Category Archives: Uncategorized

A week ago since I wrote. I have been busy and also, I am waiting for my new website. This week I finally got my books. I am very happy about the covers, and the photos are taken by me. Photograpy is one of my hobbies. I wish I could paint, but I cannot. However, playing with colours, brightness etc gives some satisfaction. It is a way of expressing myself. But, of course, I will, some day have a course in learning advanced photo settings. Sharper pictures.

I am waiting for a text message.

Finally, I have donated blood for the very first time. It started by that I felt sorry for one of my characters in the book, and that made me think about my own blood group. I went to the blood center and made a health declaration. Then I had to wait a few weeks for the results. Unfortunately, I had a cold, and therefore I had to wait a little longer for blood donation.

I learnt that I belong to the most common blood group, namely A with presence of the Rh + antigen. Men and women donate the same amount of blood, but women cannot donate blood as often as men do. I did this on a day off since I didn’t know how I would feel afterwards. I didn’t feel anything, only a little pain in my arm. Now I am waiting for a text message with information that someone has used my donation. I will only get a text if it is in Stockholm or Dalarna county. This kind of service is used in Canada as well.

Currently, I am trying to find a balance between exercise and healthy food. That is difficult. Slowly, I have started with my own home made food. And that is the best. Cooking has been a great interest in my life, and still is. Sometimes, I have these cravings, like yesterday. Dessert for dinner. Pancakes with strawberries and cream. Something only women can understand I suppose?

I will be working this weekend at the pharmacy so I am having a peaceful Friday evening. Reading some. The first of December it will be 14 years ago I had my dissertation, and even though I am not within drug dependence any more, it feels good to stay in touch. I will see my former mentor, professor Jörgen Engel, at the yearly drug dependence meeting.

At the pharmacy, I mostly meet customers with nicotine dependence. Nicotine is as addictive as cocaine, so it is a real challenge to motivate. I talk about physiological (withdrawal symptoms such as irritability, nausea, headache), and psychological (craving) dependence. One of the most challenging tasks is to find a new reward instead of nicotine. And that is very individual. There are so many health benefits to quit smoking, but even though that is so evident, it still is difficult to change a habit. And maybe, that is dependence in a nutshell.

It is important to have rewards in life. Personally, I like training a lot, and indeed, there is ample amount of evidence supporting that exercise stimulate brain reward systems. Another is food. I like to read cookery books. To find inspiration. Food also reminds me of traveling and memories connected to various journeys. Every country has its own typical food. What is your favourite food?

I was not going to write this evening, but I feel some kind of frustration when I read the news. It is now some time ago since it was election in Sweden, and still, there is no prime minister. I think it is a threat to democracy since, I believe, a lot of people voted for “Alliansen” in Sweden. This is a four party coalition. Now they have separated and it is rather messy. What should voters believe?

Ok, I just had to write this. Now I will continue with some other writing, I am working on summaries. Accompanied by music.

I put much focus on training right now. And I enjoy it a lot. I was very lucky to get such good advice about how to avoid inflammation. I watch my steps, and I am more careful with stretch. There are so many schools about stretch. If needed or not. Probably it is very individual and you have to find your own way. I need some and that is for sure.

My books (novel and poetry) are being printed this week. Even though they are ready, there is still some writing to be done. Summaries and so on. It reminds me a little of the work at the department of pharmacology. So I remembered the film “A beautiful mind” with Russell Crowe. I like the university scenes. Do I miss the university? In a way I do, I miss teaching. Today I have changed to pharmacological humanities. I write some pharmacology but from a different perspective, and I am rather eager to get comments from readers, and also from my former mentor at the department of pharmacology. There is a lot to discuss and there are no answers but only speculations.

So, what else? This website will be re-built and I will get some help from professionals. I will continue to write this evening, and I still keep my focus on books, so I share this photo of a book shelf with tranquility.

D-vitamins are needed now. It is dark and I don’t like it. Even during daytime. So, I light some candles and play music. And, it actually helps. With a lot of tea and lemon. This week my books will be printed and I am happy about that. But, I really don’t know what to feel since I have been working with them for such a long time. Including this writing. This is actually also a great part of the books. Believe it or not. Reflections and interpretations.

Currently, I put a lot of focus on training. Tomorrow I have two hours of exercise to look forward to. My cold has disappeared thanks to the risotto. It must be. With plenty of music and exercise, I am almost back to my ordinary shape again after spending time writing.

I previously told you that I have written about the immune system, including various cells and stimulating molecules in different chemical cascades. Probably, this week I will donate blood and find out what my blood group is. I have always thought that I am so small so I cannot give blood. 1/10th blood volume is a lot for me. But, I will try and as soon as I have done that I will tell.

Today has, more or less, been devoted to training. It takes so much time, but it makes me feel so good. It is worth it. Exercise has so many positive effects on health. I should re-read some about the HPA axis, cortisol levels and catecholamines, but not now. That is a very complex hormonal balance, but so important for the body. And also for eg hippocampal (memory) circuits in the brain.

I reveled before that I don’t weigh myself very often. I more see to if my clothes fit or not. When that extra waist centimetre occurs. Then I know I need to do something. However, now I have more time since I am almost done with my book. I need exercise to be able to write and it is a very delicate balance. I have learnt so much by writing, even though I have written before. A whole new world has occurred to me, and it has been very developing at a personal level.

Today, I finally found some information about the inflammation I had some time ago. I did a test where my running was recorded and analysed. There is nothing wrong with my shoes and I am so happy about that. What I have to do is to practice my “steps” when I run. To push my hips more forward. I learnt a lot and I got a very good take home message how to run.

Soon, there will be a little change here where I write. This page needs a new look. To be refreshed. By these words I wish you a happy halloween. My trick or treat tonight is tea with honey and lemon. And good reading.