Thriller Ends In A Toss-Up

Yesterday 6,328,643 (84.4%) of the Swedish electorate voted and created what pundit's call "an interesting parliamentary situation", others (like myself) would rather call it a royal mess.

Swedish politics has for the last two decades been dominated by two parliamentary "blocks". One side, called "the red/green mess", consisting of the Social Democratic Party and the Green Party with additional support from the Left Party. The other side, called"the Alliance", consisting of the Moderate Party (previously Right Party), the Christian Democratic Party, the Center Party, and the Liberals.

The blocks have over time been fairly even, with the tides turning one way or the other and splitting the 349 seats of the Swedish parliament in various ways.

Three elections ago the Sweden Democrats walked on to the parliamentary scene. First in a small way, then increasing four years ago and finally increasing a bit again this year (although far from their own expectations). They were hoping to become the largest or at least the second largest party in the parliament and get close to 25% of the votes. That did not happen!

Election Night ended with the red/green mess having 144 seats in parliament, the Alliance with 143 seats and the Sweden Democrats with 62. All the other parties stated emphatically that they would have nothing to do with the Sweden Democrats, nor work with them or rely on their support in any way.

None of the blocks can form a government with reliable support without someone from the opposing block. This will hopefully lead to the end of the bloody ironclad political blocks, but it still remains to see how it will turn-out.  

So there are still some final votes to be tallied, about 150, 000, which will happen on Wednesday. However, even if a seat could be moved one of the blocks to the other it will not in any way change the situation. 

It will be two interesting weeks to follow the maneuverings of the politicians until the parliament reconvenes to elect a prime minister.

Scandal: Ex-Minister Gropes Guests & Shows Dick

Anders Borg, Sweden’s former finance minister (2006-2014), has resigned as deputy chairman of technology investment group Kinnevik after a scandal over his drunken behavior at a party recently in the Stockholm archipelago.

Fifty of Sweden's highest, mightiest and finest industrialists were among the guests. The guest list did, however, not include either HRM King Carl Gustaf or HRM Queen Silvia of Sweden or Bock McMillan, the Much Honored laird of Southern Charm.

At the party Mr Borg became totally wasted by consuming too much alcohol. Borg's behavior at a party deteriorated rapidly. He started calling several of the women present "whores", "sluts" and "bitches". He also whipped out his penis, grabbed other male guests in the crotch and urged them to take out their penises so they could compare sizes.

Oh, how the mighty do fall... 

Announcing: Absolut Rainbow

The Swedish alcohol producer V&S Vin & Sprit AB (a subsidiary of Pernod Ricard) today announced a new product, read more about it here: Absolut Rainbow. I'm certain the launch is connected to the ongoing Stockholm Pride.

"Through the years, Absolut have done all kinds of proud activities, including the first spirits bottle ever to wear the rainbow flag, which was made in collaboration with Gilbert Baker, the designer behind the original flag. To us, the rainbow flag represents the diverse voices of the LGBTQ community coming together, celebrating difference in unity. Now, when the rainbow flag is about to turn 40, the time has come to give the rainbow a permanent place in our portfolio. This time with brush strokes, screen-printed on the glass, creating a strong connection to the creative artists that have been inspired by the Absolut bottle in the past. Absolut Rainbow Edition is limited in volume, but not in time. Consume what's on the inside moderately, but please be anything but moderate when spreading the message on the outside! Taking pride in diversity, is what the world needs, now more than ever."

Charlie's Caviar - A Very Swedish Taste

A reporter at the New York Times once described this Swedish delicacy like this: "Made from cod roe, it is squeezed out of what looks like a bright blue toothpaste tube and should not be confused with fine Russian caviar. Swedes love it, but for the rest of us, it can be hard to swallow, unless a salty and fishy pinkish goo appeals to you."

I use it on eggs, instead of salt, To be honest I use it on every kind of bread made by man just because it's so delicious. It is true, Swedes love it - whether we are 5 or 95 years old. We only seem to share this acquired taste with Norwegians and Finns, while the rest of the world frown or gag after tasting it. 

