God...without religion

In a recent discussion, last night with my family, we were talking about religion. Topics arose about the bible and how contradictory it can be. Punishing and forgiving, what is good and what is bad, etc., etc. I asked, can there be God, without having religion. Can you take away the bibles, korans, talmuds and all other kinds of literature describing all things related to God and still have God? Can you not be Catholic, Jewish, Moslem, Athiest, Agnostic and the like and still have God? Can you have God and not ask for forgivness, pray to, kill for, die for, help for, teach to, preach to, damn for, live for, pay for, play for, thank to, ask for and be for... God. Can a person just have the spiritual being of ones self. Do good, not bad - George Carlin - live within ones best ways. Be nice and help others, because it is the right thing to do, not because God asked you too.

Imagine there's no Heaven

It's easy if you try
No hell below us

Above us only sky

Imagine all the people

Living for today

Imagine there's no countries

It isn't hard to do

Nothing to kill or die for

And no religion too

Imagine all the people

Living life in peace

You may say that I'm a dreamer

But I'm not the only one

I hope someday you'll join us

And the world will be as one

Imagine no possessions

I wonder if you can

No need for greed or hunger

A brotherhood of man

Imagine all the people

Sharing all the world

You may say that I'm a dreamer

But I'm not the only one

I hope someday you'll join us

And the world will live as one 

John Lennon

Think about it.

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Breast and Prostate Cancer

I just watched a video and read an article on the ABC News web site. It was about a top official's statement, from the American Cancer Society, that breast and prostate screening may be oversold when it comes to saving lives. It seems that there are a lot of "false positives" that come from the results of both clinical and the mamogram for women and the PSA blood test for men. They have said through studies that most men and women have had biopsies that were not necessary because of these "false positives". In my opinion, women over 40 and men over 50, should still see a doctor and have both tests done by a doctor yearly. I would rather have a "false positive" and have the peace of mind. I know of two men who have died of prostate cancer. These are simple tests and although they may not be plesant and somewhat embarrasing, I still say that they are very necessary. Please, see your doctor and have these exams done. I know I will and I want my wife to have the exams yearly, as well. Breast cancer for women and prostate cancer for men, are the two most leading causes of death. Screening and exams...see your doctor.

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My Long Haired Lady

A tattoo. It is forever, always a part of you. Never to go away, never to be without you. A part of, who you are inside. Important, shared, proud and always a reminder of what means most to you. If you did not feel this way, why even bother? But, having a tattoo is significant as to who you are. A sign of commitment and love, because you just can't wash it off, throw it away or even cover it up, because it is still there...whether you or anybody else sees it.

My long haired lady will always be a part of me...forever and a day!

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Being a Grandparent

Molly

    Being a grandparent is something special! My little Molly will be celebrating her first birthday in December and I couldn't be prouder of her. Everyone is a grandchild at some point in their life, but not everyone is a grandparent. You have the experience of being a parent all over again and the happiness that a child can give you with just a smile! You look for those first steps, those first words, again. But, you have different responsibilities as well. Spoiling a grandchild is almost a required thing to do, but not too much and never when the parents are around! There is a desire to teach and show a grandchild things that he or she may not otherwise be shown. It is hard to explain what those things might be, but rather they just would seem to come along on those times when it is just you and her alone. It's a desire for grandparents to do this,because...well, in the back of your head, you remember those times with your own grandparents. It's a need to hold them and to make them laugh. It's a need to remember what it was like when your own child was that age. It's the need to pass something on, to give something back...to be remembered, as you remember your own grandparents and the times with them. A grandchild is a precious thing. They are a reflection of your child and who they are. My grandchild, Molly, is a most beautiful little girl...just like her mother!

