"Thoughts of creative solidarity"

Imagine, for a second, what we could do if we stopped all the fighting.

If we could spend our resources towards our ultimate purpose; the survival, rather than the annihilation, of our race.

Why can't we seem to think further than the piece of skin in our face we call nose?

You say we've come far; through famine, disease, natural disasters, and man-made wars.
But I say it's time we stop making excuses.

We're not a toddler anymore, struggling to walk, barely able to talk.
History is our childhood.

You say strength is being able to defend your home, your family, and your future.

Who do you think you're kidding?

It would require but a fragment of the tools of destruction we've created to wipe your genes from the face of the earth; yours and many with you.

So, in closing, all I want to say to you is this:

Instead of concentrating on what you can gain, think of how you can help others benefit from your actions.
And before you throw that rock, ask yourself how it would feel if it struck one of your children.

"Politically incorrect questioning of human nature"

How can we claim to be a truly intelligent spieces
when we keep repeating the mistakes of those who
died fighting?

We say that animals cannot help themselves; that
they cannot purposedly decide between right or
wrong - because "it's in their nature".

If that is so, then why do we spend so much time
looking towards the past, worshipping the dead,
and repeating their mistakes?

How many times do we have to kill the children of
our neighbour, and how many of our children must
die at the hands of our neighbour, before we stop
and think?

"Catharina"

Mother, I miss you so.
Mother, why did you have to go?
Mother, can you tell me what I'm looking for?
Mother, I'm swimming, but I can't seem to find a shore.

Mother, I love you so.
Mother, it's so hard to let you go.
Mother, did I do something wrong?
Mother, why did you have to say "so long"?

Mother, can I help you now?
Mother, please tell me how.
Mother, when I think of you dying;
Mother, it feels like I'm crying.

Mother, I have no tears.
Mother, I have no fears.
Mother, maybe when I get some, they'll all turn to tears.

Mother, I have to go now.
Mother I'll get back to you somehow.
Mother.

"Tomorrow"

I have heard people say that you can't predict the future.

There is no way you can prepare for tomorrow, the next hour, the next minute, nor the next second.

I used to ignore these people and not care much about it; I mean, who would want to predict the future?

And then, well.. something happened to me.

You.

I still don't want to be able to predict tomorrow; as long as you're here to see it with me.

I must have been fourteen or fifteen years old; barely aware of what the words hard rock meant. I can't remember how I came to be there, but my brother undoubtedly had something to do with it. Anyway, it was the first time I saw Twisted Sister live.

Fifteen or so years later, I'm heading down to the H.R.C. where a certain Mr. Dee Snider is about to set foot (and like he said, give the words "Hard Rock" in "Hard Rock Cafe" some sort of valid meaning) on a stage that is definitely too small for an artist of his magnitude.

The place was p-a-c-k-e-d (as was to be expected, Twisted Sister made it reasonably in Europe and Sweden).

Although this was not the actual TS line-up, Dee mentioned that the members of TS were finally talking again and had been discussing the possibility of a reunion tour (seems like everyone is having them these days, but hey, in this particular case, I'm not the one to complain!). From start to finish, Mr. Snider radiated more energy than I've ever seen done from a stage; and the sound was good.

If you weren't there - and you like "rock music" - this was definitely your loss. True to his words, Dee once again showed that there's only one way to rock: PLAY IT LOUD, MUTHA!

Under större delen av Jan/Feb/Mar 1998 har det funnits problem med snöröjningen i många delar av landet. Jag kan inte kommentera annat än det jag sett och upplevt själv; dvs. saknaden av kompetent snöröjning i Stockholmsregionen.

Att problemet överhuvudtaget existerar är mer eller mindre absurt. Bor vi i Sahara? Diverse uttalanden som "Vi blev tagna på sängen" och "Jag anser att snöröjningen avklarats över förväntan" ställer ovillkorligen frågan: Vad fan sysslar de ansvariga med? Bor Annika Billström under en bro där snö inte förekommer?

Och nu diskuterar man att låta Billström tillträda en annan "borgarrådsposition"; från inkompetent snöröjning och hantering av Stockholms parkeringssituation. Mmm.. vilken färg har inkompetens i det politiska landskapet? Hittar man tråden borde man kunna nysta tills man pensioneras.

Once again, it was time for the Danish dudes to introduce some of their Swedish fans to a heart-stopping show; for me, it was the first time seeing them live.

What can you say?!

What a show! "I'm naked but still stripping" was ringing in my ears when the show was over and it never ceases to amaze me what these guys do, and how they do it. They're by no means alone in the world of rock, but the total lack of "commercialization" in their presentations is a tribute to their dedication.

The only negative comment I have is that the people doing the sound should probably try pulling their fingers out of their ears (or wherever they're keeping them). A MAX label on the amps does not mean appropriate, specially not in a small place.

All in all; D:A:D still rocks (like there was any doubt), and I hope they continue doing so for a long time to come. It'd be very interesting to see them in a larger venue (with more competent sound technicians).

Making fun of money!

Can somebody, preferably the rocket scientist who invented the concept, please explain to me how raising the taxes of alcohol and tobacco will have a positive net result?

The black marketeers must be having a blast with such taxes soaring to new and wonderful heights, and I'm sure these tax hikes will lower the total medical bill for alcohol and tobacco related treatments (can you say "not!?").