I was in Sweden (part 3)

As I was saying, Stockholm is made up of fourteen islands - the next island which had to be visited was Djurgården. First off a coffee at Cafe String was sipped, before a short ferry boat ride to the next island on the list; home to historical monuments, an open air museum, not to mention a sprawling island garden. Wandering aimlessly around the empty, snow covered paths was a relaxing way to while away a few chilly hours.


Later on, I spotted some coco - or should I say O'Boy! And found a mouth watering indoor market. The obvious had to be done: a hotch-potch bench picnic of market bought walnut bread with swedish cheese........

I was in Sweden (part 2)

Did you know that Stockholm is made up of fourteen islands? That's why there's so much water! It's ingenious because there seems to be an island for everything, including 'museum island' as I've named it - home to the Museum of Modern Art and Swedish Architecture...oh, and big downward pointing arrows. I picked up an incredible extending (and I mean it re-ally extends man) ruler, and set of 'award winning' erasers for my architect boyfriend in the sprawling gift shop. I think he was impressed.


Museum island (or Skeppsholmen as it is actually called...and by the way it doesn't contain all the museums, just a few of them) was followed by a sighting of many cold little ducks, and the eating of a big fat semla bun at Albert & Jack's, sunset views turned into night-time views, and then there was a little reflective self-portraiture on board a floating boat. 

I was in Sweden

Which is why I was mute. And while I was there this little blogette celebrated a year of existing. Despite often falling into neglect and silence, which I am going to attempt to prevent in the future. Did you hear the poetry there?

In Stockholm last week it was c.o.l.d, though you might not be able to tell from the photos. There was lots of frozen water in the mornings. There were also huge cinnamon/cardamon buns for breakfast at Cafe Saturnus (bigger than my hand, even though the picture clearly doesn't do justice to this), and delicious warm coffees. 

I went to the breathtaking public library, which is a giant cylinder of books, and saw a frozen newspaper on a snowy bench. 

The tunnelbana/underground/metro/subway (or whatever it's known as in your local city) is also pretty phenomenal, and the escalators look like they can reach the stars.

Another installment of Swedish lovin' coming soon.......

Catfish

Last weekend I watched 'Catfish', a documentary which touches issues of identity, fiction, reality and modern technology. It is not the film you expect it to be from the trailer, instead it captivates, questions, and on more than one occasion made me feel physically uncomfortable, just through the issues it dealt with. It is one of the best films I have seen in a long time, purely for the effect it had, and the debate stirred immediately after watching it. Whether this is a "real" documentary or a false one remains vague and undefined. While the film-makers claim it is 100% real, many have questioned its veracity, and I can see why. To me however, the question of whether it is "real" or not only adds to the effect of the film as a whole, and gels well with the issues it raises in itself. Can we believe something or somebody to be 'real' just because they say they are? This is film about fiction and reality, and at the end of the screening we are too forced to question some of the very same issues; whether this is intended or not, it is certainly thought-provoking and contextually relevant. 

Cover me up

Whether you're an avid reader or someone who just

with reading,  cover design is a beautiful art, and one Penguin has experimented with over the years. You have to admit that sometimes - whether you read them or not - books look very nice. Though they can also look very horrible - naming no names here. I love comparing all the different covers and editions that are around. And I will pay extra for a well designed cover and nice typeface. I'm not ashamed to admit it. That's why I'm itching to buy myself a set of these Penguin postcards, 100 book covers - I think they'd look sweet stuck on one of my walls.  


p.s. the photo is from Christmas. A friend got gifted this book in a Secret Santa. Funny isn't it.

Breakfast with a Story

photo here

I woke up early.
I went for a run.
(whenever I get to a hill I say in my head 'you go girl' in an American accent).
I got back thinking about breakfast.
It would be a warm milky one.
It is my whole-hearted opinion that breakfast should always be accompanied with a bit of casual storytelling, more specifically, by a little French girl called Miss Capucine.
Such heart bursty feelings.


Once upon a time... from Capucha on Vimeo.

Wuthering

Currently in the middle of marking essays on, among other Victorian writings, Wuthering Heights. Back in September I watched the 1939 film adaptation starring Laurence Olivier and Merle Oberon (perhaps the best name ever). Though the film doesn't stick very closely to the plot it does have the most melodramatic death scene you might ever encounter - see the penultimate image above.


In other news, "New Year" begins for me tomorrow. While most others diligently start afresh on January 1st I like to give myself a week to refocus before I begin to tweak things. Plus, it's handy to have an extra week to finish the mince pies and Christmas chocos, who also happen to be my faithful companions during January marking week.