Friends: Svenne

The first to appear in my series of friend portraits is Sven-Erik, more commonly referred to as Svenne. Svenne was born and raised in Gävle (100 kms north of Uppsala), where he continues to live. He is a connoisseur of film, fine drinks and oriental faith. A devoted graphical artist that expresses himself in photography, computer art or programming code. More specifically, he works as a Flash developer. He is also a really nice guy.
One of his qualities is taking a joke he just heard and give it an additional twist, which may or may not be suitable for sensitive listeners. It´s a really good "ice breaker" at parties when the conversation gets stuck on an unexciting level. When applied, we laugh at first and then conclude we mustn´t elaborate any further.

We got to know each other when attending the same program at the university of Gävle, namely Creative Programming. There, we joined forces on several student projects. Also, Svenne and I were cast in a short film by some fellow classmates, "X-Team: The Legend of the Indian Scrolls". The third protagonist was our mutual friend Hannah, which I will cover in an upcoming episode.

Svenne came down to visit this weekend for a much needed mini-vacation and we strolled around Uppsala in a disorderly fashion. On Saturday night, we joined Gunilla´s 25th birthday party and had a lot of fun chatting with her nice friends.
Svenne is really nice to be around, not hard to please and never with a picky sense of humour.

Links of interest

• Svenne´s portfolio: The Collected
• Svenne´s blog: Cg and general loathing

A protest march in central Uppsala in support of Kurdistan and the imprisoned leader Öcalan. I was strolling by and captured a glimpse. Also took some other pictures.

New Section

On the right hand side, I will be posting the dates and locations of upcoming concerts where I participate. This way, you´ll always know where to look for it.
Right now we are finalizing the rehearsals of Buxtehude´s largest work, Membra Jesu Nostri. This year marks the 300th since his death, and this particular piece will be performed in several cities in Sweden to celebrate this.
Membra Jesu Nostri is divided into various sections that deal with each part, or member, of the body of Christ as he hangs on the cross. Beginning with the feet - "Behold, the evangelic feet over the mountains", then his knees - "I will carry you on my lap", to the dramatic and intriguing "Quid sunt plagae istae, in medio manuum tuarum" - "What wounds are these, in the palm of your hands?". The last part is devoted to his face.
It is wonderful music, so come and listen!

Hello Mr Sunshine

Spring is here! Set loose the energy you´ve stored inside during the dark, cold months!

Small things that give you pleasure this week: Feeling the bike handles without gloves, the smell of old, murky grass, ducks with one thing on their mind and optimistic people who dress way to moderately and will probably get a cold.

Piano Music

I´ve always enjoyed playing piano and composing my own little tunes. When I was younger I used to play quite a lot, since we had a piano at home. At school, I managed to get a key so I could sneak in and play on the Steinway vertical piano in the auditorium. It was really nice to flee from the loud hallways now and then.

One day I asked Martin to help me record a cassette with my songs. I then sold it (!) to my friends at school.

Since then, 10 years have passed, and a lot of things have changed. But not these songs, thanks to Martin and this cassette:

1. En stillsam stund (2:58)
   
2. Tangenter av ljus (4:18)
   
3. Segling (1:40)
   
4. I skogen
5. Hösten (3:35)
   
6. Svallvågor (4:44)
   

This time, they are free of charge ;)

Going down on the snow

Flash Video!

Isabel, Macarena and I went to the big slope close to mother´s house to have some winter fun. It´s been years since I did this and it was a lot of fun. We managed to get some video and photos of the action for your enjoyment.

