Been from afar monitoring my brother's health by talking to him, chatting with family, and a few calls to the medical staff that were caring for him at the University Hospital in Gothenburg.
Since this is all in past tense, you can figure out that he was allowed to come home today. Due to the time difference, I have not been able to talk to them today, but got an e-mail from my sister-in-law and they are of course happy and relieved. Family's reunited! According to the doctor who released him, only about 5% of the ones that gets a brain hemmorrage is as lucky as he is. He's back home w/o any residual effects what-so-ever.
Probably the biggest surprise today was for Emil who was greeted on his 8th birthday by a dad back from the hospital! Needless to say, he was exstatic!!
Staffan will now just need to take it "calma" under some period going forward and see what he has the strength for and dares to to. Over two weeks laying in a hospital bed can drain the energy from anyone.
And, almost forgot: Sister-in-law started a blog out of what were the e-mails that kepts us all up to date on Staffans's progress (simply too many people called her asking the same thing - draining her enetgy and leaving no time for the kids).
Her blog can be found here, Laila's Blog
Tuesday, January 29, 2008
Monday, January 28, 2008
Ztate of the Union?
This evening was president Bush' s 7th and final State of the Union address.
As much of a distaster he is/has been as a president, is it really necessary to broadcast his speach live on ALL news channels simultaneously? In our little Comcast world, that means that we could see the same Bush speak on channels 02, 04, 05, 06, 07, 09, 44, 47, and 48 - not counting the C-span channels I did not scan this evening.
Simply too much (and that would be the same regardless of who happended to be president)!
As much of a distaster he is/has been as a president, is it really necessary to broadcast his speach live on ALL news channels simultaneously? In our little Comcast world, that means that we could see the same Bush speak on channels 02, 04, 05, 06, 07, 09, 44, 47, and 48 - not counting the C-span channels I did not scan this evening.
Simply too much (and that would be the same regardless of who happended to be president)!
Goodbye - White Kiddie!
Today was a sad day. We had to put White Kiddie to sleep. He was just too sick and frail after having lost over 60% of his body weight since October. Over the weekend he started having severe problems controlling his "bodily fluids", and was simply miserable, hardly being able to walk. Neither bloodwork, nor urine samples did really give any hints of what it could be.
Actually surpised over my reaction, but the tears were gushing out of my eyes when his little body was handed over to me at the vet clinic. Never thought that I would take his "passing" that hard. Made even worse since he had his eyes left open.
But, he left us on a beautiful and sunny morning, where there were over 4 inches of fresh white snow on the ground. It was sort of almost like the weather gods wanted to paint the landscape in his honor.
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Eulogy over a Great Cat:
An early fall day in October 1993, in Dallas, a big white cat showed up at my door. He sort of picked me out, and decided to make friends. For the next year, he was living around and outside my apartment, "guarding" the courtyard, and keeping neighbors entertained. We all cared for him, but he likely spent most of his time with me, always extremely "appreciative" for having somewhere to call "home". I gave him the name "White Kiddie" since it was fitting - he was entirely white and I have never really liked the word "kitty".
I was traveling so much so I had decided not "take in" a cat or any other pet, but a cold day in early December 1994 I broke down; "You've been hanging around here so why don't you just move in - permanently". And he did. For the first week I held out on putting a litterbox in my apartment, until I one morning woke up to a smell and a small turd behind a couch. That was the only accident in Dallas, but he starting having more later in life.
One memorable afternoon, I opened up the front door. On my little rug was a very dead mouse with its stomach ripped wide open. Perfectly aligned were 5 small mouse fetuses, and next to it was a very proud cat sitting. I guess that was his small housewarming gift to me. It was sort of hard not to accept the wonderful gesture!
White Kiddie always went out in the morning with me, and was waiting at the bottom of the stairs when I came home, or sometimes meeting me by the car. A couple of neighbors cared for him when I was out traveling, and he was just a staple of the apartment complex (or at least our courtyard since I never told the complex I had a pet, and had no intentions in having them find out either - succeeded with that during my 5 years at the same place).
This even after my weird neighbors downstairs one day sent me an e-mail, telling me that "the cat" had bitten the wife (Rachel). White Kiddie ended up in the slammer, and I sort of hal-heartedly told the neighbor that if they did not mind, I'd like the cat to come back to the neighborhood (this was before he had moved in). He had to spend a couple of days in the slammer, before he could be picked up, but they would not keep him for more than 10. I was out of town and missed the 10 day limit, but when I came homw, White Kiddie was waiting at the steps. Only thing I can imagine is that my neighbors felt bad and picked up the cat. They never told me and I never asked them, Everyone was happy so why stir the pot?
Summers in Texas can be hot, but that did not really bother me. I was among my friends who held out the longest before turning on the A/C (preferred to have the windows open and let the natural breeze cool me), but one summer it was actually White Kiddie who sort of forced me to turn the switch. He came in from the outside and sort of just fell to the floor, forming a long white ribbing on the carpet. That was his way of saying he was TOO hot and that it was time for me to turn the A/C to "on".
White Kiddie was a trooper and he lived a good life. No, he lived an excellent life!
He only had two vet visits in Dallas, and that was due to an attack by another cat. The fact that the vet cut his claws, made him vulnerable and he was attacked once again, ending up for three days at the hospital. All in a period of two months.
One day I found out that he actually followed "commands", and this was not something I had taught him. I could ask him to sit, and he would sit. I could place food in front of him, and ask him to wait (he did), sitting there until I gave the word "Varsågod" (please go ahead) and he'd walk over to the food and eat - lots of it. Maybe bad for him, but he loved Friskies. Tried a lot of other stuff, but dry catfood, Friskies, was his favorite.
One weak moment in the spring of 1998 when I was considering moving back to Europe and leaving the U.S. for for good, I was looking for potential homes for him (those days it was almost impossible to bring an animal in to Sweden). Initially I decided to take a long vacation (5 weeks skiing) and at the very last moment, one of my great neighbors (Dee Bernhardt) took him home to care for him until I came back - a wonderful gesture!