However, you really should try it, especially with eggs. If you don't live in Sweden, Norway or Finland, you can get it at any IKEA near you, or in specialized stores.

The following videos shows you how Kalles Kaviar was received in Los Angeles, Costa Rica and lastly by Swedish tourists in New York (where they complain about only getting two servings)

So, It's The Swedish National Day...

... and we don't really give much of a damn because - as most of the old countries in the world - it's not really a big deal here.

Sure since 2005 we get a day off from work, because the politicians thought we should celebrate it more, and our royalties are busy handing out Swedish flags to various deserving organisations all day.

But nah, we still don't think its anything to celebrate. Swedes aren't big on nationalism. We certainly like our country but it's not at all a big deal as with some other nations.

If we heard somebody try to launch political slogans as "Sweden First" or "Make Sweden Great Again" most of us would probably laugh our asses off until we peed in our pants.

Assange: "I Do Not Forgive Or Forget"

The guardian.com today reports:

"Swedish prosecutors have dropped their preliminary investigation into an allegation of rape against the WikiLeaks founder, Julian Assange, bringing an end to a seven-year legal standoff.

The decision was taken after prosecutors concluded that “at this point, all possibilities to conduct the investigation are exhausted”, Sweden’s director of public prosecutions, Marianne Ny, said on Friday.

“In order to proceed with the case, Julian Assange would have to be formally notified of the criminal suspicions against him. We cannot expect to receive assistance from Ecuador regarding this. Therefore the investigation is discontinued.

“If he, at a later date, makes himself available, I will be able to decide to resume the investigation immediately.”

Julian Assange's response to the news was to tweet a happy picture of himself and then later another tweet saying: "Detained for 7 years without charge while my children grew up and my name was slandered. I do not forgive or forget.”

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Well, all I can say I is, that neither will I forgive or forget that Julian Assange is a suspected rapist who evaded the judicial process for seven years by holing up in the Ecuadorian Embassy in London. He has only himself to blame for the drawn out process of this case.

It is too much to hope for that he will set foot in Sweden before 2020 so that he can be brought to court to answer the serious allegations against him. 

Hair Furor Spouts Alternative Facts About Sweden

Sweden? Terror attack? What has he been smoking? Questions abound.  https://t.co/XWgw8Fz7tj

— Carl Bildt (@carlbildt) February 19, 2017

I don't usually agree with Carl Bildt about anything at all, but this time his tweet captured the wonderment of all Swedes at what the American president had to say about whats been happening in our country recently.

Isn't it about time president Trump was assigned a few handlers who fact-checked his speeches, otherwise I think we may soon end up with a really big mess. Many things president Trump "believes" are true, simply aren't. 

To Gnussa - A Swedish Variety

As this blog's intrepid ethnologist and reporter from the regions around the Arctic Circle I will today share a report on a relatively modern phenomenon in Swedish dancing. I only heard of it myself last week.

Wikipedia informs us (translated to English by yours truly):
"To gnussa is a variation of or addition to the couples dance Foxtrot. When dancing the foxtrot most couples do this with their heads next to each other, eyes straight ahead, cheek to cheek. To "gnussa" the couple instead support their foreheads lightly against each other. As their feet move the couple roll their foreheads smoothly against each other. The couple always look in the same direction and always in the direction in which they are moving. If the couple has a big difference in height the shorter partner can instead support their forehead against the taller partners lips or chin.

To gnussa probably originated in the area around Sundsvall, Sweden, and arose early in the 1990s. From there it spread to the rest of Sweden, with growing popularity."

Let's let Jonathan and Lisa demonstrate the moves for you.

Bock & The Russians (Updated)

I am probably a Russophobe. I have a profound and insistent belief that president Vladimir "Little Father" Putin, his fanboy prime minister Dmitry Medvedev and the rest of the present Russian leadership wish to expand the Russian hegemony over their neighboring countries (like Ukraine, Finland, the Baltic states and also Sweden).