Fresh views

Macarena and I decided to do something different last week, and boarded a flight to Italy.
Sculptures, galleries and general strolling around was on our mind. And especially, an opportunity to visit Hannah in Siena and my dear aunt Maria Gabriela and Marco in Rome.
The visit was divided in two sections; first three days in Tuscany and then three days in urbs aeterna.
After spending the night at a central hostel in Rome, we got on the train to Siena. On the way we chatted with a young man, Toni from Piacenza, about various themes and I found myself impressed by the openness and generosity of italian train passengers.
The landscape shifted as we travelled north and soon started to resemble the Tuscany that we know from so many paintings. Before long we were stepping through the narrow, winding streets of Siena. This city has a completely intact medieval city centre, which means that cars have not been given any extra space. Practically every street is pedestrian, where cars proceed shyly and inobtrusively. Taxis, however, seem to think they are ambulances on urgent mission.
We were received by my dear friend Hannah, who´s studying there this year, and we stayed in her lovely apartment. It has a really interesting design, and clearly predates IKEA by many centuries. The windows offer a view of the hills beyond the city walls. It was a very nice encounter, and luckily we could all understand each other in Italian.
The next day we proceeded to visit Pisa, the city with the emblematic angled structure. On the way we had to switch trains in Empoli, and had just enough time to do two things; get a haircut (Macarena) and do some general strolling around (me). When we arrived, the day was fantastic and, inspired by the tower, we leaned against a stone wall, basking in the sun. We resisted to take the "Look, I´m holding up the tower!"-picture.
Next day was Florence; home of great works of art, romantic bridges, coffee shops, and 50 tourists in your field of view at any given time. We took refuge in Cappelle Medicee, where members of the Medici family are buried. In the crypt, Lorenzo´s and Giuliano´s tombs face each other. Two sculptures adorn each sarcofagus - Day and Night on one side, Dusk and Dawn on the other. Sculpted by Michelangelo. What a way to rest in peace.
After these days we returned to Rome. Maria Gabriela and Marco were just returning from their stay in Chile and were kind enough to invite us to dinner despite having travelled for the past 24-hours. We stayed in the apartment of my cousin Francesca, and sent her many warm thoughts. - You have a very nice place!

Well, Rome is a wonderful city with a lifetime´s worth of sightseeing. And funny things can happen - As we were leaving the Vatican, crossing St. Peter's square, Maca recognized someone. It was Father Errazuriz, Cardinal of Chile, engaged in a dialogue with a fellow Vatican citizen. Politely we asked to have a picture taken with this distinguished gentleman, who gave us a very warm and welcoming response.

Thanks to Hannah for being with us for a few days and harboring our souls under your roof.
And a big hug for Maria Gabriela and Marco who treated us with delicious food and company.

Italia

Camerata Englund In Concert

This is the choir I´m singing in currently. We had a concert last Saturday, where we sang works by Giovanni Gabrieli, and I took the picture right before the beginning of the concert. Just thought I´d share it with you.

Stroke them with your finger!

Fireworks

Every first sunday of December and accompanied by music. It is the annual display of fireworks by the local newspaper. This year´s theme was James Bond, and very well performed we concluded (Martin, Lina, friends and thousands of total strangers).

Entrepreneurship

Today was the annual lecture on entrepreneurship hosted by the Anders Wall-foundation.
This year´s guest was Niklas Zennström, father of such services as Kazaa and Skype. In front of a packed auditorium he shared his views on realizing an idea, creating consumer-focused services, learning from mistakes, etc. Being interviewed, he explained how the business world had changed since he graduated from Uppsala University in the late 80´s. Back then, an "entrepreneur" was someone in the construction business, or perhaps an asphalt contractor. Unlike today, when the term has come to involve such areas as technology, science and theology. When asked if he´d felt the desire to become an entrepreneur already when completing his studies in computer science, Niklas said "No, because they were into building houses".
He was not the only one to seduce the audience with a sense of humor. A young business-owner from northern Sweden, Stefan Stolt, also a guest, showed that he could handle himself among the big boys. The interview went something like this:
Interviewer: I hear you´re turning your eyes to the East nowadays.
Stolt: Yes, we´ve bought football players from the Ucraine for instance.
I: (With disbelief) Your village team buys players?? But I mean... (turning to a front-row member of the audience, director of one of Sweden´s biggest football teams) How much do you pay for your players? (Person waves his hand in a nonchalant gesture, "A couple of million")
Interviewer again addressing Stolt: Surely, you won´t pay that kind of money...
Stolt: No, we´re much better negotiators.

The host for this event was Mark Levengood, a very talented personality. When chatting with one of the guests he remembered his grandmother. Once, she emerged from her bedroom with a very somber look and said that she´d come to a decision. "I want to be cremated."
Grandfather, nodding in acceptance: "Put your coat on, and I´ll bring out the car."

Finally, he told the audience of his native Finland´s first business woman. She had fallen very ill during a visit to Stockholm. Moments before her passing, she opened her mouth and declared: "Tack alla kunder" (Thanks to all my customers). A true entrepreneur´s spirit.

Artificial Light

A void lurks outdoors. It´s so dark that the only reminder of the outside world is the strumming of rain on the window-ledge. Out there, street lights engage in an uneven struggle with the soaking darkness, like straws of grass in a tidal wave. Relieved only during lunchtime when the Sun appears behind hasty clouds.

