I hate to do this to you, but I think I might have another picture heavy entry on my hands. Sorry. Fairly warned be thee says I.

What do you know? Another good day. I have now had three good days in a row. Honestly, I can't remember the last time that has happened. My mood is always swinging a lot. I'm not sure I have had three really good days in a row before. Not since all the badness started happening in my life.

It's not something that happens often anyway.

It started nicely with me sleeping in late and taking a long, hot shower. Quite handy that I got through all the stuff with the psych yesterday so we could cancel the appointment this morning.

Then I had a really nice little encounter at the bus stop, on my way to work. There was a guy standing at the stop and he had a dog. A cute little thing.

Isn't she pretty? As I walked up to the stop the dog started coming towards me. I was a little nervous at first. I used to be very scared of dogs. That has changed a lot. But when I meet a new dog then I can still get a little nervous. Even with tiny little sweethearts like that. But she just came up to me and sniffed me and walked around my feet. And I bowed down and cuddled her a bit. She wanted to get up and lean on me, on her hind legs. But her owner told her no. I think he could see I was a little nervous at first there.

But I wanted to take a real picture of the dog. So I asked the guy if it was okay. And he said it was fine. And then he told her to sit. And she sat politely and looked right at me.

What a charmer. And then I actually started talking to the owner. Skye has told me this in the past. That people's dogs are a good way of getting contact, talking to people. I can imagine why. If you have such a lovely dog then I'm sure that you just want to talk to people and let people see how great the dog is.

So that was a really good way of getting some socializing. The owner told me that his previous dog was a rottweiler. And how different that was. If he was out walking with his rottweiler then people would typically walk in a big circle around him. And with a rottweiler you have to be in charge and give commands and be strict. But that sweet little princess there, she gets her will more easily. And she's a stubborn little thing too, he said. Hehe. They were on their way to give her a haircut. He said that he had to do that three times a year and that it was pretty expensive. But then that breed doesn't shed its hairs so he didn't get dog hairs all over the place.

It was very nice talking to him. Seeing the dog. I should have asked what her name was. But oh well. Maybe I will see them again another time. I know to most people this doesn't sound special, but to me it was just very nice. And another proof that animals make me happy. I sat in the bus all the way to work with a big smile on my face.

Before work I stopped at the bank to get some money. It's quite close to where I work. And then I walked through the walkway streets. Gågaden. I'm not sure what to call that in English. Streets where the cars aren't allowed to drive. So people can walk freely there, lots of shops and things. And I walked in the crowd without feeling bad. Without feeling any social phobia. I have definitely come a long way. That doesn't mean that there isn't still a long way to go too. But I have to appreciate where I have gotten so far.

And I practiced taking pictures of people. I will bore you with some of them now. I know they aren't very good. But it's a start. It's something I have to practice a lot more. If I get more comfortable then the pictures will improve. I hope.

I saw this one girl who looked really cool. Colourful hair. Personal, unique clothes style. I wish I could have taken a picture of her. But yes, girls are still the hardest thing for me. Not just in photography, but in general. It annoys me when good motives like that are missed. But I'll learn. I won't pretend that I'm a good photographer, but I do like it. I like walking around and trying to see things. Instead of just walking hurriedly through the streets. Slowing down a little and seeing if there are any interesting things that pop up. Some time in the future I really want to take some kind of photography course so I can get better at it. But I'm still happy with where I am. Compared to when I got my first camera I have improved a bit.

And I like doing it. That's the most important thing.

I got to work. Took more pictures. Took some in the bar but they got horribly blurred unfortunately. Lots to learn.

I also managed to snap some of Lars. The resident über-nazi.

Looking deceptively friendly. No, no. He's not a big meanie. Just a little annoying one.

When I left work I ran into Mianne. She's our booker. I don't see her that much. At the start of every month she comes in and gives me the schedule so I can type it all into our flyer and poster. We said "hey". That's the standard Danish for both "hello" and "goodbye". Just a quick greeting for someone you don't know that well. But then I actually said "have a nice weekend" to her. And she said "you too". That was nice. The fact that I iniated the friendliness above and beyond "hey". Little things.

Then I had time to spare. So I went down to the river. Talked with the ducks. I owe them a photo session.

I like the white ones.

And I like the way they glide effortlessly through the water. Natural born swimmers.

A guy walking his dog.

Didn't talk to him. But it's one of my favourite things now. Just seeing people walk their dogs. I should hire a gang of people to constantly walk around me with their dogs. You know, like Gwen Stefani and those asian chicks. What's up with that anyway?

But yes. I think things are getting better. Compared to five years ago, certainly. I should be some scientific experiment, I should have doctors detailing all my little progress. So when I'm 50 I can look back and really see the path. But at least I have this diary. The other day I archived old entries. I just like looking at this bit:

archives:
2005 January-
2004 July-December
2004 January-June
2003 July-December
2003 January-June
2002 July-December
2002 January-June
2001 July-December
2001 January-June
2000 The madness begins.
Before the beginning. Bitter bones better left untouched.

Wow. That's so long. Year after year. Of my life. Detailed on an almost daily basis. Weird. I wonder if I'll keep writing here for 50 years. I will probably wreck diaryland's servers with all my entries, hehe.

But it's been a good day yes. Three good days. And now two nice and relaxed weekend days. Not bad.

I want to tell my mother about my phobia by the way. My problems. I think it's about time soon. So I can get more support. And so they can get to understand what's going on with me better. I really would like them to know that the reason I haven't gone on with more education isn't that I'm lazy. And the reason I don't go out isn't that I'm on drugs or anything. Hah. Well, I'm waiting for the right moment but I do want to tell her soon. I think I'm at a point where I can actually do that. Just another sign of my progress I guess.

That's about all for today. If you missed yesterday's entry then go back and read it. It's even longer than this one. With lots of pictures. Cute animals, co workers. Anxiety clinic meetings. Supermen. Don't miss it.

Oh and speaking of yesterday's entry. I was all bragging about how Kulturgyngen's kitchen was ecological. Well, I guess the proper English word for that is organic, not ecological. Oh well. Thank you Desirée, again! I'm going to keep the superman pin pinned to me so I can feel like I have super strength to get through the days.

That's it. All done. Have a nice weekend, everyone. Remember, when I'm all cured then I'm going to tour the world and visit y'all.

Probably.