain - You Can Hide Your Love Forever
Belle and Sebastian - Sleep the Clock Around
Camera Obscura - Lloyd, I'm Ready to Be Heartbroken
Stone Roses - Mersey Paradise
My Favorite - The Informers
Lucky Soul - The Great Unwanted
------------------------------------------------
PUNKY'S DILEMMA LIVE
------------------------------------------------
(00.50)
New Order - True Faith
Human League - Don't You Want Me
Blondie - Maria
Cyndi Lauper - Girls Just Want to Have Fun
Belinda Carlisle - Heaven Is a Place on Earth
Franz Ferdinand - Take Me Out
The Cure - Friday I'm in Love
Le Sport - Tell No One About Tonight
Caesars Palace - Over for It Started
Pulp - Disco 2000
The Long Blondes - Once and Never Again
The Pipettes - Your Kisses Are Wasted on Me
Lucky Soul - Ain't Never Been Cool
The Smiths - This Charming Man
Language of Flowers - If It's Not You
Tralala - All Fired Up
Morrissey - First of the Gang
Soft Cell - Tainted Love
The Essex Green - The Late Great Cassiopia
Lucky Soul - Lips Are Unhappy
The Magic Numbers - Take a Chance
(02.00)
The Arrogants - Lovesick

The School - Let It Slip

I never went to the Another Sunny Day and The Icicles show in Malmö. I am not overly sorry for that. For once, I feel there is an excess of good concerts in the region. This Friday, The Sunny Street and Punky's Dilemma come to Lund and that will be my last time in the DJ booth at Blekingska. I really look forward to that.

There seem to pop up small amazing bands everywhere all the time. Today's trip goes to Wales and Cardiff where we find The School, a mini-Lucky Soul who have listened to Camera Obscura. But why compare with other bands when the song Let It Slip speaks for itself?

Air

An email landed in my inbox. It told me that I got two places on the guest list for the Air + Au Revoir Simone show at Vega in Copenhagen next Monday. This month will be so damn good.

Lucky Soul at Blekingska this Saturday

It is said that a poster says more than a blog post.
 

Northern Fields - Never Take the Beauty

Yesterday I woke up and felt that life is wonderful. Exceptionally, this feeling not only persisted, but also strengthened today. Last night I saw that I had received an email from an amazing person whom I had not spoken with in a year. I met her today and it was nice to speak with her as ever. I was reminded of how good life can be.

On Friday, Laurel Music come to Blekingska and that will be so nice. And while I am living my dream, I listen to Northern Fields who have made this year's most beautiful pop song. It is named Never Take the Beauty and you can listen to it at the band's myspace.

Jonna Lee - Autumn Song

They come from nowhere and take me by storm. In 2004 Anna Ternheim, in 2005 Hello Saferide, and in 2006 Katie Goes to Tokyo.

Jonna Lee is not there yet. But she is just as good as Ternheim and Norlin in songs such as Autumn Song and Dried Out Eyes. No one is near the brilliance of Katie Goes to Tokyo though. Autumn Song and Dried Out Eyes are two fantastic songs that unfortunately can not carry the entire debut album 10 Pieces, 10 Bruises on their own. However, Jonna Lee shows that the Swedish singer/songwriter scene this year consists of more than the annoyingly sounding Maia Hirasawa and that is good enough.

By the way, I found a video from one of Jonna Lee's live performances. Do you hear it? I do not understand why people go to concerts when they rather talk to their friends than listen to the music. It is so disrespectful to artists who are worthy of a good crowd. If you want to just drink booze, you may as well stay home or go to a less cultural night club instead.

Another Sunny Day - You Should All Be Murdered

If there is anything that I have learnt since summer, it would be that the world is full of idiots and that some of them are closer to me than I thought, at least geographically. It is extremely rare that I tell people to go fuck themselves but this time I had enough. Idiots! You should all be murdered!

