Well, it seems like we’re moving flats tomorrow. Jo found a 3 room flat just opposite where we live now that is more than double the area we currently live in.

We’d been seriously contemplating buying a boat for 1.2 million crowns (c£90,00). It was totally renovated, and was absolutely lovely, and was docked not far from the centre of the city, over the river from Statshuset (the place where the Noble Peace prize is awarded). All in all, it would have been perfect, except it was a little bit small for a family of three.

We’ll still be looking at other places to live. Our new place is a second-hand contract, which means the same thing could happen to us there: that we get thrown out.

I saw the Mouse Man advert that I auditioned for today. I must say, either I’m completely crap in front of a video camera, or I didn’t try hard enough to be stupid. The person who got it was fat and without personality.

I know I’m being subjective and bitter about it, but I was far better as Mouse Man.

We got a phone call from our landlord (an ex-work colleague) yesterday. Due to family problems, he needs the flat. We now have three months to find something new.

3 months is not a great deal of time. We could, I’m sure, find another place to live reasonably easily, but our needs and preferences make the job a lot trickier.

After the first minute of minor-shock, we both came to the conclusion that this was actually an opportunity for change. We have no idea where the next few months will take us. Luckily, we have a house in the north of Sweden, so homelessness is not an option. Will we be living in Stockholm? Will we have the same jobs? I am looking forward to what happens.

I read with interest today that research is being carried out to find an alternative to the epoxy-fibreglass composite currently used to make computer keyboards. The current suggestion is…..soya-bean oil and feathers.

According to the professor of chemical engineering involved in the project, some 5 billion pounds (per year) of chicken feathers are currently produced in the poultry business.

First I became a little disheartened by the news : a non-vegan keyboard? Whatever next. Then I started to think about the environmental benefits, although the poultry industry is not particularly environmentally friendly. But then I read further that in the US (not Europe) chicken feathers are used as low-grade animal feed for cattle. Having doubted my vegan stance on the subject, this is the one thing in the article I, as well as many sound non-vegans, can safely shake our heads at. Cows are herbivores. They do not/should not eat animal products. We’ve seen the potential for disaster before. Mad Cow Disease, anyone?

In fairness, the USDA and Food and Drug Administration are comtemplating making this pratice illegal, but it cannot be a difficult one to make. If poultry farmers receive more money from this project, which is awaiting a $500,000 funding by the USDA, perhaps their decision will be made easier.

I went to a casting today. A new cheese snack is going to be released in Sweden, and the planned TV advert to accompany said snack includes a 50’s style superhero called “Mouse Man”.

I went to the interview and got dressed up in a fetching yellow, red and blue costume, part of which was a blue, silk open-face balaclava with little mouse ears. I then had to parade around fighting Batman style, while being filmed. I also had a few lines to say.

I don’t care if I get the part, though it’d be cool to see myself on TV. The experience of dressing up and fake fighting is one I shall cherish for a long time.