tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-42453789838872303452024-03-04T21:15:26.461-08:00Bubble and Faith- on joy and creating a better worldTina Magnergård Bjershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01725195708327000140noreply@blogger.comBlogger36125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4245378983887230345.post-57052010382486977252010-02-18T14:24:00.000-08:002010-02-18T14:26:55.544-08:00New address!This blog has moved! Welcome to <a href="http://bubbleandfaith.blogspot.com/">bubbleandfaith.blogspot.com</a>/Tina Magnergård Bjershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01725195708327000140noreply@blogger.com51tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4245378983887230345.post-30987946222882143282010-02-06T23:54:00.001-08:002010-02-07T00:05:39.406-08:00A Single ManAll my life I´ve been facinated by people who dare to jump, change direction in life, follow their heart. Therefore I´m impessed by and curious about fashion icon <a href="http://www.tomford.com/">Tom Fords</a> directorial debut <a href="http://www.asingleman-movie.com/#/home">A single man</a>. I´m off to see it next Monday, thanks to <a href="http://www.moderadet.se/">Moderådet</a> (The fashion council) in Stockholm. It´s been told in articles that large parts of Hollywood laughed when Ford began to work on the film, but now Colin Firth is nominated for an <a href="http://oscar.go.com/oscarnight/">Oscar</a>. Check out the interview below with Tom Ford. <br /> <br /><img style="visibility:hidden;width:0px;height:0px;" border=0 width=0 height=0 src="http://counters.gigya.com/wildfire/IMP/CXNID=2000002.0NXC/bT*xJmx*PTEyNjU1Mjk2NDAzMTkmcHQ9MTI2NTUyOTY*MzMxOSZwPTYwNzQ2MiZkPSZnPTImbz1mYjNmMWUxMzY*Mjc*ZGMzOGU2/NmI2ZGY4MDUzOGNjOCZvZj*w.gif" /><object width="800" height="450"><param name="movie" value="http://www.player.filmtrailer.com/v3.4/player.swf?file=http://se.player-feed.filmtrailer.com/v2.0/cinema/3953/?channel_user_id=100063&display_title=none&menu=true&enable_link=true&link=&default_quality=xxlarge&controlbar=over&lightcolor=000000&screencolor=000000&autostart=true&backcolor=241D16&frontcolor=7F7F7F&share=1&logo=0&plugins=false&adtonomy.config=&repeat=always&shuffle=false&displayclick=play&mute=false&volume=80&linktarget=_blank"/><param name="wmode" value="transparent" /><embed id="player" name="player" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" src="http://www.player.filmtrailer.com/v3.4/player.swf?file=http://se.player-feed.filmtrailer.com/v2.0/cinema/3953/?channel_user_id=100063&display_title=none&menu=true&enable_link=true&link=&default_quality=xxlarge&controlbar=over&lightcolor=000000&screencolor=000000&autostart=true&backcolor=241D16&frontcolor=7F7F7F&share=1&logo=0&plugins=false&adtonomy.config=&repeat=always&shuffle=false&displayclick=play&mute=false&volume=80&linktarget=_blank" width="800" height="450"></embed></object>Tina Magnergård Bjershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01725195708327000140noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4245378983887230345.post-29101437682861088042010-01-26T01:40:00.000-08:002010-01-26T01:50:03.682-08:00Happy Old DaysMy darling <a href="http://www.linkedin.com/profile?goback=.hom.ail.con&viewProfile=&key=265426&jsstate=">husband</a> is the best at scouting articles from around the world. This <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2010/01/08/us/08aging.html?scp=1&sq=old%20age%20as%20never%20ending%20adventure&st=cse">one, from New York Times</a> is about aging happily and all the adventures people in their 80ies and 90ies have nowadays while hiking, traveling, flying over the English channel in a single-engine biplane etc. I´ve said it before: 60 is the new 40, 70 is the new 50 and experience and wiseness is the new black.Tina Magnergård Bjershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01725195708327000140noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4245378983887230345.post-22597363820809931812010-01-07T07:03:00.000-08:002010-01-07T07:18:05.721-08:00Missing New York<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjd4trT4nacd29KZ-D5Wn7RvnzeAOiN4-bRjC60uOEiBEErsF3jfq-5JU5k_C8MwmNt7xVHxkN1YaA0IMmfk2Z2gFxgftoYzeVD30UaPpK-QPMWqF5FPsjUKxIsOWPDdrWEN4Au7M6HbI/s1600-h/DSCN0989.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjd4trT4nacd29KZ-D5Wn7RvnzeAOiN4-bRjC60uOEiBEErsF3jfq-5JU5k_C8MwmNt7xVHxkN1YaA0IMmfk2Z2gFxgftoYzeVD30UaPpK-QPMWqF5FPsjUKxIsOWPDdrWEN4Au7M6HbI/s320/DSCN0989.