Things Will Be Nice

November will be a fine month for concerts. If nothing unexpected happens, I will attend the following shows:

November 2: Irene + Laurel Music, Blekingska in Lund
November 9: Lucky Soul (UK), Debaser Medis in Stockholm
November 10: Lucky Soul (UK), Blekingska in Lund
November 22: Harvey Williams (Another Sunny Day, UK) + The Icicles (US), Don't Die on My Doorstep in Malmö
November 30: Punky's Dilemma + The Sunny Street (UK), Blekingska in Lund.

A ticket to Stockholm and back is booked. That will be a fun weekend.

I dreamt of you last night

It certainly was a bit unreal. Last Friday, Blekingska was full of people who came for shows with my favourite bands. Before, between, and after the gigs, I and Psymon played our favourite pop. A nice little memory from the night was that someone wished for us to play The Knife. I skeptically replied that I would check my cd bag. I had left Deep Cuts at home. It did not fit in. Blekingska was really pop last Friday and I loved it.

(22.00)
Aberdeen - The Boy Has Gone Away
Ride - Twisterella
Another Sunny Day - You Should All Be Murdered
Trembling Blue Stars - Idyllwild
Celestial - Dream On
Red Sleeping Beauty - Make Me Smile
The Garlands - You Never Notice Me
Sally Shapiro - I'll Be by Your Side
Friday Bridge - Love and Nostalgia
The Lucksmiths - Camera-shy
Saturday Looks Good to Me - Lift Me Up
Acid House Kings - Say Yes If You Love Me
Sambassadeur - Subtle Changes
Strange Idols - It's No Fun
Stars - Ageless Beauty
Slowdive - When the Sun Hits
Brighter - Does Love Last Forever
Sambassadeur - Marie
Stars - Take Me to the Riot
(23.00)
Popguns - Waiting for the Winter
Headlights - TV
Lucky Soul - Ain't Never Been Cool
The Go! Team - Huddle Formation
Mates of State - Beautiful Dreamer
------------------------------------------------
LIKE HONEY LIVE
------------------------------------------------
My Favorite - Burning Hearts
Comet Gain - You Can Hide Your Love Forever
Laurel Music - Winter Slow
Pale Saints - Language of Flowers
The Sea Urchins - Pristine Christine
Camera Obscura - Lloyd, I'm Ready to Be Heartbroken
Free Loan Investments - Rush Hour
Camera Obscura - Phil and Don
------------------------------------------------
LANGUAGE OF FLOWERS LIVE
------------------------------------------------
(00:50)
The Field Mice - Emma's House
Lucky Soul - Lips Are Unhappy
New Order - True Faith
Le Sport - Tell No One About Tonight
Human League - Don't You Want Me
Morrissey - First of the Gang
The Cure - Just Like Heaven
Blondie - Maria
Belinda Carlisle - Heaven Is a Place on Earth
The Long Blondes - Once and Never Again
Saint Etienne - He's on the Phone
Tralala - All Fired Up
The Hidden Cameras - Ban Marriage
Pulp - Disco 2000
My Favorite - Absolute Zero
The Essex Green - The Late Great Cassiopia
The Smiths - Ask
Belle and Sebastian - Electronic Renaissance
The Magic Numbers - Take a Chance
The Field Mice - Canada
New Order - Regret
Broder Daniel - Shoreline
Language of Flowers - If It's Not You
Suede - Trash
Language of Flowers - Tara Mascara (I really should had ended the dj set with Happiest Days of My Life instead. That is the only thing in the dj set which I regret).

Great Expectations

September has been a long wait. Now it is finally Friday, September 21. Tonight Language of Flowers and Like Honey are playing live at Blekingska nationen in Lund. I and my friend Psymon are tonight's DJs. We are going to put up flyers around the town soon. The club opens at 22:00.

These are the happiest days of our lives.

The Strange Idols - She's Gonna Let You Down Again

I have a little dream. If it is fulfilled, the indie clubs stop playing blip blop and instead welcome me with The Strange Idols. You could always dream on.

For those who are wondering, I can announce that the blog is put into the freezer during the summer. Why? Read the I Wanna Be Adored text. I can not do everything at the same time and there are other projects which are much more important to me right now.

