Sapphic Sunday:

It's no secret that I like Julie Andrews.

The woman has had an amazing career as an actress, a singer and an author.

And she's a Dame.

Just some highlights:

The Hills are alive...

...with the...

...Sound of Music

Mary Poppins

At the Oscars with Audrey Hepburn

In Camelot

Victor/Victoria

The Princess Diaries

Shrek

She may have begun her career in 1945 but she's still going strong.

And she still looks amazing.

Have a great Sunday :o)

Just for fun:

Now I know not everyone share my...investment...in these two characters, but this is one funny fan video:

Memory Monday:

I stumbled across the first video in this post by accident (don't even remember what I was searching for at YouTube at that time...) but suddenly I found myself searching for other videos like it. Intros for television for kids.

Every time I hear these intros they throw me right back to when I was a kid waiting impatiently for my favorite tv shows to begin...

Legestue:


Kikkassen:


Intro for Anna & Lotte


Intro for Bamses Billedbog


Did you have any favorite tv shows as a kid?

Sapphic Sunday:

I like crime. Well, the fictional kind anyway. Or rather I like the crime solvers. In the books, the movies or the TV shows. It really doesn’t matter whether it’s a male or a female lead in the story as long as it’s well written and somewhat realistic. But that doesn’t mean I don’t appreciate when the women ‘step up to the plate’.
Like the women of NCIS.

Kate - Caitlin Todd (Sasha Alexander):

Jenny Shepard aka the Director (Lauren Holly)

Abby Sciuto (Pauley Perrette):

I want to be Abby. The brains. The skills. The gadgets! [Have I ever told you how much I love gadgets? Plus I have a 'thing' for forensic science as well. And history - but that doesn't really seem to fit in here ;o)]

And Ziva David (Cote de Pablo).

I <3 Ziva. Really! That girl can kick some a**!

And she sings too ;o)


And this is a song performed (and written) by Pauley Perrette


Both songs are (exclusively) on the official NCIS soundtrack.

Do you watch NCIS?

Clearly I need to stay at home on Fridays.

Too many things happen on Fridays ;o)

I miss out on #followfriday (thanks for the #follows!), in fact I miss out on most at Twitter.
I get way behind on reading blog posts and articles (and on watching YouTube videos).

But I usually enjoy myself in the real world ;o)

So while I was away (Friday and most of Saturday) and the real life got in the way of my somewhat more interesting life on the Internet (which, come to think about it, seems a bit depressing...) I took some pictures:

Look at that sky

Horses

Sunset

I apologize for the lack of quality in the pictures. I usually use the camera in my phone and I am most certainly not a photographer ;o)

I love thunderstorms.

This was intentionally not going to be up before next week but due to the weather right now, you might say I was inspired ;o)

Being Danish and not wanting to discuss the weather would probably be like….being American and not wanting to discuss baseball or being Dutch and not wanting to discuss....tulips. (Okay strike the last one. I don’t know anything about what the Dutch like to discuss.)

What I’m saying is that conversations about the weather is what the Danes do the most. That and conversations about sports (football/soccer and handball in particular).



Part of the reason why we [constantly] talk about the weather could be that we once depended a lot on being an agricultural country. So if the weather was bad (we don’t like too much water and we don’t like too much sun either) the harvest would fail.
Not being solely dependent on the harvest anymore I’m sure it’s just because ‘the weather talk’ have been passed on from generation to generation, but it’s probably fading more and more. Not a lot of the kids these days know much about agriculture (nor do I, but I did spend a lot of my childhood on a farm. What?) so it’s not a necessity anymore. But it still makes great small talk ;o)

Alright back to the thunderstorms.



On a stormy day there’s nothing better than to get a blanket, a book (and a lot of candles in case the power goes out) and a lot of coffee/soda/water/alcohol/whatever beverage you choose and get all comfy on the couch or in your favorite chair. And do nothing but read, listen to the thunders and the rain, and look out the window from time to time. And when you are all at peace and really enjoying yourself you’ve reached a state of mind that (apparently) only have a description in Danish (and Norwegian). We call it hygge. And it’s something we do all the time - hygger - either alone or with others. (Basically when something is nice and comfy and you’re enjoying yourself – that’s hygge…)

I love the heavy rain and the thunder. I’m fascinated by lightning. It always amazes me how the lightning is able to light up the sky at night. And the paths it might take.
It’s probably because the weather in Denmark is pretty boring. It consists for the most part of average amount of sun, rain and snow. It rarely acts out.