Later that spring, we took a weekend trip together to Ardmore, OK, to visit yet one older former neighbor that had looked after him when I was traveling. White Kiddie did OK on car rides, but really did not like it and found the best spot in the car to be down under the brake pedal.
I ended up staying in the U.S., and the Friday in October we were to relocate from Dallas to Seattle, White Kiddie decided to "disappear" for a while. I had to reschedule the flight three times that day, and it was not until Dee called me and said that he had walked over to her place and was happily sleeping on the couch, that we could "move on" and get on the last flight out of Dallas. Texas was now history for us.
Finding a new place in Seattle, in the midst of the dot.com boom in 1998 was not easy. It was not made easier by my own firm requirements: cat friendly inside, cat should be able to be outside as well (White Kiddie went nuts if he was forced to stay inside), and I should be able to bring my frontloading Swedish washing machine.
I did drive several hundred miles on the Eastside, and looked at an unimaginable number of places, but it was not until by pure chance (isn't it always) I found a couple in Bellevue that were looking to rent out their condo. They were OK with a cat, and the place boardered a greenbelt. Perfect. We had find a new permanent home!
White Kiddie settled quickly in his new surroundings, even though a few evenings I thought he was gone when he never showed up until way past his "bed time". I thought my move to Washington would mean less travel, but instead I was on the road more than ever, and was again lucky to find a lady neighbor that could "babysit" when I was out of town.
In spring of 2000, the family got extended and White Kiddie was joined by Beth and her two yorkies, Pebbles and Sebastian. Wasn't that many days until they sort had settled and knew their ranks. White Kiddie as "the Governor" was leading the household.
Later in 2000, White Kiddie moved into the "Governor's Mansion" in north Kirkland. He liked it and found himself quickly at home, but at the same time I really think he always missed the hot days in Texas (even though he sometimes was miserable in the heat). He got an unexpected buddy in a grey Persian, Oscar, that Beth brought in as Christmas present our first Christmas together.
As cuddly as White Kiddie was, as much one had to "watch out" when he came around. He was "snow white" and he was shedding, all the time. If you were standing next to him in black pants, he just loved to walk up and surround your legs, effectively forcing a change of pants. No wonder I really never had any black pants until Beth forced me to buy a pair once - they just did not work - and in Texas there were shorts more or less all the time in the evenings home so it was never an issue.
White Kiddie met my parents a number of times and eternal cat lovers as they are, they quickly bonded. Everytime they visited, White Kiddie was sleeping either besides them, or on top of them. Last time was in fall 2007 when my dad was here for a number of weeks. There was not one night when he did not have at least two cats in bed (a black one and an white one - yin & yang).
As he got older, White Kiddie was drawn to heat sources. When the furnace started, he was sititng in front of the heat register in either the kitchen or the office. When I started preparing for a fire in the fireplace, he quickly moved into position to sit guard in front of the wood stove. A few weeks ago, Beth bought him an electrical heat pad he could snooze on. He seemed to like it, even though the pad never got as hot as we'd expected.
More is to be added over this lost friend and I have just added a little slide show here below. I also have "older" photos that need to be scanned (pre digital) when time is found. After all I owe it to him. White Kiddie spent more than 15 years at my side. 15 years that certainly changed my life dramatically (move, marriage, house, dogs, travels, etc, etc).
Stay put!
Actually surpised over my reaction, but the tears were gushing out of my eyes when his little body was handed over to me at the vet clinic. Never thought that I would take his "passing" that hard. Made even worse since he had his eyes left open.
But, he left us on a beautiful and sunny morning, where there were over 4 inches of fresh white snow on the ground. It was sort of almost like the weather gods wanted to paint the landscape in his honor.
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Eulogy over a Great Cat:
An early fall day in October 1993, in Dallas, a big white cat showed up at my door. He sort of picked me out, and decided to make friends. For the next year, he was living around and outside my apartment, "guarding" the courtyard, and keeping neighbors entertained. We all cared for him, but he likely spent most of his time with me, always extremely "appreciative" for having somewhere to call "home". I gave him the name "White Kiddie" since it was fitting - he was entirely white and I have never really liked the word "kitty".
I was traveling so much so I had decided not "take in" a cat or any other pet, but a cold day in early December 1994 I broke down; "You've been hanging around here so why don't you just move in - permanently". And he did. For the first week I held out on putting a litterbox in my apartment, until I one morning woke up to a smell and a small turd behind a couch. That was the only accident in Dallas, but he starting having more later in life.
One memorable afternoon, I opened up the front door. On my little rug was a very dead mouse with its stomach ripped wide open. Perfectly aligned were 5 small mouse fetuses, and next to it was a very proud cat sitting. I guess that was his small housewarming gift to me. It was sort of hard not to accept the wonderful gesture!
White Kiddie always went out in the morning with me, and was waiting at the bottom of the stairs when I came home, or sometimes meeting me by the car. A couple of neighbors cared for him when I was out traveling, and he was just a staple of the apartment complex (or at least our courtyard since I never told the complex I had a pet, and had no intentions in having them find out either - succeeded with that during my 5 years at the same place).
This even after my weird neighbors downstairs one day sent me an e-mail, telling me that "the cat" had bitten the wife (Rachel). White Kiddie ended up in the slammer, and I sort of hal-heartedly told the neighbor that if they did not mind, I'd like the cat to come back to the neighborhood (this was before he had moved in). He had to spend a couple of days in the slammer, before he could be picked up, but they would not keep him for more than 10. I was out of town and missed the 10 day limit, but when I came homw, White Kiddie was waiting at the steps. Only thing I can imagine is that my neighbors felt bad and picked up the cat. They never told me and I never asked them, Everyone was happy so why stir the pot?
Summers in Texas can be hot, but that did not really bother me. I was among my friends who held out the longest before turning on the A/C (preferred to have the windows open and let the natural breeze cool me), but one summer it was actually White Kiddie who sort of forced me to turn the switch. He came in from the outside and sort of just fell to the floor, forming a long white ribbing on the carpet. That was his way of saying he was TOO hot and that it was time for me to turn the A/C to "on".
