No Es Lo Mismo

It's hard to believe that 2005 is over. The 90's feels like last week, the 80's like last month and the 70's like last year. Time flies faster than a bat out of hell.

I got a good feeling about 2006 though. It's going to be damn fun, a personal turning point and in some cases mindblowing. Never let the tick-tock define you, always let the tick-tock stay far enough behind. Let it nibble at your butt but never catch you.

Stormy Weather

The turbulent ending of 2005 is evident to everyone living in Northern California. The winter storms are here and more vicious than in many years. The loud rain pounding on our westly windows kept us up most of the night. The wind was so hard that it felt like the windows were going to burst at any moment and our bedroom fill up with water. But luckily, that didn't happen.

The rainy season in San Francisco is just a few weeks per year but when it happens staying inside, ordering groceries from Safeway and having a stack of new DVD's is the preferred way of living.

Partying Like 2006

I've never been a big follower of the Santa Claus order. The whole holiday is too dogmatic with all the traditions and rules. Never been a big fan of rules either (except my own).

December is my personal hybernation month. I try to avoid as much Xmas stuff as possible and focus on the countdown to the following year. Once in January with longer days and shorter nights I perk up and become more willing to do things. The winter is in the end of the tunnel, springtime just around the corner and summer just a few months away. See, that's positive thinking.

Goodwill Hunting

We attacked the closets like the most savaged beast sucks the bone out of real rock'n'roll. It's that time of year when charity is creating more space in your closet, a thicker wallet and a warm heart. Supply and demand, mon cheri.

Anywho, we have been faced with crucial decision-making over the past few days. What should we keep and what should we Goodwill? They finally got our old clothes and we got a well deserved tax deduction and a lot fewer things to keep track of. We even went down to the storage unit to see what we could live without. As we learned - quite a few things.

About-o-graphy

My first devilish idea, and it seemed to be a pretty darn good one at the time, was to cram as many potatoes as I could into a single jar. It’s actually not that hard.
The trick is, as usual, to get them out of the jar and back to where they belong before dinner. That, my friends, is virtually impossible. At least if you are only four years old and never been outside the neighborhood block.

The second adaptation of the adult world was to replicate the latest history class at my very leftist and progressive grade school. I had just learned that you should feel sorry for all the African people cause they were oppressed. And it was all due to the imperialistic western world. And yada, yada, yada…
My young political mind, which was too far ahead for it’s own good, decided to join my fellow brothers in their struggle for freedom. I armed myself with some black shoe polish and a brush and started to convert my fair skin into the darkest of chocolate.
I think I was grounded for about a week, which I later learned is the average amount of time it takes for good quality shoe polish to wear off. You can’t beat mother nature.

The third and last premonition of my future adaptive unconsciousness must have happened (yes, it’s rather unclear) when I was roaming around Europe pre-cell phone era. I had just spent a year at an American high school in Los Angeles and returned back to Europe with a larger-than-life persona. Non grata I might add.
The zest for life, freedom and liberty was awoken at my European return and I wanted to burst out of my post-modern, suburban and predictable life into an adventurous and animated future. But my whole surrounding was stuck in a post-war socialistic depression that felt like a gray, wet wool blanket, ready to suffocate any passionate thought or desire. No one had seen Ferris Bueller’s Day off but they all knew The Seventh Seal by heart.

So I embarked, as all heroes do, on a journey – both geographical and mental. I took the road less traveled, emptied my bank account and decided to follow my spiritual fathers in their quest for life as it should be lived, as it could be lived if all but’s and dont’s where shaken off like an old dead skin. My first destination was New York. I arrived a very cold January evening with no place to stay. I knew I had found was I was looking for when I walked around Times Square trying to find a cheap hotel to crash at. I had a small bag pack and was dressed for Paris in the springtime. But still to this day I remember the excitement, the pulse and the eagerness I felt when I knew that my life had started.

Let It Ripp!

The Christmas holiday is the perfect time to just lounge around with a new book, DVD or CD. Just found a pile of non-ripped CD - about 100 - which I'm going to ripp today. The great thing with ripping CD's is that you run into old songs, albums and artists that you almost forgot. That creates a chain reaction and within seconds you're at the iTunes site, recovering and discovering new music.

PS. Just got a shocker - didn't have Back in Black with AC/DC ripped. How could THAT have happened? Puzzled!

Energy Preservation

It's interesting how energy preservation gets subconsciously factored into the physical decision-making. The more out of shape you are the more important energy becomes in choosing daily strategies and activities. Simple supply and demand.

The human being is the laziest of species. We are always trying to find faster and smarter ways of doing tasks to preserve energy and save time.

That's why high-energy people are highly valued in our society. Higher energy equals productivity which equals growth with equals monetary value.

In general, are high-energy people smarter than low-energy people or is it more about how well you preserve and use your personal energy?

The Best Week Ever

You know how some weeks just sucks and some just kicks the perilious butt. This week has to be ranked in the latter group. First, the missus hit her yearly target. Secondly, all the Christmas shopping is done - yay. Thirdly, just learned that my mother-in-law is hosting an art exhibition in the spring - dress code guevara shirt. I mean seriously, isn't that just swell.

PS. We celebrated this weeks achievements with a bottle of 1997 Leoville-Barton.

Sweating Again

Just returned from the sixth time at the gym since I became a member two weeks ago. I can already feel how I'm losing weight and getting more energized. A positive bi-product is that I also sleep much better.

Wine by the Glass

Most wine by the glass taste crap. Why is that? Well, why sell great wine by the glass when the restaurant can make more by selling it by the bottle. So to people that just want to have one glass you sell them crap wine for a premium. They wouldn't go for seconds anyway, right. The key sober question for the day after is: Why did you?

Lucid in the Sky with Diamonds

Hold on to your wine glasses, I signed up for a gym. Well, it was actually the missus that signed me up. She came up with the whole idea that if we did a joint-membership it would be much more cost effective. Who am I to disagree, especially when the suggestion comes rapped in one of my favorite argument: cost effectiveness.

I've now been to the gym for some light 20-minute biking every second day since end of last week. Not bad for a middle aged man. Tomorrow I'm going again and I'm actually starting to look forward to it. It's the endorfines that are kicking in and I must say I like it. I feel a little bit 'high' after every session and who doesn't want that feeling on an every day basis. I know I do.

Plan B

Without a backup there is no plan.

Goodbye, Appointment Viewing!

We finally pulled the plug on Comcast in favor of a life free from appointment viewing. Sure, we could have signed up for Tivo to be able to filter out all the meaningless commercials and be free to watch when we wanted to. But that's another X dollars every month that could be spent on better things. And I hate paying big corporations lots of money for crappy services. The only sell argument the Comcast representative could come up with when I told him I wanted to cancel was: 'It's only $40 per month'. Pathetic!

So no more movies, huh? Au contraire, my dear reader. It's all about Netflix and iTunes. Netflix is shipping 4 new movies every second to third day and from iTunes I can buy TV-shows (even my old favorite Night Rider) and use them on our Mac-Mini, PowerBook, LCD Screen or iPod. THAT rocks!

But, but... what about News? Glad you asked! Yahoo! News and RRS is delivering anything I need to my desktop. I've never enjoyed the snippets of news that most networks provide, chopped up in small easily digestable pieces wrapped in degrading commercials and repeated so often that your desire to hurl surpaces any other reflective reaction your body can muster.

That said, I like solid, informative and objective news (think BBC or PBS) without all the small talk and without commercials. The killer app would be a subscription offer for commercial-free news automatically downloaded to the iPod or iTunes, just like podcasts but with video.

Finally, I'd love for Google, Yahoo! or a smart startup to offer broadband for free. Then we could delete our relationship with one of the last big dinosaurs - at&t. But I'm confident it's just a matter of time before that happens. Until then we can always free-ride on our neighbors WiFi. Who said there is no free lunch?

My New Job

I realized yesterday night what my new job is. We hosted a dinner for a few friends and during the conversation it became very clear. I've learned so much about cooking, investing, wine, cineography et cetera during the past few weeks as a man of leisure. Most people exhaust themselves working (mostly for good reasons) and are too tired to learn. In the short-term that is obviously sometimes a necessity but long-term intellectual suicide.

I spend my days learning new things, accelerating my knowledge within areas I really care about. Last week I learned everything about strategic options investments and this week I plan to learn everything there is about winemaking in the Mendoza region in Argentina. The following week I'd like to deepen my knowledge about Oysters. It's definitely an aquired taste but so are the best things in life.

The desire to find the truth about things really made the corporate world challenging for me. The truth was very often put aside in favor of the political game. I obviously realize that politics are the measures you take to make your agenda the objective truth. In many cases they go hand in hand but it also happens very frequently that the overall long-term mission is suffering due to the short-term political gains. That's a very destructive and demoralizing situation.

But these days there are no political games to worry about. Only the drive to learn more cause it answers the questions I have and satisfies my curiosity. Life to me is about learning about the world and about oneself. Yes, it would be great if I could do things while sitting in a nice Eames soft management chair but the personal pleasure is no less while doing it in an old replica. It's the path and not the goal that makes the journey worth travelling.

Wine, PJ's and 'Friends"

One of my idols is Hugh Hefner, maybe not so much for his bunnies (oh, well...) as for his excentricity, confidence and pathos. It was with those attributes he triple-teamed the stuffy 50's family values and started a revolution that has only begun.

More importantly, he likes to wander around the house in PJ's and fancy monogrammed slip-ons. Guess what I want for Christmas?

The pleasure of being able to stay in on a weekday due to bad weather is a luxury for the few. Add wine, movies, PJ's and an eposide of 'Friends' and the picture is complete.

I actually had scheduled to read 'The Conquest of Happiness' by Bertrand Russell but chose to watch six episodes from Alias season three. The free choice can be a tough challenge sometimes.

