falling and laughing

bikupan @ 2005-08-27T18:57:00

2005-08-28T01:59:05Z

HEY FRIEND!

We've got a new journal...!

kitchen_life

Add us. Thank you.

bikupan @ 2005-08-23T14:29:00

2005-08-23T21:31:53Z

Luc Ferrari (1929 - 2005)

bikupan @ 2005-08-12T17:41:00

2005-08-13T00:46:07Z

Hooray! For me! I got my work permit today!
Finally going back to the hard working socialist life I was born to live.

Music: Silver Jews - 'Punks In The Beerlight' (Tanglewood Numbers, 2005)

bikupan @ 2005-07-30T13:54:00

2005-07-30T21:22:03Z

Hem ljuva hem.
So, Johan and I are getting settled into our new apartment. It was a real shock to the system after living with my folks for so long and after a hectic 2 weeks prior to moving. The wedding reception and the family vacation were both great and stressful at the same time, but more of the former than the latter, of course! Now its mostly peaceful, we have space and quiet and beach (only a 5 minute walk away!) and drawing and reading and cooking! And all new Cuisinart, and All Clad and Crate and Barrel everything, its heavenly! Now all thats missing is the couch and dsl, both expected next week. For now we eat and hang out in our little kitchen nook or japanese style on the living room floor around our lonely coffee table. I'm back to work, still doing 6 days a week, and having to wear cashmere in this weather is hell on earth. But I'm keeping my eyes out for a new job, so wish me luck! Of course, its not all flowers and sunshine, things are hard, sometimes harder than they should be. But I'm also happier than I have ever been in my whole life, and I'm pretty lucky to be able to say that.

On a simpler note, does anyone have a favorite recipe they would be so kind as to share?

Music: Smog - 'Dress Sexy at My Funeral' (Dongs Of Sevotion, 2000)

bikupan @ 2005-07-17T23:10:00

2005-07-18T06:18:40Z

Party pictures by Liam -

Music: Bourgie Bourgie - 'Apres Ski' (Breaking Point, 1984)

bikupan @ 2005-07-17T23:08:00

2005-07-18T06:03:23Z

By the pool at New York, New York in Las Vegas. If you spend less than 24 hours in Vegas, it'll actually be an enjoyable trip. However, driving through to Vegas in a car without air conditioning is not recommended.

In the pool at Tony and Bab's house on 4th of July. We all got sunburned.

Johan's father, Kenneth grew a fond of Mexican beers; but nothing beats Tuborg.

Cousin Nicolette, Johan and his sister Helen.

The Nilsson's, minus Liv, our family's party princess.

The Amette's, minus Nicolette and her sister Gabrielle.

Hell and gore.

Nicolette's mother and us enjoying the food.

Swenglish was the official language for the evening.

We didn't get to take a picture with Jay, but we saw Johnny Depp.

The party princess on the beach, eating her first ice cream. Big mess!

Music: Håkan Hellström - 'Jag Har Varit I Alla Städer' (Ett Kolikbarns Bekännelser, 2005)

bikupan @ 2005-06-29T20:56:00

2005-06-30T04:03:34Z

Our new (soon to be sewn) duvet cover.
Marimekko fabric bought in Stockholm, December 2004.

More new things coming soon. Until then, our new national anthem:

Music: Van Dyke Parks - 'Number Nine' (Number Nine, 1966)

bikupan @ 2005-06-28T12:02:00

2005-06-28T19:12:46Z

New Hair.

- Everyone at my work quitting in one week, save me and one other person.
+ Not having to quit my job because my vacation request was okayed.
- Packing!
+ Moving out!!
- Working 6 days last week, 13 1/2 hours on Sunday alone.
+ Thursdays paycheck!
- Spending this week stressing.
+ Spending next week seeing family and good friends!

Music: Wataru Takada - 'Ice Cream' (First Album, 1972)

bikupan @ 2005-06-27T18:39:00

2005-06-28T01:39:36Z

I Wish I Was A Postcard / eBay Items I've Won (1-10)

Orange Juice"Far at Hervete"Live LP C86 Edwyn Collins
Bourgie Bourgie - Breaking Point 12" single
PAUL QUINN Ain't That Always The Way 12" 45 EP 1985
THE WIRE COMPLETE SEASON THREE, 3 DISK SET, DVD
ORANGE JUICE"Simply Thrilled Honey"POSTCARD NEW WAVE PS (pictured)
Will I Ever Be Inside Of You - Paul Quinn & The Inde...
ORANGE JUICE "IRRITATION DISC" RARE 10", 1000 ONLY!
ORANGE JUICE FELICITY FLEXIDISC POSTCARD RECORDS 1980
memphis - you supply the roses RARE ORANGE JUICE punk
THE VAN DYKE PARKS Number Nine 60's Art Rock Promo 45

Considering I am jobless and dirt poor at the moment, I really picked the wrong time to pursue my James Kirk and Postcard Records obsession. But it's fun and I won't rest until I have every issued Postcard single, die-cuts and color sleeves.

Music: Memphis - 'You Supply The Roses' (You Supply The Roses, 1985)

bikupan @ 2005-06-13T22:27:00

2005-06-14T05:34:38Z

We're moving!

