Rising River

More Fyris river observations. I did this with my mobile camera and a video editor. I used Microsoft Live Movie Maker (cumbersome name), a pretty capable little program. I couldn't make a fade out in the end, though. And the program can only save your movie in Windows Media Video. But apart from that, it did the job. As you can see, the river is terribly high right now. It doesn't take much more before it spills over on some places. Not much we can do about it, though.

Celebrating the Bachelor

From Johannes Svensexa

Johannes thought he was going to Stockholm to meet up with Oscar, but it was all part of the plan. When he showed up at the station, we had him right where we wanted him. Clara's cooperation in walking slowly and suggesting detours on the way also made up for us being slightly rushed with the preparations. Johannes first assignment was to change into a student overall, reminiscing of his time as "teknolog". We all agreed it suited him really well. Next, he received a note with GPS coordinates. It was time for some geocaching! After a few kilometres' walk in the sunny but chilly day, we arrived at Uppsala's Gokart, and we got in an intense race of 8 minutes or 24 laps, to be precise. Because we were all wearing helmets and black overalls, the only one recognizable in the circuit was Johannes with his bright outfit.

Our next destination was Norreda Torp, a cabin not too far from the city with a scenic location by the lake. After settling in, which includes placing the beer on refrigeration, we clashed in a game of Kubb. It may have been the 2011 national debut of this game, since it is a summer game. The snow provided both possibilites, such as sturdy, half-buried wood blocks, and difficulties, such as sturdy, half-buried wood blocks. All this athleticism caused us to turn our attention to the dinner preparations, and the barbecue was fired up. Before we laid our heads down for the night we also enjoyed the sauna. Unfortunately, the lake was covered by a robust, impenetrable ice sheet so there was no chance of a refreshing/shocking dip. Thanks to all for the great time! Let's do it again sometime. After all, as Joakim once said, why wait for someone to get married to do this?

Spring (Beta)

After a heavy winter, I was becoming impatient. Spring was needed. Fyris river observations. Has risen from around 20 m3/sec to its average spring peak flow at 45 m3/sec, in a matter of days. I'm getting a feeling it won't have any problems reaching last year's high of 70 m3/sec, considering the amount of snow that we've had this winter. And perhaps beyond. The chance of a flood is rising every year.

The Orchids

Mother, presenting her thriving orchids with radiating pride.
Setup used for this photo: NIKKOR 50 mm@f/3,2 at 1/250 sec. SB-600 with Dörr Soft Pro.

Sculptured Ice

From Isfestival

After a period of contemplation, it's time for another post on the blog. One night about a week ago, I set out, dressed according to the -15°C outside, armed with the camera (no tripod needed with VR) to capture these ice sculptures, on display during the Uppsala Ice Festival. You always learn something new. This time, that these sculptures cast a very interesting light around them, so the photo should include the surroundings too. This winter has been really cold, and as a result, one has stayed more indoors. I made an exception for this, only for you, Dear Reader.

Less is More

Once in a while, technology takes a leap forward, leaving piles of older gadgets hopelessly behind. That happened quite some time ago, but I am just now catching up. I got an HTC Desire with an unlimited data transfer quota, which means I can remove the following things from my inventory; home phone handset, celular phone, iPod Touch, ADSL modem (!) and wireless router (but I will keep the last one for future needs). The Desire can handle all those things on its own, and more. The upgrade includes a few new abilites. Being able to call, chat or email a friend from the same device rings (hah!) true. Video and "photo"-capture at any time. (I wouldn't actually call it a camera.) And so many things that I never missed having, that are rapidly becoming essential. I'm just sorry for the generations to come, who will be utterly helpless in an "offline" situation. If you have any recommendations for Android Apps, I'm happy to hear them!

Christmas Greetings

Merry Christmas to all of you! Here is this year's card, captured in the great outdoors.
There is also a second version with some down-hill action:

Friends & Celebrations

Jessica's birthday just passed and, traditionally, her friend Margit from NL came to visit. It was conveniently timed with Sta. Lucia, and they witnessed the procession in Carolina Rediviva (where I participated). In spite of their busy schedule, I managed to seize them for this photo.

Nyårskonserter Tvåtusenälva

Divine.
Foto: Hans Nilsson

Årets nyårskonsert med UAK repeteras för fullt!
På programmet står musik av Jean-Philippe Rameau och Henry Purcell. Som solister har vi bl a Divine, en trio som startat eget inom operabranschen och nu turnerar runt på olika scener.
Kören kommer även att framföra en koreografi som symboliserar solen och dess strålar. Det finns alltså all anledning att gå på detta, på nyårets första två dagar!
Biljetterna är uppdelade i tre kategorier (och placeringar): 275 kr, 200 kr, 100 kr. Om man går på den andra konserten så finns det mer plats och då kommer koreografin att sitta som bäst. Förköp ordnas enkelt. Välkomna!

New Early Music Website

Just from the oven, with a rich and golden aroma. Today we're publishing the new website for Englunds Tidig Musik (Englund's Early Music). On it you can read about upcoming concerts and music courses that they offer. I've been to their summer courses in Provence quite a few times, as you probably have read on this blog.