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5424017072687248386" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br />Picture taken by my dear friend Maria on our long weekend in NY.Tina Magnergård Bjershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01725195708327000140noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4245378983887230345.post-87717723243994500022010-01-07T06:40:00.000-08:002010-01-07T07:32:06.697-08:00Is creativity divine or a ghost?I love <a href="http://www.ted.com/">TED</a> (Technology, Entertainment, Design) - a conference, site and a meeting place for creativity, knowledge and great ideas in California. Not to long ago author <a href="http://www.elizabethgilbert.com/">Elisabeth Gilber</a>t - who wrote the mega hit Eat, Love, Pray - spoke about how to nurture creativity. I watch this for the free thinking, the laughs and because it gives me relief when I struggle with my own writing. Looking forward to read her follow up Commited, that I got for Christmas.<br /><br /><object height="326" width="446"><param name="movie" value="http://video.ted.com/assets/player/swf/EmbedPlayer.swf"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="wmode" value="transparent"><param name="bgColor" value="#ffffff"> <param name="flashvars" value="vu=http://video.ted.com/talks/dynamic/ElizabethGilbert_2009-medium.flv&su=http://images.ted.com/images/ted/tedindex/embed-posters/ElizabethGilbert_2009.embed_thumbnail.jpg&vw=432&vh=240&ap=0&ti=453&introDuration=16500&adDuration=4000&postAdDuration=2000&adKeys=talk=elizabeth_gilbert_on_genius;year=2009;theme=words_about_words;theme=the_creative_spark;theme=speaking_at_ted2009;event=TED2009;&preAdTag=tconf.ted/embed;tile=1;sz=512x288;"><embed src="http://video.ted.com/assets/player/swf/EmbedPlayer.swf" pluginspace="http://www.macromedia.com/go/getflashplayer" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" bgcolor="#ffffff" allowfullscreen="true" flashvars="vu=http://video.ted.com/talks/dynamic/ElizabethGilbert_2009-medium.flv&su=http://images.ted.com/images/ted/tedindex/embed-posters/ElizabethGilbert_2009.embed_thumbnail.jpg&vw=432&vh=240&ap=0&ti=453&introDuration=16500&adDuration=4000&postAdDuration=2000&adKeys=talk=elizabeth_gilbert_on_genius;year=2009;theme=words_about_words;theme=the_creative_spark;theme=speaking_at_ted2009;event=TED2009;" height="326" width="446"></embed></object>Tina Magnergård Bjershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01725195708327000140noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4245378983887230345.post-40385331182123177642009-12-31T03:36:00.000-08:002009-12-31T03:49:18.010-08:00Happy New 2010Happiness comes in small doses. It´s in the tone of voice you use while talking to a loved one. It´s in the small actions of peace and friendship that we do each day. It´s about honesty and care, watching the sun and breathing still. And it´s about enjoying the moments.<br />A lot of this is easy to create, if you decide to. My dearest friend and yogi <a href="http://yogaparis.wordpress.com/">Kia</a>, who lives in Paris with her beautiful family, enjoy meringue-dessert every Friday. From now on, we will too. It´s a new years resolution.<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnXfGVOakBMcmu3yJnnHgiOKI34JFDBnPYRE7QvxcA5_z_ajuqSYqHhyIpFhFxtypUMFDwYirvOUhP062-b_yqmr8eT8_3sKSf4MqHHMNXqBOCWPg7wou94Gtak1fsarhTyruBdWR7Ztk/s1600-h/IMG_6939.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnXfGVOakBMcmu3yJnnHgiOKI34JFDBnPYRE7QvxcA5_z_ajuqSYqHhyIpFhFxtypUMFDwYirvOUhP062-b_yqmr8eT8_3sKSf4MqHHMNXqBOCWPg7wou94Gtak1fsarhTyruBdWR7Ztk/s200/IMG_6939.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5421365723871769282" border="0" /></a>Tina Magnergård Bjershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01725195708327000140noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4245378983887230345.post-31300772507323008882009-12-20T00:11:00.000-08:002009-12-20T00:42:48.589-08:00Fencing, peace and the climate<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpDQnMOggonXNEufaTusEkr-g7Gd9p2Fsl6CAgFvzDL69_s-AvgrUMnh9W_wIM3Pg_OodihcNXppd28FKlrLy0gWiCkbAQgMio2Gv4yv0BH1m9u3y3MIQYAAHBBZckiVp4yrKaZaJYBPo/s1600-h/IMG_6860.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 210px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpDQnMOggonXNEufaTusEkr-g7Gd9p2Fsl6CAgFvzDL69_s-AvgrUMnh9W_wIM3Pg_OodihcNXppd28FKlrLy0gWiCkbAQgMio2Gv4yv0BH1m9u3y3MIQYAAHBBZckiVp4yrKaZaJYBPo/s320/IMG_6860.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5417234469795669506" border="0" /></a>So there I am, watching my oldest daughter take her exam in fencing. The room at <a href="http://www.diffencing.se/">Djurgårdens fäktförening </a>is worn down but filled with patina and people who live to teach this old, beautiful way of dueling to the next generation.