As of July 1st, we call Prospect Avenue in Belmont Shore, our home.

Painting by Nicolette, concept by Johan.

Music: Hanne Hukkelberg - 'Ease' (Little Things, 2005)

bikupan @ 2005-06-05T11:37:00

2005-06-05T18:38:36Z

Sakta men säkert.

I'm always stuck at work when there are a million things to be doing at home! Happily enough the invites are coming along well, and Johan and I are checking things off our to do list.

Next up:
( ) Fix hotel in Japan.
( ) Get the Green Danger looked at for insurance company.
( ) Look for apartment in Long Beach.

Music: Morio Agata - 'Amagasa' (Otome No Roman, 1972)

bikupan @ 2005-06-03T16:08:00

2005-06-03T23:32:19Z

The Honeymoon.

Date: 09SEP - FRIDAY
Flight: AMERICAN AIRLINES 169
Departure: LOS ANGELES 12:35 PM
Arrival: TOKYO NARITA 4:00 PM
JOHAN NILSSON SEAT 21J COACH LUNCH/DINNER
NICOLETTE AMETTE SEAT 21H COACH LUNCH/DINNER

Date: 21SEP - WEDNESDAY
Flight : AMERICAN AIRLINES 170
Departure: TOKYO NARITA 4:05 PM
Arrival: LOS ANGELES 10:10 AM
JOHAN NILSSON SEAT 25J COACH DINNER/BREAKFAST
NICOLETTE AMETTE SEAT 25H COACH DINNER/BREAKFAST

Current plan:
7 nights at Hotel Excellent in Tokyo.
2 nights in Kyoto, anyone got hotel recommendations?
2 additional nights at fashionable Claska in Tokyo.

Illustration by Nicolette is a remake of a Mark Ryden painting.
It's the cover of a 9 CD-R box set we did for our friend Gabriel.

Music: Van Dyke Parks - 'Franklin D. Roosevelt in Trinidad' (Discover America, 1972)

bikupan @ 2005-06-03T11:56:00

2005-06-03T18:58:08Z

Our powerbook has been to Texas for repairs, but now it's back so here's our biggest post, yet.

Inspired by "Open letters to people or entities who are unlikely to respond".

Dear Clint Eastwood,

Upon a recent trip to Carmel, California, my wife and I stopped by your restaurant The Hog's Breath Inn for a drink. I have to give you credit for the cozy location and conspicious amount of hog paraphernalia. But the choice of Shakira and Black Eyed Peas as background music was somewhat questionable. Also, do pass on the tip to the Mediterranean looking fellow who seemed to be the manager, that wearing a wife beater underneath a semitransparent shirt-sleeve was not the best of fashion descisions. On a different note, the Hog's Breath Pale Ale was quite delicious!

Regards,
Johan Nilsson

Smog live at Fernwood Resort, Big Sur (27/05/05).
"A River Ain't Too Much To Love" is the best album of the year, so far.

On a couch outside the Henry Miller library in Big Sur.

Nicolette in Monterey.

1. The Lone Cypress.
2. Us, blocking The Lone Cypress.

Ragged Point most gorgeous view, as recommended by Nicole.

FYI, the eerie El Sur Ranch is really a human slaughterhouse, and not a "nature preserve".

Hundreds of elephant seals molting in a cove just south of San Simeon.
Nicolette wanted to adopt one, Johan didn't think it's the best of ideas.

We visited Solvang last August, before Sideways came out, when every other shop WASN'T a wine tasting venue.
Luckily, Ingeborg candy shop was still the same, and Nicolette got her $2.50 box of salmiak Läkerol.

Music: Smog - 'In The Pines' (A River Ain't Too Much To Love, 2005)

bikupan @ 2005-06-02T18:23:00

2005-06-03T01:24:40Z

Happy birthday pumpkin!
I love you more than anything, forever!!

bikupan @ 2005-05-23T11:47:00

2005-05-23T18:49:41Z

Quiet day amongst the cashmere.

I'm feeling scared about tomorrow's EKG but excited about this coming weekend's romantic getaway in Big Sur.

Music: Björk - 'Hidden Place' (Vespertine, 2001) Courtesy TSE's Muzak system.

bikupan @ 2005-05-21T15:45:00

2005-05-21T22:46:59Z

Asshole car of the year.

Nicolette in the sun.

'Why can't I wear short-sleeves, Sipowicz does it!'

Music: Morio Agata - 'Eien No Madonna K' (Les Miserables, 1973)

bikupan @ 2005-05-03T18:07:00

2005-05-04T01:08:04Z

No More Workhorse Office Ambience.
I no longer work, so this is more like Johan's Bike Ambience.