I like when the weather is acting out. But at the same time it scares me a bit. Because I know it can be lethal.

I was reminded of that 3 days ago, when a Dane was killed by lightning. (Last time someone was killed by lightning in Denmark was in 2006, so thankfully it’s not a common thing. But that doesn’t make it any less dangerous.)

I'm so slow...

When I'm at eurOut I usually go straight to the articles to catch up on things. And I will eventually get to figure out who's the website of the week - and since it's a Sunday to Sunday thing I always figure I have plenty of time to discover a new site.

Yeah...

So I'm actually a bit (read: extremely) embarrassed today. I just found out that this week’s website is actually my blog. *blushes*. [I believe my reaction was: Oh.. Wait? What?]
And it’s kind of weird seeing your header on an international website.

I guess what I’m trying to say is: I’m honored. Thank you :o)

Total randomness - or the mysterious ways of my brain.

My mind is filled with a huge amount of random knowledge (not necessarily useful - however it does come in handy while playing Trivial Pursuit or other similar games) and numbers. I’ve always been able to remember phone numbers, anniversaries, passwords, PIN codes, and so forth. Or maybe I should say I’ve always been unable not to remember.
If you ask me what my grandparent’s phone number was (and they’ve been dead for 15+ years) or the phone number for my best friend in Kindergarten I could tell you in a heartbeat. Old regional codes and all. But I don’t know why. It’s not that it’s useful in any way. And sometimes I wonder if I stops me from learning new things. I mean it’s my brain. Surely there’s a limit to just how much knowledge it can contain ;o)
Besides in the world of modern technology I really don’t need to remember phone numbers. They are on my cell phone. So cut it out brain!

I usually think in English (or at least partially in English – I’m not so good with the grammar…). This makes things difficult sometimes because I tend to forget the Danish words to describe things/emotions/etc.
And when I curse it’s in a blend of Danish, German and English. I have no idea why.


I have a thing about language in general. I have favorite phrases or words in different languages, mainly because I like the sound of them because the translation usually butchers the beauty of the words.

And I love quotes.

"I don't see much sense in that," said Rabbit. "No," said Pooh humbly, "there isn't. But there was going to be when I began it. It's just that something happened to it along the way."
Winnie the Pooh

So I’ll just leave you all by saying:

“I like nonsense; it wakes up the brain cells. Fantasy is a necessary ingredient in living.”
Dr. Seuss

Weekend view:

This weekend I was at my parent's holiday home (well at least I was from Friday to Saturday) with my parents, my sister and brother-in-law and my nephew. As always we went for a walk at the beach.

It was beautiful.

Low tide...at sunset

Memory Monday:

Also known as: ”even more bad music” *lol*.
I’m pretty sure a psychiatrist would have a field day with my taste in music when I was a teenager ;o)

Dizzy Mizz Lizzy - Silverflame

Danish band in the 90’s. The lead singer Tim Christensen has his own career, and Celine Dion seems to like his music


Kim Larsen – This is My Life

Kim Larsen’s made a whole lot of music throughout the years (and even if I didn’t like his music – which I do – I would probably know the lyrics just as well). I have a lot of favorites but Flyvere I Natten [Airplanes in the Night] is in my top 3.


Richard Marx – Hazard

Although I think I listened to Right Here Waiting equally as much.



Guns’n’Roses – Knocking On Heavens Door



Bon Jovi – Bed of Roses



Bryan Adams – Summer of ‘69


It's funny, though. I always seem to remember that the pace in the music was way faster when I first heard the songs.

International Day Against Homophobia & Transphobia (IDAHO):

Sapphic Sunday:

Brinck was the Danish contestant for the ESC. And even if he didn’t get very far – congratulations Norway! – I would like to mention him in this Sapphic Sunday.
Not because of his participation in the ESC, but because he’s done other things – within the music.