White Kiddie was a trooper and he lived a good life. No, he lived an excellent life!
He only had two vet visits in Dallas, and that was due to an attack by another cat. The fact that the vet cut his claws, made him vulnerable and he was attacked once again, ending up for three days at the hospital. All in a period of two months.
One day I found out that he actually followed "commands", and this was not something I had taught him. I could ask him to sit, and he would sit. I could place food in front of him, and ask him to wait (he did), sitting there until I gave the word "Varsågod" (please go ahead) and he'd walk over to the food and eat - lots of it. Maybe bad for him, but he loved Friskies. Tried a lot of other stuff, but dry catfood, Friskies, was his favorite.
One weak moment in the spring of 1998 when I was considering moving back to Europe and leaving the U.S. for for good, I was looking for potential homes for him (those days it was almost impossible to bring an animal in to Sweden). Initially I decided to take a long vacation (5 weeks skiing) and at the very last moment, one of my great neighbors (Dee Bernhardt) took him home to care for him until I came back - a wonderful gesture!
Later that spring, we took a weekend trip together to Ardmore, OK, to visit yet one older former neighbor that had looked after him when I was traveling. White Kiddie did OK on car rides, but really did not like it and found the best spot in the car to be down under the brake pedal.
I ended up staying in the U.S., and the Friday in October we were to relocate from Dallas to Seattle, White Kiddie decided to "disappear" for a while. I had to reschedule the flight three times that day, and it was not until Dee called me and said that he had walked over to her place and was happily sleeping on the couch, that we could "move on" and get on the last flight out of Dallas. Texas was now history for us.
Finding a new place in Seattle, in the midst of the dot.com boom in 1998 was not easy. It was not made easier by my own firm requirements: cat friendly inside, cat should be able to be outside as well (White Kiddie went nuts if he was forced to stay inside), and I should be able to bring my frontloading Swedish washing machine.
I did drive several hundred miles on the Eastside, and looked at an unimaginable number of places, but it was not until by pure chance (isn't it always) I found a couple in Bellevue that were looking to rent out their condo. They were OK with a cat, and the place boardered a greenbelt. Perfect. We had find a new permanent home!
White Kiddie settled quickly in his new surroundings, even though a few evenings I thought he was gone when he never showed up until way past his "bed time". I thought my move to Washington would mean less travel, but instead I was on the road more than ever, and was again lucky to find a lady neighbor that could "babysit" when I was out of town.
In spring of 2000, the family got extended and White Kiddie was joined by Beth and her two yorkies, Pebbles and Sebastian. Wasn't that many days until they sort had settled and knew their ranks. White Kiddie as "the Governor" was leading the household.
Later in 2000, White Kiddie moved into the "Governor's Mansion" in north Kirkland. He liked it and found himself quickly at home, but at the same time I really think he always missed the hot days in Texas (even though he sometimes was miserable in the heat). He got an unexpected buddy in a grey Persian, Oscar, that Beth brought in as Christmas present our first Christmas together.
As cuddly as White Kiddie was, as much one had to "watch out" when he came around. He was "snow white" and he was shedding, all the time. If you were standing next to him in black pants, he just loved to walk up and surround your legs, effectively forcing a change of pants. No wonder I really never had any black pants until Beth forced me to buy a pair once - they just did not work - and in Texas there were shorts more or less all the time in the evenings home so it was never an issue.
White Kiddie met my parents a number of times and eternal cat lovers as they are, they quickly bonded. Everytime they visited, White Kiddie was sleeping either besides them, or on top of them. Last time was in fall 2007 when my dad was here for a number of weeks. There was not one night when he did not have at least two cats in bed (a black one and an white one - yin & yang).
As he got older, White Kiddie was drawn to heat sources. When the furnace started, he was sititng in front of the heat register in either the kitchen or the office. When I started preparing for a fire in the fireplace, he quickly moved into position to sit guard in front of the wood stove. A few weeks ago, Beth bought him an electrical heat pad he could snooze on. He seemed to like it, even though the pad never got as hot as we'd expected.
More is to be added over this lost friend and I have just added a little slide show here below. I also have "older" photos that need to be scanned (pre digital) when time is found. After all I owe it to him. White Kiddie spent more than 15 years at my side. 15 years that certainly changed my life dramatically (move, marriage, house, dogs, travels, etc, etc).
Stay put!
Tuesday, January 15, 2008
Brother
Parents visited him yesterday, and they seemed upbeat after they came back home and I talked to them late in the evening.
This morning, I called the hosiptal to talk to him, but I could hear him in the background mumbling that he was too tired to talk, so I ended up chatting with the nurse a while.
Turns out his headache had gotten worse this morning, he had thrown-up, and they had proceeded with a cerebral angiogram in order to be able to "see" more. What I could get out of the nurse was that they still cannot see where/if a vessel had burst, or how serious it is. Images were to be reviewd by experts, I assume that'll happen early Wednesday.
Needless to say, anything that resembles bleeding in the brain is serious.
This morning, I called the hosiptal to talk to him, but I could hear him in the background mumbling that he was too tired to talk, so I ended up chatting with the nurse a while.
Turns out his headache had gotten worse this morning, he had thrown-up, and they had proceeded with a cerebral angiogram in order to be able to "see" more. What I could get out of the nurse was that they still cannot see where/if a vessel had burst, or how serious it is. Images were to be reviewd by experts, I assume that'll happen early Wednesday.
Needless to say, anything that resembles bleeding in the brain is serious.
Sunday, January 13, 2008
Call from Zweden...
Early Saturday morning (and I think they held out a few hours in order not to wake me up) I got a call from my parents. My brother had been hospitalized after a heavy sneeze on Friday evening. Turns out he likely burst a blood vessel somewhere in his brain and ended up with an anuerysm. Situation severe enough he was quickly transferred to a specialist hospital.