<br />I watch the walls. They are filled with fencing posters from competitions from the 50:ies up until today - from Mexico, Cuba, the Soviet Union, Sweden, France, the US and Hungary among others. The artwork is amazing. But it´s also amazing that all these competitions have taken place during the cold war, nuclear arms race and times of terror. If people can come together over sports, we should be able to come together to save the planet, I think, with the poor result of the <a href="http://en.cop15.dk/">climate summit in Copenhagen</a> in mind.Tina Magnergård Bjershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01725195708327000140noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4245378983887230345.post-18598496485511399382009-12-12T14:42:00.000-08:002009-12-12T15:17:20.183-08:00Washington DetoxI love stories about people who dare to walk their very own path. This <a href="http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/12/04/AR2009120402016_2.html?sid=ST2009120402037">one from The Washington Post</a> is about Neel Kashkari who used to be a high Treasury Department official and who helped create the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Troubled_Asset_Relief_Program">TARP</a>-program. After seven month of intense work for <a href="http://www.whitehouse.gov/about/presidents/georgewbush">George Bush </a>and <a href="http://www.whitehouse.gov/">Barack Obama</a> - and after months of sleepless nights, intense stress, never talking to his wife and gaining lots of weight - he resigned.<br />Now he´s on Washington Detox in northern California. His mission: Build shed, Chop wood, Lose 20 pounds and Help with Hank´s book. Go Neel!Tina Magnergård Bjershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01725195708327000140noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4245378983887230345.post-56883429180686639732009-12-08T15:11:00.000-08:002009-12-10T04:22:10.850-08:00Laughing Baby<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWY9DDrm4CSPiAfeZ9MzoqcqjvzZKFjc5p7Ijl6WCd2vz6OrG8cwravKT9anwy6sXBuY11FJj12CXk4p7ez1LU1IwBRtebqwwThoWz_1sqmN2ZDtUb-xioE1XHX4DRLlcYKtl0EmLm4BY/s1600-h/IMG_0519.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWY9DDrm4CSPiAfeZ9MzoqcqjvzZKFjc5p7Ijl6WCd2vz6OrG8cwravKT9anwy6sXBuY11FJj12CXk4p7ez1LU1IwBRtebqwwThoWz_1sqmN2ZDtUb-xioE1XHX4DRLlcYKtl0EmLm4BY/s320/IMG_0519.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5413007658536846402" /></a><br /> <br />This photo symbolizes the new angle on this blog. Life´s true laughs are precious.Tina Magnergård Bjershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01725195708327000140noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4245378983887230345.post-52316143195042248962009-11-05T04:46:00.000-08:002009-11-05T04:47:02.505-08:00A day in Novembergetting kids ready for school - breastfeeding - the gym - lunch made from leftovers - taking the wrong bus - making an interview while rocking baby - picking up kids - hugging husband - off to see dad in hospital - breastfeeding - calling loved ones - cleaning kitchen - singing lullaby - writing mail - watching darkness - constantly sleepyTina Magnergård Bjershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01725195708327000140noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4245378983887230345.post-26296061508134881702009-10-12T03:02:00.000-07:002009-10-12T03:08:09.553-07:00Thinking about the Penn familyA few days have past since we learned about the passing away of legendary photographer <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2009/10/08/arts/design/08penn.html?_r=1&scp=2&sq=irving%20penn&st=cse">Irving Penn</a>. Our thoughts are with his beautiful family who carry his heritage of kindness, elegance and perfection.Tina Magnergård Bjershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01725195708327000140noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4245378983887230345.post-70488483914737743012008-07-23T17:26:00.000-07:002008-07-23T17:39:32.821-07:00Traveling with kidsFlying overseas with kids means:<br />-Toasting the vacation with mineral water in plastic cups at the airport.<br />-Carrying a unicorn, a seal, a purple back pack and a pink school bag besides from my own hand luggage.<br />-Finding the best smoothie at Heathrow.<br />-Pouting when the entertainment system omboard needs to be restarted.<br />-Laughing out loud when the plane takes off. <br />-Trying to peak in news papers while making a rime on cow.<br />-Explaining why everything has to be x-rayed and therefore explaining terrorism. <br />-Holding sweet, warm hands.<br /><br />And while in New York:<br />-Looking for "broken" buildings - because it´s exciting.<br />-Having pasta picnic-dinner at the hotel room.<br />-Waking up jet legged at 4 AM to the sound of cartoons.<br />-Spending hours at FAO Schwarz.<br />-Watching sea lions at the zoo in Central Park.<br />-Teaching sweet girls how to shop :)<br />-At one point holding hands with your husband.Tina Magnergård Bjershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01725195708327000140noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4245378983887230345.post-80659433502166136332008-01-27T09:18:00.000-08:002008-01-27T09:31:53.776-08:00On the hunt for Obama and ClintonLong 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.