Half year summary 2007

Albums
How many new records do you need for half a year?

I wonder how many records you need. What your record collection needs is an entirely different matter.

Every year there is at least one album I listen to quite differently compared to other records. These albums tend to become overlistened. I fell for Tralala and Hello Saferide two years ago. Katie Goes to Tokyo was more important than anyone else in 2006. Halfway into 2007, another two debut albums top my list. Lucky Soul's The Great Unwanted is fantastic but still does not have a chance against Let's Go Sailing's The Chaos in Order.
When I wrote my half year summary in June last year, I noted that the album concept no longer appealed to me. I was wrong. I was rather tired of lengthy albums and found it difficult to appreciate the abundance of records. Back then it felt like I had to listen to everything. It was, in other words, the music stress I had grown tired of. Now I find it easier to appreciate what I do have. I would be happy to just have Let's Go Sailing, Lucky Soul, and Palomar this semester. The rest is bonus listening. With an eye on the fall, I am hoping for Laurel Music, Like Honey, and Langauge of Flowers!

1. Let's Go Sailing - The Chaos in Order
2. Lucky Soul - The Great Unwanted
3. Palomar - All Things, Forests
4. Friday Bridge - Intricacy
5. Love Dance - Result

Also good: Celestial - Dream On, Au Revoir Simone - The Bird of Music, Säkert! - Säkert!, The National - Boxer, The Loose Salute - Tuned to Love.

My record collection just got two new members: Celestial's Dream On and Camera Obscura's Lloyd, I'm Ready to Be Heartbroken. It will do with that for the rest of the year. But what the record collection needs and what I want are of course not the same thing.


Songs
I stand with a rifle. I will spend my life now. And take back everything that is yours.

Allt Som Är Ditt (Everything That Is Yours) was the collectively strongest music-related moment in Sweden in spring 2007. Consequences follow lines such as de jävlarna ska skjutas! (the bastards should be shot!) and I get scared when I read what some people write on their blogs. I get frightened by a lynch mob that finds the irreversible death penalty a better option than jail. I can not stress enough that innocent people are executed, and will be executed, by the state in countries which practise the death penalty.
On the other hand, I also get surprised by the tunnel vision shown by other people who find it difficult to understand why Annika Norlin (Säkert!) has become so acclaimed for Allt Som Är Ditt. The imagery may be very clear (you will get the message of the music video even if you do not understand a word of Swedish) if the lyrics are interpreted literally, but I understand the context and take the song for what it is. Allt Som Är Ditt is an important contribution to an always present debate and a description of the feelings shown by a friend of a raped woman. Those who criticize the lyrics could think about whether it would be better if Annika instead sang the bastards should be locked up (and then acquitted by the Supreme Court).
I want to clarify my views on this topic in order to avoid potential misunderstandings. I strongly believe in the principle of the accused being innocent until proven guilty. I am aware that the courts get it horribly wrong sometimes, but presumption of innocence is not the fault. The main problems in the judicial system are corruption, bias, prejudice, discrimination, and incompetence.

Trembling Blue Stars surprised me with Idyllwild and November Starlings. Bobby Wratten has something big going on if he can drop the Missing the Moon sound completely on the next album. That would allow Trembling Blue Stars to reach their full potential.
I really want to love Celestial's debut album. It is brilliant at times, but I find it difficult to listen to Bluebell Meadow and Pale Blue Eyes. They do not fit in among the other songs. I much rather listen to the fifth track Dream On again.

1. Säkert - Allt Som Är Ditt
2. Trembling Blue Stars - Idyllwild
3. Celestial - Dream On
4. Lucky Soul - One Kiss Don't Make a Summer
5. Let's Go Sailing - Sideways
6. Palomar - You're Keeping Us Up
7. Those Dancing Days - Hitten
8. Celestial - Fragile Heart
9. Trembling Blue Stars - November Starlings
10. Apples in Stereo - Sunday Sounds

The Sunny Street - Comedians

Everyone talks about the festival Rip It Up. French-British The Sunny Street make me think about going there, but the rest of the line up does not appeal to me so I will stay at home. Though the price is admirably low.

