andreas

This is what has happened – at least some of it

What else has happened? Lars Norén sometimes writes this in “En dramatikers dagbok” which I’m reading with great interest. I’ve never been particularly interested in Lars Norén, the Swedish playwright and author who passed away in 2021, but now I can’t get enough of what he writes in his diaries. Every now and then, he pauses and asks himself: What else has happened?

My point is that it’s been a long time since I wrote something longer in English here. A lot has happened since then.

For the past year, I’ve been working as an editor at Dagens Samhälle, a newspaper for executives and politicians in Swedish municipalities and regions. I’ve also started writing articles again, something I’ve missed.

My stepson has turned 20 and moved out.

The twins have turned 15.

I’ve read a whole bunch of books, not all on that list this year though.

I’ve managed to get rid of my knee pain by going to the gym instead of just running.

I’ve spent time with my wife, my kids, and good friends.

I’ve started listening to music again.

I’ve watched some good TV series.

I’ve stayed relatively low on social media but have instead ramped up my activity on LinkedIn.

Blogging here has been sporadic, but it always has been.

I’ve gone snowboarding a few times with my daughter, which I’m very happy about.

I’ve done some driving practice with my stepson.

A lot more has happened, of course. The biggest things in life are often hard to describe briefly. Moments of intense happiness can arise at any time and are rarely tied to anything specific. That’s why they’re also hard to look back on. At least, that’s how it is for me.

Isn’t August a month that feels like a fresh start? Every year at this time, I think back on what has been and what is to come.

I believe it’s going to be a good year.

Hope yours will be too.

Läser nu: En dramatikers dagbok 2002-2005 av Lars Norén 📚

Otippat intressant. Jag läste första och måste fortsätta. Gillar särskilt detaljerade beskrivningar om shopping. Det kan till exempel låta så här:

”Jag gick in och såg på ett par opraktiska solglasögon formgivna av Philippe Starck, från hans mer minimalistiska period. De kostar 3300. Jag la 500 på dem, fast jag tycker att det är sinnessjukt, för att det är ett jävla slöseri. Jag kommer säkert att köpa dem. Jag vill inte komma in och framstå som en människa som ångrar sig och inte vet vad han vill. Jag avskydde affären, de som expedierade mig och jag tyckte inte särskilt mycket om glasögonen heller. Glaset är fästat i tunn pianotråd och jag kommer att få ett helvete med dem.”