<br />After three days and very many texts from South Carolina I´m about to fly up to New York. But first a few reflections:<br />-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.<br />-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. <br />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.Tina Magnergård Bjershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01725195708327000140noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4245378983887230345.post-22985111372991553112007-10-09T08:28:00.001-07:002007-10-09T08:41:44.222-07:00Long time no bloggingSo 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. <br />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.Tina Magnergård Bjershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01725195708327000140noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4245378983887230345.post-62522884991830418292007-08-17T15:58:00.000-07:002007-08-17T16:20:12.651-07:00Circles of NewsNow, as I'm about to wrap up my fellowship at <a href="http://www.podtech.net/home/">PodTech</a> (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 <a href="http://www.techmeme.com/">bloggers</a>. 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. <br />It's also natural that <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/">The New York Times </a>has a good take on international politics. They're only a few blocks away from the <a href="http://www.un.org/">UN</a> and several great universities. <br />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 <a href="http://www.mercurynews.com/">San Jose Mercury News</a> (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. <br />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...Tina Magnergård Bjershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01725195708327000140noreply@blogger.com30tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4245378983887230345.post-58647516231979157662007-08-06T15:32:00.000-07:002007-08-06T15:55:38.052-07:00Make it GreenI 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. <br />Reflecting over sustainability is important on so many levels. Over the weekend, while pausing from our act of playing tourists, we watched <a href="http://www.arctictalemovie.com/">Arctic Tale</a> 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.<br />Before the film a trailer for Leonardo diCaprio's environmental documentary <a href="http://wip.warnerbros.com/11thhour/">The 11th Hour</a> 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.<br />My latest PodTech-piece is on Y2E2, a new green building that is in the making at Stanford university. <br /><script type="text/javascript" src="http://www.podtech.net/player/popup.js"></script><embed type="application/x-shockwave-flash" src="http://www.podtech.net/player/podtech-player.swf?bc=803e4890b8014f5691d9a7535f2041ee" flashvars="content=http://media1.podtech.net/media/2007/07/PID_012037/Podtech_GreenDesign_Y2E2.flv&totalTime=388000&permalink=http://www.podtech.net/home/3711/say-hello-to-y2e2&breadcrumb=803e4890b8014f5691d9a7535f2041ee" height="269" width="320" allowScriptAccess="always"></embed>Tina Magnergård Bjershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01725195708327000140noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4245378983887230345.post-55130639348078976402007-08-03T15:29:00.000-07:002007-08-03T16:03:31.931-07:00All comments welcomeMy 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...<br />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 <a href="http://www.web-strategist.com/blog/">here</a>. 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.Tina Magnergård Bjershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01725195708327000140noreply@blogger.com66tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4245378983887230345.post-21965862432186726362007-08-03T11:58:00.000-07:002007-08-03T15:24:02.439-07:00I am sailing...Last weekend one of our dreams came through, we went sailing in the Monterey Bay with Darrold, a great friend from <a href="http://www.podtech.net/home">PodTech</a>. 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.