Listen to the fine song Comedians at myspace .

I Wanna Be Adored

What is the point of winning the whole world when you simultaneously lose yourself?

This month, the streets were filled with shiny happy young people ready to conquer the world. I became nostalgic and started to think about how it was when i graduated from high school. Leaving the school behind, walking together with my classmates down to the park where my beloved family greeted me with a sign and a large photo which pictured me as a kid smiling while wearing some kind of Viking helmet. I was happily surprised because I did not even know that photo existed.

I left home at age of 19 in August 2002. Too early? Hard to say. Sometimes you have to make life-determinant choices and I remember a strong desire for a new life in a new city with the opportunity to study something I really wanted.

My early time at Lund University was very overwhelming, but in a good way. The studies went brilliant and the combination of party-happy course mates, a flexible schedule and money in the form of student loans gave me a taste for the student life. I thought I had found the perfect balance between late nights out and long full days of studying on my own. In retrospect, I do not understand how I managed to keep up with everything.
Very good results on the two exams in my first semester gave me confidence about my studies. At that moment, I was offered a position in an ideal organisation. I felt flattered and said yes. It was a good learning experience but something I regret today, not so much for the position itself, but more for what it led to.

In summer 2003 I had passed all exams in my first academic year on the first attempt. That summer I worked far too much. The money gave me a nice fall from an economic perspective, but it was not worth it. I did not know back then. Instead my ego was fed even more when I realised I was the youngest one out of thirty active students at the student union's kick-off in the beginning of my third semester. Later in the fall, I accepted the position as President in another ideal organisation. This was a time-consuming commitment, but I never thought about the possibility to give up my position in the other ideal organisation. I spent that winter holiday in the Alps. It was somehow symptomatic of my first two academic years which were characterized by a personal desire to be everywhere and also a difficulty to say no, although I would never admit it then. Always good, preferably better and everything simultaneously. I forgot to sleep, eat and rest properly. It had worked before, so I saw no problem with that lifestyle then.

August 2004. A basic course in the end of my second academic year broke me. In my opinion I had prepared myself properly, but I was nowhere near passing the re-exam. For the first time ever, I got zero points on more than one essay question. I was extremely disappointed because I thought I was prepared, but two weeks with ten hour study days were not enough. The summer before that? Full time job.
I lost my confidence and that is dangerous for a person in a condition with great difficulty to distinguish between study, commitment in ideal organisations and leisure time. I was struggling with my studies and then things changed that were central in my life. I will not go into detail on this, but it did not make life easier to live. On the contrary, I was sad almost every morning because it was just another day. I was very fragile.

To make a long story short (by my standards, then, of course), I decided to move home in November 2006 and temporarily give up the University. It may have been my best decision since I decided to move to Lund. I have learned a lot about life during my time in Lund, and now I know what life is not about. That experience is worth every Swedish crown I have in student loan debt. Today I know that the verdict good often is enough as long as I do my best.

The quote at the beginning is taken from a column in the magazine IQ Student which I read by chance. A girl who studied journalism in Kalmar told how she perished by external demands and stressed the importance of not losing oneself. I recognized myself so strongly that I was inspired to write this post as self-therapy.

Last Thursday, I did a re-exam. That exam which broke me. How did it go? I passed with distinction! Wonderful!

Life is still a complicated project but I am working on it. I am a human and I need to be loved, but not at any cost.

The Shermans - The Myth of Being Alone

The third day in Lund on my own. Tomorrow I go back home and that will be so nice. How will I manage a full academic year after the summer if I can not handle three days now? I do not know if I am ready yet.

My mp3 player works again. I do not understand how the battery charges itself while I not listen (it is not a rechargable battery) but I do not complain. I brought too few records in the mp3 player though. I long for the real record collection and the computer.

Pineforest Crunch - Cup Noodle Song

Everything is on youtube. This recording of Pineforest Crunch performing Cup Noodle Song live really encourages karaoke-friendly singalong.