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The Carpet Crawlers

Hej!
     I thought today that I would write about a song that I heard today on my iPod. Very cryptic lyrics, but very hypnotizing as well. Genesis is an amazing band and if ever there is a time to see them, I recomend it very much! The link I have attached is from a long time ago, the '80s I believe...as you can tell from Phil Collins long hair! But,getting back to the song. It is from the album, The Lamb Lies Down On Broadway. I don't like all of the music, but this song has always been a favorite of mine. The band, Genesis, was a favorite of a good friend of mine, Kurt Galpin. He is sadly missed, as he has passed away a long time ago and I always think of him when I hear this song. Many people have written about what they think the lyrics mean. I have seen one person describing it as a meaning of birth, another about sex and drugs. One person even said it was a religious message...I don't think so! I will agree with another that it all deals with some kind of spiritual journey. Peter Gariel's explaination was that it all had to do with the story of the album. So, take it for what it's worth, but for me, I just enjoy listening to the song and singing along. It is a comfort song for me and reminds me of times with my friend, Kurt.

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Love and Happiness

To quote Mr. Al Green - "Love and Happiness. It will make you do right. It will make you do wrong. It will make you come in early and it will make you stay out all night long."

   What else is there to life? Love and Happiness - all you need to live for. What we all live for, when you think about it. To be loved and to love. Find some kind of happiness to make life worth living, make it meaningful. And why not? I mean, isn't that what it is all about? To have a purpose in life...why are we here? When you put everything in perspective, when you think of how small we are compared to the rest of the universe. Why are we here? What purpose do we have? What's the big plan? And you think and think, until you are blue in the face. There must be a reason, right? I mean, we just can't be born, live and then die, without some kind of purpose, reason. It's got to be Love and Happiness! It's the only thing that makes sense. Love, to be in love, to show love...brings happiness. To that, I say, if at the end of the day, when you finally lay down for some sleep and you can smile and think..." I have done the best that I can"...while showing Love and Happiness, well, it must be the reason why we are here.
     Love and Happiness....think about it.

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Cruelty to Animals

   After watching many programs on The Animal Planet, the most sad are the ones dealing with animal cruelty. It is simply amazing to me how people can be that way to animals. But, what is even more amazing, is the way the deny and even believe that they are being cruel to them! One of the people on a show that my wife and I watch once said that animals are like our children. They need care, to be fed, cleaned and taken to a doctor on a regular basis. She is so right and those words hit home with me. At times, it is even hard to watch because of the health and condition of the places where these helpless animals live. There are many times where they show the rewards of doing their job and rescuing these animals,by giving them new homes and basically bringing them back to life! Don't mistreat your animals and if you see one being mistreated, say something, do something, help that animal out. We are the keepers of the Earth and only we can stop the cruelty to animals...big and small!

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Pizza in Sweden

Pizza...mmm! Pizza in Sweden...hmmmm. I just recieved an ad for a local pizzeria and I have to be honest with you, it's confusing, at the very least. There are various Italian names associated with different pizzas and even an Italian flag on the front, right next to the Swedish flag. But, other than that, I see no resemblance to anything relating to pizza! For example: La Mafia has bacon and onions. I don't think the mafia has any idea what bacon is! Mozzeralla is used very little, if at all. Pepperoni is nothing but a dream, using small pieces of round salami instead and if there was just a little pizza sauce on the pizza, instead of the " it's red, but I'm not quite sure what it is" sauce...I would appreciate it even more. Maybe I should start a pizzeria....hmmm. Anybody know where I can get some mozzeralla and pepperoni? LOL!!!!

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Language

Being an American and only knowing english, it was comforting to know that almost all Swedes know english! How lucky can I get? It does has it downfalls, though. In trying to learn swedish, it is not a benefit in learning the language, but is a plus in communicating! Most swedes will appologize for their english not being that good, but, in my opinion, I see no problem. I always tell them that your english is much better than my swedish! And, that is the truth. I have picked up on quite a few words and can sometimes speak in sentences that can be deciphered but most. I am trying to speak more swedish, but I will get frustrated and just start talking in english. Google has an excellent tool on EI, that translates swedish web sites to english. Very important when looking for jobs and their descriptions....although, no luck in the job department! And, another site that helps a lot, which I have listed on my blog....http://www.lexikon24.nu/ This site will translate any english word to swedish and any swedish word to english....very, very, helpful! Swedes are very understanding and helpful in my speaking swedish, offering suggestions and how to pronounce words correctly. There are 3 more letters to their alphabet...ö,ä,å...and the letter w is not used that often, nor are there very many words that start with the letter w. Well, all for now, time to listen to the Browns!

