seventy

Master suppression techniques (or the Swedish word: härskartekniker) is something that is much discussed in Sweden but I have never heard of it here.

Two of the most common ones are the following two which are often used combined:

Ridicule

That through a manipulative way to produce someone's argument or person as silly and unimportant. This is implemented for example by using striking but irrelevant parables - even commenting on what a person looks like in an unproffessional manner is one way.
Example: A colleague laughs at your pronunciation and says you sound like a person in a fun TV series (when you had something important to say).

Affixing of guilt and shame

To make someone ashamed of their properties, or to imply that something they are exposed to is their own fault. This is often done through a combination of ridicule. Example: Even though you were not informed about that informal meeting, you hear that you should have figured out when it was. Nobody listens to what you say at the meeting and you feel that you expressed yourself in a stupid or unclear way. A woman / man who is sexually harrassed has themself to blame, for example becasue of the way she or he dresses.


Most people who use suppression techniques are not aware of it and it can be done in such a subtle and manipulative way that it is hard to respond.

I have a problem with this right now and I don't know what to do. I know about these techniques but I never learnt how to handle them in any other situation than a debate. In a debate you simply counteract by either using the same technique yourself (which is ugly and mean but it might be necessary) or by being very harsh about the fact that the person is using it and it is unproffessional.

But how do you handle a situation where the person/people in question is someone you have a personal relationship with and you don't think that the person is intending to make you feel bad but simply isn't aware of how they are hurting you?

Without attacking or ending up in an argument that doesn't lead anywhere... please let me know if you have any thoughts on this matter.

Tired.

sixtynine

When I feel particularly homesick I go in to this website where I can watch the webcam over my hometown.
It is funny becasue it is a bit like spying on people - I don't think that most people know that it's there at all. Here's a clip:



The picture changes once every minute and apparently there's snow at the moment... :) Nice.

Other news: I have been looking into where to go this summer. My original plan was very blurry. I was thinking about Palestine but feel now that I would prefer something else.

My next thought was India but I realised that at the time I would go it would be mad hot there - around 40 degrees Celsius! No thanks.
So my next thought was Indonesia but with the current warnings about going there and reading about it, for some reason it just didn't feel right.
Right now I'm leaning towards Malaysia - Borneo. It seems amazing in many ways - and very safe (and cheap of course) so my mom wouldn't have to worry. I really would prefer to go with a friend though. Anyone who wants to go with me?
If I do go on my own I would probably meet loads of people and it would be great for my selfesteem and I think it is something I would be very proud of. I just don't know if I am brave enough.
It's hard for me when everything isn't planned out but I don't want to go with a hord of other people (touristy americans in particular) and being scuffed around like cattle on it's way to being fed... I want to do it budget and for real. I know it will be scary but once I've done it I will be so happy about it.



Picture taken by Mark Daffey
Lonely Planet photographer

© Copyright Lonely Planet Images 2008

sixtyeight

I have cravings - as usual for something that is impossible for me to find here...

Semlor!



Don't they just look amazing?!

It's a traditional Swedish pastry that we eat on Fettisdagen every year - although these days people eat them from February to Easter. and they are amazing.
I wish I could get at least one.
I would be so happy. I could make the buns I suppose but I don't know if they have almondpuree (or whatever it's called in English) here, or where to find it if they do.

I am getting a Swedish recepie book when I go home just before Easter... Hopefully I'll be able to get a semla in a café then aswell! I'm buying the book 'Sju sorters kakor'. No doubt.

Slurp!

sixtyseven

I have a headcold. :(
Selfmedicating (here's some tips) a combination of Lemzip Max, Strepsil + anasthetic, Echinacea and my new favourite drink: Vit Hit berry Boost... It's great.
Tastes like swedish red mixed lemonade (blandsaft) and reminds me of summer... and it contains 100% of the recommended daily intake of loads of vitamins like vit C, E B1, B5 & B6 and Ginseng...




I am not getting sick!!! I refuse.

...The landlord is bringing me a new wardrobe tomorrow :)
I will be able to hang up some clothes finally!

sixtysix

For the last two days Ireland and the UK has been in a complete shock from the snow that has been falling here.
To be honest it is a bit laughable for me since I am used to much much much worse "real" Swedish snow storms. it's not even that bad here... only like 10 cm of snow at the most. I know it's a bit worse in the country and in the UK but not as bad as they make it out to be.
Not to be a bitch about it or anything but it is a bit funny... Loads of schools have closed - buses aren't running - the underground was closed in London - I mean, the underground! How is that even affected by the snow?!
It's just silly really.
I know they aren't used to it and they don't have dubdecks on the cars and blah blah but what the real reason is here in Dublin is that people are too lazy to walk to the bus-stop like they usually do and take the bus. It's almost like they think the snow is some sort of acid that will kill them if they walk in it...
So they take the car - and so does a couple of thousand other lazy people - and that's a recepie for mental traffic - that is what creates the chaos. Not the snow.

The snow here in Dublin is long gone now anyway. It snowed loads but melted as soon as it hit the ground. And then it rained like it was never going to stop during the night so everything was flushed away.

I miss the Swedish proper snow a bit. You know when you walk in the snow and it does that squeeky noise from being compressed under the shoes. It's a real comfort thing for me - so many childhood memories are connected with that sound.
I was really happy when the snow started falling because I saw in my mind how I could have a snowball fight and build a snowman and all that...
Those dreams were flushed away pretty quickly!

The forecast was for more snowy showers (that's what they call it) tonight but it looks fine to me... I think the wind changed. The sky is blue and it's warm so tonight I am going out to Celbridge to hang out in Alexs house and watch a film. If we get snowed in for real I wont be able to go to work tomorrow so I wouldn't mind - but I know it wont happen. Just my luck.

Other news: I am looking for a studio apartment because I want to live on my own and I need something closer to Griffith College since I am starting there in September. I want to get a cat aswell so I'm going to try and find something where I can have a pet. It's not allowed in most places.


I will be a crazy catlady - you just wait and see! :)