Another thing he did was to write - and sing (along with Maria Marcus) - the theme song for the Danish television series called Anna Pihl.

The trailer


The entire song:

There are some clips from the series in this video - a few hot ones as well ;o)

Anna Pihl is a single mom - and a cop.
Recently moved to Copenhagen and in need for a place to stay.
Her new roommate – Jan - is gay. He may not be one of the leading characters but he’s the primary supporting actor (IMO). And there’s a storyline in it for him as well.



During the 3 seasons we follow Jan in different relationships. (Not a lot of graphic gay action, but hints…). And one of his major issues is to start a family. Not being a lesbian he doesn’t get pregnant by accident – or otherwise – but he advertises for a lesbian (or a lesbian couple) who wants to start a family with him. And succeeds in finding one. There’s some issues regarding custody, but if you plan on watching the show I won’t spoil it for you.






As I recall one of Anna Pihl’s colleagues is a lesbian as well.
Anyway.

If you like crime solving series (albeit in a rather slow tempo – and solely revolving around Danish/Scandinavian issues) and gorgeous women (including prison scenes) then it’s a must see.
Otherwise… Never mind this post :o)

Charlotte Munch (who plays Anna Pihl) ‘dabbled’ with dating girls in her younger days. Although she’s currently living in a ‘heterosexual’ relationship she fondly remembers her girlfriends.

Also she played the straight girl in the Danish gay comedy Shake It All About who falls in love (and bed) with the lead gay guy.



Iben Hjejle plays Mikala (Anna’s friend and fellow cop – who gets herself in trouble…and jail…)





Anne-Grethe Bjarup Riis plays the lesbian Therese with whom Jan get’s a kid.
And Anne-Grethe is not afraid about publicity: Warning! Nudity.

ESC: We qualified...

The Eurovision Song Contest...

Somehow I think the entire thing has gotten to big. 2 rounds of semi-finals..? Really?

What ever happend to: "If you don't finish in the top...say 25...you don't qualify next year. Then those who didn't qualify last year will have their chance..."

Anyway. Denmark did get through the semi-finals and is a contestant in the final. Much to my surprise actually. I thought the ESC countries would have found it a bit too 'Ronan Keating' (and as he co-wrote the song I can't really blame anyone).

ESC: Brinck - Believe again (Denmark)


I like the song. I'm just not sure it's an 'ESC-song' (if that makes any sense at all...).


The final's tomorrow.

Do you have a favorite?

Are you even going to watch?

My answers would be: "No - I haven't watched the semi-finals so I really haven't heard that many of the other songs" and "Yes!"
And if I can multitask I will be following the event at eurOut as well.

Cybill Shepherd receives the "National Ally for Equality" award at the 2009 HRC Atlanta dinner

She talks about Martin Luther King, segregation, The L Word, her daughter Clementine Ford and her coming out but above all she's talking about equality and making a difference.

Music on a Wednesday:

According to my sister I have two problems when it comes to music (well more than two but those are the major ones in her opinion).

One is that I'm usually weeks, months or even years behind the rest of the world in discovering new songs/singers. (Probably because I don't listen to the radio that often.) So when I finally hear the song, everybody else is already growing tired of it.

The other is that whenever a song is a hit, the chances are that I won't like it - at first. But the more I hear the song, the better it sounds to me. So when I finally like the song, everybody else is already growing tired of it...

I guess I'm not good at doing things the way they are 'supposed' to be done ;o)


Anyway.
Just wanted to share a bit of Danish music with you.

Tina Dico - In The Red


Tina Dico - No Time To Sleep


I'm not religious. I'm not even sure I'm spiritual. But for some reason I love this song:

Tina Dickow - Hallelujah (Danish lyrics)


As for the English lyrics I prefer KD Lang’s version. (And I would love to hear Vonda Shepard give it a try.)

In case you were wondering; Tina Dickow is her real name. She performs under her real name in Denmark, abroad she is known as Tina Dico (in order to avoid mispronunciation by American English speakers - hear her explanation)

Tina Dico on MySpace

Lists, notebooks and other random things.

Although I thrive in chaos (which is visible if you’d seen my house…*sigh*) I can’t help but organizing my thoughts (sort of).

