Flying in the sky - paraplane adventure

I went flying in a paraplane the other day! See video proof below! I never even knew a thing like that existed. It's basically looks like a flying motor driven "bike" with a parachute. Thanks to pilot Michael Haygood, (a.k.a Mr shortbus driver) for the experience! Alternative transportation seems to be the theme for this week.

As you can see, I was very calm and trusting....

It's me up there!

Going up!

Coming down!

Pub crawl in a shortbus

Went for a pub crawl with good friends last weekend. What better way is there to get around Branson town than in a SHORTBUS? Our dear Michael Haygood definitely drives the sweetest ride in town.

Mr Michael Shortbus Haygood in action

Blurry excitement #1

Blurry excitement #2

Morning after #1: Mr Horsie + bus in our front yard

Morning after #2: The party mansion at peace again

Morning after #3: In need of C.O.F.F.E.E

SUPLEX!

This town is mainly known for being a senior friendly Las Vegas and most events are targeting the 60+ age group... BUT, lately there are actually people trying to create entertainment for the younger generation crowd. Our friends at SUPLEX describe their concept:

"Suplex is an experience. It's a once a month event (first Saturday of every month) held in Branson,MO designed to break the mold, and assault your senses. It's an art show and a dance party. It's a sweaty beast. The show is hosted by Kolmega of Rock Room fame & djs Johan & Francis Rizzudo of Black Box Revue & Make Out!. SUPLEX is an exercise in over stimulation. SUPLEX HAS TRICKS UP IT'S SLEEVE."

And they sure did a great job last Saturday with the tribal theme party! Keep it up!

Kolmega, Krista and I

(Photo By Jarreth Hunt Photography http://www.facebook.com/Ja

rrethHuntPhotography)

Tribal dancing with the gang

(Photo By Jarreth Hunt Photography http://www.facebook.com/Ja

rrethHuntPhotography)

Satina did some awesome hooping

Fire dance!

Joey and Anders doing the BEATox performance

(Photo by Elisabeth Vrobel)

BEATox (Daniel Dossey, Joey Erixzon, Anders Fredlund and Johan Reggie Regnell) keeping up the beat

Pool Pals!

Summer has finally reached Branson! Decided to spend the day with good friends by the pool yesterday. Turned out to be a good choice.

Splashing with Lana

The sunscreen was well needed...

Sunshine!

Drew + Sarah + Love

Still OK...

... but thinking about all the people that aren't at the moment is just sickening.

Awful, awful storms have surrounded us the last couple of days. Some of the places basically ripped apart by tornadoes are within an hour drive from where we live. Scary. Branson has had some flash flooding again but we're not even near the destruction that some of our neighboring cities tragically experienced. More than 500 lives have been taken this far. We're truly lucky to be safe and sound for now.

Gig marathon

In all the weather madness there has also been a lot of good stuff going on! Last Saturday I ended up in a little gig marathon performing at the "Plumb Nellie Arts and Crafts Festival" and "Waxy O'Shea's Irish Pub" later at night as a part of the "Full Circle Concept" (arranged by Krista Meadows and Daniel Dossey).

Daniel, Krista and I at "Plumb Nellie"

"The Platters" were next in line to perform after we were done!

(photo by Christie Czajkowski)

Rockin' it at Waxy's

And the beat goes on..... This is AFTER playing (pretty much constantly) for more than 10 hours. Late night jam outside after we finished the gig at Waxy's

Hey we're OK!

Just wanted to let you know that Branson didn't get affected by the huge tornado that destroyed Joplin just 1,5 hours away. We're a little wet, that's all. The weather forecast looks promising too. Looks like it's even going to get really nice by the end of the week! Our thoughts go out to all the victims that lost their homes and family members. The situation is completely devastating.

Joplin destruction

(source)

SMASH!

The tennis court is finally open after the flash flood destruction. Stockstill Park offers free use for everybody. Had a little session yesterday. Still got the smash! Still suck at serves...

In action

Magic floating ball

Flood Damage

We've finally had some sun and warmer temperatures lately but the damage that all the rain and storms have caused is pretty extensive. Went to the golf course for some playing the other day and this is what it looked like:

Yup, those are FISH swimming around the seventh hole...

