Flying overseas with kids means:
-Toasting the vacation with mineral water in plastic cups at the airport.
-Carrying a unicorn, a seal, a purple back pack and a pink school bag besides from my own hand luggage.
-Finding the best smoothie at Heathrow.
-Pouting when the entertainment system omboard needs to be restarted.
-Laughing out loud when the plane takes off.
-Trying to peak in news papers while making a rime on cow.
-Explaining why everything has to be x-rayed and therefore explaining terrorism.
-Holding sweet, warm hands.
And while in New York:
-Looking for "broken" buildings - because it´s exciting.
-Having pasta picnic-dinner at the hotel room.
-Waking up jet legged at 4 AM to the sound of cartoons.
-Spending hours at FAO Schwarz.
-Watching sea lions at the zoo in Central Park.
-Teaching sweet girls how to shop :)
-At one point holding hands with your husband.
den 23 juli 2008
den 27 januari 2008
On the hunt for Obama and Clinton
Long time not blogging - again. But now I decided to jump right back into it, since I´m doing an exciting journey, covering some of the US primary elections for TT.
After three days and very many texts from South Carolina I´m about to fly up to New York. But first a few reflections:
-Barack Obama is an extremely inspiring speaker. I thought the roof would fly off when he gave his victory speach last night here in Columbia. While going to the convention center I heard calls from all over the city going "Fired up, ready to go". I got goose bumps, because in Sweden I seldom see people so excited over politics. The night before I was trying to get into Obamas rally, but it was full. However in the long line people were singing, chanting and expressing such entusiasm that it touched me. Likewise was I toughed when I read Caroline Kennedys colum in the New York Times today, endorsing Obama. It´s true that the US more than anything now needs an inspiring, ethical leader that can unite.
-The night before the election I heard Hillary Clinto speak at the democratic stump meeting. She was also very impressing. She swept onto the stage with a grounded, positive Madeleine Albright-alike radiance. I got a sincere impression, she really, really wants to make this country better.
When it comes to the issues all the democrats have good agendas. Therefore this election is more about character and individual qualities. That makes it even more interesting.
After three days and very many texts from South Carolina I´m about to fly up to New York. But first a few reflections:
-Barack Obama is an extremely inspiring speaker. I thought the roof would fly off when he gave his victory speach last night here in Columbia. While going to the convention center I heard calls from all over the city going "Fired up, ready to go". I got goose bumps, because in Sweden I seldom see people so excited over politics. The night before I was trying to get into Obamas rally, but it was full. However in the long line people were singing, chanting and expressing such entusiasm that it touched me. Likewise was I toughed when I read Caroline Kennedys colum in the New York Times today, endorsing Obama. It´s true that the US more than anything now needs an inspiring, ethical leader that can unite.
-The night before the election I heard Hillary Clinto speak at the democratic stump meeting. She was also very impressing. She swept onto the stage with a grounded, positive Madeleine Albright-alike radiance. I got a sincere impression, she really, really wants to make this country better.
When it comes to the issues all the democrats have good agendas. Therefore this election is more about character and individual qualities. That makes it even more interesting.
den 9 oktober 2007
Long time no blogging
So I haven´t really been in the blogosphere for a long time. I guess moving across the globe, adopting to jetleg, writing a zillion stories (on paper) that I was behind with, arranging a party on my beloved brothers 50th birthday, jetting off to Paris, getting the kids back in school, seeing all wonderful friends and family and adapting to reading Swedish news took its energy.
It's rather fun getting back to my rather schizofren "normal" worklife - where an ordinary week spans from writing on the upcoming election in the US to suicide statistics in Sweden to biomimics to design-solutions for souvenirs. I notice, however, that I have a different perspective after my stay in the US. I keep my innovation glasses on and I also look at work (and life) somewhat different. I'm less stressed, I think more before I say yes to a project. I also notice that everyone I talk to in the media-world in Stockholm is trying to figure out the future media landscape - its tools, products and content. From that perspective my knowledge from the US is really valuable... I look forward to using it in life here.
It's rather fun getting back to my rather schizofren "normal" worklife - where an ordinary week spans from writing on the upcoming election in the US to suicide statistics in Sweden to biomimics to design-solutions for souvenirs. I notice, however, that I have a different perspective after my stay in the US. I keep my innovation glasses on and I also look at work (and life) somewhat different. I'm less stressed, I think more before I say yes to a project. I also notice that everyone I talk to in the media-world in Stockholm is trying to figure out the future media landscape - its tools, products and content. From that perspective my knowledge from the US is really valuable... I look forward to using it in life here.
den 17 augusti 2007
Circles of News
Now, as I'm about to wrap up my fellowship at PodTech (thank you all great members of the PodTech Family!!), I've had some time to think about the circles of news. It's interesting to see how the principle of nearness still is of great importance - in this world of online video, webb 2.0 and wireless globalisation. In Silicon Valley, tech-news make the biggest headlines and attracts a great number of bloggers. Why? Because they're close to the tech-companies and labs. They can have lunch together with the people/companies they cover, hang out - meet in natural circumstances and have common references to traffic, the weather and a cool new restaurant.
