Kids - The Killer App

If I didn't know better I would think that Sweden has been overtaken by kids. Like the Cuban revolution in the 50's. But instead of one despotic ruler the kids are working in networks. They are collaborating in ways that is hard to imagine. They speak a language that few adults can understand and their actions seems irrational and beyond human logic. Yet they conquer, create chaos and seems to be experts on exhausting their genetic ancestors as well as anyone who gets in their way. Nothing is impossible, to hard or out of reach. Quite an inspiration!

Growing Up Nordic

I'm often asked what I miss about the old country and I usually say nothing. Ten years in exile has soften my subconscious recollections and emotional desires for national culture and historic legacy. But it's in times like these, during the beginning of the summer when the old Nordic beast is awoken and I can feel how my heritage is pulsating through my veins like new fresh blood.

I arrived in Stockholm right in time for our first annual pre-midsommar feast. It's a new concept that my old friend Anders initiated. It derives from the pre-parties we used to have before the family Christmas celebrations. A few days before Christmas we all used to gather to let out the savage nordic beast inside us and celebrate in the closeness of friends and absence of parents. You do the math.

Midsommar is one of the few occasions per year when the Swedish soul gets to roam freely in space, body and time. It's like going to Las Vegas for the North Americans. But while Vegas is all about excessive indulgence, Midsommer is not a place but a state-of-mind where less is more and unedited out-of-your-mindness is king.

We chose crime scene carefully and both agreed that Sturehof was the only place that should be honored in serving us the classic feast of schnaps, salted herring and crispbread. They where obviously delighted when our plans became official and gave us the most central and easy to view table in the restaurant. From there on rest is history and dazed / confused memorium: we sang, toasted, drank, conspired and ate herring. Encore!

It felt great to walk home in the early morning hours. My Nordic genes have had their fun and the beast was out of the cage for another year or two. My mind was fueled with Löjten Aquavit and eagerly fighting the desire to run down to the nearby water and go for a swim. That is the only sideffect of the drink and of course, a heavy head the day after. Skål!

Still On The Road

I have yet again met the European bureaucrazy head-on after three delightful years on the American west coast. To be fair, one of my few interactions with Europe has to do with bureacratic matters so I might be oversensitive. The rest are monetary and has a build-in way of finding workable solutions fast and cost-effective. Bureacracy is it's own beast and listens no noone except it's own desire survive, grow bigger, badder, slower and dumber. Oh, ya'll think you can detect a negative sentiment, a biased hidden voice that echoes a frustrated free mind. How perceptive!

Anywho, I'm here longer than planned which is not too bad - except I miss the missus and my car. Right now, the Swedish Passport Authority and the British Scotland Yard is on top of my shit list. Is making Europe the 51st state really that bad idea?

On The Road: Europe

Life as a global road warrior is not all that glamorous. It's early Sunday and when most of my co-workers are hopefully enjoying a well deserved sleep-in I'm packing for a 2-week trip to Europe. I just moved from strategic planning and business management at Yahoo! to international marketing and one of my first tasks is to meet up with fellow marketeers across the world - starting with Europe.

Packing for 2 weeks is a challenge. There is a lot of things I need and everything needs to fit into my 22" carry-on so I can move light and quickly through airports and cities. Avoiding checking-in luggage can save up to 1-hour per flight and since I'm going to visit 6-7 countries that will save almost a whole day.

The great news is that it's summer time and travelling during this part of the year is easy. There is no need to bring any jackets, gloves or sweaters. Only shirts and jeans will work great across all European business cultures during summer time. But I'll pack a suit for more formal occassions.

It's all the gadgets that takes a lot of space and weight. I usually bring my BOSE headphones, the iPOD, the VoIP headset, the IXUSi camera, my TREO 600, the computer and all the associated cords, chargers and extra batteries. I'm looking at cutting down the cords to a bare minimum by using retractable cords from Zip-Linq.

What really helps is that I know London, Paris, Munich, Milan, Madrid and Stockholm really well and speak 4 out of the 6 languages. It feels more coming home than going away when I'm in Europe. It's everything from knowing how to get from A to B, understanding the culture, handling jetlag well, be disciplined and focused to get stuff done and enjoying what you do.

