Ruth and Johnnie have found this blog! After all this time writing in secret. They pointed out that since I subscribe to their jrbaby.blogspot.com they got informed about this one. I'll have to tell Margaret about it soon, I've been a clossit blog writer!
Well I suppose I have to get used the idea that other people can read stuff I write on the Internet even if I do nothing at all to advertise it.
Margaret has been away on a Red Cross course all week (since Monday) in Gripsholm. I collected her on Tuesday afternoon. When I mentioned this to my English students on Thursday the first thing they said - you've got to cook for yourself then! It's interesting that even in 21st century Sweden, one of the more equal societies in the world as far as gender is concerned people assume that the woman does the cooking! Of course they are right, but I can survive, and quite well in fact.
I have in fact cooked for myself and Margaret quite a lot over the thirty plus years we've lived together.
2008-11-23
2008-11-06
Big weekend coming up
It's my 'Heinz' birthday on Saturday. For those that don't know how many that is I can tell you that when I was small Heinz used to advertise their 57 varieties.
I share my birthday, although not my age, with Kjell Jäder, Julia's (Edward's partner) father.
We will be a big group round at our house on Saturday evening, Kjell and Maggan, Edward and Julia, Margaret and me, plus Ruth and Victor. Victor is going to his first Baby-Swim on Sunday, and will be staying over at our house Saturday night.
So all in all, a big weekend.
I share my birthday, although not my age, with Kjell Jäder, Julia's (Edward's partner) father.
We will be a big group round at our house on Saturday evening, Kjell and Maggan, Edward and Julia, Margaret and me, plus Ruth and Victor. Victor is going to his first Baby-Swim on Sunday, and will be staying over at our house Saturday night.
So all in all, a big weekend.
2008-10-29
English conversation classes
After living here for over twenty years I've finally been asked to run an English conversation class for ABF.
Last week Margaret was asked at the last minute if she could take a class because the teacher had rung in sick. She was already booked to run another English for beginners class the same evening, but she agreed to do an hour before starting the other course.
I said in passing that perhaps I should take it on, and she suggested that to ABF, who have now asked me to do it in place of this other teacher who has apparently let them down.
So now I have to talk with these people for 2.25 hours tomorrow (3 'teaching hours' of 45 mins = 2h15m 'real time'). We should meet for eight times in all, that takes it right up to the week before Christmas.
Margaret said that the three that turned up last week were very nice, so hopefully this will all work out all right. It'll be nice to get another, if very small, income in these hard times!
When the lady from ABF rang this morning it seemed that she already had my details, although she had a wrong digit in my ID number. I can't remember when or what, but I do have a memory of doing something there before. Perhaps I never got paid for it, and the money will turn up now (carried to me by those flying pigs I expect).
Perhaps I'll add to this post, or create a new one after the experience tomorrow evening - watch this space!
----
Well it went well, 5 of the 8 turned up, and we had an interesting conversation. We covered most of the topics usually included in 'putting the world to rights', so I set the the homework of coming next week with a topic about which they can talk. I'd better take some topics myself as well, to be sure.
Last week Margaret was asked at the last minute if she could take a class because the teacher had rung in sick. She was already booked to run another English for beginners class the same evening, but she agreed to do an hour before starting the other course.
I said in passing that perhaps I should take it on, and she suggested that to ABF, who have now asked me to do it in place of this other teacher who has apparently let them down.
So now I have to talk with these people for 2.25 hours tomorrow (3 'teaching hours' of 45 mins = 2h15m 'real time'). We should meet for eight times in all, that takes it right up to the week before Christmas.
Margaret said that the three that turned up last week were very nice, so hopefully this will all work out all right. It'll be nice to get another, if very small, income in these hard times!
When the lady from ABF rang this morning it seemed that she already had my details, although she had a wrong digit in my ID number. I can't remember when or what, but I do have a memory of doing something there before. Perhaps I never got paid for it, and the money will turn up now (carried to me by those flying pigs I expect).
Perhaps I'll add to this post, or create a new one after the experience tomorrow evening - watch this space!
----
Well it went well, 5 of the 8 turned up, and we had an interesting conversation. We covered most of the topics usually included in 'putting the world to rights', so I set the the homework of coming next week with a topic about which they can talk. I'd better take some topics myself as well, to be sure.
2008-10-27
Greetings Strangers!
Well this blog has been read in other parts of the world. I haven't told anyone about it, but according to the map on this page it's been read in Germany, UK and USA!
Well Hello there folks! I'd love to know who's reading this, so please put in a comment.
Once again Greetings!
Well Hello there folks! I'd love to know who's reading this, so please put in a comment.
Once again Greetings!
