Camera Roll
A few recent photographs where I was in the right place at the right time.
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Så mycket bättre
For the last few months I’ve been watching bits and pieces on Youtube of a Swedish TV show called “Så mycket bättre” (literally, “So Much Better”), a television program where famous Swedish musicians perform the songs of other Swedish musicians.
My attention was first brought to the show by the performance and hit song, “Mikrofonkåt” by September. It was a dance cover version of a rap song by Swedish performer, Petter. The song became a number one hit for several weeks in Sweden. The song has since been translated into English, and will soon be released internationally. I absolutely loved the associated video clip which featured September singing her version of Petter’s original song to him (and to see him sing a long to the song).
But tonight I’ve been watching some other clips from the program which featured a range of Swedish musical legends, as well as some new performers including: Lasse Berghagen, Barbro “Lill-Babs” Svensson, Petter Askergren, Thomas Di Leva, September, Christer Sandelin (from Freestyle) and Plura Jonsson.
The program is a “reality show” in the sense that, according to Wikipedia… “The artists spend eight days together at a hotel in Gotland, Sweden, where each person has a day dedicated to themselves with the other artists performing cover versions of his or her songs. A compilation album was released on December 1, 2010 as CD, digital download and on Spotify.”
As you watch the video clips on Youtube, you see the people are in an old stone house when they perform together.
The two clips which have touched me most tonight have been songs by Petter and Lasse Berghagen.
Although I was aware of Petter doing a version of “Stockholm i mitt hjärta” (a song made famous by Lasse Berghagen as the theme for “Allsang pa Skansen”, the legendary Swedish TV show), I wasn’t aware until tonight that Lasse had responded with a version of “Längesen” by Petter, a song which I really love very much.
The lyrics for Längesen, which I mentioned a few months ago, about a relationship in youth and reflected on many years later are particularly poignant, delivered by an older man (Berghagen)…
“Du var gammal
Jag var äldre
Och nu sågs vi igen
Gått så lång tid så länge sen
Decennier tillbaka
Men jag minns det såväl
Varför kärleken brunnit
Utav olika skäl
Varje gång är som den första gång vi sågs
Även om det är över nu
Allting har förändrats
Men du finns kvar
Allt var svävande men nu så ser ja klart
Jag var ung du var yngre
När vi sågs första gången
Rusade förbi mig snabbt på perrongen
Blev hjälplöst förälskat
Obeskrivligt tagen
Som om jag låg ner på marken och blev slagen
Varje gång är som den första gång vi sågs
Även om det är över nu
Allting har förändrats
Men du finns kvar
Allt var svävande men nu så ser ja klart”
which translates – very roughly – as…
“You were old
I was older
And now we are again
It’s been a long time, long time since then
Decades come back
But I remember it well
Then why has our love burned?
There are different reasons
Every time is like the first time we met
Even thought it is over now
Everything has changed
But you are left (behind)
Everything was suspended, but now I see clearly
I was young, you were younger
When we were together the first time
You rushed past me quickly on the platform
I became helplessly in love
Indescribably taken
It was if I lay down on the ground wand became beaten/smitten (?)
Every time is like the first time we met
Even thought it is over now
Everything has changed
But you are left (behind)
Everything was suspended, but now I see clearly”
And then Petter does a version of “Stockholm i mitt hjärta” which translates as “Stockholm in my heart” which was and is the theme song for the popular television program, “Allsång på Skansen” (literally “Sing Along at Skansen”) which is a bit of a love song about Stockholm as a city.
“Stockholm i mitt hjärta, jag besjunger dig min vän
-samma, samma, du ska brinner igen”
“Stockholm in my heart, I serenade you my friend
-the same, the same same, you will burn again”
So anyway, I hope you liked the clips, because I think they’re both quite special.
And what a lovely idea for a television show. It sure as hell beats the crap that was delivered up tonight on “free to air” television in Australia.
More Stumpiversary
A further installment in my stumpiversary, with a story from ABC Everyday and ABCQueer on Instagram. https://www.instagram.com/p/C-Envnozu0X/?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA== I’m so glad there is interest in this story. I’ll be on ABC Melbourne and ABC Perth tomorrow also. Amputations are increasing significantly in Australia, often related to diabetes, so it’s great to get the word out. Especially love the main image is me on the rainbow crossing and wearing a Lismore t-shirt!!!
Hairdresser Rehabilitation
I’ve never quite understood the time and money many women invest in visits to the hairdresser. Throughout my adult life, a ten-dollar haircut with a straightforward instruction of “Just a number one, thanks” has sufficed. However, this weekend, I found myself in the barber’s chair, succumbing to the “up-sell” and emerging seventy dollars lighter.
While the difference from my regular haircut may not be immediately apparent, Saturday’s treatment offered a more profound and satisfying experience than I anticipated. In addition to the clipper cut on my head, blades, lotions, and extra attention to my beard contributed to the indulgence.
Around halfway through the hour at the barber, It became clear to me aboout the “pampering” aspect, which many of my female friends likely enjoy, was also happening to me. Though it may be a while before I splurge on such a haircut again, I truly relished being present in the moment.
Despite not placing too much emphasis on my appearance throughot my life, I’ve always aimed to present myself decently. Occasionally, I’ll venture out with friends only to discover a food stain on my shirt, which I’ll typically laugh off. While I used to dress up for formal occasions and work, my post-operation return to work has seen me favoring shorts and polo shirts, for comfort and convenience.