<br />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)<br />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 <a href="http://dtvbrief.wordpress.com/">blog</a> 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.Tina Magnergård Bjershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01725195708327000140noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4245378983887230345.post-43318382922070605452007-07-26T16:36:00.000-07:002007-07-26T16:47:45.195-07:00Harmony and room service...Hard working parents really need to go away and spend time by themselves sometimes - it is so fantastic! Last Friday A and I checked in to this Japanese four star hotel in San Fransisco. The view was superb, the bed was soft, the tub was nice and room service had excellent sushi. We spent a whole weekend holding hands, talking (without beeing interrupted), strolling around the Fillmore-area, having coffee breaks and actually remembering why we got married. I strongly recommend it! Thank you <a href="http://emmaragnar.blogspot.com">Emma</a> for taking so great care of the kids (of course it was fantastic finally seeing them on Sunday)!Tina Magnergård Bjershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01725195708327000140noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4245378983887230345.post-51833240290526093212007-07-16T14:00:00.000-07:002007-07-16T14:24:52.722-07:00Living in WarmthEVERY relative and friend I talk to in Sweden complain about the weather. They tell me it's raining cats and dogs and that half the country - more or less - is under water. Here in California climate change shows another face. Wildfire after wildfire is starting (some of them close to our house) and the temperature is seldom below 25 degrees. Personally I love it (except for the fires), its so nice to not worry about rain jackets or thick sweaters and to always have a bit of a tan. But climate change is real and we all need to think about living more sustainable. Recently I wrote about the heat and the fires in the US for <a href="www.tt.se">TT.</a> I interviewed climatologists who told me that California has not received as little rain as this past year since 1877. To people here it's an every day habit to sort garbage and conserve water. Many stores in San Francisco are banning the plastic bag and make people use tote bags instead. Organic food is huge, look at <a href="http://www.wholefoods.com/">Wholefoods</a>.<br />I think that change begins with small steps in our every day life. If we all care a little more we will create a better world. Environmental changes have often started as a grassrooth movement. Science is already far ahead and the politicians will follow... Meanwhile try not to drink coffee from paper cups. It's actually a part of a tree :)Tina Magnergård Bjershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01725195708327000140noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4245378983887230345.post-81480130425051824242007-07-16T13:46:00.000-07:002007-07-16T14:00:03.805-07:00Getting going with the GreenHorray. I'm getting my own Green Design-channel at <a href="http://www.podtech.net/home/index.php?cat=171&anchor">PodTech</a>. That's fun and exciting - and a lot of work. I'll be covering the areas were green and design converge, meaning industrial design, architecture, cool gadgets and sustainable fashion. To me this brings together the best of two worlds - marrying beautiful or mind-blowing or provocative thoughts on design with awareness and meaningfulness on a larger scale. Right now we're working on putting together a blog for the channel, I write copy and try to produce new episodes at the same time...<br />Here's an interview with designer <a href="http://www.jansdotter.com/">Lotta Jansdotter</a>, who's now based in New York, on the issue of sustainability.<br /> <br /><script type="text/javascript" src="http://www.podtech.net/player/popup.js"></script><embed type="application/x-shockwave-flash" src="http://www.podtech.net/player/podtech-player.swf?bc=a0f7aa3a69264d02972f0dd2a4e07187" flashvars="content=http://media1.podtech.net/media/2007/07/PID_011842/Podtech_GreenDesign_Jansdotter.flv&totalTime=263000&permalink=http://www.podtech.net/home/3542/beautiful-funky-and-sustainable&breadcrumb=a0f7aa3a69264d02972f0dd2a4e07187" height="269" width="320" allowScriptAccess="always"></embed>Tina Magnergård Bjershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01725195708327000140noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4245378983887230345.post-4747191277902473152007-07-06T13:45:00.000-07:002007-07-06T15:19:15.031-07:00People against DirtySo I've been thinking about how to apply the innovation-concept to my areas of journalism (politics, economics, trends and design) while at <a href="http://www.podtech.net/home/">PodTech</a> here in the Bay-area. Some time ago I decided to make a green show on design, i e where sustainability and design converge. In a way design is very much an innovation-process. And - for most of the time - design is visual too. The first piece is about a company in San Francisco called <a href="http://www.methodhome.com/">Method</a>. They make biodegradable cleaning products, soaps and detergents (all based on green chemistry). But the products are beautiful, they come in bottles by award-winning industrial designer <a href="http://www.karimrashid.com/">Karim Rashid</a>. I really like this trendy, funky and yet idealistic and responsible company that combines some of the best things in the world. Watch the video <a href="http://www.podtech.net/home/3512/people-against-dirty">here</a>.