It is dark. And for one month, it will get darker.

Luckily, today was sunny and mild-weathered, so it´s not all gloomy.

First snow

This morning when I opened the curtains, Uppsala was white. Expected by all, but nobody is usually prepared. When the first snow hits with such strength as today the consequences can be severe. Cars sliding off the road, pedestrians slipping on the sidewalk and dogs ... well, dogs really don´t care much. I had an errand to the city and brought the camera to see if any good motifs turned up. Like people in distress, traffic headaches, snowy stuff, you know.

Winter comes with icy, vitalizing winds.

This is how people in other countries imagine Sweden all year around.


Car headache in Carolinabacken. Then buses also tried to go up, failing miserably. Finally the street was closed.

Home 2006

This friday Martin, Isabel and I visited the Home 2006 expo in Stockholm. We were invited by Lina, who was promoting the wood certification FSC (Forest Stewardship Council). We wandered around for a while among video games, television sets, beds, garage door openers and similar things. We also got to try out what it is like to present the weather forecast. Isabel borrowed a Samsung NV10, a pretty sexy piece of photographic equipment. I used my trusty Nikon. Here are some pics.

Isabel´s Birthday

Yesterday we celebrated Isabel´s 25th birthday. The festivities were held at dad´s house in Stenhagen. Lots of friends and family joined and spent a lovely evening. The food was very good, all prepared by Isabel´s hand. Later at night, the younger crowd set out into the Uppsalian nightlife. Congratulations once again, Isa!

The senior members of the party and cousin Siri

Opening of presents

Funghi

A Dance of Monsters

Today we remember the victims of September 11, 2001, the day of the worst attack in history on US soil. In the heart of the Big Apple, the unimaginable played before our eyes. The unthinkable. Reality had surpassed the real limit.
It was like a film of horror. Directed and enacted by terrorists, distributed to the world by the media. The physical force of the attack was striking, but I wonder if the mediatic force wasn´t just as strong. The images sent all over the world needed no explanation - planes against a blue sky scorching tall buildings. A message, designed for the television screen, promoted Manhattan´s fear to all the corners of the world. Perfect, in the perpetrator´s mind.
Although it may seem to have come from a blue sky, the origin of the attack is not a mystery. It traces back twenty years, when money and arms changed hands in central Asia. Since then, both sides have gained from the attack of the other. What began as a collaboration turned to a symbiosis of death. A dance of monsters.

The victims of 9-11 keep falling to this day. 3 000 in New York, Washington and Pennsylvania. 40 000* in Iraq.

* Civilians killed by military intervention. Source: Iraq Body Count

The Cahman Organ

This organ was built by Johan Niclas Cahman in 1728 and is located in Lövstabruk in northern Uppland. It is today in almost the same state as it was from the beginning, with it´s entire registry of 28 voices intact. The recent restauration, completed in 2006, has left it in a splendid condition and it is considered as one of Sweden´s finest historical organs.
I drove up to hear it in person, and it was well worth it. Tonight´s concert was held as part of "The Cahman Days", an annual celebration of the instrument. Remarkably, this event went down last year as well, despite the organ being unplayable due to it´s restauration.
On tonight´s program were composers like Buxtehude, Picchi, Reincken, Bach; not all well-known but worthy of sounding the pipes. The able musician was Magnus Kjellson.
The organ´s sound was like candy or cute puppies - impossible not to fall in love with. At the end we cheered "Come on, more Cahman!"... (nah, I just made that up)

Trip to France

I´ve been away for a few weeks, on a trip I made with friends to France by car. Well there, we participated in a music course. It is held every year in Provence by a swedish couple (my travel company) and is always an enjoyable experience. I want to share some photos from this trip with you.

Photos from the trip to France

Små grodorna, små grodorna...

For this years Midsummer, I tagged along Martin & Lina to visit Tom & Lotta who live on the lovely countryside close to Västerås. Everything was set for a traditional celebration, we decorated and raised the Midsummer Pole, laid the table in the garden with delicious pickled herring, fresh potato and schnapps. And right on cue, after our first skål, came the rain. We were generously showered, but fortunately our tent saved us from getting wet.
But it didn´t go on for long and the evening continued with customary dancing around the Pole, for some of us for the first time ever.
When the babies had gone to sleep, we grown-ups found some time to ponder the important issues in life. Like what foods we´d like to see come in a tube.
It was a lovely day thanks to our great hosts, the beautiful setting and all the friends.