Språk Schmoke

Here's one for the "thanks for nothing" box. I live in the north, right. I go to language school in the north, right. So you would think they would include local dialect in the course, right. Wrong. Every now and then I hear something around town that sounds gammitically screwed up. So I tuck it away and ask my ever helpful evening class teachers. To which the reply comes out "Oh, that's local dialect. everyone up here says that". Sure, everyone except for me and the rest of us sitting here in your class, BECAUSE YOU NEVER TAUGHT US THAT. Thanks for nothing. And then, and then, they teach for the word for something. Brilliant, filled with confidence. Only to tell you a couple of months later that it's old Swedish, and no one really says that today. Thanks for nothing.

Snail Racing

Every day I work through the centre of town from the bus stop, to my office in Luleå. Back in early March, they started ripping up the central paved carriageway. Made a thumping great hole. About 50m long, maybe 15m wide, and anywhere from 1m to 2m deep. Depending on where you looked. There was a hive of activity, laying new pipes and cables. Fenced the whole thing off which I'm sure thrilled the local shop owners no end over summer. Being the high rent areas and all that. We are now in August, and I have to say that, sweet stuff all has happened. It's still a hive of activity, there must be 30 guys on site. But doing what ??? Come on guys, 6 months is long enough already. How many of you does it honestly take to fill in a hole ? Looking at the current rate, and the amount of work still to complete, there is no way on God's green earth that they will EVER finish before winter kicks in. Does this appear to be a great concern to anyone ? Apparently not. Good to see that my highway robbery taxes are not being put to waste. But we mustn't offend anyone. By suggesting that they stop slacking around and do some bloody work !! There, feel better now. Until I have to walk past them again tonight on the way home.