At the moment it looks like it is a less severe case, and he is able to move all his limbs, speak, and "act" normally, but is very, very, tired after the worst headache of his life.
He is hospitalized at the University Hospital and is getting great care at the neurointensive ward where he'll stay for at least another week, while they'll monitor him and wait for the body to absorb the coagulated blood.
I called him Sunday evening his time and we talked for a while. Sounds "normal" and upbeat, but I also think he now realize how serious this can be. So, a close call, but so far, so good.
Everyone; keep your fingers crossed for his speedy recovery!
Being so far away, the worst is probably getting 2nd or 3rd hand information (from his wife, or from my parents via his wife (information that has already been "filtered" by hospital staff), and it really felt good in being able to talk to him, directly. Curious as I am, I want to chat with his doctor as well...
At the moment it looks like it is a less severe case, and he is able to move all his limbs, speak, and "act" normally, but is very, very, tired after the worst headache of his life.
He is hospitalized at the University Hospital and is getting great care at the neurointensive ward where he'll stay for at least another week, while they'll monitor him and wait for the body to absorb the coagulated blood.
I called him Sunday evening his time and we talked for a while. Sounds "normal" and upbeat, but I also think he now realize how serious this can be. So, a close call, but so far, so good.
Everyone; keep your fingers crossed for his speedy recovery!
Being so far away, the worst is probably getting 2nd or 3rd hand information (from his wife, or from my parents via his wife (information that has already been "filtered" by hospital staff), and it really felt good in being able to talk to him, directly. Curious as I am, I want to chat with his doctor as well...
Wednesday, January 09, 2008
SteinklinkerZ...
A (great) group of beer drinkers that meet up the 2nd Wednesday of every month at a "new" brew place.
Well, we sort of have run out of "new" places so we recycle them now. And sometimes, like tonight, it was just a "pub" since the brewery "Mac & Jack" does not have a tasting room open in the evening and recommend instead people to go over to "J. Michael's Pub & Eatery" in Redmond, just across from Ben Franklin. Only a stone's throw from the brewery. Sort of hard to find (if you're looking for a pub), and it sure does not look anything like a pub on the outside. But, these girls have good brews, and good basic pub food.
All in all, just another very agreable evening with the "Klinkers".
Well, we sort of have run out of "new" places so we recycle them now. And sometimes, like tonight, it was just a "pub" since the brewery "Mac & Jack" does not have a tasting room open in the evening and recommend instead people to go over to "J. Michael's Pub & Eatery" in Redmond, just across from Ben Franklin. Only a stone's throw from the brewery. Sort of hard to find (if you're looking for a pub), and it sure does not look anything like a pub on the outside. But, these girls have good brews, and good basic pub food.
All in all, just another very agreable evening with the "Klinkers".
Old - French - FriendZ
After leaving Europe in the early 90ies, I sort of lost contact with many of my French friends. Been using different search engines to try to find them, but no luck.
Via a tip from a good friend in Sweden, I was guided to Copains d'Avant. Signed up, and low and behold, I found someone that "could" be the right person.
Trial message sent over, a few days of silence, but eventually an answer. Sure enough, it was the right person! He connected me to his wife (very old friend of mine) and I learnt that they unfortunately live separated (joint custody of a daughter though) since many years.
Just getting a few e-mails, some photos, and later also a long chat over the phone brought me back to the heydays of the 90ies in Paris. I was also amazed that my French is also still pretty much "there". I thought it had gone into a stage of "permanent hibernation", but chatting with old friends in French sure brought it out relatively quickly. Just proves that going to a "French coversation" class never can be the same as "the real thing". You need an emotional and "expressive" French person on the other side of the conversation. It is like jumpstarting a car with a fresh battery!
Isabelle and Xavier, sure is time for me to cross the Atlantic again, and thank you for being there all these years!
Via a tip from a good friend in Sweden, I was guided to Copains d'Avant. Signed up, and low and behold, I found someone that "could" be the right person.
Trial message sent over, a few days of silence, but eventually an answer. Sure enough, it was the right person! He connected me to his wife (very old friend of mine) and I learnt that they unfortunately live separated (joint custody of a daughter though) since many years.
Just getting a few e-mails, some photos, and later also a long chat over the phone brought me back to the heydays of the 90ies in Paris. I was also amazed that my French is also still pretty much "there". I thought it had gone into a stage of "permanent hibernation", but chatting with old friends in French sure brought it out relatively quickly. Just proves that going to a "French coversation" class never can be the same as "the real thing". You need an emotional and "expressive" French person on the other side of the conversation. It is like jumpstarting a car with a fresh battery!
Isabelle and Xavier, sure is time for me to cross the Atlantic again, and thank you for being there all these years!
Sunday, January 06, 2008
Cleaning up the deZk...
Spent the past days cleaning up the desk, filing away papers, paying bills, and generally getting the office closer to being just that, an office. Sometimes I wonder I how I managed to keep it in order when I was traveling all the time (but I did).
By the way, swung by the Swedish Cultural Center for the first Pancake Breakfast of 2008. Always yummy!
After that took the dogs for a walk through Pike Place Market and downtown. Phoebe just loves to venture where there's tons of (friendly) people. As it is January in Seattle, it started squalling after a while and we ventured back to the car and home to make a fire. I bet however that this was a great day on the slopes, but no point in heading up during the weekend, fighting the crowds when the week seem to be even better - and less crowded.
Less crowded, one of the better skiing days of late, was up in Alpental on Superbowl Sunday 2006. Empty slopes, sunny skies, and perfect snow. Can it be better? All football fans couched in front of their TVs, leaving the mountain for "us" to enjoy!
By the way, swung by the Swedish Cultural Center for the first Pancake Breakfast of 2008. Always yummy!
After that took the dogs for a walk through Pike Place Market and downtown. Phoebe just loves to venture where there's tons of (friendly) people. As it is January in Seattle, it started squalling after a while and we ventured back to the car and home to make a fire. I bet however that this was a great day on the slopes, but no point in heading up during the weekend, fighting the crowds when the week seem to be even better - and less crowded.
