Time for a Mika Update
There has been a lot going on lately so I have not manage to muster the energy to write a post. Writing one now since I won’t get another opportunity for atleast a week.
As you’ve read my friend Tomi passed away a couple of weeks ago. Since then I’ve been helping Kristina, his girlfriend, who is also a dear friend of mine, with daily dealings. I’ve spent many nights at her place, and planning stuff and being there in her time of need. Since my life is busy otherwise this has sometimes felt like pulling double shifts 
But it’s well worth it! The feeling of being able to be there for someone who needs it… is good! And it’s been lots of fun too, and given me the opportunity to get to know Kristina even better. She’s truly a gem!
I’ve also tried to help a friends friend who seems to be in some kind of trouble up in Stockholm. She’s from Sri Lanka, I think. I’m not that clear on the details. But I’ve realised that I’ve been spreading myself too thin, and I will have to tell her that I cannot be of any assistance to her, since I don’t have enough energy to uphold a supporting connection. But it’s with a sad heart I do that, because I truly wish to help anyone who is in need, and where I can offer assistance, but I have to realise that I cannot help everyone…
Last saturday, 5:th of may, we had a bachelor party for a friend of mine. I was one of three people planning it. Took a lot of effort! We managed to pull off a really nice bachelor party! The theme was Agent in training, and that included him getting a cellphone delivered on a cemetary, getting directions by SMS to a car and driving it to a place where he then was kidnapped. Then he had to master golf, poker and flaring (bartender bottle juggling), and the evening ended on a dancefloor with lots of alcohol. It wasn’t until tuesday that I had recovered from the party.
I used sunday, monday and tuesday to catch up with some TV-series. I also watched Day break, a really good series. The first season runs for 13 episodes, and is about a cop who relives the same day over and over again. He’s trying to find out who is framing him for a murder. I highly recommend it!
On wednesday, 9:th of may, there was a memorial ceremony for Tomi. It was a very emotional gathering, and I cried some. Kristina had done the arrangements and it was very beautiful. Felt good afterwards. I said some words from the Aikido community. Can’t really recall what I said, because I had a hard time trying not to cry. Instead I cried afterwards. I was also in charge of fixing the reception, with coffee and home made cookies that Kristina had made (they were delicious!), after the ceremony in the dojo. Over 60 people attended the ceremony. That took a lot of energy. But it all went very well!
Thursday, 10:th of may, it was time for a aikido board meeting. We discussed the work we are going to do for the next year and tried to create realistic goals for the activities in the aikido section.
Friday, 11:th of may, I spent running errands all over the town and watching the eight first episodes of 24 season 5 together with a friend, Jens. Then I’ve been catching up with emails and planning my packing, how to do my laundry before I leave and stuff.
This saturday, 12:th of may, I’m going to see a spex, and then go to Norrköping to see the Eurovision song contest and also celebrate a friends birthday. Anna, we’re coming tomorrow! 
I must refrain from drinking alot, since on sunday, 13:th of may, my train leaves at 10 am for Torsby, where I’ll be training Aikido for a week with Lars-Göran Andersson, a 6:th dan (degree of black belt). That’ll be tons of fun! I’ll be leaving the aikido camp 2 days early since I’m going to my friends wedding on saturday, 19:th of may.
That’s basically it, in broad terms. I’ll be back in a week or so! See ya 
Caroline wrote,
Woah, don’t forget to breathe in between all your commitments!
May 12th 2007 at 18:32 (6:32 pm) — Using
Firefox 2.0.0.3 on 
Ubuntu Linux
Mika Perälä wrote,
Oh!
Lucky you reminded me! I had forgot! *makes breathing sounds* 
May 13th 2007 at 01:25 (1:25 am) — Using
Firefox 2.0.0.3 on 
Windows XP
Caroline wrote,
May 13th 2007 at 11:16 (11:16 am) — Using
Firefox 2.0.0.3 on 
Ubuntu Linux
JenEriC wrote,
Hey, don’t try to fool us, OK? That was just the sounds, not the breathing!
May 13th 2007 at 18:04 (6:04 pm) — Using
Firefox 2.0.0.3 on 
Windows XP
Mika Perälä wrote,
Damn your observation skills! Okay okay! *takes a deep breath* There! Satisfied?
