Category Archives: Freya

Being Amongst Vegans

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The family went to Vegomässan 2009 today, a vegetarian/vegan fair that is now in its second year. While the location reminded me of an underground parking, it was reasonably cosy and there was a fair bit to do/see/eat. In fact, we had difficulties deciding exactly what to eat there, with soooo many delicious-looking buns, cakes, burgers, hot-dogs and other comestibles to consume. In the end we made our choices, and they were good.

Vegan food has, not surprisingly, come on a long way since my last foray into animal rights fairs. Vegan grub is at a far more acceptable level, and I would have been happy to take a no-vegan there, assured that there was not a lentil in sight (not that lentils are a bad foodstuff).

Freya loved the fair. There was a small, but (judging by Freya’s comments after we came home) pleasing kids’ corner where she stayed a while. She enjoyed walking around the crowded locale, and she liked the food. She even asked us, a few hours after we got back, if it was still open. I reckon that counts as a success.

A great day out for us all, even though we did not get to hear the lectures that we wanted to. And we even got to buy a Christmas ‘ham’ that apparently tastes very nice. We shall see.

Wise Freya

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The family were in the car today, listening, as usual, to Freya’s music. A song from the popular children’s program, Lazy Town, came on. It was sung by one of the characters who is known for being a greedy little tyke, and he was singing, quite fittingly, that everything was his. Freya piped up midway through the song that not everything was his. The forest wasn’t, for example. She added that the forest was the property of the Earth. In fact, according to our wonderful daughter, everything was owned by the Earth.

A Moving Experience

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This weekend has been absolutely full-on, with our moving flats in just two days. I have been packing, packing and packing, looking after my daughters, and looking after Jo.

Jo had a bicycle accident this week, and broke her foot. Luckily, she had already done a bit of putting stuff away in boxes, but there was a lot left to do, and she was pretty much unable to help, much to her dismay and frustration. So the ball was passed to me, and it is thanks to our friends Mark and Alex that I sit here this evening with a reasonably easy two days ahead of me. They may not think they did much, but just going out to get more moving boxes saved me valuable time.

They say that moving is one of the most stressful things to do. I cannot entirely agree, but this weekend has shown me how capable I can be if needed. Three cheers for me!

The Camera Never Lies

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I am not – and Jo will readily testify this – particularly photogenic. As a baby and young boy I had a certain flair, being able to produce a naturally happy face, but in the years of adulthood I am unable to smile for the camera. At best I look contemplative, though mostly I come across as grumpy or bored.

It’s not for the lack of trying that I fail miserably (or succeed to be miserable). Inside my head I believe I’m pulling a cheeky smile; the muscles around my mouth feel like they are tugging excessively. But the end result is nothing more than an expression of mild disdain.

I recently tried forced laughter in one picture, and a positively jaw-breaking open-mouthed smile in another. I looked like a mixture of Elmer Fudd and a Pakistani.

Should my daughters’ memories of me be based on our photos, I fear I may ruin their lives, which is why I write this, in defence.

Oh, Mona Lisa, we are united in a curse.

Freya Perling Mario

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This morning Freya asked me to help her lay some perler beads. She wanted to make a Mario, so I printed out one from New Super Mario Bros. I helped her fill in the dungarees and generally worked to her direction, but most of it is her own design.