Paradise Beach

The missus is down in Cabo and I'll head down in a few days as well. The vision of sitting on a warm beach with a puro and a margarita sooths my soul. Life is at it's best in it's simplicity: on a beach, having dinner with friends or just an afternoon siesta. I hardly remember the fancy times in my life (not that many) but the good, warm times with friends and family. The laughs and the crazyness, that's what the brain registers.

In my solitude I'm cooking lamb chops with sautated potatoes and a light cream sauce. The lamb has been rubbed in Dean & Deluca's Maroccan rub. Lamb demands Rioja so I'm enjoying a 2001 Muga Reserva.

When Everything Feels Dark...

The winter is here and the whole bay area is covered in a thick wet blanket. It's been raining for two days but the memories of a warm and sunny November is still in my heart. And when you thought darkness had taken over, the sun brakes through and the sky cleares up. The emergence of a beautiful California sunset gives hope of better and warmer days.

Patience and Discipline

I look at the charts and discover new signals all the time. In the heat of the moment it's easy to be impulsive and take positions that with some patience and discipline could have been avoided. But it's all part of the learning experience. Sometimes the sidelines can be the best decision. Gives time to other passions.

The Art of The Good Life

This was the first Thanksgiving that the missus and I were in charge of the main culinary event. It went very well thanks to our appreciative and forgiving family members who focused on the tasty stuffing instead of mentioning the slightly undercooked Gratin Daphnois.

It was truly a weekend celebrating the good life; starting with food, then wine and finishing of with the arts. We spent time up in Napa at Bouchon as well at the De Young Museum and at Bimbos for the Los Amigos Invisibles gig. We also had time for wine tasting and knocked of a few St-Julien's and Malbec's.

The Age of Ageing II

Maturity comes when your vanity and ego catches up with reality and you start to spend more time on your inside instead of your outside.

The Age of Ageing

The cool thing about growing older is how some things that seemed important don't anymore. It could be everything from matching socks to being politically correct or just fitting in. The funny thing is that it works the other way around as well in the sense that the really, really important things stand out. The things that matters to you becomes more clear and the things that don't just fades away.

I've never been a big fan of all the pretentious hoopla around etiquette. Agreed, I've mostly complied but in all honestly tried to break the rules when possible. I understand when the etiquette makes sense, when there is a rational reason but not when it's only about showing off or showing that you are in the know.

I admire the people that have the guts to be themselves, dare to explore who the are and express it in public. Eccentricity? Yes M'am. But never to be seen only to live.

"He Looks So Relaxed..."

I get that a lot these days. People in my circle of trust seem to notice that there is a new kid in town, or sheriff. Whichever works for ya.

I think it might be because I'm about to find my next new mission. I can feel how my passion and drive is coming back and that adds energy. But it's also the enjoyment of being inbetween two awesome challenges and having the luxury of growing by additional perspective.

Yeah, that's right. I feel that I'm growing again, learning, assessing and understanding faster and better than ever. My mind feels like a 6-year olds, craving for knowledge and insights.

My new plan is taking shape nicely and I cannot wait to execute it with my traditional force and conviction. To tell you the truth, I have already started.

What Is Happiness?

I've always thought that lifestyle trumps money, status and biceps. If you can choose your lifestyle and enjoy every second of it that has to be as close to happiness as ever possible. Bertrand Russell agrees with me on this one I might add.

Well, maybe not only lifestyle. I would add attitude and confidence as two crucial life ingredients to spice up the walk through life.

It fascinates me how we crave for fortune (money), attention (fame) and status (titles) as well as how we would do most everything - might that be politically correct and well executed - to reach the Nirvana on earth: the altar of Mammon.

Life is too important to have money thrown at you while running naked down the street with people cheering you on. It contradicts every sensible bone in my body and should in yours. That said I do like money but not at any price.

To live your life the way you want it has to be the most gratifying rewards of them all. Miles away from the corporate pad on the back or the "Well done, Sonny!" at the Xmas party.

I tend to use two different hats when I look at life; my present hat (more like a cap) and my 80-year old hat (more like a beret). They work as great perspective and decision-making filters. If something passes through both filters then both the retrospect and the present has concluded that the pursuit is worthy.

Just ask yourself: When you're 80 years old, what kind of life would you have wanted to live? The answer puts things in perspecitve and makes status-whoring the second most despised trade in the world.

Per Inc.

My new life as CEO of Per Inc. is busier than ever. I've now entered into the world of awesome responsibility but also huge returns. Everyday is like a white piece of paper ready to be scribbled on. The powers I've got are sometimes quite overwhelming.

It's lonely at the top and the only person I can lean on is my chairman (the missus). But on the other hand I do have a huge staff across the world, everything from airline pilots, gourmet chefs to car mechanics and bankers. It's a different ecosystem that I'm used to. The pleasure of just calling anyone in my staff up and ask them to do things for me is great. Sure, they need to get paid but who doesn't.

I really kept my staff busy during my last weekend trip to London. What can I say, I'm a tough CEO. I made them cook and pour drinks, clean my room, drive me to different meetings and fly me back and forth. But it was both very productive and enjoyable.

Today, I might give everyone a rest, except for the tech guys since I need a new printer cable for the new Laser Writer. The tech guys aren't as easy to work with since they feel that they know things that noone else does. But as the CEO I need to show them who's the boss.

I usually tell them: The buck stops here, guys! Just follow the plan and execute. One of my favorite ways of motivating them is by telling them the value of trust and how we all are part of the same circle of trust. It works - sometimes!

Biking Exposed

Just as I was about to head out for a narly bike ride the sun disappeared. Bugger! Right thereafter I find three new DVD's from Netflix in my mailbox. Double Bugger!

London, Baby!

I'm really excited to head back to London this weekend to visit my friends and the old neighborhood around Kensington, Holland Park and Notting Hill.

I'm feaverishly planning the lunches and dinners. On top of my list are: The Enterprise, Le Boudin Blanc, Bibendum, Churchill Arms (Thai), Wagamama's (Asian @ a bargain) och maybe The Wine Factory or the old Club Med (new owners and name I think).

I've no plans if doing any extensive sightseeing or shopping, just a quick trip to the usual few places and maybe visit an exhibition at one of the great museums. The bulk of my time will be spent eating and drinking with my friends. Or just drinking.

There are few pleasures in life greater than standing outside The Enterprise or The Cod with a pint of Guinness and exercise the art of small talk. Just the fact that you can stand outside - except for when it bloody rains - will always be a great adventure and a very novel pastime to me.

Uma Batida Diferente

Imagine a beach so hot that you can see the heat waves surf across the sand. It only takes a blanket and a superb lunch and there you are, on the beach squinting your eyes in the afternoon sun. The shades of heat are changing in front of you, turning into a softer, more suave light. There is orange mixed with deep blue and sand.

It's the best time of day. Your lunch is making your sleepy, slow and lazy as the sun is giving you it's best rays. It's easy to just nod off but the beach light is just too beautiful and it awakes memories in your mind of the best of times.

You can hear the bossa tunes coming out of the beach bar. They are playing 'Águas de Março' and it feels like the end and the beginning of time. Life is as it's most attractive and simplest form. Your mind is emptied of anything but now.

'Just For You'

iTunes new recommendation feature 'Just For You' is an 'old' concept in the digital world. Amazon has been credited as the inventor, at least the surviving inventor, of the feature 'People that bought this product also bought the following products'. But that doesn't make it less useful.

Getting recommendations based on your past music purchases and how they relate to others is fantastic. It actually works more like Netflix's recommendations than Amazon's. The user gets a choice of rating the recommendation with either 'Already Own It' or ' Don't Like It'.

In geek speak the feature is driven by an algorithm but it's all old fashioned probability based on aggregated customer preferences. It's exactly the kind of 'sticky' features iTunes needs to leverage and monitize the power of their user DB. That's what makes them unique and it pays of being the biggest.

It also adds to the power of recovery / discovery search which increases the clickstream and drives more moolah to Apple. iTunes is the Google of music.

Life is Good!

Doc confirmed blood pressure is down. CKCM +$2 on above average volume. Fedex delivered a case of Allende '01. Missus back from East Coast tonight. A pound is now $1.75 USD. The new iPod rocks.

Grissomisms

"It is in changing we find purpose."

Los Amigos Invisibles

When I first heard "The New Sound of The Venezuelan Gozadera" I was just blown away by how cool and modern these latin american vibes were. At that time - around '98 - I had just started to dive into the vast ocean of classic brazilian music. I didn't really know anything latin american but the brazilian classics. I was in for a treat.

A year later I was in Barcelona on my way down to Tarifa to windsurf and ran into a poster down by the Barceloneta promoting Los Amigos at Bikini the very same night. I had to go. That night was a blend of Gozadera, party shirts and Tequila.

Los Amigos are playing here in San Francisco in about 3 weeks and I think it's time to pull out the old flamboyant shirt to celebrate the beginning of the latin american summer. Vamos!

The Apple of My Eye

Early (pre-6AM) rise this morning due to the missus trip to the East Coast. Easied into the day by watching 3-4 episodes of Alias season 4. Woke up thanks to 2 cups of latte.

Then I decided it was time to switch out the weakest link in our home network - the Linksys wifi router 802.11b (so 90's) - for the Apple Airport Extreme Base Station (802.11g). I never thought that a commodity like that could be differentiated but what a positive surprise. It took me 2 minutes to hook up and suddenly I felt a snappiness (Yahoo! speak) in the network applications that I haven't experience before. I'm now what marketing folks would call a delighted customer eventhough it set me back the equivalent of a case of Allende '03.

I'm getting so close to the vision I had several years ago of having one 'affordable' (key word) server that store and streams anything audio and video as well as having free VoIP accessible from anywhere in our pad. Next steps are to exchange our current home theater system for something much sleeker / portable, add another flat panel TV in the living room and some streaming hardware / software (Mac-2-TV).

I want to listen to music and watch movies when I WANT without commercials trying to sell me the next Ford F-150. I also like to to bring those assets with me when I travel. But what I really want is to be able to access media just like we are making cell calls today across the world - anywhere, anytime and on any platform.