Less crowded, one of the better skiing days of late, was up in Alpental on Superbowl Sunday 2006. Empty slopes, sunny skies, and perfect snow. Can it be better? All football fans couched in front of their TVs, leaving the mountain for "us" to enjoy!
Saturday, December 29, 2007
Great NeighborZ - 2
A relaxing evening down (or up) in the "Flamingo Lounge" with some great cocktails, snacks, and some good jokes. Good thing with the Flamingo is that you can come as you are - as I did today.
I walked out of two days of cleaning out the attic (removing old fiberglass insulation) and straight into the Flamingo. And I wasn't thrown out. There was no bouncer, or a locked door. Just someone yelling from the inside "come on in".
Scott and Daryl; Thanks for a great and relaxing evening. Exactly what I needed after fighting the dust up there!
I walked out of two days of cleaning out the attic (removing old fiberglass insulation) and straight into the Flamingo. And I wasn't thrown out. There was no bouncer, or a locked door. Just someone yelling from the inside "come on in".
Scott and Daryl; Thanks for a great and relaxing evening. Exactly what I needed after fighting the dust up there!
Friday, December 28, 2007
Great NeighborZ - 1
A house is a place where one park one's "stuff". A home is a place where you live and (hopefully) also enjoy life (and park your stuff). Part of that "enjoying" is having great neighbors - as we do - in multiples.
Just came home from the traditional "Martinka Holiday Party", a longstanding tradition in this part of town. And, as every year, it was an enjoyable evening with friends, brew, and food. All of it great. Fun to see such an eclectic bunch of people in one place.
Just came home from the traditional "Martinka Holiday Party", a longstanding tradition in this part of town. And, as every year, it was an enjoyable evening with friends, brew, and food. All of it great. Fun to see such an eclectic bunch of people in one place.
Monday, December 24, 2007
MiZZing it but finding it!
Christmas (not really a religious holiday) is very important in Sweden. For Americans to really understand how important, one likely have to compare it with Thanksgiving, the big difference that Christmas in Sweden can (during good years) be a two week long holiday - filled with traditional ceremonies (nah, that sounds too serious but you get the idea), tons of food, drinks and desserts. It is a deep rooted celebration to Winter and all good it brings (as long as there's snow of course). The actual Christmas holiday (three days, December 24, 25, and 26) is normally spent over at relatives, but then many take off for the mountains (in Scandinavia, or the Alps), and this "season", Christmas is not rreally ending until January 6, providing for a long extended holiday that started on December 21.
Living far away from one's birthplace and where the rest of the (birth) family resides, sort of takes away some of those traditions, traditions that have been engraved through the hard work of parents and grandparents over the years. You sort of just miss out on them after a while. Missing them when the Christmas season arrives, but still not that badly.
Out of the woodwork pops Magnolia. Born in Portugal, she's spent some years in Sweden and now she's happily married to a Swede up here in the Pacific Northwest.
Even with only little Swedish time under her wings, Magnolia prepares THE BEST Swedish Christmas buffet this side of the Atlantic. Truly amazing (dare I say better than mama's?) for someone that was not born/raised there.
For the 2nd year we had the honor of being invited over to her and Mats' house to "feast", since there is no better description on what they manage to cook up.
Big Thank You guys for a wonderful Christmas eve, with EVERYTHING that could be expected - and more!
Living far away from one's birthplace and where the rest of the (birth) family resides, sort of takes away some of those traditions, traditions that have been engraved through the hard work of parents and grandparents over the years. You sort of just miss out on them after a while. Missing them when the Christmas season arrives, but still not that badly.
Out of the woodwork pops Magnolia. Born in Portugal, she's spent some years in Sweden and now she's happily married to a Swede up here in the Pacific Northwest.
Even with only little Swedish time under her wings, Magnolia prepares THE BEST Swedish Christmas buffet this side of the Atlantic. Truly amazing (dare I say better than mama's?) for someone that was not born/raised there.
For the 2nd year we had the honor of being invited over to her and Mats' house to "feast", since there is no better description on what they manage to cook up.
Big Thank You guys for a wonderful Christmas eve, with EVERYTHING that could be expected - and more!
Saturday, December 22, 2007
Traditional ChriZtmas Run
Today was the day when we were going to meet up with wife's old fiancee (recently moved from Detroit to Portland), do some sight seeing and go for a bite to eat.
I had some X-mas errands to run in the morning, and also needed to take the dog for a walk. Met up with wife and Ken around two in the afternoon at the house (after they had had their first encounter in almost ten year to themselves), and we drove down to Brouwers in Fremont, a "Flemish Grand Café". It is a fairly recent addition to the neighborhood, maybe a bit too upscale for some (at least from a "regular Budweiser beer drinker's" standpoint), but this place rocks. Food is excellent, and the selection of beers is outstanding, of course with a heavy lean towards what comes of of the "low countries" (Netherland and Belgium) in Europe. Needless to say, there is neither Miller or Budweiser in sight - truly a good thing.
After a small feast and chat at Brouwers in the company of Susan, who's just returned back from New Jersey, we went out to Ballard and Olsen's Scandinavian Foods, a "must-go" destination this time of year.
With Ken and wife waiting outside with dog (treated with food from passers by and a nearby restaurant), I'm inside picking out the ham, pickled heering, the "sylta", some Norwegian smoked lamb sausage, and the traditional marsipan pigs. Unfortunately, Olsen's is out of Rödkål, so they place a courtesy call up to another Scandinavian outpost in Ballard, Scandinavian Specialties, where they still have plenty (Christmas is not Christmas without Rödkål on the table). We leave that store with a bit more than just Rödkål, but with filled bags, it is sure to be another great Christmas.
It is wonderful that even in this day's changing Ballard (condofication), there's still room for several Scandinavian outpost. And they are not really competitors, they complement each others.
For a regular grocery run, Ballard is far too far of a drive from Kirkland, but this time of year, it is just a given destination!
