Last night I saw “My Fair Lady” with a colleague of mine. It was such a long time ago I saw a musical and it was great fun. When I went to high school I was very interested in listening to music in combination with theatre. I new a lot of lyrics by heart. And I liked to sing a lot. Those days are gone, but I still sing when I am alone but I hope nobody listens.

I have a break from writing. I have struggled with this book for so many years and there is so little left to do, but I have decided to wait til after New Year. I need to fuel new energy. Maybe I think of last time I wrote a book, but that was a thesis. A book and a thesis is not the same thing I have noticed. But still, I think “what can I say if someone says – “this is not right”. I must always have an answer. A defence. And it is fun because it is intellectually challenging. Sports for the brain perhaps. Since I remember my thesis, I recall many years and it felt good to show my previous mentor Professor Jörgen Engel the cover of the book. He got interested in reading. Some friends of mine have also read.

So, to think of something else, music is in my mind. West side story, Lucia songs, my favourite artists etc. By the way, it was nice to listen to Magnus Uggla at My Fair Lady. I remember a lot of his music. Very nice.

Lucia is a very beautiful tradition. If I don’t attend a concert, I listen to music at home. Today I did both. I am so happy because collegues of mine joined for lucia. Very nice. It is good to listen to music to enjoy the silence of December, even though it is a busy month. I don’t know why, but there is something particular with December. Something I am grown up with. Tonight I listen to Jussi Björling among others. After the lucia concert.

I know I should write more often, but I think I should have something to say when I write. Today, I don’t have much to comment upon. A year passes so rapidly and I have been remembering Vietnam and Sri Lanka. I miss my friends a lot. They are so far away.

Last weekend was pleasant. Dinner together with my colleagues at work Saturday evening. Then on Sunday I went to see my parents, early in the morning. Since my mother has some difficulties with her memory it is good to do things she remember like listening to christmas carols. Tomorrow is early start of Lucia, so I am looking forward to get into a December mood. I still remember the lyrics.

Next Sunday is 1:a advent. I have spent the whole day to realise that it is christmas so it won´t be a surprise for me. December is a month full of joy and I like to relax and be prepared. I started a little with decoration today and also to think of gifts for christmas eve. It was a long time ago, but I will go to church with my mother next Sunday to listen to the choir where my father sings. Sometimes he sings solo.

Today, I also got to think of last christmas when I visited my friends in Vietnam and Sri Lanka. It was such a beautiful voyage and it will really be a memory for life. I miss my friends.

The titel today “translational communication” is chosen because I will see my mentor Professor Jörgen Engel this week. I am a member of “Svensk förening för beroendemedicin” and I am very happy that I can be a member. Since I have spent almost 8 years of my life entirely to neuroscience research it will always be a dear subject.

Nowdays, I write and dedicate a lot of my time to languages. I read and write. The more I read, the more I know that I don´t know.

It is soon December and it is cold and dark. Hot chocolate is my favourite right now. In a way it is cosy. Makes me spend more time reading the newspaper in the mornings. What strikes me now is the property market and the “me too” campaigns. The Swedish property market has been augmenting over time during many years now and I am not surprised that it is hampered. It is good that the banks demand amortisation. That is healthy economy.

What makes me worried is the “me too”. All harassments going on. I read it in the newspapers. I watch tv. All they talk about is harassments. Not so nice. What can be done?

Some snow has arrived. I like that, but I think it will melt so no skiing. There is a lot of talk about “black week” and shopping for christmas. I know that time passes so rapidly so soon all christmas decoration will be in place. I am in Stockholm now and I really miss my sweetie. No walks. She makes me happy since she always is in such a good mood.
This was just to write a few words, to stay in touch. Wishing you a pleasant day.

I am off duty for a week. Right now I am in the country side. I see my parents and I write. Difficult combination but I have my room where I can stay for some time. Since my mother has some difficulties with her memory it takes time to help her. But she is my mother and will always be. My father is struggling with how to keep this house warm. I have a solution for him and I will solve this at Christmas. It is cosy to have an open fire, but it is time consuming and also it demands a lot of work. My trubble is to have my parents to realise that they need some advice. Difficult to change habits. But that is the way it is.

Weather is beautiful. I enjoy going for walks with my sweetie, but now there is salt on the roads and that make her have pain in her paws. My sweetie. Need to buy some ointment to put on her paws. I got some good news this morning: the bus will be in service again in December. Wonderful. It was too expensive for Landstinget to have a taxi.

All for now and take care.

Is it in human nature to always compare? Like “the grass is always greener on the other side”. This question deserves an answer. But, I don´t think there will be an answer. At least not a good one. Sweden, the country where I live in, is a very good country. But people here forget this. The social security system covers a lot so nobody can be without elementary equipment. But anyway, people want to have a better life, even though life standard already is at a good level compared to other countries. This is one of the greatest challenges in life. To be happy with what you have, like health and a job.

If you don´t have a job there is social security covering this. Yesterday I read about a suggestion that a form of salary should be provided by the government if you don´t have an employment. I don´t think this is a good long term solution. The government should provide you an employment instead. The question to be answered should be:

How can the government increase the amount of employments? This is more human, I believe. This makes people feel they are part of the society. To not be excluded in the society. But why is it difficult for the government to create new jobs?

In less than a year there is election in Sweden. The party that has the best answer to this question should govern Sweden.