Sara Hammerzmith

So today was a pretty big day. We’ve finally finalized the bookings for Australia, now we just need to buy concerttickets basically and all will be good. It’s superexciting how well everything is starting to shape out, and it’s hard to believe we are leaving in just a week! Wasn’t just months ago!?

It’s going to be good to get out of Europe and get to new places and get ones mind sorted out by beautiful nature and a new set of people I have longed to meet for so long, and finally will meet.

And of course, we get to see Epica. Finally. It’s odd that I had to get to the other side of the Earth to catch the Quantuum Enigma tour, but you know… Better than not at all, right?

// Sara

So, this time around we got on our usual Swebus bound for Stockholm, but this time the occasion was a little different. It was indeed once again for a concert, but this time we’d see our dear friend Robert perform solo for the first time, so we were superstoked to say the least.

We got to Stockholm around 16.35, as you always do with that bus, and the first thing we did was to find some baggagelockers to dump our stuff in. After this, we headed to Subway and I swear to God. I’ve eaten Subway in many cities, even a few different countries. But it’s always, ALWAYS at Subway Cityterminalen in Stockholm where it’s problems. The staff is easily distracted which leaves them doing multiple mistakes and they take twice the time it usually should take. And this is NOT in rush hours. Goddamn.

So, rush-eating the sandwich, then refilling our SL cards and heading towards Fryshuset. We were in SUCH A RUSH because of this little delay we had and walked in a rush to Fryshuset, only to find the doors being closed. So we went to the other door, and they told us it was the other door, and then they scolded the guard a bit for not keeping the door open. Once inside, we were delighted to see that the time schedule had been moved 30 minutes, so we were in good time, almost too good time for Robert’s show.

When we came to the venue it was… so little people there. Perhaps like 10, tops. I mean sure, it’s “only” a lot of local bands, and it’s “only” Emergenza, but seriously – in Stockholm, this little? A Friday night? It was a bit hard to comprehend in all honesty.

I got a weird text from Robert stating he could see us, and I tell you this. The only way to spot Robert is by seeing him lurking in the shadows staring at your from the oddest of places. And that is of course exactly where we’d find him this time around as well. He came out a bit before the show to really say hello and for a chat, and it was sooo good to see him again. We also met this new guy, Johan.

So, the clock turned 19 and it was time for Robert, or Grave Robbert, to hit the stage.

He had a set of 30 minutes and played both unreleased songs, released material and instrumental tracks. He was the opener of the night, and I must say, he put on a really good show! And damn, what a guitarplayer he is! Shredding like no tomorrow. I must admit I was very impressed, I had no clue how well he played in all honesty.

The set was, if you ask me, way too short, but a really good one nonetheless!

We stayed around a little more to watch some of the other bands before it was time to for us to leave to catch the last bus home to Karlstad, and say a heartfelt goodbye to Robert and Johan and then headed home.

Later in the night, we heard that Grave Robbert actually came in 2nd place, which qualified him for the next round of the competition! Congratulations dear, I’m soooo proud of you!

// Sara

“Africa” is more or less the only song I for some reason can think about right now. Probably because I link it together with summer, and I’m currently looking for summer clothes because of our upcoming trip to Australia and most importantly New Zealand.

I’ve started to look into things to do at New Zealand, and I’m starting to find more and more interesting ideas. I’ll tell you all about it once it’s booked and decided, but one thing is clear: It’ll be quite the rush!

It’s hard to comprehend that it’s only mere two weeks left until we go. Until we set off to the UK to have a quickie with Sabaton, Bloodbound and Alestorm before embarking our biggest trip in our lives, so far. This is going to be.. well, beyond amazing, that is for sure.

// Sara

So basically. While working I’ve had the radio in for quite a lot, mostly before starting my shifts and there was always this one song that kept coming on the radio – a song I figured was called “Stand by You” or something like that. After a while, I found myself keeping the radio on only to get to hear that song. I tried with my TrackID on the phone to find the song, but nothing.

Eventually, I looked it up and found the song. It was indeed called “Stand by You” by singer Rachel Platten, a woman I’ve never heard of before, but she sure as hell became important to me very quickly.

I had quite the meltdown yesterday because of Him, and the first thing that came to my mind was her album “Wildfire” which is quite, weird, since I don’t have it and I also just found out about this woman a day ago. The first song I found myself pressing, for some reason, was “Fight Song”.

And once again, music proves to find me rather than me finding the music.

Much like my experience with “Savage Requiem” from Magic Kingdom, this song was something I truly needed to hear right here right now. And this also put Rachel Platten among my house queens together with Taylor Swift, Lady Gaga and Katy Perry. And of course, her album is put on number one priority list on CD’s to get.

