Jokers Cave of Games

And so we slowly draw on the close of 2012 and gaze forward, into 2013, thinking that we take with us what we have learned to make ourselves better as human beings, and to make the world easier to understand and easier to live in. Looking back, it has been a somewhat hectic and destabilized year, and I am hoping that will change with the coming one. Still, they say that change is good, and if nothing else, it keeps you on your toes. Personally, I am not so sure. I think that a certain amount of change, coupled with a willingness to change if need be, is optimal. I mean, THEY also say "if it ain't broke, don't fix it", right?  Mozart and Audi enjoying the deep snow in Svabensverk. The fact that they were forced into it against their will, and lured to run with the help of small pieces of sausage is simply not mentioned in the picture.  Some of my greatest treasures that I have amassed during the passed year would have to include my own simple "+/- system...

I must admit this winter turned out a bit differently than planned... or replanned... and replanned again. In fact, the only thing that has been consistent for the season is that all plans have been changed time and again. Hopefully, there will be amble opportunity to rest. It has been a somewhat stressful autumn with a lot of changing premises, and now I want to reload for the spring, and all the challenges that the coming of spring affords us all.  This dark skyline is from Motala Ström, the river that runs straight through Norrköping and is a short walking distance from my apartment. The walks by the water are the highlight of any day, especially now that we are joined by two little goggies.  Watched the second Sherlock Holmes-movie yesterday. If I pretend that it's really not a Sherlock-movie then it might get a passable degree, if barely. There's no real plot to it, the actors are of a dubious level and the script is an insult to every Holmes-text there ever was. ...

What have I learned today? That is the general question I ask myself every time I sit down with the blog. A couple of days have now passed since my last update, so certain things have come to pass. Today, I am off, and finally having some time to put down some thoughts. Still, as I have come to notice, there is really no such thing as "being off" with the new job. It's 24 hours on call. Wonder how long it will take until I grow tired of that, if ever. It is still the most interesting job I have ever heard of, and I am learning a great many things every day about it. Will be interesting to reach the level when I finally have some answers as well. Just because it's a nice pattern, if nothing else. The steel-and-brick landscape of the city core of Norrköping has a magnificent allure! First of all, work and such. Most of you have probably learned by now that I have recently “moved on” to a new position in my professional career. In reality, it’s not as much mo...

Life chugs on... Christmas is upcoming, and this year will differ greatly from past and previous. This year, Vendela will be here with her entire family. I will, of course, be in the tower at the time, just like last year. Still, suddenly the apartment will be full of people and food and sounds and christmas decorations. The concept fills me with an interesting and wonderful mix of apprehension and fascination. I feel like a shellfish trying to leave my shell behind, a turtle peeking out from the protective cover of the shield. Nowhere to run, nowhere to hide! Except to the tower, of course, but I think that's only common sense... Personally, I abhor the traditional celebration of Christmas, with gifts and all. I like the light decorations and I enjoy the food and the serene gatherings of friends and family, but   I simply detest the rush to get gifts and spend more than you have in the race of consumption. This year is a great year for snow, I will say that much. In ...

First of all, here's a treat - I am changing the language of the blog from Swedish to English, as the more perceptive of you have already deduced. For so many reasons, the primary being to make it accessible for a wider audience of my friends abroad... Yeah, I am speaking of you in Poland, Holland, Egypt, the States and so on. I should think that the swap will be beneficial and that it won't cause any problems for anyone interested in reading - if so, just leave a comment and I will make sure to personally ignore it... I mean consider it! Needless to say, my speciality during photoshoots has always been to angle my motifs towards horror. Well, no angling required with this bugger, I should say. Here's the true stuff of nightmares, even with the funky eyebrows solely for comic relief... Presently, I am dwelling in limbo, awaiting the latest news on the job offering I have had. One of the more important decisions in my life to make, and well, there are others occurri...

Aaah, en strålande lunch i snöyran med Erik, Linda och Lillebrorsan ;) Som vanligt glada insikter och god mat, denna gång på O'Leary's. Sedan blev det en åktur till Gross för att handla på inför finfrämmande ikväll. Någonstans i det glömde jag att jag hade käkat lunch, vilket innebar att den lunch jag sedan lagade till Vendela mumsade även jag i mig. Det blev varmrökt makrillfilé, kryddad med vitlök, med en tomat-, och löksallad marinerad i rödvinsvinäger och så klart min specialkryddade äggröra till. Dubbellunch - inte illa... Och på temat mat så blir det en rolig trerättersmeny inför aftonen. Maria är vegetarian, så jag har tagit en underhållande utmaning att fixa till något som passar. Till förrätt blir det bruschetta med en pesto av soltorkade tomater. Huvudrätten blir varmrökt lax med en potatis-, och blomkålssallad och crème verde. Avslutningsvis, till efterrätt, så svänger Vendela ihop en fruktig cheesecake. Tur jag käkade dubbel lunch så jag slipper gå hungrig! Fasen,...

Den här bilden kommer från när jag satt med i ett snöröjningsfordon på Kiruna flygplats. Det var en sann upplevelse och väldigt härligt att få känna på hur svårt det jobbet faktiskt är. Mina tankar går ut till de stackarna som förmodligen sliter som bestar på Skavsta just exakt nu i skrivandets stund.  God morgon kamrater! Ah, man vet om att det är en strålande dag när snön ligger upptryckt mot glasdörrarna till balkongen. Det här är en sådan dag som man, när man var liten, tjoade åt - det fanns chans att man inte behövde gå till skolan! Som det är nu morrar man kanske över att man inte kommer till jobbet. För min del så är det en barnsligt rolig dag när jag tittar upp och inser att stackars Vendela kommer behöva öppna dörrarna för att hasa ut och röka på balkongen. Jag pekar ut det roliga för henne med tillhörande ljudeffekter och armrörelser som visar på hur snön kraschar in och får ett bittert "hygglo" till svar. För att hon skall förstå allvaret i det hela så viftar ...