<br /> <br /><br /><script type="text/javascript" src="http://www.podtech.net/player/popup.js"></script><embed type="application/x-shockwave-flash" src="http://www.podtech.net/player/podtech-player.swf?bc=ca8f325511ae444aa6393ce57c23b258" flashvars="content=http://media1.podtech.net/media/2007/07/PID_011807/Podtech_Green_Design_Method.flv&totalTime=429000&permalink=http://www.podtech.net/home/3512/people-against-dirty&breadcrumb=ca8f325511ae444aa6393ce57c23b258" height="269" width="320" allowScriptAccess="always"></embed>Tina Magnergård Bjershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01725195708327000140noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4245378983887230345.post-80725998070084190142007-07-02T10:45:00.000-07:002007-07-02T11:11:22.207-07:00On motherhood and evil waspsSaturday we finally had a small birthday party for Sun (Happy 7 - love you!). Everything started off well with picnic in the garden, Swedish "pancake-tarte" and the great game "putting the tail on the pig" i e the kids try to draw a tail on a painted pig when blindfolded (dont ever try it, it makes you seasick). Before the grand finale of fishing candy in the kitchen fishpond (with a stick made out of a broom) we were to engage in some good, old sack-hopping.<br />That was when the wasp saw his chance and stung me in the foot.<br />It really, really hurt. And that was when motherhood really kicked in. I saw myself trying to be a good sport, cheering the sack-hoppers from the side-bench while desperately trying to put melted aspirin on my swollen foot... You have no idea how irritating kids can seem when you have a triangle of pain in your foot. <br />It made me think of a few years ago, when I was correspondent for TT in New York and had to cover a live press conference on TV with George Bush on the Iraq-war. I have a picture of me sitting on the floor in front of the TV, typing like a mad-woman on the computer. On my back hangs Sun, like a rug-sack, trying to bite me in the ear. I wonder what Swedish unions would have said about that work-environment - or the working conditions of many parents... (although we smile ourselves through it since we LOVE our small princes and princesses so much). <br /><br />PS. For those of you following Suns blog, it has a new address sunbjers.wordpress.comTina Magnergård Bjershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01725195708327000140noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4245378983887230345.post-47681132092107345412007-06-22T19:01:00.000-07:002007-06-22T19:10:21.525-07:00Happy MidsummerHappy Midsummer!! Sitting at my cubicle at work thinking nostalgic about the long and fair nights, potatos and sour cream, vodka and folkmusic. It is true that you become extra Swedish when living abroad. However I find it rather difficult to explain this traditions to my dear collegues - it sounds excentric when you describe how everyone abandons the office to have picnic on a field, dance around a maypool, put flowers in their hair AND pretend that they are small frogs (without ears and tails)...<br />But tomorrow we're going to a big Swedish midsummer celebration here in California together with Emma, our beloved nanny, who just arrived!Tina Magnergård Bjershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01725195708327000140noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4245378983887230345.post-61410255442982033952007-06-18T16:50:00.000-07:002007-06-19T12:48:40.720-07:00The importance of DreamingSome time ago I interviewed Max Samuels, a friend and a great personal coach, when he passed through San Francisco.<br />When we meet, Max and I always have great conversations on life, havingness (i e appreciating what you have) and the importance of having a dream. Since I'm now at PodTech I also spoke with him about the wild mind of the entrepreneur.<br />In these days I seem to constantly be reminded about the importance of dreaming - I guess life is trying to say something... <br /><br /><script type="text/javascript" src="http://www.podtech.net/player/popup.js"></script><embed type="application/x-shockwave-flash" src="http://www.podtech.net/player/podtech-player.swf?bc=97395620b05448cb8a28c94946bef434" flashvars="content=http://media1.podtech.net/media/2007/06/PID_011596/Podtech_Entrepreneurship_MaxSamuels.flv&totalTime=242000&" height="269" width="320" allowScriptAccess="always"></embed>Tina Magnergård Bjershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01725195708327000140noreply@blogger.com0