The Hangover

I feel slightly hungover after last night. The missus treated me to a very nice dinner over at Luella. I was really impressed by the place, from the ambiance to the service and the food. We had a fantastic bottle of red from Puglia, Ahi Tuna Tacos as starters, Halibut as main and a cheese plate as the dessert and grand finale. I also liked that the restaurant wasn't over-crowded, just enough people to make you confident that they are good at what they do. And they are - great attention to details and a strong love for what they do. A B+ in my book.

The European Vacation

We might head to Europe next spring for a long European road trip. Our thought is to mainly hit Switzerland, Italy, France and Spain to enjoy the respective wine country and restaurants, cruising along on the backroads to discover the simple life. The ride? Well, I think I just got clearance to buy a 993. Excited!

The Exit

Today was my last day at Yahoo!. I woke up early, around 5am pst, to get the opportunity to enjoy the 50-mile long ride on I-280 to the office for the last time. It was magic, like people on the freeway just knew that this was an important ride, a man on a mission to close one chapter in his life and open another. In salute, everyone moved aside (damn unusual) except for a pick-up truck (what can I say...) and let me pass, feeling the acceleration pulsating through my body and the wind blowing in my hair.

I showed up for my exit interview and realized that the HR lady that was assigned was rather nervous. She spoke faster than most people can hear, like she was paid in words per minute. I realized she didn't know if this was a voluntary or forced exit. Not knowing if it was going to be uncomfortable. I made a joke, smiled and she clearly got the message. I added: Lady, this has been 6 absolutely fantastic years - loved every minute! Her smile grew bigger and bigger and wished the best of luck. End.

The Exile Years

Your past will always catch up to you. Mine did today. Two Internet entrepreneur friends from Europe came by the Bay Area for a chat at Sushi Ran in Sausalito. I haven't seen them more than a few times since the days we used to work together in Stockholm, in the evolving mid-90's.

We had all gained some weight (sorry, guys) since our early 30's but everything else was pretty much the same. Oh, except for the experience and individual growth. In our talks it felt like time never happened. 1996 felt like yesterday but with a much more mature and honest perspective. All the material things aside, that's what we bring through life, our ability to learn and grow from our mistakes.

So my answer to the question "What are you going to do next?" has to be: Make more mistakes! There is no better way to learn.

The Leaps of Life

There are several ways of navigating through life's challenges to get to the endgame. Well, eventually the endgame will be the very same for all of us - death. But before that happens we all have to make a decision about the direction, content and target.

Right now I'm right inbetween my old and my new life which is a very comfortable place to be. I can with pleasure look back at the past half decade and enjoy the achievements and memories as well as dream about the next 5 years with a glass of St-Julien. I don't really have to do anything productive but trying to make sense of the past, present and the future.

Time, in the short-term, is only important to linear people. Time as measured in tick-tock, tick-tock. But if you look at time in the concept of leaps - of huge disruptive jumps - then time becomes unlimited. The key is to find the right space for that time. It's not time spent that should be valued but impact. How do you measure impact? In cold hard cash, baby!

The Life of an Ex-Yahoo!

The email that I've been formulating in the back of my mind about leaving Yahoo! left my mailbox today at 10.14am PDT. It was the toughest email I've ever written. How do you sum up +6 years of working for the coolest Internet company in the world? How do you describe your gratitude and thanks to all the passionate, smart and ambitious people that you have relied on and vice versa?

Well, I guess you can't if you don't want to write a novel. But putting something into writing was important to communicate the formal ending of this chapter of my life. An exit is not the end but the beginning of something new, very often thanks to that very past that the ending is symbolizing. It's thanks to my time at Yahoo! that I can continue to pursue my passions in life - personal as well as professional. I'd say that is the ultimate achievement!

Cancelled Roadtrip

I've in the back of my mind been planning the true Southwestern roadtrip for quite some time. I think close to 10-15 years. Leaving SF heading down on the beautiful Pacific Highway in a fast sportscar, top down. Stopping in quaint places such as Santa Cruz (visit buddy Joe), Carmel (Bernardos Lodge) and then further down, passing the Big Sur and Santa Barbara. Maybe make a sideways trip to the wine country there before hitting Los Angeles.

After a few days on the coastal route we would turn 90 degrees and head east to Palm Springs and then to Tucsan for Mexican food, golf and desert. From Tucsan we would go to Phoenix (visit buddy Jaan w/ wife) and then Vegas, baby, to try out my new Texas Hold 'em skills.

After all the fear and loathing Death Valley sounds like the right destination and then up through Yosemite and back to San Francisco. I'd say the perfect fall trip but it doesn't look like we'll make it this year.

On The Menu

Lamb chops sprinkled with Kosher salt, garlic and rosemary
Gratin Dauphinois
Arugula salad with vinaigrette
A bottle of Chateau Lalande-Borie

The Last Trading Hour

As the sun starts to come out behind all the clouds in the bay YHOO, SYBR and NFLX are making a run for it. It's beautiful to watch a trading plan come together, bringing fundamental, technical, market psychology, game theory and money management into play. Today has been (and still is) a great day and I'm expecting tomorrow to be both glorious as well as directional. We are at the crossroads, folks. Time to make your bets!

Monday Morning Epiphany

It's another wonderful Northern California fall morning with blue sky and above 70 degrees. I experienced an epiphany while reading the article about the french gaming company Gameloft in this morning's WSJ. My flash experience didn't have anything to do with that company in particular but triggered a glimpse of hope. Hope as in drive, not as in lottery, religion or glory.

I had the mind-blowing vision of that everything is possible, that the sky's the limit. But it manifested itself in a much clearer vision than it has over the past few years. I saw a light-weight lifestyle, a much more simplistic way with the pure essentials in our ownership. In the time of mass consumption and shopping as the cure to boredom, liberating yourself from ownership might be the only right thing to do. Marx was right after all: perfection comes when ownership is abolished (freely translated).

But the shedding of all the physical luggage was just one part of the epiphany. The other part was more revenue-oriented to speak survival and thrival lingo. I saw a Jerry Maguire-ish worklife with passion AND money being the reward, the drive and the thrill.

Bud Fox said it well in the excellent movie 'Wall Street': When have you ever stepped out in the world and staked your claim?

In The Midst of The Siesta Hour

The missus is off on one of her fashion shows and I've just poured myself a glass of Muscat from our visit to Australia last year. The Cohiba is lit up but a little dry cause the humifier went dry. Simply cause and effect - I should have known.

It's 74 degrees outside and the sun is bursting through the protective blinds surrounding our apartment windows. I've opened up some of them to let in the calm fall breeze. This could be Cuba, Miami or Buenos Aires right now. I've my favorite playlist blasting out "Outro Lado' by Zuco 103 from the oversized and underutilized 4-feet tower speakers.

My mind has been preocupied with work, future house purchase and everything else rational, practical, planning-oriented, taking-care-of-your-family kind of stuff. I hate the logical planning; I wish I just had a closet full of dough that I could visit when I needed more. A never ending source of currency so I could focus my attention on the things that I really care about: food, wine, travels, cigars, writing, movies, dinners, interesting conversations, music, vintage sport cars, innovative technology (could be a better tooth brush) and just instant living.

Sometimes I wish life was as easy as the smoothest bossa nova song, slowly tip-toeing over the hot sand to get to the cooling Margarita bar across the beach. Solely wearing a pair of speedo's, a pair of oversized sunglasses and a thin Guavera shirt with a single pocket for the hotelroom key and a cigar. The lighter I'll get at the bar. One needs some sort of carrot in the life of no externally poised demands.

I can see a big white truck on the Golden Gate bridge from our pad. Most likely just the reflection of another SUV coming into the city carring yet another Silicon Valley worker, his wife - constantly on the phone - and a handful of kids watching TV on the LCD screens in the backseat. All heading for the buffe at Alfie's to enjoy Sunday togetherness.

'La Revancha del Tango" by Gotan Project has replaced the Brazilian vibes; giving a glimpse of hope, that even if the fall is decending on our pale working bodies the spring is rising in the land of passion.

Mac is Back And Biking is On

Mid-70's and a blue fall sky pulled me away from setting up my newly repaired Mac Mini. It's been at the 'shop' for about 2 weeks and has been surely missed. I dropped it off at the Apple Store on the day when the new iPod Nano was released and picked it up when the iPod Video was released.

The new video capabilities and content in the new iTunes 7.0 is killer. Not enough content yet, but all episodes of Lost and Desperate Housewives will be enough for a while. They should add all Friends, Frasier, CSI's and Nip / Tuck after that.

We are in the beginning of a very powerful rich media revolution where companies such as Netflix and Apple is going to challenge the established networks and create higher customer value. Getting all my rich media via the Internet is very convenient.

The bike ride was awesome; just the right temperature and enough sun to make it a challenging pleasure to ride for 30 minutes. Yeah, it's not that long but it's only the third time this season so I'll take it easy until i feel more comfortable with the bike and with my physical status. I went down all the hills and over to Crissy Fields and back. Only walked the two steepest hills on the way back. Not bad.

Nuisance For The Elderly

People don't realize that men also struggle with getting older. It's not anything fancy like menopause or saggy butts. Nope, it can be as simple as having your noise clogged up by a bunch of wild nose hairs.

Nose hair is not talked about that much (these days) - by men or women - but it is a true nuisance on par with small talk and people that don't use their blinkers when they are planning to turn. Or women in their 20's talking on their phones whilst driving. You get the point!

I think we really need to dare to share these kind of things. Maybe next Thanksgiving could be a great opportunity. It has to come out in the open at some point that more than 50% of the human kind (not counting all women that might have / get nose hairs) will have this symtom at some point in their lives.

DVD's I'd Like to Own

Ownership in the world of digital media hasn't really been on the top of my list when you can borrow, copy or rent most of what your heart or mind desires. But there are a few TV-shows that I'd like to own, to claim mine so I can in the spur of the moment watch them over and over again:

1. Frasier - His everyday concerns and shortcomings are mine. It's probably the most intelligent show (together with CSI) ever made.
2. CSI (the original) - Talk about the devil is in the details. I'm addicted to this show. Yesterday they had a 4-hour marathon including the special directed by Quentin Tarantino.
3. Friends - So simply, a show just about being good friends and how challenging it can be. The coffee shop is our sanctum.