I had some X-mas errands to run in the morning, and also needed to take the dog for a walk. Met up with wife and Ken around two in the afternoon at the house (after they had had their first encounter in almost ten year to themselves), and we drove down to Brouwers in Fremont, a "Flemish Grand Café". It is a fairly recent addition to the neighborhood, maybe a bit too upscale for some (at least from a "regular Budweiser beer drinker's" standpoint), but this place rocks. Food is excellent, and the selection of beers is outstanding, of course with a heavy lean towards what comes of of the "low countries" (Netherland and Belgium) in Europe. Needless to say, there is neither Miller or Budweiser in sight - truly a good thing.
After a small feast and chat at Brouwers in the company of Susan, who's just returned back from New Jersey, we went out to Ballard and Olsen's Scandinavian Foods, a "must-go" destination this time of year.
With Ken and wife waiting outside with dog (treated with food from passers by and a nearby restaurant), I'm inside picking out the ham, pickled heering, the "sylta", some Norwegian smoked lamb sausage, and the traditional marsipan pigs. Unfortunately, Olsen's is out of Rödkål, so they place a courtesy call up to another Scandinavian outpost in Ballard, Scandinavian Specialties, where they still have plenty (Christmas is not Christmas without Rödkål on the table). We leave that store with a bit more than just Rödkål, but with filled bags, it is sure to be another great Christmas.
It is wonderful that even in this day's changing Ballard (condofication), there's still room for several Scandinavian outpost. And they are not really competitors, they complement each others.
For a regular grocery run, Ballard is far too far of a drive from Kirkland, but this time of year, it is just a given destination!
Tuesday, December 18, 2007
Christmas Zoo a la 2007 (no "elfing"...)
OK, here's a sneak peak of the 2007 issue of the family Christmas Card. Some of you will get a paper version, some of you will have to settle for the electronic ones here. At least you'll get more of them to enjoy...
Needless to say, putting all these guys in the same frame is not easy. First you have to convince the wife that the "photo thing" is worth while doing, then after a while she thinks it is a great idea and starts to decorate (everything of course outside the frame and not visible), then some hair and make up, and at last one has to chase the animals.
Willow (grey cat) literally hates Louie (big black cat and newest member of family) and just getting those two together in the same room is a chore. White Kiddie is unfortunately slowly dying of old age, and is standing on very shaky legs on the back rest. Add to that that the dogs do not like to have cats "behind" where they (cats) cannot be fully monitored, and you have a "zoo". Still, it came out "OK", with me running over to the camera for every shot...
Merry Christmas everyone!
Ho, Ho, Ho
Beth, Per-Ola, and the "zoo"
(all photos clickable for larger version)
Needless to say, putting all these guys in the same frame is not easy. First you have to convince the wife that the "photo thing" is worth while doing, then after a while she thinks it is a great idea and starts to decorate (everything of course outside the frame and not visible), then some hair and make up, and at last one has to chase the animals.
Willow (grey cat) literally hates Louie (big black cat and newest member of family) and just getting those two together in the same room is a chore. White Kiddie is unfortunately slowly dying of old age, and is standing on very shaky legs on the back rest. Add to that that the dogs do not like to have cats "behind" where they (cats) cannot be fully monitored, and you have a "zoo". Still, it came out "OK", with me running over to the camera for every shot...
Merry Christmas everyone!
Ho, Ho, Ho
Beth, Per-Ola, and the "zoo"
(all photos clickable for larger version)
Monday, December 17, 2007
Not many updates reZently, but keeping busy..
There's not been much movement on this blog recently, but I'm busy running electrical wires, CAT5, coax, and the completion of insulating the new addition.
In parallel also working up on the new "third" floor preparing so that can be insulated properly (most bang for the buck and the biggest indoor comfort factor improvement). Not really fun work since it involves moving around dusty old fiberglass insulation mixed up with sawdust, dry leaves, dust from the roof construction, and the occasional old birds nest and yellow jacket nest.
For more boring details, head over to KirklandZoo is Building.
In parallel also working up on the new "third" floor preparing so that can be insulated properly (most bang for the buck and the biggest indoor comfort factor improvement). Not really fun work since it involves moving around dusty old fiberglass insulation mixed up with sawdust, dry leaves, dust from the roof construction, and the occasional old birds nest and yellow jacket nest.
For more boring details, head over to KirklandZoo is Building.
Sunday, November 18, 2007
Big ChangeZ
Well, for those big changes, head on over to "Kirklandzoo is Building".
More details to be found there, even though I'm way behind on updates to the web site due to actual "construction work". It all takes time...
And even though house might still look like a "construction site", I'm very, very happy with the outcome so far and the overall style/design change.
More details to be found there, even though I'm way behind on updates to the web site due to actual "construction work". It all takes time...
And even though house might still look like a "construction site", I'm very, very happy with the outcome so far and the overall style/design change.
Thursday, October 18, 2007
Dr. Hans Blix - a PeaZeMaker
Dr. Hans Blix, the somewhat famous Swedish diplomat (and Bush' nemesis during the buildup to the Iraq war) arrived in Seattle today for a few days. Already signed up for the lecture at UoW long time ago, I also got invited to a great little private reception and buffet before his speach. Dragged the wife and dad since I thought they'd enjoy it as well (they did).
Over a glass of red, I got a few minutes with Dr. Blix, commending him on his work for "detent" and disarmament specifically and world peace in general. A really nice guy (well, he is actually 79, maybe gentleman would better suit him...) and I feel sad that I never sort of paid any attention to him until my time in Texas when he was the face of the IAEA and later head of the UN WMD inspections team in Iraq. He has had a very long career in both the Swedish Foreign Office, as well at UN "before" Iraq. But I guess that that's the way they work most efficiently, in the quiet, in the background, never getting any recognition until they sort of retire - and then it all comes at once, proven by a large number of standing ovations tonight.