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Studying for Swedish Drivers License

   Are you an expat who has lived here for over a year? Are you an expat from another country other than an EU country? Do you like to drive? Well...forget it! Swedish drivers license...it's easier to get a license to practice medicine! I read this from the web site American Womens Club of Stockholm...and this is a quote...Americans are considered to be unsafe drivers by Swedish standards! I assume that drivers from other countries are just a little better. My favorite question is-If you are at a flashing yellow light and a group of demonstrators walk in front of you, what should you do? I have yet to see this in practice, but the correct answer is to wait for them to cross, because pedestrians have the right of way.
   Let's go further on with the pedestrians having the right of way. As explained in my körkortsboken (drivers license book), in an uncontrolled pedestrian crossing, that you have a duty to give way, that you must never wave pedestrians on and that you must make eye contact to avoid misunderstanding. It seems that if you wave them on, you can give them a false sense of security and they may just cross the street without looking. Hmmm...yes....I often did that in the states! Therefore, make eye contact! Not sure if it is that moving your eyes from side to side as if to say " cross now, cross now". Or if it is that Spock thing, with raising your one eyebrow...I just can't do that, so I use my finger to push up the eyebrow. Or maybe it is a wink or two at the person standing there? I guess you could just stare at them until they become so intimidated that they just run and scream to the other side just to get away from you. It's that whole "Taxi Driver Syndrome"..."are you looking at me?" Now don't get me wrong, I think that it is great to give all pedestrians the right of way! It's just that I would like a little more assurance than trying to figure out that eye contact thing.
   In the mean time, I will go back to my studies and try to figure out...if I am driving downhill on a crowded street and a lorrie is driving up the hill...do I stop and give him the right of way if a car is parked on his side of the street, with an old man wanting to cross the road, as a bus wants to pull out, with a red and yellow round sign showing a red truck and a black car!


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Being away from people you know

Ok, this has to do with living here and not being able to be with old friends. Sometimes it gets kind of lonely, even with knowing new friends here. Yeah, you can "talk" with them online, give a call or two sometimes, but in the end, it's just not the same as sitting down and having a beer with them. I miss that.

Sauce

Sauce! Sauce is a swedish staple, an institution, a necessity. Sauce, or as it is called in the states, gravy, is very much a part of Sweden, I have found out. Where as in the states, sauce, is made less frequently, reserved for more traditional times...Thanksgiving...mmm...turkey and turkey gravy on mashed potatoes! Or served with roasts, beef or pork. In Sweden, though, sauce is much more a part of every meal. They just go together. Kind of like bread and butter, hot dogs and baseball games, rum and coke, ying and yang...well, you get the idea. I like sauce, don't get me wrong, just not with so many different foods. I am eating more sauce than when I first moved here to Sweden, but there are still some foods that I prefer just to eat plain, so to speak. Have some sauce and eat well!

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World Hunger: In 50 Years We'll Need More Food Than in All History - ABC News

World Hunger: In 50 Years We'll Need More Food Than in All History - ABC News

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First Blog

Well, here is my first attempt at a blog. I would like to add some of my experiences of living in Sweden and to also answer questions from my fellow Swedes about life in America.
   I have been living in Sweden since July of 2008 and recently married to my wonderful wife, Laila, this past June 19, 2009. At the moment, I am trying to secure a swedish drivers license and find a job in Sweden. Both are extremely difficult. I look to post pictures of my life and times of living here, in Sweden, as well. As I gather my thoughts and comments together, I will post them as soon as possible.

hejdå!