So why TV-shows? Well, they run about 22 (Frasier and Friends) or 44 minutes (CSI) net commercials. That's the perfect time to take a break from anything. They are easily digestable due to their well known context and characters. They're also rewarding - the more you watch the more of the hidden clues and relationships you see and understand. The sounds and tone is also very comforting eventhough CSI can be very dramatic and gruesome in many ways.

[Food & Wine] Stir-Fried Sesame Chicken

Serves 3-4 people
Preparation time: 10 minutes (chicken + sauce)
Cooking time: 20 minutes (rice), 7-8 minutes (chicken)

1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1-inch cubes
1 1/2 teaspoon cornstarch
1/2 cup vegetable oil
1 green bell peppar, cored, seeded and cut into 1-inch pieces
1/3 cup soy sauce
1/3 cup sesame seed paste
2 tablespoons sesame oil
2 tablespoons chicken stock or water
1 teaspoon chili sauce
2 tablespoons dry cherry sesame seeds, to garnish
2 cups of jasmine rice

1. Clean and then cook the rice for 20 minute. Start prepping the chicken ingredients.

2. Place the chicken in a bowl, sprinkle with the cornstarch and toss until all the pieces are evenly coated. Heat the oil in a wok and stir-fry the chicken over a high heat for 45 seconds. Use a slotted spoon to remove the chicken from the wok and set aside.

3. Add the bell pepper and stir-fry over moderate heat for 1 minute. Stir in 2 tablespoons of the soy sauce, then remove the bell pepper with a slotted spoon and set aside.

4. Add the remaining soy sauce, the sesame seed paste, sesame oil, stock or water, chili sauce, and sherry. Cook, stirring for 1 minute, then replace the chicken and stir over a high heat for about 45 seconds. Stir in the reserved bell pepper and cook for a further 30 seconds or until the pepper is just tender.

5. Transfer the chicken mixture to a serving dish and garnish with the sesame seed. Serve immediately.

The Limitations of Biking

I don't feel that sore after my 15-minute bike stunt yesterday. I just wanted to tease the body into wanting more. Like serving a fat person (sorry - should be more pc and use obese) whipped cream before dinner to get the salivating going.

The only drawback is that biking forces you to give up things such as wine drinking and cigarr smoking in the close time vicinity of the exercise. I once tried to just casually go for a ride to a friends house and since it was Friday I lit up a phattie and rolled down the hill. Not to recommend. Hold off until you get off the bike to avoid the inhaling equal to 10 big cubans. In it's favor, it gives you a big buzz if you can survive the lack of oxygen. Most people cannot.

The 15-Minute Bike Ride

Finally, after all promises and guarantees I can with proudness in my voice and with an honesty more pure than whitening say: I biked today, honey. It wasn't anything dare-devilish or marathon-like. Just a quick bike ride around the block to get the heart pumping. And it sure did. I reached close to exhaustion after 10 minutes. Not that great but I've started the long journey back to being fit as a teen. So kudos for me.

The short bike ride also resulted in probably one of the most productive days I've had in a long time, knocking of things on the to-do list like never before. And with all that pure oxygen pumping through my body I believe I'm going to sleep like a baby tonight.


PS. Right now preparing oven-roasted stuffed peppars with rice and a fabolous guacamole salsa.

To Slack Or Not - Not

Slacking, the missus explained, is when you are doing what you love to do. It's far from being lazy. This truly confirms two things: I married the right missus and that looking for love in work is the right thing to do.

I remember the days I worked 18 hours a day, maybe more and it felt like a walk in the park. Why? I tell you why punk: passion, love, interest, camaraderie, changing the world et cetera. People say it all the time. Focus your energy, knowledge and time on things you love and success will come. I couldn't agree more. Tonight I made a Rösti for the third time ever and it was absolutely amazing. Practise makes perfect and passion is the spice to use.

The Shopping Cure

I've never believed that shopping could actually cure the sense of blue. But this morning we headed off - the missus and I - downtown to knock of a few things off the to-do list. I had a few practical items that turned into pure fashion statements and a great sense of relief and accomplishment. I'm still puzzled by how I feel about this. It wasn't anything expensive or crazy, just two t-shirts, a pullover and a pair of corduroy jeans. But all of the items were very distinct, had a great fit and felt original.

Now I suddenly feel new and energized. This is something I've looked for in new experiences and learnings in the past, not in clothes. Now I just need to get a haircut and shave of 10 pounds and then I'm happening. Again. Go Dog!

PS. I did have a pre-printed list with sizes, stores and preferred brands which created a great feeling of security. What can I say, I'm a numbers guy and demand logic and consistency.

Lost My Wisdom

I'm in 7th heaven these days. Mainly due to all the strong painkillers I'm popping. See I got two of my last three wisdom teeth pulled the other day and that was an insight into pain I've never felt before. There is now two gaping holes in the back of my mouth which both dislikes any kind of hot and spicey food, icecream or alcohol. My only weapon is the white and orange tube with Vicodin tablets which I get to pop one every six hours (as needed). It says "May Cause Dizziness' on the instructions. But the only thing I'm feeling is a very relaxed state of mind, almost transcendental.

Not Everyday

This day didn't start that well. I woke up dehydrated at 3:30am this morning and couldn't go back to sleep. So I started to watch CNBC business news. That gave me several trading ideas so I logged on (like I would ever log off?!) and for the first time entered trades in the pre-market trading. No executions since I run a pretty tight game right now. Once the market opened I got a crappy entry on a play. All this before the first cup of coffee.

One thing leads to the other so when I went down to grab the WSJ I saw that I had gotten a parking ticket. Damn! The reason was that I had parked in the 'wrong direction'. When I got back up to our place the missus looked at me and said: How's your blood pressure? I guess I'm easy to read or the fumes coming out of my ears gave it away.

After a pretty fantastic omelett I started to think of the dentist visit later in the day. It was the visit I have dreaded for the past 12 months - the extraction of two of my last three wisdom teeth.

But since I'm known to be a bulldog (i.e. get really pissed off but never give up) I kept getting back into the game. Well, I missed another exit and another entry. Not really my day, ergh.

But as soon as I started to wind down and prepare my lunch I looked over at the monitor and saw my latest position start to shoot up. Looked like the play was going to pay off nicely. So I closed the position in the black, finished my lunch and headed for Starbucks to celebrate with a cold Frappuccino before the extraction.

Well, the extraction went well thanks to my super professional dentist and eventhough it was an uncomfortable experience it felt good to have another task done on the weekly todo-list. Furthermore, when I got home our maid was finished with cleaning our house which was in a fabulous state.

Today was a great reminder that even if things sometimes looks really dark there is almost always light around the corner. Life is, after all, really damn good!

Blogger Bro, Where Art Thou?

Well, between visits to the dentist, planning the new brave future and having Fern from London here on visit I've been pretty darn damn busy. My latest batch from Amazon have keeping me awake both during scheduled afternoon naps and late nights.

Folks, I've just entered a reading frenzy that I hope will last until spring. I'm chewing up 2-300 pages a day. Boy, does that feel good! Not so much from an anal-productive-perspective but more from a damn-dog-I'm-learning-shit-way.

Flow-How is the New Know-How

I was watching CSI when my mind started to wander. It's the usual perspective calibration that I've develop through lots of training and daydreaming. It's a great technique to avoid focusing to hard on details and avoid loosing the big picture. It works a little bit like a camera lens with a zoom. Once you think you know the answer, change perspective.

Anywho, the word that came to my kind was flow and how much I enjoy it. It's like being in the famous zone where everything is going great. It works when cooking, working out, writing et cetera. It's the perfect state of mind and body. It's when they becomes one and everything seems dead easy. The flow gets constantly challenge by reality and challenging problems but never bulges.

The thought was born when I saw the commercial for 'The Lords of Dogtown' - a must see movie for surfers, adrenaline junkies and true Californians. The way they challenged the status quo and started to surf dried out pools during the 70's droughts is just so inventive, so inspiring, so passionate. The motions are the true incarnation of the perfect state of mind. But the mind is never static or in one place, it's in the zone where the flow is perfect.

Inspiration & Passion

The other day I was contemplating about what makes greatness or what would get people to peak performance. Most people would probably argue the carrot and the stick. I, on the other hand, would argue passion and inspiration.

I need to be passionate, in general and in specific, to have the right energy in place. That energy needs to be inspired with a challenge important enough to satisfy the passion. It's like nitro and glycerin. Individually they are harmless but together explosive.

In a corporate world people are mostly passionate about money and titles. Not everyone but there is a strong correlation between corporate citizens and the importance of bragable rewards. I look for emotional passion, things that really MATTERS, that changes people's lives.

The Truth About Greed & Fear

The basic rule is to sell into greed and buy into fear. That's when you'll have a very liquid demand driven market on the greed side and a supply driven on the fear. It's quite different from bottom fishing or trying to nail the top. Remember, it's not about being right or wrong but about making money.

Cold, Cold City

The fog is thicker than ever and keeps rolling in over the heights without any rest in site. Yesterday was a +70 degree day with blue and sunny sky. Today the neighborhood is covered in cold everlasting fog and a wind that sips through into our house. It reminds of London in the winter time or Stockholm in the spring. I'm glad I got a lot of errands done yesterday - while the sun was out - cause today I ain't leaving the house.

I lit up a cigarr to stay warm but that didn't really do the trick. I'll have to try a hot bath and see what that could bring. If that doesn't work, I guess I've to take a long nap until the heaters starts agin later this afternoon. What a horror!

