I underwent acute surgery on Monday evening as they suspected appendicitis, but they found out that it was a (benign) ovarian cyst instead, which they didn't remove. I'm primarily happy to know what was causing my stomach ache, but it is slightly annoying not to be able to do much right now.

I can listen to music, however, which I rarely have time to do otherwise, and I have just bought Sofia Jannok's newly released album Áhpi — wide as oceans on iTunes. I really like it, and my current favourite is Aktonas. Beautiful. Strong. Mighty. Resonating...

Jannok's album is inspired by, even immersed in, her Sami origin and the fight she, and other people, have had to put up to defend the validity of their traditions and customs. Her voice is filled with strength.

The holidays are over and my Christmas playlist has been put on hold until — at least — late November. I was up for something rather laid-back and this is the mix I came up with:

"Luna Nueva" (India Martinez)
"Á Primeira Vista" (Chico César)
"Stormy Weather (Keeps Rainin' All the Time)" (Etta James)
"Quédate" (Nuria Fergó)
"Ave Cruz" (Céu)
"Jardin D'hiver (Winter Garden)" (Emilia Mitiku)
"La Negra" (La Santa Cecilia)
"New Afro Spanish Generation" (Buika)
"La vénus du mélo" (Stacey Kent)
"Manhattan" (Ella Fitzgerald)
"Aganju" (Bebel Gilberto)
"Comadi" (Céu)
"Khedni Maak" (India Martinez)
"At Last" (Etta James)
"Tierra de Nadie" (Nuria Fergó)
"Malemolencia " (Céu)
"Esta Noche" (Federico Aubele)
"What A Difference A Day Makes" (Dinah Washington)
"Mal Por Mal" (Deolinda)
"Somos (Con la Colaboracion de Chucho Valdes)" (Buika)
"Cangote" (Céu)
"Your Heart Is As Black As Night" (Melody Gardot)
"Balance" (Sara Tavares)
"Se Va" (La Santa Cecilia)
"Take the "a" Train" (Duke Ellington)
"Un Beso Mas" (India Martínez)
"Lenda" (Céu)
"Sólo Tú" (Nuria Fergó)
"Feeling Good" (Nina Simone)
"Ces Petits Riens" (Stacey Kent)
"Maria" (Blick Bassy)
"Roda" (Céu)
"Lost Inside" (Emilia Mitiku)
"Dream A Little Dream Of Me" (Ella Fitzgerald & Louis Armstrong)

As one of the first iPod Nanos, my iPod was manufactured in September 2005. A white beauty with a screen — a small one by today's standards, but the fact that it existed was amazing — and I really enjoyed using it. I had most of my music library on it and it was used frequently as I went out on walks etc.

Alas, a while ago came an e-mail from Apple cautioning the users of 1st generation iPod Nanos about the battery and its tendency to explode and I was instructed to send in my old one in order for them to exchange it with a new one. Today I received yet another e-mail telling me that my new iPod Nano — this time from generation six — was on its way to me. It has a far bigger screen and even more storage. I certainly look forward to receiving it.

I managed to find a bit of unexpected money and decided to spend it on a Philips DS3020 docking station for my new iPod touch. I just received an e-mail confirming that it has been sent and I'm very much looking forward to listening to music on it. I'm not sure if the Christmas playlist still feels relevant when it does arrive, but if not I'll just create one suitable for our New Year's celebrations. I do love gadgets!

23-year-old architect student and pianist/singer/songwriter Anna von Hausswolff is a very nice new acquaintance. A wonderful voice, dramatic and thoughtprovoking music and intelligent lyrics. Reviewers have written very nice things about this young woman and I would say she deserves it all. Her debut album, Singing from the grave, is a treat.

I believe I've written about the Ambient Nights project before and, since I find this type of music very relaxing, I browse through what they have once in a while and check for new things. This time I decided to download Continuous Harmonically Intriguing Laidback Lavishly Orchestrated Unique Tunes. I'm listening to it right now and I love it already.

If you like what you hear, please become a V.I.P. to support Alex Hephaestion's work.

A lovely music video! Thanks to Ellmania for pointing me to it!

No, perhaps not. But it's great music anyway. And it actually works very well this time of year, when there is often too much stress, too many things competing for your attention.

Later today, we'll have to look for Christmas presents in the stores (even though I've done most of my Christmas shopping online — thank God for that possibility), but this music is a good way to prepare for the ordeal.

A few years ago I discovered the Ambient Nights project by chance. I completely fell in love with Alex Hephaestion's Brighton Beach and I have continued to download his work from time to time after that. It's all for free, but you can donate a sum should you want to.