Riddersvik weekend
Riddersvik
11 & 12 Oct the Mazer weekend play-in at Riddersvik took place. I had a group of Grittletonians from England and Germany come and play Frank Bridge's string sextet. I played the 2nd cello part on my bass. I knew this could be done because I've heard The Uppsala Kammersoloisterna play it on the radio that way.
The line up was
11 & 12 Oct the Mazer weekend play-in at Riddersvik took place. I had a group of Grittletonians from England and Germany come and play Frank Bridge's string sextet. I played the 2nd cello part on my bass. I knew this could be done because I've heard The Uppsala Kammersoloisterna play it on the radio that way.
The line up was
- David Hughes (UK) - Violin 1
- John Teague (Stockholm) - Violin 2
- Alice Smol (UK) - Viola 1
- Kathy Reed (UK) - viola 2
- Peter S-T (Germany) - cello 1
- Me (Sweden) - cello2 / double bass
2008-10-03
New month old problems
Well October has started, and I still haven't been paid from last month. This is unfortunately not a new problem. Our company has serious cash flow problems caused by the awkwardness of one of our bigger customers.
Work is plodding along as usual. Loads to do, not enough time to do it in, the usual. But everyone says that don't they!
Anyway, on the brighter side Margaret is now working, so there's money coming in there.
Ruth seems to be growing in her role as mother, and Victor is getting bigger apparently. I still have a while to get the train set organized however.
Work is plodding along as usual. Loads to do, not enough time to do it in, the usual. But everyone says that don't they!
Anyway, on the brighter side Margaret is now working, so there's money coming in there.
Ruth seems to be growing in her role as mother, and Victor is getting bigger apparently. I still have a while to get the train set organized however.
2008-09-15
2008-08-27
No grandchild yet!
Ruth is expecting, as is well known to readers of this blog (i.e. me), and as of Monday is overdue.
Margaret points out that she was late, so this is probably to be expected.
Margaret points out that she was late, so this is probably to be expected.
2008-08-06
Holiday report
Two weeks in Germany, one week at Grittleton.
(Full details at here)
We drove down to Lahr on the edge of the Black Forest. We stayed at a friend Peter's house. He and I play together at Grittleton, and have done so since some time in the eighties. He's a cellist (I'm a viola player in case you didn't know that).
The weather was mixed. Some days it was splendid, other wet.
Surprise for Margie
We drove down on the Friday, staying in northern Germany that night, then going onto Transinne in Belgium. We had decided to stay at a hotel there which we'd found a couple of years ago. The hotel isn't great, but the restaurant is!
What Margie didn't know was that I'd arranged for our best friends from England to also stay that night, so it was a super surprise when Jo knocked on our door pretending to be a maid! We had a very nice evening, and a good walk the following morning before they drove back to the UK, and we went onto the Lahr.
While in Germany we rode on a steam train, popped over to France a number of times, and did a fair bit of walking. A very nice change from the normal routine.
On our way down Margie was called up and told that she'd been offered a 50% job, so that was some more good news.
Grittelton
After our return I went off for my annual week of intense chamber music. I probably play as much during that week as I do for at least half the year in between!
I'm now organising a visit by some Grittletonians to the Mazer Riddersvik weekend in october. We're planning on playing the Frank Bridge Sextet on the Monday night.
Back to Work!
Plenty to do, usual situation! Usual cash flow problems both me and the company.
(Full details at here)
We drove down to Lahr on the edge of the Black Forest. We stayed at a friend Peter's house. He and I play together at Grittleton, and have done so since some time in the eighties. He's a cellist (I'm a viola player in case you didn't know that).
The weather was mixed. Some days it was splendid, other wet.
Surprise for Margie
We drove down on the Friday, staying in northern Germany that night, then going onto Transinne in Belgium. We had decided to stay at a hotel there which we'd found a couple of years ago. The hotel isn't great, but the restaurant is!
What Margie didn't know was that I'd arranged for our best friends from England to also stay that night, so it was a super surprise when Jo knocked on our door pretending to be a maid! We had a very nice evening, and a good walk the following morning before they drove back to the UK, and we went onto the Lahr.
While in Germany we rode on a steam train, popped over to France a number of times, and did a fair bit of walking. A very nice change from the normal routine.
On our way down Margie was called up and told that she'd been offered a 50% job, so that was some more good news.
Grittelton
After our return I went off for my annual week of intense chamber music. I probably play as much during that week as I do for at least half the year in between!
I'm now organising a visit by some Grittletonians to the Mazer Riddersvik weekend in october. We're planning on playing the Frank Bridge Sextet on the Monday night.
Back to Work!
Plenty to do, usual situation! Usual cash flow problems both me and the company.