Since my recent operation at the age of 57, coupled with a newfound physical disability, I’ve been contemplating my physical attractiveness more deeply. Questions about whether a potential partner will look at me, notice my missing leg, and decide “we can be friends, but nothing more” have occupied my thoughts. Although physical attractiveness becomes less important in attracting a partner as one ages, it undeniably still matters.
These thoughts are currently at the forefront of my mind, and so, spending an hour at the hairdresser yesterday, and paying the most I’ve ever paid for a haircut and beard trim, could be considered a part of my rehabilitation, perhaps?
Getting around the hills
“Did you get the mobility scooter from Antonio?”, a woman I know at the local pub asked me yesterday. Though I didn’t recall the previous conversation, she recommended the wheelchair hire service Antonio and Esta run https://www.wheelchairstogo.com.au/ a few months ago. She told me it was a lifeline for her partner’s mobility needs. I never thought I’d need such support, as I was getting around quite well, but there you go, I ended up needing it after all. Funny how life works.
I’ve stumbled into this unexpected community here in Surry Hills. It’s teeming with mobility scooter users, a mix of people navigating disabilities. We’ve formed this unspoken bond, a wave and a ‘hello’ as we pass each other It’s a bit surreal, but strangely also comforting.
My friends and I joke about ‘pimping’ my scooter: a rainbow flag, a sunshade, and maybe some quirky bumper stickers – Eureka flags, anyone? Maybe I could have a side hustle as an Uber eats cyclist. It’s all part of embracing this new chapter of my life with a smile.
And honestly, I’m loving the scooter life! It’s transformed my mobility, making errands like yesterday’s milk run incredibly easy. While NDIS support is an option, hiring a scooter is currently more affordable and flexible.
Of course, this is temporary. I’m gaining strength daily, even managing a few hundred meters on one crutch last night. Along the way I had to stop on occasion at one of the street benches, but I got there and back.
The scooter has opened my eyes to a longer-term solution for those challenging days.
People often envision recovery from amputation as a linear path – prosthetic, rehabilitation, walking, done. But the reality is more nuanced. Health professionals have cautioned about pain, blisters, and sores that can hinder prosthetic use.
My wheelchair is cumbersome in Surry Hills’ hilly terrain. My initial NDIS OT (occupational therapy) report suggested motorized (add on) support, perhaps a wheelchair assist, but even those are pricey. A mobility scooter seems a more practical choice, and that’s what I’ve begun to pursue.
I need a new OT assessment for the NDIS, but the cost is daunting. My friend at the pub echoed this sentiment – we understand the professionals’ expertise, but the financial burden is significant. Thankfully, I won’t have to worry about covering the costs myself, just kind of putting it out there that OT reports are quite expensive. Actually, it’s much more expensive than buying an actual scooter!
This week, I’m heading to Adelaide for the national amputee conference. I’ve arranged wheelchair assistance at the airport, a necessity given Jetstar’s sprawling terminals, especially post-hip replacement. Afterwards, it’s back to Lismore to visit family, and then, a deep breath, I’m off to China at the end of May. Onwards and upwards, hills and all. Great Wall of China – here I come!
Beautiful Sunday
Twelve months ago in Sydney we were recovering from the dust storm. Twelve months later it remains a topic for conversation in Sydney. And it’s an event which has influenced two of the photographs in this year’s Sydney Life art exhibition in Hyde Park.
One is a reasonably straightforward representation of the storm taken on the north side just near the Sydney Harbour Bridge. The other is more interesting, and my favourite in this year’s exhibition.
Twelve months ago this weekend, Kate and I were on an art crawl, visiting a number of galleries, including the rather fantastic White Rabbit. Today I went on an art crawl of my own, taking part in a guided tour of Art and About.
Art and About has expanded quite significantly this year. This year in Hyde Park there’s a fair bit more than Sydney Life, with art and craft workshops and a rather spectacular idea which has involved dressing up various statues around the city in a variety of interesting and sometimes outrageous clothing and adornment.
The Dalley statue was interesting because a) I’d never noticed the statue before and b) I loved the way they gave him sunglasses and a “green” theme. And I loved the wild boar statue simply because a) it’s a great statue anyway and b) the idea of putting wings on a pig is simple and effective.
As I wandered back through the city I jumped on a bus which I assumed would take me further back up George Street to Railway Square. Wrong. Before I knew it, I was half way over the Anzac Bridge. With a deep breath, I figured there was little to lose and it gave me an opportunity to wander – without plans – around Balmain. The one opportunistic discovery I thought I might made was visit/trespass on the White Bay re-development site which Carol mentioned. Although I was tempted and tried to trespass today, I couldn’t find a suitable entrance, and got scared at all the signs about not trespassing.
Catching the ferry back to Darling Harbour, I attempted to purchase an ice-cream, but with lengthy queues – as bad as those at Sydney Ariport today – I ended up with a slurpee.
As I wandered back through the city I came across an unexpected parade which had closed off much of George Street.
When I thought the day was just about over a mate invited me out for a drink and to listen to some old style disco tunes at The Midnight Shift.
Quite a diverse Sunday you might say. And a day with absolutely beautiful weather here.
Terrific photos especially the top one during Vivid.
Thanks Victor, much appreciated. It was a “sneaky pic”, taken from a terrific spot not normally open to the general public.