Category Archives: Friends

Coldplay

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We saw Coldplay tonight, with our friends Aleks and Jo. I went along because Jo wanted to go, not grudginly, but not exactly expecting to enjoy the show too much.

Just before the gig, we found out that Goldfrapp were supporting, which whet my appetite a bit. Whilst I do not consider myself an energumen of their music, it was enough to get my interested in seeing the evening’s show.

It was only after seeing Coldplay that I realised that I like them. Their songs are sufficiently depressing to suit my style, and the melodies in their songs appeal.

Goldfrapp performed well enough, without any real stage presence or show. Certain sounds they use came across well live, but the overall feeling was one of distance and nervosity.

I appreciate the way Coldplay handled ticket-sales. After my disappointment with Depeche Mode, it was nice to see a limited amount of tickets for the show made available through having already subscribed to the e-newsletter. This only applied to those who had subscribed before a certain date, cutting out the possibility for ticket-touters to make economic gains from the offer.

Food For Thought

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Yesterday we traveled to Märsta, a suburb north of Stockholm, to spend time with another vegan family, Janne, Elin and Eon (their 3 year old son).

We started off by visiting the traveling fairground that had taken up residence in a playing field near their home. It was quite a standard affair, with a few rides for Freya and Eon to enjoy, which they seemingly did.

Afterwards we went back to Eon’s Flat to have a bite to eat and a chat. Eon and Freya played together quite happily, leaving us pretty much alone for four hours.

An interesting question came up when Janne asked us if we would ever forbid Freya from associating with people of questionable character or of a veganically incorrect disposition (like hunters). While Jo and I have never really discussed this, we unanimously gave the same reply: never.

Both Jo and I have spent a fair amount of time with people who resolutely eschew the vegan lifestyle, and others who do not share our political views, and believe that any censorship in this matter can only ever lead to rebellion.

Then, today, I thought of another argument: who is to say that Freya will not be the one doing the influencing? Are we not belittling our child by automatically assuming she is of weak character, able to be turned against our beliefs despite, what we believe to be, a loving and open relationship with her?

It’s an interesting scenario to think about, but I do not worry that whatever she becomes, I will ever stop loving her.

A Nice Relaxing Day At The Park

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We’ve just come back from a day out at Stockholm’s amusement park, Gröna Lund. Our friends Alex and Johanna, with their children Chloe and Sebbe, also came along to the pre-season special, and it was really quite tiring. Not at all because we had kids to look after, but because of the amount of people and constant noise.

It makes me appreciate Disneyland Paris a lot more. I do not wish to cavil, but at least Uncle Mickey has the sense (or, perhaps, space) to shield off each of the different themed areas with trees and the like, so noise interference is kept to a minimum, which retains the suspension of disbelief. In Gröna Lund, you can almost never get away from the constant roaring of roller-coasters or the thumping of euro-techno trying to persuade people to try a ride.

Coupled with this was the overcrowded pedestrian areas, with seemingly no attention given to diverting the queues away from the main walkway. This, naturally, led to disarray, and an undoubted plethora of annoyed people trying to access different attractions, as well as those trying to queue.

Overall, though, a thoroughly enjoyable day, and Freya even got to help Bob the Builder.

Visiting London

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Went to stay with Leigh and Carrie last week, after staying with mum and dad for the first part of the week. Spent most of the time drinking, though not Jo, since she’s breastfeeding, and playing games.

Leigh really does buy some interesting (for interesting read cheap and normally sub-standard) games. That said, by luck or judgement, he has got Pro-Evolution Soccer 2, which is quite good, Bomberman, which rocks as a multi-player game, and some generic dance-mat “game”. Oh, GTA 3 is pretty cool, too.

The weekend was only marred by our hire-car being towed away. Only £190 to get it back : a bargain!

Also, I reckon not drinking the final evening would have been wiser. Pissed myself off a bit by driving with a hangover, or maybe still a bit drunk. I am a moron : Jo and Freya deserved better. I don’t know if the TVR (tequila/vodka/red bull) was my saviour or not. It is a totally different experience being wired on red bull than being drunk or hungovered.

Still, caught up with Ralph and Louise (who is pregnant), Chip, Andy and Tim.

Mental Note : Parking over someones driveway in London, even if it couldn’t fit a Fiat Uno (and it is full of cement-mixers and other builder’s stuuf) is NEVER safe. In this case, £190 unsafe.