Apart from the new and refreshing design, the new website is very fast and light-weight. The editing is handled through CushyCMS and is incredibly easy. Differently from Joomla, for instance, this system doesn't obstruct you from designing the website as you want it, but only gives you tools to edit your code at the places you select. And it works!

Winter Wonderland

From Uppsala

Just a picture from this morning.

Alexander

The sunlight is retreating from these latitudes, setting the stage for the season of ice and snow. Unsuspectingly, the mallards of the swan pond waggle and splash around. The seasonal change is gradual and today is, at least to their memory, no different from other days. In their midst is the pond's only permanent resident, Alexander. He is, though dressed in white, a sombre swan and the regent of this miniature kingdom. Compensating for all the dignity lacking in his sloppy subjects, he steers through the water in a singular majesty. Singular, for his last "Queen", Fanny, past away in pneumonia three years ago. Since then, a new marriage has not been arranged, since wing clipping swans has become unethical. It seems he will be the last of his kind in the pond. And although he is always surrounded by his feathered companions, he might have asked himself - will I be remembered, or will I vanish from memory like seasons past?

Sacred Pearls

Stefan Parkman directing Uppsala Kammarorkester

You know those compilation CDs, where popular classical music has been ripped from its context and mixed together in a way no composer would have liked? Well, that's what Sunday's concert is all about. The program consists of excerpts from the following works: "Förklädd Gud" (God in Disguise) by Lars-Erik Larsson (thanks Magnus!), "Magnificat in D" and "St. John's Passion" by J S Bach, "Mass in c minor" and

"Requiem" by Mozart, and the finale is Händel's famous Hallelujah chorus where the audience will be invited to sing along - in the respective voices, of course. The audience will even be allowed to rehearse in separate rooms (bass, tenor, alto and soprano) in the break. The orchestra, Uppsala Kammarorkester, is truly well-sounding and to make music with them is a privilege. Don't miss this opportunity! Details on the side --->

Another Photo of the Fall

From TelePano

Morning sun on Odinslund. Between these trees, planted by Linnaeus in mid 18th century, lies the oldest promenade of the city. Can you spot the dog?

Autumnal Observations #1

From TelePano

A spot of tranquility, in the middle of the morning traffic. These are 93 pictures stitched together. It's probably a bit over-the-top.

Perceptions of the Fall

University Park

On my stroll towards the new office (a subject for another post) I cross University Park. Today, I paused for a few moments and it was impressive to actually hear the rustling of the falling leaves and the occasional hard thomp from chestnuts hitting the ground. This makes me think that a place can be perceived in different ways depending on if you are riding a bicycle, walking by or standing still. Also, as in the case of the park, there is much more going on above our heads than we usually care to look at. As ground-dwellers, we easily miss the vertical aspect of our surroundings. So, note to self: Remember to stop, and to look up.

Filming in Uppsala

From Filminspelning

One of Uppsala's main streets is the stage for a scene in an upcoming big budget movie. The scene in question shows a Children's Day Parade in the 60's - with plenty of extras, vintage cars and all the scenery of that time. Strolling by, I joined many curious and delighted spectators who followed the cinematic events. It is great to see the filming taking place just around the corner from the cinema where Ingmar Bergman went to the movies as a child. Click the picture to see more pictures.

View of the River

Just another view of Fyrisån. It is currently carrying 13,6 m³/sec at 12,5 °C. The water is still quite warm, at about the same temperature as in the air. At its peak in April this year, it carried 70 m³/sec, and the water level was about one metre higher. In some parts of the city, that is dangerously high. Before the high walls were built in the 19th century, the streets were regularly flooded. The Linnean garden, for instance, was vulnerable to the river and the university's botanical garden was moved to its current location thanks to a donation by the king. I might do another post about the river, stay alert! :)

Democracy's Finest Hour

Only a few days remain before the general elections take place and political forces are on the move more than ever. On Thursday, it was time for the xenophobic party "Sverigedemokraterna" to speak to the public on a square in central Uppsala. As in other cities, people had gathered to protest against them. Despite police restrictions (the vuvuzela "orchestra" on the picture wasn't allowed any closer than 100 m.), the party members were completely drowned in a cacophony by protesters.

It seemed like a good idea, taking stands against racism and religious intolerance. But in recollection, I'm not sure. Isn't the point of a democracy to let people speak? Acting like this, how could we, the majority, accuse them of being undemocratic? It seems, we are losing an important argument in our rethoric. Instead of muffling the counterpart, we should prove that we are different with our own words. After all, the voters are at the centre. In our enlightened age, they should know exactly what the options are.

"Solo Songs and Piano" CD is out

I've finally finished the CD with solo songs! When I finished the course in "Solo song interpretation" in May, I felt I wanted to save the songs from oblivion. I also found them very good, and worthy to record. So I asked Susan Yondt, who taught piano interpretation at the course, if she was able to record them with me.

Said and done, the CD has arrived and features 7 songs, spread out from the early baroque to the early 20th century. Consider it a demo, or a (rather fancy) documentation of an academic course. Thanks to Martin Nilsson and my brother Martin for helping me out with the recording!

Go to this page to listen to a couple of tracks and, if you like to, order the CD.