2008-07-10
Off on hols
We're off to Germany for our hols. I'll probably write something about it here (or elsewhere, like my wiki)
Been planning routes etc. today. Booked in a hotel for tomorrow night at www.neukirchener-hof.de which looks nice.
Saturday we're staying in Transinne in Belgium. Then from Sunday we'll be in Lahr staying at Peter's house.
We come back after two weeks, then I fly off to England for Grittleton.
Been planning routes etc. today. Booked in a hotel for tomorrow night at www.neukirchener-hof.de which looks nice.
Saturday we're staying in Transinne in Belgium. Then from Sunday we'll be in Lahr staying at Peter's house.
We come back after two weeks, then I fly off to England for Grittleton.
2008-07-09
Margie's Official Birthday
Margaret's actual birthday is right in the middle of the holiday season, and most people are on holiday, so she had an 'official birthday' (like the Queen of England does).
The day was very enjoyable for all of us that attended, Ruth, Johnnie, Edward, Julia, myself and of course Margaret.
After the traditional 'surprise' bubbly breakfast, when we all turned up to eat scrambled eggs with smoked salmon, and some of us (actually them) drank Champagne, we drove off to Sala Silver Mine where we got a tour in English.
Lunch was followed by a 'try it yourself' glass blowing session, where the birthday girl made a very nice globe, which now graces our living room.
The day was concluded with a sea food feast at Ruth and Johnnie's, which happens to lie on the cruising route for Power Big Meet, where thousands of 1950's American cars all descend on Västerås.
It was indeed a very nice day. Thanks to all those involved.
The day was very enjoyable for all of us that attended, Ruth, Johnnie, Edward, Julia, myself and of course Margaret.
After the traditional 'surprise' bubbly breakfast, when we all turned up to eat scrambled eggs with smoked salmon, and some of us (actually them) drank Champagne, we drove off to Sala Silver Mine where we got a tour in English.
Lunch was followed by a 'try it yourself' glass blowing session, where the birthday girl made a very nice globe, which now graces our living room.
The day was concluded with a sea food feast at Ruth and Johnnie's, which happens to lie on the cruising route for Power Big Meet, where thousands of 1950's American cars all descend on Västerås.
It was indeed a very nice day. Thanks to all those involved.
2008-07-04
FRA lagen / Swedish spying law
Much controversy has erupted here over the new FRA law, which permits the Swedish spying service to intercept all cable traffic which crosses the Swedish borders. There are loads of 'safeguards' put in which probably mean that as long as the people involved keep to the law they won't actually be able to do anything useful, but of course once you build a tap into the cables who knows what will actually be seen.
If you want to send me [frank (at) mcnamara (dot) se] mail my public key is here.
I enjoyed this reworking of the Swedish national anthem on YouTube. While there I also found this (Swedish girls in the Army) little jem.
Much has been written about this, I'd just like to add that whilst I think the whole idea of the state poking about into people's private stuff stinks, this at least has shown that people don't like the idea. What's not said very much here is that most of the world works like this anyway, and that traffic on the Internet, phone etc. is already being searched through.
The odd thing is that here we have actually made a law allowing it, instead of in my former land (UK), where it almost certainly has been going on for years, just getting on with it and not telling anyone. But we have a written constitution of course.
If you want to send me [frank (at) mcnamara (dot) se] mail my public key is here.
I enjoyed this reworking of the Swedish national anthem on YouTube. While there I also found this (Swedish girls in the Army) little jem.
Much has been written about this, I'd just like to add that whilst I think the whole idea of the state poking about into people's private stuff stinks, this at least has shown that people don't like the idea. What's not said very much here is that most of the world works like this anyway, and that traffic on the Internet, phone etc. is already being searched through.
The odd thing is that here we have actually made a law allowing it, instead of in my former land (UK), where it almost certainly has been going on for years, just getting on with it and not telling anyone. But we have a written constitution of course.
2008-07-03
Cycle season 2008
This summer in common with the past five, has seen a number of cycle events for Margaret and I.
Energitrampet 31-May-08 Västerås
Margaret did the 70km, and I did the 123km.
Tjejvättern 7-June-08 Motala
Margaret did this 90km on the Saturday, then I did the:
Halvvättern 8-June-08 Motala
150km warm up for the:
Vätternrundan 13/14-June-08
I started with a friend from KAMUS.
I've summarized our performances on my wiki here.
Energitrampet 31-May-08 Västerås
Margaret did the 70km, and I did the 123km.
Tjejvättern 7-June-08 Motala
Margaret did this 90km on the Saturday, then I did the:
Halvvättern 8-June-08 Motala
150km warm up for the:
Vätternrundan 13/14-June-08
I started with a friend from KAMUS.
I've summarized our performances on my wiki here.
2008-07-02
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