This is the kind of videos that make youtube a place for cultural treasures.

Trembling Blue Stars - Idyllwild

Idyllwild is a wonderful song which reminds me of how different things could have been. Idyllwild also confirms what the song Helen Reddy made ​​me suspect - Beth Arzy could have saved Trembling Blue Stars. I really love Beth's voice, but I find it difficult to learn to like or for that matter even accept Trembling Blue Stars.

In all subcultures, there are heroes and idols who can not be questioned. Bobby Wratten is a pop icon who has lived on his name ever since The Field Mice. Fans around the world kneel before the Emperor, although he has not delivered in more than 15 years. Wratten's Trembling Blue Stars were an uninteresting project for many years, and it was only when his thoughts began to revolve around other things than his ex-girlfriend Annemari Davies that the music was worth giving a chance. Nowadays, Bobby Wratten is together with Beth who also sings in his band.

Beth's pop history began in a small town in California. It was the early nineties and Beth met John Girgus through mutual friends during her time at Palm Desert High School. Beth and John soon became a couple as well as the core of the band they later would rename to Aberdeen after Beth fell in love with the city at a vacation in Scotland. After high school, Beth and John moved to Los Angeles where they began recording music which later was released by Sarah Records and Sunday Records. But everything was not as perfect as you might think. Beth and John's ever-turbulent relationship ended after six years. 1995 became 1996, and the band Aberdeen no longer existed.

There seems to be something special with former Sarah Records bands and reunions. Five years later, John contacted Beth via email with the excuse that he wanted Aberdeen tapes that Beth took with her when the band broke up. Soon they were in the studio together, and although the love for each other was not there anymore the music sounded better than ever. The album Homesick and Happy to Be Here was released in March 2002 and followed up by the EPs The Boy Has Gone Away and Florida.

Well, I was not supposed to tell Aberdeen's story in this post. Aberdeen has, however, toured with Trembling Blue Stars and comparisons between the bands become inevitable as Beth has sung in both. Idyllwild is the best song by Trembling Blue Stars since Helen Reddy. Unfortunately, that is because Bobby Wratten is happy to retell stories which he himself has already written better before.

Trembling Blue Stars are not Aberdeen. Idyllwild is not Sink or Float and John Girgus' contribution to the 2000s is vastly more interesting than Bobby Wratten's ditto. Idyllwild still shows that Trembling Blue Stars are on the right track and what I have heard from the new album The Last Holy Writer bodes well. But I can not stop thinking about how different things could have been. I can not stop dreaming of a reunited Aberdeen.

A different Walpurgis Night

The DJ set was not quite as I expected. No one told me that the dance floor would differ so much between a Walpurgis Night and a regular Friday night. I got a real challenge this time, but in the end I had no problem to deliver a set that made people have a great time. It was, however, sad to see that the recognition factor outweighs the hit factor. I had to compromise early on, but from Canada on I only played songs that I truly love. The night was great in the end, but I will definitely not be the DJ on any more Walpurgis Nights.