I have a thing for notebooks. Paper notebooks. And preferably hardcover ones. (Which by the way is called kinabog (– or kinabøger if there’s more than one) in Danish [roughly translated to Chinabook – Chinabooks – ] probably because they are made in China?)



Next to the library, bookstores are my favorites. I love the atmosphere there. All kinds of books, pens, paper, notebooks, folders, calendars, computer games, bags... All in one place. Yeah, I could go on and on about this. But I won’t. I promise.





Back to the notebooks.

I write a lot.

Short stories, scribbles, words, phrases. Whatever. [My secret dream is that I one day will actually be able to put all these things together and write a novel. But I also know that I’m nowhere near good enough to pull it off. That’s why it’s called a dream ;o) ]

But mostly I write lists to organize myself. (Someone once said that making lists was just an act of procrastination… I don’t know…)

I don’t think my world would function without my notebooks (Yes I have more than one. What? They are sorted by content…). I just didn’t know notebooks came as an app for computers as well.


Thanks to tedoe and eurOut I might just have to download Evernote (being a non-Mac’er and all that’s what I have to settle for. Maybe I should get a Mac next time? There seems to be a lot more apps for Mac.).

I was familiar with mind-maps, though. I use free mind or cmap tools for school stuff. [I work wonders when you have to sort out things in History… Or Science…]

But still. I don’t think I would ever forsake my paper notebooks. There’s just something compelling about writing by hand.

Memory Monday – of a sort.

AfterEllen.com Hot 100 2009

Last year I was all new to this site – and furthermore new to the community. And as for the video countdowns – I didn’t know half of the people presenting the hotness of the Hot 100.
But after a whole year of watching vlogs and reading blogs (and not only on AfterEllen.com) I’ve gotten a hold on myself. And it’s kinda nice.

In the beginning I didn’t have a clue on what to do or what to say – or how to say it. Truth be told, I still don’t most of the time, but at least it’s not unfamiliar territory anymore.
Besides the confusion I felt (re-realizing I was gay – and probably more interested in women [if not solely interested in women] than men) it was also very difficult to seize the whole LGBT community at once. Actually I felt like I had moved to a foreign country where I didn’t know the language or the customs. It’s kind of difficult to describe. I guess it was more a question of fitting in. I’ve never quite fit into ‘the straight world’. But because it took me so long to address my ‘identity-problem’ I felt like I had no chance of fitting into ‘the gay world’.

I’m getting there, though.

Also I’m a very shy and very private person (at least in person…) around strangers. It’s usually mistaken for arrogance (and I totally get it because I’ve made the same mistake a few times). So I don’t easily make friends. [Fortunately I don’t blush as often as I did when I was younger. Shy and embarrassed doesn’t make a very good combination.]. But I enjoy my own company. It’s not like I’m antisocial or asocial. I like being around other people. Just not 20 people all the time. Being home is nice too.

Where am I going with this?
I have no idea.

But what I meant to say all along.

The AfterEllen Hot 100 2009 list is up sometime today.

And I’m all kinds of excited about it.
First of all, duh, 100 hot women!
But it’ll be fun to see which 100 hot women made the list this year. From what I read there seems to be a lot of new faces…

Like

Alexandra Hedison (TLW)

Yvonne Strahovski (Chuck)

and

Laura Sanchez (Los Hombres De Paco)

Can't wait!


EDIT: The list is up - and even though 5 of the women I voted for (in all 4 categories, that is) didn't make the list that still makes 20 of my votes on on the list. So I'm good ;o)
Now go check out the Hot 100 of 2009. It's a pretty impressive list!

Sapphic Sunday:

It's Mother's Day (Did you remember to get something for your mother?) so I figured I would post a few pictures of...well mother's... In all their hotness.

Jennifer Beals


Jodie Foster


Salma Hayek


Halle Berry


Catherine Zeta-Jones


Angelina Jolie

And just because I've been a little obsessed invested with these two lately:

Crystal Chappell


Jessica Leccia

OK maybe she's not techinally a mother - yet (I think she's due in June). But she is hot.

Enjoy you Sunday ;o)