North Beach Park is usually close to the water but not UNDER it..

Branson landing

Freaky foods part 23

If DiGiornos convenient combination of pizza and deep frozen cookies on the side wasn't enough for you, here's a pizza that actually has the sweet stuff ON TOP! The Peanut Butter Extravaganza is available at Branson dessert bar "Maggie Moo's". Here's what's on it:

Peanut butter ice cream, chocolate cake, cherry disks, white chocolate curls, peanut butter cups, mixed nuts and fudge........ Enjoy it before the heart attack hits you!

Not your regular pizza...

Maggie Moo's

Marta and I did NOT have the Peanut Butter Extravaganza pizza... That's why we're still alive.

Flash flooding and monster thunderstorms...

I definitely didn't bring the lovely Swedish spring weather to Branson... The day after I arrived, I experienced my first tornado alarm. Since then, it's basically been raining and storming constantly. The thunder is ridiculous! Sounds like the earth is exploding when it rolls. Flash flood warnings all over the Midwest. Fingers crossed that those tornadoes stay away.....

Tornado alarm...

Rainrainrain

View from my balcony

(listen to that thunder!)

One night at Hilton

Me and the tomcat had a gift certificate for a free night at the Hilton hotel and used it to get some well needed quality time before I leave for Sweden on Sunday.

Of course there was champagne...

And fancy drinks!

And hot tubs!

Wake boarding!!!

I love summer. Always have, always will. My body doesn't function in winter climate. Sun + heat equals my natural element to live in. Summer rocks. These pictures prove it. I vote summer for life!!!

Darcy took the Swedish girlfriendos out to the lake for some wake boarding and it was beautiful! My body's a little sore today though...

Rocky wake boarding. He was a liiiittle bit more experienced than I....

Vasken's!

Why did it take us so long to find this awesome restaurant?!!! Vasken's in Branson is by far the best place to get a great lunch with some character. Amazing veggie stuff (falafel, dolmas, tabbouli, hummus, salads+sandwiches). Go there!

http://vaskensdeli.com/

Fireflies!

Firefly season in Branson right now! I'm super excited about seeing these fascinating little bugs. They really look like they have tiny light bulbs attached to their butts!

http://scienceblogs.com/chaoticutopia/2006/11/oldschool_tech_meets_cuttinged.php

http://chessaleeinlondon.wordpress.com/2008/04/01/year-of-the-frog/

Hilton fashion show!

I had a fun night doing the Hilton fashion show for White House Black Market yesterday. More pics from the actual event will hopefully come soon!

Catwalk

Back in Branson!

So I've said goodbye to all the healthy food on west coast for now. I had a hardcore start in adjusting to the "Branson menu" and went to IHOP (International House Of Pancakes) for a late midnight snack after landing at the Springfield airport. So good but so bad...

The American Dream

"The reason they call it the American Dream is because you have to be asleep to believe it"

(George Carlin)

Branson, Missouri kan vara den mest underliga plats som jag någonsin sett. En stad i ungefär samma storlek som Helsingborg med ca 6000 lokala invånare som drar ca 8,5 MILJONER turister varje år! Vägarna kantas av enorma marknadsföringsskyltar för de 100-tals shower som pågår i stan. Där det inte finns neonskyltar eller teatrar finns det dessert parlours, steakhouses, udda arkitektur/byggnadsutsmyckningar/statyer (t.ex ett gigantiskt Titanicmuseum) eller konstiga tivoliaktiviteter. Två andra frekvent förekommande moment i stan är kyrkor och pensionärer. Branson är lite som ett konservativt kristet Las Vegas för blå- och vithåriga tanter.

Ibland känns det som att man är i yttre rymden när man cruisar runt i stan. Vardagen kryddas av både underhållande och obekvämt udda överraskningar.

Det är till exempel rätt vanligt att träffa på Elviskopior iförd full mundering i snabbköpet. Ibland går folk runt utklädda till kossor och vinkar till bilar. Första dagen efter att jag kommit hit stod det en tjej i varmkorvskostym och dansade på en parkeringsplats. Tuff kostym verkar vara da shit. Jag kanske borde skaffa en...