Tag Archives: life

Happy 4th!

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When I knew that I was going to move abroad after my final year of high-school I put duct tape over the lower bottom of my television screen in my one-bedroom apartment in Norrköping, Sweden. I did this to prevent myself from reading the subtitles. Needles to say the amount of people that wanted to attend weekly movie nights at my place drastically dropped. It didn’t really matter that much though. In my mind I was already somewhere else. Seeing new places, meeting new faces. I was moving to America.

When I arrived in the late summer of 2004 I fell in love right away. The conservative and religious Columbia, South Carolina was in many ways the complete opposite of the liberal and agnostic northern country I had spent my first 18 years of life in. I don’t know if I was in need of a change in milieu because I’m neither conservative nor believe in any God. But hospitality are the southerners great forte and I felt right at home.

I didn’t end up in South Carolina, but I stayed in America for almost five years. When I moved back to Sweden in 2009 I didn’t know then – but I think I do now – I had just experienced the best years of my life.

I will not reminisce about it – not further more anyway. But on a day like this, on a day like the 4th of July I really wish I was there again. In a place where everything is bigger. In a place where people bell out the national anthem like it’s the final song they’ll ever sing. In a place where you walk inside with your shoes on. In a place where the first thing you are asked when you enter someone’s home is: “can I get you something to drink?”. In a place where people tailgate. In a place where people always pick either or. In a place where everyone believe they are going places. In a place where refills are always for free.

In 2012 I was able to spend the 4th of July in Newport Beach, CA, with some of my best friends. Our host Mike wanted to start the day accordingly. We had a pretty good time.

Today I have unfortunately not been able to really grasp the 4th of July atmosphere being inside an office in Stockholm for most of the day. But you can experience a great 4th of July even here in Sweden. I remember in 2008 when Bruce Springsteen came for a visit.

When talking about America it’s obviously a fair thing to say that there are always two sides to every coin.America Fuck Yeah However I will only look at one. At least today. I am also certain I would’ve posted something like this on Midsummer about my great love of Sweden if I still lived in the States. That’s how I am. The grass is greener…

Football’s Funniest

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Football has followed me through my entire life. Many of my life changing decisions has been made based on a ball. It might sound silly but it’s true. When I was fifteen I moved away from home because I signed for a club in a different city than the one I was born and raised in. When I was 18 I was able to move to America and get an amazing opportunity to play football while I got a degree, for free. And most of all, experienced the best years of my life. Many of my closest friends I would have never had met if it wasn’t for the game of football.

The late footballer, manager, and Scotsman Bill Shankly once famously stated: “Some people believe football is a matter of life and death, I am very disappointed with that attitude. I can assure you it is much, much more important than that.” Bill Shankly

Frankly Mr Shankly some of us agree completely with you, others find it absolutely ridiculous that there are people on this planet spending so much time, energy, and devotion on something so simple as a game.

Regardless of which I will now post my four favorite football clips where football was, exactly what Mr Shankly refused to believe, just a game. These four clips have one common denominator, the players featured are not football players, they are just people that love the game of football but found a living doing something else.

Boris Johnson spears a German
First up we have conservative politician Boris Johnson. Boris is the only British politician identifiable by his first name alone. Just that makes him interesting. Boris Johnson Born in New York with a Donald Trump-like haircut this laugh-riot of a man is now more popular than ever in his hometown of London. Boris has always had a high focus on the importance of physical education and played a big part in the success of the 2012 London Olympics.

In 2006, Boris took part in a charity football match between England and Germany, consisting of celebrities and former players. He came on as a substitute for England in the 85th minute and infamously rugby-tackled a former German international in a vain attempt to win the ball with his head. In addition to that: he wore the number 10 on his back and refused to put on chin-pads.

After what can only be described as a spear tackle, Boris popularity rose even higher and in 2008 he became the Mayor of London. He was re-elected in 2012. In 2008 a number of Londoners were asked why they voted for Boris. With the Second World War still in mind more than 10 percent listed the spear tackle on the German as a main reason. Was it a simple game of genius or just loss of balance? You decide. It’s damn funny though.

Serge Pizzorno shows he’s a rock’n’roll star – twice
Kasabian guitarist, and in my opinion, one of the coolest kids on the planet, Serge Pizzorno was in younger years left at crossroads. He was either gonna hang up his guitar or his cleats. He decided to stick with the six string. I’m glad he did. I’m also very glad he picks up those boots from time to time. Just have a look at this absolute belter on Soccer AM.

Secondly, take a look at this absolute top finish from a Soccer Aid game in 2012. This clip has so much to bring to the table. The one who assists Serge is legendary winger Freddie Ljungberg, the goal is scored on David Seaman, and the first player to come up and congratulate Serge is Hollywood funnyman Will Ferrell. Truly one for the books.

Woody Harrelson is forced to take a penalty kick
In 2010 Oscar nominee Woody Harrelson took part in a Soccer Aid match at Old Trafford to raise money for UNICEF. Woody is known for his basketball skills, however he has never played football in his entire life. In this game the Rest of the World team had forced England to a tie. The game would be decided on penalty kicks with the Rest of the World having a chance to win it for the first time ever. 

Woody

The penalty shoot-out went on forever. When someone scored the other team scored. And when someone missed, the player with the golden opportunity got nervous and shanked it. With all players on the pitch having taken a pk only Woody was left. Having never taken a penalty kick before, which is quite obvious as you can see he doesn’t know where to place the ball, none really believed that Woody could pull it off. But nothing is greater and more refreshing than when an underdog does the unexpected. Just as Mike Myers cheers him on and Robbie Williams crosses his fingers for him to miss Woody Harrelson decides what foot to shoot the ball with. He chose his right. The rest is, as they say, history.