Day 450 - File Under "White People Problems" / Stupidity

Just now I nearly broke my hand attempting to quick-catch a small jar of capers as it fell from the top shelf of the fridge. The jar hit the floor but survived. My hand hurts.

Day 437 - For that Special Someone

I saw these in the grocery store yesterday.

Nothing says V.I.P. better than cheddar, bacon, spareribs, and barbeque. Yes, I'm choosing to spell barbeque incorrectly because, well, that's what the bag told me. 

The other important thing here is that these chips are specifically labeled kun for V.I.P. That's only for very important people. These are the Members Only jacket of potato chips.

Day 435 - Twenty Five or Twelve and One Half

No, it's not that I can't remember the lyrics to many a college basketball band's favorite Chicago song. Today we're talking about anniversaries. Wedding anniversaries.

I can't speak as to whether the following is an accurate representation of what happens in all Danish workplaces, but the following holds true for life at Novo.

As far as I can tell, Danes celebrate two distinct wedding anniversaries. One, at twelve and a half years and one at twenty-five years. Originally, the 25-year anniversary was the be-all / end-all anniversary celebration, but in this modern cynical world of ours the number of couples making it to 25 dwindled, and thus the need for a new celebration at 12 and a half. When we're talking about celebrating, lowering the bar is always acceptable. And as I've mentioned before, Danes like to party and when it's time to party they will always party hard.

You are expected to throw a mega party for family and friends on these anniversaries, and most people spend a lot of money doing this. I don't know how much money, but it's considerable. One of my coworkers recently celebrated a 25 year anniversary with - instead of a big party - a trip to Thailand. If I had any interest what-so-ever in adopting any of these Danish customs, I'd definitely go this route.

There's a traditional wedding-arch-like thing that I can't seem to find the Danish word for. When it's your anniversary, people at work make an arch - or a half-arch for the "half" jubilæum - near your desk / office that you theoretically have to walk under.

This one is made of nitrile gloves. If you looked carefully, you might have noticed the aluminum foil. Yes, my office enjoys the fun harmless pranking. Not the kind of pranking that involves Christopher Walken and / or a tire iron.

Yes, that is a very young Seth Meyers. Fun times.

So yes, my office enjoys pranks. Hiding keyboards. Removing wheels from chairs. Etc. This most recent prank involved wrapping every item on my colleagues desk in aluminum foil.

Day 427 - A belated Happy Birthday

George Harrison and I share the 25th of February as far as birthdays go. I've just now - finally - enjoyed Martin Scorsese's Living in the Material World, a two part documentary on the life and times of George.One of my favorite lighter moments is this; Tom Petty reminiscing about that time when George taught him how to play the ukulele. Sadly, I cannot find the clip. Just imagine Tom's voice when you read this.

"He came in with two ukuleles and gave me one. 'You gotta play this thing, it's great! Let's jam.' I have no idea how to play a ukulele. 'Oh, it's no problem, I'll show you.' So we spent the rest of the day playing ukuleles, strolling around the yard. My wrist hurt the next day. But he taught me how to play it, and a lot of the chord formations. When he was going I walked out to the car and he said, 'Well, wait... I want to leave some ukuleles here.' He'd already given me one, so I said, 'Well, I've got this.' 'No, we may need more!' He opened his trunk and he had a lot of ukulele in there, and I think he left four at my house. He said, 'Well, you never know when we might need them, because not everybody carries one around.'" 

I really enjoyed it. Paul - predictably - comes off as a bit of an ass, but it's a documentary about George, right? Anyway, happy birthday George.

I'm generally not big on the "sending out positive vibes / wishes" thing but

here, I think it's appropriate.

If you have any good-vibes to spare, send them my brother's way. He deserves them.

Day 425 - So you say it's my Birthday?

I'm gonna have a good time.



As a child, I was pretty sure that this song was an original penned by the The Rock-afire Explosion. My best guess was that the gorilla was probably responsible. I wonder how Sir Paul feels about this.

That reminds me. I should see this. Immediately. It also makes me want to play Zaxxon.



It does not make me want to play Dragon's Lair.

Day 424 - 5 Random Things About Our Trip to London

At some point this week, I'll go into full-recap-mode...but for now, here's a few thoughts.

Sometimes, English is Hard to Understand

I've gotten so used to Danes speaking English that it - at times - was almost impossible to understand the various the English accents bombarding me in London. It was - at times - like this. I am ashamed.

David Mitchell's 3 Point Pen Policy

Ceviche

So, yeah, there's a Peruvian place in Soho called Ceviche. It is awesome. You should go there. Personal favorite? Note; I did not take this picture, I stole borrowed it from Paul Winch-Furness. Please visit this review featuring this picture, among other great ones.

It is Sakura Maru. It is salmon marinated in satsuma / mirin / chili / other stuff. It is delicious. You should order it.

Please and Thank You and I'm Sorry \ Thank You for Your Hospitality

I know that it has been a year in Copenhagen, but this was refreshing. Others routinely held doors for me and thanked me when I did so for them! Others noticed my need to pass / walk by and *gasp* moved out of the way without me asking! Someone accidentally bumped into me in the Underground and profusely apologized! Twice! Everyone stands to the right on Underground escalators!

Thanks Londoners!

Musicals, Musicals, Musicals

Much like NYC, there are always a ton of musicals going on in The Capital. There are the ones that  you would probably expect - Phantom of the Opera, Lion King, Mamma Mia, Book of Mormon, etc. There is a Michael Jackson musical, a Queen musical, and a The Bodyguard musical. There is also this musical.