Apart from a very interesting lecture, very fitting the culture and general approch of people here in the Pacific NorthWest (where neither support for Bush or any Iraq - or Iran - war is very strong), he also pulled of a few good jokes, and a some memorable phrases, most notable probably being:
"The United Nations is not there to take us to heaven, but to help us avoid going to hell." (Dag Hammarsköld)
So apart from a nice dinner buffet, a nice one-on-one chat with Dr. Hans Blix, a good lecture, most amazing was probably to see how increadibly well respected he is (a true Statesman) and how highly his work is regarded here in the U.S. He is likely more of an international "superstar" here, outside his native Sweden.
In any case, an evening when you're proud of being Swedish!
And, almost forgot. First fall storm hit just as we were leaving home. Camera in the car, I took this picture crossing the SR-520 bridge. You could actually feel the shaking when up at the East highrise. Down on the pontoons, it was pretty smooth, but it looks sort of weird. Such a contrast between the south (angry) and north side (calm and relaxed). No windsurfers out today, though they normally have a field day during these few storm events.
Over a glass of red, I got a few minutes with Dr. Blix, commending him on his work for "detent" and disarmament specifically and world peace in general. A really nice guy (well, he is actually 79, maybe gentleman would better suit him...) and I feel sad that I never sort of paid any attention to him until my time in Texas when he was the face of the IAEA and later head of the UN WMD inspections team in Iraq. He has had a very long career in both the Swedish Foreign Office, as well at UN "before" Iraq. But I guess that that's the way they work most efficiently, in the quiet, in the background, never getting any recognition until they sort of retire - and then it all comes at once, proven by a large number of standing ovations tonight.
Apart from a very interesting lecture, very fitting the culture and general approch of people here in the Pacific NorthWest (where neither support for Bush or any Iraq - or Iran - war is very strong), he also pulled of a few good jokes, and a some memorable phrases, most notable probably being:
"The United Nations is not there to take us to heaven, but to help us avoid going to hell." (Dag Hammarsköld)
So apart from a nice dinner buffet, a nice one-on-one chat with Dr. Hans Blix, a good lecture, most amazing was probably to see how increadibly well respected he is (a true Statesman) and how highly his work is regarded here in the U.S. He is likely more of an international "superstar" here, outside his native Sweden.
In any case, an evening when you're proud of being Swedish!
And, almost forgot. First fall storm hit just as we were leaving home. Camera in the car, I took this picture crossing the SR-520 bridge. You could actually feel the shaking when up at the East highrise. Down on the pontoons, it was pretty smooth, but it looks sort of weird. Such a contrast between the south (angry) and north side (calm and relaxed). No windsurfers out today, though they normally have a field day during these few storm events.
Tuesday, October 16, 2007
Some people are MooronZ - at moorings
Kirkland has a great little marina downtown. It is always packed in the summer, many times by moorons with more money than brains, and their boats sort of show it. But, with big boats come babes, and with babes also boobs. So, I'd guess it is not all bad...
New rules were implemented this year, so in the off-season, you can actually moor your boat there for longer periods than the usual "no more than 5 days in any 7 day period". Since moorage in Lake Washington is both expensive and hard to come by, people tend to jump at "deals", dropping of the boats that they maybe never should have bought otherwise.
The drawback with the marina is that is exposed, EXPOSED! Westerly or southwesterly winds have free range across the lake. The docks are also of a bit weird design with cleats in not the smartest positions, and some pilings are "flexible". Hence, this is not the best place for when the winds kick up.
Forecast calls for stronger winds today with at least a storm arriving both Thursday and Friday. So wind is expected.
Dad and I took the dog for a walk this afternoon. We neded up at the marina. What I saw was sort of appauling:
A couple of perfectly nice boats, tied up so poorly that the boats are likely not going to make it in the little wind we have this afternoon. One boat was already cracked open, and with one stern cleat precariously positioned, I'd say that this boat will be grounded in the next few hours. Too bad, because this was a neat 22' cuddy cabin just a few hours ago, and it would have been fine with the bow into the wind tied up in the empty spot next door... Not even with a need for any crappy fender.
The other boat was a 42', a nice one, but tied up by someone that really has no idea of the forces wind and wave can exert on a hull and the dock. Apart from already having pnctured a few fenders, it was also starting pulling the dock apart.
Yet another small bow-runner was hitting the dock from UNDENEATH at every wave. What a beating, and it has not even started blowing yet...
The best moored boat today, was a small 18" that was tied up in all four corners and with enough slack in the lines so it could move freely, w/o tugging at the cleats and eventually pulling them out of the deck.
So, at moorings, people are moorons!
New rules were implemented this year, so in the off-season, you can actually moor your boat there for longer periods than the usual "no more than 5 days in any 7 day period". Since moorage in Lake Washington is both expensive and hard to come by, people tend to jump at "deals", dropping of the boats that they maybe never should have bought otherwise.
The drawback with the marina is that is exposed, EXPOSED! Westerly or southwesterly winds have free range across the lake. The docks are also of a bit weird design with cleats in not the smartest positions, and some pilings are "flexible". Hence, this is not the best place for when the winds kick up.
Forecast calls for stronger winds today with at least a storm arriving both Thursday and Friday. So wind is expected.
Dad and I took the dog for a walk this afternoon. We neded up at the marina. What I saw was sort of appauling:
A couple of perfectly nice boats, tied up so poorly that the boats are likely not going to make it in the little wind we have this afternoon. One boat was already cracked open, and with one stern cleat precariously positioned, I'd say that this boat will be grounded in the next few hours. Too bad, because this was a neat 22' cuddy cabin just a few hours ago, and it would have been fine with the bow into the wind tied up in the empty spot next door... Not even with a need for any crappy fender.
The other boat was a 42', a nice one, but tied up by someone that really has no idea of the forces wind and wave can exert on a hull and the dock. Apart from already having pnctured a few fenders, it was also starting pulling the dock apart.
Yet another small bow-runner was hitting the dock from UNDENEATH at every wave. What a beating, and it has not even started blowing yet...
