Sunday in the Park with Jens

Knowing as you do, dear reader, my love of all things Swedish, it will surely come as no surprise to hear that I spent all Sunday afternoon at the Parc de La Villette to catch the free set by Jens Lekman. What I wasn't counting on was actually getting to meet him afterwards and have a chat. Not only a great songwriter (anyone who samples the strings from the Mamas & the Papas version of "Do you Wanna Dance?" instantly has my heart) but a nice guy to boot, who very gamely agreed to let me take his pic with the girls. He's got a new album coming out in September and expects to be doing a gig in Paris sometime in November. Until then, I shall be doing my best to keep his profile up on Last.fm. Another true celebrity encounter (and I didn't have to stalk him round the supermarket this time). Remember, rhino75 - living the dream so you don't have to.

Stockholm Photos

I've not had time to upload them all yet, but if you click on the pic above, you'll get a taster. In the meantime, I give you a short list of things I love about Sweden, in no particular order:

• Coffee - I love Swedish coffee, which is just like the German version, all strong yet milky at the same time.
• Music - I could spend all day in Bengans, where you really can ask the shop assistants why they've recommended this or that CD (because their photo and their speciality is right there by the selection).
• Moderna Museet - Top permanent collection here AND a fab cafeteria overlooking the sea. A perfect setting to nibble an aesthetically pleasing bun or two.
  
• Swedish TV - Obviously not JUST for such homegrown gems as "Sveriges smartaste barn" (Sweden's Brainiest Kid) and "Singalong" (a dreadful karaoke/comedy/quiz show) but they're SO FAR AHEAD with all the U.S. series. This week saw the start of Day Break (think Prison Break meets Groundhog Day with a sprinkling of 24) with the wonderful Taye Diggs. I nearly couldn't tear myself away.
  
• Men - 'nuff said. And not just the blondes, either.
  
• The Sea - in the middle of the city. Doesn't get much better than that.
  
• Language - this is the first time I've been and actually been able to pick up on what's being said all around me, on the TV etc. Not 100% by any means, but a fair bit. And I could listen to it all day.
  
• String's breakfast buffet - still going strong in the heart of SoFo.
  

Coincidence? I Don't Think So...

Have just noticed that the first five of my top weekly artists in the sidebar are Swedish. And that Bob Hund even creeps in at the bottom of the list. Hmmm.

Du gamla, du fria, du fjällhöga Nord

...is where I'll be for the next few days, hanging out with my friends and trying to get some practice in. While my French chums decide who's going to run the country. Vi ses nästa vecka! Kyssar.

Hanging from the Ceiling

Look everyone - it's the photocopied house! Now, where is the television? Cue a long pause. Because I remember what a television is, and I can see it very clearly in the picture. But I cannot for the life of me remember how to say "in the corner". Everyone's looking. I've got to say something. "Rhino, where is the television?" The teacher repeats the question, more slowly this time as if to emphasize how very stupid I must be (or am I paranoid??). Several of my classmates shoot me pitying glances. I can see one mouthing the answer but - unfortunately - the only word I can make out is "television". Suddenly I have a flash of genius. "The television is ..." wait for it "...next to the desk?" "Good, Rhino, the television is next to the desk. And where is the desk, Paul?" Phew, there are another 15 people to get through before it's my turn again - surely we'll have exhausted the contents of this room by then? Of such dry-mouthed drama are my Tuesdays made, dear reader, ever since I decided to learn another language. I'd forgotten what it was like to be completely stymied by the word for "handtowel" and to retain only the phrase "hanging from the ceiling". However, last week's vocab test showed that I have a firm grasp of "checked", "striped", "flowery" and "patterned". I love it, it's just like being 14 again. All the "boys" sit towards the back of the room, doodling on their pads and snickering. Last week's exercise " a __ can be __" (adjectives, you see) produced the gem "a girl can be dirty" (phnaaar) which kept us giggling for a good 15 minutes. The "girls", on the other hand, sit at the front and all have dictionaries. And furry pencilcases. OK, I'm making that bit up but they DO all have dictionaries. I'm already looking forward to the school holidays...

Rhino75's Product of the Week

Yes, I know, a NEW FEATURE. Exciting, isn't it? My plan is to bring you every week an EXCLUSIVE (my italics) through-the-keyhole glimpse of the exotica filling the cupboards at Rhino75 Towers. Week One: Dr. Stuart's Apple & Ginger Tea. Now, as many of you know, Rhino75 is a huge fan of Sweden and the frozen north in general. Any culture that can come up with Tyrkisk Peber vodka AND Agnetha Fältskog has to be doing something right, right?. Well, Dr. Stuart's magical beverage is Sweden in a cup. In fact, I'm pretty sure that Dr. Stuart's first name is Sven and that he's tall and blond with a fluffy beard under his white coat. Apples, ginger, cinnamon, just the brew for a cold winter's night. To be sipped wearing an H&M sweater, surrounded by candles (careful!), with possibly a little Carola or Roxette playing in the background. Underbara! If all goes to plan and I receive a lifetime's supply of said product from the manufacturer, next week I shall be featuring Cristal champagne. If not, probably my other great dietary staple, miso cup-a-soup. I know which one I'm rooting for. Ok, ok, this is a cheat post because this week so far has been all work and no play. Twelve-hour days, sore eyes, I haven't even had time to work on my new TV treatment ("Sergeant Kitty: Police Cat" - she sniffs all the evidence, rolls on bits of it and then...licks her bum? I need to work on the crime-solving angle a little more). Luckily, there IS some R&R lined up for the weekend, otherwise I'd go bonkers. And I've now got a ticket to see my new faves in London next month. TGIF.

D.I.Y.

I'm hurt, dear reader. Really. I've got a big gash on my leg - from changing a lightbulb. Yes, I know, hard to believe isn't it? DON'T ASK ME WHY I chose to stand on a collapsible chair to do this relatively mundane task. Because, of course, that's just what it did, bringing me down with it. And pulling the doors off the sink unit in the process. Leaving me lying on the floor, surrounded by cat food, splintered wood and cupboard doors with one leg still trapped in the chair that was now firmly wedged between the two kitchen cupboards. I felt like I'd stepped into "Stalingrad" (though with slightly less snow and mud). For one - mad - moment, I thought I might have to try and amputate my trapped foot using my prized Japanese kitchen knife. Then I realised that if I wrenched the other door from its hinges, I would in fact be able to free the chair and thus save my foot. Phew. High drama indeed for a Sunday. I wouldn't be surprised if someone made a movie about it. And the day had gone so well up to that point. Dee-lish brunch + pancakes with Signor G. and then a wander round this fine, if small, exhibition at the Swedish Cultural Centre. The SCC is housed in a beautiful hôtel particulier a mere stone's throw from Rhino75 Towers and is - at the moment - home to this rather fine glass owl, too. If all goes to plan, I shall be spending a lot more time there (but more about that another time...) All in all, a fine afternoon for wandering round aimlessly in the Paris winter sunshine and sipping coffee on a terrace. Which is exactly what we did. Completely bonkers queue to look at the re-hung permanent collection at the Pompidou Centre today, BTW. Whatever.