Hey...I know that place!!!

/me dorks out and watches, "The Longest Day."

The movie has just begun and I am already completely agog. I get to hear French and German (the former being understood and spoken by Kodos, the latter...she understands somewhat but still needs the sub-titles)!!!

The movie opens with footage from Pegasus Bridge in Ouistreham, France. Dock and I did a magical, history tour of Normandy for our honeymoon. We spent a considerable amount of time running around Pegasus Bridge, snapping photos and trying to imagine what it must have been like to be there in World War II. Oh...and there is the wildest, German bunker museum (Le Grand Bunker Musée) in Ouistreham that I have ever seen.

I wish I could convey the feelings that engulfed me when we visited these sites. I am still at a loss for words. That...and I'm done writing for now as I need to watch this movie.

Skvadern

Well...what is it??? Is it a bunny? Could it be a grouse? No one really knows for sure. But it does live in the woods near Sundsvall, Sweden.

Pappa says there is only one. And he shot it yesterday.

Here is a picture of Dock and me standing in front of a monument to this mythical creature. If you go to Sundsvall, you must do this. I think it's a law.

For those of you who read Swedish, click here to learn all about the folklore behind this wonderful beast.

More Swedish Humour???

These are real street signs, my friends.

P is for Pussi

OK....some of you Mark Base readers may have already seen the "Pussi" post. In the spirit of the earlier mentioned, Spotted Dick...I, however, cannot resist adding my own (my deepest apologies, Mark).

One night, while out tying one on, Andy blurts out that he found Pussi in the local grocery in Sweden. The entire conversation stopped. He explains that one may actually procure Pussi in Sweden. You can imagine how riveted the group was. You can (almost) hear the uproarious laughter that ensued when Andy explained that Pussi is cat food. Even further hooting and howling ensued when Roowhip mentioned she had a can of it at home in her cupboard.

The following day, while slumming at the Hard Rock Cafe in Göteborg (Gothenburg for you knuckle dragging, non Swedish speaking lot), Pussi reappeared in conversation. I believe among Mark Base, Arvid, Janelle, Andy and I as we were standing outside, smoking cigarettes along Avenyn. While I was not very drunk...I do remember very little from this conversation...other than laughing my ass off and trying really hard not to snort in front of my new friends.

To cement the hilarity of this discovery, Magnus, Dock and I went to ICA Maxi two days later to stock up on cans of Pussi for our American friends. The three of us were doubled over in fits of laughter in the pet food aisle. Hooting, hollering, shamelessly carrying on and taking pictures. It is so funny that my otherwise reserved, Swede (Magnus) was unable to stand up and turned beet red from laughing so hard.

As Mark indicates on his website...insert your comments here.

Packing SUCKS!

Oh yes. It does. It sucks. It sucks...it sucks...it sucks.

Yes...I could make my life a lot easier. Do I really need all of those shoes? Must I pack all of those books? And...am I actually going to wear anything other than my new, favorite jeans?

I have managed to cram all of my shoes and clothes into one bag. It is the miscellaneous, extraneous stuff that I am not looking forward to ramming into my other bag. A bottle of gin, multiple cartons of cigarettes, my craptop, my iPod, my jewels.... Just a colossal pain in the ass.

For shits and grins, I think I may keep a log of what I actually where. Just to remind me that I do not need to bring every single turtleneck I own.

That said...I must remember to pack Bob, Brun, Ludde och Blue. Oh bloody hell...I'm already reverting to my piss-poor SwEnglish. Hjälp mig!!!!

Peachoid

Thought I would slap a picture up here for shits and grins.

It is my honor to present...The Peachoid. Yes...it looks like an ass, especially from I-85 in Gaffney, SC. But...thou shall not phuck with The Peachoid. It has no sense of humor. Best to just wish it a good day as you scoot along.

Alternatively, you can hop off the interstate, make your way along some country roads until you find the access road to the park. Yes, ladies and gentlemen, there is a park there. The park ranger was so thrilled to see visitors, she flooded Magnus and me with postcards. Awwwwww.

All hail the great and mighty Peachoid.