The best moored boat today, was a small 18" that was tied up in all four corners and with enough slack in the lines so it could move freely, w/o tugging at the cleats and eventually pulling them out of the deck.
So, at moorings, people are moorons!
Sunday, October 14, 2007
Dad iZ arriving
Dad arrived yesterday from Sweden. Good to see him again. Been since last time he was here in April of 2006. Time flies fast! Wife and I have been "working them" for long to get them (mom and dad) over here again, but mom just HAD to stay home for birthdays and other committments. She hints that she'll be coming in the spring, but I know the story. At that time all the "worry" is about the plants and the garden "back home". so we'll see. They should travel now when they can, and we have familiy in Hawaii just waiting to see them.
But, since mom "bailed out", this was dad's first "solo" air-line trip ever. Not being very proficient in English, and not used to international air travel, one can sort of get lost along the way. just gate numbers can be confusing if you do not understand the instructions you are given.
Due to late booking, and SAS having horribly high prices with such short notice, my brother helped him book the trip. Ended up being on LuftHansa/AirCanada with a layover in both Frankfurt and Vancouver.
But, he made it! Some confusion in Vancouver, but he had a couple of hours and eventually got directed properly and seated on the plane for the short jump across the border and down to Seattle. Of course his bags did not make the last flight, but they were delivered to the house around 1.30 AM this morning. Good, because there were the usual "treasures" (Swedish Coffee, Cloudberry and lingonberry jams, Kalle's Kaviar, Vasterbottens Ost, etc). Nothing confiscated this time so all is well!
After getting a good night sleep her i nthe guest room (or should we call it the family room after all?), he is pretty well rested and not as pooped as a long transatlantic trip with little or no sleep can result in. Especially for a 76-year old.
But, since mom "bailed out", this was dad's first "solo" air-line trip ever. Not being very proficient in English, and not used to international air travel, one can sort of get lost along the way. just gate numbers can be confusing if you do not understand the instructions you are given.
Due to late booking, and SAS having horribly high prices with such short notice, my brother helped him book the trip. Ended up being on LuftHansa/AirCanada with a layover in both Frankfurt and Vancouver.
But, he made it! Some confusion in Vancouver, but he had a couple of hours and eventually got directed properly and seated on the plane for the short jump across the border and down to Seattle. Of course his bags did not make the last flight, but they were delivered to the house around 1.30 AM this morning. Good, because there were the usual "treasures" (Swedish Coffee, Cloudberry and lingonberry jams, Kalle's Kaviar, Vasterbottens Ost, etc). Nothing confiscated this time so all is well!
After getting a good night sleep her i nthe guest room (or should we call it the family room after all?), he is pretty well rested and not as pooped as a long transatlantic trip with little or no sleep can result in. Especially for a 76-year old.
Monday, October 01, 2007
Annexation WoeZ
I've never met Rob Butcher, but he is engaged and has done a good job in raising his voice in opposition to the potential annexation of more land into the City of Kirkland.
Check out his web "Save Kirkland - Stop Annexation".
Personally, I'm still undecided on this issue but likely leaning towards a no as well, although I and others (apart from the City Council) cannot vote on it.
We know where we have Kirkland today and we like most of what we see. However, with City Hall having to serve an additional 33,000 people, it is very likely that the small, friendly, and very caring staff at City Hall will no longer be the same. It will be more of a large administration, and no good will come out of that.
One of the things that really defines "Kirkland" today is that it is easy doing business, or having business, with people at the helm. Everyone (few expections of course) at City Hall is very service minded, have a good "feel" for their city, and knows the neighborhood. they are more "residents" than "public servants", even though I really don't know how many of them that are actually living inside the city of Kirkland.
Check out his web "Save Kirkland - Stop Annexation".
Personally, I'm still undecided on this issue but likely leaning towards a no as well, although I and others (apart from the City Council) cannot vote on it.
We know where we have Kirkland today and we like most of what we see. However, with City Hall having to serve an additional 33,000 people, it is very likely that the small, friendly, and very caring staff at City Hall will no longer be the same. It will be more of a large administration, and no good will come out of that.
One of the things that really defines "Kirkland" today is that it is easy doing business, or having business, with people at the helm. Everyone (few expections of course) at City Hall is very service minded, have a good "feel" for their city, and knows the neighborhood. they are more "residents" than "public servants", even though I really don't know how many of them that are actually living inside the city of Kirkland.
Saturday, September 29, 2007
Comment from CounZil member Sternoff
Bob Sternoff is a pretty good and mostly reasonable guy, but reading a comment in today's Seattle Times sort of sets me back:
"You get to see big equipment and a house demolished, which you don't get to see every day," said Bob Sternoff, a Kirkland City Council member who viewed the demolition. "It kind of builds a sense of community."
Bob, that's EXACTLY what's wrong about Kirkland today. We see TOO MANY "big equipment" tearing down houses in our neighborhoods. A lot of the new construction is out of touch with the "look and feel" of Kirkland, sacrificing our green areas and trees in the process.
Been debated before, but we need more stringent rules as for when a house can be demolished and not. Many of the houses torn down are prime candidates for remodel, but it is easier/cheaper to just tear down.
That said, in the case surrounding this house, a tear down was in order, and the resident will be getting a brand-new home for FREE - thanks to "Extreme MakeOver - Home Edition".
"You get to see big equipment and a house demolished, which you don't get to see every day," said Bob Sternoff, a Kirkland City Council member who viewed the demolition. "It kind of builds a sense of community."
Bob, that's EXACTLY what's wrong about Kirkland today. We see TOO MANY "big equipment" tearing down houses in our neighborhoods. A lot of the new construction is out of touch with the "look and feel" of Kirkland, sacrificing our green areas and trees in the process.
Been debated before, but we need more stringent rules as for when a house can be demolished and not. Many of the houses torn down are prime candidates for remodel, but it is easier/cheaper to just tear down.
That said, in the case surrounding this house, a tear down was in order, and the resident will be getting a brand-new home for FREE - thanks to "Extreme MakeOver - Home Edition".
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