February:
Spoon: Gimme Fiction (Merge)
Peter Garland: Love Songs (Tzadik)
Animal Collective ft. Vashti Bunyan: Hummer Prospect EP (Fat Cat)
Go Hirano: Corridor of Daylight (PSF)
Stephan Mathieu: The Sad Mac (Headz)

March:
Synapse: Raw (Tzadik)
From Quagmire: Habits From The Wound (VHF)
Steffen Basho-Junghans: Unknown Music 1: Alien Letter (Sillyboy)
Josephine Foster: Hazel Eyes, I Will Lead You (Locust)
Okkervil River: Black Sheep Boy (Jagjaguwar)

April:
Smog: A River Ain't Much To Love (Drag City)
Gang Gang Dance: God's Money (Social Registry)
Sufjan Stevens: Welcome to Illinois, The Prairie State (Asthmatic Kitty)
Various Artists: Tibetan Buddhist Rites From The Monasteries of Bhutan vol. 1 (Sub Rosa)
Islaja: Palaa Aurinkoon (Fonal)

Image remake of the cover to Steve Tilston's "An Acoustic Confusion" (1971).

Music: Hisato Higuchi 'Cluster Of Lights' (Tokyo Flashback 5, 2005)

bikupan @ 2005-04-24T22:22:00

2005-04-25T05:35:49Z

My uncle called me a 'dish washing wench' after dinner today.
And speaking of pirates... here's Johan's favorite Will Oldham lyric:

"A Fireman her husband was, and so to give him duty, i duly tried to light a fire, upon his rightful booty."

Music: Bonnie "Prince" Billy - 'Ease Down The Road' (Ease Down The Road, 2001)

bikupan @ 2005-04-21T20:08:00

2005-04-22T03:13:17Z

Good times at Honda Ya with Liam

That's right, we're regulars at The Helm.

Music: Gang Gang Dance - 'Part I: Glory In Itself, Part II: Egyptian' (God's Money, 2005)

bikupan @ 2005-03-18T14:15:00

2005-03-18T22:22:04Z

Thanks to everyone for your warm words and wishes!

My beautiful wife on the best day ever.

Music: Roy Harper - 'Another Day' (Flat Baroque and Berserk, 1970)

bikupan @ 2005-03-17T21:41:00

2005-03-18T05:45:57Z

Mr. and Mrs. Amette-Nilsson

Music: Spoon - 'The Beast And Dragon, Adored' (Gimme Fiction, 2005)

bikupan @ 2005-03-15T11:25:00

2005-03-15T19:29:14Z

Bachelorette Nicolette.

Music: Steve Tilston - 'Time Has Shown Me Your Face' (An Acoustic Confusion, 1971)

bikupan @ 2005-03-11T10:30:00

2005-03-11T18:37:05Z

New glasses!

Music: Spoon - 'The Two Sides Of Monsieur Valentine' (Gimmie Fiction, 2005)

bikupan @ 2005-03-02T18:35:00

2005-03-03T02:36:14Z

Conny: I have decided that this whole thing with you coming to the U.S. is actually a fraud, and that you are still in Sweden and Nicolette has joined the French Foreign Legion and disappeared.

That's not exactly the truth. We've been in hibernation under the sheets in a rainy San Juan Capistrano. I've been popping Advil like it's candy and Nicolette has been working graveyard shifts at the goatfactory and their new store. We've adopted a 15.5 pound (7.03 kg) and 23 inch widescreen Apple display. Seated just at the end of our bed, on which we've enjoyed every episode of Curb Your Enthusiasm from season 1 to 3. We made it out of bed a few times; to see Susie Ibarra play drums with her hands, to have a beyond lovely Valentines day at the Avalon in Beverly Hills where we had a picnic with fashionable vegan food and complimentary alcohol. We also shook hands with Chan Marshall. Mostly we've made several attempts to find a suit for me and a dress for Nicolette, to wear at our wedding. But unfortunately are all suits too big for me, and Nicolette can't seem to find any good dress that costs less than 4,000 donuts. Right now it looks as if we'll get married naked, on March 15th, unless something pops up. We have gotten the wedding rings though, and I guess that's the most important.

Music: Fennesz - 'Don't Talk, Put Your Head On My Shoulders' (Fennesz Plays, 1999)

bikupan @ 2005-02-02T14:47:00

2005-02-02T13:52:12Z

One week to go. The tyranny of distance is down for the counting.

Johan's Office Ambience list, January 2005:

Bird Show: Green Inferno (Kranky)
Archer Prewitt: Wilderness (Thrill Jockey)
Burkhard Stangl and Christof Kurzmann: Schnee Live (Erstwhile)
Jens Lekman: The Opposite Of Hallelujah EP (Thievery)
Mount Eerie:: Mount Eerie Dances With Wolves (P.W. Elverum & Sun Inc)
Six Organs Of Admittance: School Of Flower (Drag City)
Håkan Hellström: Ett Kolikbarns Bekännelser (EMI)
On Fillmore: Sleeps With Fishes (Quaterbasket)
Patrick Wolf: Wind In The Wires (Tomlab)
Hood: Outside Closer (Domino)

Top 5 most anticipated albums for the first half of 2005.
1. Mount Eerie - No Flashlight (P.W. Elverum & Sun Inc)
2. Efzeg - Krom (Hathut)
3. Spoon - Gimme Fiction (Merge)
4. Silver Jews - Tanglewood Numbers (Drag City)
5. The Fiery Furnaces - Garfield L (Rough Trade)

Music: Alvin Curran - '24.00' (Crystal Psalms, 1994)