THANKYOU STOCKHOLM

Alright, I just had one of the most amazing experiences of my life. I must share, then I will talk about more Stockholm specific experiences. But-- so my new friend Aguida tells me of this blues club called Stampen in Stockholm city, and that there is an open Jam on Saturday from 2-6. Its like playing at night cause its always freaking dark in Stockholm. We get there, and it is like walking into a bar in the states...except in Swedish, but people were singing in English...its the blues. Anyway, its packed, I mean jam packed, standing room only, and not much to speak of, as in you have to push to make it anywhere. All I brought was my acoustic for obvious reasons, but the owner of the bar let me use his stratocaster which was very nice other than the really low action (sorry guitar nerd). Anyway I talked with a lot of the musicians before hand--we were all taking turns, and then I finally got to go up. Luckily I had my Jack Daniels in my guitar case, so nerves were not an issue. Anyway, I got up there, and the first two were just someone singing and me doing some soloing...which I did like a beast if you will. Everyone was so friendly. I tried to get some of the guys to do some call and response with me, but they didn't seem comfortable doing it I guess. Anyway, the guy asked me if I wanted to sing one, so of course, I did. I ripped of a tasty lick in E and kinda just went with the flow into my own version of Eric Clapton's Before you accused me. The monitors were really crappy so I couldn't hear myself sing very well, but if they didn't like it, they are really good liars. Then I took over the jam in that song, mixing it up, bringing the volue down and back up, and kinda ridin' the rythym section more. When we finally ended it people clapped and cheered and I smiled real big and waved, but I didn't say THANKYOU STOCKHOLM which I kinda regret, but I guess it is for the best. But it was absolutely amazing, Swedes were getting my attention and shaking my hand and congratulating me the entire way out. It was absolutely amazing. I haven't felt that much immortality since the second night at beale street, but I'm pretty sure this was better. I don't think I know anyone who has played in Stockholm, so take that snooty guys at the acoustic. Aguida is like my new best friend. My first experience with live music in Stockholm included me!!!

More Observations:
1.) Musicians are pretty much the greatest people in the world(with lots of exceptions of course). Sweden--a country of predominantly rude people, and I go into a music club, knowing nothing about the people I am playing with, and like so many musicians that I have played with anywhere, its like "you are a good musician" and you are friends.

2.) Swedes other than the people who want to meet foreigners, are rude...atleast by my SOuthern Amerocentric standards.

3.) Swedish food, not so good. Food that is available in Sweden from other countries, very good. Desserts in Sweden pretty dern good. Beer from Sweeden, piss water with a hint of hot dogs i.e. as the french would say"it is crap"

4.) Global warming-an inconvienent yet undeniable fact (more on this to come.)

5.) The sun-I think it still exists, but I'm not sure

And for all my friends in JC who will enjoy this one the most, my first experience with culture shock: Take into mind that I would've experienced the same thing had I been in NY or any other Northern city. So I was putzing around Stockholm with my good buddy Jen from PA near the NY border i.e. she's most definately a Yankee. So we are catching the subway to get back to central station. We see the train and run to it when a guy jumps in front of us, prys open the doors and squeezes on. Jen, being the rude yankee she is does the same thing. In awe at the audacity of such a feat I am not yet on the train when the conductor comes down, jumps in front of me, and in Swedish curses out Jen and the guy scolding them for squeezing on to the train or something. All the while I am standing there thinking," I'll be patient and she'll let me on when she gets out of the way, after all I am standing right behind her, it is obvious I want to get on the train." I am SO wrong. She pulls the doors shut, pushes me out of the way, and loads up and drives off. As I am standing there looking at Jen through the window mouthing WHAT THE i won't say the word in case my mother is reading, she looks at me laughing. Long story short SWEDES AND YANKEES GET ALONG WELL CAUSE THEY ARE BOTH RUDE. So for all of you back home in JC I will concede that with many exceptions that the percieved standards that we equate to rudeness in the South most certainly caught me off guard. While I maintain that I would rather get used to that than continue to deal with a lot of the things I hate about the south, ultimately, I am glad I am from the south, especially when I am around people who aren't. I feel so superiorly cultured and NOT RUDE. There is a Texan who is obsessed with texas, but I am the only southerner here...and you can tell. Matt's a good guy, but there ain't a southern bone in his body.

P.S. ever wonder why midwesterners are so cold and weird and rude...they are swedish immigrants.

I love this city though. The city itself would be breathtaking if the sun were ever out and you could see it. And the people once you get used to them, especially the ones who are dealing with you because they want to and not because they have to are awesome. Oh yeah, and I found a music store where I spent a few hours the other day, and I made a friend named Floran(I'm surely spelling this wrong my appologies) who is from France, and guess what...SLash is his idle and he plays guitar. We are going to go into the city and rock one of the music stores util they kick us out. Then we will find another one.

Observations about other countries based on my Amerocentric view of the world, and the few people I have met from those countries.

France: The french have the best taste in music of anyone ever. They all teach me many things which I would be lost without knowing like:
1.) German futbol is crap
2.) The wine in Sweden is crap
3.) The beer in Sweden is crap (I agree)
4.) Many cities in France are crap
5.) The cider at dinner last night is Shit(a more extreme version of crap) (also agreed)
6.) Italian futbol players are crybaby's which is crap
7.) English Futbol players get red cards a lot...not crap
8.) The French only like sports that France sucks at...which is crap

Italians...think Elliott meets drunk Nathan combining all the really friendly qualities to form one super friendly, really loud, loveable fella.

Germans...they come in many sizes, some adorable and small, some tall, but one thing in common. If you don't know where you are, follow a familiar looking German, cause they don't mess.

Spanish...they like to party!!! Also very friendly.

Mexicans...very pretty, very small (guys too), also like to party, and very friendly.

Brits...my teacher is the only British guy, and I'm pretty sure that he doesn't know what to do with me cause I'm so loud and so animated, but I can tell he enjoys having me in the class, which is what is important. He says RIGHT alot. It makes me happy.

Americans...We are a country of very big people. I am around average size for an AMerican male, where I am from, I am short. Here in the land of the European giants I am actually taller comparatively than I am in JC. Many americans are very silly because when they talk to people from another country about something really basic, they'll try to explain it like they don't have it in Europe or something. Like High school or something. I'm like "they're europeans, not space aliens" WHich usually makes them smile and the Americans look at me like WTF.

Love from Sweden. Ending Transmission.