Let the Sunshine Out

The fog has been rolling in over the San Franciscan hills for more than a week now. This time of year the sun should greet our early morning minds but that hasn't happened - yet. So in waiting for the sun to come out and play we headed down to K&L wines for some casual pleasure. The friendly K&L fellas loaded up our trunk with a few cases and off we were to the new cheese store on Polk and Pacific. An Emmantaler, a Roquefort, a Brie, A Taleggio and some Parmesan Reggiano later we were off to cook lunch.

On today's menu we have a home made pesto sauce with fresh pasta and some newly grated parmesan drizzled lightly on top. Just something to wet our appetite for tonight's dinner. We are planning a cheese plate to get the taste buds going accompanied with some wine from the french region of St.Julien. Then a Swiss (not French) Onion Soup with Emmantaler cheese and home made croutons. On the side, we'll have a simple Bibb Salad sprinkled with Kosher salt, olive oil, peppar and Dijon mustard. Our choice of beverage would be a cab from Mendoza in Argentina. Ahh, forgot to mention the newly baked bread with garlic butter and basil.

I think the above should do the trick, i.e. get us into the pleasure dome where life is good and filled with love.

Things That Inspire Passion

The week is over and after a number of afternoon errands I headed back to our city retreat. The missus pinged me about tomorrow's dinner: we'll be six.

So I started to browse through our Les Halles Cookbook. One thing lead to the other so I poured myself a glass of Castelmavre from Corbières. It's nothing fancy but a very well made and priced red table wine.

Anthony Bourdain's Cookbook got me deeper into the fantastique Bouchon or Bistro food. He mentions how important the stock is. How am I to disagree!??

Our Saturday dinner guests are both great cooks and great guests so I feel the pressure. I want to make something new to them. Being the only one from Europe gives me an edge which I intend to use to the fullest.

Once you start to dive deep into the cookbook's there is no return. So now I'm cooking a Roasted Chicken with Swiss Rösti (like hash browns but better) and a side Bibb Salad. Still having that delish red table wine from France.

See what happens when you let passion ahead of everything else. Don't say I didn't warn you!

Mindful Living

Your life is where your mind is and mine has been far away for some time now. During my daydreaming I'm usually with the missus in our new 993, crusing across the Southwest with no care in the world. The trunk is backed for one week or ten - who cares when you are on an everlasting holiday.

It's the New Reality

I found it at $1.99 and been enjoying the ride since then. It has had a healthy fibonaccian pullback over the past 5 days. Now back on track, riding hard. My expectation is at least $10 in a year, maybe more. But it's going to be a bumpy ride. Let's clear $3 for sure and then never look back.

Alchemize Life

5.52am. Futures up. Money & Investing. Learned about Skype. Two Lattes. Washed car. Walked uphill. To-do list shrinks. Pasta lunch. Great close. Catena Malbec. Chocolate Fudge Brownie. Celebrity Poker. Nap.

Best 90's Album?

Tie between Dookie and Superunknown. The only two Albums that mattered.

Take Me Back to Grunge City

I've finally some time to smoke a cigarr and contemplate after a very busy, almost frentic, week in the accidental life of me. But I gotta hand it to this week - it has been damn good.

Anywho - I'm just going through my Grunge collection and read recently that it was only three bands that mattered from that era: Nirvana, Pearl Jam and my favorite Soundgarden. Maybe, it's just the music critics fascination with the magic number three or they don't know better. I, as you might think, do not concur. You have to add Alice in Chains (Dirt is just playing) and Stone Temple Pilots.

Grunge coincided with my college years and what a fortune that was. The darkness, the searching and the poetic lyrics was the perfect fit. Still is. Just look at Staind, Audioslave (w/ Chris Cornell), Foo Fighters (w/ David Grohl), Nickelback, Hoobastank, Velvet Revolver, Crossfade et cetera. That said, we know everything started with Led Zeppelin. Nothing happened before, some after. Who's Elvis?

Jack of All Trades, Master of None

I'm put dow the hammer to reach for my cell phone. There is an SMS asking for advice: FORD or XWG. Easy - FORD. But hold for under $27.50, I write.

Back with the hammer,putting up another painting that has been in the closet for too long. Then there is a buzz. My Duck Canard should be ready. I turn down Diana Krall to hear the Duck sizzle in it's own fat. Like an obese woman on a hot beach.

Yet another buzz from the cell. It's now a phone call: Blanco or Reposado? For what? Margaritas! Always, Reposado. I hang up.

Feeling like Ask Jeeves. Heading over to the wine fridge. All these choices.

Picking up my electric guitar and disrupt the soothing jazz with a rock riff that could sooth the most savage beast. Am a I multi-tasking Renaissance Man, I ask myself. Oh no, one thing at a time.

Boeing's former Chairman died today, only 64 years old. I bet he wish he learned how to fly. Life is just to short. Keep hammering away on that resume. It could make a nice tomb stone one day.

Basmati or Jasmine

Yet another Friday. The weather is gloomy and cold. No need to leave the safe and warm premises of our urban house. I’d rather enjoy a tasty lunch accompanied with some sweet tunes from Argentina. Like Tanghetto.

It feels like a winter Sunday. The TV is thankfully off and the music on. I’m copying my favorite hundred CD’s to the new Mini Mac. It will take hours but what a great pleasure it is. I find albums and songs I didn’t know I had. I get ideas about new artists or genres I’d like to try.

Life is just so god damn enjoyable right now. Music, movies, literature, food and wine – all at my digital door step.

My biggest current challenge is to decide which I like the best – Basmati or Jasmine rice. Basmati is lighter and fluffier while Jasmine sticks together better. I’ve also found that Basmati is easier to cook. But I prefer Jasmine to Thai… Oh, man – what a quandary!

I'm Reconverted

I'm truly blown-away by finally being in the possession of a Mac again. It is just so much fun! Yesterday I installed all kinds of software and got our WiFi network extended.

This morning (Yeah, headed up at 3am PDT) I've been diving into how to stream videos across the house, as easily as we do with music. My next project is to edit all the latest images from different travels. Then I'm going to dive into the world of movie making. And I'm also going to buy some AAPL...

Current Wishlist:
LaCie Mini Hard Drive (250GB)
EyeTV and Connect
Samsung SyncMaster 730B
Sony Handycam DCR-HC21

2,500 Days Later

I gave up my iMac for a Windows PC more than half a decennium ago. Setting up our new Mac Mini reminded me of how fun computers are, or at least could be if they are made in the right way. About 2 hours after the first start-up we now have music streaming through our stereo, a number of new software programs and a new life. My dream of having one home server that can run our multimedia experience is soon reality. We only lack the ability to stream movies across the house but that will soon be sorted. Imagine accessing our movie library from the bathroom while smoking a cigar in the early morning delight. Youza!

The Antidote

"Looking back it all becomes so clear. How could I be the only one that didn't see clear. Never meant to be so cold.

Rushing through the latest hits of The Killers, Crossfade, Foo Fighters, Velvet Revolver et cetera I get reminded of when it all started.

I can hear the waves and see the city lights. I tried the corporate walk but it wasn't me. It takes a fool, doesn't it.

I've kept me right here waiting and for the wrong reasons. I've always found the the wrong reasons for the wrong way. Now I'll walk the right way without any waiting."

Chapter V

Staind. Released August 9, 2005. Buy it!

Back to Where it Started

I paid my way in college by writing puts on the major indices a few days before October 19, 1987. That might not mean a lot to a lot of ya'll. But for the 'in-the-know' it means beating the pied piper at his own game. That game has always been my backup plan, knowing I got the gift or the guts to to take enough risk at the right time to win.

I love risk cause that's where most people are flushed out; where CAPM nerds are booted and 'corporate finance' students are not allowed. How many times have I heard: "Well, all the finance I learned in business school tells me that you have to do x, y and z!". No, shit!

Belivers in the Random Walk Theory or the Efficeint Market Theory are getting their butts kicked these days. And unfortunately that's the only thing they teach CFO wannabies. It's sad and quite encouraging; it means that I have an edge and most don't. Hit me baby, but just one more time!

[Food & Wine] The Tadich Grill

Today I was introduced to the 156-year old gourmet tradition at The Tadich Grill in San Francisco. It was the first business in California at the time of the goldrush, several years before the state became part of the US. Quite a historic landmark.

Their speciality is seafood and they offer charbroiled, pan-seared, sauted and cooked fish. For starters there is the famous clam chowder either Boston style (white) or Coney Island style (red). They have an extensive menu and even offer some meat dishes. Their wine list is good.

The interior dates far back with the classic bar serving but also separate tables for 2-4 persons and the classic booths. The booths creates a fantastic privacy and are spacious enough for a maximum of 5 people. The waiters are all dressed in white and excellent - great service without being in your face!

I've a feeling that Tadich will become a family tradition from now on. Hopefully where we can go for Friday lunches to celebrate successful weeks.

The Plush Life

I'm surfing the wave of pure pleasure these days. I have left the life of cubicles and meetings in the search for freedom. I'm slowly getting my laissez faire lifestyle back and slowly realizing that I'm not pissing off as many people any more. I don't even piss off myself which is a goddamn accomplishment.

[Knocking off a bottle of Chateau Lalande-Borie while waiting for the women of my dreams to come home and make me dinner.]

Oh well, a few are still on my shitlist but I'm knocking them of by the hour. Recently our house gnome got to feel the Nordic, surpressed fury. One has the draw the line somewhere. Noone wants to be an accommodating yes-sayer with kneepads.

[Listening to a cover of the James Bond soundtrack by an overzealous, soon-to-overdosed-dj-wannabe.]

Let me quote 'Office Space": "It's not that I'm lazy, I just don't care anymore". Yeah, it has gotten to that pivotal point which is about time. Most people don't challenge their minds, demand enough of live to actually get there. There is where you just say no, stop, nunca, never more, wait a second et cetera. Try it, it feels damn good!

[Hope the missus comes home soon because otherwise this bottle of red wine will be long gone. If I wasn't in enough trouble...]

Leaving something great means that you just have something better coming around the corner. Maybe not visible right now but intuitively (pre-knowledge kind of sense) you can feel it. It's the beginning of your life the way you'd like to live it. I'd pay a buck or two to be in my shoes right now!

