John Laerum

The football world cup is well on its way now. Some countries are already counted out and some know they will qualify. The media here in Sweden is, as can be expected, obsessed with every detail of the games, the teams and the cup itself. I have been surprised by the way, especially the newspapers and TV, seem to express them selves. Here in Sweden the national team is "The Swedish Army" our players are its "Fighters". They use expressions like "make war" on the other country. This is all new to Swedish vocabulary. I have never heard expressions like that in the sport context before.

When some people brought a few Swedish flags to Piccadilly Circus today one of our newspapers wrote that we had "invaded London". I don't know wether to laugh or cry at this nonsense. These expressions have very strong meanings, they have a history of despair and suffering in their trail. This is not a war, it isn't even a war drill, it is a game. How come people go down to Germany and beat up people from other countries and the local police? Is media depicting reality here or are they helping to create one?

I told a friend of mine of these thoughts and she said that she would be happy if war could be substituted by football. I thought it was a good idea. Let us just settle things by kicking around a ball instead.

But then I realized that president Bush wouldn't be very happy, if the world was ruled by Brazilians....

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I don't know much about Spain, but as we soon will be going there for the GUADEC 2006 conference news from Spain get some additional attention. When reading one of the largest Swedish newspapers today I found a small article. It was about a recent election in Spain, resulting in the strengthening of the self rule in the Autonomous Community of Catalonia. I realize that this might just be one of the many steps to ease tensions and/or set old wrong doings right there. Maybe this will result in the pleasing of the majority of the people in Catalonia? At the same time I came to think of the strange mix between autonomy and unionism present in Europe today. While countries that, when I grew up, where unknown and impossible to go to, stand at the footstep the union, we see countries that are central to the original foundation of the same union, decentralizing. Sometimes I get the feeling that this union is so full of contrast. So when I land in Barcelona (Catalonia) this Friday to make my way to the conference, I will probably marvel and despair at the same time as I recall this thought.

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Now we are getting things sorted out here in the new office. Soon the cleaner will show up too and get the place in mint condition. Currently the heating system is being repaired and considering the fact that it was -5 degrees outside this morning, it feels like a good idea to get it working. Working space is ominous but the feeling of cosyness in Micke's and my corner is there. Dolly Parton singing 9-5 every morning in the roaring Hi-Fi of the VEGA speakers kicks off the day like a rocket. The bare necessities are already in place; espresso machine, coffee brewer for the filtered coffee, cups and chocolate cake. I just realized.... I need some cake.

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