The Denmark Portraits

“In the end,
the romantic aspirations of our youth
are transformed into whatever works.”
-Woody Allen
As heard in his 2009 film,
“Whatever Works”

There was an article and a ’60 MINUTES’ television feature about how the people in Denmark are the HAPPIEST People in the World. I was on a cruiseship from Stockholm to Copenhagen last July 2008. While I was in Copenhagen, Denmark I had this brainstorm idea to take photographic portraits of the Happy Denmark people.
Feel free to read the article on them being so happy (and why), if you wish:
http://abcnews.go.com/2020/story?id=4086092&page=1




























Twenty-seven Denmark residents were chosen that I felt looked photogenic and happy. Above are the HAPPY Portraits. Do they look happy? Some of them allowed me to take their portrait, some did not. Four of those pictured on today's blog allowed me to take their photo but did not give me their name or email address. Would you?

Alan followed my lead and came up with a group of his own portraits, too. I was in envy when he did a photoshoot of one person that I would have liked to do. It was all rather fun. I loved learning their names. Some of the ones that gave me their names (and are pictured above) were Andreas Isaksen, Andreas Nilsson, Esben Fabricius, Jesper Sorensen, Johan Jensen Kjeldsen, Jonas Wentzlau, Katrine Giorgio, Kristian Flemming Hansen, Laura Storbjerg, Michael Thomsen, Mille Marie Gronbaek Raben and Ruben Andersen.

Can you guess which twelve became FACEBOOK friends? I wonder which ones will still be friends in another year? I recently learned how it helps to use the online FREE TRANSLATOR to translate my English words to Danish. That always makes them look twice. I have even surprised “Paloma” with my French writing skills (thanks to the BING Translator).
http://www.microsofttranslator.com/

Twenty-five years ago today:

July 12, 1984
Thursday

I survived another dull day of ‘not much work’ at the new San Francisco office at 666 Folsom. Our training is still delayed. Barbara Reynolds left early at 1PM and I went to some ‘yucky’ Chinese place for lunch (never again!). I sat outside at the Bank of America building with other unknown lunch ‘hanger outers’.

The Democratic Convention is in San Francisco and begins tomorrow, so it is going to be a real mess next week with everyone crowding in on one another.

It was so nice when Suzy dropped by yesterday. We biked and watched EXCALIBUR (I own the 1981 on VHS) at my mom and dad’s house. Mom and Dad had gone to Reno so we had the place to ourselves.

Today I got paid $572. Most of it goes to my Citicorp Preferred VISA. Yes, I already spent it.
After work I accompanied David Vigil (by bus) to the Sheraton by the Wharf. We enjoyed some hors deurves and drinks in celebration of all the Corporate runners. David loves to run. It was a fun Happy Hour. The food was great. Dave is so worried about being married by the age of twenty-six. It’s a goal for him because he wants kids.
“You don’t need to rush it,” I said to Dave who is so effeminate that it’s almost a joke to be discussing.
He is so bent on this goal. He agrees that when ‘it feels right’ he will do it. He agrees that it should not be decided upon or done lightly.

Dave and I took a ride back by bus. I took BART and drove home from the Fruitvale BART station. I went bicycling for a quick ride. Then I telephoned mom to make sure Tony had picked them up at Betty’s (mom’s sister) from the Reno, Nevada weekend trip. I rode my bike over to mom and dad’s to welcome them back and visit for a while. Suddenly, it was 9:15PM and I was home by 9:30PM or so.

I began reading my BICYCLING Magazine. I took a hot shower and was asleep by 11PM. I’ve been enjoying myself a lot lately.