8 Feb, 10:01: A warm drag from the Norrlandish cold
We took a deep drag from the Norrlandish cold and left Ornskoldsvik in order to come home with warm hearts after a brilliant weekend. Everyone (I and Alvar) at home except my Blackberry - the phone I need to be able to put up images from my computer onto this blog. Couldn’t find the Blackberry when we were on our way home from the Family Sundstrom, where we’ve been staying. Looked under the bed, in the sofa, in the bathroom, in a shoe…was absolutely sure it’s been in the left breast-pocket of my down jacket but nothing there either. Was hoping and taking a chance that it was in my bag. Woke up by the sound of the plane touching icy tarmac at Arlanda. In the car on our way towards Norrkoping I got the message on my other phone that the Blackberry had been found in the snow outside of a horse farm we visited Saturday. Luck or talent? Doesn’t matter. This is the story of joy I’ll think of every time I feel life is turning against me. There is flow. Alvar, we need to remind eachother during the trip to always prepare for things to turn out well. If we prepare for defeat, success will be a failure since we weren’t prepared.

The contrary is fine though. To prepare for victory but accidently loose. Then all you have to do is move on. This fantastic weekend has brought four great losses without affecting the mood. Alvar and I saw Hammarby loose the handball game in Eriksdalshallen against Lugi Thursday. Malin tore down everything in the World Cup in French Bordeaux, Ornskoldsvik’s finest warriors Modo got punched by Djurgarden and my Blackberry got lost. My Blackberry is found. When Larsa went about kicking the snow in his backyard, there it was. Almost drowned and ready for a kick but with life spark still glistening. How fast it can change. There will always be new games, says I who mostly talk and don’t compete anymore.

It has been a great weekend of friends and Song Contest. Alvar never made it to the arena. He had too much things to do with his friends. I did the town, day and night. Ornskoldsvik is a very beautiful town with a heart not yet affected by too many chains and malls.

Alvar was quick in his judgement of the Song Contest, part 1 - “Ola best. Singel (with Frisprakarn) and Salem second best”.

Nicely done my son. Two out of three made it on. You picked the right songs. Oh really, you only told me which songs you liked, not which songs you thought the people would like. I see. You vote with your heart. Even better my son. Your dad’s cynic Song Contest brain hasn’t really kicked in yet. I liked Jenny Silver and Salem best. Put out a warning for Pain of Salvation but thought Anders Ekborg would make it.

This was just the beginning. Now let’s recharge Alvar. Next weekend awaits Sandviken and maybe even you will have some time to make it down to the arena.

The hardest working couple in showbiz.

While waiting for my Blackberry there will be a lack of photos. Pls enjoy “This Week’s Ed”. He’s on his way home from France where he’s been since Thursday so the picture is from the middle of last week. Just wanted to let you know if he has grown a lot since last time I saw him.

This Week’s Ed, No19 - “I’m the star on my shirt”.

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6 Feb, 14:33: Alvar’s best songs just before it hits
The Swedish Song Contest 2010 is about to begin and we’re in place. Alvar and I arrived at Ornskoldsvik yesterday to have fun with friends and prepare for the Contest. At least I am. Alvar skipped Friday’s rehearsals and has gone away to playland today before it’s time for the cinema and THEN enjoy Part 1 in front of the TV.

I’m prepared but it has never been harder making a forecast than today. There are eight contributions, very much different. Whether the songs are good or bad doesn’t matter. What’s interesting is which song you/we feel is for us. The one who manage to get through. Minimalism à la Silver or maximalism à la Ekborg. I don’t know what we like the most. I think you should vote with your heart in the part competitions and in the final try to think who you think best represent us in Eurovision.

Before we say let the game begin, here’s the list from Alvar’s first compilation album named “Alvar’s Best Album”. Since this blog’s main purpose is to act as a time document of now, Alvar’s song list will be saved in order for future comparison. These are his best songs right now, to be compared with his best songs by the end of March. 32 Song Contest contributions later.

The intro has finished and I’m ready for this years first chorus. La de swinge. Tomorrow I’ll tell you who Alvar cheered for and why the wrong song won.

Absolute Alvar.

1. Smooth Criminal - Michael Jackson
2. Downtown - Casablanca
3. Poker Face - Lady Gaga
4. Tailgunner - Iron Maiden
5. Breaking The Law - Judas Priest
6. Hard Rock Hallejuah - Lordi
7. Gloria - Mando Diao
8. 20år - Magnus Weideskog
9. Jag får liksom ingen ordning - Lars Winnerbäck
10. Gitarrer & bas, trummor & hat - Hästpojken
11. Boom Boom Pow - Black Eyed Peas
12. Meet Me Halfway - Black Eyed Peas

Arkiverat i Henrik Johnsson