Sensational Siesta

Nat was here for dinner yesterday and we knocked off a bottle of Italian Villa Antinori from Tuscany and an Argentinian Felipe Rutini Malbec from Mendoza. Both executed with no or very little effort.

The best day-after strategy is to get up early, drink tons of coffee, work hard and focused and then have a reviving siesta in the afternoon. Since I'm a strong follower of sticking to the plan and executing a tight aggressive strategy that's what I did. You have to use your value position well.

Mac Mini

We just bought a Mac Mini with 1GB memory, superdrive and wireless keyboard + mouse. Do I hear couch potato?

I bet it's more expensive than an ugly gray PC box but it's fun, has a soul and passion. But who cares (that it's more expensive). This bad boy is going to ripp DVD's, trade stocks, save our photos, show our movies et cetera for a few years to come - all from the comfort of our own couch (or as I prefer to call it - sofa).

Visit to CompUSA

I swung by CompUSA on my way to the Apple Store today. I found one young man that I recognized as a sales representative for the company and decided to ask him for his expertize on a wireless printer. The following conversation took place:

Buyer: Hi, I'm interested in a laser printer for the home office with wireless capabilities.
Sales person 1: Hmm, I don't know if we have that. Let me see. (Searching on this computer. A second sales person arrives).
Sales person 1 asks Sales person 2: Do you know if we have wireless printers.
Sales person 2: Well, any printer we have could be wireless. But noone is wireless of the bat, you either need a wifi-card or a server box.
Buyer: That's okay (sporting a Yahoo! cap). Anyway that I can avoid having cords across the home office would be great. (This is when sales person 2 disappears, saying he has got another customer. I then turn back to sales person 1 but he seems to have forgotten me, being busy flipping through what looks like a bunch of invoices.)
Buyer: Hi - again - I'd like to take a look at these wireless printers. They don't need to be color, just black and white. What do you offer?
Sales person 1: Well (pointing into the store) you can find the HP's over there. (Then he turns back to flipping his papers.)
Buyer: Over where?
Sales person 1: Over there, by the wall, Sir.
Buyer: Well, thank you. I'd appreciate if you could help me out a little more here.
Sales person 1: Well, you will find all the printers we have over there.

At that point it was very clear to me that this person wasn't interested in helping me out. It would have been so easy though to find out what I wanted and needed, suggesting a few options and then close the sale. So I politely thanked him for his excellent services (really) and walked out the door (no index finger in the air - promise). Then I headed to the Apple Store where I was serviced as soon as I stepped into the store. No wonder the APPL stock is flying. Sometimes I pays off to use head AND feet.

[Food & Wine] Light Chicken Salad with Malbec

If you are looking for a lighter dinner then any kind of Arugula salad spiced with roasted chicken, onions and greek feta cheese fits like a glove. Just sprinkle some extra virgin oil and balsamic vineager, peppar and salt and you have a very tasy, healthy mediterranean evening meal. We opened a bottle of Catena Zapata Malbec from 2002 ($15) which is slightly to heavy but works.

Like Water Off a Duck's Ass

I use teflon pans sometimes when I cook. The great thing is that nothing sticks. That works for simple dishes like omelet and pancakes.

I also use the teflon trick - non-stick - in daily situation. It's easy to get effected by other people's frustrations or anger. To get pulled into their darkness and get exposed to their personal demons. That's when I become the teflon man and everything slides of me like water of a duck's ass. If that doesn't work, use the pan to geth physical. It gotta weight at least 2 lbs.

Groove is in the Heart

Like they said - Groove is in the heart. Where there is heart, there is passion. Where there is passion there is energy, guts, blood, sweat and tears. Where there is all that there are cojones. Big freekin' dino cojones, like pears dinge-linge-ling from the trees.

Lo mas importante es la pasion, la corazon. That's easy to forget in the fast-paced, high-energy and over zealous corporate sandbox. The performance / perception cycles are short, mostly quarterly like a pump and dump scheme. It's truly a momentum play. Buy and hold is a novel idea in the context.

Mini-Vans

I gotta hand it to Lee Iacocca: the Mini-Van can kick butt and did very much so today. A quick trip to IKEA that with any other car would have been a nightmare was nicely handled by the in-laws' Mini-Van. The seats disappeared in the floor and all our packages slid easily in and out of the car. And it's comfortable to ride in.

Live Your Dreams

It comes a time when you realize that there is a life outside the cubicle. It's a shocking statement since it's challenging the status quo and forces you to think. It's a little like moving out from your teenage room or the dorm. A sense of uncertain and sometimes scary new times emerges: leaving the security of the past without any for the future. Sort of being in mid air.

But there comes a day when the grass is definitely greener and the desire to jump becomes to big too surpress. The only thing holding back is what is also pulling you forward: the fabulous, daring uncertainty. Suddenly the safety net is gone and the excitement is back. Life - as it should be - is right in front of you, ready to be conquered and won. Man, it needs the very best of you.

I'm thinking days full of spanish lessons, gitarr playing, music listening, trading, cooking, reading, siesta having, blog writing, luncheons and dinner discussions. Did I mention wine drinking and cigarr smoking?

Simplicity

We realized that it was time for a house makeover and started to make plans short after the morning lattes. It ended up with most furniture being moved around and some thrown out. Or at least put in a pile to be thrown out.

It's a great feeling to rethink your previus plans and to create something new. Our mission was to create space and increase the storage. In most cases people buy more furniture or potentially start to look for a new house. Well, saying that we are like most people would be an insult to most people... and to us.

Our approach was to simplify as well as enrich our living. Big words but we found out that they actually work. We started with identifying the things we could live without. Then we identified what kind of usage we wanted from each room. Finally we looked to create options for our favorite activities. Every room had to have a lounge chair so we could watch movies, read or dose off.

We ended up with much more space and a huge pile that's either going to the storage or the dump. It's funny how people attach so much history and emotions to physical things instead of looking at use and need. A house shouldn't be a museum but a hideaway that works. How can anyone have an emotional connection to a table from IKEA, a sofa from Jennifer Convertibles or a bed from Mattress Discounters?

On Any Given Sunday

We celebrated my birthday yesterday in the best way possible. Well, I actually sneaked up ahead of the missus which is a big birthday comme-il-faut. You are supposed to stay in bed until your hear the happy birthday song and see the candles. But I'm too old for that.

I enjoyed my first - of many - birthday lattes at 5am pacific summer time. The missus joined around 7-ish with a second brew and a Quiche Lorraine. Yum. Then we just lounged around until 10am and had probably at least another latte. And I got my birthday present: a pair of fabulous Prada evening shoes. Life is good!

One thing leads to another and we started discussing housing. It's a popular subject in the USA these days due to the current real estate boom. We love our current place but would like to buy a place for the long-term. Historically that has been the best deal anyone could make. The challenge right now is that the cost of owning versus renting in the bay area is huge - close to 2x (net tax). Last time I bought it was 1:1 which made it much more of a nobrainer.

Anywho, we decided to stay in the Bay area but continue to rent until the current boom or bubble shows it's true colors. I doubt we'll see a decline in prices as long as the employment rate stays at current levels. But I do think we'll see the prices level out somewhat before the next run.

But it's all about perspective. We are looking for our dream place where we'll stay for the next 20 years so we got time to wait for a few years. We are not in the market to make a quick buck, just to find a great place in the right neighborhood. Until we find that place, we have a 50% discount on living in one of the most beautiful and fun cosmopolitan cities in the world. That ain't cat piss!

24 hours Door-to-Door

It took us about 24 hours door-to-door to get home to San Francisco. We travelled via cab (10min), train (4hrs), airport express (20min), plane (13hrs) and car (30min) to get back where we started about a week ago. It made us realize that we have to have some guidelines for comfortable leisure travel. We do have them for our business travels so why not for leisure.

Four main themes developed: service level, choice, time and price.

Service level: We need to travel with a company that believes in service and gives us relevant options for seating, food, rest et cetera. Icelandair was not a good choice. It's a people shipping company, not a service company. Also, switching between methods of transportation is tiring and extends the time of travel. We should stick with United and American with as few lay-overs as possible. The lay-overs should be at bigger airports that can offer service and choice. That said, we loved the coffee shop at the train station in Gothenburg which served us great lattes at 6am.

Choice: I personally hate not having a choice. It's the most basic human need in a modern world and a sign of how healthy the economic and political system is. When choice is not on the menu, I'm not buying cause it's usually a rip-off.

Time: People assume that there is a 1:1 correlation between distance and travel time. That's not necessarily true, it's all up to how well the trip is planned. Anything over 15 hours is just crazy.

Price: The price is key and a function of several different things: competitive enviroment, service, target group brand et cetera. One way to use great brands and enjoy above par service is in off-seasons. I would avoid summer and christmas to save money but also to avoid the craziest crowds of vacationers. It's also important to factor in all costs in the planning. Travelling with a crap airline means buying your own food at the airport. Ouch, that is pricey.

PS. I feel sorry for the guy that sat next to this mother of six (6) kids (age 5-8), all on crack and with developing ADD. The mother had given up and let them roam around the cabin as they pleased. The guy was too polite to say anything and just suffered quietly.

Swimmer's Ear

I'm still in doubt but after a quick visit to the doctor here in Gothenburg I learned that I got Swimmer's Ear. I guess I got it while showering last week cause that's when the first slight discomfort started.

Swimmer's Ear means that a little bit of fluid is trapped in the ear canal which enables bacteria to multiply faster and results in an infection. The symptoms are blocked ear, drainage, fever, decreased hearing, intense pain and a swollen outer ear. In layman terms: It feels like someone stuffed a towel in my ear with a baseball bat.

So now I'm on Terracortril with Polymyxin B for the next few weeks. We also decided to cut the trip short not to jeopardize the healing. So good old San Francisco - here we come!

