silvery tulips

black and white tulips: the obsession continues

tulips

tulip

"no one deserves to be treated like a black man"

Click here to see a piece of genius from The Onion.

cowgirl politicians

I remember reading a long time ago the theory that the Nordic countries have their farming history to thank for their gender equality. On a farm everyone has to work. That means men and women, husbands and wives, working alongside each other. And men learn fast what women can do, and to respect them.

I was reminded of this when I read a story about 'cowgirl politicians'  in the New York Times Magazine today. It's a comparison between Sarah Palin and Gabrielle Giffords, and it's interesting.

yes, standing in line with seniors means getting trampled

Dan and I went to see Mike Leigh's new movie Another Year. And we lowered the average age of the audience by 15 years.

I liked the movie a lot (as did New York Times' reviewer), and Dan only fell asleep once. He started snoring, not very loudly, but audibly. I woke him up.

When we got back home he made me watch this:

the blue metal doors

it's been raining lately (II)

it's been raining lately (I)

this is my country

When I became an American citizen in September Barbara, Kathy, and Steve gave me three mix CDs.  It's one of the nicest gifts I have ever received. The theme was, obviously, the music of my New Country, and this song was one of them. I think it fitting for celebrating MLK Day too. Happy Birthday, Dr. King.

Here is the Curtis Mayfield version, with a slideshow someone made:

walk a mile in his shoes

Top question asked of a UPS guy: "You have anything for me?"
Top question a UPS guy can't answer: "You have anything for me?"

Source: Mike, the UPS guy.

PS. Try telling him your address first.

the real karl-oskar

Where Vilhelm Moberg got his inspiration for the famous descriptions of Swedish immigrants to Minnesota in the 1860s.

stutter, depression, and helena bonham carter as the queen mum

The King's Speech is a really good movie. 96 percent on the Tomatometer! I've forgiven Colin Firth for Love Actually. (Maybe I'm the only one hating that movie, but I hate it a lot to make up for it.)

let the mystery be

Dan and I went to see True Grit the other day. It's a great movie, and I'll come back to it later. The movie ends with Iris DeMent singing an old hymn, 'Leaning On the Everlasting Arm'. I didn't find a youtube version that I liked (click here for a version I didn't like), but I found this instead: Let The Mystery Be (link for lyrics):