(23.30)
Air - Sexy Boy (actually, I had intended to start with Where You Belong but it would be pointless this night) )
Ride - Twisterella
Au Revoir Simone - Dark Halls (and here I wanted to play Laurel Music)
Headlights - TV
My Favorite - The Informers
Another Sunny Day - You Should All Be Murdered
Stars - Ageless Beauty
The Postal Service - Such Great Heights
Looker - Hey Kids
The Long Blondes - Only Lovers Left Alive
(00.00)
Franz Ferdinand - Take Me Out
The Cure - Friday I'm in Love
Morrissey - First of the Gang to Die
The Strokes - Last Nite
The Smiths - This Charming Man
Le Sport - Tell No One About Tonight
Human League - Don't You Want Me
Depeche Mode - Just Can't Get Enough
The Knife - Heartbeats (This was where the dance floor really came to life. Such a predictable response. I felt like I could be replaced with a jukebox at this time.)
New Order - True Faith
The Undertones - Teenage Kicks
Saint Etienne - He's on the Phone
Blondie - Maria
Belinda Carlisle - Heaven Is a Place on Earth
Pet Shop Boys - It's a Sin
Eurythmics - Sweet Dreams
Bloc Party - Helicopter (this song emptied the dance floor ... )
(01.00)
Franz Ferdinand - Do You Want To
Pulp - Disco 2000
The Smiths - Panic
Looker - Hope and Anchor
The Long Blondes - Once and Never Again
The Magic Numbers - Take a Chance
The Essex Green - The Late Great Cassiopia
Cyndi Lauper - Girls Just Want to Have Fun
Belle and Sebastian - Electronic Renaissance
Interpol - Obstacle 1
The Knife - Listen Now
Baxendale - Music for Girls
Suede - Trash
Ramones - Sheena Is a Punk Rocker
The Libertines - Can't Stand Me Now
The Field Mice - Canada
Lucky Soul - Lips Are Unhappy
My Favorite - Absolute Zero
(02.00)
Langauge of Flowers - If It's Not You (here I said that it was the last song but I was allowed to play more)
Belle and Sebastian - Another Sunny Day
The Arrogants - Lovesick
The Field Mice - Emma's House
Comet Gain - You Can Hide Your Love Forever
My Favorite - The Happiest Days of My Life
The Aislers Set - The Red Door
My Favorite - Working Class Jacket (at the end of the song the kids on the dance floor turned to me and sang the last lines loudly. That was a fine moment )
Cats on Fire - Draw in the Reins
Langauge of Flowers - Tara Mascara
Broder Daniel - Shoreline

Those Dancing Days - Hitten

It has been an eventful weekend which in some ways felt like a fast forward play of last autumn. I was back at Blekingska last Friday. At the preparty I met a nice girl who shares the interest and taste in music with me. I had a good time at the preparty but the club night was not that good due to several reasons. First of all, why the hell are smokers privileged compared to other club visitors who just want some fresh air? That question was very relevant last Friday as the club was packed with people while the ventilation not worked at all. Secondly, Club Indigo at Blekingska is a small club and two persons who are there one evening will not manage to avoid each other. After a while I got tired and said hello to her. It was, in other words, nice to go home and sleep. For once I had a very short walk home after a club night out at Blekingska. Their DJ booker invited me to stay in his apartment over the weekend and it was perfect with only a two minutes walk home from the afterparty.

Nearly eight hours later, I woke up to my cell phone ringing. A friend of mine called me and asked if I wanted to play a match with my old hobby football team. We had met at Blekingska the night before, but he called me 20 minutes prior to the kick off. I ran from Blekingska to the sports field Smörlyckan in 25 minutes. In the first half I did not play that well as a midfielder with shoes that slid on the gravel. In the half time pause I quickly changed to goalkeeper trousers and then made a world class reflex save in the second half. The cup match ended 0-0 and was decided on penalties. We lost but I saved the first penalty just as Liverpool's goalkeeper Pepe Reina saved Arjen Robben's penalty in yesterday's Champions League semifinal, with the difference that my shooter was right-footed. I read him as an open book and I have really missed those types of challenges. I played in a new pair of converse shoes which really were not meant for football. My feet were chafed and hurt as much as I deserved for that stupidity.
I spent the afternoon in Malmö. A two hour walk resulted in damaged feet and a potential future friendship. It was definitely worth it but I should really stop buying shoes based on looks rather than comfort. I was invited to a housewarming party in Malmö later in the evening but declined. I instead lay awake all night thinking about my life. I did not cry myself to sleep but those hours could certainly had been my most difficult ones this year. Finally, the tiredness took its toll on me.

I felt better in the morning and listened to Those Dancing Days and was happy again. Both Sunday and Monday were calm days. I knew that I would not stand all the drunken people in the city park so I stayed inside and listened to Let's Go Sailing instead. When the dinner sesssion at Blekingska was about to end, I took off my headphones and left the mp3 player in favour of the DJ booth at the club to finally start the music on the dance floor.