Hotel Management 101

The missus and I recently reserved a room at a what we thought would be a quaint little B&B - Kosterbaden - on the most northern island off the swedish west coast. Once we arrived we realized that this was the dump of the century (lacked service attitude, really worned down, likely stolen bed linnen, broken windows et cetera).

I explained to the jaded owner that this establishment was neither up to code nor up to our humble expectations. His response was: Then please leave. I know a number of friends who would have pulled out their inflatable titanium baseball bat and gone midevil on his sorry Norweigan ass. I, on the other hand, took it rather calmly, threw him the key and said: Hasta la vista, baby!.

The more I thought about it the more I realized that this would never happen in a real market economy, where the customer is God and not seen as the necessary Evil. But I was bathered by the fact that he didn't feel obligatated to live up to his business commitments of providing us a decent stay.

We later learned that the B&B will be torn down after this season to be replaced by a fancy condo / island hotel. So I guess he was just milking it for what it was worth.

Sadly, but even more so: I doubt that he will ever get punished for his subpar business values. The market economy relies on strong, critical consumers that are ready to fight for quality and their rights. In a culture that is too non-confrontational and has delegated most of the decision making to the government officials, this is never going to happen.

But for what it's worth we won't be staying there again!

Booooyaaar

For you that follow Mad Money and Jim Cramer you'll know recognize the expression "Boyar". It actually means russian nobility, i.e. rich gentleman in Russian and has several slavic derivatives. That's todays clue for the next mission in my life. Say no more!

PS. We are heading to Iceland, Norway and Sweden tonight at midnight. I'm now at 65 visited countries in the world. At 75 I get associate membership in the centurion travel club. Life is freakin' great isn't it!

Hammock Living

The lake is calming down after the attack of the waterski huligans and the sun is glazing at the tree tops for a slow setting. Everything seems so simple and easy from the hammock. It's the perfect time of day to let slowly let the book slide from the reading angle to the napping angle - right on top of the tummie.

I love hammocks, alomost more than I love food, wine, cigars, books and the missus. But not necessarily in that order (disclaimer). Hammocks are the essence of lazy summers on the country side. The slow, rythmic swing is soothing as well as extremely comfortable.

My grand parents had a fantastic hammock where I spent the majority of my pre-teen years in, reading and napping. Unfortunately it hung right over a stone so falling off wasn't an option.

My favorite time of day is in the late afternoon, when the hottest part of the day is over, the sun is not as bright but the air is still very comforting. That time also happens to coincide with the aftermath of a light afternoon snack and a glass of wine.

It's amazing how much we work to achieve greatness and it's the smaller things in life that creates the greatest and most memorable pleasures.

Homegrown Cowboys

I've lived an international life since I left home for the first time to train my german in the small Austrian village of Badgastein. The village was mostly known for low-cost skiing and a lot of drunken Scandinavians - summer as well as winter time. I had a great time, being away from my then home country and exploring the secrets of the Alp region.

The desire to widen my horizons was born and since then I've always been attracted to international, diverse contexts and issues. Right now I'm up to my ears in learning more about corporate globalization.

The new interest for international markets among Silicon valley companies started about the same time as China came up as the talking subject at the water coolers. I'd say roughly end of 2003 / beginning of 2004. Before then working with international markets was great. I'll tell you why:

The area completely lacked homegrown cowboys since most of them where deemed useless and laid off during the Internet bust in 2000-2001. I transferred from one of our regional offices to headquarters in 2002, to give this what people felt 'doomed' corporate function a shot. My collegues in London thought it was a suicide mission and now many of them are here as well. I had a lot of ideas after I'd been working on the recieving end (didn't recieve that much) of head quarter's international operations. I got the great opportunity to start from scratch and together with the core teams architect something new that would actually serve our in-the-market folks.

The idea I had was that if we could leverage the core assets from a domestic level to a world wide level and then give everyone across the world access to these assets, we would really accelerate our growth. Then if we could aggregate key local knowledge and feed that into the core assets - to make them much smarter - we would make HQ much more insighful and innovative. It's based on a very simple concept: Let's work together, share what we know and need to win!

Not that revolutionary you would think. But why hadn't anyone done it before? I quickly came to the conclusion that there were two main reasons: lack of international experience and the corporate career bug (also known as the command-and-control virus and the MBA arrogance). Opening up the world to the valley geeks wasn't that hard. Many of them come from all around the world and have been working in international markets even if they lacked experience from international operations. But slowly introducing them to the challenges and the local insights increased their understanding and willingness to work on international projects. One down, one to go.

The second challenge was so much harder. Most people in corporations are not going beyond what they are told to do. The are playing the game, following the rules and will eventually win a promotion so they can move onto the next company and do the same. They will eventually get through the dreaded middle management concrete to be able to realize their ideas and raise their opinion. You just hope that they are not to sold out and old by that time. The willingness to change is usually driven by youth.

The conclusion of the above paragraph is that you do what you are incentiviced to do and if the hand is not fitting the glove there is no guilt. The reality of this corporate focus means that the bigger problems, the more long-term issues related to the company's global survival was increadible hard to push through. Did I mention that all this happened at grassroot level?

Anyhow - a lot of things has changed as time goes by and today working on international is the second coolest thing after being a killer innovator. That means that a lot of people without vision or any international experience has gravitated towards this area as the latest land grab opportunity. It's now overpopulated by sea-gull managers who talks about opportunity (for them), future growth (for them) and importance (of building empires). Why? Cause there is a strong personal incentive - getting on the career bullit train.

It's the perfect area for homegrown cowboys to make their next career bets. It's virtual, global and very unknown. You would think that to become a product manager you would need to know products, right. Transfer that to the international arena - to be a good international manager / architect you would need fundamental management skills PLUS international skills (languages, working experience, network understanding, travel experience et cetera). You would think that the 1992 bagpacking trip to Greece wouldn't really make the cut, right. Well, unfortunately it does - anything you have done outside of the US (gotten drunk in TJ, puked in Quartier Latin or just got robbed in Sao Paolo) counts in the corporate world of the confederacy of dunces.

Just in - the London bridge is for sale, again. It's a buy, cowboys! Yihah!

Money is Time

Just got the latest statement from Wells Fargo and saw a $7 dollar charge for bill payments for the month of July. It happens that I only have one (1) bill payment, my car, that the bank needs to handle for me and for that they charge the amount of $7 dollars.

If there is a task there is a service and a charge. A steep charge in many cases. The argument is that "time is money". The rationale is that if you outsource bill payment, car wash, cleaning, cooking et cetera you can save time which could be spent on work. In theory, white collar work (or knowledge work as it's called in the 21st century) pays more than most "low skill" service jobs. Therefore outsourcing low cost, manual labor and spend your so valuable time on high cost, high skill work makes sense. On paper that is.

In practice this is very often just a sad excuse to spend more time at work without getting any overtime pay. The bet is on investing more time at work to get a better paid job in the long-term. It's a growth play.

But Keynes said: In the long term we are all dead. That has to count for something. And he is obviously right from an emperical perspective as well as philosophical. Outsourcing works as long as you can grow the return by hour faster than the cost of service per hour. In a world where you value all your time at market.

But I believe that some time is invaluable: time with friends and family, slacking, watching movies, sleeping, thinking, doing random things, doing non-random things et cetera. That means that your time to market is limited. I offer 8 hours per day at market and the rest has a very high premium. You might say it's overvalued. But for me it's invaluable.

So spending $7 dollars for someone else to lick that envelope and put a 37 cent stamp on my bill seems to be a waste of money AND time. I can do that on my way to my $4 dollar lunch.

The Famous Game of Fortune

They say that there are only two emotions that drive the human being: fear and greed. Fear of losing, being left out and not measuring up. Greed for fame and fortune, for self respect and to reach the top of the pyramid.

I don't mind fame or fortune but need to have a mission important enough to go after the twins of human productivity and competition. If the mission matters then playing the game to get there becomes natural but gaming for games sake feels like a wasted exercise.

When mission matters your heart is pure and your focus is clear. Everything becomes simple and as a player you are in the famous zone. You feel untouchable and play with both instinct, heart and mind.

What mission you choose defines you as a person. Some people thrive by reaching fame, some by fortune and some both. Well, it takes a big ego to know one and fighting that bug is only human. But for your sanity it's important to not fall in love with the game and loose sight of why the mission mattered in the first place. But that's also very easy and extremely human.

In the end of the day, time always wins over fame and fortune. You can always win the small battles but time always wins the war. Time is your most valuable asset so make sure you spend it on something worth while.

My Quest for Coffee in Taipei

IS Coffee - Always Fresh

Business trips usually means late nights and early mornings, i.e. few hours of sleep. That's when coffee makes it's great contribution. Since hotel coffee is far from great I headed out in the early Taipei morning - blue sky and 92 degrees - to find a proper made, well-tasting coffee.

Being a world traveller I had my eyes set on Starbucks since it's a well-known global brand and what I usually enjoy in the US. I went for a walk and ran into several coffee shops, both chains and one-offs - but couldn't find any Starbucks. I did find Austin Coffee, Ikari Coffee, Dante Coffe, Helen Coffee, Coffee Kings, IS Coffee and a number of smaller coffee shops. It wasn't until I was on my way back to the hotel, after a very hot and sweaty 45-minute walk, that I saw the well-known green logo across from the Taipei Railway Station.

The coffee shop looked exactly the same as in the US. It was rapped in the same very recognizable packaging. But it had made several local adaptions in their product offering to cater to the consumer needs of locals: they offered different sweets, more tea and the coffee was offered in smaller sizes (a grande in Taiwan is like a tall in the US). Everything was nicely translated with the english translation right under.

The customers where mainly taiwanese with a few exceptions - a western expat and myself. Few spoke english but knew the words 'latte' and 'expresso' which buffled me. I taught them 'no foam' and 'non-fat' and they delivered an excellent coffee.

Starbucks has been very successful in riding and partially creating the modern coffee shop trend across the world. They have been able to grab considerable market share in key markets by combining the strengths of a global brand and local knowledge. But as more companies become global, local markets become much more fragmented. The global companies that lack staying in tune with the local consumer needs and behavior and only 'export' their domestic product will die a painful death.

