Gunillocentrism – web diary of a freelance journalist

Yesterday, a Swedish radio and TV journalist network that I am a member of (yes, I work a little with radio) had a seminar on “Härarbete” (literally “here-work”).
I, of course, wasn’t there - but the speaker, Mr Theo *Härén*, talked about how he works here and there to get inspiration and new ideas – sometimes in Zimbabwe, sometimes in a bothanical garden, etc, as long as it is away from his office.
“Härarbeta – att arbeta där du gör det bäst”

As you know, I am fully embracing this concept. Only this past week, my “offices” have been located to: the garages at Indianapolis Motor Speedway, a Victorian B&B, and the reception room of a prison /California Institution of Women/. Right now, I am working at a café close to my motel in West Hollywood, which happens to have the best espresso in Los Angeles, according to a local magazine:
Sabor & Cultura Café, Hollywood Boulevard

This afternoon, I was planning to go to the Van Nyus courthouse, to pick up documents from a legal process that I am trying to cover, but the documents are not available and I will instead go directly to check out:
The Getty Museum, Los Angeles

Wow, it feels as if I have a life! But I would also have wanted my editor let me go to Santa Maria today, so I could have covered the spectacle of Michael Jackson’s trial… That would have been fun.

/Gunilla

Sweden’s most well-known inmate, Mrs Annika Östberg Deasy, will have to spend three more years at California Institution for Women, the Board of Prison Terms decided today.
It is very sad how the Californian correctional system plays out as the families of the victims – in this case a bitter crowd – get to decide on the outcome. She has now spent 24 years in prison, and has no idea about when (if) she will get out. And this is for two murders that her boy-friend committed!

I was supposed to sit in at the Board of Prison Terms’ meeting at California Institution for Women, like my Swedish collegues, today, but wasn’t allowed for space reasons. I was offering to sit on the floor, but to no avail.
Don’t you think it looks as if there was a little space if you look at the picture..?!
DN:s förstasida: Nytt bakslag för Annika Östberg
I can see an empty chair in front of general consul Tomas Rosander!

Well, instead of being present at the meeting, I got to hang out at the entrance of the prison, chatting with prison guards, volunteers, visiting teenagers, and family members of inmates. Interesting!

/Gunilla