December 19: WET GROUND

The mood is right. The spirit's up. I'm sitting here. And that's enough.
It seems to be Christmas all over again. And what a joy that is. It's been real hectic since I got back from America. I've spent a lot of time with my funny friends and we've now layed down the law for Christmas celebration and gathering. I've framed pictures for the wall and now if only I get my DVD player back from de-regionizing, I'll be happy and set ready, now, go - cat - go.

I've payed for all them Christmas presents that come with the jule-tide. Yesterday I concluded the shopping part of this wonderful season by paying for my stripy curtains. After that I went to the year's last monthly Sensible Evening at Stundesløse in Bergen. Here, HP and Kato gather all kinds in the least obvious surroundings. Last night, Ingrid Mjanger (of backing vocals on Sleep On Needles, and with Julian & Nathalie -fame) made her way to the centre of the stage. I thought it was lovely - as she is - hearing her without any other lead voice twice as loud as hers. And the sound of it all was like all the best stuff in pop from the 80s. And that is not a bad thing.

Which leads me to the next chapter. Let me just list up & down the records I liked best this year. And folks, let's not worry about wether or not this music came out this year, for what is a year but a number? I want to get this of my chest. So regardless of time, this is what I embraced in 2003, direct from memory:

• Steely Dan - Everything Must Go
• Steely Dan - Gaucho
• The Heavy Blinkers - Better Weather
• Van Dyke Parks - Discover America
• Van Dyke Parks - Live
• China Crisis - Flaunt The Imperfection
• Stereolab - BBC Sessions
• Julian Berntzen - Waffy Town
• Nathalie Nordnes - Hush Hush
• Michael Jackson - Bad
• Walter Becker - 11 Tracks Of Whack
• Donald Fagen - Kamakiriad
• Marcus Valle - Best Of
• Jane Monheit singing "Waters Of March"
• The High Llamas - Beet, Maize & Corn
• Sgt. Petter - It's A Record
• Beyoncé singing "Crazy In Love"
• Kylie singing "Slow"
• Pharrell singing "Frontin'"
• The forthcoming Helén Eriksen record
• The forthcoming Heavy Blinkers record
• The Shins - Oh, Inverted World
• Bacharach/Isley - Here I Am
• Kelis singing "Milkshake"

" Milkshake" is actually the craziest song I've ever heard. It's god damn good and it makes me woozy.

I probably forgot som great ones that I have spent a lot of time with, but I'll fill you in on those as the days go by and the memories fly.

For now, I have only one issue to push: to all of you kind people who follow this diary and, even this man, I want to express my fondest gratitude and wish you a wonderful Christmastime.

We're simply having a wonderful Christmastime.

Best of luck under the tree from Sondre Lerche