Playing To Play or Playing To Win

I've finally understood what a competitive workplace means. In my naive mind I thought it meant doing things a smart and efficient way so that both customers and stakeholders could feel the delight. But no, that's not the case. A competitive workplace means that there are two promotions available for every ten people. That means that you are in the game of winning a higher position and often far from delighting users or even stakeholders for that matter.

There are three secrets to ascending the greasy pole - once you have caught the career bug: manage upwards, conform and abide. And never think in strategic terms, only tacticals. Stop thinking might even be better.

The mantra is execute, execute and execute. Fast and faster. Doesn't matter which direction you are running as long as you are running and people can see the sweat on your forehead. That is called perception. As long as your work is visible to the people that matter people will percieve you as being the next big thing.

Top 5 tips on ascending the greasy pole:
1. Lube up - you'll need it
2. Network, talk the talk (I should have someone on my team get in contact with...)
3. Orchestrate and direct, avoid real work
4. Let all your seniors know what a fab guy you are by taking credit for other people's work - own their ears!
5. Smile and act the part. It's only a game!

You have been Blog'd!

My mother-in-law came up with the inspiration to the expression "You have been Blog'd". It was during the Saturday brunch when we conveyed our different opinions about something unimportant. She realized that I could use her agrument against her on my blog and broadcast it to the world. Of course, I would NEVER do that!

Anywho, I realized the brilliance in her observation and quickly blurted out: You have been blog'd!. I then went home to search for Blog'd on Yahoo! and realized that the expression probably has been in practice for longer than I have blogging. Oh well, I guess that I have to be satisfied that great minds think alike even if some are faster than others.

Homecoming King

The Pacific fog is sweaping across San Francisco this early Sunday morning. I've been home for 36 hours and enjoyed them liked childhood birthdays. I'm dead tired of living out of my suitcase and only having four shirts, two pants and two pair of shoes to choose from for over four weeks of work. Minimalism has never been my thing.

Sure, it's not the first time I've been on the road. But coming home felt different this time. It really felt like coming home to a place that you feel that you belong to and not longer just where you only lay your hat. It was a very grounded and comforting feeling. Whatever happens, my center of gravity is now my home and family and not my work. It answers all the questions in one about security, inclusion and future.

I dislike the expression "Settling down" because it sounds like you are giving up, settling for the second best and given up on the world, your passion and life. I'd prefer using "Settling in" - it's much less focused on the past, on growing roots and more on feeling comfortable and part of the community. And it doesn't necessarily only need to be a geographical community - a location-based settling in - but also a mental, a state-of-mindness that connects you with your world.

The marathon is over and I can now focus on the sprints and the occasional, sometimes accidental slacking. I'm back in the driver's seat so hold on to your knickers.

Le Boudin Blanc

Traveling over a longer period of time is nothing but pain in the arse as they would say on the British isles. It's a rather draconian experience being that long away from the missus, our home and my car. But there are highlights and pockets of great experiences as well. As tonight, when my long-time friend Manolo and I decided to try out Le Boudin Blanc on 5 Trebeck Street at Market Mews in Mayfair, London. We learned that this is a fantastic French restaurant in the midst of British pubs and Lebanese restaurants.

I started with some snails, then the rump of lamb with gratin daphnois and a fabulous chocolate tardent with vanilla ice cream. The wine was a very tasty Chianti Classico from Antionori, Tuscany. The food was superb and the service very attentative and polite without being annoying. I'm now at a stage of happiness that is hard to explain and replicate. I'm also so stuffed that I've a hard time doing anything but watching an episode of CSI on the Telly. Life can be damned good!

The Reinvention of the PJ

Eureka!

I have just discovered the pleasures that is the pyjamas or the PJ as I rather refer to it as. It happened at Harrod's in London while on yesterday's lunch break. I swung by the gents department and discovered that the Derek Rose PJ's were on sale, heavily discounted.

They usually run for more than £100 pounds (£1 = US$ 1.75) but I found one - most likely the cheapest ever - for £29.95 pounds. I didn't really realize what fantastic steal that was until I went back to the hotel and changed into something more comfortable as they say - my new and first real PJ for decades. Yeah, I haven't had a PJ since late teens; I've mostly used boxers and old worn out t-shirts.

I immediately knew that I was onto somthing once I had put the new PJ on. It felt wonderfully pampering, soulful and relaxing. I felt well-dressed - almost ready to party - but still very comfortable and content. The real benefit is that I could cruise around the hotel room without feeling that I had to go to bed or go out for that matter. I felt like Hugh Hefner without the playboy bunnies but with both the wit and the money.

A new world has opened up. A world that is between day and night that allow you to be contemplative and ponderous yet private and solitaire. I feel that I have a new goal in life when waking up in the mornings: to stay in or get back into my PJ's as soon as possible and just be until the next morning.

Tomorrow I'll head over to Harrod's again to buy another PJ and see if I couldn't find a pair of slippers. Obviously with my initials on, just like Hugh and Bond. James that is.

Life Always Takes Precedence

I often read articles about successful senior managers (they wouldn't interview failures - would they now?). They often say that work is their life. I usually think: how politically correct but how pathetic and boring. Noone would spend 12+ hours a day at work if they didn't get paid so that's most likely the most common motivator. The next is to avoid having your balls crushed which means that the higher up in the food chain the more power to crush and squeeze other folks balls. And as a bonus you make more money, might even get option packages and hefty severance pays.

I used to be really involved in work with a strong sense that fair play, personal development and value creation was the most important values and levers. I recently realized - and feel free to mock me for coming to this conclusion rather late in my 30's - that I was completely fooled. There is no way to rise beyond certain levels without being a complete ass. So you need to ask yourself: Are you ready to be an ass - Punk? If you are, keep that bat swinging and if not, let life take precedence and enjoy the wonder that it is.

Terror on The Tube

I went to Starbucks on South Kensington at the time of the dreadful bombings in London today. Once I got back to my hotel room I turned on the TV to watch the BBC and SKY news and learned about the explosions. First, the message was that these explosions at the Aldgate tube station derived from a power surge but soon after came reports of more explosions around London. It then became clear that these were acts of terrorism. The tube was suspended and shortly after all the buses. The only means of transportation were cabs but impossible to get.

It was pretty clear to me that walking to the office which is about 2 hours away from my hotel wasn't to think about. I also felt that the city didn't need more people crowding the already packed center of London. And who knowns if they terrorists had planned more bombings. But I had to leave the hotel to check-in to another so unfortunately I had to leave the safe and comfortable haven of my hotel room. It took about 45 minutes to walk - with luggage - across most of South Kensington into the center of Knightsbridge. Man, was I happy I had booked the new hotel room for a few days. The reception had a long queue of people wanting to check-in or prolong stays due to the bombings. Many were denied.

Yesterday London was a fantastic open party, celebrating winning the Olympic Games in 2012. Today it's a chocked, angry and sad city with hundreds of casualities and over 30 fatalities. Makes you realize how fragile success is and how short happiness can be. Enjoy while you can cause tomorrow is always another day.

You have just been Punk’d!

When you first start to work, fresh out of college, everything is possible. Your passion is riding high and pure; the feeling of changing the world is stronger than ever. Ambition is pulsating through your body like a wild spring river. You volunteer for any challenge, any project and spend 18+ hours per day at the office in the belief that you will be handsomely rewarded with more money and higher corporate status.

Wake up! You have just been Punk’d! Once you realize that corporate life is more about under promising and over delivering; spending the majority of your time selling yourself and avoiding doing the real work nothing can stop you from reaching fame and fortune. Once you have learned the right business jargon, manage to avoid showing real passion and empathy at work and staying in important meetings but out of doing the work you have figured out the secrets of corporate life. The only way is up!

Lastly - being the nice, happy and friendly guy beats competence and talent anytime. If you don’t have the unique brains, cannot get away as the brilliant genius then just show up every morning with a great smile on your face, well-dressed and a compliment at hand for everyone and your future is made. Perception is everything!

Wherever I Park My Car

Three years ago I left the United Kingdom for the United States of America. I’m now back in London for a few weeks while I’m awaiting the new Visa which will allow me permanent residency in the US. My old Visa expired on June 26 and I now have to re-enter with a new petition and a new passport stamp. It’s only a few days away so I’m all good, restless but good.

I’m re-visiting my old neighborhoods Kensington and Notting Hill in London which is great fun: Waterstone’s bookstore (great books) at Notting Hill Gate; Churchill Arms Thai Restaurant (the best Thai in the world) and Rotisserie Jules (fantastic roasted chicken with potatoes au gratin). It brings back a lot of memories but also makes me aware of how much I love San Francisco where the missus and I live.

Last week I visited Stockholm where I lived for 4 years during the 90’s and I had the same feeling: great fun to visit the old hangouts but it didn’t feel like home anymore. I was surprised of how expensive everything had gotten – too expensive. I would never afford returning which is ironic since the country is driven by socialistic values.

Lots of people asked my how it felt to be ‘home’ because in Europe home is where you are born and where you are born defines your nationality – for life. You can never be a local in Europe if you are not born there. It doesn’t matter if you get citizenship – to Europeans nationality is very closely tied with language, race, social status and birth right. You will always be a foreigner if you have an accent or a different race. Not in America though, which I really appreciate.

I generally responded with saying something neutral such as “Interesting” or ‘Fantastic’ not to disappoint or create an unnecessary argument. But in my mind I don’t recognize Sweden as home anymore, nor do I recognize London as home. I’m an average foreigner on a short visit to the old playground, a mere observer. But I do feel at home in San Francisco – no one is taking me for granted or staple the epitaph foreigner to my Nordic names.

I feel equal, wanted, needed and worthy. It’s a great feeling to belong and be included. San Francisco has diversity, great attitude and in general very appreciative people. It’s a unique place where nothing is impossible and your future is more important and talked of than your past. It’s you in the context of others and not the other way around.