Trump & Putin by Liutauras Strimaltis

In 2013 the (then) Supreme Commander of the Swedish Armed Forces admitted that in 2023 Sweden would not be able to defend itself longer than seven days against a concerted attack by an enemy (and "an enemy" for your information is Swedish code for the Russians) against any given target, until 2023 the time frame was shorter.

The Russian people, as a collective, seem to share the notion of being Biggest, Best and Most Beautiful with a god given or historical right to subjugate the rest of the world, much like the Americans today. (Just as the British and French people in the 18th and 19th centuries and perhaps also the Swedish people - in the time of our former glory - in the 15th and 16th centuries.)

Although Sweden has never been a part of any alliance, our defense policy has hitherto always relied on an intervention by NATO in the event we were attacked. Our defense policy has been built upon the reliance that we only need to see to it that an enemy cannot just roll in over us without expecting any losses or delays until the NATO - in it's own interest - would come to Sweden's protection if nothing other than keeping a buffer between NATO and the Russians.

After Trump's victory in the presidential election that defense policy is being jettisoned, because president-elect Trump is perceived as not abiding by formerly accepted rules, seems disinterested in in NATO and is a fan of Putin. So as a result we are now getting signals that the Swedish defense budget must be severely increased.
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Update, later the same day
The more I think about it, the more absurd it seems for a country consisting of some nine million inhabitants to keep up a defense against a country with 146+ million inhabitants.

Perhaps we should do as the Danish populist politician Mogens Glistrup (1926-2008) once suggested, that we replace our defense ministry and weapons with an answering machine that says "We surrender!", in Russian of course.

Happy Halloween!

"Trick or Treatin'" by Tomais Ashdene

We don't traditionally celebrate Halloween in Sweden. It's only existed here since sometime during the 1990's, mostly as a result of some clever marketing targeted at small children and teenagers. The only places I know of that celebrate it are daycare centers.

I am still on the fence whether the tradition will stay with us or not, but as there is money involved in the sales of costumes, makeup and - last but not least - pumpkins, it may follow and grow with the kids now being indoctrinated with it. So we shall see... However, I am hoping not, because there is so much about this holiday that - in Sweden - just screams alien invasion and commercial greed.

To those of you who love the tradition, who have grown up with it and to whom it is a part of your cultural heritage I wish you all a very

H A P P Y    H A L L O W E E N !

European Commission Approves Truvada

On August 22, 2016, the European Commission announced that it approves Truvada as PrEP (pre-exposure prophylaxis against HIV) in all 28 EU countries.

Truvada is the first antiretroviral drug to be licensed in all 28 countries of the European Union to reduce the risk for HIV infection, subject to national regulatory authority approval of required pharmacovigilance materials in each country.

Two major studies (iPrEx study and Partners PrEP trial) demonstrated substantial reductions in the risk for HIV-1 infection when Truvada was used as PrEP. Both studies linked better adherence to daily Truvada to better protection against HIV-1 infection.

Experts believe that it will be available on the pharmaceutical market in the next six months. Even now PrEP plays an important role, together with other measures, in HIV prevention.

PrEP is relatively costly (universally recognized is $1,539.90 for 30 tablets) if it is not reimbursed by health insurance and is affordable by very few people. Now many hope that alternative PrEP becomes available in the market and that this very effective method of prevention will be available to many more.

It is not yet clear when PrEP will be available in Sweden and at what cost.

In addition to the European Union, Truvada is also authorized for PrEP in the United States, Australia, Canada, Kenya, Peru, and South Africa.

True Dat!

Next time you meet a Swede, suggest they install wall-to-wall carpeting at home and see what happens. pic.twitter.com/RjzM1blfrA

— Sweden.se (@swedense) July 7, 2016

The Swedish Number

Do you wish to talk with a random Swede about anything you choose? Then you really must try this.