May 15th 2007 at 16:06 (4:06 pm) — Using
Internet Explorer 7.0 on 
Windows XP
Mari wrote,
May 25th 2007 at 16:56 (4:56 pm) — Using
Internet Explorer 6.0 on 
Windows XP
Mari wrote,
I meant
eeg:
May 25th 2007 at 16:56 (4:56 pm) — Using
Internet Explorer 6.0 on 
Windows XP
Mari wrote,
Argh! The angry woman smiley toting a rolling pin, damn you, cyberspace!
May 25th 2007 at 16:57 (4:57 pm) — Using
Internet Explorer 6.0 on 
Windows XP
Mika Perälä wrote,
Ooo, sounds like a good plan! I will take you up on that during the summer
Ouch! Not pliers! Aiiiiggh!
Hmm, seems like the smiley-plugin is a little broken with the
smiley. I’ll have a look at it!
May 28th 2007 at 13:58 (1:58 pm) — Using
Firefox 2.0.0.3 on 
Windows XP
Mika Perälä wrote,
There we go! I replaced the string that activates it
May 28th 2007 at 13:58 (1:58 pm) — Using
Firefox 2.0.0.3 on 
Windows XP
Mari wrote,
Good, I’m making muffins tomorrow. Not that I’ll need a rolling pin for that though…
May 28th 2007 at 22:00 (10:00 pm) — Using
Internet Explorer 6.0 on 
Windows XP
Edward Aschan wrote,
Ooh, muffins. Mika you *should* introduce me to Mari. And quickly before she eats all the muffins.
May 29th 2007 at 18:59 (6:59 pm) — Using
Firefox 1.5.0.11 on 
Windows XP
Mari wrote,
Edward, I’m sorry, the muffins are all gone. And they were _really_ nice, with blueberry jam from berries picked by me around where I live, and a lemon frosting. To make them really scary, I also added small pink and turqouise sugar bears.
But should you ever come within eating distance, I’ll whip up a batch of my chocolate brownie muffins with chili, best eaten with whipped cream and home made cloudberry jam.
May 30th 2007 at 14:14 (2:14 pm) — Using
Internet Explorer 6.0 on 
Windows XP
Caroline wrote,
Mmm…donuts…
…erhm, I mean muffins.
May 30th 2007 at 15:11 (3:11 pm) — Using
Firefox 2.0.0.3 on 
Ubuntu Linux
Mari wrote,
I make GREAT donuts as well. My favourite ones are the saffron donuts with raisins I do for Yule.
May 31st 2007 at 14:32 (2:32 pm) — Using
Internet Explorer 6.0 on 
Windows XP
Mika Perälä wrote,
But, but, but! I have never tasted those muffins! Aaaaagh! *next train out of here*
I was at a job intervieu today. At Kanal Lokal. We’ll see how that goes
Veeery close to where I live. Definitively a bonus.
Oh, I almost forgot. Edward, this is Mari
Mari, this is Edward 
May 31st 2007 at 16:34 (4:34 pm) — Using
Firefox 2.0.0.3 on 
Windows XP
Caroline wrote,
Hahaha, what a lovely introduction.
Which one am I? 
or 
…?
What kind of job did you apply for? Will you get your own show? “Mika’s cool aikido tricks” it could be called and every show would start with the words “Give me your hand. No, no, it won’t hurt.”
May 31st 2007 at 16:50 (4:50 pm) — Using
Firefox 2.0.0.3 on 
Ubuntu Linux
Edward Aschan wrote,
Thanks for that introduction Mika. It’s good to know who your friends are.
And I refuse to believe that Mari looks that angry. Hmm, those donuts didn’t sound half bad. Perhaps we should take my car Mika and you can save your train fare.
Caroline, this
is obviously La Linda Linda so your stuck with 
. Never seen you wield two swords though but then I never stay long enough too see what you really do at your Iaido practice. It’s probably a super-secret ninja school.
May 31st 2007 at 20:57 (8:57 pm) — Using
Firefox 1.5.0.11 on 
Windows XP
Edward Aschan wrote,
The “Give me your hand. No, no, it won’t hurt” sort of reminds me of “Oops, are you alright?”