It's also natural that The New York Times has a good take on international politics. They're only a few blocks away from the UN and several great universities.
I find it interesting to see how easy it is to get absorbed by one circle - when you thought that you belonged to another. In the morning I find myself fighting over the biz & tech-section of San Jose Mercury News (I know I'm old-fashioned but I like to read on paper...) just because I recognize the companies and have another relationship to them after some time here.
Personal relations will always play an important role - both to producers and consumers of media. And for me personally, I'll keep looking out for news from Silicon Valley while back in Stockholm...
It's also natural that The New York Times has a good take on international politics. They're only a few blocks away from the UN and several great universities.
I find it interesting to see how easy it is to get absorbed by one circle - when you thought that you belonged to another. In the morning I find myself fighting over the biz & tech-section of San Jose Mercury News (I know I'm old-fashioned but I like to read on paper...) just because I recognize the companies and have another relationship to them after some time here.
Personal relations will always play an important role - both to producers and consumers of media. And for me personally, I'll keep looking out for news from Silicon Valley while back in Stockholm...
den 6 augusti 2007
Make it Green
I keep doing stories on Green Design. It's a great subject from many perspectives - politics, technology, sustainability, economy - plus its funky, fun and (often) beautiful.
Reflecting over sustainability is important on so many levels. Over the weekend, while pausing from our act of playing tourists, we watched Arctic Tale with the children. It's a beautiful and scary documentary-based film on what global warming and melting ice does to the life of polar bears among others.
Before the film a trailer for Leonardo diCaprio's environmental documentary The 11th Hour was shown. It's opening here in the US on August 17th. I was thrilled to see that a big part of the trailer actually focused on green design - check it out yourself.
My latest PodTech-piece is on Y2E2, a new green building that is in the making at Stanford university.
Reflecting over sustainability is important on so many levels. Over the weekend, while pausing from our act of playing tourists, we watched Arctic Tale with the children. It's a beautiful and scary documentary-based film on what global warming and melting ice does to the life of polar bears among others.
Before the film a trailer for Leonardo diCaprio's environmental documentary The 11th Hour was shown. It's opening here in the US on August 17th. I was thrilled to see that a big part of the trailer actually focused on green design - check it out yourself.
My latest PodTech-piece is on Y2E2, a new green building that is in the making at Stanford university.
den 3 augusti 2007
All comments welcome
My excellent and very smart friend Jeremiah Owyang just pointed out to me that he couldn't comment on this blog since he doesn't have a blogspot-account. That was until a few seconds ago. I have now successfully changed the settings, I hope, allowing anyone to comment...
One of the things I've learned here in Silicon Valley (specially from Jeremiah)is the importance of sharing and two way communication, both when it comes to business, media and marketing. Jeremiah is Director of Corporate Media Strategy at PodTech.net and an expert on social media, read more about it on his great blog here. Like most big trends from the US, social media will hit Sweden on a large and corporate scale some time soon. I plan to learn as much as I can and report on it.
One of the things I've learned here in Silicon Valley (specially from Jeremiah)is the importance of sharing and two way communication, both when it comes to business, media and marketing. Jeremiah is Director of Corporate Media Strategy at PodTech.net and an expert on social media, read more about it on his great blog here. Like most big trends from the US, social media will hit Sweden on a large and corporate scale some time soon. I plan to learn as much as I can and report on it.
I am sailing...
Last weekend one of our dreams came through, we went sailing in the Monterey Bay with Darrold, a great friend from PodTech. The boat and the sea were beautiful, the sun came out, we saw sea lions and otters - and I puked three times. It's really difficult claiming to be a viking when you get sea sick that easily. Especially when your daughter lies in the cabin, reading, without getting the slightest shade of green.
The fact that we took the kids to the big tivoli at the boardwalk at Santa Cruz afterwards is an act of true parental love. I was pale and had shaky knees, but yet I went on this frightening merry-go-round with them... (and almost throw up a fourth time)
Besides from the sea sickness, sailing is a good metaphor for the last few weeks here. They just fly by. The girls play with Emma, A works on his blog on the digital tv transition in the US and I keep doing my work Green Design. In a way its like we've always lived here. But we also know that we only have a month left and that now is the time to enjoy this beautiful part of the world. Tomorrow we're gonna play tourists in San Francisco with the girls - go on cable cars, play in the park and check out the old victorian house Haas Lillientaal.
The fact that we took the kids to the big tivoli at the boardwalk at Santa Cruz afterwards is an act of true parental love. I was pale and had shaky knees, but yet I went on this frightening merry-go-round with them... (and almost throw up a fourth time)
Besides from the sea sickness, sailing is a good metaphor for the last few weeks here. They just fly by. The girls play with Emma, A works on his blog on the digital tv transition in the US and I keep doing my work Green Design. In a way its like we've always lived here. But we also know that we only have a month left and that now is the time to enjoy this beautiful part of the world. Tomorrow we're gonna play tourists in San Francisco with the girls - go on cable cars, play in the park and check out the old victorian house Haas Lillientaal.
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