Apparently any random Swede can sign up to be "an ambassador" to take your call simply by downloading an app called "The Swedish Number". I haven't decided yet whether I should sign up or not. I'll let ya'll know if and when I do.

The Swedish Number webpage

Sweden's Got A New Stamp

Sweden got a new postage stamp on May 4th, 2016, when a stamp was issued with the Pride flag. The stamp is - according to the press release from PostNord Sweden - designed by the artist Lisa Rydell.

"By issuing a postage stamp with Pride flag, we want to stress the equal value and strength of people's unique characteristics and differences. The Pride flag has to our knowledge never been reproduced on a stamp before, and it feels great that it is now possible to send physical love greetings using the Pride flag over the world", says Per Ljungberg, Communications PostNord Sweden.

PostNord Stamp annually receives hundreds of suggestions for stamp designs. The idea for the Pride stamp was sent to the council that chooses new stamps by Lisa Rydell, who was also commissioned to design the stamp.

Lisa Rydell is an artist and has worked extensively with the design of, among other books and exhibition posters. She got the idea of ​​the Pride flag stamp during a long stroll in the summer of 2014.

"Swedes very much like to both receive and send stamped letters and postcards. The selection of the stamp is for many an extension of the greeting, which will be extra strong with the new Pride stamp. A subject that is also in line with PostNord's internal work concerning diversity", says Per Ljungberg.

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I love the idea, but am a bit puzzled about the credit given to Ms. Rydell for designing something that was already designed.

"Strange, very strange!", I say to myself with a phony Clouseau-ish French pronunciation. I wonder how much she earned for that brilliant, inspired and truly original bit of copying?

ESC 2016 - Swedens Contribution

This is Sweden's contribution to the Eurovision Song Contest this year.

The 2016 Eurovision Song Contest will be held at the Globe Arena in Stockholm, starting with two semifinals on May 10th and 12th, followed by the grand final on May 14th.

As hosts of this year's competition Sweden is directly qualified for the final together with "The Big Five" (France, Germany, Great Britain, Italy and Spain).
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The ESC is considered to be the most fabulotastic and absofuckinglutely gayest event in the history of mankind, at least in Europe and Australia in our present days.

Nordic Wear Shows Blatant Homophobia

Qx.se, a Swedish LGBT News & Cruising website, today has the following report.

"The Swedish clothing chain Nordic Wear took a strong stance against LGBT people on Monday.

With a new campaign image on their Facebook page they showed how a family consisting of a mother, a father and two children protect themselves from a burst of rainbow colors with an umbrella. The subtitle reads: "Unfortunately, we do not sell umbrellas. But if we had, they would have worked like this!"

The reactions and the complaints about the campaign have been flooding in, and after one day Nordic Wear responded in the following way through their Facebook page: "Wow, what attention we received for our commitment to the nuclear family! Despite being reported almost 70 times for the image and several death threats we will of course not fold down for gay fascists, we believe in democracy and freedom."

Facebook has no plans to remove Nordic Wears picture. One of those who reported the picture for hate content received the following response: "We have examined the photo that you have reported for hate content or hateful symbols and have determined that it does not violate our community rules."

Nordic Wear was founded in 2013 and is a distributor of the German clothing brand Thor Steinar. Thor Steinar is primarily known for its association with right-wing movements in Germany."

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When I checked an hour ago today the picture had, however, been removed with the following statement from the company: "As those of us who work at Nordic Wear have been receiving repeated death threats, we out of respect for our families choose  to take down the high-profile post. All threats and harassment against us will naturally be reported to the police."

No more pink dollars for Nordic Wear or Thor Steinar! If they don't like us, we should spare them the embarrassment of doing business with us.

Read more about the controversy surrounding Thor Steinar here: Wikipedia: Thor Steinar.

I would like to know in what way the LGBT-community poses a threat to the nuclear family.

I'm Not Complaining

We Swedes spend nine-ten months a year wishing and longing for warmer weather, so we don't feel that we have any right to complain when it actually gets - perhaps, maybe - a teeny bit too hot for us coldblooded Northerners.