May 31st 2007 at 20:59 (8:59 pm) — Using
Firefox 1.5.0.11 on 
Windows XP
Linda wrote,
Nu är Edward helt klart förlåten för att ha snott “Wuhuu ¤armarna i taket¤” och stavat det fel!! Tack för komplimangen!
(synd att pompomsen inte är lila med glitter på, hade liksom varit perfekt!)
June 1st 2007 at 08:54 (8:54 am) — Using
Internet Explorer 6.0 on 
Windows XP
Caroline wrote,
I guessed someone would say that…however, I’ve never seen Linda with poms.
June 1st 2007 at 10:23 (10:23 am) — Using
Firefox 2.0.0.3 on 
Ubuntu Linux
JenEriC wrote,
So is there already someone with
, or will it be the first one with blue shoes?
June 1st 2007 at 19:48 (7:48 pm) — Using
Firefox 2.0.0.4 on 
Windows XP
Mika Perälä wrote,
Caroline: I think you are
, even though 
would be good to seeing that you have a history as a cheer leader 
The intervieu was as a computer technician, working with their servers and stuff. Don’t know if I get to make my own show, but if I get the job, I will definitively be a step closer! I would probably use the line: Go ahead punk, grab my wrist!
Edward: You’re welcome, you know you’re on my very good list
Uh-oh, I wouldn’t want to be in the shoes of someone Mari doesn’t like. All sorts of things could happen then! And yes, we can take your car! Sounds much more practical! So, when do we leave? It’ll take a little while to drive there 
And about the ‘Oops’, I really didn’t mean to hurt his hand… 
Jens: Hehe! It’s yours! I do remember what happened when Mattias uttered the famous words from a PC-game: ‘Commentator1: It’s incredible! Commentator2: Then don’t eat it. Commentator1: I said it’s incredible!’
June 2nd 2007 at 02:21 (2:21 am) — Using
Firefox 2.0.0.4 on 
Windows XP
Caroline wrote,
Haha, nice quote. So…I’ve seen Eddy’s car. It has room for both of you and:
1. me OR
2. lots and lots of donuts and muffins for me.
June 3rd 2007 at 20:15 (8:15 pm) — Using
Firefox 2.0.0.3 on 
Ubuntu Linux
John wrote,
hej Mika,
seems like you are doing well off and keeping yourself busy
sending you a big hug from america
john
June 3rd 2007 at 20:31 (8:31 pm) — Using
Internet Explorer 7.0 on 
Windows XP
Mika Perälä wrote,
Carro: Haha! I think you’ll have to find something of equal value that you can trade for those muffins and donuts
Helloooo John!!! Thanks for the hugs! Here are some equally big hugs from Sweden!
Nice to hear from ya 
Yep, doing well here!
June 4th 2007 at 23:28 (11:28 pm) — Using
Firefox 2.0.0.4 on 
Windows XP
Caroline wrote,
Damn! I’ll have to figure something out…
June 5th 2007 at 10:57 (10:57 am) — Using
Firefox 2.0.0.4 on 
Ubuntu Linux
Mari wrote,
Let all the muffin and donut hungy people come to me!!! *opens her arms wide to hide all the chores to be done in the garden and around the house*
The guesthouse has four beds, after that, the best I can offer is a bench in the garden next tou our pond. Yes Mika, I’m with pond now! *ponders*
June 5th 2007 at 21:17 (9:17 pm) — Using
Internet Explorer 6.0 on 
Windows XP
Mika Perälä wrote,
Haha! Yes, the garden is really big. And a cool place it is!
Oh, sounds fun! I’ll see if I can convince atleast Edward to join for a ride
OMG! A pond? With lots and lots of little fishies?
June 6th 2007 at 23:20 (11:20 pm) — Using
Firefox 2.0.0.4 on 
Windows XP
Mari wrote,
Well, no fish yet, but we’re planning to catch some minnows and let them inhabit the pond.
June 7th 2007 at 10:58 (10:58 am) — Using
Internet Explorer 7.0 on 
Windows XP