I'm still in that honeymoon period with a city when all the days are sunny and you love every sight and smell....

I'm back today from Stockholm after a long, relaxing weekend with Helena. This visit wasn't one of exploring a new city as a tourist but more as someone who spends time there, more getting used to the shops and finding nice places to eat and take tea.

The romance of a new city is still there, walking up Hamngatan to the Kulturhuset I was amazed at the low, white light shining through the fountains. The shopping, especially the food shops are of a high standard and even the spiced tea in the tea shop seemed so well suited to late autumn day.

I had such a great time. Simple things done as a couple, shopping. films and a lot of laughs.

Posted by Mark at 2:05 PM | Permalink

This time it's different. It's not a holiday and Fhai is traveling alone with Joanne. Whilst that's not bad what she may be traveling to is. I spent the day trying to help where I could and sorted out stuff for the journey for them. It's a time of stress for everyone and the sooner it's settled the better. In some ways its harder being on the outside and looking in.

I hope they come home soon, safely and happily.

Posted by Mark at 9:09 PM | Permalink

It's only the first of September and already it's a difficult month.

I think we have all experianced that life turning moment which makes us crave the boredom, banality or discomfort of what our life was a moment before. If it's the words of a partner, a phone call or an accident each can put our life in a spin and raise a whole new set of challenges. September always seems to bring them and today was no exception. This morning Martin arrived needing help : Fhai's sister is ill and she needs to return to Thailand immediately. For me the change was minor - stopping work on a confused and ill defined government project, Amanda's site and a few other things to help organise tickets, make plans and help in whatever way I can. So Fhai leaves this week with a return date in early November leaving uncertainity and change here to face even more of it in her country. We're stuck now waiting for Friday.

In the end it wasn't too bad a day. The project crawls along, the domain is setup for Numbbums and Amanda's testimonials page is done.

Tomorrow is another September day. I wonder what it will bring.

But it’s a long, long while from may to december
And the days grow short when you reach september.
The autumn weather turns the leaves to flame
And I haven’t got the time for the waiting game.

Oh, the days dwindle down to precious few;
September, november.
And these few precious days I’ll spend with you.
These precious days I’ll spend with you.

Posted by Mark at 9:19 PM | Permalink