Pietro Boselli demonstrates how to dress during the heatwave (well expect for the socks...)

The last couple of days we have been hit by a heatwave of temperatures up to 30° C (≈90° F). Which is way more than we ever wished for, whereas 20-25° C would have been absolutely perfect (or to use the splendid Swedish word for it "lagom", i.e. just right, not too much, not too little, simply perfect)

If you go out on the town these days you will often hear "Not that I wish to complain, but..." or "If we had a little breeze it would be so much better, not that I am complaining mind you...".

I agree with them, but for the love of humanity don't for a second think that I am complaining.

#Bock3000DaysInSL

There is reason to celebrate today, because it's my 3,000th day in SecondLife!

Bock on May 12, 2007, dancing alone at Bad Boy's Plaza

Who would've thought that fateful Monday more than eight years ago that I would still be here so very many years later?

I came out of inquisitiveness, only intending to check out what all the rave was about and why Sweden was opening it's first virtual embassy here. I spent my first weeks on Arrival Island, or whatever the place was called, trying to get my ugly noob avatar to look better so that I was fit to be seen. I'm gay after all, you have to at least try to look your best at any given moment...

As this was back in the day before Linden Lab provided us with the beautiful starter avatars and I lacked the necessary talent I finally gave up and ventured out into the world.

The first thing I looked for when I decided to venture away from Arrival Island, was anything related to Sweden, the second thing was anything to do with sex, preferably the gay variety. The Swedes ignored me completely, while the gays used me for mutual sexual gratification. Within an hour of leaving Arrival Island I was equipped with 10-15 dicks of various sorts, one of which took me far into the skies when I attached it.

After having used SecondLife for quick satisfaction and pixel-sex for a month or so I actually started talking to people before, during and/or after the quickies. My visits started to get longer and I started to make acquaintances, well more like fuck buddies but anyway...

Someone took pity on me and showed me where and how I could get my avatar to look better and where I could meet people for more than sex. I was introduced to Boots Gay Beach and the Devil Inside club (the "only" gay club to be for a while before it was destroyed by drama). I met good people, kind people and of course my share of assholes. I fell in love with Ars, we moved in together and built a life and family together at Southern Charm. Ars died and I seriously considered dropping out of SL, but then there was Southern Charm. I just couldn't leave it, everything there was a reminder of him and I did not want to lose it.

A little before Ars passed away I had reached out to the Swedish community again, with better luck this time. My countrymen and my SecondLife family were extremely supportive throughout my whole grieving process and involved me with community events, with parties and with people etc, etc. And my saga continues from there with a new love, new friends and new involvements and obligations.

So I came to SecondLife out of curiosity, I returned for the sex and continued for the the people, all the wonderful people I have met here.

All in all, it has been an amazing experience and I don't regret it for a second. I now know I'm going to stay here until Linden Lab pulls the plug in San Francisco, hopefully with a new and improved world waiting for me, my love, my family and my friends.

Happy #Bock3000DaysInSL to you all - and may we have many, many more!

A Modest & Cheap Defense Proposal

The Swedish Peace & Arbitration Society proposes a new and more effective (?) way to keep the homophobic Russians and their submarines or other naval forces out of Swedish territorial waters. 

The Shortest Days 2014

In my hometown of Lund, Sweden, today sunrise occurred at 08:35 AM CET and sunset at 03:36 PM CET. We had daylight (sort of) only for 7 hours and 57 seconds. Tomorrow on December 22nd we will have approximately the same times for both sunrise and sunset but the day will be less than a second shorter.

After these two days the days will get steadily longer everyday until the Summer solstice occurs on June 21st 2015, when we will have daylight for 17:32:40. Further north in the country the swings in daylight are even more dramatic, where the sun never rises or sets North of the Polar Circle.

It isn't at all strange that we Scandinavians go crazy with mood swings during winters and summers.