Pippi Longstocking's Monkey Scientifically Acknowledged

Her monkey's name was Mr. Nilsson. Recent research in Vienna shows that humans share their capability of pattern recognition and sense of rhythm (essential in making music) with the Mr. Nilsson species, squirrel monkeys. Our branches of the evolution tree parted 30 million years ago, which indicates these are pretty ancient abilities... Astrid Lindgren rules! ;-)

Storyteller history

I've recently found out that I happened to spend a couple of days in a room facing south, where Astrid Lindgren, the heroine of my school years (and translated to 90+ languages,) had spent a couple of weeks  half a century ago. I've received no assistance whatsoever from her Master Detective Bill Bergson of her Lillköping City to figure it out, though. Apart from a pinch of general inspiration, at most; general because I'm not going to write children's lit. Nor have I taken her prankster's (Emil of Lönneberga) advice to scrump a couple of fruits in the surrounding gardens ;-)

Some authors of your childhood have just engraved themselves on your memory, from near cradle to near grave, and in between. Their spirits entice the subconscious to come. They gently whisper they're still around, and remind you what you read a hundred years ago.  :-)

The ultimate scoop-chase story...

The Ultimate Leak

My pulse skyrockets. Unnoticed yet nervous, I’m waiting at an isolated table in the darkest corner of a noisy café. Wearing a business suit to hide in the crowd on mainstreet on my way, I’m bathed in a sweat, and near suffocation in the absence of oxygen here.
I’ve borrowed a digital camera from my little son. My mobile phone with a camera and a GPS is at home, switched on; an electronic footprint to give the impression of me being there too, just in case… I came in undetected, to meet my #1 source of blockbusters and scoops, Penpusher, who’s a goldmine of top-secret leaks.
I’ve no idea about his identity or profession, but I swear he comes across sensitive stuff weeks before Wiki Leaks! He says the crowd of his secret contacts includes a guy nicked Metahacker, who hacks Wiki Leaks files long before they leak to the web.

Read this story on PaperTapeMag.com here.

Romantic sunny spring, near 62 degrees North

A cozy lift ride in April (close to the edge - of the lady ski... )