// Sara

Wow. I haven’t blogged in so long. This is probably the longest I’ve gone without making an entry in the most recent years, but I’ve really just been superbusy with visitors, planning Aussieland and Zealand, and speaking of Zealand. Today I picked up my order on the currency and it’s literally the funniest thing I’ve ever held. It almost feels like a mixture between rubber and plastic, which is superweird because I get this urge to bounce and tear it, but if I do, I’ll probably break it.

Aside this, it has been pure Christmas today. First I received three packages – two from Wish.com and one from a friend. From Wish I finally got the split for car-charging and my makeup brushes. I feel so ready for Aussieland, festivals and roadtripping now. More ready than ever.

What I got from my friend, I’ll show you in a couple of days. On top of this, out Powerwolf tickets were delivered. Damn, they sure came fast. But I was really, really happy to see them, haha!

Later on I spent the rest of the night having a bit of a meltdown which resulted in me finally finishing my jacket that I’ve waited like forever to finish. Took me not long at all, I’m just lazy.

// Sara

These past two days has been a little bit intense. First and foremost, we’re closing in on booking Australia. We finalized the booking for the homebound flight, and now all that’s left to book is like literally everything else, such as flighttickets home from Frankfurt, concerttickets etc etc. Well, I’m sure everything will work out just find in the end.

Speaking of Aussieland, not only are we soon done with bookings, but we are also leaving very soon. So today I finally started packing, and it did go a lot faster than I thought it would. I have packed what feels like nearly half my closet, because, lets face it – we are going to be away a long time. So I might as well.

All I need to get now is a new backpack, like a real traveling and hiking backpack instead of a suitcase to have on the plane.

But that my friends, is tomorrows issues.

// Sara

Spent the entire weekend at Sofia’s. Sofia and I have this habit of only actually hanging out once a year, and for some god forsaken reason we always hang out in the winter. Gladly for both of us, winter is currently gone here in Sweden, at least temporarily.

It’s been a very slow weekend – we mostly spent it inside watching TV and talking about everything and nothing that has happened in the past year, catching up on whats new and what is not. We’ve gone over so many “Catfish” episodes that I’ve gotten afraid of stalkers, laughed so hard, cried hard, well everything. I guess these kind of friends are the best of friends.

It’s been a great and relaxing weekend, and I look forward to see her again soon.

// Sara

So, I started out this morning by going back to work. And seriously, I can honestly say that it’s because of my job I’ve developed a fear of the dark. And I must admit, I wasn’t too keen on putting on Powerwolf because of last times incident with the traffic info, but my computer has eaten up my Taylor Swift CD and Attilas voice is strangely calming in the woods.

But you know, it was like a poor horror movies. It’s windy as fuck, raining, slippery, surprise things jumping up right in front of you. Good thing for me that I don’t panic easily.

The night on the other hand, I spent with Nathalie. I don’t see this girl too often, despite her living rather near. We spent the night talking, catching up on everything, eating so much candy and crisps we almost fell ill, drinking cola ’til the end of the day while watching Rob Zombie’s remake of “Halloween”, “Easy A” and the another movie I never caught the title on because we didn’t really watch it.

It was a great night. I really have to make sure I spend more time with her, which shouldn’t be too hard.

// Sara

So today, taken a little out of nowhere, Emelie and I headed to the movies. I had two movie tickets that expired TODAY that I got several years ago when I worked as Elsa at the theaters, but I had simply forgotten about.

First we set off to Spicy Hot downtown for some quick dinner and catching up sessions. Even though I speak to Emelie on a daily basis, I rarely see her these days. I missed her sooo much. After this, movie time.

We had a hard time choosing movie at first, but eventually settled for “The Fifth Wave” despite not having read the book(s)(?) before, which is a bit unlikely us.

Well, since it’s a cinema-movie right now I don’t really wanna get too much into it, what it was about since some people might have yet to see it and don’t want it spoiled, but I liked it a lot. Sadly, it was a bit too obvious, like, I figured out who was the bad guy on the very moment they appeared, and despite now knowing anything about this, I could literally sit and tell Emelie what was gonna happen. So I guess that’s a minus. But aside that, I really enjoyed it and I think we made the right choice on film.

// Sara

I can’t believe how close Australia is creeping. And most importantly, not only is Australia creeping nearer, but I have full fucking schedule up until the day we leave. Seriously. I have two concerts coming up before the big trip, and I work in the stable every weekend in February… the time is passing way too fast right now. I can’t believe that January is almost over. Where do time disappear?

Taylor Swift keeps me on the grounds thankfully. I’ve gotten a lot of things done thanks to her soothing voice and lyrics and arrangements. Seriously, her album “1989” could have been written about me and these past couple of months, more to be exact, late October up ’til now. This is why I love her so much. She’s that big sister that you simply relate to.

Hopefully, I’ll be able to get my shit together so I don’t stress out the few days before Australia. With the help of Taylor Swift, that should be no problem whatsoever.

// Sara