I've learned that travel comfortably and successfully is all about having a plan and a backup plan if things shouldn't work out. It might sound obsessive-compulsive but it works and keeps you focused on getting the job done.

All These Anniversaries

The missus and I recently celebrated our 1st anniversary as married. We spent a few days down in Cabo, Mexico, by doing nothing. Well nothing might be an understatement. We did knock off quite a few Margaritas, had several naps in and out of the sun and got a healthy tan.

My next upcoming anniversary is as an expat. I left my homeland on June 15, 1999 for a nomadic life, joining the family tradition of seeking fortune and glory beyond the border. My great grandmother's brother headed off to Reno, Nevada, before WWII so I guess it happens to every forth generation in our family. It's a curse and a blessing as Monk would have expressed it.

Short after that I'll start my 7th year at Yahoo! which has been my professional home for the majority of my adult life. I just realized that it also means that I have lived in exile for the majority of my adult life.

All these anniversaries makes me realize that time is running to fast. Noone should have these many and still be in their thirties. Hmm. Late thirties.

Billy Bands

I have joined Billy's Bootcamp. My first workout session was Friday and lasted for about 25 minutes. You don't think that watching TV could be that tough but I tell you, I was exhausted after the first 10 minutes.

Today I feel sore in places I didn't know I had muscles and that without weight lifting or alike activities. I'll stick with this for a while, especially if it can get me ripped by August.

Early Retirement Is For Cowards

I just watched a "get-rich-quick" commercial on TV. A couple in their early thirties talked about how this scheme made them more free and independent. They even expressed a desire to retire early cause that's what life's about.

I really had to control myself not throwing up. Six billion people in the world with 75% living in poverty and this ass wants to kick back at an age when he can and should change the world to the better. Disgusting!

In Europe, where I'm from, few people can retire early due to the collective decision that well-being for all is more important than luxury for few. I do agree that the European system has gone too far and needs to be reinvented. But the american business model is far from perfect. As is the values that it brings. "Money for nothing and the chicks for free" as Dire Straits sings.

I realize that I never want to retire but rather be super-charged and always passionate about the ventures I'm involved in. Sitting on a beach and smoking a puro is only great when it's inbetween hard work, never when it becomes an everyday expression for too coward to care.

The Midnight Hour Brings Out The Wolf

Excitement fills my veins like fire used to do. I'm on my third workout / diet week and I can already feel how my body is starting to wake up from the debauchery that was my slacking life. I've cut out the wine from my lunch menu, shrunk the siestas to hardly noticeable power naps and only smoke cigars during the weekends.

I can hear the accolades travel across the world, echoing across the beauty that is California to join us for supper. Oh hear, thy God of hedoism and dissipation I must stop streaking at the midnight hour.

Aristotle said:

"Where the needs of the world and your talents cross, there lies your vocation." but also "All paid jobs absorb and degrade the mind."

Retired Slacker

Everyone at work asks me what I learned during my extended vacation (cannot say sabbatical). My usual answer is: got perspective, relaxed and found true work-life balance.

But I realized today, after being back for 3 weeks, that I learned a lot more. My approach to work is much more focused, clear and direct. I've spent the past 5-6 days in creating a plan which is now ready to be presented to the executives. The process of creating that plan was very intuitive.

I feel that I'm about to crack the code to work. I feel a flow that I have always known but never really felt except for in strongly adrenalin induced moments. Work seems like a simple marathon to me these days. I plan the training and I workout but I don't do it 24/7 - only so much that I'll perform at my best and can keep going until the deed is done.

I feel like a pianist that suddenly discovers the black keys and realize that you cannot make music without them. It's so easy to fall into the trap of trying to be everything to everyone but my key learning is to focus on the key things that really matters. And they shouldn't take more than 40-50 hours a week. If they do - you are doing something wrong (taking on to many assignments, lack focus in execution et cetera).

PS. I think it's about realizing that there is nothing else to prove except to yourself. But on the other hand - that's always your toughest critic.

Going For Seconds

I'm on my second week of regularly working out in the afternoons and it feels great. Like having Frosted Flakes in the morning or having afternoon naps.